Novel Full Chapter 369
Qin Han’s fall sent the backstage clutter tumbling, accompanied by his cries of pain. Yu Xin, standing nearby, was utterly stunned. Ji Fei and the others had also arrived backstage with Qin Xian. Strangely, no one stepped forward to intervene or mediate; they all seemed content to watch the drama unfold.
Fourth Uncle Qin clicked his tongue and remarked, “Third Uncle Qin may be fierce, but he rarely resorts to physical violence. Qin Han has really gone too far this time.”
“Not just this time,” the twins chimed in, complaining to their father.
Qin Xian, with Ji Fei by his side, quietly filled her in on Third Uncle Qin’s subsequent plans, satisfying her appetite for gossip. Ji Fei listened with great satisfaction. This was exactly how it should be—let Su Ze, who had always been so self-important, get a taste of his own medicine.
[Heh, now Su Ze is also getting a beating. It seems he and Qin Han are truly brothers in both fortune and misfortune.]
After finishing his tirade against Qin Han, Third Uncle Qin was left panting with anger. He stepped forward and coldly addressed his son, “Is this how you behave as an older brother? What has gotten into you? Today, we’re going to settle this once and for all. What exactly are you trying to achieve?”
Originally, he had planned to deal with the matter gradually at home, but after witnessing his foolish son’s antics today, he could no longer tolerate it.
Qin Han, who had never been beaten by his father before, was left dazed. Yu Xin quickly stepped forward to help him up and then turned to Third Uncle Qin. “Uncle, this is all a misunderstanding. Qin Han only sees me as a younger sister. We didn’t bully Jiaxi. I don’t know what she told you, but I’ve always admired you deeply. As an orphan with no parents, I’ve long considered you and Auntie as my own…”
“Yu Xin, this is a family matter and has nothing to do with you. Keep your intentions to yourself. Let me make this clear today: the Qin family will never adopt a girl with ulterior motives like you. I already have a daughter; I don’t need another one,” Third Uncle Qin interrupted coldly.
Yu Xin’s face instantly turned pale.
“Dad, how can you say that? Qin Jiaxi is selfish and spiteful. Just because Mom and I were kind to Yu Xin, she lashed out at her. With such a character, you’re still indulging her instead of addressing her behavior,” Qin Han retorted, jumping to Yu Xin’s defense the moment his father dismissed her.
[What’s wrong with Qin Han? It’s like a reflex—he stays silent when criticized but leaps to Yu Xin’s defense the moment she’s mentioned. Oh, I get it now. He’s been conditioned by that mysterious Third Aunt since childhood to protect Yu Xin at all costs. No wonder he’s acting so ridiculously. In Qin Han’s memory, Yu Xin is thoughtful and considerate, while his own sister is dull and uninteresting. But did he ever give Jiaxi a chance to be interesting?]
Third Uncle Qin couldn’t help but laugh bitterly. “You say Jiaxi is selfish and spiteful in front of you, but have you ever asked yourselves why? Have you ever treated her with genuine kindness? Have you ever shown her a warm expression? Reflect on your own actions! You treat Yu Xin better than your own sister, and you expect Jiaxi not to feel upset?”
“Moreover, your judgment is completely skewed. How much of what you say is even true? I never thought you’d become so blind to reason. Is your brain filled with mush? Let me make this clear: not only am I rejecting your idea of adoption, but from now on, no one in our family is allowed to associate with this girl.”
Yu Xin nearly stumbled, and Qin Han’s eyes widened in shock.
“Between Jiaxi and Yu Xin, you can only choose one. Let’s see if you’ve truly lost your mind to the point of abandoning your own family!” Third Uncle Qin snorted coldly.
“Dad, how can you be so heartless? Don’t you remember when you, Mom, and I were unwell? It was Yu Xin who went to great lengths to prepare medicinal dishes to help us recover. She cared for us every day, while Qin Jiaxi was like a mute, completely indifferent to the family. She’s been more filial to us than Jiaxi. Are you favoring Jiaxi just because of blood ties? You must be losing your mind.”
Third Uncle Qin was so furious he nearly had a heart attack. He did remember the medicinal dishes. It was because of that incident that he allowed Yu Xin to frequent their home, thinking it would make his wife and son happy. But in doing so, he had gradually neglected Jiaxi’s feelings.
He had been truly foolish, failing to see Yu Xin’s true intentions. She had been trying to subtly replace his precious daughter all along. As the saying goes, excessive kindness often hides ulterior motives.
Looking back, giving Yu Xin a gift in return had been a wise decision. Otherwise, she might have used it as leverage now.
[Medicinal dishes, health remedies…]
Ji Fei, hearing this, noticed Qin Jiaxi’s hesitant expression and immediately sensed something was amiss.
[Let me investigate.]
The Qin Second family perked up, wondering if there was another twist. But if there was, why hadn’t Jiaxi spoken up? With Third Uncle Qin now on her side, was she still so insecure?
Just as everyone was growing curious, Ji Fei uncovered the truth.
[I want to curse. Who knows how many times this shameless Yu Xin has pulled such stunts? The medicinal recipes were actually collected by Jiaxi after consulting numerous traditional Chinese doctors. She compiled the information into a document, which Yu Xin secretly copied and presented as her own. Jiaxi thought they had both gathered the information and that she had simply been a step behind. Seeing the family praise Yu Xin, Jiaxi felt too embarrassed to present her own work, fearing it would seem like she was seeking credit. That’s why she didn’t speak up—she genuinely didn’t know Yu Xin had stolen her efforts.]
The Qin Second family was outraged. How could someone be so despicable?
Stealing someone else’s hard work is utterly vile.
But how could they refute this now?
Qin Xian’s eyes flickered, and he suddenly interrupted the tense atmosphere. “Medicinal dishes? Were they for Third Uncle Qin’s stomach issues?”
Third Uncle Qin, still seething, was momentarily taken aback. He hadn’t expected Qin Xian, who didn’t live with them, to know about his stomach problems. This once again impressed him.
The others also looked at Qin Xian in surprise.
Third Uncle Qin nodded. “Indeed, the medicinal dishes were very effective. Not only did they help my stomach, but they also alleviated my wife’s cold constitution and Qin Han’s headaches. That’s why I rewarded the girl with housing.”
“Dad, you’re joking, right? Can sincerity be bought with money?” Qin Han retorted.
Qin Xian suddenly turned to Yu Xin. “You put a lot of effort into finding these medicinal recipes?”
Yu Xin, tears in her eyes, nodded timidly. She glanced shyly at Qin Xian, surprised to find that the family head Qin Han had spoken of was such a young and handsome man. She couldn’t help but blush nervously.
Unfortunately, this man was already married, and to a wife who didn’t care about her appearance. Remembering the humiliation she had endured earlier that morning, Yu Xin immediately adopted a more pitiful demeanor, instinctively trying to attract his attention and sympathy.
“Since I need them too, why don’t you recite the recipes for me now?” Qin Xian said directly.
Yu Xin was stunned, momentarily speechless.