Why does she look even younger and more spirited than she did ten years ago?
Qin Jinfang's family had been living off the Qin family's charity for years, but he hadn't seen his elder brother and sister-in-law for a full decade.
In his opinion, his brother and sister-in-law must have lost their minds to abandon the comfortable, affluent life in the city and choose to live a poor life in the countryside.
"Grandpa, aren't we going home?" Qin Luoyun asked.
What was grandpa staring at? Following her grandfather's gaze, Qin Luoyun saw Susu.
"I think I just saw your great-grandpa. Come on, Yunyun, let's go visit your great-grandpa's house!"
Qin Jinfang decided to pay a personal visit to the Qin family, to investigate the situation.
If his elder brother and sister-in-law really had returned, he could seize the opportunity to ask for some property.
After all, the old couple were getting on in years, and who knows when they might kick the bucket.
Tricking them into writing a will could mean he would eventually get a share.
It was undoubtedly better than always looking to his nephews for money with a servile attitude.
Besides, the meagre amount of money his nephews gave him each time was never enough for his expenses!
###
No sooner had Susu and the Qin family elders returned home than Qin Jinfang brought Qin Luoyun for a visit.
"Big brother! Is it really you? I saw you at the gate of Hongfeng Kindergarten and thought I was mistaken!"
Qin Jinfang approached warmly, his face alight with excitement.
In terms of age, the Qin patriarch was a good seven years older than his younger brother, but standing together, the patriarch still looked the younger of the two.
"What brings you here?" asked the old Mr. Qin, his brow furrowing.
He had never liked this brother of his, idle and averse to proper work.
If it weren't for the fact that he was the only brother he had, he might have cut ties with him long ago.
The Mrs. Qin also disliked her husband's brother, who had often come to their house in the past to scrounge, always thinking of ways to get money from them without working!
Seeing Qin Jinfang approaching, she quickly cradled Susu in her arms.
No matter what, this man could create trouble, but he must not hurt their precious daughter!
"I just went to pick up Yunyun when I saw someone from afar who looked a lot like big brother, so I thought I'd come over and check it out. I didn't expect it to really be you!" Qin Jinfang said excitedly.
"Hmm, your aunt and I have come back, and we plan to stay for good this time," said the old patriarch, well aware that Qin Jinfang's visit had no good intentions.
"Big brother, how come you didn't let me know in advance that you were coming back?"
"Why should I notify you in advance? Were you planning to pick me up? Or throw a welcoming banquet for me?" the old Qin shot back, clearly unimpressed.
"No, no, it's just that we haven't seen each other for so many years. It seemed right that we should catch up now that you're back!" Qin Jinfang said with a smile, seeming to be in good humor.
As if to prove that he was really there to catch up, Qin Jinfang pulled Qin Luoyun forward to introduce her to the older Mr. Qin: "Big brother, this is Yunyun, my granddaughter. I've sent you her photos before!"
Qin Luoyun quickly called out "Great-grandpa" obediently.
Then, as her grandpa had taught her, she said, "Great-grandpa, you are so amazing. Yunyun admires you a lot. Yunyun wants to be amazing like great-grandpa one day!"
She had long been told by her family that her great-grandpa was very powerful and wealthy. If she could make him like her, she'd have endless delicious food to eat, a pretty house to live in, and beautiful clothes to wear.
Her grandpa also told her that great-grandpa liked girls very much, but their family only had boys. They would surely like her a lot once they saw her.
The senior Mr. Qin glanced at Qin Luoyun, his reaction muted: "Hmm, just as sweet as in the pictures. Make sure she's raised well; don't let her turn out like your son."
The old patriarch was not unkind to Qin Luoyun, but his reaction was not as enthusiastic as Qin Jinfang had hoped.
Qin Jinfang, a little disappointed, suddenly noticed Susu by the elder Mr. Qin's side.
She was like a delicate porcelain doll, with bright, sparkling eyes.
This little girl was even prettier than his granddaughter!
Could it be because of this little girl that his elder brother and sister-in-law were lukewarm in their response to his granddaughter?
So, Qin Jinfang curiously inquired about the little girl's identity: "Big brother, who is this little girl?"