Chapter 36 – Tomorrow, the Two of You Will Face a Calamity if You Leave the House

If I don’t show off my powers now, then when?

Lin Qingqing wanted to bring some flair to the dinner table, liven up the mood, and gather some “astonishment points,” but unfortunately, she just couldn’t get into the right groove.

All because the atmosphere at this table was way too gloomy, which affected her performance.

Qin Yansen disliked Qin Jingshu because he always took the side of his romantic rival.

Qin He didn’t want to talk to Qin Jingshu either, mainly because of Jingshu’s odd temper and cold, antisocial nature. Even if Qin He tried to strike up a conversation, all he got in return were cold remarks. Why bother making himself uncomfortable?

Qin He’s parents truly disliked Qin Jingshu too—he hadn’t achieved anything despite his age, and the grown man couldn’t even make small talk. He wouldn’t greet his elders, either. If people didn’t know better, they’d think the Qin family had done something awful to him!

As for the much-disliked Qin Jingshu himself, this first dinner back at the old residence was exactly what he had expected. He already knew this family didn’t welcome him—otherwise, he wouldn’t have moved out of the old house in the first place.

If not for his grandmother, he wouldn’t have returned at all.

He was only enduring these few days for her sake, trying to avoid interacting with the rest of the Qin family as much as possible.

Once his grandmother passed, he’d move out again and never come back.

Lin Qingqing’s eyes moved between the strange expressions of the others and couldn’t help but ask, “Why is no one talking? Are you all keeping something to yourselves?”

Meals at their house were never this quiet. They might not be full of chatter, but it was never this dead.

Qin Jingshu glanced at the old lady, then calmly picked up a piece of fish with the communal chopsticks and placed it into her bowl, saying slowly, “Grandma, one shouldn’t talk while eating or sleeping.”

“……”

After a moment, Qin He looked up at the old lady with her particularly smooth black hair and said, “Grandma, next time don’t dye it such a wild color, okay? You may not feel embarrassed, but I sure do… mmph…”

Before Qin He could finish, he groaned in pain.

Someone had kicked him hard in the left leg under the table. He turned his head to the left.

He saw Qin Haishan winking at him frantically.

After years of being father and son, he understood what that look meant.

Qin Haishan’s face practically said: “Say one more word and your grandma will go bungee jumping again to cool off!”

Qin He quickly shut up.

Just a dyed head of hair—it was nothing compared to bungee jumping and hiring male models.

Qin He sighed and shook his head. Their family was really becoming more and more tolerant.

There used to be so many rules.

All set by Grandma.

Now she was the one breaking them all.

At that moment, the old lady’s second daughter-in-law, Yang Chun, looked at her and said in a heavy tone, “Mom, I heard about what happened with Mrs. Chen. Cheating and bringing it right into our house? That’s outrageous. I think that time you went to the bar, it was definitely Mrs. Chen who put you up to it. You’d better stay away from her from now on—cut off contact. Her husband’s still alive and she’s already chasing after men? Completely disgraceful! No character at all.”

Lin Qingqing smiled faintly. “Alright, alright, I got it.”

Scolded by parents as a child, and now scolded by her grandchildren when she’s old—she really has lived a life of constant “education.”

But speaking of Mrs. Chen—of course she wouldn’t stay in contact.

Who needs that kind of toxic bestie?

After dinner, Lin Qingqing wanted to help repair family bonds.

She took the napkin from Butler Ding, wiped her mouth, and said, “Come walk with me to digest a bit.”

Qin Haishan and his wife declined politely: “We’ll rest for a bit first. Let the young folks go with you.”

“That’s fine too,” Lin Qingqing didn’t push them.

Middle-aged folks—always tired. They can’t keep up with the elderly’s energy, nor match the young people’s vitality.

She wouldn’t make things hard for this tired pair.

Suddenly, Qin Jingshu also spoke up. “I’m not going either. Let them accompany you.”

Lin Qingqing immediately turned to him and smiled. “No, you have to go.”

If Qin Jingshu didn’t go, who would she be matchmaking?

The core problem of the Qin family was centered on Qin Jingshu.

Qin Jingshu frowned slightly. Hanging out with Qin Yansen and Qin He—two guys who had always targeted him growing up—was not something he wanted. He’d rather stay home alone.

Besides, he couldn’t even bring himself to call them “Big Brother” or “Second Brother.”

More importantly, ever since he returned to the old house, neither Qin Yansen nor Qin He had said a single word to him. There wasn’t even a hint of a welcoming expression on their faces. Why would he seek out that awkwardness?

He was used to being alone and had no interest in engaging with so-called “family.”

Just as he was about to argue for himself again, he met the old lady’s firm gaze.

That look clearly said: “If you dare not go, I’ll die right here in front of you.”

Qin Jingshu couldn’t win against her and reluctantly followed at the back as they headed out.

They had just stepped out of the house when Lin Qingqing looked toward the garden and asked, “What do young people like to do for fun these days?”

Qin Yansen and Qin He exchanged a glance, their expressions complicated.

Lately, Grandma had been very into young people’s hobbies—always picking activities completely unsuitable for the elderly.

So this question had to be answered carefully.

After a moment, Qin He tried to appear very proper and replied, “Square dancing.”

Lin Qingqing: “???”

Was Qin He joking?

Lin Qingqing let out a cold chuckle. “I’ll take you all dancing tomorrow then. Don’t even think about backing out!”

Three grown men over 1.8 meters tall doing square dancing—now that she really wanted to see.

Qin He nearly choked on his own saliva after hearing that. He looked left and right, then mustered all his courage and said, “I have to work overtime tomorrow.”

Qin Yansen added, “I have to work too.”

Then a low voice came from behind Lin Qingqing. “Overtime.”

Lin Qingqing: “……”

Wow, when it comes to rejecting her, these three are really united.

If only they were this united the rest of the time…

Then she could go off on vacation overseas and live her rich-lady life in peace!

She had only asked that question earlier to find a common interest among the three of them. That way, they’d naturally have something to talk about and get closer.

But—she didn’t get anything useful out of them.

Still… something else came to mind.

She remembered from the previous plot prompt: Lu Zeyan once took Qin Jingshu out for a joyride. To impress Mu Yiyi, Lu Zeyan showed off some driving skills right in front of her. Coincidentally, Qin Yansen was also there, and the scene of two men competing for one woman played out vividly.

After realizing the driver in the other car was Qin Yansen, and with Lu Zeyan egging him on, Qin Jingshu tampered with Qin Yansen’s car. Qin Yansen lost control and ended up in the hospital. Fortunately, he survived without serious injury and could continue fighting Lu Zeyan for the girl afterward.

In short, Qin Yansen seemed to live his whole life just for women.

Thinking of all this, Lin Qingqing couldn’t hold back her anger and turned to glare at both Qin Yansen and Qin Jingshu.

Qin Yansen and Qin Jingshu: “???”
We didn’t even say anything?!

Lin Qingqing: “Neither of you is allowed to leave the house tomorrow!”

Qin Yansen and Qin Jingshu: “???”

Lin Qingqing: “I just did a reading for you two. If you go out tomorrow, there will be bloodshed.”