269: Chapter 269 The Uninvited Qin Jianren and His Wife

In the blink of an eye, it was already 1:15 PM. Qin Jianye and Liu Xiongwei were clinking glasses, each having drunk about two taels of moutai. Their faces were slightly flushed, having just entered a state of mild intoxication.

The two were chatting excitedly when a sudden knock sounded at the door.

"Who is it? Knocking at this hour." Liu Xiongwei frowned and glanced dissatisfiedly at the door, then turned to look at Liu Yi, who was huddled on the sofa focused on a game. Raising his voice, he said, "Xiao Yi, stop playing. Didn't you hear someone knocking? Go see who it is."

Liu Yi acted as if he hadn't heard a thing, his eyes fixed on the screen and his fingers moving rapidly across the tablet. He was fully concentrated on destroying the opponent's crystal tower, muttering dissatisfiedly, "I'm not going. I'm about to win this round."

Liu Xiongwei was about to lose his temper, but he saw Qin Jiange stand up from her seat. She smiled and waved her hand, signaling Liu Xiongwei not to discipline the child in front of his elder brother and sister-in-law. She said softly, "I'll go open the door. You stay and drink some more with Big Brother."

"This kid, all he knows is play during the weekend. Just wait, I'll deal with that little brat later." Liu Xiongwei shook his head with a helpless smile, then picked up the moutai and poured a full glass for Qin Jianye. "Brother-in-law, ignore him. Let's keep drinking."

Qin Jianye picked up his glass and advised with a smile, "Oh, he's just a kid; it's the age for playing. Don't be too strict."

Meanwhile, the knocking at the door sounded again.

"Coming, coming!" Qin Jiange called out as she quickened her pace toward the door.

As the door opened, Qin Jiange was about to ask who it was, but when her eyes fell on the two people standing outside, her pupils suddenly constricted. Her expression froze instantly, and her voice involuntarily rose several octaves: "Second Brother, Second Sister-in-law? How... how did you get here?"

Outside, Qin Jianren held a moutai gift bag and was looking at her with a smile. Su Fangfang wasn't empty-handed either, carrying a striking red and gold 'Lao Feng Xiang' gift bag. Upon seeing Qin Jiange, a warm smile immediately bloomed on Su Fangfang's face.

Su Fangfang stepped forward quickly, warmly taking Qin Jiange's hand, and said affectionately, "Jian Ge, long time no see!"

In the dining room, hearing the commotion at the door, Qin Jianye's hand holding the chopsticks paused slightly. A surge of inexplicable joy rose in his heart, but on the surface, he struggled to remain calm.

Ever since their family left Jingnan, Qin Jianye had claimed he had severed ties with Qin Jianren and would no longer associate with him. However, in his heart, he could never truly stop worrying about his younger brother. After all, they were siblings from the same womb; blood is thicker than water.

However, in front of his wife Wu Xiuhua, Qin Jianye didn't find it convenient to show his joy too openly. After all, his wife still minded what had happened before. Thus, Qin Jianye's face, which had been chatting and laughing with Liu Xiongwei just a moment ago, immediately became stern upon hearing the news of the Qin Jianren couple's sudden arrival.

However, how could Qin Jianye's instantaneous change in expression escape Wu Xiuhua's eyes?

Furthermore, during these days in Shanghai, Qin Jianye would occasionally mention the Qin Jianren couple under the guise of talking about Qin Xiaoyue.

Wu Xiuhua saw it all but never took the bait, feeling both helpless and understanding in her heart. Her husband was simply too responsible and far too lenient toward his ungrateful younger brother.

Liu Xiongwei was naturally aware of the relationship between the two families. Due to previous debt issues, a rift had formed. But for today's family gathering, he hadn't invited the Qin Jianren couple. Their uninvited arrival was quite a surprise to Liu Xiongwei.

However, a guest is a guest. Since they were already at the door, there was no reason to turn them away.

So, Liu Xiongwei hurriedly put down his chopsticks and stood up apologetically, saying to Qin Jianye and Wu Xiuhua, "Brother-in-law, Sister-in-law, you go ahead and eat. I'll go check." With that, Liu Xiongwei hurried toward the door.

At the door, Qin Jianren had been paying attention to the situation inside. Seeing his brother-in-law walking over, he immediately went forward with a face full of smiles, pretending to be unaware as he exchanged pleasantries: "Brother-in-law is home too? Didn't go to the office for overtime today?"

"Oh, if it isn't Second Brother and Second Sister-in-law! Rare guests indeed! Please come in, please come in~" Liu Xiongwei also showed a look of surprise, walking quickly to welcome Qin Jianren and Su Fangfang inside warmly.

But immediately following that, Liu Xiongwei raised his voice a bit and turned to Qin Jiange, feigning anger as he complained, "Wife, what's wrong with you? If Second Brother and Second Sister-in-law were coming, you should have told me in advance so we could have started the meal later."

Qin Jiange understood the cue and immediately followed up: "Oh, look at my memory~ It was indeed my lack of consideration. Well, Second Brother, Second Sister-in-law, you haven't eaten yet, right? I'll go cook two more dishes, and we can all sit down and eat." She pretended to walk toward the kitchen as she spoke.

Su Fangfang quickly stopped Qin Jiange and explained with a smile, "Jian Ge, don't bother. Your brother and I already ate on the way here. We've come uninvited today, so I hope you don't mind."

"Well, since you're home, have a little more." Liu Xiongwei continued to invite them warmly.

Qin Jianren, however, handed the gift bag to Liu Xiongwei with both hands, a friendly smile on his face. "You've moved to a new home, and your sister-in-law and I haven't been able to come congratulate you. Please accept this small gift."

Liu Xiongwei's eyes widened as he looked at the gift bag, muttering with feigned anger, "Oh, we're all family. Coming over is enough; why bring gifts? No, no, you have to take them back when you leave."

Su Fangfang chuckled from the side and interjected, "Xiongwei, there's no logic in taking back a gift once it's been given." She teased, "Could it be that now you've been promoted, Brother-in-law, you look down on our little gifts?"

"Sister-in-law, you're joking." Liu Xiongwei touched his nose awkwardly. "How could I be that kind of person?"

"Haha, I know you aren't." After teasing him, Su Fangfang turned back to Qin Jiange. "Jian Ge, I specifically picked out a necklace for you. Try it on later and see if you like it."

Amidst the laughter and talk, the group walked into the dining room. Qin Jianren and Su Fangfang finally saw the eldest brother and sister-in-law sitting with their backs to the wall.

Su Fangfang's heart sank slightly, but the smile on her face didn't fade. She spoke softly to Qin Jianye and Wu Xiuhua, "Big Brother, Big Sister-in-law, what a coincidence that you're here too." However, after waiting for a long time, the two acted as if they hadn't heard, not even lifting an eyelid.

Su Fangfang felt a bit awkward. She gave a light cough and quietly poked Qin Jianren's back, signaling him to say something to break the deadlock.

Receiving the signal, Qin Jianren pursed his lips and spoke with a hint of apology and awkwardness, "Big Brother, Big Sister-in-law, I'm sorry. we should have come to apologize to you a long time ago..."

"Cough, stop right there!" Qin Jianye suddenly cleared his throat, his brow furrowed, and he drained his glass in one gulp.

Then, Qin Jianye swept a cold glance over Qin Jianren and continued, "You can eat whatever you want, but you can't say whatever you want. Who is your 'Big Brother'? Our two families severed ties long ago!" After saying that, Qin Jianye stood up as if to leave, his face showing a look of displeasure and decisiveness.

Seeing this, Qin Jianren's heart tightened. He hurriedly stepped forward to grab Qin Jianye's arm, his face full of guilt, his voice even carrying a hint of trembling and sobbing: "Oh, Big Brother, everything in the past was my fault. I was blinded by money. You can hit me or scold me, but we are brothers from the same womb after all. Big Brother, please forgive me just this once. I promise I will never make the same mistake again."

Hearing the commotion, the young nephew Liu Yi came over with his tablet, looking gossipy. "Mom, what's up? I think I heard Second Uncle making Big Uncle angry?"

Qin Jiange glared at her son and said crossly, "Adult business, don't meddle. Go back to your room and play your game." She pushed Liu Yi toward his room as she spoke.

Although Liu Yi was curious, seeing his mother's expression, he didn't dare ask more and could only go back to his room obediently.

Hearing his brother's apology, Qin Jianye sighed, and his expression softened slightly. Qin Jianye waved his hand and said with some helplessness, "Fine, fine. Since you're here, everyone sit down first."

Watching this scene, Wu Xiuhua smiled helplessly, her heart filled with mixed emotions. She thought to herself: It seems my husband is going to forgive his brother again today. Sigh, perhaps this is the bond of blood.

Seeing his brother-in-law's mood soften, Liu Xiongwei quickly stepped in to smooth things over, saying with a smile, "Come, come, don't just stand there. Jian Ge, go get some bowls and chopsticks. It's rare for us to gather like this; we should have a few drinks and be happy."

Qin Jiange quickly brought the bowls and chopsticks. The atmosphere at the table gradually eased, though it still held a hint of awkwardness and silence. Everyone sat together, but for a moment, no one knew what to say.

Liu Xiongwei picked up the wine bottle, filled Qin Jianren's glass, and then gave him a meaningful look.

Qin Jianren understood. He swallowed and, holding his glass, looked at Qin Jianye, saying sincerely, "Big Brother, what happened before was my fault. To be honest, since you left Jingnan, I've been thinking about you day and night. I even dreamed about our parents last night. Sigh, in the dream, they gave me a real scolding. So, early this morning, Fangfang and I caught the earliest high-speed train to Shanghai. We originally planned to go straight to your apartment complex, but Xiao Yue said you weren't home today and had come to Jian Ge's place. So, I came uninvited. I'll drink this glass to apologize to you and Big Sister-in-law first."

After speaking, Qin Jianren downed the full glass of wine, a slight expression of pain appearing on his face.

Seeing this, Qin Jianye wanted to stop him but was a step too late. He could only shake his head helplessly and say, "Old Second, why do this? Your stomach isn't good; you can't drink like that."

"Big Brother, I truly realize my mistake now." Qin Jianren's face was full of remorse. "We really did wrong before. Xiao Yue has been living with you these days, and you've been so good to her. We feel truly ashamed."

Su Fangfang also expressed her apology eagerly, "Yes, Big Brother and Big Sister-in-law, to be honest, I also bear responsibility for what happened before." As she spoke, she reached for the wine bottle, intending to pour herself a drink to show her sincerity in apologizing. However, Wu Xiuhua was quick and stopped her.

"Sister-in-law, what are you doing?" Wu Xiuhua asked with concern, while gently pressing down on Su Fangfang's hand to stop her from pouring the wine.

Su Fangfang's eyes reddened, and her voice became choked up: "Sister-in-law, please let me pour it. When our family was starting our business, Big Brother and Big Sister-in-law helped us so much, yet we were ungrateful. When your family faced difficulties, we not only didn't help but were so cold to you. I am truly, truly ashamed."

Seeing them like this, Qin Jianye took a deep breath and waved his hand. "Forget it, let the past be the past. Since you know you were wrong now, just do better in the future. We are family; there's really no need to go to the point of never seeing each other again over a bit of money."

Hearing this, Qin Jianren and Su Fangfang were secretly delighted and simultaneously breathed a sigh of relief.

At this moment, Liu Xiongwei saw the opportunity and stood up with his glass. "Excellent! As the saying goes, a harmonious family prospers in everything. I propose we all raise our glasses, let bygones be bygones, and live in harmony from now on!"

"Good, good! Let's toast together! To harmony!" Qin Jianren and Su Fangfang responded immediately, standing up and raising their glasses. Qin Jianye and Wu Xiuhua exchanged a look, then smiled and stood up with their glasses.

The six glasses clinked together, and the previous awkward atmosphere seemed to vanish into thin air.

The family feast continued. Amidst the casual conversation, the topic drifted back to Qin Yi starting his own company.

...

Meanwhile, on a solitary island surrounded by the sea near Australia, a private armed helicopter was landing steadily.