On their way back to Bay Villa, Qin Sui’an and Old Mrs. Qin were in the Maserati, while Qin Haochen had just left Qin Corporation.
He Yan stood by the Bentley’s rear door, respectfully opening it to escort their CEO into the car. Just as Qin Haochen settled into his seat, his personal phone buzzed.
Glancing at the caller ID, he was surprised to see it was his wife’s younger brother, Ye Rongyuan. It seemed to be his first call from Ye Rongyuan.
Sensing something might be wrong, Qin Haochen answered the call promptly. Ye Rongyuan’s voice came through the receiver, less stern than usual and seemingly concerned about "little one."
"My friend said Mr. Zhu Xiulin might have recognized Ann. Did Ann go to Mr. Zhu Xiulin’s art exhibition this afternoon?" Ye Rongyuan’s tone was cautious.
"Yes, her grandmother accompanied her," Qin Haochen furrowed his brows slightly. Zhu Xiulin had recognized Ann? How did that happen?
His mother had messaged him about meeting Zhu Xiulin at the exhibition but hadn’t disclosed further details, suggesting they hadn’t revealed their identities during the encounter.
After a pause, Ye Rongyuan continued, "It wasn’t my friend who leaked this. It seems Mr. Zhu Xiulin discovered something himself. He might visit Ann in the coming days."
"Alright, I understand," Qin Haochen replied calmly, his expression barely changing. "I’ll handle it on my end."
"No other business then," Ye Rongyuan hung up promptly, sparing any unnecessary pleasantries.
Qin Haochen pocketed his phone, deep in thought. At that moment, He Yan, seated in the front passenger seat, received a phone call too.
After ending the call, He Yan turned to report, "CEO, Mr. Zhu Xiulin called. He wants to arrange a time to visit the Qin family and personally give Miss Ann a small gift."
Qin Haochen raised an eyebrow subtly. "Just to give a gift?"
"Yes, CEO, that’s all Mr. Zhu Xiulin mentioned," He Yan cautiously asked, "How should we respond, CEO?"
Qin Haochen pondered for a moment before lifting his hand lightly.
He Yan nodded understandingly. "CEO, I won’t respond to Mr. Zhu Xiulin for now."
"Mm."
---
The Maserati took a detour, arriving at Bay Villa a moment after the Bentley.
The Bentley parked steadily at the castle gates. Qin Haochen got out of the car but didn’t see Little One’s figure. He sent a message to his mother, asking about her whereabouts.
Old Mrs. Qin replied promptly, sending an instant location.
They were five minutes away from Bay Villa.
Qin Haochen felt puzzled. The journey from the art exhibition to Bay Villa shouldn’t have taken this long. A sense of worry crept in as he waited at the castle gates for Little One to return.
Five minutes later, the Maserati drove into Bay Villa and parked by the castle gates. Qin Haochen hurried forward. Without waiting for the bodyguard, he personally opened the rear door of the Maserati.
Seeing Ann safe and sound, his worries eased. Qin Sui’an, not fully awake, heard the door open and groggily opened her round eyes.
In her blurry vision, she seemed to see her handsome father approaching. Her little hands reached out automatically, murmuring in her sleepiness, "Daddy..."
"Ann." Qin Haochen unbuckled Little One from her safety seat and lifted her out.
Nestled in her father’s secure embrace, Qin Sui’an smiled, then slowly closed her eyes and fell asleep again.
Qin Haochen couldn’t help but smile softly. He lowered his head and affectionately kissed her little head.
Lucy got down from the front passenger seat and helped Old Mrs. Qin out of the car.
Qin Haochen took a step aside with Little One in his arms, then quietly asked his mother, "Mom, was there something on the way?"
Old Mrs. Qin explained, "Nothing serious. I just took a cautious detour."
Qin Haochen breathed a sigh of relief. He had thought something had happened to delay their return.
Dinner was ready, with Old Mr. Qin and Little One’s brothers waiting in the dining room.
The smell of food woke Little One’s appetite. Her little nose twitched, and her heavy eyelids slowly opened again.
Qin Haochen carried her towards the dining room, noticing her gradually waking up. He chuckled softly, bending down to kiss her small forehead lovingly.
As they entered the dining room, everyone who had been sitting stood up in unison, creating a commotion.
Old Mr. Qin had been waiting anxiously at home, and he walked forward to greet his granddaughter and wife. He had been worried about them leaving the house, but thankfully, they returned safely.
Seeing his wrinkled brow and sigh of relief, Old Mrs. Qin smiled, "Didn’t I keep you informed the whole time? Why worry so much?"
Wiping the sweat from his forehead, Old Mr. Qin sat down with her, "I can only be at ease when I see you both."
Qin Haochen settled Little One into her child’s chair. Her brothers gathered around.
Qin Qianyi squeezed to the front, staring up and down at Ann before asking, "Ann, did you have fun at the art exhibition?"
"Big brother, it wasn’t fun, but it was pretty," Qin Sui’an replied in her childish voice.
Qin Yaoyu quickly followed up, "Pretty? Did you buy any paintings?"
"I did!" Qin Sui’an nodded her small head, holding up a cute little pinky finger. "I bought a painting for mommy."
"Just one?" Qin Lvzheng seemed surprised, glancing towards their grandmother. "You only bought one?"
Meeting her third grandson’s gaze, Old Mrs. Qin nodded gently. "Ann bought one, and I bought a few. If you want any, I’ll get them for you later."
Qin Niexun glanced at his brothers and bluntly exposed them, "Grandma, they want the painting Ann bought to give them."
Old Mrs. Qin naturally understood. She chuckled and shook her head, "You boys, it’s just Ann’s money. Don’t think about having her buy things for you."
Qin Sui’an listened to her brothers and grandmother talking. Her big round eyes blinked twice, "Do my brothers want paintings?"
All six brothers shook their heads simultaneously, saying in unison, "No, we don’t want any."
After Grandma said that, they didn’t feel comfortable thinking about asking Ann to buy paintings for them.
Old Mr. Qin tapped the table, "Alright, sit down, everyone. Ann must be hungry."
The brothers quickly returned to their seats, not daring to let their precious little sister go hungry.
Qin Haochen sat next to Little One, feeding her dinner in small bites. He asked his mother, "Did you meet Zhu Xiulin at the art exhibition?"
Old Mrs. Qin ate slowly, swallowing her food before nodding, "We did. At first, I thought someone was following us the whole time. Lucy told me it was Mr. Zhu Xiulin."
Qin Haochen paused, his tone shifting instantly, "He was following you?"
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