Chapter 323

Seeing Qin Xian and Ji Fei emerge smoothly, the Qin Family breathed a collective sigh of relief.

As the family walked out of the passageway, they spotted Qin Zhao and Qin Rong standing in the middle of a crowd, waving enthusiastically at them.

Everyone’s attention first fell on Qin Xian. Seeing him in good spirits, they couldn’t help but reflect on how it had been twenty years since he last left this city—back when he was only eight or nine years old. Although many relatives had met him elsewhere over the years, seeing him in their hometown held a different significance.

Once they confirmed Qin Xian was fine, their focus quickly shifted to Ji Fei, who was holding his arm, and of course, the little star of the show, Qin Xi.

The news of Qin Yan reclaiming her son, Qin Xi, had naturally been shared with the family. However, the previous family reunion banquet had been hastily arranged. The Qin Family had intended to host it in their hometown, but due to Qin Xi’s schooling and integration into their social circle, it was held locally instead, with only relatives from the same city attending.

The closest relatives, for various reasons, hadn’t been able to attend and had instead sent gifts. So, like Ji Fei, this was their first time meeting Qin Xi.

Naturally, their curiosity was piqued by Ji Fei.

Their feelings toward this woman were complicated. After all, Ji Fei’s rise to her position hadn’t been honorable, and she had married the head of the Qin Family. Many had disapproved of such a woman becoming the matriarch, but it seemed that over time, the two had grown genuinely fond of each other.

As relatives, they were supposed to love what their family loved, so on the surface, they wouldn’t cause Ji Fei any trouble or embarrassment. Doing so would be akin to slapping Qin Xian in the face, and they wouldn’t go that far to harm family ties. Still, deep down, they had their reservations.

They hoped that through this gathering, they could get to know her better.

At first glance, she made a decent impression—always smiling, good-looking, and sharing a natural chemistry with Qin Xian. It was hard to believe she was the type of girl who would resort to underhanded tactics.

Just as they were thinking this, Qin Zhao and Qin Rong rushed over. Qin Zhao greeted the family with a smile.

Qin Rong was even more direct, immediately linking arms with Ji Fei. “Second sister-in-law, I’ve missed you so much!”

Qin's Mom and Qin Yan instantly feigned jealousy. “What about us?”

“I’ve missed everyone!” Qin Rong replied with a sweet smile.n/o/vel/b//in dot c//om

“Has Rong Rong gotten prettier?” Ji Fei teased.

Qin Rong’s eyes sparkled as she looked at Ji Fei, practically radiating adoration.

[Could it be… she’s in love? Please don’t let her get fooled again!]

Qin Rong: Ugh, don’t bring up my past mistakes!

When the whole family looked at her curiously, Qin Rong quickly shook her head to deny it.

“Why are you shaking your head?” Ji Fei asked, intrigued.

Qin Rong pouted at her.

“She’s probably wondering if she’s seeing things because you’ve gotten prettier too,” Qin Zhao chimed in, still teasing.

“So you think I’ve gotten prettier too?” Ji Fei laughed.

Qin Zhao chuckled. “Of course, but that’s probably thanks to my second brother. Love does wonders, doesn’t it?”

He nudged Qin Xian playfully, taking advantage of the rare opportunity to tease him in person rather than through text.

Qin Xian’s eyes softened with a smile. “Fei Fei has always been beautiful.”

Qin Zhao immediately made an exaggerated face, as if the sight of his usually stoic brother being so affectionate was too much to handle.

Though blushing from Qin Xian’s compliment, Ji Fei wasn’t about to let Qin Zhao off the hook.

[Of course, we’re thriving on love. Unlike you, Qin Zhao. Judging by your lack of progress, I’m guessing you haven’t even dared to contact her—probably just staring at her school gate from afar.]

Qin Zhao: …I surrender, big sis!

Qin Xian’s cheeks turned pink. Love really was nourishing.

The rest of the Qin Family stifled their laughter.

As the other Qin relatives approached and observed the interactions, they were somewhat surprised.

It gave them a clear sense that, regardless of the rumors, the second branch of the Qin Family had genuinely accepted Ji Fei as one of their own.

When Ji Fei stepped out and saw the crowd, she immediately put on her brightest smile.

She was ready for the family reunion that would come with the New Year celebrations.

However, in such a public setting, it wasn’t appropriate to introduce everyone individually. Instead, the elders exchanged greetings on behalf of the group, and they all headed out, planning to formally introduce everyone once they reached the old family estate.

The second branch of the Qin Family was all seated in one car.

As soon as they were together, the conversation flowed endlessly, filled with laughter and chatter.

The atmosphere in the other cars was quite different.

The eldest branch, representing the aunt’s family, didn’t have any elders present. Since the aunt and uncle were older, they had opted not to travel back and forth.

Instead, their cousins had come. The eldest cousin, Qin Wenqiang, had brought her husband and child, along with her still-single younger brother.

“Wenqiang, Qin Xian seems to be in good spirits this time. Do you think we should bring up the investment opportunity with him?” her husband said as he drove.

Qin Wenqiang frowned. “Didn’t we bring it up before? He didn’t think it was suitable.”

“That was all done remotely. Now that we’re meeting in person, maybe after a few drinks and some warm hospitality, he’ll reconsider. It’s a really good project—maybe he just doesn’t fully understand it yet,” her husband pressed.

Qin Wenqiang replied impatiently, “It’s already a big deal that Qin Xian is here for Grandpa’s birthday celebration. Let’s not put him in an awkward position.”

Her husband’s tone grew more urgent. “How would it be awkward? You can’t just dismiss it because it’s not part of Qin Corporation. This is our investment company—something we’ve worked hard on.”

“What are you implying?” Qin Wenqiang snapped. “If I didn’t care, I wouldn’t have brought it up with Qin Xian in the first place. Grandpa himself said that no one in our family has a better business sense than Qin Xian. He’s a genius.”

Her husband’s expression stiffened. “Your younger brother is a genius too.”

Qin Yi, who was sitting in the backseat playing a musical game with his niece, looked up with a faint smile. “I can’t compare to Qin Xian. At best, I’m talented in music, but Qin Xian is genuinely brilliant. I still remember how he solved math problems meant for an eight-year-old when he was only four.”

Qin Wenqiang couldn’t help but laugh. “You’re one to talk. You’d beg your four-year-old brother to help with your homework because you were too busy practicing the piano.”

“Uncle, are you really that bad? Even a four-year-old could do better than you?” the little niece asked innocently.

Qin Yi playfully pinched her nose. “You’re a year older than the new kid, Qin Xi, but I hear he’s pretty smart too. If you can’t do your homework, don’t come to me—ask him to outsmart you.”

“Don’t you dare corrupt my daughter,” Qin Wenqiang said with a laugh.