Chapter 167: Visited Two Homes in One Day—Ate, Drank, and Took Gifts (Part 2)

This lunch, guided deliberately by Xia Baichuan and Cai Xuan, was enjoyed by all.

In conversation, both sides gained deeper insight into each other.

Qin Yun now understood why the Xia family was so wealthy—they were in real industry, specifically energy-related, so of course they were rich. Their company was listed on both the A-share and HK markets, with a market cap that made one's head spin.

Yet such a wealthy family raised Xia Xiaoxing so frugally—it spoke to strict family discipline.

When Xia Baichuan learned Qin Yun was divorced, his guard rose even higher. He didn't look down on remarried men, but the idea that his daughter deserved only the best was deeply rooted. Worse still, Qin Yun was five or six years older than Xia Xiaoxing—clearly unsuitable.

At the table, watching his daughter foolishly serve Qin Yun food, Old Xia resolved to be unyielding from now on—he'd stand with his wife and not let Xia Xiaoxing leave Shanghai anytime soon; she'd go back to work, no excuses.

Xia Xiaoxing suddenly felt a chill and involuntarily shivered.

"Little Qin, sit tight a moment—I'll go with your uncle to fetch the gift we prepared for you."

Cai Xuan rose, pulling Xia Baichuan along with a smile.

Qin Yun hurried to say, "Uncle, Auntie, you really don't need to be so formal."

"Yes, we do, we do," Cai Xuan turned to her son and daughter. "Xiao Chuan, Xiaoxing, keep Little Qin company."

Then she and Xia Baichuan left the living room.

Once they were gone, Xia Xiaoxing exhaled in relief. "Brother, Brother Qin, didn't you notice Dad's demeanor was off?"

Xia Xiao Chuan looked baffled. "Was it? I didn't notice."

Qin Yun also shook his head.

"You didn't?" Xia Xiaoxing narrowed her eyes. "I keep feeling Dad looked at Brother Qin in a strange way."

Xia Xiao Chuan laughed. "Maybe he's taken with Brother Qin—thinking of making him his son-in-law."

Xia Xiaoxing's face flushed crimson. She glanced cautiously at Qin Yun—seeing no reaction—then glared at her brother. "You've got a filthy mouth."

Though she liked Qin Yun, it was only the usual girl's admiration for strength—she'd never imagined anything so far ahead after just three meetings.

Meanwhile, Xia Baichuan and Cai Xuan went upstairs.

"What should we give him?" Cai Xuan fretted. "He gave us gifts worth over a million—we looked stingy in comparison."

Xia Baichuan thought a moment. "What about that house in Pudong? It was given to me by Old Yang."

"The Pudong house? Tangchen Yipin or Haijing No. ?"

"Neither," Xia Baichuan sighed. Those houses cost over a hundred million each—he wasn't that reckless. "I mean the Linyang New Town area—there's a Jiuli Shuxiang community with a 130-square-meter unit. Let's just give it to Little Qin."

Cai Xuan frowned. "We have a house like that?"

"I already said it was Old Yang's repayment."

"Fine, then." Cai Xuan had no objection. "How much is it worth? Over fifty thousand?"

"Around thirty thousand now."

Cai Xuan gasped. "That far out?"

Thirty thousand per square meter in Shanghai? That had to be some remote wasteland.

"Qin Yun doesn't live in Shanghai and doesn't need to commute—it's perfect for the suburbs. At least he'll have a place to stay next time he comes, instead of paying for a hotel."

"Alright. Have Xiaoxing ask Qin Yun for his ID—we'll have someone go straight to the housing bureau to transfer it."

…

At four in the afternoon, Qin Yun left Xia Xiaoxing's home, dazed, holding a red booklet and a set of keys.

Only when he got into his Land Rover did he shake his head, half-amused, half-exasperated.

No wonder they were elite—they handed out nearly four million without warning, and only told him after it was already in his name.

Xia Xiaoxing stared enviously at the red booklet in Qin Yun's hand. She'd long wanted her own place outside the family home, but her parents flatly refused.

"Brother Qin, Weiwei's place is at Yuewan No. —just navigate there."

Qin Yun stuffed the items into his backpack and nodded. "Thanks for the hospitality—please thank your parents again for me. I feel unworthy."

"Heehee, it's nothing. My dad's loaded—I think he's stingy. If they'd asked me, I'd have said Haijing No. was better."

Qin Yun nearly jumped. "No way, no way—you rich families are terrifying. I'm leaving, I'm leaving."

He started the engine, pressed the accelerator, and sped out along the outer road.

Behind him, Xia Xiaoxing called out: "Brother Qin, remember to come visit me next time!"

At the gate, the elderly couple stood firm. Xia Baichuan declared: "For the next year, Xiaoxing isn't leaving Shanghai. She'll work at the company—no allowance until she's served a full year."

Cai Xuan rolled her eyes—she knew exactly what her husband was thinking. "You're imagining things. Qin Yun has no such intentions."

"Hmph. My daughter's adorable—you don't understand men's hearts."

The car drove slowly, winding through side streets until the navigation led him to a house clearly different in style from Xia Xiaoxing's.

It was a Chinese-style villa—immediately imposing, even larger than Xia Xiaoxing's home.

He checked the house number and called Han Wei.

The phone rang once, then a voice came through: "Master Qin, you're here?"

"Haha, I'm at your door—can I park here?"

"Of course, park anywhere. I'm coming out now."

She hung up and ran from her room.

"Dad, Mom—Master Qin is here! Master Qin is here!"

Soon, the iron gate opened, and Han Wei with her parents stepped out.

Again, the same scene as lunchtime—they sat together in the living room.

Han Shichu and Fang Yi knew far more about Qin Yun than the Xia family did, especially Fang Yi, who'd followed Qin Yun's account since her daughter went to Yaomei Peak.

She often watched his livestreams, though never made big donations like Han Wei—just watched.

After watching him often, she found this young man brimmed with energy—always vibrant, spirited, never defeated by setbacks. She grew fond of Qin Yun.

She'd subtly probed her daughter and, realizing Han Wei had no romantic interest, even felt a pang of regret.

"By the way, Uncle, Auntie, I picked up a piece of golden silk nanmu in the Jüqi Antique Market and carved a few small trinkets—I'm not sure if you'll like them."

Qin Yun took out three boxes.

He handed them out according to zodiac signs: Han Shichu was a Tiger, Fang Yi a Dragon, Han Wei a Snake. Since their ages differed, the zodiac forms varied distinctly.

"Little Qin, you're thoughtful."

Fang Yi opened the brocade box. When she saw the gentle, dignified jade dragon pendant inside, her eyes lit up. Then a refreshing fragrance drifted from the wood—clearing her mind instantly.

For Fang Yi's pendant, Qin Yun abandoned the traditional dragon's fierce grandeur, using freehand relief carving to blend feminine grace with the dragon's form—resulting in a creature that looked gentle and refined at a glance.

Its lines were soft, flowing, elegant—making one's heart swell with delight the moment they saw it.

Fang Yi had assumed it was just an ordinary trinket, but the finished piece was astonishing. One look, and she loved it—better than the pendant she wore now.

"Wow… such a lively snake! Master Qin, your craftsmanship is incredible!" Han Wei exclaimed, snatching the pendant from its box.

Han Shichu didn't share the mother-daughter pair's delight—he noticed first the wood itself. Upon close inspection, he realized it was aged golden silk nanmu—the scent, the texture—undoubtedly top-grade.

Still, he wasn't well-versed in such matters. He planned to take a photo and ask someone later, but guessed the market value was high.

Still, the tiger pendant pleased him too—steady, dignified, subtly powerful—perfectly matching his taste.

"If you all like them, that's all I ask."

Having experienced the Xia family's reaction, Qin Yun was now used to it. He was a master carver, but didn't operate in that world—he didn't care about the value others assigned his craft.

People are like that: the more one side values something, the more the other side begins to value it too.

Though Han Shichu didn't know the exact worth of the pendants, he knew enough about top-grade golden silk nanmu to guess Qin Yun's gifts were far from trivial.

Three such pendants were worth at least half a million—this young man was truly generous.

Could he be interested in Weiwei?

At that moment, as fathers of daughters, they both instinctively thought the same thing.

If Qin Yun knew, he'd die laughing.

He wasn't some stud chasing every pretty girl—he didn't even have romantic feelings for Xia Xiaoxing or Han Wei. He treated them as ordinary friends. Put bluntly, he was just maintaining his patrons.

More importantly, he had better options nearby—why reach for something distant? If he ever did choose, it'd be the one who occasionally stirred his heart.

After dinner, Fang Yi handed him a red booklet. "Little Qin, this is Auntie's small token—please accept it."

Qin Yun hurried to refuse. "Auntie, I helped Weiwei because we're friends. This makes me feel ashamed."

Fang Yi took his hand and pressed the booklet into it. "I'm not thanking you for helping Weiwei—I'm thanking you for helping me break through her emotional wall. We only have two daughters—Xue died, and after that, Weiwei shut herself away, blaming herself. Without you, I don't know how long she'd have remained like that."

"Yes," Han Shichu sighed, his eyes shadowed with sorrow. "Our eldest is gone. We can't lose the other. We know your business is thriving—you don't need money. But we don't know how else to thank you. This is all we could think of—please take it."

"Your uncle's right," Fang Yi pressed. "You know money means nothing to us. We know this money can't match what you've done for Weiwei and our family."

"Master Qin, just take it."

Qin Yun was torn between laughter and tears, clutching the red booklet helplessly.

The Xia family gave him a Pudong house—now Han Wei's family gives him another. Soon he'd own two properties in Shanghai without even living there.

"Alright, Uncle, Auntie—I won't refuse your kindness."

Qin Yun wasn't one to be overly modest. Two properties? He could handle it.

This was the confidence that came from strength—he no longer saw these things as extraordinary. He truly regarded them as external possessions: nice to have, but meaningless without.

Personal power brings total confidence. Back when he was a laborer in Beijing, he'd have been overjoyed for days.

"Hahaha…" Han Shichu laughed. "That's the spirit. This shop is in Minhang District—the title's already in your name. I've had our people contact the current tenant. You just need to go over these next two days and sign a new lease."

"…."

Qin Yun forgot manners—he flipped open the booklet. The "purpose" field clearly read: Commercial Land. Below it, the building area: 348 square meters.

Holy shit—commercial land in Minhang District? 348 square meters? How much was that worth?

Qin Yun was truly stunned.

"Uncle, Auntie… this is far too valuable."

"You little rascal, don't you dare go back on your word," Fang Yi glared, feigning anger. "It's just a small token of our goodwill."

In the end, Qin Yun accepted it, but after driving away from Zi Garden, he decided that living off a woman's wealth was a profession he utterly despised.

Fuck, damn it!