Chapter 10: 10. Chapter 10: The Enthusiastic Qin Jingming

Chapter 10: The Enthusiastic Qin Jingming

Deng Caijie's most prominent trait was her inability to speak kindly even when she meant well. She was a classic case of a "sharp tongue but a soft heart." Being the mother of a daughter born after ten months of pregnancy, she naturally doted on her immensely. Despite their modest circumstances, both Qin Weiming and Deng Caijie always reserved the very best for their daughter.

Moreover, Qin Yike was indeed a high achiever. She had never caused them any worries growing up and maintained excellent academic performance, making her the greatest pride of both Deng Caijie and Qin Weiming. When she was little, the relationship between mother and daughter was incredibly close, with no secrets between them. It was unclear when exactly a rift had formed, but eventually, every conversation between them became charged with tension.

Qin Weiming could only watch from the sidelines, feeling helpless and anxious.

Qin Yike gave a dismissive smile. "You shouldn't be saying that to me; you should say it to your brother. He's in his thirties—has he done a single decent thing in his life? Compared to him, I'm a hundred times better, okay?"

Deng Caijie's temper flared instantly. "Qin Yike, are you becoming more and more disrespectful? I'm talking to you, so why are you dragging your uncle into this? Does his business require your interference?"

"Exactly, he doesn't need me to interfere, he just needs you to do it! When he can't even afford to eat, you and my eldest aunt are there for him. You can't just stand by and watch him starve, can you? In your eyes, he's the youngest, a child! No matter what he does, he's always right! I've only been graduated for a few days, and you're already complaining that I'm just a freeloader at home."

Deng Caijie slammed the spoon onto the kitchen counter with a loud *clang*. "What is wrong with you? Am I not doing this for your own good? You say you've graduated, but you have nothing productive to do every day. Wouldn't it be good to go work at a pharmacy to gain some experience first?"

This was what Qin Yike hated most about Deng Caijie: she was tolerant toward others but harsh toward her own daughter, and her vanity was incredibly strong.

"Is it because your colleagues are gossiping again? You're feeling embarrassed, aren't you?"

Deng Caijie was speechless. It was true that some colleagues had been inquiring about her daughter's employment, and she had managed to brush them off with a few words.

As soon as Qin Yike saw her expression, she knew she had guessed correctly. "You could just tell them the truth. Tell them you turned down my job offer to stay at the university and see what everyone thinks of that."

"Wasn't I doing that for your own good? You're a young girl; how can we feel at ease with you living all alone in Beijing?" Deng Caijie felt guilty. She knew that if she actually revealed the truth, people would think she had lost her mind. A position at Beijing Medical University was not something anyone could just get; her daughter had earned it through her own merit, yet she had refused it. People would certainly gossip—they might even think she was a wicked stepmother!

"Heh, as long as you're happy!"

As the mother and daughter were arguing, the house phone suddenly rang.

Qin Weiming picked up the phone. After a long, strained silence, he finally said, "Alright, we understand. We'll be there right away."

A sense of foreboding rose in Deng Caijie's heart. "Who was it?"

"It's Dad. He wants us to go back to the old family house," Qin Weiming said dejectedly. "Fine, let's go!"

"Why the sudden call? Is something wrong?" Deng Caijie grew nervous. She untied her apron and tossed it aside, abandoning the argument with her daughter.

"He didn't explain much over the phone, how should I know? He just said the whole family of three needs to go." In truth, he didn't dare ask further.

Deng Caijie panicked as well. "Then... are we still making dinner? Forget it, there's no point asking you." She rushed back into the kitchen to unplug the appliances and turn off the stove.

Qin Yike truly disliked returning to the Qin ancestral home. With many people came many troubles, and it was no less complicated than her maternal family's affairs.

Her father was the second child; he had an older brother and a younger sister.

The eldest brother, Qin Jingming, had been laid off years ago, but he was clever and resourceful. He learned how to do business from others and grew his ventures from small to large. Now, he ran several high-end tobacco and liquor wholesale businesses in the county, earning a fortune and owning several storefronts. His wife, Gao Mingyu, was a primary school teacher. Although she came from an ordinary background, she had been "productive"—she gave birth to a boy and a girl, ensuring the Qin family lineage continued!

The youngest sister, Qin Wenjing, was a teacher who had graduated from normal school. She was the only university graduate in the family and taught at a key middle school in the county. She married a calligraphy teacher who was also a member of the Calligraphy Association. Her in-laws were both in the education sector; the whole family was highly cultured.

Only Qin Weiming's family lived a hard life.

Old Man Qin had valued face his entire life. He felt his eldest son was prosperous because he was wealthy, and his youngest daughter brought him honor because she was educated. Only they—with no money, no high education, and no heir to carry on the name—were, in the old man's words, "finished!"

Unloved by his father and mother, Qin Weiming took Deng Caijie and Qin Yike to the old Qin residence.

The three of them took a taxi, and only after getting into the car did they realize they were empty-handed and hadn't bought any gifts.

Fortunately, when Qin Yike had left the house, she had grabbed the fruit that Bai Yanhua had brought over.

"When did you buy this? And such expensive stuff!" Deng Caijie's eyes nearly popped out of her head.

Qin Weiming took a look and saw many types of imported fruit; none of them were cheap.

"It was a gift! I don't have the money to buy this," Qin Yike said. "An old man fainted, and I called for emergency services. His family brought this over to express their gratitude."

The two of them were startled. "Ah! They didn't try to scam you, did they?"

"Why would they scam me? Do I look like I'm rich?"

Both of them breathed a sigh of relief.

Deng Caijie couldn't help but nag, "Haven't you seen the news? So many people do good deeds only to be extorted in return. Those old men and women can be quite black-hearted! I'm telling you, the world is a treacherous place; it's not as good as you think."

Even the driver couldn't help but chuckle at her words.

"Enough. You only say things like that here. If everyone in society were like you, wouldn't the world descend into chaos? When you're old and run into trouble, wouldn't you hope to encounter someone willing to help?" Qin Weiming rarely stood his ground, but he spoke up for his daughter.

Qin Yike sat in the front seat with her eyes closed, resting, while her mind raced, wondering why the people at the old house had suddenly called. Could there be more trouble brewing?

Her heart was uneasy, and her eyelid twitched; she had a feeling today would not be simple.

Soon, the family of three arrived at the old house. After paying the fare, they walked toward the residence where Old Man Qin lived, their hearts filled with complex emotions.

Qin Jianqiang had worked at the brewery his entire life. He had initially lived in a single-story house provided by his unit, then moved to a staff dormitory, and later, as the brewery's profits declined, he retired and bought a plot of land to build the current two-story house.

The main gate was slightly ajar and opened with a gentle push.

Laughter and chatter from the courtyard spilled out immediately. "Hey, Dad! Look, the second son is here! What are you standing there for? Come on in!"

Walking at the back, Qin Yike frowned. Since when had her eldest uncle become so enthusiastic?

Qin Weiming also felt uneasy. It was as if his older brother had become a completely different person.