Qin Zhengze did not intend to force Qin Gu to return to the Qin family immediately and begin learning how to be a qualified heir.
When he was young, he wandered around a lot. His mother always said that while he was young, he should do what he wanted to do. The burden of the family was being supported by his parents, and it was not his place to worry about it for the time being.
His son has no mother to protect him now, so as his father, he can't be any worse than his mother was back then.
However, setting him free is one thing, but making him appear officially as the heir of the Qin family is another.
Last year, he announced Qin Gu's existence to the public, and there has been no news since. Later, Qin Zhengping came back and made a scene, sending Qin Shen abroad.
There were some rumors circulating outside, saying that his son was a fake, and that he was deliberately created to antagonize Qin Shen because he didn't want Qin Shen to inherit the Qin family.
The way he said that made Qin Zhengze sound petty. Why would someone like Qin Zhengping need to be belittle him?
However, he didn't feel comfortable when others said his son was fake. Although the brat was annoying, he was good-looking and talented.
Well, it just so happens to be Qin Gu's twentieth birthday. In ancient times, this was a coming-of-age ceremony for men. He missed it at eighteen, but he's just in time for it at twenty.
After discussing it with Qin Gu, the Qin family decided to hold a grand birthday banquet for him, mainly to introduce Qin Gu to relatives, friends and the outside world.
Because he needed to visit relatives, Qin Gu went to the capital after the New Year and stayed there until his birthday.
For his birthday, he naturally hoped that Ruan Bei could be there, and he also invited other members of the Ruan family.
As early as last year, after Qin Gu recognized his relatives, he told Ruan's parents about it. They were surprised at first, but then they were happy for Qin Gu.
The couple were kind-hearted by nature and mostly thought the best of things. They felt that Qin Gu had found his father and would have someone to love him from now on, which was great.
However, considering that they hadn't seen each other for many years and didn't know what kind of person he was, they specifically told Qin Gu that there would always be a place for him in this family, and if he was unhappy at his father's place, he could come home.
Qin Gu grinned from ear to ear, then secretly reached under the table to pull Ruan Bei away.
As for the Qin family's financial situation, they didn't even ask, let alone think about taking advantage of them.
Qin Gu was too embarrassed to brag about how rich his father was, so he just casually mentioned that his father was quite wealthy.
Ruan's parents listened and then forgot about it, not thinking too much about it. They thought that no matter how rich they were, as long as they were like the Lu family, it wouldn't matter.
It wasn't until they received Qin Gu's invitation to his business banquet that Ruan's parents understood what the Qin family truly represented.
The couple was stunned. Their adopted son had such a powerful background?
After their initial surprise, both of them shook their heads, feeling that it was inappropriate for them to attend such a grand occasion.
Qin Gu tried to persuade him several times, but to no avail, and regretfully gave up.
Ruan Xi wasn't going either. Her parents weren't going either, so why would she go? She felt awkward about it.
Ruan Bei had no choice but to go. If he wasn't there for Qin Gu's birthday, he would definitely be sulking inside, even if he didn't say anything.
Ruan Bei is quite self-aware in comforting her own boyfriend.
Later, when Ruan Bei spoke with Qin Zhengze, he heard that his parents weren't going. Qin Zhengze said regretfully, "I was planning to take this opportunity to discuss with my in-laws and finalize your marriage. Qin Shen beat me to it. Qin Kunkun is really disappointing."
Ruan Bei: "..."
No, no, thankfully my parents didn't agree.
As for his coming out, Ruan Bei felt that he would have to tell his parents sooner or later, but there was no need to rush to say it now.
He and Qin Gu had never hidden their relationship, but since they were naturally close, they wouldn't be affectionate, holding hands or hugging in front of their parents. Ruan's parents thought the two brothers had a good relationship and never thought about it that way.
Ruan Bei and Qin Gu tried to guide their families to understand homosexuality and give them an initial impression.
Ruan Bei plans to talk to his sister first. At most, his sister will scold him a couple of times, but in the end, she will still speak up for him to their parents.
He also came up with a brilliant idea: after his parents learned some of the details, he would tell them that he was born gay and that the blame lay with Lu Minghai and Feng Zhihui, and had nothing to do with his parents.
His parents have always been more accepting of this approach. Ruan Beitai understands them well; when their child has a problem, their first thought is that they haven't raised the child well, rather than simply blaming the child.
But Ruan Bei didn't want her parents to blame themselves, so she directly shifted the blame to Lu Minghai and his wife, which was convenient, quick, and effective.
In early March, Ruan Bei arrived in the capital and moved into a large apartment in the city center, where Qin Zhengze also lived.
Previously, Qin Gu had accompanied Qin Zhengze to the old house to meet his grandfather. Because of what his maternal grandfather had told him, his impression of the old man Qin was not necessarily very good. However, out of respect for his father, Qin Gu at least did his best to maintain appearances.
As a result, the old man invited several young girls to his house, hoping to arrange blind dates for him.
Qin Gu completely gave up on the old man and understood why his father said the old man was senile. He left after meeting him with a cold face.
Qin Zheng slowly stood up, smiling as he instructed the butler to take good care of the young ladies. His voice was neither too loud nor too soft, just loud enough for his father to hear: "My mother has been dead for so many years. If you're lonely and want to have a late-life romance, I, as your son, will have no objections. It's just that these ladies are indeed a bit too young. But if you really like them, then it's up to you."
"You unfilial son—" Old Master Qin was so angry he almost choked. He threw his cane at Qin Zhengze, but fell down before it hit him.
Qin Zhengze dusted off his sleeves and calmly nodded to the old man: "I'll go see where my unfilial son has run off to."
After saying that, he went after his son.
He didn't go to the old house again until Qin Gu's birthday banquet started. That night, Old Master Qin called Qin Zhengping back, and the next day Qin Shen also returned to China.
Let them come back, Qin Zhengze and Qin Gu didn't take the father and son seriously and let the old man go crazy.
On the day of the birthday banquet, Ruan Bei appeared with Qin Zhengze and Qin Gu. Qin Zhengze brought one on each side. With Qin Gu's face, everyone could tell at a glance that he was the crown prince of the Qin family. But who was the other one?
Qin Zheng then introduced her openly and generously: "This is my son's girlfriend, my youngest son. Please take good care of him."
Whether the guests are surprised or can accept it is not within Qin Zhengze's consideration. He can accept that his son likes boys, so he is prepared for people to know. The heir of the Qin family is not so powerless as to not even be able to control his own love.
Of course, even if there are some prejudiced individuals, they wouldn't be so mindless as to reveal it; on the contrary, there are more praises.
If you can't praise them for being a perfect match, then praise them for being a fine couple, like an orchid or a jade tree.
Everyone praised him, and some even started to have wicked ideas. Since the Crown Prince of Qin liked boys, wouldn't it be good to please him by catering to his preferences?
His girlfriend was exceptionally good-looking, with a refined and clear temperament; it would be difficult to find someone better than her.
The few with unfriendly expressions each had their own thoughts.
Xuan Ningcheng was in a state of utter confusion. He was already quite old, and it was rare for him to go out and join in the fun to celebrate his junior brother's birthday. But he found out that the little rascal had already won over his youngest junior brother.
How am I going to explain this to my master? He's so old, and his apprentices already have their own apprentices. I hope I won't get a beating from my master again.
Qin Shen sat in the corner, chugging down glasses of wine.
When he first met Qin Gu at Jinda University, he thought he looked like his uncle, but he didn't tell anyone, not even his father. Perhaps subconsciously, he was unwilling to accept that his uncle had a child.
But what good was his unwillingness? Qin Gu really was his uncle's child, his cousin, and the true heir of the Qin family.
How ridiculous! Lu Sibai is an imposter who got engaged to this fake heir.
Ruan Bei, the real young master, and Qin Gu, the true heir of the Qin family, were childhood sweethearts.
His uncle treated Ruan Bei even better than he treated his own nephew.
It was wrong, it was wrong from the very beginning.
Qin Shen gulped down the wine, the fine liquor tasting bitter to him. He seemed drunk, yet not drunk, his eyes red, a tear falling into the wine, which he then swallowed.
After that birthday party, Qin Gu's information gradually spread. It wasn't common knowledge, but those who were rich and powerful could easily find out more about the guests who had attended the party through various connections.
So when Lu Minghai was chatting with his friends, they mentioned the Qin family's new crown prince. The familiar name made him freeze in shock.
"Old Lu? What are you thinking about?" His friend patted him on the shoulder. "Why that expression?"
Lu Minghai came to his senses: "What did you just say was the name of that Crown Prince Qin?"
"Qin Gu, I must say, the name of the Crown Prince Qin is quite unique."
"Qin Gu... is the 'Gu' in 'firm'?"
"yes."
Lu Minghai suddenly remembered many things. When he had someone investigate Ruan Bei's information, Qin Gu occupied a significant portion of it. Qin Gu was his youngest son's childhood friend, and the two grew up together.
Later at the Ruan family home, the boy stood in front of Ruan Bei, acting as his protector against him.
However, no matter what, Lu Minghai never paid him any attention. An orphan with no parents, living in the Ruan family, was not worth his time.
And what was the result?
It turns out that the orphan he looked down on was actually the precious and noble heir of the Qin family.
ridiculous.
That's ridiculous.
After going around in circles, what he sought was already in his hands. He was willing to offend Ruan Bei to bring Lu Sibai back, but he ended up climbing up to a fake heir.
The real Crown Prince of Qin was right beside his son.
Is this God's arrangement? No matter how much you scheme, human calculations are ultimately no match for fate.
Lu Minghai felt a moment of dizziness, his heart was pounding so fast he could hardly stand it, he propped his head up, his face pale.
If, if he had known the children were switched at birth, had he firmly sent Lu Sibai away and gone to pick up Ruan Bei to take her home?
If he has never wavered or changed his mind, has he already acknowledged his excellent youngest son?
A friend said that Qin Gu brought her boyfriend to the birthday banquet, and the head of the Qin family took the initiative to introduce him, saying that he was their youngest son. Such an honor, such high regard...
"Old Lu? Old Lu, what's wrong? You look terrible."
"I'm fine." Lu Minghai smiled bitterly. He was wrong, wrong from the very beginning. Not only was he wrong, but he also missed the opportunity.
"Are you really alright? Should I take you to the hospital?"
"Need not."
Lu Minghai propped himself up on the table, but then his vision blurred and he collapsed onto the table.
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