Chapter 107: Sleeping on the Floor, Just an Example

**Chapter 107 – A Lesson in Foresight**

"Being a teacher is excellent," Fan Yani couldn’t bring herself to say teaching was a bad choice. They had no idea the tide of change was about to crash over them, washing them ashore. "Teaching is a stable job for life."

"In a factory, that’s an iron rice bowl—lifelong job security. Kids can go to school, workers get medical care—it's all taken care of by the factory," said the customer.

"That’s now, but not necessarily later," Fan Yani replied. When these people faced layoffs, they’d realize how harsh reality could be.

Choosing to become a teacher now was the right path. Zhang Wen was at just the right age to start teaching. By the time birth rates dropped, he'd be nearing retirement. Kindergartens would close first, elementary schools later—buying him a few more years.

With enough experience, Zhang Wen might even earn promotions, which meant a better pension after retirement.

In Fan Yani’s past life, everyone fought to land a secure government post or a position at a good school. Zhang Wen was lucky—he was born at just the right time. He chose wisely and wouldn’t have to worry about his future.

It wasn’t that Fan Yani looked down on Auntie Plump and her husband—it was just that they weren’t particularly capable, and their education levels were low. She genuinely wanted Auntie Plump to have a better life, not a worse one.

Knowing what the future might hold, Fan Yani couldn’t let Auntie Plump ignore Song Fenglan’s advice. Song Fenglan’s suggestion was spot-on. If she had been able to become a teacher after vocational school in her previous life, she would’ve done so. But back then, they demanded higher teaching qualifications—nothing like it is now.

"Who knows about the future? It’s a gamble," the customer said.

Fan Yani smiled but didn’t argue further. Even if she explained, no one would believe her. People only saw what hadn’t happened yet as mere speculation, impossible to be real. There was no point in elaborating.

Most still dreamed of their children landing factory jobs—or, failing that, joining the military or working in government jobs.

That’s just how the tide was turning. Many simply followed the current without realizing the wave was about to crash, leaving nothing beneath to support them.

Qin Lian’s mom wasn’t watching him 24/7. Knowing where Song Fenglan’s family lived, he went there by himself. Just as Zhang Xiaohu and Qin Zihang were heading to the Song house to play, Qin Lian popped up out of nowhere.

"Qin Zihang, you still call yourself a Qin?" Qin Lian spat, echoing his grandmother’s words.

Qin Zihang was supposed to be a Qin, yet he treated outsiders better—even taking in some random neighbor. It made Qin Lian furious. Qin Zihang had never done squat for him, so how could he show such kindness to an outsider?

"What’s it to you whose family I’m in?" Qin Zihang retorted, rolling his eyes.

"Tell him to beat it!" Qin Lian pointed at Zhang Xiaohu. "I’m your brother—he’s not!"

"He’s not my cousin, but he’s more like blood than you are. You, as a cousin, are nothing," Qin Zihang shot back. He wasn’t stupid enough to listen to Qin Lian. Turning to Zhang Xiaohu, he said, "Xiaohu Brother, this is the cousin who always tries to bully me. I don’t like him, so don’t listen to him either."

"I won’t," Zhang Xiaohu nodded.

"Qin Zihang!" Qin Lian gnashed his teeth.

Qin Lian lunged, ready to teach Qin Zihang a lesson. But before he could swing, Zhang Xiaohu stepped in—he wouldn’t let Qin Lian lay a hand on Qin Zihang.

A scuffle broke out. Soon, neighborhood kids rushed over, all siding with Qin Zihang. Though Qin Lian was bigger and slightly older than Zhang Xiaohu, he was outnumbered. Qin Zihang had also been training, while Qin Lian was all talk.

By the end, Qin Lian’s face was bruised and swollen—though not seriously injured. Parents and passersby quickly intervened.

"That’s what you get for messing with Zi Hang!"

"Coming here picking fights—who do you think you are?"

"Creep! Loser! Traitor’s spawn!"

Some hurled particularly vicious insults. Qin Lian hadn’t heard those words in a long time. The old insult cut deep.

Still able to run, Qin Lian bolted, racing off to snitch—determined to get Granny to whip Qin Zihang into line.

The parents of the other kids naturally wouldn’t side with Qin Li’an. One of them even pulled Qin Zihang aside.

“Zi Hang, things are rough out there these days—don’t let that little snitch anywhere near your house.”

“He treated your mom so badly and then he bullied you too—it’s outrageous!”

“You go on and play with Xiao Hu. Don’t even bother with him. If he has the nerve to show up again, we’ll call the cops and have him arrested.”

...

Still, Qin Zihang and Zhang Xiaohu went over to the Song family's place. Once there, Qin Zihang told Song Fenglan what had happened with Qin Li’an.

“He barged in and wouldn’t let me play with Brother Xiao Hu,” Qin Zihang said. “And he even tried to hit me. Then we ended up fighting. He ran off—we outnumbered him, so he backed down.”

“Why did he come here?” Song Fenglan frowned.

“He hates seeing me happy,” Qin Zihang replied. “People like him are rotten—they’re always acting like we owe them something. Xiao Hu never did anything to him, yet he was so aggressive. And our house isn’t his house—he has no right to make decisions for us.”

“Don’t even bother with him,” Song Fenglan said.

Qin Li’an returned home and told his grandmother everything. She was furious, her face turned stormy, and she immediately wanted to march over to Song Fenglan’s house.

“Mom,” You Yun stopped her, “kids scrap all the time—grown-ups should stay out of it.”

“Look at me!” Qin Li’an pointed to his bruised face.

“If you hadn’t gone over there, you wouldn’t be bruised up like this,” You Yun said. “Why did they hit you? Because you started it, didn’t you?”

You Yun rarely got involved in Qin Li’an’s affairs, but this time, he’d stormed into Song Fenglan’s place and started trouble—that wouldn’t do. Eldest Brother Qin had also instructed her to keep a closer eye on Qin Li’an and prevent him and his grandmother from going to the Qin household.

“Mom, have you forgotten what your eldest son told you?” You Yun pressed. “Or do you really want Li’an hauled off to the station before you’re satisfied?”

“You—” Qin’s mother sputtered, caught off guard. You Yun usually stayed out of such matters.

“Mom, if Li’an doesn’t know better, shouldn’t *you*?” You Yun continued. “He just got beaten up—they didn’t even take him to the station.”

“They called me a little spy!” Qin Li’an couldn’t bear it. “Mom, they hit me!”

“Since you call me ‘Mom,’ listen up,” You Yun cut in. “What they said makes sense. Your birth mother had ties to spies. And here you are, running to your aunt’s place stirring up trouble—who else would they say it about? You asked for this. If you hadn’t gone over, none of this would’ve happened.”

You Yun scoffed. These clueless people understood nothing. If they had any sense, they’d keep their heads down instead of barging into others’ business.

“They didn’t come here—you were the one who went looking for trouble,” You Yun added.

“Qin Zihang sides with that kid who plays at his house—he—”

“That’s his friend,” You Yun interrupted.

“I’m his brother,” Qin Li’an insisted.

“Some brother you are. Have you ever been kind to him? All you do is push him around—he won’t even claim you,” You Yun snapped. “You better stay right where you are. You said it yourself—people are calling you a little spy. If you get arrested, *pop*—just like that, you’re done for. Still feeling brave?”

You Yun had never spoken to Qin Li’an like that before. He flinched, genuinely scared.

“That’s—that’s just your opinion! It’s not for sure!” Qin Li’an stammered.

“Then go test it,” You Yun shot back. “Your mother thought she was untouchable too—marched right up to their door. Then what? She ended up in the station, and your parents divorced. If you try that same crap, see if your dad still wants you. If he doesn’t, you’ll have to go live with your birth mother. She’s got a stepson now—what use does she have for you? Don’t forget, *you’re* the ones who said she’s not your real mom.”

You Yun had no regard for her stepchildren. When their birth mother caused trouble, these two kids would only say she wasn’t their mother.

Old Mrs. Qin hugged Qin Li’an tightly, fearing something might happen to her treasured grandson.

"Mom, I’m not saying this to frighten you," You Yun said. "All of this could happen. Right now, he just got a thrashing, and that’s the end of it. If he refuses to let it go and insists on going over there, it won’t just be a simple beating. Adults shouldn’t meddle in kids’ squabbles."

"So that’s it?" Old Mrs. Qin frowned. "Just let Li’an take the beating?"

"What else? You go over there and escalate things?" You Yun retorted. "Do you think the Songs are soft? Would they let you bully Qin Zihang? Or do you really want Song Fenglan to kick that child out of their home? He’s a guest they invited, someone who came from far away."

You Yun thought Zhang Xiaohu was far better than Qin Li’an. He had a good relationship with Qin Zihang, while Qin Li’an—who did he think he was?

"Before, you always protected Qin Li’an and treated Qin Zihang poorly. Zihang sensed it, so naturally, he didn’t want anything to do with you or Li’an," You Yun said. "He’s not wrong for acting this way."

"It’s his mother’s fault—"

"If I were Zihang’s mother, I’d do the same." You Yun glared coldly at Qin Li’an. "Here’s your choice: one, stay here and remain with the Qins; two, go over to Qin Zihang’s side and keep causing trouble. After that, you can go live with your biological mother. You’re not the only child in this family. You’re expendable."

"You’d throw me out over your real son?" Qin Li’an widened his eyes. His birth mother had warned him before that once a stepmother had her own child, she’d mistreat him. He hadn’t felt it before, but now it hit him hard.

"If I really wanted to throw you out, I wouldn’t say any of this—I’d just let you go cause trouble. When your father comes back, he’d send you away himself," You Yun said. "Like it or not, you’re his flesh and blood. Unless you make a huge mistake, we wouldn’t drive you out."

You Yun wasn’t heartless. As a stepmother, she simply didn’t want to bother too much with her stepchildren to avoid their resentment. But now, she was worried Qin Li’an would affect their family. The eldest Qin brother had drawn the line—she couldn’t just ignore this.

"Go on, the door’s right there. Go ahead, go," You Yun urged. "Mom, you go too, follow him. Worst case, you’ll be stuck with that spoiled grandson from now on."

"What do you mean?" Old Mrs. Qin demanded. "Are you kicking me out too?"

"It’s not me driving you away. If you keep this up, it won’t be me who can’t tolerate you—it’ll be your eldest son and your husband," You Yun said. "Father’s a decorated soldier. Do you want to ruin his reputation in his later years?"

Did Old Mrs. Qin really think Qin’s father wouldn’t care about these things?

No, he cared.

He’d even warned her against coddling Qin Li’an. But she wouldn’t listen. The moment Qin Li’an seemed upset, she panicked. She insisted on spoiling him, convinced he was being wronged.

When Qin Yizhou learned that Zhang Xiaohu, Qin Zihang, and others had fought with Qin Li’an, he looked into the situation. Naturally, he couldn’t leave it for Song Fenglan to handle—he had to step in.

Qin Yizhou went straight to his father. Qin Li’an was mainly spoiled by Old Mrs. Qin, but she feared Qin’s father and the eldest Qin brother. She wasn’t afraid of anyone else—she was older in seniority, so why should she be? That was her mindset.

At a restaurant, Qin Yizhou, Qin’s father, and the eldest Qin brother ate together—no one else was present.

"Li’an came to my place today," Qin Yizhou said. "He thinks we shouldn’t have let the neighbor’s child visit and even tried to hit Zihang. The neighbor’s kids—both past and present—saw it, and that’s why they beat up Qin Li’an. Any objections?"

"Boys will be boys," Qin’s father said, having seen Qin Li’an’s wounds himself. "They can handle minor scrapes. It’s fine."

"Yeah, no problem," the eldest brother nodded.

The eldest brother was nervous. Qin Yizhou hadn’t eaten with them in a long time. The private dinner with just them spoke volumes. He knew something was off—his brother wouldn’t invite them for no reason and keep the rest of the family away.

"Some things are better handled by us. If we manage it ourselves, we know the limits. If others step in, the boundaries won’t be the same," Qin Yizhou said. "Li’an’s birth mother’s connections are... complicated. One misstep... Li’an’s not that young anymore—he can read and write, and he’s capable of certain things. Remember, if someone really wanted to, even a toddler could be used as a spy."

Qin Yizhou wasn’t trying to scare the eldest brother or his father—this was fact. There’s history of kids as young as that being used as couriers, only to be killed.

"Dad," Yizhou refilled his father’s glass, "don’t tarnish your legacy now."

Tian Keshu wasn’t a Qin by blood, but Qin Li’an was—he was part of the Qins.

"Whether it’s the neighbor’s child or a stranger, if Zihang welcomes them, they’re our guests too," Qin Yizhou said. "You’ve shown him no kindness, but others have. He knows who’s earned his loyalty."

"Yes, that's right," Eldest Brother Qin said. "I'll go talk to Li An later."

Eldest Brother Qin thought Qin Liang was nothing but trouble. Now he regretted ever letting Qin Liang stay and wished he had sent him to Tian Keshu’s side instead. It wasn’t too late to send him over now—he had heard that Tian Keshu's husband had undergone a vasectomy, so she couldn't have any more children.

"Let Li An stay with his mother for a bit first," Eldest Brother Qin said. "Once school starts, he can come back."

"Alright," Qin's father agreed. "Your mother will stay at home. There are other children in the household."

Seeing that both his father and Eldest Brother Qin approved of this arrangement, Qin Yizhou remarked, "He might still come running back."

"If he does, leave him outside the door," Eldest Brother Qin said. "It's hot these days, and the nights aren't cold. He'll be fine."

Eldest Brother Qin was set on disciplining Qin Liang properly this time—he couldn’t let him ruin the Qin family.

Qin's father caught Qin Yizhou’s drift—it wasn’t just Qin Liang who was the problem; Qin's mother was also at fault. Naturally, Qin's father would talk to his wife about it, but he didn’t want to discuss her shortcomings in front of Qin Yizhou.

As Qin Yizhou had said, Qin's father didn’t want to tarnish his reputation in his later years.

Before, when Qin's mother had mistreated Song Fenglan, people could excuse it as a product of the times—many had behaved that way, and Qin's mother was just an ordinary woman. But now, if she continued acting the same way, people would talk.

"I'll speak to your mother about it," Qin's father said.

"Indulging a child is like killing them," Qin Yizhou said. "Coddling them to ruin is just as bad."

Qin's mother had spoiled Qin Liang rotten without properly raising him. If the boy really got into trouble, it would be a serious problem.

"Send him to his mother's place," Eldest Brother Qin said. "Let him experience what life is like over there. Yi Zhou, let's leave it there for now."

"Of course, that's the plan for now," Qin Yizhou said. "What happens next depends on you. After all, next time, it might not be me who comes—it could be someone else."

... Eldest Brother Qin's chest tightened.

Qin Yizhou picked up the tab—he wouldn’t let Eldest Brother Qin or his father pay. As the father and son walked home, Qin's father gently patted Eldest Brother Qin's shoulder.

"We really need to deal with Li An's behavior," Qin's father said. "You're his real father—step up."

Qin's father felt he was too old to manage everything. When he returned home, he would just say a few words to his wife, making her understand that some matters were beyond their control.

"Dad," Eldest Brother Qin said, his heart aching. Once, he had thought he'd married a good wife, but now he saw how wrong he had been.

"Enough. What's got to be done, got to be done," Qin's father said.

When Eldest Brother Qin returned home, he packed Qin Liang's clothes and grabbed his hand to pull him out.

"What's going on? What's happening?" Qin's mother exclaimed, alarmed at the sight.

Qin Liang dug in his heels. He had no clue what his father was up to, but at that moment, his father scared him stiff.

"He's going to stay with his mother for a while," Eldest Brother Qin said.

"No, his mother's—"

"Look how he's turned out. If we keep him here any longer, something bad will happen sooner or later," Eldest Brother Qin said. "Mom, you babied him—that's how he got this way."

Eldest Brother Qin had thought that after divorcing Tian Keshu, both children would become more cautious. But that wasn't the case. While his daughter kept her head down—she had never been too unruly to begin with—Qin Liang had only grown worse.

"You can't send him away," Qin's mother insisted. "If there's a problem, shut the door and sort it out."

"Mom, you're always like this. Your attitude is what ruined him," Eldest Brother Qin said. "If you had taught him better, he wouldn't have turned out this way."

"I... Now you're blaming me, blaming him—"

"Listen to your eldest brother," Father Qin interjected. "He’s right. You’ve spoiled Li An too much, and that’s why he’s like this."

"Grandma, I don’t want to go! I don’t want to go to my mom’s place!" Li An clutched Mother Qin’s hand desperately, refusing to leave.

"Today, whether you want to or not, you’re going," Eldest Brother Qin said firmly.

"You didn’t even tell her," Li An protested.

"Why would we need to tell her? You’re going to your own mother’s place," Eldest Brother Qin retorted.

"There’s no room for me there," Li An argued. "No extra space."

"Then make do with sleeping on the floor," Eldest Brother Qin snapped. "Take a good look at how your mother lives now. Think about how your grandparents live—meekly, humbly. But you? You strut around like you’re above everyone. You act like you own the place."

Mother Qin tried to intervene, but with Father Qin present, she could only withdraw her hand helplessly.

"Li An, just go for a few days. You’ll be back soon," Mother Qin coaxed. "It’ll be fine, just fine."

"No, Grandma, I won’t go!" Li An cried.

Eldest Brother Qin dragged Li An out, determined to make him suffer—he couldn’t let Li An live too comfortably.

When Eldest Brother Qin brought Li An to Tian Keshu’s doorstep, she was stunned.

Tian Keshu had always hoped her children would support her in old age, but she never expected Li An to actually live with her.

"Look... there’s no spare room in my house," Tian Keshu stammered. "No place for him. We only have two rooms—one for me and my husband, the other for his two sons from a previous marriage."

"Then he’ll sleep on the floor," Eldest Brother Qin said coldly. "It’s not cold now. In this heat, he won’t catch a chill. Didn’t you always say you wanted to see him? Well, now you can."

"No, this really isn’t possible," Tian Keshu protested. She didn’t want Li An staying—her current husband’s family wasn’t well-off, and she feared Eldest Brother Qin would cut Li An off from the family inheritance. "My husband won’t like this."

"Li An is your son," Eldest Brother Qin said icily. "You’re responsible for him now. Let him taste hardship. Stop letting him cause trouble and do things he shouldn’t. Do you know what people are calling him now? A petty snitch!"

"They’re just gossiping," Tian Keshu said weakly.

"Maybe not," Eldest Brother Qin countered. "What if your son actually becomes a spy? He had no business going to Yi Zhou’s place and attacking Qin Zihang. Of course, everyone sided with Zihang—who would side with him? Zihang is his older male cousin and knows restraint, so he only got minor injuries. But if he’d run into someone ruthless, he wouldn’t have gotten off so lightly. Spies, traitors—if they’re accidentally killed, no one would even question it."

As he spoke, Eldest Brother Qin grew genuinely worried Li An might one day get himself killed. The boy had no sense—always stirring trouble in others’ territory, acting like the world owed him obedience.

"Surely not?" Tian Keshu glanced at Li An nervously.

"I didn’t do anything like that!" Li An protested. "I just told Qin Zihang not to let that kid into his house. I, his own cousin, wasn’t even allowed in, yet he let some neighbor’s child stay over. People laughed at me, saying Qin Zihang treats outsiders better than me. He humiliated me, pinned me down and rubbed it in—"

*Slap!* Eldest Brother Qin struck Li An hard across the face.

"Do you think Qin Zihang’s home and everything in it are yours?" he snarled. "Who he invites is his business, not yours."

It was around 8 p.m. Tian Keshu stood at the door, anxious her husband might find out. He was already home, having just finished dinner.

"If he misbehaves, discipline him properly. Don’t send him here," Tian Keshu pleaded. "It’s not that I don’t want him, but there’s no space. If he sleeps on the floor, someone might step on him at night. Just take him back—your place is bigger."

"If you won’t keep him, then let him roam the streets," Eldest Brother Qin said coldly. He dumped Li An’s belongings and turned to leave.

"Don’t—" Tian Keshu tried to refuse again, but Eldest Brother Qin was already striding away. She didn’t follow. Turning to Li An, she rubbed her temples in frustration. He was her own son—she couldn’t just turn him away.

Neither stepson treated Tian Keshu well, and she worried they wouldn’t support her in old age. She figured she’d better stay on Qin Lian’s good side.

"Li An," Tian Keshu said nervously, looking at Qin Lian. "Maybe... you should go back?"

"They’d never take me back," Qin Lian replied.

"It’s pitch black out, and your face... *sigh*... just get inside already," Tian Keshu said. "Did you put medicine on it?"

"I did," Qin Lian answered.

His mother had already treated his wounds. When Eldest Brother Qin sent Qin Lian away, she even gave him extra ointment. She was beside herself worrying he’d be in pain, and if not for Qin’s father stopping her, she would have packed him more supplies.

"Come inside, come inside," she said, helping Qin Lian with his luggage.

Qin Lian staying at her home immediately displeased her husband.

"He’s only staying for a little while, not long. Once my ex’s family gets over it, it’ll be fine," Tian Keshu quickly explained.

"There’s no room in the house," her husband said.

"It’s fine—he’ll make do with the floor," Tian Keshu forced herself to say.

Qin Lian looked around at the furnishings and the cramped space, thinking how tiny the house was—cramped living room, cramped everything.

Tian Keshu suggested Qin Lian sleep on the sofa at night—it’d be more convenient, at least less likely to be stepped on. She couldn’t ask her stepsons to give up their beds, so her own son would have to endure the discomfort.

That evening, when Qin Yizhou told Song Fenglan about it, she only then learned Qin Lian had come by and that the kids had fought.

"They all jumped him alone?" Song Fenglan asked.

"It’s fine, they didn’t go too far. You know our son—he knows when to pull his punches," Qin Yizhou said.

"Of course I know he holds back. I just mean they should ease off a little. If they’re gonna throw hands, do it fair and square," Song Fenglan said. "Open fights are better. If there’s conflict, lay it out in the open. What’s wrong with Qin Lian? We don’t even live near him—why’s he butting into business that ain’t his?"

Song Fenglan thought Qin Lian was seriously troubled. He’d been like this since childhood. Even after Tian Keshu and Eldest Brother Qin divorced, he hadn’t improved. They all coddled him rotten, never worrying he’d turn out useless.

"I’ve talked to Eldest Brother and Dad," Qin Yizhou said. "Took them out to talk sense into them. If they don’t discipline Qin Lian now, someone else will have to later. And that won’t be as simple."

"It’s manageable now, but what about when Qin Lian grows up?" Song Fenglan said. "What’s next—jail time? They spoil him so much—do they never teach him right from wrong?"

"Eldest Brother and Dad favor the son from his current wife, but Mom..." Qin Yizhou didn’t want to criticize his mother. "She’s babied him so long it’s second nature."

"As long as they don’t drag Zi Hang into it, I don’t care," Song Fenglan said. "Your brother’s son’s actions won’t affect our son’s political vetting. The ones who’ll suffer are your brother and Qin Lian’s future children."

"Eldest Brother knows—he just doesn’t want to deal with it," Qin Yizhou said. "Back then, he had promotion prospects and was full of energy. Now, with no hope for advancement, he’s become listless, like some deadbeat clocking time. He’d rather avoid conflict."

Qin Yizhou could clearly see the change in Eldest Brother Qin. The man had suffered a major blow—his career was stagnant, his former vigor gone, like a deflated balloon. His tone and attitude weren’t what they used to be.

"He’s got no fight left in him," Qin Yizhou sighed.

"Don’t take this the wrong way, but your brother’s work—any warm body could fill his shoes," Song Fenglan said. "Even me—with enough time, they’d bench me too."

"You’re much harder to replace," Qin Yizhou said.

"I’m just making a point," Song Fenglan said. "When someone is easily replaceable, one slip-up, and you’re out on your ass. Even if they don’t mess up, if you’re not indispensable, they’ll still find a way to can you."

Song Fenglan recalled a post she’d seen online in her past life—about a university’s tenured associate prof, nearly sixty, who failed his performance review. The internet was split: some said the old guard oughta step aside for new blood, others argued the professor simply disliked pumping out publish-or-perish fluff, hence the thin CV.

It's not that the old professor isn't good enough, but when you're not at the very top and are stuck in the middle or lower ranks of an institution, you become expendable. Institutions would rather avoid trouble than deal with the hassle. Even though they know there are other solutions, they can’t be bothered to look—they just say, “This is the policy,” and follow it to the letter.

Yes, everything’s about policy—everything they do follows protocol.

Even if they give a token fix to the post, they might still go back on it later. Worse, some institutions might feel pressured by online public opinion and choose not to respond at all.

“That’s why I told Zi Hang to develop a specialty, but avoid internal burnout,” Song Fenglan said. “If this unit doesn’t work out, switch to another one. If you don’t want to switch, then just muddle through aimlessly.”

Eldest Brother Qin couldn’t get promoted in his original unit, but it was still within the system. He didn’t want to leave or strike out on his own—he just drifted along.

Leaving the system isn’t necessarily better. Someone like Eldest Brother Qin isn’t cut out for business. Once outside, those who once showed him respect may no longer do so—it was his position within the system they respected, not him personally.

In a past life, someone within the system blew up on livestreaming. He connected with popular streamers, but they only worked with him because he was part of an official unit—it was about the unit’s reputation, not his own. Then he quit to focus on streaming full-time, and after that, he faded into obscurity. Eventually, he even tried to return to his old unit, but of course, they wouldn’t take him back. Back and forth like that? Impossible—it’s just a farce.

For Eldest Brother Qin, leaving the system would make returning even harder. After all, his ex-wife had a politically problematic background. If he hadn’t joined the system early, he wouldn’t have lasted this long.

Right now, people still see him as a victim, so they let him stay.

“Just muddle through,” Qin Yizhou said. “He’s given up on the future—he just wants to scrape by day to day.”

Qin Yizhou knew Eldest Brother Qin too well. With no chance of promotion, he’d just coast along. Eldest Brother really had no other options. The new replaces the old—the younger generation keeps coming, and with no college degree, he was getting outpaced bit by bit by those with university credentials.

At least his job was stable—he could keep it for life.

“Eldest Brother now pins his hopes on his younger son,” Qin Yizhou said.

“Mm,” Song Fenglan replied. “Whether he favors his eldest or youngest son, it’s fine. Let them do as they like—as long as it doesn’t affect us.”

“Right,” Qin Yizhou agreed.

“Earlier, neither Xiao Hu nor Zi Hang mentioned the fight to me. I had no idea until you told me,” Song Fenglan mused.

“They probably thought it was nothing serious, not worth troubling you over,” Qin Yizhou said. “Since I already handled it, there was no need to worry you further. Now that it’s settled, I’m just letting you know.”

“Your eldest brother sent him to Tian Keshu’s place, but she doesn’t have any space for your nephew, does she?” Song Fenglan had heard Tian Keshu’s current place was cramped.

“No, so he’ll have to make do sleeping on the floor,” Qin Yizhou said. “Qin Lian *is* Eldest Brother’s own son. He wants him to learn a lesson—to shape up. Sending him to his birth mother’s place will show him how stepfathers really are.”

They say a stepmother brings a stepfather. But since Tian Keshu’s current husband got snipped, her standing in the household was low. She had to do endless chores, and her husband bitched about her cooking—she just had to endure it.

Qin Lian had no desire to sleep on the couch, but it was too late to go home. Even if he did, his father might not let him in. So while others slept, he deliberately made clattering and banging noises to keep everyone awake.

Tian Keshu was nudged by her husband. “Go check on your son—what’s all that noise? Everyone’s trying to sleep, and he’s making a racket.”

“I’ll go see,” Tian Keshu said helplessly. He was her own son—she had to handle it.

She turned on the light and found Qin Lian still awake, sitting on the couch.

“Li An, can’t sleep?” she asked.

“This living room reeks, and this couch is way too small—how am I supposed to sleep here?” Qin Lian sneered.

“Well… every home has its own smell,” Tian Keshu said. “They can’t all be the same.”

“Disgusting,” Qin Lian muttered.

Her two stepsons overheard but didn’t come out—they just shot comments from their room.

"If you're so picky, then don't stay here."

"He got kicked out of his own home and still dares to complain about ours. We’re the ones who should be complaining about him!"

"Can’t even stay in his own house and comes to ours instead. So annoying."

...

"What did you say?" Qin Li’an demanded, rushing over and pounding on the door until Tian Keshu’s two stepsons finally came out.

"We said you’re shameless," one of them replied. Both were thin but tall. The older one jabbed a finger at Qin Li’an’s chest. "Aren’t you just here because you messed up and got kicked out? Who do you think you are—some spoiled young master? Acting all high and mighty, complaining about everything here."

"No, he—"

"This place is a filthy, stinking mess—worse than a pigsty!" Qin Li’an shot back. "You think I want to be here?"

"Then leave! Just leave!" Tian Keshu’s stepsons snapped.

Tian Keshu’s husband stayed inside; as long as his own sons weren’t losing, it didn’t matter whether he showed up or not.

Qin Li’an, seething, stormed out. Tian Keshu glanced at her two stepsons—they weren’t giving her a warm look either. Too afraid to confront them, she ran after Qin Li’an instead.

"Li’an! It’s late—stop running off!" Tian Keshu called, hurrying after him. "Watch your step—some streetlights are out and haven’t been replaced yet. Li’an, slow down!"

"Who’s *actually* your son?" Qin Li’an stopped at the doorway and turned to face her. "Your own son gets insulted, and you don’t even say a word!"

He’d bolted because he didn’t want a beating—those two could easily gang up on him. Back when he fought Qin Zihang, he thought he had the upper hand, but now he realized: it’s all about numbers in a fight.

"Is this how a mother should act?" Qin Li’an sneered. "Are you *my* mother or *theirs*? You’re a better mom to them than to me!"