As they left Qiao Yao’s house, Fang Feiyu couldn’t help letting out a long sigh.
“Sigh… You and your grandfather are actually pretty alike.”
“In what way?” Qin Xin asked. He casually touched the pocket of his pants, but the most important thing had already been left behind.
“Your tempers,” Fang Feiyu shrugged. “You’re both stubborn as mules. If you’d just softened up a little, said something like, ‘Mom and I have both missed you’, I don’t believe he wouldn’t have at least asked you to stay for dinner.”
Though he didn’t really know Qiao Yao, the old man didn’t seem like the unreasonable type. The problem was Qin Xin. The way he’d spoken made it sound like he was fleeing to seek refuge, never once trying to play the grandson card.
However, Qin Xin shook his head, answering, “My grandfather and I have never met. If I suddenly appeared in front of him saying I’d missed him all these years, do you really think he’d believe me?”
“I’d rather tell the truth. And besides…” He paused. “Whether my mother misses him or not… do you think he doesn’t already know?”
“…That’s true.” Fang Feiyu admitted he’d been too quick to judge.
“If my mother really missed him, she could have come herself. Grandpa has lived at the same address all these years, but she chose not to come. If I insisted she missed her father, Grandpa would only think I was lying.”
“Well…” Fang Feiyu sighed again. “Families don’t stay angry forever. Let’s try again tomorrow.”
There wasn’t much else he could do except hail another rideshare. The car arrived quickly, and as soon as Qin Xin got in, he sent Lin Fanxing a message.
Little Fei: [Has your brother come yet?]
Fanxing: [He said he’ll come tonight. He says he’s bringing me good news.]
Little Fei: [All right. If you need any help, tell me.]
Fanxing: [You’ve already helped me more than enough. I’m more worried about your health. There’s a heat warning today; remember to drink plenty of water.]
Qin Xin stared at the words “drink plenty of water” until they seemed engraved in his pupils. But the moment he remembered that Xiaoxing had enjoyed years of his brother’s care and affection… Jealousy became a stray dog he couldn’t control.
It caught the scent of meat and came sniffing straight toward him.
And even if Qin Xin chased the stray dog away, it was useless. Once a stray dog had tasted something delicious, it would always find its way back.
Again and again.
It would squeeze into every crack in his thoughts until he was absolutely certain that his place in Lin Fanxing’s heart far surpassed that of his younger brother.
Why do people even need siblings? Qin Xin couldn’t understand.
……………..
He slept a little during the ride home. By the time he woke, they had arrived at the front gate. The timing couldn’t have been more perfect. Qin Guangze’s car pulled in at the exact same moment, the two vehicles stopping side by side, but the first person to panic wasn’t Qin Xin. It was Fang Feiyu.
“Oh no! Oh no! Your dad’s back!”
He had no idea the encounter had been deliberately orchestrated by Qin Xin. All he knew was that Qin Guangze forbade Qin Xin from leaving the house without permission, and every time he did, it ended in a huge fight.
“It’s fine.” Qin Xin patted him on the shoulder. “You get out first. I won’t argue with him, and he won’t do anything to me.”
That’s not my father anyway. Your dad is more likely to be my father than he is.
Fang Feiyu nodded, trying to calm himself. “Okay… just be a little more agreeable.”
As he climbed out, Qin Guangze happened to be stepping out of the car in front. Fang Feiyu had always kept a respectful distance from the man, especially after Dudu’s death. However, Qin Guangze immediately noticed the sedan parked behind his own, saying, “Feiyu?”
“What a coincidence.”
“Ah… I, uh… went out for a bit,” Fang Feiyu answered stiffly.
Qin Guangze walked toward him. For some reason, he instinctively felt Qin Xin had to be inside the car as well.
Qin Xin was slowly maneuvering himself out with the help of his cane. The driver didn’t urge him, and it was obvious the passenger had difficulty walking.
Qin Xin deliberately moved at a snail’s pace. By the time Qin Guangze reached the rear door, both of Qin Xin’s legs were still inside the car. Even after Qin Guangze stopped beside him, Qin Xin never looked up.
“Why did you go out?” Qin Guangze asked. With the driver and Fang Feiyu standing nearby, his tone remained restrained. “Your health isn’t suited for going outside. I’ve told you that so many times.”
“Why can’t you ever remember?” He extended a hand, like a kind, loving father helping his frail, sickly son out of the car. The act might fool everyone else, but not Qin Xin. Instead of taking the offered hand, he withdrew the right leg he’d just been about to set on the ground, saying, “I’m not getting out.”
With that, he settled back into the seat.
The refined, elegant face Qin Guangze had maintained despite his age suddenly seemed frozen beneath a mask.
“Be good.” He smiled as he spoke. “Come down.” Yet somehow the smile made his expression even more terrifying, emotionless, mechanical, and uncanny.
“I already said.” Qin Xin met his eyes. “I’m not getting out.”
His own gaze was filled with distrust…
…and contempt.
Sweat broke out across Fang Feiyu’s forehead. Whether from the scorching sun or anxiety, he couldn’t tell.
Brother, didn’t you just promise you wouldn’t argue with him?! Your grandfather hasn’t even agreed to take you in yet! Don’t push things this far!
“Don’t make me repeat myself.” Qin Guangze was still smiling. From beginning to end, his expression had never changed, like a program executing predetermined commands.
“Then don’t make me repeat myself either.” Qin Xin might as well have rooted himself into the back seat. He faced forward, giving Qin Guangze nothing but the profile of his face.
The driver had wanted to stay out of family matters, but now, he was clearly caught in the middle. Turning around, he said apologetically, “Excuse me… I have another fare waiting…”
“I said… Get out of the car. Don’t test the limits of my patience with your little temper.” Without realizing it, Qin Guangze cut the driver off completely. At that moment, nobody else existed in his eyes, not the driver, not Fang Feiyu. Only this disobedient son who dared resist him.
His patience snapped.
Before his hand had even fully gripped Qin Xin’s right arm, he was already exerting force. There was only one objective.
Drag him out.
Qin Xin’s body lurched helplessly with the pull, and his seated posture collapsed. He was lighter than a kite with its strings cut, and just like that, Qin Guangze yanked him bodily out of the car.
“Qin Xin!”
Fang Feiyu rushed toward them, but Qin Guangze heard none of it, for humiliation and fury had already driven reason from his mind. Especially the way Qin Xin looked at him…
Exactly like his mother’s eyes.
Filled with disgust, hatred, and contempt. Every glance stabbed into him until he wanted nothing more than to drag the boy into the courtyard…
…and never let him see daylight again.
Qin Xin’s right palm scraped across the asphalt, skin peeling away into bloody abrasions. His left hand still clung desperately to his cane, but ordinary wood could never withstand that kind of force. With a sharp crack, the wooden cane snapped against the pavement.
Qin Xin immediately reached for it. Instead, he was dragged another two meters down the road. Aunt Yang’s cane…
Aunt Yang’s cane!
This was something Qin Xin had never accounted for. The cane Yang Su had personally given him had been snapped in Qin Guangze’s hands, and Qin Xin suddenly stopped struggling.
Fang Feiyu rushed over and crouched beside him, trying to help him up, while the rideshare driver got out of the car as well, unsure whether he should leave or stay.
“Qin Xin, you’ve really grown wings.” Qin Guangze’s voice continued ringing in his ears. “You don’t even listen to me anymore.”
Supporting himself with one hand against the asphalt, Qin Xin caught a glimpse, out of the corner of his eye, of a figure passing by one of the second-floor windows of the neighboring villa.
It was Qiao Lian.
“You actually think you’re somebody now? You really think being Best Actor makes you special? Don’t forget who gave you everything you have!”
Qin Guangze no longer bothered to maintain his mask. More than venting his anger, he was confident Qin Xin had nowhere else to go. After all, he didn’t even have a bank card, and he needed long-term medication.
He had no friends outside of society, and even Fang Feiyu, the only person close to him, couldn’t support him forever.
“Get back inside!” He pointed toward the villa. “And don’t ever come out again!”
If Qin Xin hadn’t been in such poor health, Qin Guangze would have enjoyed watching him crawl back inside.
“I already told you.” Qin Xin wiped the blood from his scraped palm. “I’m not going back.” His heart pounded like a drum, while a metallic sweetness rose into his throat. As he lifted his wrist, the colorful braided bracelet was still wrapped around it. “And I’ve already told you,” he continued, “I’m not staying in this house.”
“I’m going out to work.”
He knew all too well what awaited him if he returned. In his previous life, this had been the moment Qin Guangze completely took away his freedom. Using poor health as an excuse, he forced Qin Xin into retirement, and combined with the medication Fang Bo supplied, Qin Xin spent the entire second half of that year bedridden.
Forget resisting. Most days, he wasn’t even lucid enough to think.
“I’ve already arranged my future work. I won’t let you control me.”
“Qin Guangze…”
“I despise you.” His gaze was full of naked contempt.
Don’t you hate it when I look at you like this?
Then I’ll keep looking.
I’ll make you understand that you’re unworthy of all those honors you’ve received.
“You little bastard!” The last traces of Qin Guangze’s civilized façade shattered, and he lifted his leg to kick Qin Xin. Fang Feiyu immediately threw himself over Qin Xin, shielding him with his own body.
No!
Qin Xin’s body couldn’t survive a kick like that!
But just then, a car horn blared. The sound seemed to descend from heaven itself, freezing everyone where they stood. Both Qin Guangze and Fang Feiyu turned toward the source.
About ten meters away, an old-fashioned vintage sedan had pulled up. The driver stepped out first. Walking around to the rear passenger door, he respectfully helped someone out, but the person who emerged was someone Qin Guangze had never expected to see.
Qiao Yao.
Steward Bai stepped out immediately after him, and Fang Feiyu’s eyes lit up in astonishment.
But how did they get here?!
“So… This is the conduct expected of the ‘leading director of the Fifth Generation’?” In broad daylight, in public, using violence against your own child?” Leaning on his cane, Qiao Yao slowly approached the Qin residence.
“Qin Guangze, you’re unworthy of being a father.”
“…You…” Qin Guangze forced himself to remain respectful. No matter how unwilling he was, Qiao Yao was still someone he couldn’t afford to offend, for he wasn’t capable of taking on half of China’s film industry.
“What brings you here?”
“I’ve come to take my grandson home to stay with me. Is that not allowed?” Qiao Yao, too, leaned on a cane, but the fury burning inside him rivaled the blazing heat rising from the sunbaked pavement.
With Fang Feiyu’s help, Qin Xin slowly climbed to his feet. He lowered his head obediently and greeted: “Grandpa. Steward Bai.”
Qiao Yao ignored the greeting entirely. Without even looking at Qin Xin, he turned to Steward Bai, ordering, “Go inside with him. Pack his belongings, but only the essentials.”
“Yes, sir.” Steward Bai immediately walked over to Qin Xin.
“That really won’t be necessary.” Qin Guangze hurried to object. “Qin Xin still needs regular medication; his health is poor, so it wouldn’t be convenient for him to stay with you.”
“Why don’t we wait until he’s recovered? Then I’ll personally bring him over.”
It had been many years since Qin Guangze had last seen Qiao Yao, and the old man’s sudden appearance had struck him like a bolt from the blue. Life had gone too smoothly these past years. He’d held Qin Xin under such tight control that he’d nearly forgotten the boy still had someone behind him.
A mountain of support. One that could never be moved.
“And besides… He’s used to living at home.” Qin Guangze glanced meaningfully at Qin Xin. “Isn’t that right?”
“Don’t speak to him.” Qiao Yao immediately saw through the threat. “No matter how old he is, he’s still a child in my eyes. If you have something to say, say it to me. He has the right to choose, so let him choose for himself. Will he stay here…”
“…or come with me?”
Qin Xin looked at Qin Guangze, whose face had already turned deathly pale with rage.
“I’m not staying here,” he quickly said. “Steward Bai, please come upstairs and pack.”
Qiao Yao wasted no further words, and Qin Guangze no longer had the authority to stop them. A direct elder of Qin Xin’s family had come to take him away, so there was no position from which he could interfere. The only thing he couldn’t understand was…
Why today?!
By all rights, grandfather and grandson should have had no relationship whatsoever. How had they suddenly become close enough for this?
Qin Xin, however, understood everything, for the important item he’d deliberately left behind on the coffee table in his grandfather’s living room…
…was the access card to the gated community where the Qin family lived.
Words alone would never have softened Qiao Yao’s heart, so he had needed his grandfather to see everything with his own eyes. As for the figure behind the second-floor window, she had already disappeared.
At last…
He could leave this place.
With Fang Feiyu and Steward Bai supporting him, Qin Xin went upstairs and quickly packed a single suitcase. He owned very little of value, and the things he treasured most were simply his laptop, his comfort black T-shirt, and the photograph of himself with Aunt Yang.
He packed them all into the suitcase, then added a few changes of clothes.
“Young Master Qin,” Steward Bai glanced through the wardrobe. “You don’t need to take the clothes. We can buy new ones.” After one look around the bedroom, he understood.
This child had not lived well.
“I’ll just take a few sets.” Qin Xin removed a photo album from the bookshelf, lifted the half-empty suitcase, and walked out of the bedroom that had imprisoned him for so many years.
Just then, Fang Bo arrived carrying Qin Xin’s medication. The moment he saw them, he froze.
“Where are you going?” With that, he grabbed hold of his son, and Fang Feiyu answered: “Qin Xin’s moving out.”
Fang Bo’s expression changed instantly. Once Qin Xin moved away… there would be no more opportunities to tamper with his medication. Before long, Qin Xin would discover that not taking the medicine made him healthier than taking it.
But his departure had already become reality, and nothing could change that now.
“Thank you, Uncle Fang… For taking care of me all these years.” As he passed Fang Bo, Qin Xin deliberately stopped to say those words, and Fang Bo forced a smile.
“Take care after you move out. If you ever feel unwell, call me. I can deliver your medicine wherever you’re staying.”
He still hadn’t given up.
“Of course,” Qin Xin said. “I’ll send you the address when the time comes.” He merely smiled before heading downstairs. When he reached the yard, he should have walked straight to the gate. Instead, he stopped, and his eyes settled on the third plane tree from the right.
Dudu was buried beneath it.
Just wait a little longer.
I’ll dig up your remains…
and take you away with me.
As he passed Qin Guangze, Qin Xin paused once more. It wasn’t simply moving to another house, but borrowing strength. Without his grandfather stepping in, returning to the entertainment industry would have been impossible. Qin Guangze would have assigned him a manager to control every aspect of his career, and without Qin Guangze’s approval, no one would have dared offer him work.
“Goodbye.” Qin Xin spoke calmly.
He knew they would meet again, for his reckoning with this family… had only just begun.
At the same time, Lin Fanxing received a call from his younger brother. With swollen eyelids, Lin Fanxing heard Xiaoxing say on the other end, “Brother… I got the money back.”
“And…”
“I got even more than that.”
“Let’s go repay the debt tomorrow.”
T.N: If you like his novel, you can read up to chapter 24 on my Patreon, with new updates coming every week!
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