Chapter 21
Editor: Princess
The amusement park was bustling with excitement on the weekend. Long lines formed at the major attractions, and screams of thrill occasionally echoed from high above.
Qin Huanxi sat on a bench, looking up at the sunlight that was a bit dazzling yet comfortably warm. The weather today was perfect, neither too hot nor too cold, just ideal for an outing. The laughter and joy surrounding him seemed contagious, and as he looked around at the lively crowds, he couldn’t help but smile.
“Thankfully, Xiao Yuan is still young and can’t ride many of the big attractions. Otherwise, we’d spend the whole day queuing and barely get on a few rides.” Qin Huanxi observed, watching Mo Shanshan holding Mo Siyuan’s hand as they lined up to buy milk tea. The little one was having the time of his life today, enthusiastically dragging them around without showing any signs of fatigue.
Mo Shaoheng leaned back slightly, but his expression remained tense, seemingly uncomfortable with the noisy atmosphere.
And noticing Mo Shaoheng’s expression, Qin Huanxi suddenly laughed: “Uncle Mo, could it be that you’ve never been to an amusement park before?”
Even though his secret was exposed, Mo Shaoheng didn’t feel embarrassed. He simply replied calmly, “I didn’t have time as a child, nor was it allowed.”
Qin Huanxi understood. The Ning family was considered one of the top families in S City, but compared to powerhouses like the Mo family and the Qin family, there was still some distance. Even if his own childhood lacked freedom, he at least had opportunities to go out and play. After entering university, he had also visited amusement parks with friends.
“Later, I just never had the chance.” Mo Shaoheng continued, his tone somewhat indifferent.
“Then why did Uncle Mo agree to accompany us to the amusement park today?” Qin Huanxi seemed to understand Mo Shaoheng’s meaning. Since leaving home, he had noticed bodyguards following them for protection, now disguised as tourists blending into the crowd. He worriedly said, “Uncle Mo shouldn’t have come.”
Mo Shaoheng’s identity was special. No matter how vast the Mo family’s wealth and influence, they weren’t the only powerful family. Appearing suddenly in public was essentially exposing his safety. Moreover, the amusement park was crowded and chaotic—bodyguards could pretend to be tourists, but so could those who wanted Mo Shaoheng’s life. Mo Shaoheng shouldn’t be so careless; he should have considered these basic issues long ago.
Suddenly, Qin Huanxi realized something. His eyes widened, and he subconsciously turned to look at Mo Shaoheng. The corners of Mo Shaoheng’s mouth curved upward slightly as he smiled. “As expected of Uncle Mo.” Qin Huanxi said. “It seems my concerns were unnecessary. Even if someone wanted to make a move, they would have to consider whose territory this amusement park is. I don’t think anyone would dare cause trouble on the Sheng family’s territory, they don’t have the courage.”
Mo Shaoheng’s tense expression suddenly relaxed. He leaned back casually against the bench, studying Qin Huanxi with an unreadable gaze. After a brief silence, he asked almost nonchalantly, “What about you? I suppose you didn’t have many opportunities to come to places like this either.”
“I…” Qin Huanxi almost blurted out his experiences from the Ning Xue period but quickly stopped himself. Trying to appear composed, he said, “From the moment I was born, my parents had planned every step of my future. At three years old, I already started learning the violin.”
Mo Shaoheng looked at Qin Huanxi, whose expression remained calm. He listened quietly and asked, “Hmm, and then?”
“From childhood to adulthood, forget about amusement parks, I didn’t even have toys. Before I turned three, my toys were models of various musical instruments. After turning three, even these models disappeared from my life. I still remember once, when I was about five, I secretly took out the models to play with and accidentally cut my finger. My mother became furious and smashed all the models right in front of me.”
This incident had left a deep impression on the original soul. Even though his soul had been replaced, Qin Huanxi still remembered the original’s mother’s angry expression. The original was only five years old at the time and was so frightened that he forgot to cry. After that, he never played with toys again and practiced the violin even more diligently, fearing his mother’s anger.
The original’s parents had passed away ten years ago. Qin Huanxi’s impression of them wasn’t vivid, but based on the original’s memories and the enormous portrait hanging in the hall of his solitary mansion, the original’s parents should have been very gentle people with an artist’s elegant temperament.
“So my childhood was probably even more monotonous than Uncle Mo’s. It was nothing but practice, practice, and more practice. When I grew a little older, my family arranged for me to participate in various competitions and performances until I stood on the world stage.” Qin Huanxi turned his face with a light, breezy smile.
Mo Shaoheng looked at Qin Huanxi and suddenly asked, “As far as I know, the Qin family has quite a few siblings around your age.”
Qin Huanxi gave a soft laugh: “Is Uncle Mo joking with me?”
Mo Shaoheng laughed deeply: “You see things very clearly.”
Qin Huanxi suddenly gave a bitter smile: “Uncle Mo thinks too highly of me. If I could really see things so clearly, my parents wouldn’t have left me so early, and I wouldn’t have been in a vegetative state for over two months a few months ago. No matter how high a stage one stands on, or how much power, fame, status, and money one possesses, there’s always something more attractive that makes people resort to any means to compete for it.”
Mo Shaoheng frowned almost imperceptibly: “You suspect those two car accidents weren’t really accidents?”
“How many coincidences and accidents can there be in this world?” Qin Huanxi’s smile faded. “I don’t have evidence, but someday I will find it. What is owed to me, I will take back with interest.”
Mo Shaoheng stared intently at Qin Huanxi. The delicate face before him overlapped once again with the face in his memory. Suddenly, as if making a promise, he said: “If you need my help, just ask.”
Qin Huanxi turned abruptly, looking at Mo Shaoheng with surprise. Seeing the sincerity in the other’s eyes, he nodded unconsciously: “Thank you, Uncle Mo. If that day really comes, I won’t stand on ceremony with you.”
“Do you have any suspects?” Mo Shaoheng asked.
Qin Huanxi shook his head. Except for Old Master Qin, everyone in the Qin family seemed suspicious. The extended family was even more complex with many people. Old Master Qin had many brothers and sisters who, although not living together, maintained regular contact.
Old Master Qin had been quite amorous in his youth. His legitimate wife had given birth to several children, including the original’s father, as well as the father of Qin Cong’an, his eldest uncle and the father of Qin Siyu, his second uncle. Qin Siyu originally had an older sister, but she passed away at a young age due to illness.
Besides them, there was also a younger uncle and two aunts. The younger uncle was an outstanding organ player with a good reputation nationally, while both aunts had married well into equally prestigious families. Their children weren’t close to him but frequently visited the Qin residence. Qin Huanxi kept an eye on them but hadn’t noticed anything unusual so far.
As for the children Old Master Qin had fathered outside of marriage, they were all brought back after his wife passed away, although he never remarried. Every time Qin Huanxi thought about it, he couldn’t help but hold his head in his hands—apparently, Old Master Qin’s youngest son was only a few years older than him and still unmarried.
Mo Shaoheng looked somewhat amused at Qin Huanxi’s distressed expression. He knew Old Master Qin’s past better than anyone.
The Qin family genes were exceptionally strong, and everyone, including Old Master Qin, was very good-looking, which explained why the old master had been so unrestrained in his youth. And among this generation, the most outstanding was undoubtedly the person before him. Which was why at the birthday banquet, even Pan Zhijie had entertained crooked thoughts, attempting to use Qin Huanxi to curry favor with him.
Mo Shaoheng asked, “In your opinion, who is most suspicious?”
Qin Huanxi thought about it: “My eldest uncle only has piano in his heart and is quite kind to me, but it’s often this type of person who hides the deepest, because they’re accustomed to playing the fool while harboring ambition. His son, Qin Cong’an, has had issues with me since childhood. The Amati violin that accompanied me for over a decade, but Qin Cong’an wanted it too, but grandfather gave it to me instead. I even suspect that the conflict between Qin Siyu and me was instigated by him from an early age. Because of that violin, Qin Siyu had a big argument with me, although grandfather eventually proved it was just a misunderstanding—he had intended to give the Amati to me from the beginning. Think about it, Uncle Mo, if Qin Cong’an hadn’t said something to Qin Siyu, why would she think I stole the Amati from her?”
“Qin Cong’an…” Mo Shaoheng frowned, trying to recall. The old master had mentioned this person to him before but seemed reluctant to discuss him much. His words were filled with regret and a hint of bitterness, so Mo Shaoheng hadn’t paid much attention. After meeting him a few times, Mo Shaoheng’s impression of him wasn’t good.
Young in years but harboring many thoughts. Mo Shaoheng had seen too many such people. In his eyes, Qin Cong’an was just an insignificant figure. Such a person might be able to deceive the willful and capricious Qin Siyu, but to fool someone like Qin Huanxi, who also had many hidden thoughts, he would need several more years of practice, or perhaps even another lifetime.
“Qin Siyu trusts this cousin completely and follows him in everything. Of course, Qin Cong’an also dotes on her greatly, though how much genuine affection is hidden in that doting is unknown.” Qin Huanxi shook his head with a wry smile. “As for Qin Siyu, to call her simple-minded wouldn’t be accurate—she has quite a few little schemes, but they don’t constitute a threat, just minor pranks. However, this type of person, once out of control, can be more dangerous than someone calculating like Qin Cong’an. She would seek revenge at all costs, not playing by the rules, making her unpredictable and difficult to guard against.”
The smile on Mo Shaoheng’s face gradually reached his eyes, his expression becoming extremely pleased.
“What is it? Did I say something that amused Uncle Mo? Should I feel honored to have pleased you?” Qin Huanxi was surprised by Mo Shaoheng’s good mood and tried hard to recall if he had said anything amusing.
Mo Shaoheng did something he had wanted to do for a long time. He gently stroked the top of Qin Huanxi’s head: “I’m relieved that you think this way.”
As Mo Shaoheng spoke, he remembered something and asked, “Does Old Master Qin intend for you to inherit the Black Diamond?”
Qin Huanxi felt a tremor in his heart, then rubbed his chin thoughtfully. Among the younger generation of the Qin family, he wasn’t the only violin player. If he remembered correctly, the old master’s youngest son was also quite accomplished with the violin, though he had developed his career abroad and was rarely seen—after all, being an illegitimate child wasn’t a position of honor.
“After grandfather, besides my father, I am indeed the only person who has performed using the Black Diamond. Before that birthday banquet, the Black Diamond hadn’t appeared before the public for over a decade.” Qin Huanxi was deeply moved.
Whether in his previous life or after his rebirth, his love for the violin hadn’t diminished one bit. The Black Diamond was a dream instrument for all violin enthusiasts. To say he wasn’t tempted would definitely be pretentious, but despite this, he would never use underhanded methods to tarnish the Black Diamond.
Qin Huanxi reflected: “For an outstanding performer, owning a famous instrument is certainly important, but even more crucial is the love and understanding one has for it. If one merely pursues its prestige and reputation, then even if one possesses it, the melodies produced will lack soul. The Black Diamond is precious, and I would love to own it, but I can’t force it. Even if I can’t have it, I already have my best companion—the Amati, also a gift from grandfather. All the honors I’ve achieved to date were granted to me by the Amati. Even if one day I own the Black Diamond, I would never abandon her.”
Mo Shaoheng gazed deeply into Qin Huanxi’s dark eyes: “You deserve to own the Black Diamond more than anyone else. I believe that day will come.”
“Thank you for your kind words, Uncle Mo.” Qin Huanxi smiled and stood up. “Today we’re here to relax, so let’s not talk about such heavy topics. Shanshan and Xiao Yuan are back—let’s go join them.”
Who started this conversation? Mo Shaoheng shook his head with a smile, his eyes exceptionally gentle.