121: Chapter 121 The Conflict at the Night Bar (Part Two)

At this time, in a private room of the Shenjiang Old Restaurant, the family gathering of Qin Yi's group of six was also nearing its end.

Just then, a waiter from the restaurant entered the room carrying a fruit platter and said to everyone with a smile, "Thank you, honored guests, for dining at our Shenjiang Old Restaurant. This fruit platter is a gift from our restaurant, and we hope you are satisfied with your dining experience today."

"Thank you." Qin Yi stood up to express his thanks, took the fruit platter from the waiter, and placed it gently on the dining table.

After the waiter left, Wu Xiuhua, with a warm smile in her eyes, slowly walked over to Xu Qian's side. She pulled two stacks of brand new hundred-yuan bills from her bag and made a gesture to hand them to Xu Qian, saying with a smile, "Qianqian, according to our customs, when meeting a son's girlfriend for the first time, we parents must prepare a meeting gift. Xiao Yi didn't tell us about you before, so his father and I didn't have time to prepare. These 20,000 yuan are just a small token of our appreciation, so please don't think it's too little. Later on, your uncle and I will prepare a bigger gift for you."

Seeing this, Xu Qian hurriedly stood up and waved her hands in refusal, her face showing a hint of shyness and panic. "Auntie, I can't take this money. Young Master Qin has already given me so much..."

"Well, he's your boyfriend, so how much he gives you is his business. Xiao Yi's father and I are your elders, so this meeting gift still needs to be given." Wu Xiuhua paused for a moment and then said with a smile, "If you don't accept it, and your mother asks about it later, wouldn't it seem very impolite if your future parents-in-law didn't even give a meeting gift the first time you met? So, you must accept this money no matter what."

Xu Qian was hesitant and instinctively turned her gaze toward Qin Yi.

Qin Yi smiled and nodded at her, also advising, "Qianqian, as the saying goes, one should not refuse a gift from an elder, so just accept it with peace of mind."

Since Qin Yi had said so, it would seem a bit rude for Xu Qian to refuse any further. Thus, Xu Qian took the 20,000 yuan and thanked them with a hint of shyness, "Then, then thank you, Auntie, and thank you, Uncle."

"Haha, that's more like it..." Wu Xiuhua laughed happily, her satisfaction and joy plain to see.

At this moment, Qin Xiaoyue suddenly chimed in, muttering playfully, "Gee, Auntie is so biased. I want a meeting gift too..." Before she could finish, she had already made everyone chuckle.

Qin Yi replied with a laugh, "Then you'd better find a boyfriend quickly and meet your future parents-in-law soon. Won't you get a meeting gift then?"

"Hmph, I don't want to. I just graduated, so I'm in no hurry to find a boyfriend." Qin Xiaoyue pouted and reached for some fruit from the platter.

Wu Xiuhua looked at Qin Xiaoyue with a smile and continued, "Hahaha, how could I forget a gift for Xiao Yue..." As she spoke, she pulled out another stack of cash from her bag, waved it at Qin Xiaoyue, and laughed, "Isn't this it? Come on, take it!"

Seeing this, Qin Xiaoyue hurriedly waved her hands in embarrassment and laughed, "Hehe, Auntie, I was just joking. Please don't take it seriously. I'm already so old, how can I still take a gift from you?"

"What are you saying? As long as you aren't married, you and Xiao Yi are still children in the eyes of us elders." As Wu Xiuhua spoke, she stuffed the 10,000 yuan into Qin Xiaoyue's arms, not allowing her to refuse, and continued in an unquestionable tone, "This is just a small token from your uncle and me, so you're not allowed to refuse! Keep it! Buy whatever you want, and don't mistreat yourself while you're alone in the Magic City."

Hearing these caring words from her aunt, a warm current surged through Qin Xiaoyue's heart.

Afterward, Wu Xiuhua slowly walked back to sit beside Qin Jiange and pulled the last stack of cash from her bag, stuffing it into Qin Jiange's hand.

Qin Jiange had been talking to her eldest brother, Qin Jianye. Seeing this, her eyes widened instantly, her face full of surprise. She hurriedly waved her hands in refusal, her voice carrying a hint of urgency, "Wait, Sister-in-law, what are you doing? This won't do!"

Wu Xiuhua only looked at her with a smile and gently patted the back of Qin Jiange's hand with an affectionate and soothing motion. "Jian Ge, listen to me. This money isn't for you; it's a red envelope for our Little Yiyi. We haven't seen that child in a long time and miss him dearly. Since the boy is about to start boarding high school, there will be many places where he'll need money. Just take this and buy whatever he needs for school. Don't let the child suffer. Also, the money you lent us before—I'll have your brother transfer it back to you later."

A complex expression flashed across Qin Jiange's face. She pursed her lips, seemingly wanting to say something but hesitating for a moment before finally speaking with a hint of helplessness, "Sister-in-law, that's not right. You've only just gotten back on your feet and need the money yourselves. Besides, that money wasn't lent to my brother; it doesn't need to be paid back at all."

Hearing this, Wu Xiuhua's smile became more determined. She shook her head gently. "Alright, just follow our arrangements for this. No one's money falls from the sky, and your brother and I know how hard it is for you and your husband to earn money in the Magic City. This 10,000 yuan is just a small token of our appreciation for the child, and it will make us feel better too." As she spoke, Wu Xiuhua stuffed the stack of cash into Qin Jiange's bag without further discussion.

Qin Jiange wanted to refuse again, but seeing Wu Xiuhua's determined gaze and warm smile, she finally let out a soft sigh. Her eyes reddened slightly, and her voice carried a hint of gratitude and helplessness, "Oh, Sister-in-law, you... sigh, I'm truly touched."

"Cough, we're all one family. Isn't family supposed to help each other out? Don't talk about being touched..." Wu Xiuhua said with a smile, putting her arm around Qin Jiange's shoulder to comfort her.

...

Just like that, another ten minutes passed, and everyone stood up to leave.

However, when Qin Jiange went to settle the bill, she was told it had already been paid. She was momentarily stunned, and upon learning that Qin Yi had paid, she looked at him and shook her head with a helpless smile, her eyes flashing with a mix of fondness and reproach. "Xiao Yi, we agreed that it was my treat, so why did you pay the bill..."

Qin Yi laughed, his lips curling into a proud arc as he shrugged and said easily, "Auntie, don't be so polite with me. Besides, I have a VIP card for this restaurant, and I get a 15% discount when I pay with it. Why not take advantage of a bargain, right?" As he spoke, he playfully winked at his aunt.

Hearing this, Qin Jiange also laughed heartily. She patted Qin Yi's shoulder and said, "Hahaha, alright then. Next time, it definitely has to be my treat. I'll bring your uncle and cousin along too!"

The group of six walked out of the Shenjiang Old Restaurant chatting and laughing, the atmosphere warm and harmonious.

Wu Xiuhua took Qin Jiange's hand and said gently, "Jian Ge, you'll be alone if you go back, so why not stay with us tonight?"

Qin Jianye also chimed in, "Yes, Jian Ge, just stay here."

Qin Jiange shook her head with a smile, her eyes flashing with gratitude and helplessness. "No, no. This place is a bit far from my workplace, and I wouldn't be able to make it in the morning." As she spoke, she gently embraced Wu Xiuhua.

"I see, alright then. How about letting Xiao Yi drive you back?" Wu Xiuhua suggested with a smile.

"No need, I'll just take a taxi. Big Brother and Sister-in-law, you've all had a long day, so go back and rest." Qin Jiange said, giving Wu Xiuhua another hug. She then looked at Qin Yi, patted his shoulder, and continued, "Xiao Yi, the future of our Qin Family depends on you now. Keep up the good work!"

Qin Yi chuckled and nodded confidently. "Hehe, don't worry, Auntie. I will."

"Good. Also, Qianqian is a good girl, so you'd better treasure her." Qin Jiange said, then looked at Xu Qian and nodded slightly, her eyes full of satisfaction and blessings.

Everyone followed Qin Jiange toward the roadside, but she said, "Alright, don't walk me any further. I'll just cross the street and catch a taxi. Be careful on your way back." With that, she waved to everyone and headed across the street to hail a cab.

Qin Yi looked at Qin Xiaoyue and said with a smile, "Xiao Yue, don't leave tonight. Stay over with us."

"Okay, okay! I didn't want to go back to my rental place anyway," Qin Xiaoyue responded with a happy look.

However, all five of them had been drinking. Although the distance wasn't far, for safety's sake, they couldn't drive. Fortunately, there were many designated drivers waiting for customers in front of the restaurant.

So, Qin Yi found two designated drivers. His dad, mom, Xu Qian, and Qin Xiaoyue rode in the rolls-royce cullinan, while Qin Yi got into the porsche 718.

The two designated drivers drove the two cars, one after the other, toward the Shenjiangwan Community.

Before they knew it, it was 8:30 PM, and the family gathering that had lasted nearly two hours finally came to an end.

...

Meanwhile, outside the Nightlife Bar, Wang Hao's dazzling yellow Maserati came to a slow stop.

The passenger door opened, and Su Mo stepped out with her bag, her steps showing a hint of hesitation. She looked around, her heart full of anxiety as she tried to spot Shen Jianan in the bustling crowd.

Wang Hao stepped out coolly from the driver's seat, the car keys tracing an arc through the air and landing accurately in the hand of the valet at the bar entrance.

The valet caught them steadily and respectfully called out, "Brother Hao." Wang Hao nodded slightly, his lips curling into a playful smile. He casually pulled two hundred-yuan bills from his pocket, patted them onto the valet's chest, and generously instructed, "Park my car in a good spot, and don't let any random cars scratch it!"

"You got it, Brother Hao, don't you worry!" The valet smiled broadly, quickly pocketed the money, and ran to get into the car, which then drove away.

Wang Hao turned around and saw Su Mo still standing there in a daze. He couldn't help but feel a bit annoyed and urged, "Let's go. Didn't you say Qin Yi would be arriving later? Then what are you in such a hurry for? Come on, come in with me to meet Brother Dao first and arrange tonight's 'project'!"

Su Mo's gaze continued to search the crowd, but she found no sign of Shen Jianan. Her heart beat faster and faster, and a flash of panic crossed her eyes. To avoid giving herself away in front of Wang Hao, she took a deep breath, forced a smile, and said, "How about I send Qin Yi a WeChat message first to tell him I've arrived..."

Wang Hao thought that was a good idea and urged, "Fine, then send it quickly!"

Su Mo hurriedly pulled her phone from her bag and opened the chat for 'Fake Qin Yi' on WeChat. Her fingers moved rapidly across the screen, and she soon sent a message: 'Qin Yi, I've arrived at the Nightlife Bar. Waiting for you.'

Wang Hao leaned in toward Su Mo, his gaze sweeping over her phone screen. With a hint of urgency and dissatisfaction in his voice, he said impatiently, "Finished? If you're done, let's get inside. Brother Dao is waiting!" With that, he stepped toward the bar entrance.

Su Mo followed closely behind, her steps filled with helplessness and anxiety as she crossed the threshold of the Nightlife Bar.

At this moment, her heart was a mix of complex emotions. She didn't know what complications the night would bring and could only pray silently that Shen Jianan and Qin Yi would hurry over...