In the Years When I Was a Father

Chapter 131: The Hypocritical Stepfather (10)

When Big Brother Qi arrived, Qi Sheng had deliberately pushed off work to pick him up at the bus station. Since all his funds were currently tied up in setting up a factory and hiring staff, he still hadn’t bought a car.

When the two brothers met, Qi Sheng had just taken the luggage from him when he noticed his travel-weary brother staring at him intently with eyes like spotlights.

Qi Sheng laughed, “Big Brother, why are you looking at me like that?”

Big Brother Qi didn’t answer. He just sighed deeply, carrying another bag and walking forward with his head down.

Qi Sheng, curious what was in the heavy bag, raised an eyebrow and followed behind.

When they got home, Big Brother Qi casually tossed the bag onto the couch and sat down, glaring at Qi Sheng. “Be honest—how much money did you lose?”

Qi Sheng also set down the bag, washed his hands, and brought out the fruit and tea Mi Fei had already prepared.

“Big Brother, why do you ask? What—if I lost money, are you going to fund me?”

Big Brother Qi rolled his eyes. “Fund you my ass. Even if we sold everything back home, we wouldn’t come up with a hundred thousand. I’m here on behalf of Mom and Dad to tell you formally—stop all your business stuff immediately. What’s already lost is lost. Just take it as a lesson. Now hurry up and go find a real job. If your father-in-law can help you return to your old job, even better.”

Qi Sheng shook his head and was just about to eat a banana when his brother snatched it away with a disapproving look. “Eat, eat, eat—that’s all you know! You better start saving. A bunch of fruit here costs more than a meat dinner back home!” With that, he quickly devoured the banana.

Qi Sheng was speechless and reached for another one. “Come on, Big Brother, why don’t you believe me? Who said I lost money?!”

Big Brother Qi snorted. “Don’t try to fool me. If you didn’t lose money, why didn’t you come home during National Day? Just tell me straight—you lost everything you invested and borrowed from your father-in-law, didn’t you?”

“Of course not! I’ve told you many times—I will make money. You and Mom and Dad always expect the worst from me!”

Big Brother Qi licked his lips, savoring the banana flavor. He glanced at the rest of the bananas on the table but didn’t reach for more. He scowled. “Spare me. You can tell outsiders that crap, not me. We know exactly what kind of background our family comes from—three generations of farmers. You’re the first one to finally make it in the city, and now you’ve gone and ruined it.”

Qi Sheng chuckled at his brother’s stingy attitude. “If you want more bananas, just take them. Come on, it’s just some fruit. That I can afford.”

Big Brother Qi looked a bit embarrassed. He glanced at the bananas again but turned away. “Don’t change the subject. You still haven’t told me how much you lost! Stop beating around the bush—you really blew all the money, didn’t you?”

He suddenly stood up, sighing and frowning so much it left Qi Sheng dumbfounded.

Qi Sheng almost burst out laughing. “Come on, Big Bro, I really didn’t lose anything. Sure, I don’t have much cash on hand right now, but that’s temporary. I don’t need to invest any more. I just need to wait for the money to roll in now.”

Seeing that his brother still didn’t believe him, Qi Sheng stood up in frustration. “Still don’t believe me? Fine. I’ll show you my clothing store.”

So he took his brother to his shop in the city center and gave him a full tour. Watching his brother stand there stunned, Qi Sheng blew on his tea and said, “So, what do you think? Believe me now? Today’s a weekday—there aren’t as many customers as the weekend—but you saw it yourself, it’s still pretty busy.”

Big Brother Qi nodded in a daze. He looked at Qi Sheng and then scanned the well-decorated store. Still a bit overwhelmed, he took a gulp of tea to calm his nerves, then asked in a low voice, “That really belongs to you? You didn’t hire people to act just to fool me, did you?”

Qi Sheng was exasperated. “Why would I bother tricking you? It’s not like you’ve got money for me to scam.”

“…Fair point,” his brother muttered.

Still in disbelief, he sat in stunned silence for a while before finally breaking into a wide grin. “Damn, you really pulled it off, Little Bro! You actually made it work!”

Qi Sheng didn’t hold back his pride. “Of course! You know me—when I say I’ll make money, I make money.”

His brother couldn’t stop smiling. Looking around the shop and then back at his little brother, all the worries from the bus ride seemed to vanish. Then he suddenly remembered something. “But why didn’t you come home during National Day then?”

“How many times do I have to say it—I was busy. Alright, that’s enough, the food’s here. Let’s eat while it’s hot.”

His brother fell silent immediately. Aside from Qi Sheng’s wedding, this was only the second time he’d eaten in such a fancy restaurant. Without needing any prompting, he dove into the food with gusto, eating more enthusiastically than anyone.

After the meal, while Qi Sheng was settling the bill, his brother looked at the total and winced. “That’s way too expensive—daylight robbery! And honestly, the food wasn’t that great.”

Qi Sheng laughed. “You sure weren’t complaining when you were stuffing your face. Look around—no one eats like you do.”

“I just didn’t want to waste anything in such a pricey place. Man, life in the city is expensive!” Then, glancing at Qi Sheng, he added, “Since I know now you didn’t lose any money, I’m relieved. No need to keep me company—I’ll catch a ride home tomorrow.”

Qi Sheng: “Not going to take a look around Su City? I’m the boss, I can give myself time off whenever I want.”

Big Brother Qi waved his hand: “Forget it, we’ll leave that for another time. I need to head back home and explain everything to Mom and Dad. You can’t get it all across over the phone in just a few words. Anyway, the New Year’s coming up in two months. You have to come home then, no matter what.”

That night, Big Brother Qi made do by sleeping on the sofa. The next morning, after breakfast, Qi Sheng took him to the bus station.

Big Brother Qi: “Mom thought you’d lost so much money you couldn’t even afford food. She had me bring a bunch of grain and vegetables from home. Now that you’re doing well, if you can’t finish them, give them to your father-in-law’s family. It’s all homegrown. Might not look as good as the produce in the city, but in my opinion, it tastes better than anything from your markets.”

Qi Sheng: “Got it. Be careful on your way back, bro.”

Big Brother Qi: “I’m getting on the bus. And don’t forget—you’ve got to come home for New Year, no matter how busy you are!”

Qi Sheng nodded and watched him board the bus. Instead of heading home, he hailed a cab—planning to check in at the factory.

Back in Su City, his life continued as usual: running his business, raising his kid, and doting on his wife. But over at the Qi family home, Big Brother Qi’s return stirred up a storm.

Qi Mother: “Eldest, are you serious? Xiao Sheng’s really become a boss?!”

Big Brother Qi happily sipped his tea and nodded: “It’s true. I personally visited his clothing store. His shop looks better than the biggest one in town. I even stayed a while to observe. His business is way better than the department store’s clothing section back in the county.”

Hearing this, Li Lilan finally believed it. She slapped her thigh and exclaimed excitedly, “My son is so capable! I always said he’d succeed in business!”

Father Qi chuckled and nodded: “Didn’t I say Xiao Sheng would be the most successful in the village? Look, I was right. Our second son can do anything he sets his mind to!”

Big Brother Qi nodded proudly. The whole family was grinning from ear to ear—except for Wei Xiaohui, who quietly rolled her eyes. Had they already forgotten how just a few days ago they were living in fear that someone might show up to collect debts? Or how they guarded themselves like it was wartime during the New Year, terrified the younger brother might ask for money?

Still, to be fair, Wei Xiaohui was in a good mood too. Her brother-in-law doing well meant they might benefit as well. So she asked curiously, “Didn’t brother-in-law drive you back?”

Big Brother Qi paused, then replied, “Looks like the second brother doesn’t have a car yet.”

As soon as he said that, the previously giddy Qi parents cooled down a bit. In their rural mindset, the first thing you do once you make money is build a new house or buy a car. Whether it’s a sedan or a van, having a car shows you’ve made it. No house, no car? No matter how much you brag, people will still doubt it.

Because of this, the parents finally snapped out of their excitement. But after thinking about how their youngest had a storefront in a big city like Su City, Mother Qi still couldn’t contain her joy. She shot a glare at her daughter-in-law and scolded: “What do you know? Who starts a business and immediately turns a profit? Xiao Sheng buying a car is just a matter of time!”

Big Brother Qi agreed: “With how well the store is doing, he’ll probably make back his investment in a year or two. Once he has some surplus cash, he’ll definitely buy a car.”

Father Qi thought his wife and eldest son made good points. Their family finally had a successful member—he was thrilled. Looking at his grandson playing in the courtyard, he shouted, “Kang’er, go buy me a bottle of liquor and two packs of cigarettes. I want to have a proper drink with your dad to celebrate!”

Not to be outdone, Mother Qi pulled out some cash and handed it to her grandson: “And buy a chicken while you’re at it—we’re stewing chicken tonight!”

Hearing there would be chicken for dinner, Qi Wenkang grabbed the money and dashed to the store. Wei Xiaohui looked at the delighted family and the rare generosity of her mother-in-law and didn’t bother to argue. She glanced sideways at her husband, who was still basking in happiness, and quietly began her own mental calculations.

That night, back in their bedroom, Wei Xiaohui climbed into bed after washing up. Seeing her husband already lying down, she pulled him up and asked: “If your brother’s business really keeps getting better, don’t you have any thoughts about it?”

Big Brother Qi scratched his head and sighed after a long pause: “How could I not? We’re brothers, and I’m the eldest. If my younger brother keeps rising while I stay here farming, the gap between our families will just grow. How will I ever face people out there?”

Hearing this, Wei Xiaohui relaxed a bit—at least her husband had some ambition. She said, “If that’s how you feel, I’m not worried. Now that your brother’s doing well, we have to start planning early too.”

Big Brother Qi looked confused: “Planning for what?”