In the Years When I Was a Father

Chapter 93: Phoenix Dad (6)

Qi Sheng wasn’t acting on impulse. The reason he did this, aside from dealing with a bored beauty trying to stir up trouble, was mainly to give some reassurance to the mother and son who had suffered too much.

Perhaps the last attempt at goodwill had given Qi Ningrui a glimmer of hope, because recently, the father and son’s interactions had finally become warmer and more genuine.

Qi Ningrui kept trying to test him, and Qi Sheng, while aware of it, responded with patience and sincerity. Deep down, though, he also felt a bit of heartache. This child had gone through the most painful upheaval of his life during what should have been his best years. Overnight, the person he trusted most had become unrecognizable. He lost the time meant to be spent enjoying love and care, and had to become strong for his even more wounded mother.

Sometimes Qi Sheng would think, if only the original version of him were still alive in this world—he could really use someone to torment, maybe even get some practice on him from time to time.

The asset transfer was something Qi Sheng only signed off on; the entire process was handled by lawyers. So he and Ning Man still hadn’t met.

Qi Ningrui was a little puzzled as he watched this man, who clearly had no intention of reconciling with his mother. Was his father remorseful or not?

“Dad, why didn’t you transfer these things to Mom in person?”

Qi Ningrui sat on the brown leather sofa, looking somewhat dazed as he watched the man in the open kitchen cutting fruit for him.

Six months ago, when Qi Ningrui returned to the country, he’d been very uneasy. He was afraid he wouldn’t be able to help his mother take back the Ning family, and even more afraid that this man would destroy all the good memories from the past. He had mentally prepared himself for a total falling-out between father and son—yet unexpectedly, this man had actually changed for the better!

Qi Sheng placed the fruit plate in front of his son. Seeing the confusion on his face, he decided to “confess.” “Do you know what happened before your mom and I got married?”

Qi Ningrui speared a piece of mango, took a big bite, and nodded. Ever since realizing Qi Sheng had truly changed, he’d become more relaxed around him. Even talking about the things that had once hurt the most no longer shook him.

“Actually, I knew your mom was the Ning family’s little princess a long time ago—back when I was in high school. At the time, your grandparents brought her to a village near my hometown for a lifestyle experience program. I remembered her from then, and as fate would have it, we ended up attending the same university.”

The original version of Qi Sheng had a strong impression of Ning Man. Back then, she was like a little princess untouched by hardship—fair-skinned and carefree.

He had liked Ning Man from the beginning, and when they crossed paths again in college by chance, he was naturally happy to date her.

At first, they were very happy together. But the original Qi Sheng wasn’t a lovestruck teenager—he knew about her extraordinary background and, inevitably, had some not-so-pure thoughts.

Still, at that time, he wasn’t as crazy as he would later become. He just thought that having such a powerful family-in-law would make his future a lot easier.

He genuinely liked Ning Man, but he also knew she had some naive ideas. If she found out he had known about her background all along, she’d probably get upset and think he was only with her for her status.

So he chose to play along. Even when Ning Man slipped up and let hints of her identity show, he helped cover for her.

He thought everything through—he would love Ning Man sincerely, while also using the Ning family’s influence to build something for himself.

Unfortunately, though his plan was flawless on paper, he hadn’t expected one thing: just how deeply Ning Man’s parents disliked him.

Mr. and Mrs. Ning strongly opposed the relationship. The look of disdain and contempt in their eyes was something the original Qi Sheng could never forget. He couldn’t understand it—he treated Ning Man well and genuinely loved her. Was it just his occasional display of ambition that made these high-and-mighty people so wary of him?

Qi Sheng couldn’t help but roll his eyes as he recalled the original host’s thought process.

Isn’t that just stating the obvious? Whose parents wouldn’t be on high alert if someone with ulterior motives had their precious daughter in his sights? You say you love her, but her parents believe their daughter deserves someone far better—someone who would love her wholeheartedly without any agenda.

Still, Qi Sheng had to admit, Ning Man’s parents had come on a bit too strong. Their aggressive tactics had backfired—they pushed the originally hesitant original host into full-on stubborn mode. Fueled by resentment, he morphed into a ninja turtle, bottling up his anger and vowing to fight the Ning parents to the end.

“You wanted to break up with Mom back then?” Qi Ningrui asked.

Qi Sheng nodded. The original host had indeed considered it. Unfortunately, just as he showed a hint of that intention in front of Ning Man’s mother, she gave him a scornful laugh that completely set him off. You already look down on me for staying with her, and now you still look down on me when I decide to leave? Fine—let’s see who wins in the end.

And so, a relationship that should have ended was dragged out simply because of a mocking smile. The original host decided to stick it out—after all, he still liked Ning Man, and staying with her wasn’t exactly a loss for him.

Qi Ningrui sighed and brought up something he’d been wondering about for a while. “Dad, when I was little, did you hold a grudge because Grandpa and Grandma wouldn’t let you take care of me?”

Qi Sheng nodded solemnly, pretending to be reflective, but in reality, he was quietly despising the original host.

What Qi Ningrui imagined wasn’t exactly how things had gone.

The original host hadn’t really been invested in his son’s education. Back then, he was busy with work, constantly at odds with his in-laws, and had to act strong and gentle in front of Ning Man. He had no energy left to worry about his son’s grades.

There was one time, though, when the little guy was being especially naughty, and the original host had genuinely wanted to hit him. But just then, the mother-in-law—who already looked down on him—stepped in and stopped him.

The original host did hold a grudge, but instead of letting it go, he came up with a new plan.

He knew the Ning parents doted on the boy, and that they intended to raise their grandson to become Ning Man’s lifelong protector. So the original host figured out a way to make them truly lose.

He would spoil the child to the extreme, make sure he could never shoulder the enormous burden of the Ning family, and ensure that the boy trusted him most. That way, he could effortlessly get his hands on everything the Ning family had.

Qi Sheng looked at the boy, who was gradually beginning to trust him again, and really wished the system could bring the original host’s soul back—he would definitely give that guy a proper “welcome.”

To scheme against your wife and then go so far as to use your son? That wasn’t just scum behavior—it was beneath even that.

This was the part of the original host that Qi Sheng despised the most. And yet, to be a good father to this child now, he couldn’t expose any of that ugliness. He even had to whitewash it.

Qi Ningrui, still feeling hurt over everything that had happened, couldn’t help but push back. “Even if Grandpa and Grandma were in the wrong, Mom and I were always on your side. Since you got everything you wanted, why did you still have to make us suffer like that?”

Qi Sheng was at a loss for words. What was he supposed to say? Because “I” was a terrible person?

The two sat in silence for a while, until Qi Ningrui finally saw through a bit of who his biological father really was.

“So, are you giving all this back to Mom because you want to get back together with her?”

Qi Sheng rubbed his nose and avoided his son’s gaze. “Not really. It was always hers to begin with. I’d originally planned to wait until you took over the company and give it to you both together. But those people have been pestering me nonstop lately…”

Qi Ningrui was a little upset. “Aren’t you the one who loves those beauties the most?”

“Eh, can’t say I love them. I was just chasing novelty.”

Qi Ningrui: “……”

He was speechless. He didn’t even know what to say anymore. Just when he thought his scummy dad had changed, why did he still feel just as scummy?!

Qi Ningrui took another bite of fruit, then got up and started wandering around the villa. It was his first time here—he had thought he might never set foot in this place in his lifetime.

“Dad, you should go apologize to Mom.” Upon seeing the bedroom prepared for him, Qi Ningrui turned and said this to Qi Sheng.

Qi Sheng patted the boy on the shoulder, looking troubled. “Kid, stay out of adult business. We’ll talk about it when the time comes.”

Qi Ningrui pouted. As expected, this man hadn’t truly changed. Still, he felt relieved—he had feared something serious had happened to him.

The two talked a bit longer, but Qi Ningrui, still worried about Ning Man, ultimately didn’t stay the night.

Qi Sheng saw his son off, shrugged at the original host’s past actions, and thought, This is fine. At least now I’ve come clean with the kid, so he won’t be constantly anxious, overthinking every little thing I do.

As for Ning Man, all he could do was offer compensation through gifts. According to the original plot, Ning Man was already emotionally done with the original host. So why should he humiliate himself by fawning over her and trying to whitewash that scumbag’s past?

Qi Ningrui returned home and saw that Ning Man was still awake—clearly preoccupied.

“Mom, I’m back.”

“Just came from your dad’s place?”

Qi Ningrui sat down beside her and nodded. “Yeah, we talked for a bit.”

Knowing she was curious, Qi Ningrui obediently recounted their conversation.

“He really said he’d hand the company over to you in a few years?”

Qi Ningrui had said a lot, but that was the part Ning Man cared about most.

“He said so,” Qi Ningrui replied. “Whether it’s true or not, we’ll find out in a few years.”

Ning Man nodded without commenting further, though she still felt uneasy inside.

Back when Qi Sheng coldly sent their son abroad, she’d once suspected that his affection had been nothing more than a disguised form of sabotage. When he insisted their son pursue further education even after graduating college, it only deepened her doubts. She had hesitated for a long time to bring this up to her son, worried he wouldn’t be able to handle it. But judging by Qi Sheng’s recent actions… could she have been wrong? Did he actually care about their son?

Ning Man shook her head. No matter which was true, she would never forgive Qi Sheng in this lifetime. If he was truly good to their son, that was ideal. But if he still had any schemes in mind, she would fight him with everything she had.

The outside world was already abuzz with curiosity over the Qi family’s situation. At this point, it wasn’t just the gossip-loving socialites—even the seasoned business foxes were speculating: Would Qi Ningrui become the future head of Lemon (Ningmeng)?

Compared to the cunning and experienced Qi Sheng, of course they preferred a young and naïve cub. They were already plotting how to toy with him once he took over.

Too bad Qi Sheng, having decided to be the boy’s golden finger (cheat code), wouldn’t allow it. The son I train—do you think he’s someone you can bully?

Though Qi Sheng’s scumbag image still couldn’t be fully redeemed, his prior rapport with his son laid a foundation. After coming clean, the boy had accepted him a little more. So Qi Sheng transferred him directly under his wing, planning to train him personally.