Chapter 127: Father Qin Chooses Evasion

Throughout the day at school, Qin Xuan and Lin'er were both restless. By the time they finished their classes in the afternoon and stepped out of the school gate, they immediately spotted a car parked by the roadside.

"Huh?" Nan Zhiyi wondered, isn't that my dad's car? She approached and tapped on the window.

"Uncle Qin?" As the window rolled down, Nan Zhiyi was stunned to see her Uncle Qin in the passenger seat, his face covered in bruises and swelling. Her own father really had laid it on thick.

"Hey, Zhiyi, long time no see. Get in, I'll take you all out for something good to eat," Qin Jianguo said upon seeing her, showing no signs of embarrassment—after all, her old man had taken a fair beating from him too!

"There's no room..." Nan Zhiyi said, feeling a bit awkward as she surveyed the situation.

"Your mom is in the back; she went to get some medicine and will be right back," Nan Zhiyi heard her father's voice from the driver's seat. She tilted her head curiously to take a look; oh my, her dad’s face was just as bruised as Uncle Qin’s.

Before long, Yang Ying arrived driving the car. As she got out, she tossed a large bag of medicine to Nan Zhengyi. "Look at the two of you. Aren't you ashamed?"

Neither man replied; they simply set the items aside. They had often been like this back in their army days!

Qin Xuan and the others stood to the side, unable to help but lower their heads at the sight.

"Qin Xuan, what are you laughing at? Get in the car, I have something to ask you!" Qin Jianguo, seeing Qin Xuan standing in the middle, held by the hands of both Lin'er and Ruoxi, frowned and shouted at him.

Liu Ruoxi consciously let go of his hand and got into the car, while she and the others boarded Yang Ying’s vehicle. As the engine started, Qin Xuan sat obediently in the back, not daring to utter a word.

"So, how are things between you and Zhiyi?" Qin Jianguo asked Qin Xuan right in front of Nan Zhengyi.

Qin Xuan was dumbfounded. He glanced at Uncle Nan in the driver's seat; how was he supposed to answer that? He wasn't tired of living yet!

"Why are you looking at him? I'm asking you," Qin Jianguo sneered at Nan Zhengyi—why should he be afraid of him?

"It's... it's alright," Qin Xuan replied, swallowing hard.

"That's good. Keep it up, and don't you dare break up! When I get old, I still want to go fishing with your Uncle Nan!"

Hearing his father say this, Qin Xuan realized, *You’re just using me to provoke Uncle Nan, aren't you?*

Nan Zhengyi’s hands were already gripping the steering wheel tightly; if he weren't currently driving, he would have started another fight with him right then and there.

Eventually, Nan Zhengyi parked the car in a lot by the road and led them toward a nearby restaurant. The waiter blinked in surprise at the two bruised and battered men walking in front.

The waiter quickly composed himself and led them to a private room. Lin'er felt uneasy, sitting next to Qin Xuan on the side furthest from her father. Her dad hadn't spoken to her once yet—could he have discovered something?!

Soon after the dishes were served, Nan Zhengyi enthusiastically poured white liquor for Qin Jianguo. The implication was clear: the fight that hadn't been settled earlier would be decided right here!

Qin Jianguo gave him a look of disdain. *You haven't even managed to work off that beer belly, and you want to compete with me?*

Qin Xuan, who was originally just watching the spectacle from the sidelines, found a glass of liquor inexplicably poured for him by Uncle Nan as well. Qin Xuan felt a bit guilty, but seeing both men raise their glasses to him, he braced himself and downed the drink, immediately feeling a headache coming on.

Fortunately, when Uncle Nan tried to pour him another, Nan Zhiyi snatched the glass away and glared at him.

*It’s over,* Qin Xuan thought, *my little cotton-padded jacket is stuffed with black-hearted cotton.*

He had originally wanted to seek some revenge, but seeing Nan Zhiyi act this way, he had no choice but to clink glasses with Qin Jianguo instead.

Over an hour later, everyone looked on in silence at the two middle-aged men who had collapsed onto the table, muttering nonsense.

In the end, Qin Xuan and Lin'er each supported their father into the car, while Yang Ying and Nan Zhiyi dumped Nan Zhengyi into the backseat. Watching the two men leaning against each other, Yang Ying felt inexplicably weary.

After a brief discussion, they decided to drive to Zhiyi’s house, as there were more rooms there.

Qin Xuan helped his father onto the guest bed. Fortunately, his father hadn't vomited, or it would have been a real mess. As he turned, he saw Lin'er entering with a basin and a towel, intending to wipe his face.

But before the towel could touch his face, Qin Jianguo’s eyes snapped open.

"D-Dad?" Lin'er was startled and quickly pulled her hand back.

"I'm fine... give me the towel, I'll do it myself," Qin Jianguo said, blinking his blurry eyes. He took the towel from Lin'er and rubbed his face vigorously, feeling a bit more clear-headed.

Seeing Lin'er pushing Qin Xuan to leave, he frowned and called out to them, "Stop right there! I have something to ask you!"

Lin'er froze, then slowly turned to look at Qin Jianguo.

"Come over here and sit!" Qin Jianguo beckoned them.

Lin'er kept her head down, gripping Qin Xuan's hand tightly. As they sat on the edge of the bed, Qin Jianguo’s gaze wandered between them for a moment. Suddenly, he noticed their joined hands and raised an eyebrow. *Good grief, I was only suspicious a moment ago, and now you're confirming it for me?*

"Are you two together?!" Qin Jianguo crossed his arms and stared at Qin Xuan.

Qin Xuan knew trouble was coming the moment Lin'er grabbed his hand. He had been prepared, but Lin'er was shocked by the question: "Dad, we're just..."

Before she could finish, Qin Jianguo raised a hand: "I'm not asking you. Qin Xuan, you're a man—you tell me!"

"Yes," Qin Xuan said without hesitation, lifting the hand Lin'er was trying to pull back. "We are together. We've done everything."

Seeing Qin Xuan speak up, Lin'er gritted her teeth: "That's right! If you don't approve of us, we'll bring you a grandson next year!"

Qin Jianguo: "..." *What kind of nonsense is that?*

"Forget it, forget it. I'll talk to you tomorrow. Let me recover first!" For the first time in his life, Qin Jianguo chose to escape. A sense of powerlessness welled up in his heart; his wife had really been right all along!

"Alright then..." Lin'er picked up the basin and slipped away.

Once they were out of the room, Lin'er breathed a sigh of relief and looked at Qin Xuan, who remained calm: "How are you not afraid?"

"What are you afraid of? Didn't I always take the beating while you watched whenever we got into trouble before?" Qin Xuan looked at her, recalling that they had caused plenty of mischief, and he was always the one left holding the bag...

"Hehe, you're the big brother, of course I rely on you!" Lin'er stood on her tiptoes and kissed Qin Xuan on the cheek before slipping away with the basin.

That night, Qin Xuan lay alone in bed, leaning against the headboard after finishing his request for time off the next morning from Sister Qin.

*Click.*

Qin Xuan watched as the door opened a crack, and Nan Zhiyi poked her little head inside.

"Not asleep yet?" Seeing him still lying in bed looking at his phone, Nan Zhiyi entered the room and closed the door.

"Can't sleep? Do you want to come to my room?" Nan Zhiyi flopped onto the bed, propping her chin on her hands and looking at him earnestly.

"No..." Qin Xuan reached out to ruffle her hair, saying speechlessly, "That wouldn't be right!"

"Oh, I was going to show you something good, but I guess there's no chance now," Nan Zhiyi shook her head with a look of regret.

"Hmm?" Qin Xuan was instantly intrigued. "How about I go take a look and come right back?"

"That works too..." *Once you see it, you probably won't be coming back!* Nan Zhiyi thought to herself with confidence.