Although they doted on their daughter, the Qin Family parents had principles when it came to crucial matters.
"Rong Rong, Qin Corporation's hiring standards won't be lowered beyond acceptable limits just for someone's identity. Your Second Brother has already been quite accommodating regarding that boy. Even when Fei joined Qin Corporation, she only established a small studio under a subsidiary, operating independently. She wasn't given any backdoor access to major entertainment industry projects. Otherwise, with her status as the CEO's wife, would your sister-in-law still just be doing photo shoots and working as an 18th-tier small-time model?" Qin's Father said sternly.
Ji Fei: ? That should be a compliment, right?
[Yes, that's right. She's completely relying on her looks to make a living, without any professional skills. She definitely can't participate in any serious projects, but even so, she's dedicated during photo shoots and hasn't brought shame to the company.]
"If you can't handle it, don't take on the job. What's wrong with being a driver? How can someone who knows nothing expect to reach the top in one step? Don't you have to take things step by step in any career?" Qin's Mom also said seriously.
[If Cheng Yue were the type to take things step by step, he would have work experience by now. Isn't it because he's always dreaming of reaching the top in one go that he's ended up like this?]
Ji Fei chimed in with her criticism. Regarding this matter, Ji Fei also felt this man wasn't suitable, so breaking up was for the best.
Hearing everyone speak this way, Qin Rong seemed unable to find any reason to salvage the current situation. Finally unable to bear it, she ran out in tears, locking herself in her bedroom.
Later, probably after hearing that Cheng Yue hadn't actually started working, Qin Xian contacted Ji Fei to inquire about Qin Rong's situation.
Ji Fei told him the truth.
Qin Xian didn't have much of a reaction, only saying, "I see."
Ji Fei felt that Qin Xian was quite pitiable, having rarely involved himself in his sister's affairs, only to end up in such a mess.
"Anyway, Mom, Dad, and I all think the problem lies with that man. You just focus on your work and don't worry about it."
There seemed to be a pause on the other end of the line. "I'm not concerned. This outcome was expected."
Ji Fei wasn't sure if it was her imagination, but she felt Qin Xian's tone carried a hint of amusement as he said this.
Ji Fei: Could it be that he deliberately arranged this to make the other party give up? Unexpectedly, Qin Xian has such a scheming side.
In the evening, Qin Rong was still locked in her room.
Everyone gradually came home and heard about the day's events.
Qin Zhao let out a contemptuous sneer.
"Breaking up without listening to explanations clearly shows someone who's stubborn and self-opinionated. Our little sister has been protected too well by us, she's easily swayed. Whatever others say, she takes as truth. If that guy didn't look down on being a driver, little sister wouldn't have seen any problem with it. In my opinion, breaking up is a good thing. We don't need to do anything; given time, she'll naturally come to terms with it. Later, I'll bring over some handsome guys from the entertainment industry to introduce to my sister. Whether she prefers the young and aggressive type or the cute and innocent type, she can take her pick. Surely they'd be better than some small-time hoodlum?"
Ji Fei suddenly perked up, her radar going off. With sparkling eyes, she rattled off a list of names to Qin Zhao, "Can we choose from these?"
[Young and innocent, young and aggressive, oh ho!]
Qin Zhao: ? I'm choosing for my sister, not for her. Why is she so enthusiastic?
Suddenly feeling a cold aura, Qin Zhao glanced over. Good grief, Second Brother's face had turned a bit green.
"What are you trying to do?" Qin Zhao asked on behalf of Second Brother.
"I've been following their dramas recently. They're quite handsome. It'd be nice to see them in person and feast my eyes," Ji Fei replied with a carefree smile.
Qin Yan, who had watched some of these dramas together with Ji Fei, nodded in agreement.
Qin Zhao immediately protested, "With Second Brother's and my looks, do you really need to look at others to please your eyes?"
"It's a matter of novelty," Ji Fei said with a serious face.
[No matter how handsome you two are, it's useless. It's those unfamiliar, shy young handsome guys who turn red when teased that are interesting. These guys have all shown their upper bodies on TV, their physiques are well-trained. Who knows, there might even be a chance to touch their abs!]
The more she thought about it, the more excited Ji Fei became, her smile growing wider and wider.
Qin Yan: "Ahem! I'm going upstairs to check on little sister."
Qin Zhao: "Me too! You little brat, not even eating dinner, trying to rebel, huh?"
Saying this, the two fled at lightning speed.
Ji Fei looked bewildered.
[Wait, we haven't decided which handsome guys to bring to comfort little sister yet!]
She turned around to see Qin Xian staring at her expressionlessly, though his eyes seemed somewhat dangerous.
Ji Fei blinked, not thinking much of it, and followed the other two to check on Qin Rong's situation.
Qin Xian let out a quiet sigh. Just as he was about to leave, he heard Qin's Father and Qin's Mom's footsteps behind him.
Qin's Father stepped forward and patted Qin Xian on the shoulder. "Ahem, the desire for beauty is universal. Young girls, you know, they love to chase stars... As young people say, Fei just has many 'wall flowers'. However..." Qin's Father leaned in close to Qin Xian's ear and whispered, "If Fei continues to be this open-minded and stops caring about you, you'll end up without a wife!"
Qin's Mom also stepped forward and gave him a sidelong glance. "Taking a step back, are you really blameless? You can't blame Fei. What kind of husband doesn't let his wife touch him? She can only look for substitutes elsewhere."
Qin Xian: What did he say? He didn't say anything!
...And Ji Fei hadn't even tried! How did they know he wouldn't let her touch him?
He couldn't think about it anymore. Qin Xian felt like his head was becoming muddled.
Upstairs, Ji Fei arrived to see Qin Zhao standing at Qin Rong's door, fuming.
"Yes, I just don't like that little hoodlum. I absolutely oppose you two being together."
A muffled voice came from inside the room, but one could sense the person was desperately defending something. "You... you're just bitter about your own failed romance, so you can't stand to see others in love. I think you're not worthy of Sister Xinyue!"
"You!"
Ji Fei provided an unsympathetic commentary: [Qin Rong vs Qin Zhao, Qin Rong wins.]
Qin Yan held back the enraged Qin Zhao who was about to kick down the door, and sighed, "Rong Rong, it's big sister."
Qin Rong, who was upset inside the room, thought her sister would take her side.
But Qin Yan couldn't hold back either, and said, "Actually, I didn't really approve of you and that boy either. Girls really shouldn't date down. It's not about being a snob or a gold digger, it's that in a society dominated by male rights, it's very difficult to find a man who can maintain a balanced mentality in a situation where the woman is stronger than the man."
Qin Yan seemed to recall someone, her eyes gradually filling with disgust as she said, "If you two were together, he would inevitably face criticism and grievances in the future. In the end, it's highly likely that in order to repair his male ego, he would end up oppressing and bullying you elsewhere."
As soon as Qin Yan finished speaking, she heard Qin Rong crying out, "Big sister, you can't assume everyone is like that just because you were betrayed!"
Qin Yan said, "But based on his behavior today, he's definitely not the type who can maintain a balanced mentality, nor would he be willing to compromise himself for you."
"That's because you all were too harsh on him. You can't use such high standards to judge him. It's me who's with him, not you! Big sister, didn't you also try without hesitation back then? Why can't I do the same?"
Qin Yan was left speechless.
[Qin Rong vs Qin Yan, Qin Rong wins.]
Qin Yan and Qin Zhao both looked at Ji Fei with indescribable expressions, then made a gesture inviting her to speak.
[I won't do it. First loves are the easiest to get stuck in, obsessing over details. No matter how much you say, it's a waste of breath. Besides, he's the one who proposed breaking up. With such a strong sense of self-esteem, he definitely won't come back. What's the point of comforting her? The outcome is already decided.]
"...Wuwuwuwu!" (crying sounds)
Qin Yan and Qin Zhao: Qin Rong vs Ji Fei, Ji Fei wins.
For the next week, Qin Rong stayed at home alone, nursing her broken heart. Although she was still very upset, she wasn't a child with a bad temper and had already reconciled with her family. However, there were no signs of getting back together with Cheng Yue. When school started, she listlessly packed her suitcase and returned to live on campus.
One afternoon a month later, during afternoon tea in the back garden, Qin's Mom suddenly received a phone call.
"Hello, this is me... Professor Wang, it's been a long time since we've been in touch. What's the matter?" Qin's Mom was smiling at first, but her expression suddenly changed. "What! You say Rong Rong has given up on applying for the overseas art exchange program?! How is that possible? We haven't heard anything about this!"
"Alright, alright, I understand. I'll ask her about it. Thank you for your concern, Professor." Qin's Mom became anxious and immediately started contacting people.
Qin Yan was also anxiously waiting nearby, after all, that plan was the main reason why her sister chose to study at this school in the first place. For this, she had always worked hard to maintain her position in the professional rankings, no matter how difficult it was. How could she possibly give up the opportunity to study abroad at the temple of art?
When the phone connected, it was unexpectedly a male voice. "What kind of contact name is this? Who are you?"
"Isn't... isn't this my daughter Qin Rong's phone?"
Qin Rong had set her family members' contact names as world-famous paintings, so others couldn't really tell who was who.
As soon as Qin's Mom finished speaking, the other person hung up.
Qin's Mom immediately became anxious, thinking that something might have happened to Qin Rong.
[Oh my god! How long have I not been paying attention? I've missed out on a billion worth of information! What's going on? This is too bold!]
Due to the shock, Ji Fei didn't even notice that the two people beside her had suddenly turned to look at her.
[Qin Rong has actually learned to keep secrets from her family? Three weeks ago, she had already gotten back together with Cheng Yue. The reason she gave up the opportunity to study abroad was because Cheng Yue refused to have a long-distance relationship. He said if she went abroad, they would break up, so Qin Rong decided not to go.]
[Ah, this... This isn't just being love-struck, this is like a wild vegetable excavator.]
