Chapter 23: Born of Parents, But Not Raised by Them

"Grandma." Qin Xingwan threw herself into her grandmother's arms, acting affectionately and coquettishly.

Qin Nainai patted her granddaughter's back and smiled gently: "How do you have the time to come see me today?"

Privately, she naturally hoped that Qin Xingwan could visit her more often, but thinking of her own biased son and daughter-in-law, she did not want Qin Xingwan to come.

Every time she came, she had to suffer grievances.

Qin Xingwan lied and said she was just passing by.

Qin Nainai stood up, and Qin Xingwan reached out to support her.

"Let me." Chu Li stepped forward first to support her grandmother.

Qin Xingwan pursed her lips and supported the other side of her grandmother.

Qin Nainai looked left and right, happy from the bottom of her heart, and couldn't help but say: "You two aren't young anymore; hurry up and have a great-grandchild for me to see."

In the eyes of the elderly, only with children can a home be considered complete.

Chu Li's deep voice carried a hint of a smile: "Don't worry, Grandma, I will work hard."

As he spoke, he turned his head to look at his wife, only to find that her face had turned somewhat pale.

Qin Xingwan felt Chu Li's gaze; she lowered her head to avoid it, her mind filled with that medical report and the words Tang Yisheng had spoken.

She would never have children of her own in this lifetime.

The grief in her heart invaded every limb and bone, making her tears surge, but in front of her grandmother, she could only force herself to hold them back.

After her grandmother returned to her room, Qin Jianguo sent a servant to invite Chu Li.

Chu Li left.

Qin Xingwan kept her grandmother company and chatted for a while, but her grandmother was lacking energy, and it was time to sleep.

She patiently tended to Qin Nainai as she went to sleep, and only after confirming that her grandmother was asleep did she leave the room on tiptoe.

Qin Yun Shu was standing outside, and upon seeing her, she immediately called out in a low voice: "Sister."

Qin Xingwan's gentle expression turned cold, and she looked at her with indifference.

Qin Yun Shu was wearing a pink long dress, her fair fingers twisting together, and her face was full of hesitation.

Ever since the cheating incident, this was the first time they had faced each other alone.

Qin Xingwan had no intention of making small talk; she walked straight past Qin Yun Shu.

"Sister." Qin Yun Shu bit her lip and spoke, her fair face showing a hint of forbearance.

Qin Xingwan did not stop her steps; she had nothing to say to Qin Yun Shu.

Until Qin Yun Shu's voice came from behind her again: "Is Sister doing this on purpose?"

Her voice carried a sobbing tone, full of grievances.

Qin Xingwan stopped and turned around, her brows cold: "Grandma is asleep, keep your voice down."

Qin Yun Shu walked over, tears hanging from the corners of her eyes, and she stubbornly lifted her head.

"I never thought of competing with Sister for anything; why must Sister make me so embarrassed?"

Qin Xingwan felt annoyed.

"If you have something to say, let's go outside."

The elderly had light sleep, and she did not want to disturb her grandmother.

Qin Yun Shu refused, tears falling in large drops: "Since you know Fang Shaoye, and you don't care for the position of Research and Development Director, why did you have to make things difficult for me at the banquet?"

Qin Xingwan was speechless; the position of Research and Development Director was given to Qin Yun Shu by Chu Li, so how did it become that she didn't care for it?

Besides, what did this have to do with Fang Yiwen?

Furthermore, she had already said to go outside if there was something to discuss.

She turned to leave.

Qin Yun Shu grabbed her: "Sister, you have to give me an explanation."

Qin Xingwan shook off her hand and roared in a low, angry voice: "Are you incapable of understanding human speech? I said Grandma is sleeping, don't make a scene here."

She really found it hard to like this younger sister; she looked gentle and generous, but in reality, she was unreasonable and pestering.

Qin Yun Shu's tears fell more and more, her voice trembling from crying.

"Why does Sister have to target me?"

Qin Xingwan looked at those tears, and the anger in her heart grew even stronger: "Because you are selfish and self-interested; you are a complete villain."

Since Qin Yun Shu wanted to ask, she would tell the truth, without giving her any face at all.

"Your pathetic tears are disgusting."

"Sister." Qin Yun Shu was incredulous, her face turning pale.

Qin Xingwan had expressed her dislike for Qin Yun Shu many times, but this was the first time she had so bluntly called her disgusting.

"Satisfied? Can you leave now?" Qin Xingwan crossed her arms, her expression blank.

Qin Yun Shu sobbed, preparing to reach out and grab Qin Xingwan again: "Sister, I'm sorry."

Qin Xingwan stepped back in disgust: "If you truly feel sorry for me, then stay away from me."

She turned and left.

If she stayed here, Qin Yun Shu would just keep crying and wailing, as if she couldn't understand human speech.

No, Qin Yun Shu wasn't incapable of understanding; she was selectively ignoring it, as she was accustomed to being self-centered.

The Qin Family had raised her with doting, making her take it for granted that everyone had to revolve around her.

But Qin Xingwan refused; she had never enjoyed what it meant to have parental love or sisterly love.

She went to the living room, looked at Chu Li, who was chatting happily with Qin Jianguo, and asked in a flat voice: "Can we go now?"

Qin Jianguo frowned, feeling that Qin Xingwan was truly lacking in social awareness; couldn't she see that he was chatting happily with Chu Li?

Lady Qin read the situation and immediately said: "I've ordered the kitchen to prepare a late-night snack; eat before you go."

Qin Xingwan just looked at Chu Li.

Chu Li had already stood up, "Dad, let's talk another time."

Qin Jianguo immediately expressed his agreement with a chuckle, but when he looked up, he glared fiercely at Qin Xingwan.

Qin Xingwan turned to leave, but at the same time, her shoulder was shoved hard by someone.

Caught off guard, she fell backward, looking as if she were about to tumble.

A pair of strong arms wrapped around her waist from behind, then held her shoulders to shield her into his embrace.

"Ashen, what are you doing?" Lady Qin scolded, though it lacked any real force.

Qin Shen was furious, pointing at Qin Xingwan's nose and cursing: "If you don't want to come back, then don't; this home doesn't welcome you."

Qin Xingwan had already steadied herself; she glanced at Qin Yun Shu behind him and knew that Qin Shen was standing up for Qin Yun Shu again.

He had always been immune to Qin Yun Shu's tears.

Qin Jianguo was already dissatisfied with Qin Xingwan, so he followed Qin Shen's lead and scolded: "What have you done again?"

Qin Yun Shu walked out from behind Qin Shen, her eyes red and swollen, her long hair draped over her shoulders, looking exceptionally pitiful.

Qin Xingwan clearly felt the hand belonging to Chu Li on her shoulder tighten slightly.

A flash of mockery crossed her eyes; she shifted her feet once, and her shoulder slipped out from Chu Li's palm.

Lady Qin walked to Qin Yun Shu's side, soothing her in a soft voice.

Seeing that Qin Xingwan did not speak, Qin Jianguo's expression grew even more severe: "I'm asking you a question; how have you bullied your sister again?"

Qin Xingwan's heart was cold, and her voice was even colder: "Qin Yun Shu, I received the invitation to Fang Dashi's farewell banquet long ago; it has nothing to do with me knowing Fang Yiwen. Instead of crying and whimpering here, you'd be better off putting more effort into your perfume blending, so you don't continue to make a fool of yourself in the future."

This time, she spoke even less politely.

They had only had a minor disagreement, yet she acted as if she had suffered a great injustice.

Qin Yun Shu leaned into Lady Qin's embrace, sobbing in a low voice: "Sister..."

Qin Shen could not bear to see his beloved sister cry, so he interrupted her: "Qin Xingwan, Yun Shu's perfume blending technique was learned from Master Katherine; how could someone like you who grew up in the countryside compare?"

Every word was filled with disdain for Qin Xingwan.

They claimed to be a family, but in private, they still despised her for growing up in the countryside.

She curled her lips in self-mockery: "I certainly can't compare; after all, I was born to parents but raised without them, let alone having the chance to learn skills from some master."

This was the truth, but it struck a nerve with Qin Jianguo.

Qin Jianguo flew into a rage, angrily raising his hand to slap Qin Xingwan.

Qin Xingwan's heart was dead to the world.

But that slap did not land on Qin Xingwan's face; instead, it landed on the back of Chu Li's head.

Everyone was dumbfounded.