Wen Yunsheng’s brow twitched slightly. She instinctively glanced at Qin Yanchuan, only to find his expression cold and indifferent, showing no reaction.
He probably hadn’t heard what Qin Cisui had said earlier.
Qin Mingqian frowned. “You child, Song Ye is such a good match.”
Aunt Jin had no choice but to say, “If you don’t like this one, forget it. We’ll arrange another meeting later. Matters of the heart can’t be forced. Shengsheng is still young, there’s no need to rush. Take your time to find the right one.”
Qin Mingqian sighed as well. “Alright then.”
Qin Yanchuan spoke up. “Dad, I need to talk to you about something.”
Qin Mingqian guessed it must be something important.
This eldest son of his had grown more distant as he matured, but those destined for great achievements shouldn’t be bothered by such trivialities. He had never faltered in serious matters, and Qin Mingqian trusted him more than anyone to manage the vast Qin family business.
Thus, he didn’t pay too much attention to his eldest son’s aloofness—after all, he still had his considerate daughter and his clingy youngest son.
Qin Mingqian stood up. “Let’s talk in the study.”
“Alright.”
Qin Yanchuan followed Qin Mingqian’s steps upstairs.
Whispers rose behind them.
Qin Cisui nudged Wen Yunsheng’s arm, claiming credit. “Thanks to me, right? Otherwise, you’d really have to marry that old-fashioned guy.”
“Just looking at his photo gave me the creeps—he’s just like my brother. I knew you wouldn’t like him either.”
“He’s not even as good-looking as my brother.”
Wen Yunsheng: “…”
Qin Yanchuan entered the study. Qin Mingqian settled into the sofa. “Your second uncle called me early this morning, saying you ordered the Qimu Club to suspend operations for rectification.”
The Qimu Club was the largest industry currently managed by the second branch of the family, though it still belonged to the Qin Group. With numerous enterprises under the Qin Group, Qin Yanchuan, as its current helmsman, rarely interfered with these decentralized businesses.
This was the first time.
Qin Chengliang had called Qin Mingqian early in the morning, eagerly complaining that Qin Yanchuan had arbitrarily shut down the Qimu Club, showing no regard for him as his second uncle.
Qin Mingqian didn’t fully believe it. Qin Yanchuan was his son, and over the years, he had managed the vast Qin Group without a single misstep. He knew Qin Yanchuan’s decisions must have their reasons.
So he waited for him to return and give an explanation.
Qin Yanchuan began. “Last night, the elevator at the Qimu Club malfunctioned, nearly causing an accident. Coincidentally, media reporters had already reported on it. For a high-end club like Qimu to make such a low-level mistake has an extremely negative impact on the club and even the entire Qin Group. Suspending operations for rectification is necessary; otherwise, we cannot justify it to the public.”
Qin Mingqian’s brow furrowed. “Such a thing actually happened.”
He had known his second brother wouldn’t tell the whole truth.
Qin Mingqian opened his phone and glanced at today’s news. Sure enough, there were already reports.
A high-end club like Qimu, frequented by the elite of the capital, must not only provide an exceptional environment and service but, more importantly, ensure safety.
Such a low-level mistake would undoubtedly be detrimental to the Qimu Club.
“Have the news suppressed immediately. Suspending operations for rectification is indeed appropriate.” Qin Mingqian put down his phone and said gravely.
“I’ve already arranged for the news to be taken down. It’ll be cleared within half an hour at most. Don’t worry, Dad.”
Qin Mingqian nodded. “I’ve always trusted you to handle things.”
“Then I’ll take my leave first.”Qin Mingqian called him back again: “Shengsheng just returned to the country. If your company isn’t too busy lately, take more care of her. You two have grown quite distant over the years. She was young and foolish before, made some mistakes—what child doesn’t make mistakes?”
The one and only time Wen Yunsheng had ever been willful was when she insisted on following that good-for-nothing Ji Beicun abroad, no matter what.
At the time, even Qin Mingqian was quite displeased.
But after all, she was the daughter he had raised for twenty years, his only daughter. Qin Mingqian’s displeasure lasted only a while before he began hoping she would return home as soon as she graduated.
As he grew older, he became more sentimental.
But Qin Yanchuan never reconciled with Wen Yunsheng. Over the past four years, as far as Qin Mingqian knew, they hadn’t even been in contact.
Qin Mingqian knew his son was emotionally detached, but he couldn’t help offering a few words of advice: “She is, after all, your sister.”
Qin Yanchuan fell silent for a moment before replying, “Alright.”
Seeing that his son had come around, Qin Mingqian felt relieved and said with a smile, “When you have time, keep an eye out for suitable candidates for Shengsheng. Her judgment isn’t the best—help her vet them carefully.”
A shadow flickered in Qin Yanchuan’s eyes, but his voice remained calm. “Don’t worry, Dad.”
Qin Yanchuan went downstairs and saw Wen Yunsheng watering the plants in the small garden outside.
Chen Jin enjoyed gardening, so she had planted various flowers in both the front and back yards. When Wen Yunsheng was home, she often helped by watering the plants, loosening the soil, and pruning the branches and leaves.
Even though she hadn’t done it in four years, she hadn’t lost her touch. She skillfully watered the plants, used scissors to trim away withered branches and leaves, and gently loosened the soil with a small shovel.
She kept her head down, busy with her work, until she heard familiar footsteps approaching and looked up.
“Brother Yanchuan,” she greeted him dutifully.
Ever since she had offended him by saying she didn’t know him outside, she made sure to greet him properly every time they met.
Like a child forced to greet relatives during holidays—polite and well-behaved.
Qin Yanchuan’s gaze swept over the silk scarf wrapped around her neck as he asked lightly, “Feeling better?”
Wen Yunsheng nodded. “Much better.”
“I’ve already looked into what happened yesterday. It was Qin Jiawei. This time, I’ll teach her a lesson. Be more cautious around her from now on.”
Wen Yunsheng had actually guessed as much.
At yesterday’s evening banquet, the only person she could think of who had a “grudge” against her was Qin Jiawei.
Qin Jiawei had always been at odds with her since childhood, though Wen Yunsheng never understood why Qin Jiawei insisted on making things difficult for her.
After all, they had always kept to themselves and avoided conflict.
“I understand.”
She opened her mouth, the words “thank you” on the tip of her tongue, but she swallowed them back.
After a pause, she added, “So, the suspension and rectification of Qimu Club—was that your doing?”
Including the news report.
Last night’s jewelry banquet was a small, private event. Han Zhiying had only invited a very limited circle of people, and no media reporters were present.
Moreover, Qimu Club was known for its excellent privacy and security measures, making it impossible for reporters to sneak in unnoticed.
Even if a reporter had managed to take photos, they likely wouldn’t have dared to publish them—after all, it was a Qin family business.
Unless Qin Yanchuan had allowed it.
Qin Yanchuan’s voice remained calm. “Those who act without authorization must pay the price.”
He spoke lightly, but his words sent a chill down her spine. Her uncle was right—over the years, as he took over the company, his methods and capabilities had grown increasingly formidable.He didn’t directly tell Uncle Qin about what happened last night, but instead used this external method to force Qimu to a halt. He knew Uncle Qin might go easy on his second uncle.
But his own heart was clearly not soft.
Yet everything he did was to vent her anger for her.
Wen Yunsheng pressed her lips together and finally spoke: “Thank you.”
This time, Qin Yanchuan didn’t pick at her words by asking if this was the first time he had helped her.
He asked calmly, “Why don’t you like Song Ye?”
“Huh?” Wen Yunsheng was momentarily stunned; his change of topic was too abrupt for her to react.
His dark eyes held a coolness: “Don’t like old-fashioned types?”