Chapter 227: Chapter 227

When Bo Xichen came to pick Gu Anxi up, his mother was particularly displeased! She had been engrossed in discussing the finer points of traditional Chinese culture with Gu Anxi, so her son’s arrival was quite vexing.

Bo’s mother toyed with a mahjong tile in her hand, glaring at her son. "Xichen, shouldn’t Anxi be alternating her days between us? Mondays, Wednesdays, and Fridays with one, and Tuesdays, Thursdays, and Saturdays with the other?"

Bo Xichen embraced his little one, smiling. "After we get married, Mother, will you still want to vie with me for her time on alternating days?"

Bo’s mother’s mature face flushed. Her son had changed!!! He no longer cared about his mother’s feelings! He only cared about his own happiness!!! Wang Keru, too, felt a keen sense of loss, as if the child were no longer hers.

That night, Gu Anxi and Bo Xichen both stayed over, sleeping in Gu Anxi’s bedroom.

When Bo Xichen emerged from his shower, he saw his little one hunched over, sketching and drawing. As he approached, she quickly covered her work, just like last time, not letting him see.

"Keeping little secrets now? Not even letting your Little Uncle see?" Bo Xichen chuckled. Leaning against the headboard, he began to handle some work matters on his phone. Occasionally looking up, he noticed she was still busy. "You have classes tomorrow," he gently reminded her. "Go to bed early."

She gave a perfunctory "oh" but remained hunched over her work.

Bo Xichen went to her side and lifted her. Gu Anxi protested, "Just a little while longer! Just a little while!"

He held her with one hand and picked up the sketch with the other. "What’s this you’re drawing?"

Then, looking at Gu Anxi, he asked, "You’re so busy with so many things every day; aren’t you tired?"

Gu Anxi blushed and snatched the sketch back. "It’s a hobby. I just do it when I feel like it."

Suddenly, her Little Uncle leaned close to her ear, his voice dangerously low, "Gu Anxi, I also have some very interesting things I’d like to do. Perhaps I should..."

Gu Anxi covered her face. He was so shameless.

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All participating companies had to deposit 200 million as a security bond to prove their financial capability.

The Qin family had to scrape together almost everything they had to submit the two hundred million, a sum that included the tens of millions Qin Siling contributed from her private savings.

As the Qin family was pooling their funds, Qin Siling glanced at Shen Wanqing, an immense discomfort welling within her. This woman offered no help to the Qin family. Moreover, Siyuan had seemed distant towards her lately, often sleeping at the company. This made Qin Siling despise her even more.

With a hint of deliberate difficulty, Qin Siling said lightly, "Wanqing, you should also make some contribution to the family."

Shen Wanqing became extremely terrified. Biting her lip, she said, "I will support Siyuan."

"Spiritually?" Qin Siling laughed, a lazy drawl in her voice. "Wanqing, I’m not trying to criticize you, but you really should apply yourself more. Siyuan’s mind clearly isn’t on you. If you don’t find a way to help the Qin family... I foresee that sooner or later..."

Shen Wanqing felt utterly humiliated, but facing such a strong-willed sister-in-law, she couldn’t utter a single word.

She could only fight back tears.

Qin Han remained silent.

Old Master Qin stared at the ceiling, his nostrils flared, and also remained silent.

Shen Wanqing knew then. She had likely become an expendable piece. She desperately wanted to be brave, to move out as Gu Anxi once had, but she was terrified that if she left, she would never be able to come back.

She could only endure it day by day, constantly having to read others’ expressions.

The Qin family no longer mentioned the engagement, nor did they bring up her mother visiting. It was as if... as if she were merely a stranger lodging there.

She carefully tiptoed upstairs, avoiding any interaction with the Qin family. Once back in her room, she called Qin Siyuan.

When the call connected, she asked softly, "Siyuan, are you coming home tonight?"

These past few days, she had felt Qin Siyuan was different towards her; he... he no longer touched her.

On the other end, Qin Siyuan’s voice was faint. "You go to bed first."

Did that mean he wasn’t coming back?

Afraid he would hang up, Shen Wanqing quickly asked, "Siyuan, are we... still getting engaged?"

There was a long silence on the other end before he said softly, "Let’s both take some time to cool down." With that, he hung up.

The phone slipped from Shen Wanqing’s hand. She stared blankly, unable to find her voice for a long time.

Did Qin Siyuan not want her anymore?

Downstairs, Qin Siling glanced towards the upper floor and lowered her voice. "Dad, Grandpa, what are your plans? We can’t let Wanqing keep occupying that position, can we? Siyuan doesn’t seem to like her much. They won’t be happy even if they do get married."

Old Master Qin nodded and looked at Qin Han. "What do you say?"

Qin Han lit a cigarette, then slowly said, "I can see that things haven’t been right between those two lately. Siyuan doesn’t even come home anymore; doesn’t that speak volumes? Let Siyuan resolve it himself. If he can’t bring himself to do it, then it won’t be too late for us to intervene."

Though his words were spoken lightly, they were utterly ruthless.

Shen Wanqing stood silently in the second-floor hallway, a chill seeping through her from head to toe...

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