The car stopped, and Yun Sheng pushed the door open to get out. Looking up, she saw the towering Xinyu Group building, its deep blue glass curtain wall reflecting a cold, hard sheen.
This was her first time here since returning to the country, and the atmosphere seemed even more solemn than before.
Assistant Chen, who had been waiting at the entrance, quickly approached. “Mr. Qin, Miss Yun Sheng.”
Yun Sheng nodded slightly. “Assistant Chen.”
Qin Yanchuan strode inside, and Assistant Chen immediately followed. “Mr. Chengliang has been waiting for two hours. He insisted on seeing you.”
A hint of mockery tugged at the corner of Qin Yanchuan’s lips.
“He finally knows how to worry now.”
“The suspension of the Qimu Club has caused significant losses for Mr. Chengliang,” Assistant Chen said.
After all, it was the most important asset under the second branch of the family.
Yun Sheng, following behind, overheard “Mr. Chengliang” and roughly guessed the situation.
Assistant Chen pressed the elevator button, and Yun Sheng went upstairs with them, heading directly to the top floor.
As the office door opened, she indeed saw Qin Jiawei waiting inside with her parents.
“Yanchuan,” Qin Chengliang immediately stood up, his polite demeanor tinged with a hint of deference.
“Uncle, Aunt,” Qin Yanchuan greeted them courteously, unbuttoning his suit jacket with one hand before taking a seat on the sofa opposite.
Yun Sheng also greeted them.
Feng Zhiyue stepped forward, smiling as she took Yun Sheng’s hand. “Shengsheng is just like when she was little, always following your brother around. Whatever Yanchuan does, you do too.”
Yun Sheng smiled faintly.
Qin Chengliang and his wife, having come to ask for a favor, were warm and enthusiastic even toward the younger generation.
“What brings you here today, Uncle?” Qin Yanchuan asked.
Qin Chengliang’s smile faltered slightly. How could Qin Yanchuan not know why he was here?
But seeing his nephew’s unshakable composure, he was well aware of Qin Yanchuan’s methods and dared not be presumptuous.
In just a few years, this once-inexperienced young man had swiftly established himself at Xinyu, wielding ruthless tactics to eliminate uncooperative factions and consolidate his power.
Even though Qin Yanchuan still addressed him politely as “Uncle,” when it came to dealing with people, he showed no regard for whether they were uncles or not.
“I came today to have Jiawei apologize to you. This child has been reckless and spoiled by us at home.”
Not daring to mention the Qimu Club directly, Qin Chengliang pushed Qin Jiawei forward to apologize first.
Qin Jiawei shot a resentful glance at Wen Yunsheng, feeling as if even Wen Yunsheng’s gaze was humiliating her!
Reluctantly, Qin Jiawei stiffly addressed Qin Yanchuan. “Brother Yanchuan, I’m sorry.”
“Are those words meant for me?” Qin Yanchuan’s voice was cold.
Qin Jiawei’s face flushed crimson. Did she really have to lower her head to Wen Yunsheng, a fake adopted daughter?!
Qin Chengliang glared at her. “What are you waiting for? Hurry up and apologize to Yun Sheng!”
Forced into a corner, Qin Jiawei’s face turned pale with anger. Unable to withstand the pressure, she finally bowed her head to Wen Yunsheng. “I’m sorry.”
Feng Zhiyue quickly added to Yun Sheng, “Jiawei didn’t know you had claustrophobia. She just wanted to play a prank on you and never expected it would lead to such consequences. Shengsheng, she definitely won’t dare to do it again.”
Yun Sheng looked at Qin Yanchuan.
Qin Yanchuan said coldly, “Yun Sheng was trapped in the elevator for half an hour, suffering so much shock and fear. And Qin Jiawei just apologizes with a few words?”
Qin Jiawei’s face stiffened, her nails digging into her palms. What else did he want?!Qin Chengliang immediately said, “This is indeed her fault. I will definitely punish her severely. After we return this time, I will have her confined for a month, freeze all her cards, and make sure she reflects deeply so she never dares to do it again!”
Qin Yanchuan replied, “Then I thank Second Uncle for standing up for Yun Sheng.”
Qin Chengliang’s smile stiffened.
Was he standing up for Wen Yunsheng? Wasn’t it Qin Yanchuan who forced him into this?
But Qin Chengliang knew better than to say it out loud. Five years ago, when Qin Yanchuan first entered the company, he couldn’t control him, let alone now when Qin Yanchuan held all the power. The consequences of offending him were already clear.
Qin Yanchuan could crush Qimu and cause him significant losses.
Qin Chengliang quickly added, “It’s only right. I’ve watched Yun Sheng grow up. Usually, a little squabble between sisters is fine, but this time, Jiawei really went too far.”
Qin Yanchuan looked at Qin Jiawei, his dark eyes icy cold. “Yun Sheng is my sister. To those who know, it’s just embarrassing her. To those who don’t, it might look like a challenge to me.”
His tone was calm, but the words were a clear warning.
Qin Jiawei froze in place, her hands and feet turning cold. “I… I didn’t…”
Qin Chengliang hurriedly interjected, “She wouldn’t dare. We will definitely discipline her strictly from now on.”
Qin Yanchuan nodded slightly. “Good.”
Qin Chengliang spoke up again, “As for the suspension of Qimu, please…”
“Second Uncle is an elder. Since you’ve come personally, I naturally have to give you face.”
Qin Chengliang: “…”
Now he remembered he was an elder? He had tried to meet him so many times these past few days, but Qin Yanchuan hadn’t even seen him once.
Qin Chengliang forced a laugh. “Yanchuan, you’re too polite.”
“I will handle the matter of Qimu.” Qin Yanchuan finally gave a definitive answer.
Qin Chengliang finally breathed a sigh of relief. “That’s wonderful!”
“Please also keep your word, Second Uncle, and discipline your daughter properly to avoid such misunderstandings in the future.”
Qin Yanchuan spoke lightly, but it was a warning: if Qin Jiawei caused trouble again, the consequences for the second branch would be just as severe.
Qin Chengliang wiped the cold sweat from his forehead. “Yes, yes, yes, don’t worry! I absolutely won’t tolerate her doing it again!”
As he spoke, he glared fiercely at Qin Jiawei.
Qin Jiawei’s face flushed bright red. To suffer such humiliation in front of Wen Yunsheng!
“See them out.”
At Qin Yanchuan’s command, Assistant Chen quickly gestured for Qin Chengliang and his family to leave.
“We’ll take our leave now.”
Qin Chengliang immediately led them out.
As soon as they stepped out of Xinyu’s building, Qin Chengliang’s face darkened. He pointed at Qin Jiawei’s nose and scolded, “Look at the mess you’ve made! Because of you, I had to swallow my pride and beg for mercy. Even I don’t dare provoke Qin Yanchuan, and yet you had the nerve to challenge him!”
Qin Jiawei, filled with resentment, threw her bag to the ground. “How did I challenge him? I just messed with Wen Yunsheng once. She’s not even a real Qin daughter—she’s just an adopted child, a fake!”
“You still dare to say that!”
Qin Chengliang raised his hand and slapped her across the face.
Qin Jiawei’s head buzzed from the impact. She covered her cheek, staggering back, and stared at him in shock. Feng Zhiyue quickly moved to shield her.
“Jiawei, now is not the time to argue with your father!”
Qin Chengliang roared angrily, “Does it matter if Wen Yunsheng is a real daughter or not? What matters is Qin Yanchuan’s attitude! You’re his own cousin, and does he even care about you?”Qin Jiawei felt a stinging pain on her cheek, unsure whether it was from the slap or the humiliation.
“If you dare do something so foolish again and drag the whole family down, I’ll disown you as my daughter!”
Tears rolled down Qin Jiawei’s face as she cried out in extreme grievance, “Dad…”
“Get back to your room and stay confined! Reflect on what you’ve done!”
“Brother Yanchuan, thank you.”
Yun Sheng expressed her gratitude sincerely.
Qin Yanchuan looked at her. “Wen Yunsheng, your thanks lack sincerity.”
Yun Sheng: “…”
“How am I not sincere?”
“If you were truly grateful, you’d at least think of giving me a gift,” he said coolly.
“…”
Who was it that said she didn’t need to thank him before? Now he even wants a gift.
He tugged at his tie with one hand, his tone indifferent. “Then again, what can I expect from you? You didn’t even bring me anything when you returned to the country.”
Yun Sheng paused, meeting his slightly cold gaze, and suddenly remembered—she hadn’t brought him a gift when she returned.
She thought he wouldn’t care about such things.
“I did bring something,” she couldn’t help but argue.
“Where is it? Still in the store?”
“…”
Not only was he being petty now, but his words were also harsh.
Yun Sheng stiffened her expression. “It’s at home. I didn’t have a chance to give it to you.”
He glanced at her, unsure whether he believed her or not.
His phone rang, and he answered it directly. “Dad.”
“Yes, it’s been resolved.”
“Alright, I’ll come back after I finish up.”
After hanging up, he turned to Wen Yunsheng. “I still have some things to attend to. Wait here for me. I’ll take you home once I’m done.”
Wen Yunsheng nodded. “Okay.”
It was likely that Uncle Qin had found out about Qin Jiawei’s situation and wanted to question him. Of course, it wouldn’t be appropriate for her to return first, as it might complicate things.
Qin Yanchuan then stood up and left the office for the conference room, where a meeting was still waiting for him.
Yun Sheng waited in the office. Assistant Chen pushed the door open and brought her a latte.
“Miss Yun Sheng, President Qin’s meeting will likely end in about half an hour. Please wait a little longer.”
“Okay.”
“If you’re bored, you can watch TV,” Assistant Chen said, even turning on the television for her.
Yun Sheng: “…”
“Assistant Chen, I’m not a child.”
Assistant Chen scratched his head with a smile. “Then please make yourself at home, Miss Yun Sheng. I need to fetch some documents for President Qin.”
Yun Sheng nodded and took a sip of the latte. It was rich with the aroma of milk, exactly the flavor she liked.
Assistant Chen walked over to the glass side cabinet, opened the desk drawer, and took out a paper contract.
As soon as the contract was pulled out, something seemed to have been dislodged along with it. A crisp “ding-a-ling” sound was heard as it fell onto the satin-finish white marble tiles and rolled to Yun Sheng’s feet.
Yun Sheng reached down to pick it up. It looked like a commemorative coin, and she found it somewhat familiar.
She flipped it over and saw it was a Christmas commemorative coin from last year, inscribed with “The Copper Kettle.”
This was a famous coffee shop in the UK. Last year, just before Christmas, they began giving away their homemade Christmas commemorative coins.
She had one too.
Assistant Chen hurried over in a small rush. “I’m sorry, I accidentally brought it out just now. Is it damaged?”
Yun Sheng handed the commemorative coin back. “No.”
“That’s good,” Assistant Chen sighed in relief.
Yun Sheng asked, “Did Brother Yanchuan go to the UK last year?”