Chapter 23: I Have Hoped My Father Would Become a Dragon, Part 8

"Thank you, Uncle."

Ruan Jiaojiao’s cheeks flushed a delicate pink.

She obediently climbed into the back seat, while Qin Zhan took the passenger seat up front.

Qin Zhan suffered from carsickness—something Qin Ye had noticed when he’d brought the boy over that morning and saw he looked somewhat unwell. Later, when they took Yang Xiufen for a spin, she’d clutched at her chest complaining of discomfort, dizziness, a tightness in her chest, and nausea.

Qin Ye had initially thought there might be some undiscovered ailment at work, only to realize it was simply carsickness. Yang Xiufen was so frugal she rarely took the bus, preferring to walk whenever possible, and never took taxis. She’d never traveled far enough to realize she even got carsick.

Qin Zhan, on the other hand, had often taken the bus and never felt ill, but he’d never ridden in a taxi before. Mother and son were frugal in the same way.

For the carsick, sitting up front or by a window could alleviate much of the discomfort. Qin Zhan, who had been heading for the back seat, was thus summoned to the passenger seat.

"By the way, Uncle," Ruan Jiaojiao said, "I haven’t told you that my uncle’s family and Qin Zhan’s live in the same complex—how did you know?"

She realized only after getting in the car that this didn’t make sense. A streetwise man like Qin Ye could easily end up with a whole car full of girls.

He merely thought this to himself, hands casually turning the steering wheel as he navigated around potholes, keeping the ride as smooth as possible and avoiding sudden stops—anything to spare the carsick passenger further distress.

His voice was nonchalant, chatting with Ruan Jiaojiao in a laid-back manner. "Of course, I know. Your uncle and I grew up together; so did your father."

"You know my dad, Uncle?"

"Of course."

Ruan Jiaojiao was puzzled. Who exactly was Qin Ye, that he knew both her father and uncle? His tone made them sound like they’d all come from the same village.

She was certain, however, that she’d never met anyone like Qin Ye before—a man so striking and singular in his charm. If she had, she wouldn’t have forgotten.

After a moment’s hesitation, she asked, "Uncle, are you… Qin Zhan’s…?"

"I’m his father."

Ruan Jiaojiao nearly blurted out, "But didn’t Qin Zhan’s father die a long time ago?" But she caught herself.

Qin Zhan didn’t refute it either.

His lack of protest meant that, awkward as he was, he tacitly acknowledged this new father figure. It was just a matter of pride holding him back for now.

But all that was minor in the grand scheme of things.

Qin Ye, satisfied with the conclusion, was in good spirits, answering every question Ruan Jiaojiao threw his way—though he didn’t tell her about his predecessor’s tragic story.

He’d shared the original’s hardships with his newfound son and Yang Xiufen, both to clear up past misunderstandings and to dispel the notion that Qin Ergou had built a new life and abandoned his family. Such a misconception needed to be set right. If Qin Zhan kept believing his real father had simply walked away, he’d never truly accept him.

If he let his past go unspoken, trying to spare mother and son from his suffering, things would likely grow more complicated in the end.

As far as Qin Ye was concerned, there was nothing in his life he couldn’t say. Sword cultivators never played at schemes or intrigue.

As they neared home, Ruan Jiaojiao, who’d been asking questions the whole way, felt thirsty and, out of habit, gave Qin Zhan a light smack on the head. "Get me some water."

Qin Zhan didn’t seem angry, just helpless—a sign he’d been on the receiving end of this gesture more than once.

Qin Ye, however, frowned slightly.

Qin Zhan had already introduced Ruan Jiaojiao to him, and as soon as he heard the name, he’d known she was the female lead. Qin Ye’s impression of her was positive—she seemed much more normal than the heroine from his previous world, who’d always seemed a bit off. This one was just an ordinary girl, maybe a bit more polished and cute, and perhaps a touch airheaded.

But that good impression was slightly diminished now.

Without realizing it, Qin Ye was already developing a protective streak. He forced the frown from his brow.

Kids at that age were close and casual with their friends. It was normal.

Having reassured himself, Qin Ye parked the car outside the complex as usual.

The residential area had never been designed with parking in mind. Ten years ago, only the wealthy owned cars, and they wouldn’t live in this kind of building—originally constructed to house villagers displaced by urban development. Now, with cars in every household, the layout couldn’t be changed. If a car drove in, pedestrians had to press themselves against the walls to pass.

So the entrance was always packed with parked cars, but at least this was a dead-end street leading only to the complex, with no through traffic.

Ruan Jiaojiao, not having finished her water, shoved the bottle into Qin Zhan’s hands without a word of thanks or farewell to Qin Ye, and wandered off on her own.

Qin Ye, who’d had a good impression of her: …

"Heh, your friend’s got quite the personality," he remarked.

Qin Zhan: …

He searched for an excuse, but no explanation could justify Ruan Jiaojiao’s behavior—using people and then tossing them aside, calling him ‘uncle’ when she wanted a ride, then not even saying goodbye afterward.

In the end, all he could manage was, "Mom probably isn’t home from work yet."

A complete non sequitur.

Qin Ye nudged his leg, not too hard but just enough to earn a disgruntled glare from Qin Zhan.

"Your mom lost her job at the restaurant," Qin Ye told him. "The boss wanted to hire a relative, so she was let go."

Qin Zhan froze, his annoyance forgotten, replaced by concern. "Is she alright?"

"With your father here, what could possibly go wrong? It’s just as well she left. That boss of hers was terrible—couldn’t even bother to buy gloves for his workers. Have you seen your mother’s hands? They’re ruined from all that work."

Qin Zhan’s heart ached for his mother. Still, he said nothing. He knew Yang Xiufen wouldn’t listen to him anyway, and he felt like he was the burden dragging her down. What could he do? Could he earn enough to keep her from working so hard? Could he take her place?

He could do neither.

All he could do was study hard, take odd jobs when he could, and try to lighten her load. There was nothing more he could offer.

As for giving up on his studies, that was out of the question—Yang Xiufen would never stand for it.

"Don’t overthink it. Your father’s got money. If you want to keep working at the barbecue place, that’s fine—summer break is coming and you’ll have plenty of free time. It’s a good way to toughen up."

Qin Zhan hadn’t expected his secrets to unravel so quickly. For so long, Yang Xiufen hadn’t noticed a thing, but now with Qin Ye around, it was as if his cover was falling off on its own.

He felt numb.

Dinner that night was lavish. Yang Xiufen had stewed chicken, fried ribs, stir-fried pork, a cold black fungus salad, and a cabbage and tofu meatball soup.

Qin Zhan tried to stay restrained, but after finishing one bowl, he couldn’t help himself and quickly filled another.

He ate heartily, while Qin Ye picked at his food, eating like a bird.

Even Yang Xiufen shot him a sideways glance.

Qin Ye pressed a hand to his chest in mock distress. "Ah, that’s just how my body is now. Luckily, I managed to find you two, and you didn’t reject me. Now, I could die with no regrets."

"Ergou, what nonsense are you talking? Don’t say such unlucky things. Death, death—ptooey, ptooey, ptooey!"

Yang Xiufen spat three times as if trying to ward off the bad luck.

But even after doing so, her expression remained troubled.

Qin Zhan suddenly found his meal lost all flavor.

In the heavy silence, Qin Ye’s voice drifted through. "The old man changed my name. I go by Qin Ye now. Could you stop calling me Ergou?"

"Ergou, that’s what you’ll always be! You owe the two of us, so don’t even think about dying early. Death won’t solve anything. You need to keep living, walk behind me at my funeral, and see Tuantuan become successful and return in glory to honor me!"

Qin Ye’s expression twisted into an odd, playful smirk. "Da Ni, you’ve improved—you’re using idioms now."

Yang Xiufen: …

Her face contorted briefly before she composed herself. Seeing Qin Zhan had finished his rice and soup, she looked at him with motherly affection.

"Tuantuan, if you’re full, go to your room and do your homework. Leave the rest for your father."

If Yang Xiufen had offered to do it herself, Qin Zhan wouldn’t have shirked his share. But since she said to let the new father handle it, he obediently got up and went to his room to study.

Qin Ye: …

Fine, fine, so the whole family’s made of leaky jackets, huh?

He didn’t refuse. Putting on the air of a timid daughter-in-law, he cleared the table, washed the dishes, and mopped the floor.

After all that, Qin Ye thought: We need to move. This house is unbearable. And we need a housekeeper. If I have to do these chores every day, I’ll lose my patience and stab this wretched quest to death.

After finishing his homework, Qin Zhan still went to the barbecue place for his part-time job.

The owner was actually quite good to him. Most people didn’t want to hire unreliable part-timers, and Qin Zhan was not only unreliable but also frequently late or left early. The place didn’t even need extra help; the boss had simply taken pity on him and offered a job. He often grilled a plate of meat for Qin Zhan to take home, making up excuses so the boy would eat—worried that he’d go hungry rather than spend money on food, and harm his health as a result.

So, even after Qin Ye had shown him a vault filled with gold bars, making him realize he now had support and his mother needn’t struggle anymore, he didn’t quit the job right away. He wanted to give the boss advance notice, so the man could get used to him not working there, before leaving with a clear conscience. Otherwise, if the boss had helped him and he turned around and let him down, Qin Zhan would never forgive himself.

At night, as usual, father and son shared a room.

With Qin Ye covering for him, Yang Xiufen never discovered that Qin Zhan was out working part-time, even though she was home all day.

When Qin Zhan slipped back into the house, changed out of his smoke-stained clothes, washed up hastily, and lay down in bed with his eyes closed, ready to sleep, Qin Ye’s voice floated from the darkness:

"Do you like that friend of yours?"