Old Mrs. Qin was a classic bully—she picked on the weak and feared the strong. After being told off by her second daughter-in-law, she didn’t dare make another peep.
At that point, Qin Na couldn’t stand it anymore. She walked over, righted the lunchbox that had nearly tipped over, and said with a sigh, "Mom, do you have any idea? When you were brought in yesterday, the doctor said you weren’t going to make it. At the ti, Eldest Brother had no money, Third Brother said nothing, and it was Second Brother who paid for the surgery! Last night, Eldest Brother and Third Brother both left. It was Second Brother who stayed by your side all night! For you to wake up and talk like this... it’s just heartbreaking."
Old Mrs. Qin was speechless. Then her eyes reddened, and she began to sob.
She beat her chest and wailed, "Oh, what a wretched fate is mine! My own children are lining up to curse . Why did I even give birth to you all? I should have just thrown you in the river to drown back then."
Xiao Shi had seen her grandmother cry like this when she was little. It was terrifying—the way she heaved and shuddered. Frightened, she imdiately hid behind her sister, Qin Jiao.
Su Yun was so angry she was trembling. She turned and walked right out.
Qin Jiao whispered to her younger sister, "Xiao Shi, go on out and stay with Mom. I’ll catch up with you in a bit."
"Okay." Xiao Shi had no desire to be around her terrifying grandmother, so she turned and trotted off after her mother, Su Yun.
Qin Jiao looked up, ignoring the wailing, tantrum-throwing old woman. Instead, she focused on her father, who was frowning and swaying on his feet.
She walked over to him and said imdiately, "Dad, did you catch a cold? You didn’t sleep at all last night, so you must have gotten chilled."
Qin Zhonghui waved a hand dismissively. His temples were throbbing. Thinking of his wife leaving, feeling so wronged, he suddenly asked his own mother, who was still wailing on the bed, his voice hoarse, "Mom, am I your biological son?"
The old woman’s wails ca to an abrupt halt.
Qin Na quickly called out, "Second Brother."
At that mont, Qin Jiao calmly said to her father, Qin Zhonghui, "Dad, you know how Shen Yi’s father had an affair? He divorced Aunt Du, and Shen Yi signed a docunt to sever ties with him. Why don’t you sign one with Grandpa and Grandma, too? After all, you’re not their biological son."
Qin Zhonghui was stunned.
Qin Na was dumbfounded.
Old Mrs. Qin was terrified.
Just then, Qin Bogang and Sun Li walked in and heard Qin Jiao’s words. Both their expressions changed. Sun Li looked thoughtful, while Qin Bogang, flustered and angry, snapped, "Qin Jiao, what does a little girl like you know? How could you encourage your father to do sothing so unconscionable!"
Her eldest uncle was used to putting on the airs of an elder, but Qin Jiao wasn’t afraid of him.
Qin Jiao said quietly, "But my dad isn’t my grandparents’ biological son."
Qin Bogang’s voice cracked. "Who told you that!"
"Does anyone need to? Eldest Uncle, for over forty years, from the ti you were a child until now, have you ever seen my grandpa and grandma treat my dad well?"
Qin Bogang was at a loss for words. He mumbled a few incoherent things before finally saying, "What family isn’t like this? What does a kid like you know! Hurry up and go ho, don’t just stand around here!"
"Yes, I am going ho. You and Third Uncle took off, leaving my dad here all alone to watch over Grandma. He’s so cold he’s caught a flu and gotten sick. You’re his family and you don’t feel bad for him, but I do!"
Qin Zhonghui’s head was foggy from the onset of his cold, but he heard his daughter’s words with perfect clarity. His eyes began to sting.
He had always been obedient, sensible, and filial.
He just wanted his parents to spare him a glance, to show him a little more concern.
But he was finally realizing that no matter what he did, in his parents’ hearts and eyes, he would never asure up to his younger and older brothers.
’Maybe I’m really not their biological son.’
Qin Jiao finished packing their things and helped her father up. She turned to the people still standing there and said, "The surgery fee my dad fronted for you all—rember to pay him back. Also, we won’t be coming ho for the New Year. After the holiday, let’s find a ti to sign the agreent to sever ties."
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