Chapter 65: The Eldest Grandson

Qin Miaoyu spoke with such certainty that Liang Siyuan no longer tried to persuade her otherwise, simply telling her the time and place for the Saturday meeting with Master Wu.

The atmosphere at this meal was much the same as the day Qin Miaoyu returned to the Liang family—not particularly warm, except for the corner where Qin Miaoyu and Liang Siyuan sat.

At the other end of the table, Second Aunt Liang noticed this and laughed as she remarked to Xi Ruofen, “Sister-in-law, who would have thought that now Miaoyu is back, she actually gets along best with Siyuan, who’s seldom at home? Perhaps their personalities are similar.”

Her words instantly darkened Xi Ruofen’s expression.

She looked toward Qin Miaoyu and Liang Siyuan. They were her own children, yet they didn’t compare to Liang Sixuan—the one who wasn’t even her biological daughter, but was still more considerate!

Second Aunt Liang continued, “It’s true, now that I think of it. Back when you had Sixuan acknowledge those two from the Qin family as her godparents, we thought you’d lost your mind. Who could have guessed there’d be a switched-at-birth twist, and those two hardly got along before either. Both are flesh and blood, Sister-in-law—you’ll have to mediate between them.”

Xi Ruofen’s face grew colder. “Mouths are for eating. If you don’t want to eat, you’re welcome to leave.”

Second Aunt Liang immediately fell silent. Although she was family, the Liang clan always valued the eldest son and grandson above all, handing most of the family enterprises to them. Without such heirs, the second and third uncles’ families had to rely on the eldest brother, Liang Huiyi, for a comfortable life. So they knew their place—an occasional sour remark, but never overstepping.

After the meal, Liang Siyuan, as usual, didn’t stay long before leaving. But before he went, he had the steward bring things from his car as promised—gifts he’d prepared for Qin Miaoyu.

He could have handed them over in private, but seeing how out of place Qin Miaoyu seemed in the Liang family, Liang Siyuan decided to make a statement. At the very least, he wanted everyone to know that Qin Miaoyu had her second brother supporting her.

Sure enough, the rest of the Liang family looked at the gifts with new expressions.

They rarely saw Liang Siyuan being generous, and now he was lavishing expensive presents on this sister he’d only just met.

Custom-made dresses and jewelry, an original signed painting by Master Michel...

Liang Sixuan was so angry she ground her teeth, running outside to ask her second brother why he only bought such valuable gifts for Qin Miaoyu. But Liang Siyuan had already driven off once the gifts were brought in; there wasn’t even a trace of his car left.

Qin Miaoyu hadn’t expected Liang Siyuan’s “surprise” to be so grand.

Hearing the envious, jealous comments from the others, she understood—Liang Siyuan was making a show of backing her up.

For a moment, she wondered, was this what having a real family felt like?

She had the gifts sent to her room and sat quietly on her bed, lost in thought, until her phone—left tossed on the bed—buzzed and pulled her back to reality.

It was a video call from Lu Qi’an.

As soon as she answered, she saw Lu Qi’an’s gentle, smiling face.

And Lu Qi’an, too, saw the slight smile at the corner of Qin Miaoyu’s lips.

“Did something good happen?” he asked.

“Why do you say that?”

“You look very happy.”

Qin Miaoyu was always gentle, with a soft smile, but today her expression wasn’t the mask she wore for the outside world. Even through the screen, it was clear she was truly happy.

She didn’t hide it. “Yes, I’m quite happy—my second brother gave me lots of gifts.”

She listed them one by one, and while Lu Qi’an was happy for her, he also felt a pang of regret that he hadn’t thought to prepare more gifts for her himself.

Her second brother’s name was Liang Siyuan, if he recalled correctly. Since he treated Miaoyu so well, Lu Qi’an decided he’d better find a chance to establish a good relationship with him.

“By the way, when are you returning to Jing City on Saturday?” Qin Miaoyu asked. “I’m having dinner with my second brother and Master Wu that day. If there’s a conflict, I might not be able to see you off.”

Lu Qi’an checked the time and realized there really was a conflict...

Seeing Lu Qi’an’s slightly aggrieved expression on the screen, Qin Miaoyu blurted out, “Why don’t I ask my second brother if you can join us that day?”

“Great!” Lu Qi’an replied so quickly that Qin Miaoyu felt as if she’d walked right into a trap.

But since she’d already spoken, she brought it up with her brother.

Liang Siyuan was silent for a few seconds—just as Qin Miaoyu thought he might refuse, he agreed.

He was thinking it was just as well—he’d never met Miaoyu’s husband. This was a good chance to meet him first. If the man proved decent enough, he’d see if he could give him a helping hand, at least to ensure his sister could live comfortably.

The next morning, Qin Miaoyu saw Liang Qibin sitting quietly with a book in the living room.

Liang Qibin was a very polite child. As soon as he saw her, he greeted her and moved over to make room for her on the sofa.

Qin Miaoyu hadn’t intended to stay in the living room, but seeing his gesture, she sat down.

Before long, her sister-in-law Wei Wei came in.

Spotting Qin Miaoyu, she greeted her warmly. “Good morning, Miaoyu! Qibin hasn’t been causing any trouble, has he?”

“No, I just got here. He’s been quietly reading.”

Wei Wei sat down on the small sofa, pride clear in her voice. “Qibin is a good child—not to boast, but he’s always been able to sit still. Since he’s going to inherit the Liang family someday, we’ve been training him since he was very young.”

Once again, Qin Miaoyu sensed just how much the Liang family valued the eldest son and grandson, just as her second brother had described.

She had learned by chance that, because the family had early on decided Liang Siquan, the eldest brother, would inherit the business, the second brother was never allowed near the management side, to prevent any thoughts of rivalry.

Two generations back, there had almost been a disastrous feud between brothers, so the rule of primogeniture was set.

Now, at just thirteen or fourteen years old, Liang Qibin was already studying English, French, economics, and company management.

The book in his hands at that moment was about economics...

If Wei Wei hadn’t mentioned it, Qin Miaoyu wouldn’t have known what he was reading.

As Wei Wei praised her son, Qin Miaoyu responded politely now and then with a “How impressive,” which made Wei Wei beam with pride.

“We’ll be staying at the old Liang house for a while, so you’ll see more of Qibin. I’m sure you’ll come to like him!”

Qin Miaoyu nodded perfunctorily.

“Oh, by the way, I’ve arranged for the staff from E’s to bring over the latest season’s clothes. Come with me later and pick out anything you like—it’ll go on your brother’s account.”

Qin Miaoyu quickly declined her kind offer. “That’s not necessary. I have enough clothes already—buying more would be a waste.”

It was both the truth and an excuse.

She’d only met her eldest brother twice, and each time, he’d left a mediocre impression.

She could feel it—Liang Siquan looked at her with cold, emotionless eyes.