Chapter Twenty-Seven: If Things Go Wrong, You All Might Get Punished

Qin Guoshan’s eyes suddenly sparkled at those words. What? A Song Dynasty vase? Is it really from the Song Dynasty? As an experienced antique collector, Qin Guoshan was well aware of how rare and precious Song Dynasty vases were.

Excitedly, Qin Guoshan turned to the white-haired elder. “Master Hua, is this truly from the Song Dynasty?”

The elder’s smile was gentle. “What’s wrong? You doubt my appraisal? Congratulations, you’ve stumbled upon a treasure from the Song Dynasty.”

Qin Guoshan was overjoyed. He hurried forward, eager to take the vase into his hands. But just then, Chen Yang suddenly spoke. “Dad.”

Qin Guoshan was startled by Chen Yang’s words, turning toward him with some irritation. “What is it?”

Chen Yang smiled slightly. “Dad, don’t forget—I bought this vase with my own money.”

Though Qin Guoshan was his father-in-law, Chen Yang felt it necessary to clarify. After all, he had paid for the vase; it was rightfully his. Why was his father-in-law so excited?

Qin Guoshan’s expression grew awkward at this reminder.

Grinning, Chen Yang took the Song Dynasty vase from the expert’s hands, cheerfully thanking him. “Thank you, Master Hua.”

Master Hua smiled and said nothing more.

Then Chen Yang looked at Qin Guoshan, smiling. “Dad, why are you still standing there? Let’s go.”

Qin Guoshan’s eyes shone as he gazed at the vase in Chen Yang’s arms, looking as if he might snatch it by force.

Chen Yang noticed his father-in-law’s longing expression and smiled inwardly. “Dad, this is mine. Unless I want to give it away, no one can take it from me.”

Chen Yang and Qin Guoshan left the appraisal center together. Qin Guoshan, hands behind his back, asked seriously, “Chen Yang, how are you planning to handle that vase? It’s probably worth two or three million.”

Chen Yang considered for a moment, then smiled. “Dad, why don’t we donate it to the Provincial Museum together? What do you think?”

“The Provincial Museum?” Qin Guoshan’s face was filled with surprise.

If the vase was donated, they’d never be able to sell it for money. But Chen Yang’s Song Dynasty vase was worth millions. With Chen Yang’s current job and income, if he were in Chen Yang’s shoes, he’d definitely sell it.

Qin Guoshan suspected Chen Yang was just pretending to be generous. He said coldly, “Just keep it at home. When the opportunity comes, sell it. You’ll get a huge sum.”

“I’m not short of money.” Chen Yang smiled mildly. “The vase is beautiful, and Song Dynasty Ding kilns are extremely rare now. Let’s donate it to the Provincial Museum. This vase should belong there, so more people can appreciate it.”

Qin Guoshan’s face was full of amazement.

His son-in-law, Chen Yang, had suddenly developed such a noble sense of responsibility? Was this really the same man?

For a moment, Qin Guoshan found Chen Yang almost unfamiliar.

“Are you sure?” Qin Guoshan asked, still unable to believe Chen Yang would really donate the vase.

Chen Yang nodded with a laugh. “Dad, I’m serious. You think I’m joking?”

“You’re impressive.” Qin Guoshan gave Chen Yang a thumbs-up. If Chen Yang truly donated the vase selflessly, he would admire him deeply.

Chen Yang smiled lightly. “Only now do you realize how high-minded I am?”

“Yeah, I never noticed before,” Qin Guoshan replied.

“Well, now you see it,” Chen Yang joked.

“Let’s head home,” Qin Guoshan said, not wanting to waste words.

“Alright, let’s go,” said Chen Yang.

They took a taxi back together.

On the way, Qin Guoshan couldn’t help but ask, “Chen Yang, you seem pretty skilled at picking antiques.”

“I just look around,” Chen Yang replied nonchalantly, though his ability to appraise treasures had been carefully cultivated by his mother. But he couldn’t be bothered to explain.

Qin Guoshan sighed in admiration. “Well done.”

Chen Yang joked, “Dad, you’re only now seeing my good points?”

Qin Guoshan pursed his lips, saying nothing more.

That evening, the family sat together for dinner. Qin Guoshan couldn’t help but mention how Chen Yang had found a Song Dynasty vase at the antique market, and that Chen Yang planned to donate it to the Provincial Museum.

Qin Muxue praised Chen Yang, saying it was a commendable act.

Han Qin glanced at Chen Yang with a hint of bitterness but said nothing. After all, she still hadn’t gotten over the incident with Jiang Tao, and there was still tension between her and Chen Yang.

But Chen Yang felt the whole affair was Han Qin’s fault. He’d smashed Jiang Tao’s car, and that was that. If Han Qin still held a grudge, let her. It wasn’t his fault; Han Qin had brought it on herself.

The next morning.

Qin Muxue and Chen Yang were ready and came downstairs together, prepared to leave for work. But just then, Qin Guoshan hurried out of his room, pulling open the door and saying, “Muxue, Chen Yang, don’t go to work yet. Your grandfather is seriously ill. Come with me quickly.”

Qin Muxue frowned slightly. Although her grandfather was a biased man, always favoring her uncle’s family, he was still her grandfather.

She asked, “What happened to Grandpa?”

“Your aunt just called. Your grandfather suddenly fainted and hit his head. The whole family is already there, and we should go too,” Qin Guoshan said.

Hearing that her grandfather Qin Tianrong had injured his head, Qin Muxue quickly responded, “Alright, let’s hurry.”

“Let’s go,” Qin Guoshan said firmly.

An hour later, in front of Villa No. 3 in Hangwan Villas.

Qin Muxue pulled up and parked the car.

Several luxury cars were parked outside the villa—Mercedes, BMWs—certainly better than Qin Muxue’s Corolla.

Qin Muxue, Qin Guoshan, Chen Yang, and Han Qin got out and hurried toward the villa entrance.

The villa was an old house. Qin Tianrong, Qin Muxue’s grandfather, had lived there for over fifty years. After her grandmother died three years ago, two maids had served him.

Qin Muxue and Chen Yang entered, seeing Qin Tianrong, his white hair combed neatly back, lying on the sofa, brows furrowed.

Around him were Qin Yan, Qin Guofu, Xu Meilan, Muxue’s aunt, second aunt, their husbands, Qin Yan, and other younger relatives.

Qin Tianrong’s accident—his sudden fainting and head injury—had brought the scattered Qin family together.

Qin Muxue followed Qin Guoshan hurriedly to her grandfather’s side, with Chen Yang close behind. Immediately, they drew many strange looks from those present.

Qin Tianrong opened his eyes slightly. When he saw Qin Muxue, he suddenly raised his hand and, in a weak voice, said, “Get out.”

Qin Muxue’s face immediately grew solemn.

The relatives around her all looked at her with peculiar eyes.

They stared for a moment, and Xu Meilan spoke first. “Dad was angered by you.”

Qin Muxue, annoyed, turned to Xu Meilan. “Aunt, you’re an elder. How can you say such things?”

Xu Meilan replied, “Dad likes Xiao Hao best. You and he caused Xiao Hao’s troubles. With Dad’s high blood pressure, it’s no wonder he fell sick from anger.”

Qin Muxue clenched her fists in anger, but had no retort.

Qin Tianrong repeated, “Leave.”

Qin Muxue’s expression turned mournful.

Qin Guoshan couldn’t bear it and stepped forward, gripping Qin Tianrong’s hand. “Dad, that’s Muxue. She’s always been the most filial.”

“Out,” Qin Tianrong said, trembling with rage.

“Grandpa, Muxue came to see you out of kindness. If you treat her like this, it’s no wonder the Qin family is losing its strength,” Chen Yang interjected.

Qin Muxue glanced at Chen Yang, worried. All the elders were present; speaking like this would only upset them.

Sure enough, Qin Guofu spoke up first. “You’re just an outsider. Mind your own woman.”

His words drew even more strange looks, for the subtext was clear: he was implying Qin Muxue was unchaste.

Qin Muxue immediately caught the insinuation. “Uncle, what do you mean?”

Qin Guofu sneered. “Do you want me to say it in front of everyone?”

“Go ahead. Say it,” Qin Muxue replied, upright and unafraid.

Qin Guofu said blandly, “Don’t blame me for being harsh as an elder.”

Qin Muxue grew anxious. “I have a clear conscience. If you have something to say, just say it.”

“You want me to say it? Fine. What’s the story between you and Shen Donghua from Huading Corporation?” Xu Meilan suddenly demanded.

Qin Muxue realized at once—Qin Guofu’s accusation was about her supposed improper relationship with Shen Donghua.

She felt deeply wronged. “There’s nothing between Shen and me. Don’t slander me.”

Xu Meilan sneered. “Last time, your uncle caused major trouble for your company. Everyone knows what it was, so I won’t spell it out. Shen Donghua from Huading helped you resolve it. Why would he do that? You dare claim there’s nothing between you?”

Ever since Shen Donghua helped Qin Muxue settle a crisis with her company’s partners, Qin Guofu had been suspicious. He could only conclude that Qin Muxue and Shen Donghua had an affair, and he firmly believed it.

If there was nothing between them, why would Shen Donghua help her so much?

Xu Meilan saw Qin Muxue fall silent and mocked her. “You have nothing to say, do you?”

Qin Yan covered her mouth and laughed. “Chen Yang, there seems to be a hat on your head.”

All the relatives outside Qin Muxue’s immediate family laughed.

But Chen Yang smiled calmly. “Uncle, Aunt, do you realize that if Shen finds out what you’re saying, you’ll be in trouble?”