Chapter 157 Mind: If Line

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Qin's mother had no desire to be questioned by the relevant authorities; all she wanted was for Song Zihang to change his surname. But being taken in for questioning was unacceptable.

"Forget it, it's your own business. You don't even care about it yourself. How much can others care about it for you?" Qin's mother said. "I'm serious. You'd better go and persuade Zihang yourself to change his surname. As long as Zihang is willing to change his surname, those people can't say much."

Qin Yizhou knew, of course, that Song Zihang's own wishes were the most important, but he couldn't possibly say such a thing to Song Zihang about changing his surname.

When Qin's mother returned home, she complained to Qin's father.

"Isn't this all for Yizhou's sake?" Qin's mother said. "He doesn't want to remarry and doesn't have any other children. I've told him so many times to remarry and have another child. He doesn't want to, and he still doesn't want to."

Qin's mother had a headache just thinking about it; her eldest son and daughter-in-law still hadn't divorced.

But that doesn't matter. If the eldest daughter-in-law won't divorce, then so be it. There's always a way around things.

Qin's father was speechless when he heard what Qin's mother said.

"Why did you go to see Yizhou again?" Qin's father said. "You can go there now, but don't mention Zihang's matter again."

"If we're not talking about Zihang, what should we talk about?" Qin's mother said. "Zihang's matter is the most important."

Qin's mother felt heartbroken just thinking about it. If she had known earlier that Song Zihang was so good at studying, she would never have let him take the surname Song; she would have made him take the surname Qin instead.

"Do you know what people outside are saying about us? They're saying Zihang's surname is Song, not Qin," Qin's mother said. "They're saying Song Zihang doesn't treat us like his grandparents, that we're not getting any credit, and that we must be very regretful. Song Zihang really is surnamed Song; he hasn't even come to visit us much. We are his grandparents, and how has he treated us?"

“We weren’t good to him before, so it’s perfectly normal that he doesn’t want to come back now.” Qin’s father knew that they were in the wrong from the beginning, and it was wrong for them to expect Qin Zihang to be good to them now. Qin Zihang would never be good to them.

"What's normal?" Qin's mother said, "It's not normal at all!"

"You..." Qin's father didn't know what to say to Qin's mother, she was always like this.

Qin's mother wanted everyone to listen to her, to believe that what she did was always right, and that everything else was wrong.

“Tell me about Yizhou,” Qin’s mother said. “Nothing I say works; he won’t listen. I don’t even know what to say anymore. Every time I say something, he criticizes me. Aren’t I just trying to do what’s best for him? Why is he like this?”

"Didn't I tell you not to get involved in those things?" Qin's father said. "Do you want to be summoned for questioning by the relevant departments?"

“I… how come even you say that?” Qin’s mother said. “Qin Yizhou said the same thing.”

“He’s right, Yizhou is Song Fenglan’s biological son,” Qin’s father said. “The Song family won’t let us cause trouble, and the relevant departments won’t let us cause trouble either.”

It's true that Qin's father is a veteran, but that doesn't mean he can do many things or crush Song Fenglan. Song Fenglan is far more important than Qin's father. Even if Qin's father swallowed his pride and went to find people, it would be useless. No one could force Song Fenglan to change Song Zihang's surname.

"Back then, when Zihang changed his surname, you said Zihang should change his surname, and that Zihang might not necessarily be Yizhou's child," Qin's father said. "Zihang and Yizhou look so alike, yet you still had to say those things. Now, you want Zihang to change his surname to Qin? How is that possible?"

Mr. Qin didn't know what to say to his wife; she was always getting into trouble. Every time he heard her say these things, he wanted her to shut up. But no matter what he said, it was no use; Mrs. Qin was stubborn and insisted on saying those things.

The Qin family didn't go to the Song family, but the Song family still found out about this matter. The Song family didn't intend for Song Zihang to change his surname; forcing him to do so was tantamount to distrusting him and wanting him to get out, which was extremely hurtful to Song Zihang.

The Song family's assets have been mostly divided up; at most, Song's parents might still have some things left. Song Fenglan holds patents and can earn money, while Song's second brother has also given shares to his siblings, and the company provides dividends.

In this way, the Song family doesn't need to fight for those things at all; there's really no need to. What's the point of fighting for those things in front of relatives? They still have to fight for them outside, with other people.

Song Zihang also learned of the Qin family's plans. When he met Qin Yizhou, he said directly, "I will not change my surname."

"I didn't ask you to change your surname." Qin Yizhou was running with Song Zihang.

Qin Yizhou knew that Song Zihang's surname had many advantages; everyone knew that Song Zihang was Song Fenglan's biological son. Song Fenglan was very important and held a high position. If Song Zihang changed his surname at this time, people would only think that Song Zihang had character issues and that he only cared about his father.

"That's good. If you asked me, I would say I won't change my surname," Song Zihang said. "It's not that changing my surname is troublesome, but that I can't possibly have the surname Qin. Your family is too complicated, it's not suitable for me."

Song Zihang despised the Qin family. He thought they were all dim-witted, only capable of internal strife and turning against their own relatives. Song Zihang disliked that environment; it made him think those people were stupid and brainless. If they had any sense, they wouldn't have said such things.

“It’s not suitable.” Qin Yizhou nodded. “Don’t worry, I didn’t ask you to change your surname. It’s all your grandmother’s wishful thinking. If she comes to you, you don’t need to pay any attention to her.”

“Of course I’m ignoring her,” Song Zihang said. “She only has Qin Li’an in her heart. Her demand that I change my surname is clearly a sign that she doesn’t want me to have a good life.”

In the end, the Qin family did not allow Song Zihang to change his surname. Song Fenglan didn't even need to speak up; those people dared not approach her. This was mainly because Song Fenglan held a high position, and since she wasn't a daughter-in-law of the Qin family, those people didn't dare to say anything bad about her.

Qin Li'an is still in prison, and his affair and illegitimate child have been exposed.

Tian Keshu and Brother Qin had a bad relationship; she refused to divorce him, so Brother Qin didn't. Brother Qin found a job, and he often socialized outside. One time, after drinking a little, he had an affair with a colleague.

Brother Qin apologized to his colleague and gave her money, asking her to pretend nothing had happened. However, the colleague later became pregnant. She was from out of town and wanted to cling tightly to Brother Qin. Brother Qin thought that since Qin Li'an was ruined, having a new child wouldn't be bad.

So Brother Qin arranged for his colleague to have the child. That colleague lived in the house Brother Qin had bought, and Brother Qin's mother knew about it. She even brought him chicken soup. Since Brother Qin's mistress had given birth to a son, Brother Qin's mother naturally took extra care of her young lover.

When Tian Keshu found out, she naturally made a scene, but she couldn't possibly get a divorce. If she did, wouldn't that just make room for the mistress?

"Shameful! You actually had a lover outside! Bah!" Tian Keshu felt betrayed by her husband.

Tian Keshu thought that as long as they weren't divorced, her husband would have to accept his fate. She never imagined he would find another woman and have a child with her at this time. Tian Keshu wanted nothing more than to strangle the mistress and the illegitimate child.

“We’ve been sleeping in separate rooms for a long time,” Brother Qin said. “I’ve told you about divorce before, but you refused to get a divorce.”

“Yes, I refuse to get a divorce. We are not divorced,” Tian Keshu said. “We are not divorced, but you found another woman. That’s your fault.”

“We can get a divorce now,” Brother Qin said.

“Dream on, I will never divorce you. Don’t even think about letting that mistress into the house,” Tian Keshu said. “Let me tell you, as long as I live, you can’t let her into the house, and you can’t let her child into the house either.”

Tian Keshu was furious. How could Brother Qin dare to do such a thing? Tian Keshu went back to her parents' home and told them about it. Her family all told her to bear with it.

"Bear with it?" Tian Keshu never expected her own mother to say such cold words.

“Yes, just bear with it,” said Mother Tian. “The other woman is someone who can’t be brought into the light. It’s no use making a scene with them; the child has already been born. You should think about how to make them think more about Li’an, instead of that other child.”

“They’ve gone too far! That child is already a month old,” Tian Keshu said through gritted teeth. “Li’an will be released from prison in a few days. How could they do this?”

Tian Keshu's eyes were red, and she was about to cry.

“You can’t get a divorce, so what can you do if you don’t put up with it?” Tian’s mother said. “You know our family is already in this state, and we can’t help you. If you can put up with it, then put up with it. If you can’t, then think about Li’an.”

"I..." Tian Keshu really didn't want to endure it.

“You still have a son and a daughter,” Tian’s mother said. “If you divorce your husband, then you really have nothing.”

“They are awful,” Tian Keshu said.

"Take it easy," said Mother Tian. "What's done is done, and there's no going back."

Tian's mother knew that the Qin family was in the wrong, but what could they do? Who would stand by Tian Keshu's side?

No one paid attention to this matter, so Tian Keshu could only grit her teeth and swallow it down.

“My…Mom,” Tian Keshu said, “If it weren’t for Li’an, I really…I really couldn’t stand it. My mother-in-law, she used to look down on Song Fenglan, who was married through proper channels, but now she’s fawning over a mistress.”

Tian Keshu now thinks Song Fenglan is much better; that mistress is the most despicable. Everyone in the Qin family is bad. Tian Keshu can't possibly ask Qin Yizhou to get involved in this matter; Qin Yizhou wouldn't interfere, especially since Tian Keshu had hurt Song Fenglan before.

Now, Tian Keshu is with the Qin family, and she can't find anyone who can help her, not even her daughter. Her daughter is unlikely to help her.

When Tian Kexian learned about Tian Keshu's situation, she felt no sympathy for Tian Keshu. She thought the man she had married was truly bad—a gambling addict who also beat her. These people were telling her not to divorce, so Tian Keshu shouldn't divorce either.

Then, Tian Keshu could only pretend nothing had happened and keep a close eye on the things in the house. But what good would it do for her to keep an eye on things? Brother Qin had stopped giving Tian Keshu his salary a long time ago. Tian Keshu herself didn't have a job, and Brother Qin only gave her a small amount of money each month.

Tian Keshu was filled with hatred, but going against that mistress wouldn't do her any good. Tian Keshu was afraid the Qin family would force her to divorce them; if they used underhanded tactics, they really could force her to do so.

The mistress's thinking was simple: as long as she had a house for herself and her child, and could obtain residency in the capital, that was more important than anything else. Whether she was the legal wife or not was irrelevant. She had chosen to be with Brother Qin herself.

Since her lover made no other moves, Tian Keshu didn't dare to move much either.

Song Zihang also told his mother about this, saying that he thought Brother Qin was quite scary.

“Having a mistress and a child outside is truly terrifying,” Song Zihang said.

"Let's eat." Song Fenglan served food to Song Zihang.

"Mom, you said Dad... how come Dad and Uncle are brothers?" Song Zihang didn't suspect that his father had other women outside. If his father had other women, it was legal.

"I don't know," Song Fenglan said.

"Thankfully, Dad didn't do those things," Song Zihang said.

“Even if he remarries and has children, it’s fine,” Song Fenglan said. “You don’t need to inherit his property.”

Song Fenglan has enough wealth to live comfortably for a lifetime, and those assets continue to appreciate in value. If she has money, she also asks her second brother to help her buy houses as investments. Song Fenglan believes that buying gold and houses are the most suitable investments.

Song Fenglan doesn't know how to do business and is unclear about many things. Since that's the case, she might as well just buy houses and gold, which would avoid a lot of unnecessary trouble.

“No, it’s not necessary.” Song Zihang nodded. “Dad doesn’t have any other children now. If he did, I wouldn’t fight for them. I have you, Mom. You’ll take care of everything for me.”

"Of course," Song Fenglan said. "You're our only child. If we don't make arrangements for you, who will?"

Song Fenglan clearly understood what she wanted: to contribute to her country and to raise her child well. Even if Song Zihang were a girl, Song Fenglan would still make arrangements for the child to ensure he wouldn't suffer later in life.

Qin Yizhou knew about the Qin family's affairs, but he naturally couldn't say anything. It was a matter between his elder brother Qin and Tian Keshu; those people could make a fuss all they wanted. If Qin Yizhou intervened, he would only alienate everyone.

To be honest, Qin Yizhou was quite shocked by his brother's actions. Qin Yizhou never expected his brother to do something so disgusting—keeping a mistress and having an illegitimate child—that was wrong in itself.

People are saying that if Brother Qin can find other women outside, could Qin Yizhou also secretly keep another woman?

This left Qin Yizhou speechless. He had no intention of supporting another woman, nor could he possibly have a mistress. Qin Yizhou only had Song Fenglan in his heart. He was still in the army, and even if he weren't, he would never do such a thing.

When Qin Yizhou went to pick up Song Zihang from school, Song Zihang glanced at Qin Yizhou a few more times.

“Dad, you can remarry,” Song Zihang said. “Mom doesn’t mind.”

“She doesn’t mind, but I do,” Qin Yizhou said.

Song Fenglan wasn't in the car; she was still working overtime.

Qin Yizhou was speechless when he heard Song Zihang's words.

"Your uncle's affairs have nothing to do with me," Qin Yizhou said. "Don't overthink it."

“Mom said I can inherit her property; I don’t need to inherit yours,” Song Zihang said.

Qin Yizhou slapped Song Zihang's arm twice hard, and Song Zihang winced in pain. "Dad, why are you hitting me so hard?"

“If you know the pain, you’ll know this isn’t a dream,” Qin Yizhou said. “Even if it were a dream, you shouldn’t say these things. I will not remarry, I will not find anyone else, and I have no other children.”

"Oh." Song Zihang nodded.

"When you grow up, when you know what liking and love are, you'll understand," Qin Yizhou said. "Some things, you can't just let go of them as you please, nor can you say that you haven't let go of them."

"It's really complicated," Song Zihang remarked.

Qin Yizhou and Song Fenglan weren't together, but they had met, and they also had contact with Song Zihang. Qin Yizhou felt their life was alright; he could see Song Fenglan and talk to his son more.

The relationship between Qin Yizhou and Song Fenglan wasn't one of mutual destruction. Many divorces occur when the relationship is already quite strained. But Qin Yizhou and Song Fenglan's situation was different. Song Fenglan didn't love Qin Yizhou that much, but she didn't think he was bad either. Qin Yizhou deeply loved Song Fenglan, and he respected all the decisions she made.

When Qin Li'an was released from prison, he learned that his father had been keeping a mistress. While Qin Li'an was in jail, he already knew he was wrong, but he never expected that his father would still have a child with another woman.

When Qin Li'an returned home, he was still a little dazed.

Qin's mother has difficulty walking and is in a wheelchair.

One evening, when Qin's mother went out to deliver something to her grandson, she wasn't paying attention on her return and tripped and fell, resulting in paralysis of her lower body. Qin's mother then blamed her young lover, feeling that he had brought her bad luck.

So Qin's mother didn't force Tian Keshu to divorce Qin's older brother. She was afraid that if Qin's older brother's mistress entered the family, she would lose her life. Since that was the case, it was better not to let the mistress into the family; let her raise a child outside.

When Qin's mother was at home, she would seek out Tian Keshu for anything, but Tian Keshu had no intention of properly serving her. If it weren't for the Qin family's assets and to ensure Qin's mother sided with Qin Li'an, Tian Keshu would have refused to serve her at all.

With Qin Li'an around, Tian Keshu became much more assertive.

Tian Keshu often applied medicine to her lover in front of Qin's mother, claiming that Qin's mother was cursed and that the child born to her lover was still young and its future was uncertain. Tian Keshu wanted Qin's mother and her family to give all the family's possessions to Qin Li'an, but Qin's mother was all talk and no action; most of the Qin family's assets were not actually in her hands.

"Mom, Li'an is back. He still doesn't have a job." Tian Keshu pushed Qin's mother out to get some sun. "We have to find him something to do. I think it would be great if he could open a shop in our neighborhood. He won't have to go out to find work, and people won't say he has a criminal record and refuse to give him a job."

"A shop?" Qin's mother asked, puzzled.

“Yes.” Tian Keshu nodded. “I see many people opening shops and doing business outside. If others can do it, so can Li’an. He already knows he was wrong and will never repeat the same mistakes. It is a great thing to know one’s mistakes and correct them. He was young and immature before, but he is mature now.”

"That's true." Qin's mother nodded.

Qin's mother ultimately felt sorry for Qin Li'an, and she said she wanted Qin Li'an to open a shop in the district, and neither Qin's older brother nor Qin's father had any objections.

However, Brother Qin didn't have that much money. He wasn't a high-ranking executive at his friend's company, and his monthly salary was low. If he bought the shop for Qin Li'an, they would have to be more frugal for a while. But Qin Li'an was, after all, Brother Qin's first son, and Brother Qin had doted on him for so many years.

Brother Qin ultimately did use the money to buy the shop for Qin Li'an, which left him with less money for his mistress. Naturally, the mistress was very unhappy. She was young, while Brother Qin was older, and he was giving her less money, leaving her strapped for cash. If it weren't for the house they owned, she would have made a scene.

The young mistress wasn't particularly good-looking, and if she went to find another man, she might not be able to find someone like Brother Qin. The young mistress thought that since Tian Keshu and her son were fighting over the inheritance, she had to join in.

Brother Qin overheard his mistress talking about saving money for their child's education. She knew how to talk; if she'd said anything else, it probably wouldn't have worked. But talking about education, about their child's upbringing, was much more effective.

Tian Keshu was rather rough around the edges, unlike her young lover who was so eloquent. Brother Qin thought his young lover was right; he thought Tian Keshu was no good.

The two sides were locked in a struggle, with Tian Keshu and Xiao Qing setting traps for each other. Qin Li'an didn't say much; he was just responsible for taking more things. In the end, he forced his older brother to divide the assets early and calculate every month's salary.

That means the big house and the shop belong to Qin Li'an. As for the house that Brother Qin gave to his mistress, Tian Keshu won't bother with it. Brother Qin can give one-third of his salary to his mistress, and of the remaining two-thirds, one-third should go to Tian Keshu. As for the rest, Brother Qin can do whatever he wants with it.

Everyone says that Brother Qin enjoys the blessing of having two wives, and that he lives a very good life.

Tian Keshu and Brother Qin are in a situation where they haven't officially divorced, but it's practically the same as being divorced. They've drawn up a property division agreement, but Tian Keshu is still afraid that Brother Qin will change his mind, so she still can't get a divorce.

While Brother Qin and his family were busy dividing up the inheritance, Song Zihang was admitted to Capital University of Aeronautics and Astronautics without taking the entrance exam. Song Zihang had excellent grades, so he went to the school where his mother worked.

"Song Fenglan is lucky," Tian Keshu said. Her biggest enemy now was Brother Qin's mistress. Song Fenglan had little to do with her anymore; they weren't sisters-in-law.

In Nancheng, Zhang Xiaohu had graduated from technical school and was working in a private factory, earning a low salary. He would buy just a few things, and his money would disappear in no time. This made him wonder where all the money had gone. He even calculated that he had spent it all, leaving him with nothing, and his parents even had to help him out each month.

"Do you know you regret it now?" the plump woman said. "With your meager salary, if you spend it all, your family will have to give you money. Be more frugal and don't spend money recklessly. You're already working, and you'll need to get married in the future, so you need to start thinking about saving money."