Chapter 1683: A Lesson Learned the Hard Way

The Third Uncle’s family has a son and a daughter. Qin Yifeng is studying abroad in Australia, while Qin Xiaona, like Qin Xiaoyu, is a freshman in college. However, their relationship is just so-so; when they’re together, it’s often awkward.

Qin Xiaoyu gets along well with the two daughters of the Second Uncle, but these two girls are rather thoughtful. They felt uneasy seeing how familiar Qin Xiaoyu seemed with Gu Qiaoqiao and Zhou Xia.

They’re also members of the Qin Family, so why are Zhou Xia and the aunt so warm to Qin Xiaoyu and Gu Qiaoqiao?

This is something they can’t understand.

They forget that they’re all family, not some guests they’re trying to impress.

So they sat on the sofa without stepping forward. When their mother nudged them over, they joined the conversation, though reluctantly.

The resentment in their hearts eased a bit.

In the eyes of Qin Sisi and Zhou Xia, even though they’re all part of the Qin Family, there are some differences. In Qin Sisi’s eyes and mind, the place Gu Qiaoqiao holds is irreplaceable by others.

And this has nothing to do with being part of the Qin Family.

However, the excitement of returning home has blinded them to the undercurrents and personal calculations beneath the surface.

Even knowing wouldn’t change much; it’s normal for large families to have branches.

At this moment, Zhou Luoan was speaking with Qin Yize, "Ah Ze, what are your plans lately?"

He was naturally aware of Qin Yize’s recent situation.

And he knew Qin Yize’s capabilities, so he was very attentive. The Zhou family was in business anyway, and they wouldn’t mind joining forces in the future.

"Not for the moment..." Qin Yize glanced casually at his Second Uncle, his fingers tapping lightly on the sofa’s armrest, saying calmly, "I’ve been busy outside for these past few years, now I just want to be at home with Qiaoqiao..."

Zhou Luoan nodded in agreement, "Ah Ze, though a man’s career is important, family is important too. Especially for you and Qiaoqiao, I hear from your aunt that you two spend more time apart than together. You’re still young, there’s plenty of time to work on your career, don’t neglect those beside you..."

Qin Yize agreed with this point, "Uncle’s words make sense."

Since the topic was opened, the Second Uncle of the Qin Family didn’t want it to end just like that. A smile spread across his face, "Ah Ze, we’re thrilled you can come back and take over the family business. Your Third Uncle and I are counting on you to elevate the Qin Family’s enterprises to new heights."

"Rest assured, Second Uncle, I certainly won’t disappoint you." Qin Yize replied with a slight smile, going along with the flow.

"...You’re definitely not going to disappoint me, otherwise, why would your grandfather choose you as his heir? You must be competent. My future now hangs on you." The Second Uncle’s words carried a hint of ulterior motives.

"Second Uncle, Grandfather’s taste was never wrong, but that last remark shouldn’t be addressed to me, there’s a difference between uncles and fathers. You should say that to Ah Shan, or else the cousin will be quite upset..." Qin Yize retorted bluntly.

This is not the business field; there’s no need to be smooth and slick. For some family members, particularly like the Second Uncle, speaking and doing things straightforwardly could make him more cautious, making him aware of what should and shouldn’t be said.

The expression on the Second Uncle of the Qin Family shifted, but he didn’t lose his temper, chuckling, "...A diligent nephew can be even better than a son."

"Second Uncle, you really don’t value your son, do you? He’s standing right behind you. Fortunately, if my Second Aunt weren’t here, she would have been upset hearing that." Qin Yize remarked leisurely.

The Second Uncle turned around to find Qin Yishan standing behind him with a displeased look, snorting coldly, muttering, "Saying bad things about me when I’m not around, your nephew is the son of the First Uncle’s family. In the end, you’ll still depend on me..."

Although he muttered quietly, after the smuggling incident last time, he didn’t learn much, but the hardship he endured this time in a foreign land taught him a tough lesson, especially after witnessing another side of Qin Yize he hadn’t imagined. Some parts of him began to change slowly.

For instance, they both bear the surname Qin.

In outsiders’ eyes, regardless of their relationship, they are one family.

In some respects, Qin Yize’s glory could also provide them shelter. The Qin Family enterprises are so vast, fighting behind the scenes to the death is meaningless, besides the facts proving they couldn’t win anyway, and with Qin Yize as the family head, how could the Qin Family’s future be bleak?

Actually, what his father said wasn’t wrong, but it sounded unpleasant, like sowing discord or even mocking.

Of course, he wouldn’t add trouble to Great Grandfather at this juncture, didn’t he see Great Grandfather’s face already looked displeased?

He realized how his father seemed to be regressing in maturity?

Not as mature as he was, seems like he would have to remind him in the future.

Having figured things out, Qin Yishan chuckled thick-skinnedly, taking a few quick steps to sit beside Qin Yize, contemplating putting an arm around his big brother’s shoulder after building himself up mentally for a few rounds, but ultimately, he didn’t reach out and instead placed his hand honestly on his knee, looking at his father, "Dad, part of what you said is right, big brother is capable, I’ll definitely learn from him in the future, strive to make you proud of me, so you won’t envy other people’s sons..."

Even Qin Xuan smiled, his voice filled with relief, "I find Ah Shan increasingly sensible, you young generation, whether male or female, are the hope of the Qin Family. People say when brothers work together, they can conquer anything, only by uniting can we become stronger."

Qin Yishan quickly flattered, "My First Uncle is truly a university professor, what he says makes sense." Then he turned to look at Old Grand Master Qin, "Great Grandfather, don’t you agree?"

Old Grand Master Qin had long noticed the undercurrents in the room, though he didn’t pay much attention to Qin Lang’s little schemes. But today’s Qin Yishan did catch his eye—a lesson learned from suffering, it seemed he hadn’t taken much from past losses, but hearing Qin Yize’s account, Qin Yishan had endured quite a bit in S Country.

In this land of Huaxia, knowing he belonged to the Qin Family granted him some face, but abroad, whether a Qin or a Zhang to others, there was no distinction, just another face, another identity, naturally, no one would indulge him.

Sometimes, it seemed misfortune could turn into fortune.

Being all his descendants, he definitely didn’t wish for them to engage in internal strife.

Old Grand Master Qin snorted indifferently, neither affirming nor denying, but his demeanor softened greatly.