Chapter 38: The Tragic Second Lead Re-writes the Script Online

Chapter 38: The Tragic Second Lead Re-writes the Script Online

Qin Qing took care of Xu Yizhi's discharge procedures and escorted him home. En route, he placed a call to Qin Huaichuan.

"Dad, I heard from Qin Zishi that you're investing in the LuoMen Group. Did you already commit the money?"

Sitting in a five-star hotel's cafe, waiting for Qin Zishi while inadvertently coming across the online news about the halted project, Qin Huaichuan was now wiping sweat from his brow.

Inside his briefcase was a contract proposing an $80 million investment. While this amount paled in comparison to YouTu's investment, it still represented the last of the Qin family's liquid assets.

Had the news come out just a few days later, this money, along with the entire Qin enterprise, would have been completely obliterated by Qin Zishi's blunder.

"No, no, the money's still in the company account, and the contract remains unsigned," Qin Huaichuan said, lifting his coffee without regard for its scalding heat and taking a frantic sip.

He hadn't anticipated his son's accurate judgment, while Qin Zishi, with all his online antics and uproar, had merely painted himself as a clown in the end!

After today, all the tales of the business prodigy lost in the crowd, the exemplary rags-to-riches story, and the triumphant underdog besting the elites have become a laughingstock!

Qin Huaichuan exhaled deeply, expressing with profound emotion, "Son, I should have believed in you."

"Even if you doubted my judgment, you should have trusted Yizhi's discernment. Do you truly believe he's the sort to let personal feelings cloud his professional integrity?" Qin Qing, while driving, shot Xu Yizhi a brief glance.

Sitting in the passenger seat, Xu Yizhi leaned closer, teasingly confessing over the phone, "Indeed, I am. Whenever I see you, my head spins, and I forget everything."

Finishing his quip, he chuckled softly. The deep resonance of his voice caused Qin Qing's ears to tingle and his cheeks to involuntarily flush.

Qin Qing feigned annoyance, shooting Xu Yizhi a glare, but within seconds, both of them broke into soft laughter.

On the other end, hearing their playful banter, Qin Huaichuan felt unexpectedly reassured. Without Mr. Xu's guidance and willingness to shoulder responsibility for his son, both the Qin and Lan Yu businesses would have faced disaster.

"Are you two together? Go ahead and celebrate, take your time returning. I'll be heading to the company," Qin Huaichuan lovingly advised, sounding as if he had never contemplated separating the pair.

Qin Qing touched the screen to end the call, then subtly shifted away from the ever-encroaching Xu Yizhi.

"Stay put, or I'll get penalized," he said calmly, focusing on the road ahead.

"We're not breaking any traffic rules, why would we be penalized?" Xu Yizhi leaned back leisurely, still inclining towards his partner.

"If you get any closer, I won't resist kissing you. Kissing while driving surely breaks traffic laws. For our safety and the safety of others, please sit properly," Qin Qing ordered with a straight face, eyes forward.

Xu Yizhi was taken aback.

Qin Qing glanced at him, breaking into a sudden grin.

Coming to his senses, Xu Yizhi realized he'd been playfully baited again. He shook his head in amused resignation and burst into hearty laughter.

"Sweetheart, find a place to park. I want to kiss you now," Xu Yizhi's voice, both husky and cheerful, said as he began rolling up his shirt sleeves, revealing his muscular arms.

It seemed he was growing impatient.

Qin Qing shot him a swift look, lips curving into a smile, "There's an underground parking lot up ahead. We'll be there in three minutes. I've had my eye on it."

Xu Yizhi, with a face glowing with amusement, chuckled softly.

"Sweetheart, you're adorable!" he exclaimed with deep contentment.

As dusk approached, Qin Qing, with slightly swollen lips, slowly drove into the courtyard of the Qin residence.

Passing by the serene teal pond, he paused to admire the spread of lotuses that had grown from a single leaf into a vast field, smiling in delight.

Qin Guangyuan, standing by the doorway, called out, "You're back?"

"Yes, I am," Qin Qing responded, his gaze shifting towards the house.

"Why didn't you bring Xu Yizhi?"

"He has a meeting with Boss Cang."

"Already back to work right after being discharged? Isn't he taking any rest?"

"It's about acquiring YouTu."

Qin Guangyuan paused, then shook his head with a sigh. "I suspect Xu Yizhi foresaw this outcome when he returned from Europe. Otherwise, he wouldn't have let Qin Zishi cause such a commotion online. By hooking YouTu, he's succeeded. Experience truly outwits youth! Zishi is still too naive."

"It's not his naivety; it's his greed," Qin Qing commented, supporting Qin Guangyuan's arm.

Ji Lan, following them out, listened to the conversation between the grandfather and grandson, her face pale.

"Will Zishi be alright? Can he keep his job?" Ji Lan asked, walking over to Qin Guangyuan's other side, holding onto his arm.

Sitting in the dining room, Qin Huaichuan looked up, sneering, "He almost bankrupted the Qin family, and you're still worried about him?"

Ji Lan turned even paler, lost for words.

Qin Qing assisted Qin Guangyuan into the dining room and helped him to his seat before settling himself down. Speaking slowly, he said, "If he hasn't misused his authority for personal gain during the project, being fired is the end of it. But if he has embezzled funds and accepted bribes, the consequences might be..."

Qin Qing shook his head and sighed without finishing his sentence.

Yet, Ji Lan understood the dire implications left unsaid.

"Zishi has always been honest; he wouldn't have done anything shady," she defended, the instincts of a mother speaking.

Qin Huaichuan retorted, "Honest? If he were honest, he wouldn't have spread rumors and slander about Xu Yizhi and Qin Qing online. He wouldn't have created such a mess. YouTu is an international corporation with a market value in the billions, only slightly behind Lan Yu, and is our most formidable competitor. Look at what's become of YouTu now. If you say Qin Zishi is honest, the CEO of YouTu would be the first to disagree!"

The mere thought of his adopted son jeopardizing the Qin enterprise made Qin Huaichuan want to slam the table in anger.

"Over these past days, I've seen through that boy. He likely took money he shouldn't have. Lan Yu's acquisition of YouTu will involve an audit; he can't hide.," Qin Guangyuan sighed in resignation, but looking at his wise, competent, and astute biological grandson, he felt a sense of comfort.

Ji Lan forced a smile and said, "Let's not talk about him. Let's eat."

Yet, at the dinner table, she was the one who found the meal the most tasteless.

After dinner, Qin Qing carried a pot of water to the balcony and, as usual, watered her plants. The roses had already bloomed, but the camellias were still radiant red. The creeping ivy peeked out from the wall, gently swaying in the evening breeze, looking as endearing as a child.

Qin Qing sprinkled water droplets onto the fiery-red petals and fresh green leaves. Suddenly, she felt an itch between her shoulder blades. Half-undressing in the bathroom and looking in the mirror, she noticed the light pink buds unfurling into two lustrous petals, with a shimmering dewy glow on them, saturating her delicate white skin.

Without a doubt, it was the most beautiful totem in the world.

Qin Qing stared in awe for a long time, touching and feeling the mark with her fingertips, before finally breaking into a delighted smile. Her lips, which were always a bit pale, now had a hint of crimson, even without being kissed.

"Meow! How did this bud bloom?" 996, who had sneaked back, exclaimed in surprise.

Quickly buttoning up her shirt, Qin Qing responded softly, "It's my first time seeing it too. I'm not sure what happened."

996 eyed Qin Qing suspiciously, feeling that he was hiding many things. But all that didn’t matter now, the protagonist must prevail!

"Qin Qing, please, I beg you. Let me kneel for you first." 996 stood up and then thudded down on his knees.

A chubby little cat knelt on its hind legs in a very human-like manner, with a fluffy round head and back, looking irresistibly cute.

Leaning against the washstand, Qin Qing slowly buttoned his shirt and asked knowingly, "Are you asking for my help to save Qin Zishi?"

"You knew?" Dragging his plump body, 996 crawled a few steps, clung to Qin Qing's legs, and pleaded with his round green eyes, "I just came from his place. He took money from Luomen and Youtu, and now he's been found out. If he doesn't return the money, Youtu will report him. He is the chosen one! He can't go to jail!"

"So, the chosen ones can do wrong and not face consequences?" Qin Qing smirked, though his eyes were cold.

Why is it that side characters always face endless trials, but these so-called protagonists always find their way, regardless of their deeds?

"Stop being sarcastic! Saving Qin Zishi is like saving ourselves! Even if you refuse the task to return to the city, you can't let the protagonist's fate go completely off track. If he goes to jail, who knows how the heavens will punish us?" 996 was nearly in tears.

"But every time he gets a terminal illness, the heavens don't seem to intervene, do they?" Qin Qing remarked nonchalantly.

"His illnesses are due to circumstances, not human actions. His current predicament is your doing! You reap what you sow! The heavens will certainly blame you! You've never been struck by lightning—"

996 didn’t get to finish. There was a whisper from the balcony on the third floor.

Both human and cat, with their heightened senses, heard every word clearly.

Qin Zishi pleaded over the phone, "Mom, please help me think of a solution."

Ji Lan glanced around and whispered, "How much do you need?"

"Sixty million would suffice."

"Sixty million? Where would I, a housewife, get that kind of money?" Ji Lan gasped.

"Sell the shares grandfather gave you, and you'll have the money. Don’t you also have a collection of jewelry?"

"Those shares are meant for Qin Qing in the future. Your grandfather wanted him to manage the Ji family's company. He can't be without a stake in it!"

"He'd only lose shares, but I'd lose my entire life! Mom, are you really going to abandon me? Can you bear to watch my life get ruined? If it weren't for Qin Qing misleading me, I wouldn't be in this mess. Mom, I truly have nowhere else to turn. You're the only one who can help. Please, Mom..."

Qin Zishi began to sob, his voice choked with desperation.

He said that in this world, only Ji Lan could help him. Yet at that very moment, another mother was also making efforts on his behalf.

A text message from Shen Mingshu suddenly appeared on Qin Qing's phone.

"Qin Qing, can you lend mom 80 million? I'll be forever grateful!"

Qin Zishi asked Ji Lan for sixty million, but Shen Mingshu was requesting eighty million straight away. The price escalated rapidly...

Qin Qing read the message and chuckled silently.

Messages from Shen Mingshu poured in, first with apologies, admitting her shortcomings as a mother, promises of future compensation, and admissions of misplaced anger.

After all the sweet talk, she hysterically berated: "Don't you have a rich boyfriend? Ask him for a loan!"

"So young and already mingling at night markets, have you started selling yourself?"

"It should be easy for you to get money, right? Considering I've raised you all these years, can't you do this for me?"

"How can you be so cold-hearted?"

"You're a jinx! Anyone associated with you faces misfortune! You caused my husband's death, and now you're jeopardizing my son! If you don't lend the money, I'll kill you! We'll go to hell together!"

Endless vile curses and unspeakable insults continuously bombarded Qin Qing's phone.

At that moment, Ji Lan's firm voice echoed from the third-floor balcony: "Alright, I'll help you. I'll sell the Ji family's shares and all my jewelry. Qin Qing will understand. He's kind-hearted and won't mind such things. Wait for me; I'll contact buyers tomorrow."

Qin Qing looked up, and through the ceiling, he could almost envision Ji Lan's torment, agonized by the tragic situation of the son she had raised for twenty-five years. The ties formed over a quarter of a century were hard to break.

For this child, she would be willing to sell anything, even at the cost of her biological son's interests...

Qin Qing closed his eyes momentarily, exhaling a slow and resigned sigh.

996, filled with elation, swiftly got up, switching his demeanor. "Tch! I shouldn’t have knelt before you earlier! I curse you to have a hundred years less of your life! Qin Zishi doesn't need your help; he's the chosen one with a blessed fate, always turning misfortune into blessings!"

Qin Qing smirked, "You don’t want me to save him? Now I'm definitely going to."

996 was taken aback, "What did you say?"

"I've decided to save Qin Zishi." Qin Qing stepped out of the bathroom, walked to the balcony, and dialed Xu Yizhi's number.

996 hurriedly followed, eyes wide as saucers, completely befuddled. Was this really Qin Qing? Was his soul swapped or something?

"Qin Qing, have you lost your mind?" 996 asked, a mix of concern and hidden joy.

Xu Yizhi's phone lay on a round table, surrounded by the top brass of Lan Yu, each beaming, animated. Those shareholders who previously criticized Xu Yizhi now stood, raising their glasses, full of apologies.

Xu Yizhi leaned back in his chair, wearing an ambiguous smile, remaining silent.

Sitting next to him, Cang Ming caught a glimpse of the caller ID on Xu Yizhi's phone and impulsively reached out.

Xu Yizhi's smile slightly stiffened, and he quickly grabbed Cang Ming's wrist.

"Is this your phone? Who gave you the right to answer?" His smile was light, but his eyes were icy.

The pressure on his wrist was intense, the pain brutally piercing his nerves and shooting into his brain. Yet, Cang Ming didn't even flinch. He stared at the lit name on the screen, unwilling to let go.

Xu Yizhi leaned in closer, his chilling smile accompanying his slow question: "So, you're trying to steal from me?"

Cang Ming met his gaze head-on, nodding unabashedly: "Yes, I am."

Such disgraceful words, such unethical actions – he had voiced and acted upon them. Compared to his previous detachment and desolation, he was now unrecognizably different.

The screen remained lit, the phone vibrating continuously. The person on the other end had been waiting for too long. After one lingering glance at the phone, Cang Ming finally handed it back.

Xu Yizhi swiftly gripped the phone and, at the same time, released Cang Ming's hand.

Two powerful CEOs, who command respect in the business world, were now, somewhat comically, squabbling over a phone at a dinner table. To the unknowing, they might mistake the device for some priceless treasure.

The senior executives watched in stunned disbelief.

Cang Ming and Xu Yizhi locked eyes, their frosty auras clashing invisibly, creating an icy chill that made those around them shiver.

Just as a shareholder was about to ask about the caller, Xu Yizhi's voice, dripping with affection, answered the phone, "Darling, have you had dinner?"

Darling? Who’s that? Is she Xu's kept woman?

Xu Yizhi, as if reading their minds, laughed and looked around, explaining softly, "Indeed, my darling. Qin from Qin Qing."

The shareholders were left speechless, thinking: What a display of affection!

Cang Ming flexed his now empty hand, then discreetly coughed into a jet-black handkerchief. Bright red stained the fabric, but nobody noticed.

Physical pain couldn't divert his gaze from that phone. Through the fleeting signal, he seemed to glimpse the face he longed for — seductively radiant with gentle, tranquil eyes.

"Exactly how much money did Qin Zishi take?" Qin Qing asked, lounging on a rocking chair, looking out into the dark night.

"Sixty million from Luomen and eighty million from Youtu," Xu Yizhi reported accurately.

"So, 140 million in total?" Qin Qing chuckled at Qin Zishi's excessive greed. Having lost the Qin family and failing to win Cang Ming's favor, his thirst for money had reached its peak.

"Indeed, he's quite audacious," Xu Yizhi remarked with a playful tone.

"My mother wants to sell her jewelry and shares to cover his debts. Can you delay her somehow tomorrow?"

996, sensing an opportunity, hopped onto the coffee table, glaring accusingly at Qin Qing. It had always wondered why Qin Qing would help; he was clearly waiting for this moment!

Qin Qing glanced at 996, continuing, "I don’t want my mother to sacrifice so much for Qin Zishi. I'll cover his debts. I'll start by selling my car. Can you find a buyer tomorrow and also let my mother know the situation so she won't worry?"

Upon hearing this, 996 breathed a sigh of relief. Who would've thought Qin Qing was so filial!

Yet, Xu Yizhi couldn't help but chuckle. The night's tedious networking, the clinking of glasses, and insincere pleasantries had worn on him, but now he felt invigorated.

"Darling, you're quite cunning. Fine, I'll do as you wish," Xu Yizhi promised with a hint of warmth.

Cang Ming crumpled the blood-stained handkerchief, discarding it. His voice hoarse, he said, "Qin Qing, come to work tomorrow. The company will be very busy; we need the manpower."

The company was busy, but it didn’t lack for just one person, Qin Qing. Any excuse would suffice if it meant seeing him daily.

Xu Yizhi cast a half-amused glance at Cang Ming.

Qin Qing paused for a moment, then replied in a louder voice, "Alright, Mr. Cang, see you tomorrow."

Just the phrase "see you tomorrow" seemed to cool the burning sensation within, offering a momentary relief. Cang Ming nodded subtly, the corner of his lips curving almost imperceptibly.

After hanging up, Qin Qing went to the third floor and knocked on Ji Lan's door.

"Mom, this is a message my mother sent me. Please take a look," Qin Qing handed over the phone.

The initial messages were apologies that seemed sincere, and Ji Lan found some solace in them. But as she scrolled further, Shen Mingshu's true nature was laid bare – the vile, malicious, and disturbing content caused Ji Lan's hand to tremble.

"My mother wants me to repay Qin Zishi's debts. What do you think I should do?" Qin Qing asked calmly.

"Repay? After how she's treated you, why should you help her?" Ji Lan retorted sharply, her eyes reddened with anger and pain.

"I asked Yizhi earlier. He said Qin Zishi borrowed sixty million from Luo Men and eighty million from You Tu, totaling 1.4 billion. If I don't help repay it, no one will help her," Qin Qing sighed with difficulty, his slightly reddened eyes reflecting his inner turmoil.

Ji Lan quickly held onto the door handle to steady her wavering self. 1.4 billion?! How could it be so much? Zishi had deceived her! How could he be so greedy?

Anger, worry, pain, conflict... such emotions clouded Ji Lan's heart, leaving her at a loss. Still, she mustered a casual smile and said, "Don't worry about it. They will figure it out."

"How can I not? She must be really anxious right now," Qin Qing murmured, his worry evident.

Ji Lan felt a pang in her heart but couldn't bring herself to say her son was wrong. What child doesn't care for their mother? Yet, she was his true mother!

Hiding her sadness, Ji Lan offered a few more words of consolation. Only after seeing her son give up the idea of repaying Qin Zishi's debt did she retire to her room, utterly exhausted.

As she took out the shares and jewelry from the safe, a mix of resentment and frustration welled up inside her, but she couldn't pinpoint exactly who or what was to blame.

The next day, Ji Lan, with all her assets in tow, discreetly contacted a buyer. The buyer said the amount for the shares was too substantial and would require a few days, but the jewelry could be purchased immediately.

Ji Lan, without suspecting anything, handed over the jewelry for appraisal and, suppressing her heartache, received a check in return.

The buyer carefully placed the jewelry in a velvet box and casually remarked, "The market seems pretty down recently, huh? A lot of people are pawning things off here. Just today, a good-looking young guy sold me a second-hand Koenigsegg, a limited-edition, sleek silver one, at a hefty discount. He mentioned he has several more cars, along with watches, jewelry, properties, and even bespoke suits to sell. I wonder how desperate he is for money."

As Ji Lan listened, a sense of unease grew within her. She grabbed the buyer's arm and urgently asked, "What's his name?"

"His name is Qin Qing, the rich second-generation guy that everyone's praising online lately. He works at Lan Yu and has a good business sense," the buyer said with a cheerful grin.

Cloaked in a mask and hat, without revealing her true identity, Ji Lan suddenly felt dizzy. Had her son truly heeded Shen Mingshu's words and sold all his assets to repay Qin Zishi's debts?

The car he sold today was the first gift she had given him! She remembered the joy on his face when he received it, and how they cruised together along the lakeside drive, him shouting with excitement against the wind.

He sold the gift she carefully chose just based on Shen Mingshu's word. He was even willing to liquidate all the assets given by both the Qin and Ji families, all to appease Shen Mingshu!

Clenching the check in her hand, Ji Lan felt an intense, overwhelming hatred when looking at the figures printed on it.

Who truly owed this 1.4 billion? Why should Shen Mingshu's son commit the error and force my son to pay the price?

It's not fair! This is injustice!

From her personal perspective, Ji Lan was blinded by bias. Yet, from a mother's point of view, she suddenly realized how pitiable her son was.

Just then, Qin Zishi called, anxiously inquiring if the money had been transferred.

Ji Lan felt a sudden surge of nausea, mixed with a desire to cry and vent her anger.

She responded curtly and ended the call, handing the check to the buyer, her voice choked, "Can I use this check to buy back that sports car you just acquired?"

"Ma'am, this check is worth much more. Maybe you should wire transfer the exact amount," the buyer suggested earnestly.

"Keep the check. Just give me the car," Ji Lan insisted. The pain in her heart was immeasurable, and this was her way of compensating.

The buyer, sensing an opportunity, gleefully handed over the car keys, adding, "That young man has a few watches he wants to sell, too. With your check, I can now buy them from him."

Ji Lan, just as she was about to collect the car, staggered and almost fell.

"If he sells the watches, let me know. I'll buy them," Ji Lan resolved, realizing she had to protect her son's interests.

Whatever her son lost in silence, she would secretly recover for him! Why did she let him care for a selfish, greedy, and law-breaking adopted son, instead of cherishing him? How could she be so naive?

Driving the sports car, Ji Lan sped and wept her way home, arriving with red, swollen eyes.

Qin Qing pulled her into his room, presenting a velvet box, sighing, "Mom, these are the jewels you pawned. I've bought them back for you. I'll handle Qin Zishi's debts. Both you and Shen don't need to worry. Whatever the trouble, I'll bear it."

Stunned, Ji Lan rasped, "Where did you get the money to redeem the jewels?"

"While browsing an auction house with Yizhi, we chanced upon your jewels. I borrowed the money to buy them back," Qin Qing opened the velvet box, placing an emerald necklace around Ji Lan's neck.

"Mom, you look beautiful." He admired her for a moment, then hugged Ji Lan, sighing, "Don't worry about Qin Zishi's debts; I'll handle them. Even if Grandfather gets mad and revokes my inheritance, I'm prepared for it. Xu Yizhi can lend me money, and if needed, I'll repay him throughout my life. My salary, assets, shares— I'd give them all up just to see you and Shen happy and healthy."

In that instant, Ji Lan felt a piercing pain in her heart.

Her son had sold his possessions to redeem these jewels for her! Her child had taken on a staggering debt to help someone who had once framed him, jeopardizing his entire future!

Why? Why is it always her child who gets hurt? Why?

Ji Lan clung tightly to Qin Qing, tears streaming down silently. No matter how much he asked, she remained silent about her reasons.

What right did she have? What right did she have to be called a mother?

Qin Qing assisted Ji Lan back to her room, helping her wash her face and hands, then poured her a cup of warm milk.

It was only after he left the room that Ji Lan buried her face in her hands and, drowning in profound regret, sobbed uncontrollably.

She didn't deserve to be a mother. She simply didn't.