Chronicle of the 70s-Chapter 374 - 351: New Year’s Third Watch

In the kitchen, Yang Huan was already steaming the sea fish in a pot, while another pot was stewing rabbit meat. Li Xianglu saw that there were three other steamed dishes and the glass noodles were also blanched. She helped to mix the glass noodles with the celery for a cold salad, and nearby, Lu Anna curiously asked, "Aunt Yang, what’s happening?"

Yang Huan gently closed the kitchen door before explaining, "Originally, your grandfather came over to have a meal together, but then he brought your eldest uncle along, and they started talking in there. It seems like they were discussing some sort of project. Your dad disagreed, and your grandfather started yelling, then you all arrived."

Project? Lu Anna looked at Li Xianglu, who frowned and said, "Dad’s a doctor, what kind of project could he possibly work on?"

Yang Huan also expressed her doubts, "Yeah, both your dad and I are doctors, what kind of project could we possibly work on?"

Li Xianglu, not knowing why, cracked open the door slightly and peered towards the living room, faintly hearing Qin Shouhan talking about some medical equipment.

Qin Shouren, however, disagreed. All the imported equipment and medicines for their hospital had to go through his approval for use, and he had to ensure the effectiveness of every piece of equipment, as well as the practicality of the medicines.

He had been approached before with medicines whose effects were quite average, serving only as dispensable adjuncts that could actually be replaced by diet. Yet, these were turned into marketed medicines. At that time, someone told him he would get ten cents commission for each bottle sold.

Although it was only ten cents, the sales could bring in at least tens of thousands of yuan a year, but that was all ill-gotten wealth.

Qin Shouhan was someone who always had a utilitarian approach to everything. The machine he was talking about was for eye surgery, but its effectiveness wasn’t as good as that of an imported one, which was why Qin Shouren thought it would be better to buy the imported version.

Mr. Qin then got angry, accusing Qin Shouren of not helping his own family. But was this really a matter of helping out?

Seeing the situation, Mr. Qin turned to Qin Xi and said, "Qin Xi, look at your father. No matter what, we’re all family. Why is it that something everyone else is willing to do, your father is particularly unwilling? I’ve mentioned it several times before, that incident with your mom was someone else’s doing, it had nothing to do with anyone else."

Qin Xi’s mouth curled into a faint smile and he said, "Uncle, do you still remember Shen Yuehong?"

Mr. Qin and Mr. Qin were clueless as to why Qin Xi would bring up this unfamiliar name; they looked puzzled. Yet, normally composed Qin Shouhan showed a slightly panicked expression.

When Qin Shouhan saw Qin Xi looking at him, he feigned composure and asked, "What Shen Yuehong? I don’t know any Shen Yuehong!"

Qin Xi responded with a light laugh, "You don’t know? That’s really strange." As he said this, Qin Xi’s eyes were fixed intently on Qin Shouhan’s face, observing all his subtle expressions. Indeed, Qin Shouhan seemed to grow panicked when Qin Xi mentioned it was strange.

Qin Xi continued, "Someone saw you leaving the school with her before she died."

Qin Shouhan’s brows furrowed deeply: "That’s impossible!" No one saw that happen.

Qin Xi did not continue; he just uttered an "Oh" and resumed peeling sunflower seeds for the twins.

Mr. Qin had no idea what his grandson was trying to say after talking for so long and turned to address Qin Shouren, "Second son, say something, will you? Your elder brother doesn’t mean any harm. This machine is cheaper than the foreign one, why are you unwilling to use it? We’re family, can’t you just do a favor for your elder brother?"

Qin Shouren replied sternly, "Dad, this is a matter of principle. Big brother’s machine is cheap, but it hasn’t undergone clinical trials and its stability is uncertain. I need to be responsible for the patients at the hospital. This isn’t just about helping out because we’re family. If someone dies from the treatment, who will take responsibility?"

Upon hearing his second son’s firm opposition, Qin Shen instantly got angry and stood up, "Alright, you’ve toughened up, huh? What’s all this about people dying? I simply asked you to help your elder brother, and look at you, spouting all this nonsense. Had I known, I’d have asked your brother to come back first. You’ve now gained benefits and don’t care about your family!"

Qin Shouren also got angry and stood up, "Dad, what are you saying? What do you mean I don’t care about my family? Look at your ’good’ son, always running home for help whenever there’s trouble. Look who’s been taking care of you these past two years? He disappears for a year at a time, vanishing without trace, and yet you accuse me of benefiting. I’m also your son, why can’t you be fair? Why is your heart so biased?"

Qin Shen did not expect such a strong reaction from his second son and was momentarily at a loss for words, while Qin Shouhan stood up and said, "I shouldn’t have come, it’s all my fault. I know these past few years I’ve been too busy to take care of dad, leaving the burden on my younger brother. Don’t worry, from now on I will be here and will take good care of dad."

Hearing this, Qin Shen became even more infuriated and walked out. Yang Huan chased after him and called out, "Dad, why are you leaving? Weren’t we going to have a discussion over a meal together?"

Mr. Qin huffed angrily, "What meal? They’re already complaining about taking care of me, what’s there to eat!" After speaking, he walked away without looking back.

Qin Shouren, seeing Qin Shouhan preparing to leave with his clothes in hand, said, "Qin Shouhan, are you happy only when you’ve upset everyone in the family? Are you pleased only when dad is estranged from us? If you’re going to leave, then don’t come back. Can you just stop turning up whenever it suits you?"

Qin Shouhan paused in his steps, "Younger brother, I think you’ve misunderstood me too deeply. These past few years, thank you for always taking care of dad. Rest assured, I will take over the responsibility from now on."

Li Xianglu was completely stunned; this Qin Shouhan really seemed to have a pure lotus-like facade. It seems it isn’t just women who can be like white lotuses, men too.

After Qin Shen left, the dinner would have been very somber had it not been for the cheerful laughter of the four children.

At the dinner table, Qin Shouren and Yang Huan gave each of the three children a large red envelope. The children loved collecting red envelopes the most and were wildly excited, especially Ba’er who directly tucked it into his clothes and patted it down with his hand to make sure it wouldn’t fall out before nodding with satisfaction, a sight that made everyone laugh endlessly.

The meal went on until three in the afternoon. Qin Xi drove Qin Zhen and his family to the Lu Family first, then went up to greet them with the twins. As there were many people at the Lu Family, they did not linger, and the family of four headed back home.

When they returned, Li Jianqing had not come back yet. Mr. Qin said he had received a call saying he would go directly to their own house that evening and not come over.

Li Xianglu was somewhat concerned; there was no food on that end, how would they celebrate the New Year? So, she had Hu Zi deliver some food there.

For dinner, Li Xianglu stir-fried some dishes and cooked some dumplings. Together with the large family, they sat down together once more. Both Mr. Qin and Su Yan had a little to drink, clearly in very good spirits.