"And they're not good to Sister Zhaodi either!" An'an grew more and more indignant as he thought about it.
When the family on the other side kept shouting his name, An'an became even more annoyed. "How do they know we live here?"
Qin Ningyi also found it strange. "Do you want to go down and see?"
Although An'an really didn't want to, they kept blocking the car, and it wasn't a solution.
As the few people made a fuss, the rear car door finally opened. Qin Ningyi's handsome and distinguished face appeared before them, and An'an finally got out of the car.
"An'an!" Liu Cuihong ran over. "I heard you found your father. Auntie came to see you!"
"How did you know I was here? Isn't Qinghua brother supposed to be studying? Why aren't you at home reviewing properly?"
An'an remembered the day he was about to leave, when Sister Zhaodi cried and wanted to study. They said Qinghua brother needed to study and they didn't have enough money, so they pushed and pulled Sister Zhaodi out the door. Seeing him, they taunted him, saying he was a bastard and couldn't find his father, and even if he did, he'd surely be a homeless bum!
"We heard you found your father and even solved your Sister Zhaodi's schooling problems, so we came to see," Li Dayong said with a grin, sneaking a glance at Qin Ningyi. His dignified demeanor truly made him look like a wealthy person.
"Are you An'an's father? Thank you for helping my daughter get admitted to university," Li Dayong said, walking up to Qin Ningyi. His honest and simple appearance made people unable to help but listen.
Liu Cuihong nudged him, and Li Dayong continued with a chuckle, "My son is no worse than his sister! Come here, Qinghua!"
He beckoned Li Qinghua over to Qin Ningyi. "Look at my son. He's diligent and hardworking in his studies and will surely achieve great things. He just needs a good school! Why don't you find him a good school too, while you're at it?"
Qin Ningyi looked at the slouching, somewhat lazy young man before him, feeling none of the diligence and hard work Li Dayong spoke of.
Li Qinghua smiled slightly. "Uncle Qin, An'an and I are neighbors. We often play together. When Aunt Huo is not home, I'm the one looking after An'an, accompanying him for meals and studying."
The implication in his words was very clear. Liu Cuihong also pointed it out. "What can a girl do? An'an's father, why don't you give the opportunity to my son? He'll definitely be more capable than that little vixen! He'll bring you honor. After graduation, he can work in your company and earn money for you!"
As they spoke, it was as if everything was already arranged. Xiao Konglin was speechless. How could these people think so highly of themselves?
Their group had requirements for sponsoring poor students. When he handled Li Zhaodi's paperwork, he had checked her grades. In a small city, she was considered one of the top students. He had also taken a look at her younger brother. A problem student who could barely pass high school – what were his parents thinking?
Qin Ningyi said nothing, just looked at them intently. Under his gaze, the family finally lowered their voices and fell silent.
After a long while, Qin Ningyi finally said faintly, "Are you willing to trade your daughter's future for your son's?"
"How can you say that? Zhaodi has..." Liu Cuihong was about to argue, but Li Dayong quickly chimed in, "Yes, yes, yes."
An'an was furious when he heard this and raised his voice. "No. Dad, no."
Liu Cuihong glared at An'an. "When adults are talking, what's a child doing butting in? You have no manners for someone who doesn't have a father!"
As soon as the words were out, Liu Cuihong realized something was wrong. She looked guiltily at Qin Ningyi and frowned, trying to explain, "Brother, I didn't mean it that way..."
"Then what did you mean?" When Qin Ningyi heard the words "doesn't have a father," a dense fog began to gather in his eyes, making his thoughts unreadable.
Liu Cuihong met his cold, hard face and his emotionless words, and the explanation she wanted to give died on her lips.
"You all leave. Don't come to bother Sister Zhaodi, and don't come to bother me." An'an's face was as cold as Qin Ningyi's. His face was young, but his words were clear and logical. "You wouldn't let Sister Zhaodi study, and now that you see my dad is successful, you want to take advantage. Haven't you taken enough advantage of us before?"
"Sister Zhaodi is so good. If you don't like her, then don't look for her. We don't owe you anything, and we won't waste our energy helping you." An'an thought of Sister Zhaodi's injuries, her tearful pleas when she left, and the image of her getting up before dawn to work every day. It was so unfair.
An'an looked up at Qin Ningyi. "Dad, can you chase them away? An'an doesn't want to see them. They're too bad, not good parents at all."
Qin Ningyi saw the disgust and sadness in An'an's eyes. He stroked his head and said in a deep voice to Xiao Konglin, "Since when can people block cars in front of Jin Cui Tiandi? What were the gatekeepers and security guards doing today? Investigate it thoroughly."
Xiao Konglin nodded and made a phone call, clearly explaining the situation.
As soon as An'an returned to the car and sat down properly, someone came out from Jin Cui Tiandi to resolve the matter. Qin Ningyi didn't have time to deal with it further and let the driver drive away.
The family that was driven away went to Li Zhaodi's workplace, crying and begging her to ask Qin Ningyi to find a school for Li Qinghua.
The restaurant called the police. Later, Qin Ningyi learned about the incident through Su Nianzhu. Thinking of An'an's low mood, he made a phone call and gave some instructions. Li Zhaodi was anxiously awaiting punishment from the restaurant, but the news she received was that she was being transferred to a different work environment. As for Liu Cuihong and Li Dayong, for some reason, they suddenly returned to their hometown as if someone were chasing them.
An'an had been in low spirits lately. His deskmate, Zhou Qingyan, accompanied him every day, offering comfort and trying various fun toys to cheer him up. An'an was very happy to have such a good friend. Although the toys were too childish for him and held no interest, he still accepted them with gratitude.
This Sunday, a new artist was holding a painting exhibition in Yu Chang City. He had also received an invitation from a business partner. He originally had no intention of going.
But thinking that An'an was good at drawing, he asked, "An'an, there's a painting exhibition. Do you want to go see it?"
"What kind of paintings? Who painted them?" An'an became interested, and his low mood of the past few days dissipated instantly.
Seeing him happy, Qin Ningyi smiled and handed him the invitation. "Take a look. Do you recognize some of the characters?"
An'an took the invitation and recognized most of the characters, especially the painter's name, Xia Qingxue.
This time, An'an's dimples reappeared. "It's my godmother!"
Qin Ningyi nodded. When he saw the name, he had asked Xiao Konglin to investigate, and it turned out to be An'an's godmother. She was indeed remarkable, considered one of the best among young painters.
"We have to go! An'an wants to go!"