Qin Huaichuan led Qin Qing down from the second floor. The long dining table was already laden with dishes. Qin Guangyuan sat at the head, with Ji Lan beside him, and Qin Zishi next to her.
Seeing his grandson arrive, Qin Guangyuan showed a warm smile and gestured to the dishes. “Come, eat.” He said nothing about the internal strife between the two grandsons.
Qin Qing bowed slightly and addressed his grandfather, but didn’t sit down. Instead, he pulled out a chair for Qin Huaichuan, waiting for his father to sit first. Every move, every nod and smile, was elegant and proper. Even though Qin Zishi had enjoyed twenty-five years of wealth and elite education in the Qin family, he couldn’t cultivate this natural nobility. Qin Guangyuan’s smile grew more satisfied. He personally served his grandson a bowl of soup.
Qin Qing accepted the soup, thanked his grandfather, then served a bowl to Qin Guangyuan, Qin Huaichuan, and Ji Lan each. His manners were impeccable, yet he didn’t spare even a glance for Qin Zishi. He didn’t even bother pretending to be a respectful brother. But no one thought him narrow-minded or improper. Everything he did seemed so natural. Qin Zishi gripped his chopsticks, suppressing his inner humiliation. He knew Qin Qing was deliberately ignoring him. Such coldness was even more unbearable than quiet rivalry or provocation. When he had considered Qin Qing his greatest enemy, the other hadn’t even acknowledged his existence. Wasn’t that laughable? Qin Zishi clenched his teeth so hard that his lips and face turned pale.
Ji Lan looked at him worriedly and suddenly spoke: “Zishi is being investigated by the police.”
Qin Zishi’s already humiliated heart was now tormented by even stronger shame. How could his mother bring this up? Qin Qing would only become more smug! Qin Zishi’s temples throbbed, as if anger were about to erupt.
Qin Qing showed no surprise. He said calmly, “Is it about taking kickbacks from POC? That’s bribery; you’ll go to prison, won’t you?”
Ji Lan’s eyes reddened, as if she were about to cry. Qin Huaichuan and Qin Guangyuan put down their chopsticks, their expressions grim.
996, who had just jumped on the table to steal some braised shrimp, bristled in shock: “Meow? What did you say? Qin Zishi is going to prison? But he’s the protagonist! How can the protagonist go to prison?”
Qin Qing sighed softly, his tone reproachful and helpless: “No wonder President Li gave such a big contract to Qin Corporation- you two had already formed a corrupt alliance. Didn’t you know this is illegal?”
His tone was like that of a loving elder brother’s stern love, yet it subtly countered President Li’s earlier words about signing “out of respect for Zishi’s influence.” It wasn’t about influence; they were just birds of a feather. Qin Zishi took several deep breaths before gently placing his chopsticks down and smiling. “I haven’t taken any bribes. The police have investigated; those who should be arrested have been arrested. The evidence proves I’m innocent.”
He had already disposed of the obvious evidence and found scapegoats, leaving himself clean. But he couldn’t say that publicly.
Qin Zishi suppressed his anger and smiled, “Mom, don’t worry. I’m fine.”
Ji Lan choked up, “How can I not worry about you?”
Qin Guangyuan spoke coldly, “As long as everything is cleaned up properly.”
Qin Huaichuan warned, “Don’t do this again. The Qin family isn’t poor, and we haven’t starved you.”
These words made Qin Zishi’s cheeks flush red. Shame, humiliation, resentment, anger- all these negative emotions piled up in his heart. He had thought Qin Qing’s return wouldn’t affect him. Such a commoner without a college degree, having struggled at the bottom of society for over a decade, could never be his match. But he was wrong. From their first meeting, he had never seemed to gain the upper hand. If he hadn’t borrowed President Cang and President Xu’s influence, he might have been thrown out long ago.
His father and grandfather’s words reduced him to a greedy beggar. Perhaps deep down, they thought: “Like father, like son…”
Qin Zishi didn’t finish that humiliating thought. He clenched his fists, trying to hold onto something. He quickly realized that what he urgently needed to grasp were Cang Ming and Xu Yizhi. Those two were his greatest support.
Ji Lan suddenly placed one hand on Qin Zishi’s hand and the other on Qin Qing’s, speaking earnestly: “You two brothers, stop fighting- can’t you get along? The family property will be split equally between you- no more, no less. My property will be split too; you can have it now. Stop fighting. Mom is worried.”
Qin Zishi held Ji Lan’s hand back and said aggrievedly, “Mom, believe me, I’ve never targeted Qin Qing. President Li’s words were his own doing. I didn’t expect Qin Qing to react so strongly. He’s too sensitive, but I understand him. Mom, I’ll be more careful in the future. I’ll definitely get along with him.”
These words made Ji Lan look relieved. But Qin Qing gently withdrew his hand. First he slowly took a sip of soup, then picked up his napkin and carefully wiped his hands clean.
“Property can be divided equally. But can love?” He put down the napkin and asked calmly.
“What?” Ji Lan was stunned.
Qin Qing stood up and said flatly, “After I resigned, did you comfort me? When I was wronged outside, did you worry about me? If your maternal love can’t be divided equally, why should property be?”
Ji Lan looked up at him, uneasy. “Wh-what do you mean?”
Qin Qing leaned down, gently stroking Ji Lan’s hair, his voice carrying a hint of a smile: “Mom, I forgot to tell you, I’ve always wanted everything.”
Everything? All the property? All the mother’s love? Or did he want everything in his hands, leaving nothing for anyone else? Ji Lan stared at her son in disbelief. He smiled so beautifully, his touch so gentle, but his words were terrifying. Qin Huaichuan and Qin Guangyuan said nothing, but their expressions were approving. Such ambition fully met their expectations for an heir. Qin Zishi’s heart pounded. An unprecedented sense of crisis washed over him like a tidal wave. Qin Qing’s words were undoubtedly a declaration of war. “Everything”? Then where would he stand in this family?
“I’m going to Lanyu Technology for an interview tomorrow. Mom, will you wish me luck?” Qin Qing leaned on the table with one hand and put his other arm around Ji Lan’s shoulder, asking intimately.
“You’re going to Lanyu? Why?” Ji Lan’s voice rose sharply.
Qin Guangyuan was also surprised, but quickly smiled. This grandson dared to think and dared to act- very good! Qin Zishi’s chopsticks clattered onto the table. He looked up sharply at Qin Qing, fear and anger in his eyes.
“Mom, won’t you wish me luck?” Qin Qing didn’t answer, his downcast eyes full of hope and affection, as if he truly longed for his mother’s encouragement.
Ji Lan pressed her pale lips together and spoke in a trembling voice: “Of course I wish you luck. Why are you going to Lanyu? What do you want to do to Zishi?”
She was afraid of this person. Afraid of his vindictiveness and his obsession. Qin Qing suddenly lowered his head and interrupted Ji Lan with a light kiss on her forehead.
“Thank you, Mom. With your encouragement, my interview will surely go smoothly.” His magnetic voice was filled with joy and satisfaction, like a child who had received much love from his mother.
But Ji Lan felt that kiss like a thorn piercing her skin.
Qin Qing slowly tucked a strand of Ji Lan’s hair behind her ear with his slender, jade-like fingers, then straightened up and politely excused himself: “I’m finished. Grandfather, Father, please enjoy your meal. Zishi, I’ll see you at Lanyu tomorrow.”
He waved, smiling warmly and kindly. Qin Zishi quickly put on a smile, but a dark storm swirled in his eyes. Was this Qin Qing’s declaration of war? 996 grabbed a braised shrimp and quickly caught up with Qin Qing.
“Meow! You’re OOC! The way you fought for property just now was like a big villain, not a bitter supporting male character!”
“What’s OOC?”
“OOC means breaking character.”
“Do you know that roses have thorns?”
“I know that, meow.”
Qin Qing laughed softly and didn’t answer.
“What do you mean by that, meow? Hey, don’t walk so fast, wait for me! What does a rose having thorns have to do with you going OOC? Your subject change is way too abrupt!”
The little fat cat’s noisy voice gradually faded away…
The next day, at Lanyu Technology Tower. Qin Zishi went to HR and indeed found Qin Qing’s name on today’s interview list. He pulled out Qin Qing’s application materials, took them to the top floor, and knocked on the president’s office door.
“President Cang, I’m sorry to disturb you.” Qin Zishi bowed at a ninety-degree angle, looking uneasy. “There’s something I need to report.”
He placed Qin Qing’s application materials neatly on the desk.
Cang Ming, who was reviewing a document, glanced coldly at the materials. “Is there a problem?” he asked flatly.
Qin Zishi quickly explained: “I found my brother’s application in HR. Our company only recruits top graduates from international universities. My brother only has a high school diploma and no work experience. I don’t think he’s suitable. I asked HR, and they said he seemed to have been slipped in through my connections, but I had no idea. Maybe my father or mother used my name to convince the HR director. I’m sorry, President Cang, this is my fault. I’ll have my brother leave right away.”
Qin Zishi bowed again, his face full of guilt and self-reproach.
Cang Ming didn’t look up. “He’s already here. Let him finish the interview, then reject him.”
Such trivial matters never concerned him. He wouldn’t even glance at that file again.
President Cang’s reaction was exactly as Qin Zishi expected. He secretly breathed a sigh of relief and smiled, “Understood, President Cang. I’ll have HR reject my brother. This will never happen again.”
“The HR director will have two months’ salary deducted. Notify them.” Cang Ming said coldly.
Qin Zishi, who had always been at odds with the HR director, didn’t mind making an enemy.
He bowed. “Understood, President Cang. I’ll pass on the message. If there’s nothing else, I’ll take my leave.” He walked slowly to the door, as if hesitating, then paused and turned back.
Cang Ming was still reading, his tone icy: “Is there something else?”
Qin Zishi steeled himself and walked back quickly, placing his phone on the desk.
“President Cang, I think you should see this video. I’ve forwarded a copy to your phone.”
The video played. A woman’s urging voice came through: “…go seduce President Cang. Take President Cang away from him, then let’s see how smug Qin Zishi can be! You’re ten thousand times better-looking than Qin Zishi…”
Cang Ming finally looked up at the phone screen. His deep, dark eyes grew even darker when they fell on Qin Qing’s face.
Qin Zishi said awkwardly, “This video was sent to me by a guest at the birthday banquet. Based on this conversation, I have reason to suspect my brother has ulterior motives for coming to Lanyu.”
He bowed deeply again, apologizing once more: “President Cang, I’m very sorry. It seems I’ve caused you a lot of trouble.”
In the video, Qin Qing was smelling a white rose, smiling softly. He was indeed very beautiful. That beauty was even unique. But Cang Ming was unmoved.
He lowered his head again and said flatly, “No need for an interview. When he arrives, just send him away.”
Qin Zishi’s thin lips finally curved upward, uncontrollably.
“Understood, President Cang. I’ll tell him privately. I’m also one of the interviewers today, and I’ll uphold the company’s usual high standards.”
Cang Ming waved his hand, dismissing him. Qin Zishi looked at the man’s serious, cold face before quietly leaving. Outside, he held up Qin Qing’s application, staring at the exceptionally attractive photo, and smiled contemptuously.
“Qin Qing, you’ll never take what’s mine.” He murmured, tearing Qin Qing’s materials into shreds.
Qin Qing arrived at Lanyu Technology headquarters on time. He looked up at the towering gray-black building, facing its immense presence. Clouds drifted at the top, slowly dispersing. Even the vast sky was pierced by such a massive structure. In fact, seven or eight surrounding buildings all belonged to Lanyu Technology. In prime Haishi, it occupied the best location and the largest area. It was nothing less than a business empire. Qin Qing took the elevator to the 19th floor. The hallway was full of candidates, all looking nervous. An HR staff member handed Qin Qing a number tag.
996 said happily, “Meow, you’re indeed the last to interview, just like the script says!”
Qin Qing smiled, staring at the tag, his eyes darkening. Would everything in the script always happen as written?
996 hesitated for a moment, then said cautiously, “I’ll give you Cang Ming’s location. Go follow the plot now?”
The coordinates were quickly sent to Qin Qing’s spiritual sense. He found Cang Ming in the 19th-floor smoking room.
“What plot?” Qin Qing took a pack of cigarettes from his suit pocket and walked unhurriedly toward the red coordinates.
“I’ll tell you once you’re in the smoking room,” 996 said mysteriously, though secretly nervous. It felt like Qin Qing was becoming harder and harder to control.
Qin Qing arrived at the smoking room, about to push the door open, when several men in suits walked out first, all looking tense. Seeing Qin Qing, they opened their mouths as if to warn him, but noticing the number tag in his hand, they quickly closed their mouths and walked away. No need to interact with someone from a different company. Qin Qing knew why these men had left in a hurry. If a predator suddenly appeared among a flock of grazing sheep, the sheep would scatter. Qin Qing pushed the door open and looked inside, only to find that this place had not one predator, but two.
Two tall men stood by the window. One stood straight, his broad shoulders, lean waist, and long legs wrapped in a luxurious black suit. At the sound of the door, he made no movement, his gaze still fixed on the scenery outside. His sharp brows slanted to his temples, dark shadows shifting in his black eyes. His powerful physique and chilling presence made the air around him tense. No wonder the people who had been in the smoking room fled. No one could long endure the oppressive aura this man emitted.
This was Cang Ming. Beside him, the man in the sapphire-blue suit was Xu Yizhi. He leaned against the window, one hand in his pocket, the other lightly flicking ash, exhaling pale blue smoke from his nose. At the sound, he looked over casually, like a lazy beast. He glanced lightly at Qin Qing, and also at 996.
996’s fur bristled. It arched its back and asked, “Qin Qing, did he see me?”
“I don’t know.” Qin Qing unconsciously tightened his grip on the door handle.
Xu Yizhi raised an eyebrow and smiled with narrowed eyes. He remembered this creature, so different from everyone else. Qin Qing didn’t approach the two bosses. He just nodded and smiled lightly. Just then, a hand suddenly landed on his beautifully curved back and pushed hard.
“What are you blocking the door for? Can’t others get in?” An impatient female voice came from behind.
Qin Qing was pushed into the smoking room. Looking back, he saw a female employee with short hair barging in.
Seeing Qin Qing’s face, she froze for a long moment. Her impatient tone suddenly turned gentle, even uncharacteristically soft: “I’m sorry, I was too rash just now. Did I bump you?”
Only then did she notice the two bosses by the window. She quickly looked away from Qin Qing’s face, bowed respectfully to the two bosses, then walked to the farthest corner, lit a cigarette, and smoked silently against the wall. She was much braver than the male employees who had fled. Qin Qing walked into the smoking room, keeping his distance from Cang Ming and Xu Yizhi, and stopped by a floor-to-ceiling window.
Xu Yizhi withdrew his gaze, squinting at the view outside, and said almost inaudibly, “This one, what are you going to do with him?”
Cang Ming smoked with the same casual indifference. Qin Qing’s universally effective beauty had no effect on him. He didn’t love men, nor women.
“Today is the last time he appears before me,” Cang Ming said flatly.
Xu Yizhi chuckled quietly, sounding regretful: “What a pity.” But his emotionless dark eyes held little regret.
“What do you think they’re saying?” 996 hid behind Qin Qing like a thief.
“I can’t hear.” Qin Qing toyed with his cigarette pack, appearing relaxed, but inwardly in turmoil.
He was a demon. Even in a mortal body, his senses were far sharper than an ordinary person’s. At this distance, he shouldn’t be unable to hear their conversation. But the fact was, he heard nothing. It made him wary and nervous. To ease his tension, Qin Qing looked at the spring scenery outside. The city’s flowers had all bloomed; looking down, they were a smoky pink. Clusters of cherry and peach blossoms.
“What exactly is the plot you brought me here to follow?” Qin Qing frowned.
“Uh, well…”
996 stood on its hind legs, rubbed its chubby paws together, and said obsequiously, “The entire plot from here on can be summed up in four words: seduce Cang Ming. You’ll follow this plot, right? Each seduction attempt earns 20 points!”
“What?” Qin Qing’s fingers, toying with the cigarette pack, paused.
Xu Yizhi and Cang Ming, at the other end of the room, made no move, but their gazes deepened.
In an instant, Xu Yizhi smiled with interest: “Keep him around, hmm?” He exhaled pale blue smoke at the beautiful scenery outside, his narrow eyes sparkling with amusement.
“I don’t have time for this boring game.” Cang Ming also exhaled smoke, his tone cold as winter.
Just vibes, late nights, and coffee keeping this translation project alive. If you want to help fuel the next chapter, Ko-Fi and PayPal are linked below.
![The Return of The Lord God[quick wear]](https://i2.wp.com/knoxt.space/wp-content/uploads/2022/04/007S8ZIlly1ghl04hyuxyj30hs0owwgu.jpg?resize=85,105 "The Return of The Lord God[quick wear]")
Yani On ABLO Chapter 35