When Qi Nan arrived, the banquet hall was bustling with activity and he missed the cake-cutting part. But it doesn’t matter, timed his entrance just right.

This will highlight the value of his gift.

“Grandma.”

Qi Nan walked over and attracted many people’s attention. There were also whispers.

“It’s Mrs. Qi’s birthday, why did the young master only appear now?”

“Shh. Keep your voice down.”

“Grandma, I’m sorry! I’m late.”

Grandma Qí didn’t know about Qi Nan’s situation, and she felt a bit sorry for her grandson, who had been away for six months and was always busy.

“Grandma thought you might not come.”

“How could that be?” Qi Nan smiled, “I wouldn’t miss Grandma’s birthday banquet; just had a little delay due to some matters.”

Qi Nan noticed Lu Zeqing standing with the Qi family. Without even trying to figure out why they were standing together, he smiled.

“Grandma, guess what gift I gave you?”

“Grandma will like whatever you give.”

Qi Nan took Grandma Qi’s hand affectionately and opened the small box.

“Grandma, although this prayer bead is not expensive, I got it from the temple.”

Tonight, Grandma Qi is in a good mood. Despite her age, she’s not senile. She observed Lu Nianchu and Qi Huai’s reactions and chose not to reveal the recognition of Qiqi in front of everyone.

Instead, she wore the gift from Qiqi, expressing her feelings of longing.

The complex emotion of losing and regaining was not met with instant tears from the usually impatient Grandma Qi. Instead, she played along with everyone, continuing the act.

She still had many questions that she wanted to ask her son about after the banquet.

Now Qi Nan’s appearance temporarily relieved his heavy and joyful mood.

“Really thoughtful.”

“No wonder my little grandson is so favored and has grown so big in a blink of an eye.”

“Yes! The eldest young master has a successful career, and the young master is well-behaved and considerate. What a blessing.”

At this time, the guests will of course echo the praises. Elders like their children to be praised, which makes them happier than people praising themselves.

The corners of Qi Nan’s mouth rose slightly.

“I have another surprise for grandma.”

“What is it?”

Qi Nan clapped his hands, and two people walked in from outside, carrying things covered by cloth.

“What’s this?”

Those guests who were quite far away and were chatting with others also gathered around at this moment, curious about Qi Nan’s gift.

Qi Nan had enough patience and raised his hand to lift the red cloth.

——Swish.

The cloth dropped to the ground, revealing a half-length portrait.

And the person in the painting is…

Grandma Qi.

She was wearing a cheongsam, exactly the same as she wears today, except that the necklace around her neck and shoulders was missing.

“Wow! It’s amazing. This is so beautiful.”

“The market value of young master Qi’s painting is over seven figures.”

“Oh my, it’s beautifully painted.” A wealthy young lady admired with envy, “Can I ask young master Qi to paint one for me? I’d pay any amount.”

“I absolutely love it.”

“People online were saying young master Qi’s painting skills declined, but look at this – everyone’s clamoring to have it at auctions.”

Qi Nan knew that tonight’s finale was the right one.

He smiled modestly.

Qi Zeyu noticed the signature in the lower right corner and paused. He and Qi Huai looked at each other, Qi Huai shook his head at him, and the two said nothing.

Grandma Qi asked cheerfully.

“You kid, I thought you had given up on painting.”

“How could I? I just encountered a bottleneck period. It’s all thanks to grandma for giving me inspiration.”

Everyone suddenly realized.

“Indeed, it’s very painful for an artist to encounter a bottleneck period, but after getting out of it, his painting skills have improved a lot.”

“Young Master Qi, may I take a photo? I absolutely adore this painting.”

Qi Nan smiled and said, “This painting is for grandma.”

The man understood immediately and asked with a smile.

“Mrs. Qi, I can…”

“Feel free.”

“How did you know grandma would wear this outfit?” Qi Zeyu asked.

“I have been thinking about this gift for a long time. Some time ago I saw someone coming to give grandma clothes, and I took a picture with my mobile phone.”

*

It’s about ten o’clock in the evening.

Satisfied with their discerning partners, guests gradually depart. Qi Nan stayed with Grandma Qi and observed Lu Zeqing calmly.

No matter how slow his reaction was, he should have noticed the peculiar attitude of the Qi family towards Lu Zeqing.

On the way here, someone sent him a video. It was Grandma Qi who defended Lu Zeqing and asked Lu Zeqing to help her put on the necklace.

He didn’t see anything special about a two million necklace. It’s definitely not just because of this necklace that makes Grandma Qi act this way.

At the right time, Jiang Siyu proposed to leave, and the two went to find the host of the banquet to say goodbye.

“Thank you Mr. Qi and Mrs. Qi for your hospitality.” Jiang Siyu said politely and looked at Grandma Qi who had not yet left.

“Grandma, I wish you boundless blessings like the East Sea and a long life like the Southern Mountains.”

Grandma Qi nodded, her eyes frequently falling on Lu Zeqing.

“Happy birthday, grandma. I wish you good health and all the best.”

“Aren’t you going to stay a little longer?” Grandma Qi couldn’t help but persuade him to stay.

“It’s quite late. We live a bit far away from here. I’ll visit you again when I have the opportunity.” Jiang Siyu said.

“Okay, come and drop by often when you have time. Your Jiang family also has an industry in City A, so we might have a chance to cooperate.”

Jiang Siyu nodded, “Yes, grandma. Then we’ll go first.”

Lu Zeqing glanced at his father and mother, and finally said only one sentence.

“I’m going back first, see you again.”

The rumor that Lu Zeqing gave a fake necklace at the birthday party soon turned around. The rich second generation who accused Lu Zeqing of buying fake products attracted the attention of netizens.

[I don’t understand, do the rich second generation need to buy fake necklaces]

[No one cares whether what he buys is real or fake, he is the one who spreads the rumors first and sends the fake goods]

[The blogger must be aware that this brand’s store has limited edition items, with each store having only one piece. Since Lu Zeqing gave away a genuine item, the one in the blogger’s possession is either fake or a forged proof of purchase.]

[Can proof of purchase be forged?]

[To facilitate customer convenience, stores can assist with transferring inventory. However, when transferring from another store, the receipt would still display that other store’s code, not the current store’s code. So it’s impossible to show the same store code.]

[Now the question arises: Is the necklace in the blogger’s possession fake, or is the receipt forged?]

Shortly after, the wealthy second-generation blogger disabled the comments section.

*

It’s past eleven o’clock in the evening.

Wei Yang sat on the curb and watched the luxury cars passing by, until he finally found the one he was looking for.

He immediately rushed out and stopped the Maserati.

“You’re insane. If you want to die, go somewhere else.” Yang Mian lowered the passenger window and cursed.

“It’s your fault.” Wei Yang slammed the car door, “Why did you lie to me?”

“It was you who told me that the necklace in your friend’s hand was real.”

“Just because I said it, you believe it? If I say eating poop is good, would you eat it?” Yang Mian sneers.

“You… Are you deliberately causing trouble for me?”

Wei Yang frowned and clenched his fists.

“Who do you think you are? Accusing me like this, are you even qualified?”

“How would I know you’re so foolish, can’t even handle such a simple matter.” Yang Mian looks disdainful. “I thought… Qi Nan was stupid enough, turns out there’s someone even more brainless.”

Yang Mian intended to use Wei Yang to trouble Lu Zeqing. He hoped Wei Yang would escalate the situation, effectively driving Lu Zeqing away. However, he didn’t anticipate that the Qi family would provide an opportunity for Lu Zeqing to verify the authenticity of the necklace.

Even if Lu Zeqing isn’t driven away, he would probably be in an awkward position or face some obstacles. As for others, Yang Mian couldn’t care less.

He didn’t force Wei Yang to do this.

It was his own malicious intent towards Lu Zeqing, eager to throw him under the bus.

“Get lost. I’m in a hurry.”

Wei Yang couldn’t just let him leave like this. It wouldn’t take long for everyone to know about this. How could he still hang out in the entertainment industry? The next variety show hasn’t been recorded yet, so he can’t withdraw!

“You can’t leave. If you don’t help me, I’ll stand right here.”

Yang Mian raises an eyebrow and signals someone in the back seat. The car door opens with a swish, and Wei Yang is grabbed by the collar and pushed into the bushes.

“Just make him suffer a bit. He doesn’t need to die.” Yang Mian doesn’t wait for the person to get back into the car, instructing the driver, “Drive.”

Yang Mian was not proud for long before Qi Nan’s call came in.

“What’s the matter? Don’t you know I’m busy?”

“I’m asking you, did you do the things that happened online?”

“What are you talking about?” Yang Mian pretended to be stupid.

“The matter about Lu Zeqing gifting a fake necklace.”

“It’s me, so what?” Yang Mian didn’t care.

“Didn’t I tell you to stay away from Lu Zeqing? Our plans can’t afford any mistakes.”

“You’re talking about plans with me?” Yang Mian found it amusing, “What did my dad tell you to do? And how did you handle it? I just don’t like Lu Zeqing, so what’s wrong with me taking action?”

“Why are you so afraid of him?”

Qi Nan couldn’t express the doubts in his heart at all, so he just warned Yang Mian. “Don’t do any tricks behind my back in the future.”

“Why, afraid I’ll implicate you?” Yang Mian smiled disdainfully, “I’ve said it before, what I want to do is my business. Don’t think you can control me. Push me too far, and I’ll spill the beans about you replacing your brother.”

“You…” Qi Nan’s voice suddenly dropped, “I’m not accusing you. You’re my half-brother, of course I am on your side.”

Yang Mian felt even funnier after hearing this.

“Half brother? You can even take advantage of your twin brother, how can I expect you to be kind to me?”

Qi Nan was stumped for a moment, and it took him a while before he spoke.

“We have lived together for so long, and in my heart you are my family.”

“Well, it’s my little girlfriend’s birthday in a few days, and I want to organize a birthday party. Brother, how about giving this little brother of yours some money to make his girlfriend happy? It doesn’t have to be a lot, just five million.”

“You underage kids shouldn’t compete like this…”

“You mind your own business. If you don’t give it to me, when Dad asks what you’re up to, I’ll tell him…”

“Fine, you’ll have it tomorrow.”

“Okay, thank you brother.”

Yang Mian hung up the phone with satisfaction. It was easy to threaten him with this, but so what?

Sooner or later this matter will be revealed.

It has nothing to do with him anyway.

“Young Master, you…” The driver opened his mouth but was interrupted by Yang Mian.

“What, you want to control me too?”

“No. What sir means is…”

“I don’t care about his intentions.” Yang Mian laughed softly.

“I don’t care if you were hired by my stepmother or my dad. Don’t meddle in my affairs. Whatever they want to do has nothing to do with me. Well, not entirely.”

“I wouldn’t mind seeing them tear each other apart, preferably… Ending up dead together.”

The driver was horrified, wondering why an underage person like Yang Mian has such extreme thoughts. It’s unsettling that he was cursing not only his stepmother but even his biological father.

*

At night.

Lu Zeqing lay on the bed, tossing and turning.

The words of Lu Nianchu and Qi Zeyu kept lingering in his mind, and he suddenly realized that his ability to empathize seems to be too strong.

Lu Zeqing didn’t know when he fell asleep, and he heard someone talking in a daze.

“Then let me test you.”

“What’s your dad’s name?”

“Qi Huai.”

“What about mom?”

“Lu Nianchu.”

…

“What’s your brother’s name?”

“Qi Zeyu.”

“What’s dad’s cell phone number?”

“1316…”

“Where do we live?”

“Building 21, Unit 1-1, Wan Yue Mansion, 117 Qingyuan Road, Linchi District, City A.”

“Our Qiqi is amazing.” Grandma Qi hugs Qiqi, rewarding him with an ice cream.

“If you get lost in the future, don’t go with strangers, you have to go to the police, understand?”

“Yes, the teacher has taught me this a long time ago.” Qiqi happily dug into the ice cream, “I’m not a child anymore, I’m already four and a half years old.”