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Chapter 22: Unexpected Complications
Qin Feng, don't go too far!
─── ⋆⋅☼⋅⋆ ───
Qin Feng subconsciously asked, “Go this afternoon?”
Wu Zheng nodded, “Better to avoid any prolonged delays. If it doesn’t work out, we can still visit the orphanage this weekend.”
That makes sense!
He originally thought that they were childless because Wu Zheng couldn’t have children. Every time he saw him, he felt uncomfortable, unable to stop sympathizing with Xue Qing for having to endure the gossip.
Now that the truth is out, Qin Feng also hopes the couple gets their wish, or perhaps they can go to the orphanage and adopt a poor little girl. “Shall we meet after dinner at the front gate?”
Wu Zheng looked at the sky, the sun shining brightly. “That works.”
“Dad, what about us?” Gu Wuyi actually wanted to speak the truth, but he was afraid that someone as sharp as Qin Feng would see through him.
Qin Feng said, “You two don’t need to go.”
Gu Wuyi looked at him eagerly, neither agreeing nor disagreeing.
Qin Feng smiled, “Who taught you that trick?”
Gu Xiao'er pouted, acting pitiful.
Madam Zhou’s heart softened first. “Xiao Feng, just let them go. Who knows how long it will take?”
Qin Feng didn’t want to expose the children to such things.
Whether in his past life or this one, his childhood had been truly happy. So no matter where he went, whether living in wealth or poverty, he was always confident and felt secure.
Qin Feng couldn’t give them luxurious clothes or food, but he could give them a happy and healing childhood for life.
"Is it necessary to go?" Qin Feng asked.
Gu Xiao'er clung to his arm, shaking it. “Dad, dad, dad…”
“Daddy, daddy, daddy…” The little one thought it was fun and started chanting.
Gu Wuyi couldn’t do the trick of clinging to the elder’s clothes and acting spoiled, so he stared at him and said, “Dad, just let us go. You’re the best dad in the world.”
"This trick is what I, your father, left over."
Gu Wuyi thought for a moment, “It’s fine if we don’t go, I’ll just…”
“You dare!?” Qin Feng couldn’t help but glare.
Gu Wuyi immediately asked, “So you agree then?” Before he could respond, he loudly said, “Thank you, Dad!”
Qin Feng glanced at him helplessly.
Wu Zheng laughed, “I used to think all kids were like that, crying and making a fuss when they were young, and then growing up to cause chaos. I didn’t expect it could also be this fun.” As he spoke, he couldn’t help but pick up Little Miaomiao.
The child was so scared that he didn’t dare to move.
Wu Zheng realized it was a bit abrupt, after all, he wasn’t familiar with the child and was worried it might scare them, so he quickly returned the child to Qin Feng.
Qin Feng held the little one with one arm and used his other hand to rub Gu Xiao'er’s small head. “They should’ve been like other kids, crying and making trouble without a care, breaking your windows today, and slamming your door tomorrow.”
Wu Zheng’s smile gradually faded, and he sighed slightly—if he couldn’t do that, why bother having them?
Gu Wuyi couldn’t help but look at his father. So he knew that they weren’t naturally well-behaved after all.
Feng Mai Miao noticed the sudden shift in the atmosphere, feeling it was quite oppressive, and smiled as she said, “Engineer Qin, it’s getting late. We should start cooking.”
Qin Feng forced a smile, “Then I’ll see you later.” He gave Gu Wuyi a glance.
The young boy checked the doors and windows to make sure everything was fine, then hung the keys around his neck and went to catch up with the elders.
Wu Zheng watched as the family of six walked further and further away, with Gu Xiao'er hopping and skipping along, sometimes grabbing Little Miaomiao or holding Qin Feng’s arm, as if he were his own child. He couldn’t help but sigh, “Engineer Qin is really great.”
Feng Mai Miao said, “He’s been abroad for six years and hasn’t been corrupted by the sweet talk and temptations. He must be great.”
Xue Qing nodded, “If it were me, I’m not sure I could resist such temptations.”
Feng Mai Miao shook her head, “I couldn’t either. Do you think he and Qin Ying are biological siblings?”
Wu Zheng turned around, walking back home while saying, “Same rice feeds different people.”
“Well, their intelligence is quite different though,” Feng Mai Miao didn’t understand.
Wu Zheng shook his head, “It’s not necessarily an intelligence issue. I heard from the vegetable seller at the Wuli Village market that Qin Ying is lazy, doesn’t want to study, but it’s not because she’s dumb and can’t learn.”
Feng Mai Miao had never heard such an explanation before. “I thought the Qin family was biased toward boys over girls.”
“This kind of situation is quite common in the village. Uncle Qin might also have a bias toward sons over daughters. But as a teacher, he knows that education can change a person’s fate. With only one son and one daughter, if his daughter wants to study, he can’t possibly stop her. Even if the old couple disagrees, Qin Feng would never agree. You trust Engineer Qin’s character, don’t you?”
“So what happened?” Xue Qing asked, curious.
Wu Zheng replied, “In those days, even for us dual-income families, life wasn’t easy. The village probably had it hard. Qin Ying probably thought that if she didn’t go to school, life would be easier for the family, and everyone would be grateful to her.”
Feng Mai Miao asked, “Self-deception?”
Wu Zheng nodded, “That’s probably about right.”
Xue Qing shook her head, “What a pity. Forget about university, even getting into a vocational school wouldn’t be so difficult.”
Feng Mai Miao couldn’t help but look at her.
Xue Qing asked, “Did I say something wrong?”
“If you’re not smart, it doesn’t matter if you get into university,” Wu Zheng replied.
Wu Zheng nodded, “The person at the bottom, Wang Genbao, would just be a more educated Wang Genbao.” He paused for a moment, “It’s better this way; at least Wang Genbao didn’t dare come today. If he were someone of the same caliber as Engineer Qin…”
Xue Qing understood, immediately no longer wanting to talk about Qin Ying. “Should we bring money?”
Wu Zheng shook his head.
Feng Mai Miao suggested, “Ask Engineer Qin.”
Wu Zheng didn’t know Wang Meijuan, but since Qin Feng had met her, he would have some understanding.
Around 1 PM, as soon as Wu Zheng saw Qin Feng, he asked about the matter—fearing he would forget later.
Qin Feng shook his head.
Wu Zheng asked, “She wouldn’t sell it to your sister, would she?”
Qin Feng shook his head again, “My sister can’t afford to raise two sons. If we don’t agree to help her, she wouldn’t dare buy it. The trouble is not ours, but the two kids not wanting to be separated.”
Wu Zheng thought for a moment and nodded, “So we go directly to Wang Meijuan’s house?”
“Let’s go to my sister’s house first. It’s on the way anyway.”
Because Qin Feng was exceptionally talented, handsome, and have a PhD who had studied abroad, he had left a deep impression on the neighbors around Wang Genbao. As soon as Qin Feng and his group appeared at the alley entrance, the neighbors greeted him warmly.
Before Qin Feng could speak, they told him his sister was home and that it seemed like there were guests at her house.
Qin Feng pretended to be curious and asked, “How many people?”
“It seems like one adult with two children. I heard from your sister that they’re her classmates. The woman is quite beautiful.”
Gu Xiao'er and Gu Wuyi exchanged looks. It was probably them.
Gu Wuyi tugged at Qin Feng’s sleeve.
Qin Feng looked down at him.
The young boy whispered in his ear, “Should I go in first?”
Qin Feng smiled, “What, do you think you’re sending troops into battle?”
“I’ll just check the situation first,” Gu Wuyi said.
Qin Feng didn’t want things to become too widely known. He hooked his arm around Gu Wuyi’s neck and whispered, “Don’t worry, no matter what my sister says, we’re not helping her raise the kids.”
Gu Wuyi realized his misunderstanding and purposely pretended to be angry, brushing off Qin Feng’s hand. “Who’s worried!?” He acted embarrassed and ran into the alley.
After running a few steps, he turned back to look. The neighbor pointed ahead, so he continued running.
The neighbor nodded. Gu Wuyi immediately stopped, turned around, and pushed open the door.
Soon, Qin Feng heard his sister ask, “Why are you here?”
“I’m not the only one, my dad’s here too,” Gu Wuyi replied as he entered.
Qin Ying quickly turned her head, “Meijuan, quick, hide!”
“Aunt, your house only has three main rooms and one kitchen. Where can you hide?” Gu Wuyi’s real intention was to prevent his third and fourth brothers from seeing him acting out, and to keep his sharp-eyed father from noticing. His little legs moved quickly, and as soon as he finished speaking, he reached the door of the main room, where Qin Ying’s frantic hand gestures froze.
Gu Wuyi, fearing he wouldn’t make it in time, stepped over the threshold and looked around, “Where is it?”
Two little heads appeared behind Wang Meijuan and Wang Genbao. Their faces were gaunt, their eyes very large, and their little faces were wind-chapped, looking as though they hadn’t been washed for ten days or more.
Gu Wuyi took a closer look; they resembled his third and fourth brothers.
But people can look similar, and Gu Wuyi was afraid of making a mistake, so he asked, “Is that you? I’m Gu Wuyi. What are your names?”
The two children, with dull eyes and wooden expressions, suddenly brightened up. Their eyes became wide with disbelief, and their faces showed more emotion, instantly coming to life.
Gu Wuyi felt relieved and couldn’t help but smile, suppressing the urge to acknowledge them. He waved at them, “Hi~~~”
“Hi, my foot!” Wang Genbao snapped angrily, shouting.
Gu Wuyi jumped in surprise, turned around, and saw his dad entering the courtyard. He immediately ran out, shouting, “Grandpa, Grandma, Uncle hit me!”
The elderly couple, who had originally been walking behind Qin Feng, hurried forward and both reached out to hold him. “Where did he hit you?”
“Don’t listen to him, he’s talking nonsense.” Wang Genbao quickly came out, “Dad, Mom, I—”
Old Qin shouted angrily, “Shut up!”
Gu Wuyi gave Wang Genbao a smug glance, then turned to grab the elderly couple. “I’m fast, so I didn’t get hit.”
The elderly couple breathed a sigh of relief and hid him behind them.
Gu Xiao'er pinched his brother’s arm.
Gu Wuyi nodded slightly.
—It’s them!
Gu Xiao'er pushed past the elders and faced Wang Genbao, rolling up his sleeves. “My brother’s scared of you, but I’m not!”
Wang Genbao gave him a contemptuous look, then turned toward Qin Feng.
Qin Feng pulled the troublemaking kid back. “Didn’t my sister already tell you about this?”
On his own turf, with his parents and brothers still around, Wang Genbao wasn’t afraid of Qin Feng and was very arrogant. “What happens in my family has nothing to do with you.”
Qin Feng wasn’t surprised by this response. He didn’t even furrow his brow. “Can you even afford to raise two more kids?”
Wang Genbao hesitated for a moment before nodding decisively.
Qin Feng: “When your two sons grow up, will they be able to build houses and marry wives?”
Wang Genbao didn’t hesitate this time, his expression showing more annoyance.
On the way here, while sitting in the bus, Qin Feng had analyzed Wang Genbao's psychology.
The children definitely needed to be adopted. Since they refused to be separated, Wang Genbao decided to give his mother-in-law one of the children, adding a burden to them while also making Qin Feng angry enough to jump.
It was a perfect solution, two birds with one stone.
Qin Feng found it puzzling. Why did he just assume they would help him raise one of the children?
Could it be because his parents spoiled his sister so much, always sending all the eggs from the house in her direction? Or maybe because if his sister divorced Wang Genbao, Wang Genbao would think he was doing it out of sympathy for her, unable to stand seeing her overworked?
If that was the case, then Wang Genbao was completely mistaken.
But none of that mattered now.
Qin Feng's gaze moved past Wang Genbao and landed on Wang Meijuan. “Sister Meijuan, do you remember me?”
Wang Meijuan nodded.
The two children behind her were staring intently at Qin Feng.
Qin Feng had a bad feeling. Wang Genbao wouldn’t be the kind of person to speak ill of him in front of the children, would he?
“I heard you’re planning to go to the provincial capital, Sister Meijuan?”
Wang Meijuan didn’t answer but asked in return, “What does that have to do with you?”
Qin Feng: “Are you in such a hurry to leave? If so, we can take the children back tomorrow morning, and you can go to the provincial capital in the afternoon.” He turned to Wu Zheng and Xue Qing behind him. “These two want to adopt them. They have no children of their own and both work full-time.”
At these words, Wang Meijuan was moved.
Wang Genbao quickly spoke up, “Meijuan, we’re family.”
Qin Feng smiled.
Truly shameless!
Wang Genbao got anxious: “What are you laughing at? I’m speaking the truth. We all share the same last name, Wang.”
Qin Feng nodded: “Yes, we were one family five hundred years ago.”
“Cough!” Gu Xiao'er burst out laughing.
Qin Ying's face turned dark.
Wang Genbao couldn’t help but glare at him.
Qin Feng, fearing he might suddenly make a move, handed Miaomiao to Gu Wuyi. "Look after your brother."
Feng Mai Miao stood in front of the two kids, blocking Wang Genbao in case he went crazy.
Wang Genbao was furious.
Wang Meijuan, unaffected by the tension, asked, “How much money can they give me?”
Wu Zheng couldn’t help but look at Qin Feng.
— Isn’t there no need for money?
Qin Feng instinctively looked at the two children, their already pale faces turning even more ghostly white, their bodies swaying dangerously. He immediately felt a pang of sympathy: “The children are still here.”
Wang Meijuan looked at the two children as though they were a burden, “If it weren’t for me, they would’ve died long ago. What’s wrong with me earning some money for them?”
Madam Zhou couldn’t hold back and asked, “Are you still their real mother?”
“Are you going to help Xiao Ying raise one of them?” Wang Meijuan blurted out.
Madam Zhou suddenly felt short of breath. At over fifty, she had never encountered such a ruthless, disgusting, and shameless mother.
Old Qin hurriedly tried to calm her down.
Qin Feng was also frustrated, and even more curious if these two children were the villains from the book. “Stop being so prickly, poking at whoever speaks to you. We’re not here to argue with you. Not many families can afford to raise both children. We definitely can’t help my sister. Who knows when she’ll find other relatives.”
Wang Meijuan suddenly thought about the house her husband had left her, which she could only stay in for another week before the buyers would move in. “Xiao Ying, you know my situation. I really can’t wait any longer.”
“But... but we agreed on this!” Qin Ying panicked.
Wang Meijuan said, “But your brother doesn’t agree. If you sell one off and your brother goes to the public security bureau and reports me, we’ll both end up in jail.”
Qin Feng was surprised. “Sister, you told her?”
Qin Ying hadn’t planned on being honest.
When Wang Meijuan found her, she asked if she still had two daughters and why she hadn’t bought a boy instead. Feeling like she had found a kindred spirit, she got so excited that she blurted everything out.
Seeing Qin Ying’s expression change and avoiding eye contact, Qin Feng guessed. “Sister Meijuan, let’s confirm this then. Tomorrow morning, bring the children’s birth certificates, and we’ll go to the public security bureau.”
“What should we do then?” Qin Ying quickly asked.
Qin Feng replied, “Don’t you already have two kids?”
“But they’re both girls.” Qin Ying suddenly had an idea and grabbed her eldest daughter. “Quick, beg your uncle not to fight with us.”
Madam Zhou was upset. “Xiao Ying, what are you doing?”
Wang Genbao waved at his youngest daughter. “Quick, kneel and bow to your grandmother.”
Madam Zhou was so angry she wanted to yell.
Old Qin grabbed her arm. “Qin Ying, tell me honestly, have we been deliberately going against you?”
Wang Genbao’s eldest daughter couldn’t help but ask, “Then why doesn’t uncle help us?”
“You’re wrong.” Xue Qing couldn’t help but speak up.
She really liked the two children. They had good looks, though they were thin and small, you could already tell they had long arms and legs, and they’d probably grow as tall as Qin Feng in the future.
Wang Meijuan openly said, in front of the two kids, that she wanted to exchange them for money, and that once the kids grew up, they definitely wouldn’t come looking for her.
These kids, with just a little warmth, could be melted.
Xue Qing said, “If another person comes into the family, you’ll have to share your food, drink, and things with them. Your uncle doesn’t want your mom to adopt them—who do you think he’s doing this for?”
The seven-year-old girl understood many things by now and couldn’t help but look at her parents.
Wang Genbao quickly said, “If our family only had your two sisters, when you get married, your mother won’t have anyone to support you when your mother-in-law bullies you. Look at how your mom has your uncle; your uncle treats your mom so well.” He pointed to the large oven in the corner.
Qin Feng chuckled in anger.
Madam Zhou opened her eyes in disbelief.
Even Old Qin was convinced by him.
Gu Wuyi couldn’t help but say, “You don’t have to get married.”
As soon as he said that, both the adults and children turned to look at him.
The adults couldn’t believe that such words came from a child, while the children didn’t fully understand, which made them curious.
Gu Wuyi, acting like a little adult, loudly said, “Can’t the man marry into the family?” He looked puzzled at Feng Mai Miao.
Feng Mai Miao nodded and praised him, “Wuyi is really smart.” Then, she spoke to Qin Ying’s daughter, “Marrying into the family means the man comes to live with your family. That way, not only do you avoid mistreatment from the in-laws, but you also don’t have to leave your home.”
The little girl was overjoyed.
Qin Ying quickly said, “She’s talking nonsense. There aren’t many good men who marry into the family.”
Qin Feng bluntly said, “You didn’t marry into the family, and Wang Genbao isn’t exactly a good catch either.”
With that one sentence, both Qin Ying and Wang Genbao's faces immediately showed signs of irritation.
Qin Feng, speaking honestly, added, “If you can really support them, don’t talk about two boys—I'd even let you adopt eight or ten. But look at the complexion of your eldest and second daughter, and then look at Wuyi and Qingkuang.”
The two little girls looked fine at first glance; they weren’t sickly pale. But compared to the Gu brothers, who had a healthy, rosy complexion, they appeared quite pitiful and unhealthy.
It wasn’t that they were starving, though.
In the city, things were different from the countryside. In the countryside, people could keep the food they grew, except for the portion they gave to the government. For instance, wheat could be milled entirely into white flour.
In the city, however, when buying flour, they had to mix it with coarse flour. For example, when buying ten pounds of flour, you had to buy an additional pound of coarse flour. Qin Ying couldn’t use the coarse flour to make cakes, so it was all for them to eat.
Eating coarse grains frequently meant that their bodies lacked fat, so even if they were full, their complexions could never be healthy or glowing.
If that weren’t the case, Old Qin wouldn’t have sent eggs to Qin Ying’s family.
Qin Feng feared that the two children might not understand, so he straightforwardly said, "Big girl, your mom always says that making money is not easy, and it’s true. But your parents aren’t short of money. They can buy meat at least twice a week and still make sure you get enough to eat. She just doesn’t want to spend the money—she’s saving it for..."
"Qin Feng, don't go too far!" Qin Ying shouted loudly.
Qin Feng wasn’t intimidated. “Your mom is saving money to raise someone else’s child.”
Qin Ying’s youngest daughter, barely five years old, understood.
Her eldest daughter, too, looked utterly shocked, as if she couldn’t believe it was her mom.
Qin Feng turned to Wang Genbao. "Are you still going to raise them?"
Wang Genbao confronted Qin Feng—he wasn’t arguing for food, just for pride. "Yes!"
"Who are you?" a slightly taller child behind Wang Meijuan suddenly spoke up.
Qin Feng noticed the child clenched his fists, looking very uneasy. "I’m Qin Ying’s brother, Qin Feng."
"And them?"
The child looked behind him.
Gu Xiao’er pointed at himself. "Me? I’m my dad’s son."
The child sized up Qin Feng, then looked at Gu Xiao’er, incredulous. "Your kid is this big already?"
"I’m adopted by my dad. My name is Gu Qingkuang. What’s your name?"
The child didn’t answer but pointed at Feng Mai Miao, curiously asking, "Are they also...?"
Gu Xiao’er nodded.
The child suddenly turned to Qin Feng, his dark eyes seeming to shine with intense energy.
Qin Feng instinctively felt something was off, and then the child’s clear voice rang out, "I don’t want to be with them, we want to be with you!"
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