The Su family's small building was already filled with aroma before seven in the evening.
Qin Yexuan prepared a table of delicious dishes, untied his apron, and called the Su sisters down to eat.
As usual, he first inquired about Xiaoyu's studies. This child's grades were only average, and passing for a regular undergraduate degree should not be a problem. It was just that English was dragging her down significantly, and Qin Yexuan had been keeping an eye on this.
"Brother-in-law, stop nagging. When my sisters earn big money, they'll send me abroad to study, and I won't have to work so hard," Su Yuluo said with a pained expression, her head aching from Qin Yexuan's long lecture.
The little fairy Su Xueqing chuckled, "Xiaoyu, what are you thinking? Second Sister's company is having a difficult time right now. Where would she get the money to send you abroad? Look at Brother-in-law working so hard every day, so concerned about your studies. Can't you put in some effort?"
Su Yuluo blinked and leaned next to Qin Yexuan, "I'm relying on Brother-in-law. Brother-in-law is hiding his abilities; he's very capable."
Qin Yexuan smiled but said nothing.
Su Yuluo, however, looked at him with a serious expression, "Brother-in-law, you must be hiding a secret from us!"
The series of major events that occurred in Jiangcheng had already been suppressed by Qin Yexuan's disciples.
They all knew their master's personality; he disliked being too high-profile.
But Su Yuluo, this little girl, was persistent. She seemed to have sensed something.
Qin Yexuan then said, "Brother-in-law has money, but I don't approve of studying abroad. For domestic universities, whether it's Huaqing University or Yanjing Academy, you can choose any you like! However, your grades are not good, so going to those top universities won't work either. Do you want people to laugh at you?"
Su Yuluo stuck out her tongue and obediently started eating.
Mingyue, Xueqing, and Su Ningshuang, the others, were both exasperated and amused.
Where did Brother-in-law get money? He was just coaxing a child.
Although Qin Yexuan was very capable, he was genuinely short on money. Up to now, his pocket money was given by Su Bingyan, mainly because everyone didn't want him to go out to work and preferred him to stay home and guard the house.
Thinking of this, Su Mingyue couldn't help but say, "The director of our hospital is very interested in Brother-in-law's medical skills and wants to invite Brother-in-law to be a visiting physician. If a separate department were opened, the annual income would be substantial, possibly over a million."
Qin Yexuan immediately shook his head, "This is not up for discussion. I will not go."
At this moment, Su Bingyan slowly walked downstairs, still looking troubled.
Seeing everyone chatting happily, she forced a smile and ate a little with her sisters.
Qin Yexuan then said softly, "The matter with the Xie family will be resolved soon."
"Brother-in-law, please don't provoke them. We are just ordinary people; it's not worth making an enemy of the Xie family."
Su Bingyan saw this matter very clearly. She actually just wanted to see her birth mother and had no desire for the wealth of the Xie family's prestigious household.
Qin Yexuan put down his chopsticks and snorted, "Within two days, Xie Changan will come to beg you."
As he was speaking, there was a knock on the door.
Su Bingyan frowned and stood up. After glancing through the peephole, her whole body trembled.
She turned around in disbelief, "Brother-in-law, Xie Changan is really here!"
The sisters were all greatly surprised and looked at Qin Yexuan, "Brother-in-law, is it really you? How did you do it?"
Qin Yexuan, however, was quite surprised and shook his head, "I said he would come to see Bingyan within two days, but not this soon."
Oh, it has nothing to do with Brother-in-law? Did Xie Changan come to the door voluntarily?
Su Bingyan was a bit flustered.
Qin Yexuan directly got up and opened the door.
At the door, Xie Changan's face was pale, and sweat covered his forehead.
He stared intently at Su Bingyan and Qin Yexuan, his legs trembled, and he gritted his teeth, about to kneel.
Qin Yexuan immediately said, "Forget it. You are Bingyan's father, after all. Do you really intend to kneel? Come in and talk!"
He spoke with the authority of the head of the household, but Xie Changan became angry, "I want to meet with Su Bingyan alone. Do you, an outsider, have a say here?"
Qin Yexuan did not get angry. He pointed to the green belt nearby, "You can talk over there, but I warn you, do not harm Bingyan!"
His tone was calm, but his words were incredibly domineering.
Su Bingyan's heart warmed. Brother-in-law still cared about her.
She followed the dejected Xie Changan to the green belt, while Qin Yexuan stood at the door.
His phone vibrated, and a detailed investigation report on the Xie family arrived from General Xiao.
"Master, it's been investigated. Xie Changan and Liu Shanshan had a child before they were married, and neither dared to tell the old lady of the family."
"Xie family's old lady is a patriarchal old feudalist. Xie Changan knew that if he brought his illegitimate daughter home, he would be finished. The old lady would never allow Liu Shanshan into the family, so he secretly sent the child to an orphanage."
Qin Yexuan's expression turned grim. Thinking that Bingyan, upon birth, was abandoned without even a chance to choose, was truly tragic.
Mingyue and Xueqing were in similar situations. If not for his beloved wife Su Qing later adopting them, who knew what their fates would have been.
He looked at the investigation report and understood: Bingyan's mother, Liu Shanshan, was unaware of this at the time. Xie Changan must have lied to her, saying the child was lost. Only when Liu Shanshan became critically ill now did Xie Changan become unable to hide it, leading to this situation.
Although it could be understood, for so many years, did the mother not think about it at all?
A simple investigation would reveal the events of that year.
Speaking of which, it truly was like entering a deep, complicated household. Liu Shanshan, from a humble background, entered the prestigious Xie family and naturally had to endure and compromise!
Over by the green belt, Xie Changan's eyes were dark.
He looked at this daughter he had never raised, yet anger burned within him, "It's this illegitimate child from back then who caused me so much suffering. She's very capable, extremely capable, finding so many influential people to force me here. All this humiliation I've suffered today is thanks to this daughter!"
He cursed inwardly with displeasure but dared not speak out.
Seeing Su Bingyan's silent demeanor, Xie Changan forced a smile, "If you want to acknowledge your ancestors, that depends on the old lady's wishes. Your grandmother is now the chairman of the board, and she makes all the decisions in the family!"
Su Bingyan looked up, her face pale, "Mr. Xie, I need to make it clear. I have never considered returning to the Xie family. I only want to see Ms. Liu!"
Mr. Xie, Ms. Liu...
Xie Changan coldly snorted, "You don't even call us Mom and Dad?"
Su Bingyan bit her lip and lowered her head again.
So much grievance and resentment now vanished. Bound by blood, she was genuinely worried about her mother deep down.
"I... I want to see Mom!" Su Bingyan finally changed her address, but she would never call him Dad.
Xie Changan was silent for a long time, and finally said, "I'll arrange it. Come alone tomorrow morning, enter through the villa's back door. Take a look and then leave. I'll explain this matter to the old lady, and then we can discuss other things."
Su Bingyan suppressed her anger, "Alright, but I will not acknowledge my ancestors. I still have the surname Su!"
Hmph, you don't want to acknowledge your ancestors? Then why are you causing all this trouble? Aren't you just trying to return to the Xie family and become a young lady of a prestigious household!
Xie Changan scoffed inwardly, "What are you pretending for in front of your father!"
He looked up, and this wicked father directly asked, "Are you being kept by someone?"