Chapter 31
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When Qin Huanxi saw Qi Fengyu carrying Mo Siyuan out of the viewing lounge, he couldn’t help but breathe a sigh of relief. He stepped forward silently and took Mo Siyuan into his arms, lowering his head to press against his baby’s forehead gently while raising one hand to rub the back of his baby’s head.
Mo Siyuan allowed Qin Huanxi hold him obediently. However when he saw Qin Huanxi’s mild expression, he felt a bit sad inside. He suddenly remembered that he had come out to use the bathroom, but after finishing, he hadn’t returned promptly. Instead, he had gone to the viewing lounge to play with Uncle Fengyu. Big brother Huanxi must have been worried, which was why he and Daddy had come out looking for him.
He immediately fidgeted with his little hands at a loss, saying softly, “Big brother Huanxi, I’m sorry. Xiao Yuan was wrong.”
Qin Huanxi finally smiled and said gently, “Xiao Yuan knows he did something wrong. That’s very good. Xiao Yuan is still young now, but in the future, you have to remember that no matter what you do, you need to tell Daddy and Big brother Huanxi first. Even if Xiao Yuan really did go to the bathroom, if you want to find Uncle Fengyu after using the bathroom, you should come back and tell Daddy first, then go find Uncle Fengyu. Otherwise, when Daddy and Big brother Huanxi can’t find Xiao Yuan, we’ll worry that something happened to Xiao Yuan and will search for you everywhere anxiously. Do you understand?”
Mo Siyuan nodded his little head vigorously. “Xiao Yuan remembers.”
“Good boy.” Qin Huanxi smiled, patted his head, then put him down on the ground. “Do you know what you should do next?”
Mo Siyuan glanced at Qin Huanxi, then threw himself at Mo Shaoheng, hugging his legs. “Daddy, Xiao Yuan was wrong. Xiao Yuan will definitely listen to Daddy and Big brother Huanxi from now on obediently and will never walk away without saying anything again.”
Mo Shaoheng looked at Qin Huanxi, smiled, then patted Mo Siyuan’s head, saying in a deep voice, “Mm!”
Qi Fengyu touched his nose. This time it should be his fault since he was the one who carried Mo Siyuan away without saying anything. However, he was really surprised by Qin Huanxi’s attitude toward educating children. He had originally thought he would scold Mo Siyuan, but unexpectedly, he calmly reasoned with the child instead.
The longer they spent together, the more his doubts about Qin Huanxi only increased. Compared to Mo Shaoheng, who had taken care of Mo Siyuan for three years, Qin Huanxi obviously understood better how to care for and educate children. If he didn’t know that Qin Huanxi himself was a pampered young master, he would have thought Mo Siyuan was his child.
Unfortunately, Mo Shaoheng wouldn’t allow him to privately investigate Qin Huanxi. He naturally wouldn’t violate Mo Shaoheng’s orders. However, one thing was certain: Qin Huanxi was definitely hiding a huge secret, and this secret seemed to be tacitly understood between Qin Huanxi and Mo Shaoheng, though they had never spoken it aloud.
“What happened? Why is everyone gathered here?” Mo Shanshan saw no one in the main hall and thought everyone was upstairs. She was about to go upstairs when she saw a group of people gathered at the corridor entrance, including the butler and maids. She walked over hurriedly. “Uncle, what’s wrong?”
Mo Shaoheng looked at Mo Shanshan and raised his chin toward Mo Siyuan’s direction.
“What happened to Xiao Yuan?” Mo Shanshan’s heart jumped with worry. She quickly walked to Mo Siyuan and saw that he was safe and sound. She breathed a heavy sigh of relief. “You scared me to death. Nothing happened to Xiao Yuan, right? Uncle, don’t scare me.”
“Don’t worry, it was a false alarm.” Seeing Mo Shanshan’s anxious face, Qin Huanxi felt warmth in his heart and explained what had just happened briefly.
Mo Shanshan rubbed her forehead and reached out to pinch Mo Siyuan’s cheeks. “You little rascal, making so many people worry about you. You really are our Mo family’s little ancestor. Were you trying to scare Big brother Huanxi and Daddy to death? You can’t do this again, understand?”
“I understand.” Mo Siyuan knew he was wrong. He opened his arms and threw himself at Mo Shanshan for a hug, acting cute and trying to appease her.
“You…” Mo Shanshan scooped him up and held him close, rubbing him vigorously.
The butler, seeing that the matter was resolved dismissed everyone to return to their duties.
The group returned to the main hall and sat down. Mo Shanshan placed Mo Siyuan on a chair and looked up to see the handicraft materials package spread on the table. She asked Mo Siyuan, “Do you have to do handicrafts again today? What are you making this time? A doll?”
Mo Siyuan nodded. “Mm, the teacher wants each of us to make a doll and bring it to class next week to show the other students. Daddy and Big brother Huanxi said they would make one for Xiao Yuan.”
“Pfft…” Mo Shanshan laughed without restraint. “Are you sure the two of them can make a doll for you?”
Mo Siyuan looked at Mo Shaoheng, then back at Qin Huanxi, and asked with wide eyes, “Can’t Daddy and Big brother Huanxi do it?”
“Ahem…” Qin Huanxi cleared his throat lightly. “Xiao Yuan, making the doll isn’t urgent. Today is only Wednesday. Big brother Huanxi will spend the next few days learning how to make dolls from Sister Shanshan. Once I learn how, I’ll make a beautiful little doll for Xiao Yuan. Does Xiao Yuan have any other homework today?”
Mo Siyuan thought about it with his head tilted, then his eyes suddenly lit up. “There’s a music test tomorrow.”
“Good, then let’s practice the song you need to sing tomorrow today.” Qin Huanxi stood up and turned to ask Mo Shaoheng, “I remember there’s a piano in the adjacent viewing lounge? Can we use it?”
Mo Shaoheng also stood up, asking with some surprise, “That’s Shanshan’s piano. You can play piano?”
Qin Huanxi raised his eyebrows. “The Qin family has several piano performers. Qin Cong’an’s father is an internationally renowned pianist, and I’ve been influenced by this environment since childhood. Even if I don’t have as deep an understanding as I do with violin, compared to ordinary people who can play piano, I should be at an expert level.”
Mo Shaoheng’s lips curved. This guy really didn’t know how to be modest at all. However, as a genius from a musical family, knowing several instruments wasn’t surprising. Even if he wasn’t an expert, his talent would still be much higher than ordinary people. Besides, Qin Huanxi was already a genius, so he probably knew more than just piano and violin.
Qin Huanxi walked into the viewing lounge carrying the music textbook. A white piano sat in front of the lounge’s massive floor-to-ceiling windows. He walked over, opened the piano lid, tested a few notes, then turned to ask Mo Shanshan, “Can Xiao Yuan play piano?”
Mo Shanshan leaned against the piano lightly and pressed a few keys. “I only know a little bit myself. Although I love piano, I really have no talent for performance. This piano was Uncle’s birthday gift to me. Usually, I only play occasionally. When Xiao Yuan learns songs, I use this piano to teach him. He’s learned a little.”
Mo Siyuan heard this and ran over excitedly, sitting next to Qin Huanxi with a proud expression. “I can play piano!”
“Oh? What can Xiao Yuan play? Play it for Big brother Huanxi, okay?” Qin Huanxi asked with a smile.
Mo Siyuan’s eyes rolled around, then he raised his white, tender little hands and began to play.
Qin Huanxi turned his head and smiled as he watched Mo Siyuan’s tense little face, his smile quickly widening. It seemed Mo Shaoheng and Mo Shanshan had really misjudged the little guy’s talent before. His baby had inherited his musical talent very well. Although it was still quite immature now, someday it would bloom brilliantly.
“Big brother Huanxi, did I play well?” When the piece ended, Mo Siyuan looked up and asked Qin Huanxi.
“Xiao Yuan played wonderfully. Now let’s practice the song you need to sing tomorrow.” Qin Huanxi patted Mo Siyuan’s head.
Mo Siyuan, having received praise, immediately beamed with joy, cupping his face in delight.
Qin Huanxi flipped the music textbook to the children’s song “Finding Friends” that they needed to learn. This song was practically a required piece for everyone’s childhood. He scanned the sheet music once, then began playing. Mo Siyuan beside him heard the piano melody and immediately started singing along, almost as a conditioned reflex.
After practicing several times, Mo Siyuan had mastered the rhythm well and sang very nicely. Qin Huanxi was very satisfied. He carried Mo Siyuan to the sofa and asked, “Are you thirsty? Do you want some water?”
Mo Siyuan shook his head. “I’m not thirsty. Big brother Huanxi, will you play piano for us? Big brother Huanxi plays violin so beautifully, you must be very good at piano too, right? Xiao Yuan wants to hear Big brother Huanxi play piano.”
Qin Huanxi looked at Mo Shaoheng subconsciously and saw him watching with great interest. The corners of his lips couldn’t help but curve as he patted Mo Siyuan’s head. “Alright, Big brother Huanxi will play for you.”
“Wonderful!” The child clapped happily.
Qin Huanxi sat back at the piano, thought for a moment, then his expression suddenly became focused. Passionate and intense melody poured forth, and he began singing softly along with the music: “Got a feeling nothing is forever keep your voice low. The sun is high but I wish I could bathe in the moonlight, Ooo… This is it now come out of the shadow Ooo…”
Qin Huanxi played and sang simultaneously. When he finished singing once, the rhythm gradually intensified, and the melody became increasingly passionate, as if burning with all its fervor. Like a roaring deep sea, stirring the lungs and shaking the heart, the clean and clear singing voice seemed to pour out his soul, instantly creating resonance with the listeners.
Qi Fengyu stared dumbfounded at Qin Huanxi, who was completely immersed in the soaring melody. Although he had never heard this song before, it didn’t prevent his blood from being ignited instantly. He didn’t know how to express his current feelings. After the song ended, the sudden surge of intense rhythm could only be described with the simple and crude phrase “absolutely amazing”.
“‘Out of the Shadow’. Huanxi, you played it wonderfully.” When Qin Huanxi’s last note fell, Mo Shanshan was the first to jump up excitedly. “Truly worthy of being Huanxi. Only you could bring out the essence of this song. I don’t know how to describe it, but the feeling was like all the blood in my body was burning.”
Qin Huanxi chuckled. “I haven’t played this song in a while, so I’m a bit rusty. I’ll need to practice it a few more times in the future.”
Mo Shanshan quickly shook her head. “You played it well enough. Unlike me, who after studying for so many years, still hasn’t improved at all and can only play the simplest songs.”
“You can paint, but I can’t.” Qin Huanxi got up and walked to the sofa, sitting next to Mo Shaoheng.
Mo Shaoheng picked up a cup of tea and handed it to Qin Huanxi, saying in a deep voice, “Very well played.”
Qin Huanxi smiled and accepted the teacup. “Thank you.”
Qi Fengyu watched the interaction between Mo Shaoheng and Qin Huanxi thoughtfully. He didn’t know if it was because of Mo Siyuan’s influence, but he also felt that the way these two got along was somewhat different from others, as if they had an innate understanding, and more than that, there was ambiguity.
After finishing his tea, Qin Huanxi saw that it was getting late and got up to leave. Mo Siyuan clung to him as always, reluctantly refusing to let him go. However, he had already stayed at Mo Mansion for three consecutive nights. If he didn’t go back, the old man would really come to drag him home himself.
Mo Shanshan quickly came over to take him away and spent a long time coaxing him, making Qin Huanxi promise many things before the little guy would let him leave.
“I’ll drive you.” Mo Shaoheng walked to Qin Huanxi’s side.
“Alright, thank you, Uncle Mo.” Qin Huanxi didn’t stand on ceremony and left the viewing lounge with Mo Shaoheng.
The November evening carried a slight chill. Qin Huanxi rubbed his arms gently, and when the car arrived at the main hall entrance, he quickly walked down the steps and got into the car. After Mo Shaoheng sat down on the other side of the back seat, he couldn’t help saying, “The evenings are getting cold. When we take Xiao Yuan out to play in the future, we’ll need to dress him in more layers.”
Mo Shaoheng looked at him steadily for a long time before finally speaking. “Is Xiao Yuan the only one in your heart?”
“Hm?” Qin Huanxi’s heart suddenly skipped a beat, and he looked at Mo Shaoheng with feigned confusion.
Their eyes met, and both their heartbeats became somewhat irregular.
In the end, Mo Shaoheng looked away somewhat helplessly before the atmosphere became awkward, saying lightly, “With you there, he won’t get cold.”
Qin Huanxi secretly breathed a sigh of relief. He really couldn’t figure out what Mo Shaoheng meant by suddenly asking that question. Did Mo Shaoheng already know something? He didn’t dare to be presumptuous. After all, his body had been dead for three years, while he had only become Qin Huanxi for a few short months.
If he and Qin Huanxi had both been in car accidents during the same time period, and his body had died while Qin Huanxi, after being declared a vegetable for two months, had suddenly miraculously recovered, then it would make sense for Mo Shaoheng to suspect that he was Ning Xue after spending time together. But ultimately, he had been dead for three years already.
“By the way, have the people you sent to follow Brother Shui made any progress?” Qin Huanxi changed the subject.
Mo Shaoheng frowned when he heard this. “They’re hiding in the suburbs now. That area has always been a mixed bag. After that person returned, Fu Zecheng sent people over that very night. He probably still has use for him.”
“Keeping him to deal with Su Wentian?” Qin Huanxi raised his eyebrows. “That makes sense. With Brother Shui’s hatred for Su Wentian, even if he can’t do anything to Su Wentian, he can still cause trouble for him from time to time. But Fu Zecheng found out so quickly that we released him. It seems Fu Zecheng is also paying close attention to this side. Do you think he already knows that the person who shot and injured Brother Shui wasn’t you, but me? Even if he didn’t know at the time, after Brother Shui went back and told his subordinates and Fu Zecheng about this, Fu Zecheng’s people would tell him.”
Mo Shaoheng nodded. “Don’t go out alone during this period. Be careful at school too.”
“Mm, after that car accident, Grandpa probably already has his suspicions. He originally didn’t let me go out alone.” Qin Huanxi suddenly seemed to think of something and said thoughtfully, “Actually, according to Grandpa’s previous control over me, the reason he would allow me to stay at Mo Mansion for long periods without complaining or forcing me to come home might also be his consideration. For example, my staying at Mo Mansion might be safer than staying at home?”
Mo Shaoheng frowned slightly when he heard this. “Do you need me to reinvestigate the details of that car accident?”
Qin Huanxi thought about it and nodded. “Since so much time has already passed regarding this situation, I’m afraid that whatever evidence needed to be destroyed has likely been eliminated quite thoroughly by now, and investigating at this point probably won’t uncover much of anything. However, I still want to request Uncle Mo’s assistance with this favor, because even if we cannot locate any evidence, simply knowing which people participated in this incident would be beneficial for having some form of preparedness.”
“Alright, I’ll provide you with the materials you want after two days have elapsed.” Mo Shaoheng told him with solemn gravity.
“Okay, thank you, Uncle Mo.” Qin Huanxi smiled with exceptional ease, his body gently leaning backward as he settled against the chair’s backrest.
Mo Shaoheng looked at him with profound intensity for a moment, certain words ultimately remaining unspoken, such as the fact that expressions of gratitude were unnecessary between them.