The news of Song Ying bringing her boyfriend to participate in “Detective Love Journey” quickly exploded on the trending searches, sparking widespread discussion online.
Not only that, but someone also dropped the news into the Qin family group chat.
When Song Ying and Qin Shu returned to the Qin family home for dinner that evening, they had barely stepped through the door, bags still in hand, when some of the sisters-in-law began making sarcastic remarks.
“When you entered the entertainment industry, didn’t you say you wouldn’t rely on the Qin family’s influence? What’s the matter now? It hasn’t even been a year, and you can’t make it big, so you couldn’t resist anymore?”
A noblewoman dressed in a purple cheongsam, adorned with a full set of amethyst jewelry, glanced sideways, her expression full of disdain.
Beside her, another woman, adorned with pearls, appeared gentle and reserved, but her words were no different from the former’s.
“What kind of status does A Shu have? The old master has protected him all these years, and now, for the sake of an actress, he’s parading himself in public. I say, he’s been mingling with those from humble backgrounds for too long and has long forgotten he’s a member of the Qin family.”
“From what Second Aunt means, a grown man like me shouldn’t show his face in public and should stay at home gossiping and drinking tea like you all?”
Before Song Ying could respond, Qin Shu, who was standing beside her helping her change her shoes, sneered and retorted, “What era is this? The Qing Dynasty fell long ago, yet you two aunts are still preaching about the ‘three obediences and four virtues’?”
“A Shu! How dare you speak to your elders like that!”
A stern-looking middle-aged man on the sofa frowned and scolded, “Apologize to your two aunts immediately!”
“Apologize?”
Qin Shu laughed. “Alright, I’ll listen to you, Second Uncle. But there’s an order to things. Please ask my two aunts to apologize to my wife first.”
“Nonsense!”
Qin Zhen, the second uncle of the Qin family, glared angrily. “Look at what you’ve become! I thought after getting married, you’d at least learn some sense. But now it seems you’ve regressed even further! I should have made you marry A Yan. Otherwise, you wouldn’t have forgotten even the most basic manners!”
“If Second Uncle is so satisfied with Xu Lanyan, why don’t you marry her yourself? Why insist on matchmaking for me? I’m perfectly satisfied with my wife and have no intention of changing her.”
“What nonsense are you spouting!” Qin Zhen stood up in anger.
Second Aunt Xu Jinhua also raised her voice, “Qin Shu! Do you know what you’re saying?”
Seeing that things were about to escalate again, Song Ying quickly tugged at Qin Shu’s sleeve and shook her head at him. “Today is Grandpa’s birthday. Don’t make a scene.”
For Song Ying, marrying into the Qin family was an accident.
During her year studying acting abroad, she met and fell in love with Qin Shu. Three years later, after completing her studies and returning to the country, she planned to re-enter the entertainment industry. Qin Shu, afraid she might change her mind, begged and insisted on getting their marriage certificate first.
For Song Ying, marriage was something that would happen naturally when the time was right. Her desire to become an actress stemmed from her love for acting. So, without overthinking it, the two met each other’s families early on and began discussing marriage.
Song Ying’s parents were both university professors. During their relationship, she knew Qin Shu’s family was wealthy, but she simply assumed they were well-off financially. Since she wasn’t interested in such things, she never asked for details. It wasn’t until the day she met his family that she learned Qin Shu’s true identity.
The three giants of Jing City: Qin, Wen, and Zhao.The Qin family has been the wealthiest in the capital for many years, with ancestors of remarkable achievements, holding sway in both political and business circles. However, the Qin descendants adhere to the family motto, always maintaining a low profile and never involving themselves in petty schemes. Apart from Qin Yong, the eldest uncle who now manages the family business and frequently appears in financial reports, almost no information about other members of the Qin family can be found online.
Song Ying sought nothing from the Qin family. Though surprised, she didn’t see them as fundamentally different from other families—aside from their larger house and more numerous relatives.
After registering their marriage, the Qin family originally planned a grand wedding, but due to Song Ying’s work schedule never aligning, it was postponed until now.
At their current status, the Qin family no longer cared about marriage alliances. Among the elders, Grandpa Qin was kind and gentle, while Qin Yong, the eldest uncle, was generous. Since Qin Shu’s parents passed away early, both doted on him, allowing him to follow his heart in marriage matters. Thus, their affection for Qin Shu extended to Song Ying as well.
However, Qin Yong’s wife, Li Biru, and the second uncle Qin Zhen, along with his wife Xu Jinhua, always looked down on Song Ying’s background, believing only those from prominent families were worthy of entering the Qin household.
Unwilling to let Song Ying suffer, Qin Shu moved out of the old mansion with her after their marriage registration. Still, they returned for holidays and Grandpa Qin’s birthdays, where conflicts over Song Ying inevitably arose.
This was not the first time.
In her industry, Song Ying had plenty of detractors, but she took it lightly. More importantly, she didn’t want Qin Shu to clash with his family over her. Yet Qin Shu couldn’t bear to see his wife slighted.
“If a dog bites you, can you bite back? Let them talk—it won’t cost us anything. Don’t forget why we’re here today.” Song Ying scratched Qin Shu’s palm, whispering to calm him.
Just then, someone descended the stairs.
“A Shu, A Ying.”
They looked up to see Qin Yong, the eldest uncle now managing the family business.
“Uncle,” they greeted in unison.
Qin Yong nodded. “Grandpa is waiting for you upstairs. Go see him, and come down later for dinner.”
Qin Yong’s timely appearance rescued the young couple from the tension.
Upstairs, Grandpa Qin was holding a magnifying glass to examine a painting. Spotting Song Ying, he eagerly waved her over. “Come, come, A Ying, take a look at this!”
Song Ying’s father was a professor at the capital university specializing in cultural relic preservation, an expert in painting and calligraphy restoration. Though Song Ying followed her mother into acting, growing up in such an environment gave her some understanding of art and antiques.
“Is this Han Xi’s ‘Spring Banquet’ from the previous dynasty? It looks like an authentic piece! I’ve heard my father say that nowadays, four or five out of ten ‘Spring Banquet’ paintings on the market are replicas.”
“You truly have a keen eye, girl! I acquired this at an auction a few days ago. Since you appreciate it, I’ll have it wrapped for you to take when you leave.”
Song Ying knew such a painting was worth at least several million. Yet Grandpa Qin spoke as if it were merely extra apples at home, casually offering to pack some for her.
“No, no, Grandpa, I don’t understand these things—it would be wasted on me. It’s best kept here with you since you enjoy it.”
“If I say it’s for you, take it. Do I lack such trifles? How about this—take it to your father. He’d surely treasure it.”
Understanding his meaning, Song Ying replied, “Then I’ll thank you on behalf of my father.”
Grandpa Qin waved his hand, gesturing for Song Ying to sit.Qin Shu sat down next to his wife, shedding his earlier prickly demeanor from downstairs. “Grandpa, you can’t play favorites—where’s my gift?”
“It’s my birthday, and you’re asking me for a gift?” Grandpa Qin huffed, his beard bristling. “I haven’t even asked you for one yet!”
“We’ve had your gift ready for a long time!” As he spoke, Qin Shu brought over the gift he and his wife had prepared and handed it to Grandpa Qin.
It was a set of traditional calligraphy tools—brush, ink, paper, and inkstone. They weren’t antiques, but something Qin Shu and Song Ying had taken the time to learn from masters and craft with their own hands during their recent travels.
Grandpa Qin accepted the gift with great delight, then smoothly transitioned into the inevitable topic of every family gathering—urging them to have children.
“…” The young couple felt a headache coming on.
“We’re still like kids ourselves—how can we think about having children yet? Besides, it’s not something you can just decide on a whim… My business is just starting to pick up, and there’s so much going on at the company. I’m swamped with work, and A Ying and I hardly get to see each other. I’m afraid we won’t be able to focus on that for now.”
Actually, Song Ying and Qin Shu had already discussed the matter of children. For Qin Shu, it didn’t matter much—he’d be more than happy to have a child sooner. But Song Ying had just made her comeback, and it clearly wasn’t the right time for her to step away from the industry due to pregnancy before achieving any notable success.
Qin Shu wouldn’t say that, though. Instead, he took all the responsibility upon himself.
“I saw the message your Second Aunt posted in the group chat today, saying you’re going to accompany A Ying to participate in some kind of show?”
The topic had finally circled back to this matter.
Just as Song Ying was about to explain, Qin Shu spoke up first. “That’s right. It’s a dating reality show where couples live together on the program. Lately, I’ve been so busy with work that I haven’t had much time for A Ying. This seemed like a good opportunity to spend more time with her, just like when we were dating—to rekindle and nurture our relationship.”
“And don’t you want a grandchild? How can we even think about that when I’m buried in work all day? Who knows—maybe by participating in this show and warming up our relationship, that grandchild of yours will come naturally!”
Grandpa Qin loved hearing that. He nodded repeatedly in agreement. “That’s good, that’s good! Young couples should spend more time together! You’re finally doing something right! Before, when I asked you to take over the family business, you refused and insisted on starting your own venture. You’ve kept yourself so busy that it’s delayed me holding my grandchild.”
By the end of his speech, Grandpa Qin snorted and shot Qin Shu a glare.
Qin Shu quickly smiled and agreed, but from an angle Grandpa Qin couldn’t see, he winked at his wife. His smug little expression clearly said—See? There’s nothing I can’t handle.
For Qin Shu’s second uncle and the other wives in the family, they absolutely looked down on the entertainment industry. But now that Grandpa Qin had given his approval for Qin Shu to make a guest appearance on the show, even if they felt dissatisfied or disdainful, they didn’t dare show it. The dinner proceeded relatively peacefully.
In the evening, Grandpa Qin originally wanted Qin Shu and Song Ying to stay at the old house, but Qin Shu politely declined. “The old house is too far from the company. We’d have to get up early for work tomorrow, Grandpa. A Ying and I should head out now.”
After leaving the old house, Song Ying let out a long sigh, feeling much more refreshed.
As Qin Shu drove, he brought up the evening’s events with a hint of smugness. “See? I told you if I stepped in, it would work out. Wasn’t I right?”Recalling the excuse he had used, Song Ying shot him a glare. “Anyway, it was you who made the big promise. I’m not taking any responsibility.”
“If the sky falls, I’ll hold it up. But considering how well I performed today, Mrs. Qin, aren’t you planning to properly reward your husband?”
“What kind of reward do you want?”
Qin Shu abruptly pulled the car over to the side of the road.
Shadows of trees danced around them, and the villa area was sparsely populated. Qin Shu suddenly unbuckled his seatbelt and leaned closer to Song Ying. His captivating, fox-like eyes gleamed with a predatory glint in the night, like a wolf in fox’s clothing.
“How about trying out a new location?”
A slap landed squarely on his forehead. “…Get lost!”