In the Years When I Was a Father

Chapter 17: The Playboy Dad (17)

Life in the Qi family was relatively calm. Qi Wenyu was gradually making a name for himself in the investment circle, and while Qi Wenyan was still just a department manager, he was doing well in his position. As for Qi Wenfeng, he had successfully entered university, studying his major and occasionally auditing classes at the music academy. However, things were anything but calm at Zhou Yan’s side.

“Has your grandfather said anything about arranging something for you? It’s been three months since school started, and there’s still no news,” Zhou Yan asked.

Since her son had started university, Zhou Yan had been eagerly waiting. She had tolerated the first month of military training, and when the second month was busy with classes, she hadn’t said anything. But now that it had been three months without any update, she couldn’t help but feel anxious.

“Mom, why are you in such a hurry? It’s only been a few months. Besides, the first-year coursework is already heavy. If they give me work on top of that, I’ll be exhausted!” Qi Wenfeng was lying on the couch and barely reacted to his mother’s words.

“You!” Zhou Yan was frustrated. “You usually seem so sensible, but how come you’re slacking off when it matters most? Now’s the time for you to put in some effort! Go back and push your dad to talk to your grandfather!”

Looking at her son, who appeared worn out from the pressure, Zhou Yan softened her tone and coaxed, “Come on, listen to your mom. A few years of hard work, and once you’re the head of the Qi family, I won’t push you anymore.”

Qi Wenfeng stared at his mother for a while before finally speaking, “Mom, I really don’t have any interest in managing the company. Just the two months of professional courses I’ve taken have me dreading it. You should’ve seen how Qi Wenyan works; aside from classes, he’s always staying late at the office. Sometimes, just looking at him makes me feel exhausted. Mom, how about we just forget about the Qi family? Dad loves me; he won’t treat me badly. We could live comfortably with our money instead…”

“What nonsense are you talking about!” Zhou Yan was furious. “At this point, how can you say such things?”

She was angry but, seeing her son resting his eyes, tried to calm down and reason with him. “Son, don’t you understand yet? If you want to live a good life, you need to take control. Look at me, I’ve been with your dad for over ten years, and look how easily he can toss me aside. If one day he’s unhappy and doesn’t give you a single cent, what are you going to do? Do you think your grandfather will give you much money? And if Qi Wenyan takes charge, you’ll be lucky if they don’t drive you away!”

Qi Wenfeng silently listened to his mother’s lengthy lecture. He wanted to point out that his father treated him well and that Qi Wenyan wouldn’t intentionally cause him trouble. “Mom, what if I can help you live a good life?” Qi Wenfeng couldn’t help asking, hoping his mother would change her mind.

Zhou Yan shot him a sideways glance, frowned, and asked, “What could you possibly do? Are you going to follow Qi Wenyu’s example and start a business? Starting a business is risky, you’d be better off trying to inherit the Qi family fortune. Besides, you think just starting a business means it’ll be successful?”

Qi Wenfeng hesitated for a moment and then cautiously said, “I’m not talking about starting a business. The other day, I was at Central Plaza, and a scout approached me. He said I have a good look and heard that I have a talent for music. He wants to sign me as a star…”

Seeing her son’s words about to cause an argument, Zhou Yan was about to explode, so Qi Wenfeng quickly added, “Of course, I wouldn’t sign anything carelessly. But I thought about it, and compared to managing a company, I’d rather sing. Mom, stars can make millions in a year, and with the Qi family backing me, I’d have an easier time in the entertainment industry. When the time comes…”

Zhou Yan had already had enough. She hurriedly interrupted him, “Stop thinking about it! The entertainment industry is just a youth’s game, and compared to inheriting the Qi family fortune, anyone with a brain would know what to choose!”

Zhou Yan could no longer hold her temper and snapped, “Qi Wenfeng, what is wrong with you? Didn’t we agree that you’d join the company after university? Why are you making excuses every day? Don’t tell me you haven’t talked to your dad about joining the company!”

Seeing her son impatiently ignoring her, Zhou Yan couldn’t help but say, “If you won’t try, don’t blame me for planning things behind your back. When the time comes, whether you like it or not, I’ll make you fight for it!”

Qi Wenfeng had been holding back for a long time, but lost his patience. He couldn’t help but look at his mother, his voice turning cold as he said, “If you really plan to take matters into your own hands, I’ll give you one piece of advice: the Qi and Bai families won’t stand by and let you cause trouble for Qi Wenyan. Don’t blame me if I can’t protect you when that happens.”

Zhou Yan was shocked. She hadn’t expected her son to speak to her like this. She looked at Qi Wenfeng through tears, her reproachful gaze as if he had committed a great wrong.

“I’m doing this for you! Think about the life we’ve had all these years. I just want to live a little more freely, sob…”

Qi Wenfeng couldn’t help but roll his eyes. He wanted to say: “Mom, you’ve been living a more comfortable life than 80% of women in Hua Country…”

Helplessly watching his mother’s tears keep flowing, Qi Wenfeng was starting to get a headache. She was already in her forties, and if she kept crying like this, what would happen to her health? He had no choice but to continue comforting her, “Alright, I’ll promise you. I’ll go back and talk to Dad about the company. But I can’t guarantee what position they’ll arrange for me.”

Zhou Yan stopped crying upon hearing this, and with a sorrowful expression, she said, “Son, I know you’ve been working hard. Once we’re in charge, you can do whatever you want, and I won’t interfere.”

Qi Wenfeng nonchalantly nodded. He had no real attachment to Zhou Yan, and after finding an excuse, he left for school.

In the end, Qi Wenfeng still joined Qi Corporation, starting from the bottom just like Qi Wenyan did. Zhou Yan was slightly satisfied when she found out.

However, while Zhou Yan was satisfied, Qi Wenfeng was starting to feel the pressure. The professional coursework was already challenging, and on top of that, he was spending most of his time on songwriting. He had no energy left for work.

Luckily, some people in the company knew his identity and didn’t assign him any heavy tasks. He was able to use his work hours to focus on his creative projects!

But there were those who didn’t dare to do anything to him, and then there were others who deliberately made things difficult for him. Looking at the pile of reports in front of him, Qi Wenfeng couldn’t help but twitch his lips.

“These are assigned by the manager. Please input them into the system,” the person said, turning and walking away, leaving Qi Wenfeng staring at their back.

Looking at the stack of reports, which was about 20 centimeters high, Qi Wenfeng couldn’t help but laugh in frustration. If he had to input them one by one, when would he finish?

But the situation was what it was. Qi Wenfeng glanced at the musical notes he had been working on, and helplessly got up to go to Qi Wenyan’s office.

“Brother~” He was as flattering as could be, and Qi Wenyan instantly got goosebumps.

“Just say what you need to say.”

“Brother, could you help me talk to our manager? Tell him not to assign me any tasks. I barely have enough time as it is, and if I have to do these menial jobs, I won’t even have time to sleep!”

Qi Wenyan frowned. “You still need to learn something. You can’t do nothing.”

Qi Wenfeng thought about it and realized his mom wouldn’t let him off the hook otherwise. He helplessly said, “Is there something simple and easy to understand that won’t take up too much time?”

Qi Wenyan replied, “You’re dreaming!”

In the end, Qi Wenyan did speak to the manager. However, after he did, a rumor started spreading within the company that said, “The true heir is suppressing the illegitimate son.” As the person involved, Qi Wenfeng couldn’t help but feel a little embarrassed. But after thinking about his free time versus his brother’s reputation, he shrugged it off. After all, there were many people supporting his brother.