Half a year passed in the blink of an eye. Qin Qing’s injured right hand had recovered. After the cast was removed, his fingers were indeed not as nimble as before, and on rainy days, they would ache severely.
“It’s raining today. Does your hand hurt?” Qin Huaichuan flipped through documents as he asked softly.
Qin Qing, sitting across from him, shook his head. “Not much. I’ve gotten used to it.”
Qin Huaichuan nodded and said no more. For this son who had only recently been reclaimed, he truly couldn’t feel close. However, he had to admit that this son was very intelligent, learned quickly, had high emotional intelligence, and crucially, possessed extraordinary good looks and an undeniable noble bearing. This was something Qin Zishi could never match.
Qin Qing clasped his hands together and rested them on his knees, calmly gazing at a yellow jade paperweight on the desk. He was currently sitting in the Qin family’s study, waiting for Qin Huaichuan to review his homework. Over these six months, he had been studying with various professional tutors on how to manage a listed company. His academic performance would determine whether he could enter the family business, and even whether he could become the Qin family’s heir.
“Not bad.” Qin Huaichuan put down the folder and nodded with satisfaction. “In my opinion, you’re fully qualified. Tomorrow is yours and Zishi’s birthday. I’ll hold a banquet for you and invite all our relatives and friends. At the banquet, I’ll officially announce your identity. After the banquet, you’ll start working at Qin Corporation.”
Being brought home wasn’t truly “returning to the ancestral family.” Being added to the family register, holding a banquet, and announcing it to the world- that was true acceptance.
Qin Qing nodded and said warmly, “Thank you, Father. I won’t let you down.”
After leaving the study, Qin Qing walked leisurely down the corridor lined with oil paintings. “You haven’t assigned any missions for half a year. What’s the next plot point?”
Holding a birthday banquet to announce Qin Qing’s identity to everyone was definitely a major event. Such a major event couldn’t possibly be unrelated to the plot.
“There is a plot, but I’m not telling you!” 996, who had grown a lot fatter, bared its teeth maliciously.
At this banquet, Qin Qing didn’t need to do anything; he just had to wait to be humiliated. Meow meow meow, just thinking about that scene made 996 excited beyond measure. Seeing the little fat cat’s thick tail swishing rapidly, its mood clearly euphoric, Qin Qing raised an eyebrow slightly and already had his suspicions. One person and one cat reached the spiral staircase on the second floor, about to go down, when they saw Qin Zishi at the entrance on the first floor, answering his phone while pushing open the door and walking in, his face irritated but his voice gentle.
“Bao’er, big brother is busy right now. Can you call back later?”
Qin Qing stepped back into the corridor, leaning his back against the wall and looking sideways. 996 hid at his feet, also poking out its head.
Qin Zishi was slowly climbing the stairs, his voice gradually growing louder: “Are you threatening me? I already bought you a sports car and found you a good job. Isn’t that enough? Fifty thousand a month and you still think it’s too little? Then how much do you want? A hundred thousand? Qin Bao’er, you’ve got some nerve!”
Qin Qing’s thin lips curved into a silent smile. Qin Zishi had reached the second floor, only one step away from the corridor where Qin Qing was hiding. At this point, if he took one more step and turned his head, he would discover Qin Qing. But Qin Qing showed no sign of panic. He simply stood there, smiling as he listened. Qin Zishi stopped moving, the flames of anger burning in his chest.
Qin Bao’er’s voice was shrill, impossible to block even through the phone: “Are you going to give it or not? If you don’t, I’ll call Qin Qing and tell him that you and Mom have known each other for over a decade and have been hiding it from everyone. You’ve been plotting together to seize the Qin family’s assets!”
“You know that’s not true!” Qin Zishi’s tone became extremely strained.
“As long as I say it, someone will believe it.” Qin Bao’er sneered.
Qin Zishi fell silent. Over these six months, although Qin Huaichuan’s attitude toward him hadn’t changed, Qin Guangyuan and Ji Mingtang had already contacted lawyers to revise their wills. If any bad rumors surfaced now, Qin Zishi would only get even less of the inheritance.
“Fine! I’ll give you a hundred thousand!” Qin Zishi ground out the words through clenched teeth.
“Does Mom know you’re blackmailing me?” he threatened back.
“If you tell her, I’ll call Qin Qing.” Qin Bao’er wasn’t intimidated by the threat. “The mouth is on my face, and I can say whatever I want. Heads are on other people’s necks, and I can’t control what they choose to believe.”
“Remember, it’s a hundred thousand every month!” Qin Bao’er emphasized.
“I know. Hang up. I have things to do.” Qin Zishi’s tone was cold and heavy.
Meanwhile, Qin Qing was asking 996: “Has Qin Zishi completed all those plot points involving Shen Mingshu and Qin Bao’er?”
996 raised its chubby paw to look at its smart brain and pouted. “He’s done most of them.”
“What plot points have there been?” Qin Qing asked with a curve of his lips.
996 increasingly understood Qin Zishi’s feelings. Dammit, why was it so frustrating?
“Buying Shen Mingshu a villa – done, 10 points. Renovating Shen Mingshu’s villa – done, 10 points. Buying Shen Mingshu a Mercedes – done, 10 points. Buying Qin Bao’er a sports car – done, 10 points. Finding Qin Bao’er a job – done, 10 points. Sending Qin Bao’er a hundred thousand yuan allowance every month – done, 10 points. Current score: 60 points.”
996 lowered its chubby paw and scratched the ground in agitation.
Qin Qing smiled and asked again, “Have all the points been credited to my account?”
996 took a deep breath. “Yes!”
“What plots are left for them?”
“There’s the plot of introducing Qin Bao’er to a wealthy boyfriend. Then Qin Bao’er getting pregnant before marriage and you helping her force the marriage; Qin Bao’er suffering domestic abuse and you helping her fight—”
Qin Qing suddenly raised his arm and waved it casually. “Never mind. You don’t need to tell me the rest of those plots. Just remind me when the points are credited.”
The way he said it…
You’re the one who asked, and you’re the one who doesn’t want to know! Is it fun to mess with a cat, meow?! 996’s fur bristled all over. All of these plots were supposed to be Qin Qing’s! Only by being constantly dragged down by Shen Mingshu and Qin Bao’er, shamelessly asking his biological parents for money again and again, would Qin Qing become increasingly ostracized and despised in the Qin family. But now? All these huge problems had become Qin Zishi’s!
In just half a year, Qin Zishi’s savings had been drained, and he had even embezzled money from the Qin family, earning Qin Huaichuan’s growing displeasure with his adopted son. Damn it! 996 scratched the ground in frustration. The more it thought about it, the more it felt that Qin Qing wasn’t following the “bitter supporting male” route at all; it was the protagonist’s path!
“Just wait. Once the top shows up, you’re done for!” 996 threatened, both angry and helpless.
“I look forward to it.” Qin Qing smiled slightly, then stepped out openly.
Qin Zishi, who had been standing at the top of the stairs fuming, was startled, then put on a gentle smile.
“Qin Qing, don’t you have classes today?” He discreetly studied Qin Qing’s expression, trying to guess whether the other had overheard that phone call.
Qin Qing’s smile was flawless, his tone perfectly normal: “My classes ended for the day. By the way, have you seen Mom and my sister recently? I miss them, but I’m afraid to call.”
Qin Zishi steadied himself and said, “They’re both doing well. If you miss them, you can go visit. I’ve talked to Mom. She said she doesn’t hate you—she was just emotional at the time and said some foolish things. Don’t take it to heart.”
Qin Qing smiled bitterly. “How could I take it to heart? She’s the one who raised me, after all. Do you have any recent photos or videos of them? Could you send them to me?”
How could Qin Zishi possibly keep photos of Shen Mingshu and Qin Bao’er on his phone? He wished those two had never existed. But in front of Qin Qing, he had to maintain the image of a good son. He thought quickly, then found a video from their WeChat chat history and sent it over. Qin Qing looked down at the video, his face showing nostalgia, but inwardly he smiled mockingly.
This video was taken by Shen Mingshu in her newly purchased villa, sent six months ago. At that time, the villa was still a bare shell with nothing inside. Shen Mingshu held a selfie stick and detailed her decorating ideas: what tiles should go here, what furniture should go there, what crystal chandelier should hang from the ceiling…
Every single item boiled down to one word: money! She wanted to build a home with the most luxurious decorations. It didn’t matter if the style was appropriate; it just had to be expensive! She had endured for her son for over a decade, and now, she felt entitled to enjoy the benefits of that endurance. What must Qin Zishi have felt when he saw that video? He was only twenty-five, had little savings, and had recently lost his position as heir.
Having such a greedy, selfish, insatiable mother, and such a vicious, scheming, family-betraying sister – must have made him furious, right? Qin Qing watched the video with a smile, his eyes sparkling with pleasure. Qin Zishi watched his expression intently, as if studying something.
“Seeing Mom makes you happy, doesn’t it?” he asked.
“Seeing them doing well, of course I’m happy.” Even as he said this, Qin Qing deleted the video without a trace of reluctance.
Qin Zishi nodded. The hidden anger in his eyes had completely faded, replaced by a sincere smile: “Tomorrow is your birthday. I’ve prepared a custom-tailored suit for you. Want to come to my room and try it on?”
Qin Qing lifted his eyes slightly, gave Qin Zishi a long look, then readily agreed. Ten minutes later, Qin Qing stood before a huge floor mirror in a black custom-tailored suit. He walked a couple of steps with his hands in his pockets, his posture languid, then raised his right arm to adjust a diamond cufflink. The diamond was brilliant, but nowhere near as clear as his fingertips. His thick lashes shaded his half-closed peach-blossom eyes. His hair was casually tousled, yet effortlessly handsome and refined.
The summer sun shone through the white gauze curtains, illuminating everything around him. But wherever Qin Qing stood, there the softest and most beautiful scenery was. Qin Zishi watched Qin Qing, a swirl of indescribable emotions churning inside him. For the past twenty-five years, this man had lived the most impoverished life, enduring daily humiliation and trampling. Yet after only six months back in the Qin family, he had already cultivated an air of nobility and pride.
Could blood really wield such powerful influence?
Qin Zishi curled his lips, a deeply hidden trace of disdain flickering in his eyes. He stepped back a few paces to admire Qin Qing’s outfit, then snapped a white rose from a vase and tucked it diagonally into Qin Qing’s breast pocket.
“Much better now.” He smiled with satisfaction.
Qin Qing looked in the mirror and agreed, “A finishing touch.”
“Happy early birthday.”
“Thank you. Happy birthday to you too.”
“At tomorrow’s banquet, you’ll be the undisputed star.” Qin Zishi patted Qin Qing’s shoulder, his smile meaningful.
996, perched on the windowsill, snorted with laughter. “Star? Yeah, right!”
Qin Qing looked at Qin Zishi, then at the little cat barely concealing its glee. The curve of his lips remained unchanged. The next day, when Ji Lan, looking guilty, blocked him at the top of the stairs and forbade him from attending the banquet, Qin Qing finally understood the deeper meaning behind Qin Zishi’s smile.
“Qin Qing, I’m truly sorry. But President Cang and President Xu have both arrived. They have very important business to discuss with your father. Today’s banquet will have to be called off. Just stay in your room and rest. We’ll find another opportunity to introduce you to everyone.”
“President Cang? President Xu?” Qin Qing stood by the railing on the second floor, looking down at the resplendent banquet hall.
Zhou Linlin, who had arrived an hour early, tightly gripped Qin Qing’s wrist, her eyes filled with both anger and helplessness. 996 sat on the railing, lazily licking the fur on its back.
“Cang Ming, Xu Yizhi, you know them, don’t you?” Ji Lan said patiently.
These two names were thunderously famous, and of course Qin Qing had heard them. Almost every day or two, he would see them on the internet or on television. They were the founders of Lanyu Technology, among the wealthiest and most powerful people in this world. They even led the development of future technology.
After graduation, Qin Zishi had joined Lanyu Technology and, after several years of hard work, had become the director of the marketing department. Even as just an executive, the Lanyu Technology name gave him more weight than the Qin family heir. In the face of a behemoth like Lanyu Technology, the modest Qin Corporation was practically insignificant.
Now, Qin Zishi had invited these two powerful figures to the Qin family home. Which guest at the banquet would even remember Qin Qing? The entire venue was in an uproar. Even Qin Huaichuan, Qin Guangyuan, and Ji Mingtang put on flattered smiles and rushed forward eagerly. Qin Qing looked down at the two men surrounded by a crowd of guests. Both were over 190 cm tall. The man in the black suit was slightly taller than the one in the gray suit. His black hair was somewhat stiff, casually tousled into a carefree style. His upright posture exuded the bearing of a beast of prey.
He was listening sideways to Qin Huaichuan, who was chattering on about something, his expression indifferent, but his sharp brows and eyes were like those of a hawk, always radiating danger. A waiter passed by with a tray of champagne. The man took a glass, tilted his head back, and took a sip. The amber liquid passed through his thin lips, and his slightly raised jaw tightened the sinew of his throat.
The elegantly dressed people around him swirled about, yet were kept at bay by his formidable aura. This was Cang Ming, the president of Lanyu Technology. The man in the gray suit was Xu Yizhi, the head of Lanyu Technology’s legal department. He handled all legal matters for Cang Ming. Standing beside the imposing Cang Ming, he appeared relaxed and at ease. Unlike Cang Ming’s strength and coldness, Xu Yizhi had one hand in his pocket and held a glass of champagne in the other, casually surveying everyone in the room. He was like a leopard lying in the sun, gently swishing its thick tail, seemingly harmless, but ready to strike at any moment. These two men were exceptionally outstanding and extremely dangerous. Qin Qing looked down at them, unconsciously gripping the railing tighter.
“Which one of them is the top?” Qin Qing asked with certainty. Such outstanding individuals would inevitably be the protagonists of the story. He wouldn’t guess wrong.
“Cang Ming is the top!” 996 no longer hid the truth.
Indeed, the moment Cang Ming strode into this resplendent hall with his imposing aura, his identity had become clear. Suddenly, Cang Ming looked up, his dark eyes radiating a sharp light. A sudden palpitation made Qin Qing’s heart throb with intense pain. He was clearly a creature from the cultivation realm, yet facing this mortal man, he felt fear. 996’s reaction was even greater. It crashed from the railing to the floor with a bang, its fur bristling as it scurried away with a hiss.
Cang Ming withdrew his chilling gaze. Qin Qing slowly exhaled, then stepped back, away from the railing. Thus, Cang Ming and Xu Yizhi disappeared from his line of sight. Those two mortals made a creature like him afraid to look at them directly.
“President Cang and President Xu rarely have time to visit. Your father has a major project to discuss with them. So this time—”
Ji Lan suppressed her guilt and pleaded, “This time, just don’t go down. Next year on your birthday, your mother will definitely throw you a grander banquet than this. Okay?”
“Okay.” Qin Qing nodded, his face pale.
Ji Lan breathed a huge sigh of relief and quickly said, “Linlin, keep Qin Qing company here. I’ll go entertain the guests.” With that, she lifted her skirt and hurried down the stairs to greet the two honored guests.
996 poked its head out from the hallway and asked timidly, “Meow, Cang Ming didn’t see me just now, did he, meow? His gaze is terrifying, like a knife!”
“You can turn invisible. How could he possibly see you?” Qin Qing comforted her softly, then looked down at the white rose pinned to his chest by Qin Zishi’s own hands.
This luxurious custom suit, this decorative flower, and this banquet were all a “gift” from Qin Zishi. By bringing Cang Ming and Xu Yizhi here, Qin Zishi was using his powerful connections to make a statement: I may not be a Qin by blood, but if the Qin family wants to humiliate me, they’d better consider who’s behind me. The fox borrows the tiger’s might, using external forces to fight internal ones. Clearly, the power Qin Zishi had borrowed was far beyond what the Qin family could contend with.
So Qin Huaichuan had confined Qin Qing to the second floor. So the ancestral recognition ceremony was temporarily canceled. So the outside world received a clear message: even if Qin Zishi wasn’t Qin Huaichuan’s biological son, his position was unshakable. Qin Qing removed the white rose from his chest, brought it to his nose for a sniff, and sighed as he shook his head. This was the script’s arrangement, wasn’t it? For the original owner, what humiliation this must have been!
996 emerged from the corner, grinning smugly. “Meow, you just earned 10 points. The banquet humiliation scene counts as completed.”
But its smugness didn’t last long; its face immediately turned green. Dammit, it had almost forgotten; after the banquet humiliation scene, Zhou Yourou was supposed to appear and persuade Qin Qing to seduce Cang Ming. But Zhou Yourou and Qin Qing had never become friends. She was currently in the banquet hall on the first floor, buzzing around Cang Ming. How was she supposed to come up here and follow the plot?
This was the most important plot point in the entire script; it directly led to Cang Ming and Qin Zishi falling in love. If this plot didn’t happen, the entire fate line would be thrown into chaos. Then the world would restart, and everyone would be doomed! 996 broke out in a cold sweat of panic.
But at that moment, Zhou Linlin walked to the railing and pointed at Qin Zishi, who was standing beside Cang Ming and Xu Yizhi. “Look how smugly he’s smiling. I bet he did this on purpose, inviting President Cang and President Xu on your birthday to steal your thunder.”
Qin Qing stood with his back against the wall. He didn’t walk over to look at the banquet hall, but he could imagine Qin Zishi’s expression at that moment. An elegant smile, proper demeanor, but inside he was surely proud and arrogant. Borrowing someone else’s power had given him the illusion of being powerful himself.
“I heard President Cang is gay—he likes men. The only reason he values Qin Zishi so much is that Qin Zishi is good-looking.”
Zhou Linlin said indignantly, “You should go seduce President Cang. If you take President Cang away, let’s see how Qin Zishi can still be so smug! You’re ten thousand times better-looking than Qin Zishi!”
Qin Qing sniffed the white rose in his hand and chuckled at this childish remark. 996 was stunned. Holy meow, wasn’t that Zhou Yourou’s line? Because rumors had spread that Qin Zishi was Cang Ming’s secret lover, Zhou Yourou, consumed by jealousy, had instigated Qin Qing to seduce Cang Ming. Zhou Linlin, hiding nearby, had overheard their conversation, recorded a video, and sent it to Qin Zishi.
In the original plot, Zhou Linlin hated Zhou Yourou and disliked Qin Qing. Creating trouble for both of them was something she was happy to do. With that video as leverage, Qin Zishi would later humiliate Qin Qing and expose his ill intentions. In contrast, Cang Ming would naturally fall for Qin Zishi’s straightforwardness and competence. Now that Zhou Linlin had taken over Zhou Yourou’s plot, who would follow Zhou Linlin’s original plot? Who would record this conversation and send it to Qin Zishi? 996 looked left and right, panicking.
“Qin Qing, you’re so handsome. President Cang will definitely like you! Go seduce President Cang, take away Qin Zishi’s biggest backing, and see how he can still be arrogant! Otherwise, with President Cang standing behind him, he might even take away your position as heir!” Zhou Linlin said worriedly.
“I’ll do my best to protect what’s mine. Don’t worry.” Qin Qing tucked the rose back into his breast pocket, his tone calm.
“How can I not worry? Look at how smug they are- it’s disgusting!” Zhou Linlin stared at Zhou Yourou, who was giggling beside Cang Ming, her eyes filled with intense disgust.
Qin Qing, who had been leaning against the wall, finally walked over and quietly watched the clinking of glasses downstairs. 996 snuck to the end of the hallway, hid behind a potted plant, and sent a video using its smart brain. There was no choice; it would have to play the role of the vicious female supporting character itself! Inside the first-floor banquet hall, Qin Zishi’s phone suddenly vibrated. He took it out and looked at it. His proper smile turned into a knowing sneer. Then he looked up at Qin Qing and Zhou Linlin standing on the second floor, raised his glass from afar, and nodded in salute.
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