After taking a walk by the Lingjin River with Sun Yuli, Chen Yang returned home around noon.

Hmm?

Noticing a BMW SUV parked across the doorway, Chen Yang frowned. Do we have visitors?

His confusion grew when he saw Qin Qiu's Ferrari parked nearby as well. Qin Qiu usually didn't come home for lunch, especially since the company was extremely busy lately.

Chen Yang muttered to himself, "Who could this be? They even made my wife rush back home."

With this question in mind, Chen Yang walked into the courtyard.

From a distance, he saw a young man in his thirties sitting on the living room sofa. He was dressed in a gray suit with a crew cut and wore gold-rimmed glasses. His leather shoes shone brightly, and even in profile, he was clearly a handsome man.

He was holding Luo Sulan's hand tightly, talking nonstop. Luo Sulan was all smiles, her eyes filled with deep affection. Qin Qiu sat expressionlessly to the side, scrolling through her phone.

"Honey, I'm back!" Chen Yang called out deliberately.

Qin Qiu pursed her lips and said nothing.

Upon seeing Chen Yang, Luo Sulan's smile vanished. The young man, however, grinned and approached him. "You must be my brother-in-law, Chen Yang?"

"Hello, I'm Xiaoqiu's elder brother, Qin Song." The tall, dashing young man eagerly extended his hand in greeting.

Chen Yang's brow furrowed. After a polite handshake, he looked at Qin Qiu in confusion. Since when did this family have an elder brother?

Without looking up, Qin Qiu spoke indifferently. "He's the foster son my father took in twenty years ago. He's been working hard abroad all these years and just returned today."

"Although this is our first time meeting, I often heard about you during my calls with Foster Mother." Qin Song's face was wreathed in smiles, but his eyes held a deep-seated contempt and mockery.

It didn't take a genius to guess what Luo Sulan had said about Chen Yang during those calls. What could it be besides malicious slander and endless curses?

"I'm curious," Chen Yang asked, puzzled. "Why didn't you come back when Father passed away?"

Logically, death supersedes all else, especially that of a father. Even as a foster son, there was no reason for him not to return. To put it bluntly, it was utterly unfilial.

Qin Song's expression changed instantly, a look of embarrassment flashing across his face. His subsequent gaze toward Chen Yang was filled with malice. This damn good-for-nothing, bringing up the one topic he shouldn't. Is he trying to pick a fight with me?

A faint, knowing smile played on Qin Qiu's lips. This was the very question she had wanted to ask but felt it was too awkward to voice. Even Qin Mo, who had been engrossed in his game, lifted his head to cast an unkind look at Qin Song.

Just as Qin Song was stuck in an awkward position, about to invent an excuse, Luo Sulan spoke first. "That's because Qin Song was abroad, and his career was at a critical juncture. It was difficult for him to get away!"

"What's so special about being abroad? Are there no airplanes overseas?" Chen Yang retorted coldly. "As for his career, would taking two days off make it fall off a cliff? The Qin Corporation has been incredibly busy lately, so why is Xiaoqiu sitting right here?

"If you truly care, you'd find a way to get back, even if you were on Mars! If you don't give a damn, you could be right here in Lingjin City and still seem a world away."

Finally, Chen Yang stared at Qin Song. "Brother-in-law, am I making sense?"

Qin Song was speechless.

"You shut your mouth!" Luo Sulan shot to her feet, one hand on her hip, the other pointing at Chen Yang as she berated him. "This is the Qin family home! What right does a good-for-nothing like you have to speak? You sure are nosy. What does this have to do with you? It's like a dog trying to catch mice—meddling in things that aren't your business!"

"Foster Mother, you're right, this was my fault. In a couple of days, I'll bring two bottles of wine and visit Foster Father's grave to properly apologize." As he spoke, Qin Song shot a mocking glance at Chen Yang, then picked up his bag and smiled. "I brought gifts for everyone on my return."

"Buying gifts? What a waste of money," Luo Sulan said, the icy expression on her face melting into a cheerful smile.

Qin Song took out an exquisitely wrapped gift box. Opening it to reveal a pair of jadeite bracelets, he presented it to Luo Sulan. "Foster Mother, I haven't bought you anything in all these years. I hope you like these."

Luo Sulan's eyes instantly lit up. It was clear she didn't just like them; she adored them.

"This... this must have cost a fortune, right?" Luo Sulan swallowed, astonished.

Qin Song waved his hand dismissively. "Authentic Glass-type jadeite from Tuocang Country. Not too expensive, just around a million."

"Good heavens, that's not expensive?" Luo Sulan's mouth fell open in shock. To her, spending over a million on a pair of bracelets was an outrageous luxury. But her love for the gift was genuine, and she couldn't stop beaming as she clutched the bracelets. "Money can be earned back. As long as Foster Mother likes it, that's all that matters."

Qin Song then produced two more bags, handing one each to Qin Qiu and Qin Mo. "These are the latest models from Hermès this year. I picked them out especially for you. I hope you like them."

Qin Qiu's first instinct was to refuse, but she accepted it out of politeness, offering a word of thanks.

"Thanks." Qin Mo showed little emotion, taking the bag and setting it aside.

Finally, Qin Song looked at Chen Yang with an apologetic expression. "I'm sorry, I forgot there was someone like you in the family, so..."

"Sorry for what? A lazy good-for-nothing like him, what makes him worthy of your gift?" Luo Sulan sneered at Chen Yang before pulling Qin Song aside. "Now, let's get down to business."

"Xiaoqiu, it was my idea to have Qin Song return this time! The company is gradually getting back on track. Once the new pharmaceutical plant is built, you'll only get busier. You need someone trustworthy by your side!

"Qin Song is the perfect fit! Just give him the position of Vice-Chairman and let him help you."

Qin Qiu frowned. "Mom, what nonsense are you talking about? You can't just hand out the position of Vice-Chairman. What will everyone else think?"

"Qin Song is exceptionally capable; he can definitely handle it. Besides, this is our family's company! I don't care what other people think!" Luo Sulan declared, making the final decision. "That settles it!"

"Mom..."

Qin Qiu was speechless. She had never liked this Qin Song, even as a child. She always had a feeling he wasn't an upright person. Otherwise, why didn't he return for his own foster father's funeral?

Qin Song smiled. "Foster Mother, Xiaoqiu has a point. The company is a large organization, and acting rashly won't win over the staff."

"How about this? I'll take responsibility for procuring the equipment for the new pharmaceutical plant. I'll get it at the lowest possible price, ensuring the company spends the least amount of money on the best equipment!" Qin Song promised, patting his chest confidently.

Qin Qiu looked at him with skepticism, clearly finding his claim hard to believe. It was common knowledge that all medical production equipment in Lingjin City and the Qingqiu Dao region was monopolized by the Huarui Group. The Huarui Group's chairwoman, Zheng Xiaoman, was notoriously strict and impartial. In the business world, no one had ever managed to get the better of her.

"Look at his confidence!" Luo Sulan said, full of admiration, before making the final decision once again. "It's settled then!"

...

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