After Qin Sheng got onto the car, Qin Ran then told him that she was bringing him to the siheyuan for dinner. Every month on this date, Qin Ra would always return to the siheyuan to have dinner with Qin Changan. It had already become an unwritten rule. No matter how angry she was at him, she must still be filial to her parent. Hence, now that Qin Sheng had come back, she would also make him follow this rule. She hoped that the father and son could have more interactions. Otherwise, their relationship would continue to be stiff.
During this time, Qin Sheng’s heart had calmed down gradually, and he had figured out some things. He had started to look at things from Qin Changan’s point of view. He was Qin Changan’s son, Qin Changan definitely did not have ill intentions towards him. He had sent someone to follow him secretly in order to protect him. Thinking about it, without this protection, he could have died on Mount Jiuhua already. How could he possibly be living so freely today? Also, Qin Changan must have his reasons for not reconciling with him earlier. Qin Sheng had thought about it before, but just not so thoroughly.
Last but not least, no one was perfect. Qin Changan was not a god, neither was Zhuang Zhou. They could not possibly be in control of everything that was to happen. Of course, they would not wish for Gu Qingyang to die, but that was what had happened eventually. Their job had just been to protect him. None of it had been done on purpose, it was just fate. If he were to blame someone, he could only blame Yan Chaozong and that bunch of people.
Hence, Qin Sheng was not as furious at Qin Changan anymore. After all, he was a Philosophy student. After calming down, he had thought about the same issue from different points of view and finally convinced himself.
Thus, when Qin Ran told him to have dinner at the siheyuan, he was not against it at all. He just calmly replied with an ‘oh’. This surprised Qin Ran. She was worried that he would reject the idea and was still thinking about how to convince him. Qin Ran did not expect him to not resist the idea at all and agree right away. Sometimes she really did not understand this younger brother of hers.
Qin Ran did not notify the siheyuan that Qin Sheng was coming back tonight. On the way there, they passed by a fruit store and bought some fruits as a form of sincerity.
When Qin Ran’s car drove into the siheyuan, Gongsun came out to welcome her. When he saw Qin Sheng, he froze for a while before proclaiming excitedly, “Young Master is back as well! Quickly come in, quickly come in, it’s cold outside.”
While saying so, Gongsun took over the things from their hands, and at the same time, he ordered the bodyguards behind him, “Quickly pass the message, Young Master is back, let the chefs add in a few more dishes.”
The bodyguards quickly ran to the middle court to inform Qin Changan. Two days ago, they had found out who that young man, who had come to the siheyuan last time, was. They knew nothing about the Qin family’s past, so when a Young Master had suddenly appeared, they had been very shocked. Some of them could not help but admire this young man’s luck. He had been born in such a family, which allowed him to not worry about money for his entire life.
Gongsun led Qin Ran and Qin Sheng towards the middle court. Every time on this date, Qin Changan would push back all of his things and return to the siheyuan earlier to cook personally. It was the same today. He had already prepared everything and was just waiting for Qin Ran to come back.
He had thought whether Qin Sheng would come, but recalling his attitude on that day, he had thought that it seemed highly unlikely. Thus, Qin Changan had not placed any hope on it.
When the bodyguard came in to tell him that Qin Ran had brought Qin Sheng back, Qin Changan’s facial expression was a little complicated. There were shock, comfort, and relief. Eventually, he heaved a long sigh. They were father and son after all, there was nothing that they could not overcome for each other.
Qin Changan stood up slowly and walked towards the door. When he arrived at the door, Gongsun had arrived with the two siblings as well.
Qin Sheng could face Qin Changan directly, but he did not know how to greet him. Although he knew that this man before him was his father, but for some reason, he could not call him father.
Qin Changan knew that Qin Sheng had yet to accept him. He did not want to rush it, so he chuckled and said, “You’re back.”
This man, who was always cold and expressionless in front of others, was feeling a little embarrassed at this moment. Others who saw this would probably find it strange.
Qin Sheng tried to squeeze a smile and nodded. Although it was a little forced, it was much better than his usual stone face that make others think they owed him millions of dollars.
Qin Ran found the right time to adjust the atmosphere. “Father, Uncle Gongsun said that you’ve cooked stir-fried broccoli with garlic for me again? It wasn’t nice the last time.”
While saying so, Qin Ran wrapped her arm around her father’s. Since Qin Sheng was already back, Qin Ran naturally would not treat her father the usual way again. In the past, it had been understandable for her to be angry, but now, she only wished for this family to be like a real family. Qin Sheng and their father’s relationship was already like that. If she continued to be reckless, her father would be very upset.
Qin Changan laughed and said, “I promise you this time it’s delicious, they’ve all tried it.” Everyone knew that a daughter was a father’s ‘intimate blanket’. Although Qin Changan had never experienced the warmth of this blanket, it did not affect him from doting on his daughter.
Qin Ran smiled gently and said, “Okay, I’ll go try it now.”
Qin Changan led Qin Ran and Qin Sheng to the kitchen while ordering Gongsun, “Don’t just stand around, you must be hungry. Let’s eat dinner first. Gongsun ah, bring in the dishes.”
After coming into the dining hall, Qin Ran and Qin Sheng sat at Qin Changan’s both sides respectively. This caused him to be very happy. Qin Ran initiated, “Father, it is a little chilly today. Why not let Qin Sheng take a few shots with you to warm up your body?”
Qin Changan did not reply. He was fine with anything, but he was afraid that Qin Sheng would not be willing. Before they reconciled, he already knew Qin Sheng’s character and temper. But now that he was back and their relationship was no longer like before, he could not gauge it.
Qin Ran stared at him with smiling eyes and said, “Qin Sheng, what do you think?” There was a tint of plea in her eyes.
His older sister was already lowering herself to this extent, how could he bear to reject it? Besides, he would not reject the idea, as he had thought through many things these few days.
“It’s fine if I just drink some, I still have lessons tomorrow morning,” replied Qin Sheng calmly, meaning that he agreed.
Qin Ran was very happy. She turned and said to Qin Changan, “Daddy, which bottle should we open today? I remember you still have a 50-year-old Maotai, do you bear to drink it today?”
It was the first time Qin Changan was drinking with his son, it was a very monumental occasion. He would definitely be willing to open a 100-year-old Maotai, let alone a 50-year-old one.
“Take your pick from the cupboard,” said Qin Changan casually.
Receiving the order, Qin Ran got up immediately and walked towards the private room in the dining hall. There were two huge wine cabinets in the private room, and they were filled with all kinds of white wine from various years. Most of them had been treasured by Qin Changan for years, and the rest were either gifts or bought.
After Qin Ran left, the atmosphere in the dining hall dropped to a freezing point immediately. The servants were coming back and forth, serving the dishes, while Gongsun was still keeping an eye on the kitchen and had yet to return.
Qin Changan did not want it to be too awkward, so he looked at Qin Sheng and asked casually, “How have these few days been in Tsinghua?”
Qin Sheng only looked up slightly and answered casually, “It’s alright. It’s quite fulfilling, I’ve learned a lot. After all, Tsinghua is the top institution in our country.”
“Theories must be paired with practice. You lack actual experience, unlike your classmates,” said Qin Changan in a lowered voice. That class was filled with extremely rich second-generations, but they did not have any specific educational background. This was meaningless to Qin Sheng as well, so Qin Changan had not arranged it that way.
Qin Sheng knew that he was trying to say, so he answered calmly, “I prefer listening to history and philosophy, but it seems that Peking University is slightly better.”
Just like that, Qin Sheng revolted the topic that Qin Changan was trying to bring across. He felt helpless. His son was not easy to be messed around with. How was he going to make him enter the company? It was a huge problem indeed.
At that moment, Gongsun came in. He asked in confusion, “Where’s Ranran?”
“She went to get some wine. Qin Sheng is having some with me,” said Qin Changan lightly. Hearing this, Gongsun broke into a smile. The father and son pair could drink with each other, that meant that there was progress in the relationship.
Gongsun replied cheerfully, “I’ll go get the glasses.”
Qin Ran picked a random bottle of Maotai. It seemed to be one reserved for hosting guests on National Day. Anyways, there were all kinds of wine in the cabinets. At that moment, Gongsun returned with the glasses.
“Uncle Gongsun, you should have some too,” said Qin Ran cheerfully.
Gongsun shook his head and smiled bitterly. “Not for me, I’ve quit for many years.”
Gongsun had a high alcohol tolerance, Qin Sheng might not even be worthy to be his opponent even if his tolerance tripled. But years ago, there had been an incident that caused Gongsun to make the determination to quit alcohol. Till today, it had already been more than 20 years, and he had not had a single drip. For a man who was severely addicted, not many could have a perseverance like his.
Qin Ran only drank red wine and never touched white wine. When dealing with clients over drinks, no one would force her, as they would not put a beautiful lady on the spot. After all, Qin Ran was Qin Changan’s daughter, who would dare to offend him?
Qin Ran poured some wine for her father and brother. Recently, she enjoyed being their attendant. Looking at Qin Sheng integrating into the big family again, she was happier than anyone else.
Qin Changan raised his glass and hesitated before saying, “I wanted to call you later to tell you, but since you’re here already, I’ll just say it directly.”
Qin Ran frowned. “Father, what’s wrong?”
Qin Changan said in a self-deprecating tone, “Nothing much, just that the day after tomorrow is your mother’s birthday. In the past, I would always go and visit her. This year, since Qin Sheng is back and has yet to visit her, you two should go together on that day.”
Qin Ran suddenly recalled and could not help but feel remorseful. How could she have forgotten such an important day? Perhaps she had been too happy recently with Qin Sheng’s return. Hence, Qin Ran replied, “Father, if you hadn’t said it, I would have almost forgotten about it.”
However, other than the death anniversary, Qin Ran would not go any other times. Every time she missed her mother, she would always go back to the old house. She felt that she was closer to her mother there.
“I will get Gongsun to prepare the things, during then you can just make your way there,” said Qin Changan in a lowered voice.
Qin Ran frowned. “Father, you’re not going?”
“I won’t go this time around. We’re already an old couple. Your mother will not blame me if I miss out one time,” said Qin Changan cheerfully. But when saying so, a tint of sadness flashed across his eyes. That sadness had a different meaning for a 60-year-old man.
Everyone said that time could cause one to forget all things. Even the people and memories buried deep inside our hearts could become dispensable. But why was it that after more than 20 years, Qin Changan was still unable to let go?
Because for some people, some things they did not even intend to let go of…