Younger individuals, like Qin Wenchang, who took this matter to heart also included Qin Hu and Xia Ruiqiu.
However, they were completely indifferent to why their grandfather was so fond of this brother.
For Qin Hu, Qin Shoujiang was an existence that needed to be respected.
Whatever he did, he naturally had his reasons, and Qin Hu didn't need to worry about it.
As for Xia Ruiqiu, she was more curious.
She had never heard her mother mention having such a brother.
She didn't even know whose child this brother was.
But none of that mattered.
The reason Xia Ruiqiu was truly interested in Qin Xuan was because he had dared to ignore others and directly confront his second uncle.
In the eyes of a fifteen or sixteen-year-old girl, this behavior was simply astonishing.
Although she didn't have much interaction with her second uncle and didn't particularly dislike him, confronting those self-important elders as a junior was incredibly cool!
Qin Anrong, naturally, did not know what her daughter was thinking.
At this moment, her attention, just like her daughter's, was entirely focused on the "half-grown" young man sitting in front.
Through her peripheral vision, she could clearly see Qin Xuan's facial contours.
His jawline was sharply defined, and his features were incredibly exquisite.
From any angle, he bore a seven-tenths resemblance to her deceased brother.
And like her eldest brother, this fellow also greatly received their father's "favor."
She could see that her father, who hadn't smiled much in years, was now smiling with genuine sincerity.
Two hours later.
The sounds of cutlery in the entire restaurant finally completely disappeared.
Qin Shoujiang raised his hand, signaling the servants to clear away the finished dishes.
The remaining Qin family members sat upright, their gazes all directed towards the Qin family patriarch sitting at the head.
According to the rules of Qin family gatherings.
After the family banquet, it was time for the family patriarch to communicate and exchange ideas with the family members.
Everyone could express their opinions freely, and if the patriarch had any major announcements, he would make them at this time.
Qin Xuan's return this year had a significant impact on the entire Qin family.
They knew that both Qin Shoujiang and his sons and daughters had made many moves before today.
Therefore, they were paying extra attention and being extra cautious at this year's gathering.
"Alright, the meal is finished, and we've chatted enough."
"If anyone has anything to say or any suggestions, feel free to speak up and let this old man hear it."
"My Qin family is very democratic, and we believe in speaking freely about everything."
"So, family members, don't be reserved. If you have any thoughts, just speak your mind."
After the cleanup, Qin Shoujiang cleared his throat and spoke softly to the family members seated below.
His voice was soft, not intentionally forceful.
However, with the enhancement of his martial arts essence, it was still clearly heard by every family member.
Those present were all members of the Qin family, so this kind of "sound transmission" was not uncommon.
Although it was said to speak freely, those of lower status generally wouldn't have anything to say in such an occasion.
Therefore, everyone's attention was still focused on the first half of the banquet.
Especially the direct descendants of the Qin family, starting from Xia Ruiqiu and moving forward. They knew that they were the main characters of this meeting.
"What? Is there nothing special happening this year?"
After a pause, Qin Shoujiang surveyed the dining room, his gaze encompassing everyone behind the dining table.
Only when his gaze fell upon his second son, Qin Anbang, did he speak again, asking everyone.
Song Xian saw this and gently nudged Qin Anbang's arm with her hand.
Qin Anbang ignored her, and she pinched his thigh harder.
Only when Qin Shoujiang's gaze settled on Qin Anbang again did Qin Anbang clear his throat and stand up from his seat.
After hesitating for a moment, he fired the first shot in the battle for the position of family patriarch.
"Dad, I have something to say."
"Good, go ahead."
Looking at his second son, Qin Shoujiang's eyes gradually returned to their former sternness.
Qin Anbang subconsciously swallowed, but still braced himself and stated his intention.
"The Qin family's industries, more than half of which are currently under my control, have, under my leadership, achieved an average annual profit of about five percent per item."
"I believe my abilities are sufficient to lead our Qin family to a brighter future, so I want to..."
"I think you should get some good rest!"
The prepared speech had been memorized thoroughly, but at the crucial moment, Qin Anbang still stumbled slightly.
He was confident he could boast in front of everyone.
But facing his father, he just couldn't.
That's why he was reluctant to stand up, unwilling to face all this.
To Qin Anbang's surprise.
When he uttered words like "you should get some good rest," which were almost explicit, his father, who had always been very strict with him and often yelled loudly, did not, for the first time, turn red in the face.
On the contrary, he simply nodded quietly, as if he had heard the most ordinary piece of news.
"You mean, you want to replace me and become the Qin family patriarch, is that right?"
Not long after, Qin Shoujiang asked back word by word.
His tone was very calm, without a trace of fluctuation.
This made Qin Anbang, who had just relaxed, feel his heart race again.
"Answer me, do you truly want to replace me and become the helmsman of the entire Qin family?"
Seeing that Qin Anbang was somewhat dazed and did not reply, Qin Shoujiang asked again in the same calm tone.
However, this time, although there was no difference on the surface from his previous question, Qin Xuan could see a hint of disappointment deep in his eyes.
"It seems that even now, Grandpa's feelings for Qin Anbang have not diminished in the slightest."
"It's a pity that this fellow seems to be blinded by his own affairs, trembling and unable to see clearly."
Shaking his head inwardly, Qin Xuan was also very puzzled by Qin Shoujiang's thoughts.
Logically speaking, Qin Anbang had conspired to kill Qin Antai and even poisoned Qin Shoujiang to seize control of the Qin family.
Either of these actions should have been enough for Qin Shoujiang to hate him thoroughly.
But the reality was the exact opposite.
He clearly still had strong fatherly affection for Qin Anbang.
Although Qin Shoujiang didn't say it, Qin Xuan could feel it.
Whether it was Qin Shoujiang's complaint that Qin Anbang wasn't ruthless enough at the time, or his current disappointment that his performance wasn't firm enough.
These were all expressions of a father's disappointment in his son, wishing he would live up to expectations.
"Perhaps, this is the complexity of human emotions."
"But if I were Grandpa, perhaps I would have acted long ago and personally killed this scoundrel upon Father's death!"
While Qin Xuan was lost in thought, Qin Anbang finally regained his composure.
After Qin Shoujiang repeated his previous question, he nodded heavily, directly clarifying his intention to become the patriarch.
"Yes."
"I want to replace you and be the Qin family patriarch!"
"Heh heh, good!"
Upon hearing his second son's affirmative answer, Qin Shoujiang's lips finally showed a slight smile.
He did not directly answer Qin Anbang's question, nor did he refuse.
Instead, he turned his gaze to Qin Anrong, who was sitting opposite Qin Anbang, and then asked everyone loudly, "Besides Qin Anbang, does anyone else want to replace me and become the Qin family patriarch?"
"Step forward, state your reasons as well, and I will analyze them carefully before giving my own answer."