The meeting concluded on an anything but pleasant note.
After the meeting, Qin Chuan returned to his office and lay on the sofa, his thoughts drifting.
The office door, which had been closed, was pushed open, and Qin Yang walked in.
"Big Brother!"
Seeing Qin Yang enter, Qin Chuan casually greeted him.
"Xiao Chuan, I need to talk to you about something."
Qin Yang spoke.
Qin Chuan rolled over and sat up, gesturing for his elder brother to sit opposite him, then tossed him a cigarette.
"What is it?"
Qin Chuan asked.
Qin Yang hesitated for a moment before saying, "This is about the second brother. Xiao Chuan, have you noticed that the second brother's emotions have been very off lately?"
Qin Chuan fell silent, then nodded.
More than just noticing, it was glaringly obvious.
Since the major accident more than two months ago, Qin Chuan had noticed that his second brother had changed.
Although the other party concealed it well, Qin Chuan knew him intimately. Their relationship was forged in the same womb, twenty years of brotherhood, always together, they understood each other too well.
They were the first to sense any change in each other.
How to describe it, Qin Gang's current demeanor felt like a strong desire to establish his own path, no longer wanting to be under someone's wing in life.
Whose wing was referred to was self-evident.
When Qin Chuan shared his feelings with his elder brother, Qin Yang, his face was full of worry.
"The second brother actually has a very strong sense of pride."
"After you scolded him last time, I was afraid he hadn't truly resolved his issues and that the knot in his heart had only grown tighter, making him desperate to prove himself."
"Otherwise, why would he have reacted so intensely in the meeting room when he heard that casinos and loan sharking were prohibited?"
As the eldest of the Qin family, Qin Yang, though simple and honest in nature, was by no means foolish. On the contrary, he was mature, steady, and incredibly observant.
Qin Chuan understood Qin Gang, and how could he not understand his own brother?
Qin Gang had always possessed an unruly personality and a strong sense of pride. Perhaps it was not so apparent when they were all poor.
But since Qin Chuan's rise, his capabilities had grown exponentially, far surpassing both his elder brothers.
Whenever anyone mentioned the Qin family, they would first praise the youngest, Qin Chuan, for his abilities and success, not only in making money but also in finding such a beautiful girlfriend.
Their parents' constant praise was for Qin Chuan, while Qin Gang, who was always deemed idle and unsuccessful in his career with no girlfriend, was always the one being reprimanded.
Under such a pervasive environment, how could Qin Gang not care at all?
The major accident more than two months ago, when Qin Chuan publicly scolded Qin Gang in front of many people, had likely been the final straw that broke the camel's back.
Qin Gang's pride must have been deeply wounded!
"Big Brother, do you think I was wrong to scold the second brother back then?"
Qin Chuan asked.
Qin Yang pondered for a few seconds before shaking his head, "No, the second brother was indeed going too far during that period."
"He spent his days carousing with friends, not engaging in proper work, and even attracted the attention of Han Shifei."
Qin Chuan spread his hands, his face showing anger, "Then there you have it. You know my temper. I can't stand injustice. How could I not scold him when he was behaving like that?"
Seeing this, Qin Yang showed a helpless expression and sighed deeply, "Alas, this is what troubles me the most!"
"From the second brother's reactions at today's meeting, I have a feeling that Xiao Gang might do something out of line."
"He dares!!!"
Qin Chuan erupted in anger.
"We are brothers. You know your second brother's character."
"If he truly doesn't want to be constrained and managed by you, he will surely try other things."
Qin Yang said with concern.
Qin Chuan frowned, his emotions gradually calming down, and then he felt that his elder brother's worries were justified.
If Qin Gang truly didn't want to be controlled by him, this possibility was indeed very real.
However, he just didn't know what things Qin Gang might try.
If it were legitimate businesses, he would not only not object but would even be happy to see it.
But if it were illicit businesses, such as gambling or loan sharking, then the outcome would be entirely different.
"Xiao Chuan, if it doesn't work out, why don't we call the second brother over? The three of us can sit down and have a good talk."
Qin Yang offered.
He was the eldest son of the Qin family, and his nature was always honest and kind. He truly did not wish to see such conflict arise between his brothers.
"It's still a bit too early!"
Unexpectedly, Qin Chuan shook his head and refused.
"All that we've discussed so far is speculation. What exactly the second brother intends to do, or if he will do it, remains unknown."
"If we call the second brother over now to talk, even if he has the idea of starting his own venture, will he admit it?"
Qin Yang fell silent, the worry in his brow deepening.
"Big Brother, I understand your concerns."
Qin Chuan stood up, sat down beside his elder brother, put his arm around his shoulder, and comforted him, "Don't worry, I will handle all of this with the utmost discretion."
"We are brothers, connected by blood! Let alone minor disagreements like this, even if major conflicts arise, it will never affect the bond between us three brothers."
"And I will absolutely not let that day come!"
Qin Chuan's words finally eased the worry on Qin Yang's brow. He turned his head and looked earnestly at his younger brother.
"Xiao Chuan, with your words, I can rest easy!"
"Unlike Xiao Gang, who has personality and a spirit of adventure, nor am I as intelligent as you, skilled in business, making money, and managing relationships."
"I am just an ordinary child from a farming family. My greatest wish in this life is to live a simple, honest life and have a healthy, happy family!"
"May our brotherly affection be harmonious, may we help and support each other, see our parents off in their old age, and raise our children to adulthood. That is enough!"
Listening to his elder brother's heartfelt words, a soft spot deep within Qin Chuan's heart was unexpectedly touched. He couldn't help but tightly hug Qin Yang's shoulder, his eyes reddening.
Wasn't his elder brother Qin Yang's wish also his own?
However, having been reborn once, if he didn't achieve something to change his family's living conditions and social status, Qin Chuan would fear that heaven would reclaim his life then and there.
In a family, someone had to step forward and contribute, right?
Qin Chuan was undoubtedly that person!
Now that his second brother had developed the notion of establishing his own venture, as long as it was a legitimate business, Qin Chuan would not only not prevent it but would even encourage it.