Qin He received gifts until her hands were sore today.
When no one was around, Liu Xing’an, who had been standing in the corner, walked over with his hands behind his back.
He had specially put on a suit to attend Qin He’s birthday banquet today, but it had been many years since he last wore one and it didn’t fit well, appearing a little too large on him.
Qin He smiled at Liu Xing’an and linked her arm through his, “Master, thank you for gracing me with your presence and coming to my birthday banquet.”
She knew Liu Xing’an disliked such occasions the most.
Liu Xing’an snorted, “Your mistress was supposed to come too, but I knew she didn’t like crowded places either, so I came alone.”
Qin He chuckled, “I’m already very content that one of you could make it.”
Liu Xing’an rummaged in his pocket and finally pulled out something wrapped in oiled paper, stuffing it into Qin He’s hand.
“Here, a gift for you.”
Qin He took the small oiled paper package and unwrapped it slowly, her curiosity piqued, “What is it?”
Liu Xing’an squinted at Qin He, “It’s something that should have been given to you long ago.”
Qin He opened it, and in the center of the oiled paper lay a ring.
Qin He’s fingers immediately registered it as a silver ring, intricately carved with complex patterns. The style of the pattern was very old, suggesting it was an antique.
Qin He looked up at Liu Xing’an.
Liu Xing’an said sheepishly, “This is our family heirloom. It’s not particularly valuable, as the truly valuable things probably didn’t get passed down. It’s been passed down for many generations, usually to future daughters-in-law. If there was no daughter-in-law, it would be passed to a daughter. The tradition became a bit mixed up, and by my generation, I gave it to your mistress.”
Qin He’s eyes welled up, and she understood Liu Xing’an’s meaning.
“You also know that your mistress wasn’t in good health back then. I was afraid of the danger she might face during childbirth, so we never had children.”
“Now that we’re at this age, although her health has recovered, we can’t have children anymore.”
Liu Xing’an looked at Qin He, “Your mistress said she regards you as her own daughter, and this heirloom is being passed on to you.”
Qin He held the silver ring and gently slipped it onto her finger.
Her eyes reddened as she looked at Liu Xing’an, understanding his unspoken words.
Her master and mistress had always treated her like their own daughter.
When she had wanted to urge her master to go abroad, he had sensed the danger and wanted to help her with his retirement savings.
That sum of money was, in fact, a huge amount to her.
Her master and mistress were like another pair of parents to her in this world.
Seeing that Qin He was on the verge of tears, Liu Xing’an immediately took a step back, his brow furrowed like a stubborn old man, “Don’t you cry, I don’t know how to comfort you.”
Qin He let out a soft laugh, wiped her nose, “I know, Master.”
By now, most of the gifts had been presented.
Familiar faces in the hall stood in small groups.
Qin He spotted Fang Yaozu and Song Nuan walking over with a box from a distance. Her expression turned cold, and she turned to leave.
These two had clearly not been invited, and their deliberate appearance was a clear attempt to provoke her.
Qin He turned and instructed a maid, “If anyone else comes to give a gift, just accept it.”
The maid acknowledged, and Qin He turned to leave.
Song Nuan, from afar, deliberately raised her voice, “Miss Qin, please wait a moment.”
Qin He’s expression chilled slightly, and she turned to look at the pair.
Fang Yaozu was actually here to mend relations with the Qin family.
Ever since that incident with Zhang Caiyu.
He had discovered that the Gu, Qin, Xu, and Ming families were all targeting his company, making it difficult for him to conduct business in Haicheng, Qingcheng, and even Jiangcheng!
He hadn’t initially understood why Jiangcheng was targeting him so fiercely. It wasn’t until he saw Qian Zimo, the heir to the leading enterprise in Jiangcheng, at the banquet tonight.
Fang Yaozu felt a secret pang of pain. It seemed the Qin family had been in Qingcheng for too long, their roots too deep to be uprooted in a day without self-inflicted harm.
It would be better to first placate the Qin family and slowly build his strength in secret, then strike when the opportunity arose.
Song Nuan’s voice was not quiet, and everyone nearby had turned to look. Qin He had no choice but to remain where she was, watching Song Nuan walk up to her with a cold gaze.
Song Nuan appeared genuinely happy.
“Miss Qin, do you remember me? I am Lin Xiaoya.”
Qin He looked at Song Nuan’s performance with a half-smile.
“Yes, the wife of Mr. Fang.”
Song Nuan smiled, “This is a small token of our appreciation, prepared by my husband and me. I hope Miss Qin will accept it.”
Qin He lowered her gaze, looking at the box in Song Nuan’s hand. She noted the pattern on the box, planning to have the servants throw it away immediately after the banquet. She had no desire to even see what was inside.
“Thank you very much,” Qin He replied.
Song Nuan, unfazed by Qin He’s indifference, suddenly bowed deeply to Qin He.
Qin He was startled and quickly stepped aside.
“What are you doing?”
Song Nuan’s face showed a trace of distress.
“I want to apologize to you.”
Song Nuan stood up and sincerely explained, “Regarding the previous incident with Zhang Caiyu, it was all due to my poor judgment in choosing friends. I never imagined she would be so audacious as to use such a vile scheme against you. That was Zhang Caiyu’s own doing and has nothing to do with Fang Corporation. I hope Miss Qin can forgive us.”
Qin He narrowed her eyes, she would only believe it if Song Nuan had instigated Zhang Caiyu.
However, this was Song Nuan’s usual tactic, pushing all blame onto others.
Qin He smiled meaningfully, “Madam Fang, your words are a bit unclear. Since it has nothing to do with you, what is there for me to forgive or not forgive?”
A flicker of embarrassment crossed Song Nuan’s face, and she quickly explained, “I was just afraid there might be some misunderstanding.”
Qin He cast a cold glance at Fang Yaozu beside her.
“Don’t worry, I am very clear about whether there is a misunderstanding. I am someone who always repays kindness with kindness and revenge with revenge. I never implicate others.”
The surrounding people exchanged glances.
Those who had come to this birthday banquet held some status in Qingcheng, and could be considered shrewd individuals.
The recent actions of several major companies in Qingcheng were not being concealed.
Initially, many small companies, preparing to choose sides, were afraid of becoming collateral damage in a conflict between giants.
But unexpectedly, once Gu Qichen made his move, Fang Corporation had no room to retaliate.
Before Gu Qichen acted, a small company, perhaps thinking that showing loyalty early would be beneficial, and having had some past grievances with Gu Qichen, voluntarily sided with Fang Yaozu.
However, within three days, that small company had completely disappeared.
Everything was done through legal channels, with Gu Corporation filing lawsuits.
The small company, in its early stages, had failed to comply with procedures regarding pollution discharge, not to mention instances of tax evasion.
As for its substandard products, Gu Corporation had exposed them all.
All illegal activities!