Chapter 18: Are You Kidding Me? He Has to Line Up to Enter His Own House?

The old lady’s sudden display of concern made Qin Jingshu freeze for a moment.

Seeing that he didn’t move, Lin Qingqing smiled and spoke up, “Why are you just standing there? Come try the chicken soup our family chef made. It won’t taste good if it gets cold.”

Qin Jingshu initially didn’t want to go over, but after hesitating for a moment, his body moved before his mind could decide. He got up and walked toward the old lady, obediently sitting down opposite her.

He watched as she personally ladled a bowl of chicken soup and placed it in front of him. He picked up the bowl and spoon, took a sip.

The chefs at the Qin family’s old estate were all top-tier. Their skills needed no further explanation.

Lin Qingqing observed his expression and smiled. “Tastes good, right?”

“Mm.”

“If you think it tastes good, I’ll come by again tomorrow to bring you some.”

Qin Jingshu set the bowl down. “You’re already at this age. There’s no need to go through the trouble.”

“What about my age? My body’s still strong! Clearly, you haven’t checked the group chat, have you?” Lin Qingqing immediately took out her phone and opened the group chat, playing a video for Qin Jingshu to see.

Qin Jingshu had long since muted that group. He only occasionally clicked in when he was bored; otherwise, he almost never looked at it.

After all, the messages in that group had nothing to do with him. In this family, he was like an outsider. Whether he was around or not didn’t make a difference.

So why should he pay attention to a group that had nothing to do with him?

But the moment he saw the video Lin Qingqing showed him, his mind went completely blank!

Lin Qingqing smiled slightly. “What do you think? I even went bungee jumping! My body’s strong, isn’t it? I feel like I’ve already surpassed fifty percent of the world’s young people!”

As soon as she finished speaking, the system’s voice echoed in her mind.

[System: Congratulations, host, on gaining 10 surprise points. You may now become one year younger. Current physical age: 56.]

Just a little surprise value—too easy!

Qin Jingshu could hardly believe his eyes!

An eighty-year-old woman went bungee jumping?!

He immediately looked at her with worry. “Grandma, please don’t do such dangerous things again. Your body can’t take it. You were just lucky this time. But you won’t always be lucky. Even if not for me, think about the entire Qin family.”

“Relax. I know my limits. But what do you mean, ‘even if not for you’? Aren’t you my family, my grandson?”

Qin Jingshu lowered his eyes and softly said, “Yes.”

“That’s more like it. If you’re really so worried about your grandma, then move back into the old house with me. That way, I won’t have to worry about you suffering outside and come all this way just to bring you chicken soup.”

Hearing the warmth in her words, Qin Jingshu looked up to meet the old lady’s affectionate gaze. A wave of warmth surged in his heart.

Seeing the timing was right, Lin Qingqing carefully brought up the real reason for her visit: “I heard your eldest brother invited you to join the Qin Corporation, but you turned him down. Why?”

The mention of Qin Yansen instantly darkened his expression. “Grandma, if you came today to speak on his behalf, don’t bother. He stole my brother’s girlfriend—I’ll never forgive him for that.”

Now Lin Qingqing understood.

It must be that Qin Yansen’s fawning over the original novel’s female lead, Mu Yiyi, had been discovered by Lu Zeyan—the original male lead. Then Lu Zeyan must’ve complained to Qin Jingshu, saying Qin Yansen wasn’t a good guy and had stolen his woman.

With only one close brother, of course Qin Jingshu would side with him.

So their brotherly bond had been sabotaged.

Lu Zeyan was really something else!

Creating more work for her again—unforgivable!

Lin Qingqing said, “As far as I know, your friend and that woman haven’t even officially declared a relationship, right?”

Qin Jingshu frowned, angrily replying, “That’s the woman Lu Zeyan has secretly liked for a long time. Ever since I met him, I could tell his feelings for her weren’t normal. Qin Yansen forcefully stole her from him!”

Lin Qingqing looked at him and calmly, clearly explained, “Love only follows moral order, not sequence. Even if Lu Zeyan had feelings for her first, he never got together with her.

Since both parties were single, it was fair competition. How is that ‘stealing’? Your brother simply met someone he liked and bravely pursued his love. What’s wrong with that? It’s not like he came between an actual couple.”

Qin Jingshu was stunned.

He had always been close to Lu Zeyan, so he’d instinctively believed everything Lu said—more than he believed his own family.

He never even considered the angle Lin Qingqing pointed out.

All he thought about was how someone was trying to steal the woman his only good friend liked—and that someone was his most hated person, Qin Yansen. So, of course he would side with Lu Zeyan.

Seeing him fall silent, Lin Qingqing stood up, walked to his side, and took his hand. “And Jingshu, shouldn’t your brother be your actual brother? You can’t distrust your own blood over something an outsider says.”

Qin Jingshu struggled inwardly.

The old lady wasn’t wrong, but…

He turned to look at her and asked directly, “Last time when you helped me with that trouble and even called Qin He to join you, how did you know someone was going to come looking for me?”

Lin Qingqing smiled. “Your grandma is the wealthiest person in the country. If I didn’t have access to at least some information, how would I have become so successful? If I weren’t well-informed, the Qin family would’ve been doomed long ago.”

Qin Jingshu frowned slightly. “Who was pretending to be my second brother and trying to cause me trouble?”

“You’ll know once the investigation results come in. But you have to trust your second brother. Grandma swears it definitely wasn’t him. You must believe that your family would never hurt you. Don’t let outsiders turn you against us so easily.”

Lin Qingqing felt she had made herself very clear. Hopefully, Qin Jingshu would start being more cautious now.

If she outright said it was Lu Zeyan, with how close Jingshu currently was to him—closer even than to his own family—she’d probably become the ‘bad guy’ in his eyes.

…

After leaving Qin Jingshu’s company, Lin Qingqing began worrying again about her surprise value mission.

The collection speed these past two days had clearly slowed compared to the first day.

She mentally analyzed the situation.

Could it be that male models stirred up the family’s emotions more easily?

Could she collect more surprise points all at once?

Her eyes lit up—she suddenly thought of a great idea.

She’d host a massive party at home and invite a bunch of young, handsome men!

When asking people to come, she made one special request: everyone must wear suits and dress shirts.

No special reason—she just liked it.

Just a tiny personal hobby!

The next morning, the Lin family estate was absolutely bustling.

Groups of young, handsome men entered the old house one after another. Butler Ding was trembling in fear—just what was the old lady planning?

Had she forgotten what day it was?

Qin He had just returned from outside when he looked around the enormous hall, which was filled with handsome young men, his face full of confusion.

One of the young men saw Qin He in a sharp black suit trying to push his way forward and immediately complained, “Stop pushing! We’re all lining up for the billionaire sister to make her selection. Pushing won’t help you.”

“???” Qin He was full of question marks.

Selection? Billionaire sister?

Are you kidding me?

He has to line up to enter his own house?