Chapter 15: The Girlfriend I Picked Up

Qin Xiuyi reacted swiftly and leaped up from the couch. "Mom, please don't get angry. If you harm your health because of anger, I won't be able to bear the responsibility.

"If you really find me an eyesore, then I'll leave right now."

"You... you..." Xu Zhilan was so infuriated by his words that she couldn't speak for a moment, but the Qin family members quickly came forward, persuading her with kind words, and gradually calmed her anger.

Qin Siye also hurriedly pulled his little uncle aside to the dining area.

"Uncle, look at you, can't you have a nice talk with grandma? Every time you come back, it always ends in a quarrel."

"It's not like that. Siye, do you also think this is my fault? I didn't provoke her or anything; it's she who can't stand the sight of me."

"What do you mean 'can't stand the sight of'? I think it's more like 'tough love.'" Qin Siye said with a slight smirk, helping him to a chair by the dining area.

Xiuyi is only eight years older than him. Though uncle and nephew, they grew up together like brothers and would talk about everything.

"Don't think that just because you brought home a girlfriend today, you can start lecturing me. Don't forget, I'm still your uncle."

"Yes, yes, you're right. I'm sorry." Qin Siye quickly apologized, then added, "It's grandma's birthday today, she's the queen. We should make her happy, shouldn't we?"

After a slight pause, Qin Xiuyi lifted his gaze toward the couch. "In this house, when is she not the queen."

Then, laughter and happy voices could be heard, and Qin Xiuyi slowly said, "Your girlfriend is pretty good, look how happy she's made the old lady. Where did you find her? When did this happen? I had no idea."

"I picked her up on the street a few days ago." Qin Siye's mind flashed to the image of Yin Xi's disheveled appearance when he first encountered her, and he answered casually.

"What? Picked up? A Lin Daiyu fell from the sky and just happened to hit you on the head?" Qin Xiuyi looked at him with astonished eyes wide open.

"No. Uncle, I'm joking. It's a long story, I'll tell you about it in detail later."

Qin Siye looked into the distance, his voice low as he continued,

"She's not a Lin Daiyu. Despite the huge changes in her family, she showed great strength and composure."

At that moment, Yin Xi was being led around the Qin family villa by Qin Siyue.

The two of them hit it off right away, chatting and laughing as they headed upstairs.

Yesterday, he had picked out three pieces of clothing for her at the mall, thinking she would look decent in them, but he didn't expect them to fit her so perfectly and look so good.

"Really smitten, huh? Look at you, you can't take your eyes off her for a moment. And what about your germaphobia?" Qin Xiuyi followed his gaze with a glance, then teased him.

"It's not what you're thinking; we haven't known each other for long. I'm just not repulsed by her and want to try dating her," Qin Siye withdrew his gaze and said, with an impassive expression.

"It looks like what they say, 'every beast finds its match.' Over these years, she's the only girl you ever brought home; don't deny it."

Xiuyi continued, "If I could meet a girl as beautiful and outstanding as her, maybe I wouldn't stick to being single.

"It looks like I need to drive around the streets more often when I'm free; maybe I can pick up someone too."

As soon as he finished speaking, both men burst into laughter.

"All those debts the Yin family owed, you didn't cover all of them, did you?" Xiuyi continued.

"Yes," Siye neither confirmed nor denied.

Xiuyi curled his lips slightly, offering praise, "You're doing an impressive job as a boyfriend, keep it up!"

At that moment, Xu Zhilan's voice suddenly came from the direction of the sofa, "Siye, come here for a moment."

"Yep, coming, Grandma!" Qin Siye quickly ran over.

When it was time to eat, Qin Xiuyi, holding a wine glass, took the initiative to apologize to Xu Zhilan and promised to take Siye as a role model and learn from him in the future.

Xu Zhilan finally let go of her anger and forgave him.

At this moment, a boy about fifteen or sixteen years old slowly descended the stairs, clad in casual attire.

He had a slender, tall figure and a delicate appearance, which bore a few resemblances to Qin Siye between the brows.

"Why are you only coming down now, after Butler Sun has called for you several times? Today is your grandmother's birthday. How could you be so thoughtless, making the whole family wait for you?" Qin Xiuzhi immediately scolded him upon seeing him.

Qin Siye glanced at the table and whispered, "Aren't you all eating without me anyway?"

"You... how dare you talk back, you're turning insolent," Qin Xiuzhi was livid as he suddenly stood up, ready to swing his fist at him.

Su Rui, sitting beside him, quickly grabbed him.

"Big brother, Siye is still a child, and he's going through a rebellious phase. Why lower yourself to his level?

Besides, today is Mom's birthday. Do you really want to upset her?"

Qin Xiuzhi stopped, his teeth clenched with anger: "He's still a child? He's fifteen years old already. His studies are a mess, all he does is play games and keep pets. When Siye was his age, he had already won numerous awards."

A glint of cold light flickered in Qin Siye's eyes as he bowed his head, remaining silent.

Yin Xi was startled upon seeing this scene, realizing that the Qin family indeed had complex relationships.

Looking up at everyone else, she saw Qin Xiuzhi, Qin Siye, and Qin Siyue all lowering their heads to eat, completely indifferent to the situation.

Only the Su family members and Jiang Jie appeared shocked, trying to intervene.

"Siye, apologize to your father right now!" Qin Xuelan and Jiang Jie said anxiously, urging Qin Sirui.

After a brief pause, Qin Siye finally said reluctantly, "Dad, I'm sorry!"

Then Xu Zhilan, who had been silent, spoke up, "Alright, Xiuzhi, let's put this matter to rest.

Look, this is Yin Xi's first visit to our home, and she has already witnessed two 'battles'. Let's not frighten the child.

Siye, come here and meet your big brother's girlfriend, call her 'sister'."

Only then did Qin Siye notice the beautiful girl sitting beside Qin Siye and his face turned a shade of red as he softly called out, "Sister."

"Hey," Yin Xi quickly stood up and responded.

It was only then that she truly understood that this boy was Qin Siye's younger brother.

However, judging by the state of things and their features, it was clear they did not share the same mother.

After the commotion subsided, the family was finally able to settle down and enjoy their meal properly.

Toasting and chatting joyfully, blessings were numerous and heartfelt.

This was the first time Yin Xi witnessed just how eloquent Qin Siye could be, occasionally making Xu Zhilan burst into laughter, and he would even whisper to his uncle, seeming to have endless topics to discuss.

It seemed that he wasn't always so stoic, he just hadn't met someone he wanted to talk to.

Su Chengyu and Qin Siye had almost nothing to say throughout the meal, and even though they sat together, there was no verbal exchange between them.

Su Chengyu's eyes filled with a reluctant gaze, occasionally glancing over at Yin Xi.

After dinner, as it was still early, everyone lingered in the living room for tea and chat, while Qin Siye went to the backyard to check on his animals.

Qin Siyue, on the other hand, invited Yin Xi to take a stroll in the yard.

They had only been gone for five minutes when screams from Yin Xi echoed from the backyard.

"Ah! Ah! Get away!"