Rebirth, but baby, where are you?

Chapter 57

The car stopped outside the villa where Qin Huanxi lived alone in the Qin residence. Qin Huanxi pushed open the door and got out, then turned to lift Mo Siyuan from the car. Standing in place, he watched Mo Shaoheng walk toward him and handed Mo Siyuan over, saying: “Uncle Mo, would you like to stay for dinner before going back?”

He hadn’t originally planned to bring Ning Shen back to the Qin residence, but seeing Ning Shen’s attitude, he was determined to return with Qin Yu. However, even if Qin Siyu saw Ning Shen and revealed the past between Ning Shen and Qin Yu, he had already thought of how to handle it. After all, there was no evidence. It was just hearsay, lacking reliability when spoken.

Mo Shaoheng glanced sideways at the composed and calm Ning Shen, then nodded: “Alright.”

Qin Huanxi smiled faintly, then turned back to have Auntie Li instruct the maids to take his luggage back to his room. He first led Black Diamond and Mo Shaoheng’s group to the main courtyard to see the old master. It was currently evening, just in time for dinner, and the old master had been waiting for his return.

The butler was exceptionally happy to see Qin Huanxi return. The young master’s achievements at the Berlin concert had made Black Diamond shine with its former brilliance, already becoming hot news both domestically and internationally. It had been a long time since he’d seen the old master laugh so heartily. And when the old master was happy, he as the butler naturally felt happy too.

In the main hall of the main courtyard, Old Master Qin sat on the sofa watching television with great energy. The TV was broadcasting Qin Huanxi’s performance at the concert, as well as the live footage of his interviews with domestic and foreign news media after the concert ended. The old man’s face was full of wrinkles from smiling, his eyes sparkling with pride and satisfaction.

“The old master watches these news reports several times every day, just waiting for you to come back, little young master.” The butler said to Qin Huanxi with a smile. After speaking, he quickly walked to the old master’s side and said softly: “Old master, the young master and the others have returned.”

“Grandfather.” Qin Huanxi entered the hall.

“Dad.” Qin Yu also followed him in.

The old master couldn’t help but stand up from the sofa, looking at Qin Huanxi with eyes full of pride and satisfaction. He stepped forward and patted Qin Huanxi’s arm: “It’s good that you’re back. I saw your performance at the concert. You didn’t disappoint Black Diamond or the Qin family’s hopes.”

“Yes, Grandfather.” Qin Huanxi nodded solemnly, placed Black Diamond on the table, then turned back to hold Mo Siyuan in front of the old master, saying gently: “Xiao Yuan, call Grandfather.”

Mo Siyuan was no longer shy around Old Master Qin, softly calling out “Grandfather” in his sweet, childish voice.

The old master was already in great spirits, and seeing the innocent and adorable Mo Siyuan made him laugh even more heartily.

Qin Huanxi turned his head, looking puzzledly at the smiling butler. The old master seemed to be in exceptionally good spirits?

The butler said cheerfully: “Little young master, you don’t know, after the news and interviews of your brilliant performance at the concert were broadcast, the old master has been receiving many calls every day from both domestic and international contacts, all coming to congratulate him. Naturally, the old master’s mood improved.”

“I see.” Qin Huanxi nodded with a light laugh, then turned to look at Old Master Qin, who was chatting happily with Qin Yu, Mo Shaoheng, and Ning Shen.

Ning Shen’s arrival didn’t arouse much suspicion from the old master. Ning Shen was now the current head of the Ning family, and even though Old Master Qin had never formally met him, he wasn’t unfamiliar with Ning Shen. After all, he was Ning Xue’s uncle and Mo Siyuan’s blood relative.

Mo Siyuan curiously looked back and forth between the adults, then stretched out his small hand to tug at Qin Huanxi’s clothes, signaling for Qin Huanxi to lean his ear closer. He asked quietly: “Big brother Huanxi, does everyone know this Uncle Ning Shen? Is he very famous?”

Qin Huanxi gently stroked Mo Siyuan’s head. Mo Siyuan knew he wasn’t Mo Shaoheng’s biological son and also knew he had another father named Ning Xue. However, after glancing at Ning Shen, who was chatting with the old master, he didn’t want Mo Siyuan to have any involvement with the Ning family.

Seeing Qin Huanxi remain silent, Mo Siyuan thought for a moment and hesitantly asked: “He has the same surname Ning as Dad Ning Xue, what relation is he to Dad Ning Xue?”

Mo Siyuan’s words weren’t spoken quietly, and almost everyone present heard them, all looking at him in unison.

Seeing everyone suddenly stop talking and all eyes focused on him, Mo Siyuan was quite startled. His small body quickly shrank into Qin Huanxi’s embrace, his little hands tightly gripping Qin Huanxi’s clothes as he looked at everyone timidly.

Qin Huanxi chuckled softly as he held his little one on his lap, patting his back comfortingly.

Ning Shen was quite generous in his laughter, his gaze intentionally or unintentionally sweeping across Qin Huanxi’s face before finally settling on Mo Siyuan’s tender little face. In a gentle tone, he said: “Little one, you’re very smart. You guessed right, I’m your Dad Ning Xue’s uncle. According to seniority, you should call me Great-Uncle.”

“Great-Uncle?” Mo Siyuan’s eyes widened immediately, seeming not quite to understand this title. In his concept, grandfathers should be like Grandpa Qin with white hair, where was there such a young grandfather like Ning Shen?

Ning Shen smiled, stood up to take Mo Siyuan onto his lap, pinching his tender little hand: “Xiao Yuan probably doesn’t remember, but when you were very small, I was the one taking care of you and your Dad Ning Xue.”

Mo Siyuan looked up at Ning Shen with his little head tilted, staring blankly. He always felt that when Ning Shen mentioned Dad Ning Xue, his expression was very similar to Dad’s at that time, looking very sad. Later, when he asked Sister Shanshan, she said it was because Dad really liked Dad Ning Xue, but Dad Ning Xue had already died, so Dad felt so sad and upset.

Thinking this, Mo Siyuan touched Ning Shen’s hand: “I don’t want to call you Great-Uncle, okay? You’re not old at all. Big brother Huanxi said I could call you Uncle Ning Shen. Uncle Ning Shen, don’t be sad. Even though Dad Ning Xue is no longer here, you still have us.”

For a moment, Ning Shen seemed frozen in place, staring blankly at Mo Siyuan’s face. Only after a long while did he smile, touching the little face that looked so much like Ning Xue’s, murmuring as if with deep feeling: “You look very much like your Dad Ning Xue.”

Mo Siyuan cupped his little face, secretly happy inside. So many people liked Dad Ning Xue, Dad Ning Xue must have been amazing.

Mo Shaoheng leaned forward to take Mo Siyuan from Ning Shen’s lap, placing him back on Qin Huanxi’s lap, saying coldly: “Don’t make Xiao Yuan sad. Now isn’t the time for him to know these things.”

Ning Shen shrugged, indicating he didn’t care. His feelings toward Mo Siyuan were very complex. Mo Siyuan really did look a lot like Ning Xue, and facing this face, he couldn’t bring himself to dislike him. But Mo Siyuan was precisely the son of Ning Xue and Mo Shaoheng, still bearing traces of Mo Shaoheng between his brows, as if constantly reminding him of the cruel fact that his beloved had been possessed by another.

Mo Siyuan sat blankly on Qin Huanxi’s lap, always feeling that the atmosphere between the two adults wasn’t quite right. However, Dad was still Dad, and he had absolutely no impression of this Uncle Ning Shen. His little heart unconsciously leaned toward Mo Shaoheng, so he didn’t say anything more, obediently allowing Qin Huanxi to hold him.

Qin Yu frowned almost imperceptibly, a trace of loneliness flashing in his eyes, but he quickly felt relieved, the corners of his mouth showing a faint smile. He should be grateful that Ning Shen’s behavior today was relatively normal, rather than dwelling on the fact that Ning Shen’s heart always belonged only to Ning Xue. Even his gaze at Mo Siyuan carried longing for Ning Xue.

Old Master Qin observed the undercurrents among the young people, drinking his tea in good spirits. He had known about the situation between Mo Shaoheng and Ning Xue long ago. Now, facing Ning Xue’s uncle, even though the two clearly weren’t as harmonious as they appeared on the surface, he as someone who had lived through much could understand.

“I just didn’t expect you and Huanxi would know each other.” The old master said with a smile.

Qin Huanxi smiled composedly: “We happened to meet at Fu Zecheng’s banquet last time, and Mr. Ning helped me with a big favor.”

But Ning Shen smiled and shook his head: “Young Master Qin is being too polite. It wasn’t really help, just a small favor. Today we happened to meet again at the airport. Speaking of which, I haven’t seen Xiao Yuan for several years. When the Ning family was in chaos back then, it was best for Xiao Yuan to leave the Ning family. I’ve been thinking about Xiao Yuan all these years, just wanting to spend more time with him, so I accepted Young Master Qin’s invitation.”

“I don’t think so!” At this moment, a clear female voice came from outside the hall. Qin Siyu and Qin Congan walked in. She wore a mocking smile on her face, her gaze sweeping across Ning Shen and Qin Yu’s faces, the smile at the corners of her mouth becoming increasingly disdainful: “Such talk about coincidences is only fooling Grandfather, who doesn’t know the situation. What dirty things you’ve done in private, only you know in your hearts.”

“Siyu!” Qin Congan reached out to tug at Qin Siyu, frowning in warning: “Watch the occasion.”

Qin Huanxi held Mo Siyuan with complete composure. He naturally hadn’t missed any of Qin Congan’s actions, just smiled indifferently. From the moment he returned to the Qin family, he had prepared for everything. Now that his relationship with Qin Yu was very good, he had long anticipated they might target Qin Yu.

Old Master Qin’s smile instantly disappeared. He put down his teacup and looked at Qin Siyu with slight displeasure: “Siyu, if you have something to say, don’t beat around the bush. Everyone here today is family.”

“All family?” Qin Siyu snorted lightly: “That’s right. Uncle Mo has many years of friendship with Grandfather, so he is indeed not an outsider. And this Mr. Ning is Little Uncle’s most beloved person, so he certainly can’t be considered an outsider either, right, Little Uncle?”

Qin Yu’s hands resting on his knees clenched into fists. From the moment Qin Siyu suddenly appeared at the hall entrance, he had a bad premonition in his heart. At this moment, the hall was terrifyingly quiet, with only the faint sound of everyone’s breathing. He didn’t dare look at anyone’s expressions at all. The feeling was like being stripped naked in public, exposing all privacy.

Qin Huanxi suddenly chuckled, breaking the oppressive silence.

“What are you laughing at?” Qin Siyu glared at Qin Huanxi, anger rising spontaneously.

Thinking about how Grandfather had actually given Black Diamond to Qin Huanxi, and all the overwhelming domestic and international reports, every sentence and word praising Qin Huanxi’s talent, with the three words “Qin Huanxi” constantly swirling in her mind, buzzing in her ears, she felt like she was going crazy.

Why Qin Huanxi? Why couldn’t it be her? In the end, wasn’t it just Grandfather’s favoritism? Leaving everything for Qin Huanxi. She had endured for so many years, endured long enough. Today, seeing Qin Yu brazenly bringing Ning Shen home, she knew she no longer needed to endure. Why should even an illegitimate son, just by latching onto Qin Huanxi, be able to run wild in the Qin residence without restraint?

Qin Huanxi smiled and shook his head: “No, I’m just surprised to hear this news.”

“Stop pretending! You’re telling me you don’t know about the relationship between Qin Yu and Ning Shen?” Qin Siyu questioned.

Qin Huanxi looked at her with complete innocence: “I really haven’t heard Little Uncle and Mr. Ning mention it. Speaking of which, where did you hear such gossip? Today is only the third time I’ve met Mr. Ning. The first time I already told Grandfather about, was at Fu Zecheng’s recent banquet, Mr. Ning helped me greatly. The second time was passing by Mr. Ning on the way to class. The third time is today at the airport. As for Little Uncle, he only recently returned to the country and has been with us this whole time. As for whether Little Uncle contacted Mr. Ning during my class time, I wouldn’t know. But before I went to Germany, Uncle Mo mentioned that Mr. Ning had been very busy recently and had returned to S City, asking me to postpone repaying the favor.”

Qin Siyu’s face turned red with anger, and she said furiously in embarrassment: “That’s because they had already broken up…”

“Miss Qin!” Ning Shen suddenly spoke unhurriedly, but his gaze toward Qin Siyu was very cold.

Qin Siyu suddenly felt a chill down her spine and unconsciously took a step back.

Ning Shen glanced at Qin Yu, who was keeping his head down in silence, then at Qin Huanxi, whose expression remained calm but already showed a trace of displeasure between his brows. A flash of coldness passed through his eyes as he looked at Qin Siyu, but his tone was very calm: “I think Miss Qin has misunderstood. I did indeed meet Mr. Qin a year ago, but it’s not the kind of relationship Miss Qin thinks.”

Ning Shen’s peripheral vision caught that Old Master Qin’s expression had somewhat relaxed, and he said in a flat tone: “Just now we were talking about Xiao Yuan’s biological father, Ning Xue. Everyone knows Ning Xue was my nephew, and I watched him grow up from birth. When he died unexpectedly three years ago, it dealt me a great blow. I couldn’t get out of my grief for a time. A year ago, at a banquet in France, I met Mr. Qin. Xiao Xue loved the violin during his lifetime and had famous teachers guide him. In my heart, his talent was no less than Young Master Qin’s, but Xiao Xue was a very responsible person who gave up the violin for the family business. After meeting Mr. Qin, I felt he was very similar to Xiao Xue in the past, and we got along well, so we had more contact. I don’t know where Miss Qin heard these rumors. After all, my acquaintance with Mr. Qin was in France. Recently, after I finished handling matters in France, Mr. Qin also hadn’t returned to the country for a long time, so we came back to S City together. I had originally wanted to take him to see Xiao Xue, but Mr. Qin seemed to have matters to attend to, so he returned to T City first. After that, I haven’t met with Mr. Qin.”

Qin Yu’s hands clenched into fists had never loosened. The sharp pain of his nails cutting deep into his palms couldn’t compare to one ten-thousandth of the pain in his heart upon hearing Ning Shen’s words. Every sentence Ning Shen spoke was like a sharp knife, cutting his heart blade by blade, painfully bloody.

Only now did Qin Yu deeply understand that he wasn’t afraid of exposing this relationship. Compared to Ning Shen’s casual denial of their feelings and his talk of being unable to forget Ning Xue, he would rather Ning Shen admit there had once been a place for him in his heart, would rather face his furious father. Anything was better than being nothing at all.