This meal didn't turn out to be as enjoyable as one might have expected. Given He Yun's injury, the atmosphere was rather subdued, and silence hung heavy in the air.
"He Yun, I'm planning to move out and live on my own," Qin Xuan said softly as he laid his chopsticks aside.
"Move out?"
He Yun was taken aback and promptly refused, "No way!"
Her delicate eyebrows knitted tightly together, and she feigned annoyance. "Don't you dare think that just because I got hurt, I can't look after you. That was just a mishap. You've got nothing to worry about."
Qin Xuan locked his gaze on He Yun, remaining silent, simply regarding her in quiet contemplation.
The atmosphere froze over once again. He Yun's show of irritation gradually faded, and she pursed her lips before uttering, "If you're dead set on moving out, you'll have to run it by Sister Xiu first."
"Okay,"
To everyone's surprise, Qin Xuan nodded in agreement.
He Yun and He Yu gaped at Qin Xuan, astonishment written all over their faces. In the past, getting Qin Xuan to call his parents was like pulling teeth – far more difficult than one could imagine.
Yet now, he'd consented so readily.
"Little Xuan, you'd better think this through carefully! Your living allowance is so paltry that you'd struggle to make ends meet if you moved out on your own!" He Yun's tone softened a notch. After a moment's hesitation, she added, "Besides, I'd be worried sick if you were living by yourself..."
Living allowance?
Su Yunyue was somewhat taken aback. She was well aware of where Qin Xuan resided. That villa of his was top-notch, even by the lofty standards of Jiangnan. It was nestled snugly against the mountains and beside a serene body of water, boasting an exquisitely elegant environment.
She cast a sidelong glance at He Yu and He Yun, a flicker of puzzlement in her eyes.
Didn't they have a clue?
"Then why don't we all move out together!" Qin Xuan flashed a warm smile. "As it happens, I'd be just as worried about you living alone."
"Your injury is a real headache. If you carry on practicing martial arts, it'll seriously endanger your life."
He Yun started, then shook her head resolutely. "Don't be ridiculous. I don't earn much. How on earth could I afford to move out?"
He Yu chimed in with a scornful laugh from the side, "You're a freeloader. Do you even have the faintest idea how tough it is to make money?"
Qin Xuan's brows creased ever so slightly. These days, several of the businesses under the Ju Yun Xuan umbrella were in his name. Barring any unforeseen setbacks, he'd rake in at least several million yuan a month. Money had never been much of a concern for him.
It was only now that it dawned on him that He Yun worked for an ordinary international trade company, taking home a meager five thousand-plus yuan a month, barely enough to cover the rent and He Yu's school expenses.
"Besides, what's the difference between living outside and here?" He Yun reasoned. "Don't go off half-cocked. I won't give my consent."
"I own a villa in the Yue Ming Villa District. There's more than enough room for each of us," Qin Xuan stated matter-of-factly. "It'll save us a bundle on rent, and it'll make things a lot easier for Xiao Yu's living expenses."
Yue Ming Villa District!
The name elicited a chuckle from He Yun. "Little Xuan, don't pull my leg. Any villa in that district costs an arm and a leg – millions or even tens of millions. Where on earth did you get the money to buy one?"
He Yu was even more dismissive. 'This Qin Xuan is really full of hot air. First, he had the nerve to claim he could cure his sister's injury, and now he's bragging about owning a villa in the Yue Ming Villa District. One tall tale after another.'
Qin Xuan looked from one to the other and finally let out a resigned sigh. "Alright, I'll call my mom!"
With that, he made a beeline for the room.
Su Yunyue was agog with astonishment. Qin Xuan did, in fact, own a villa, but...
She eyed He Yun and He Yu, mulled it over for a moment, and ultimately decided to keep mum. This was their business, after all, and had nothing to do with her.
Back in the room, Qin Xuan fished out his phone and scrolled through to a number he scarcely ever used.
He dialed it, and after a few rings, a mature and magnetic voice came floating through the receiver.
"Who is it?" Shen Xin Xiu was slumped in her office chair, looking utterly drained.
Recently, the Xiu Hua Group had been mired in a slew of troubles, which had left her running ragged. She hadn't caught a wink of sleep for a day and a night.
"Mom!"
Just that one word was enough to make Shen Xin Xiu's expression freeze in place, and all her weariness evaporated in an instant, replaced by sheer elation.
"Little Xuan?!"
Qin Xuan's nose prickled as he heard his mother's voice.
It had been over two years since he'd last reached out to his mother.
"Yeah," Qin Xuan murmured softly, reining in the tumultuous emotions churning inside him.
For Shen Xin Xiu, it had been a long two years, but for him, it felt like an eternity had passed.
Even in his previous life, Qin Xuan had often found himself raising a glass to the moon, lost in memories of the past.
"Why are you calling me? What's wrong? Is it that you're short on cash, or is someone giving you a hard time at school?" Shen Xin Xiu fired off questions in rapid succession. "By the way, how's your body? You brat, you must be taller than before, right?"
Qin Xuan stayed mum until Shen Xin Xiu had exhausted her list of questions.
"I'm fine, nothing's wrong," Qin Xuan said softly, two lines of clear tears trickling down from the corners of his eyes.
"I'm calling this time because I want to move out and live on my own. He Yun asked me to check with you."
"Move out?" Shen Xin Xiu furrowed her brows slightly and said, "Your living allowance is so pitiful. How would you manage on your own? Your father and I set that amount, and you know what a stubborn mule your father is. That's all the money you get."
She seemed to sense that she was being a bit harsh and softened her tone a bit. After all, it was the first time Qin Xuan had called her in over two years.
"If you really want to, I can wire you some more. Five thousand a month, would that be enough? Of course, don't breathe a word of this to your father, or he'll blow his top."
"No need. I can earn enough to get by with a part-time job," Qin Xuan calmed his nerves and flashed a smile.
"Part-time job..." Shen Xin Xiu didn't object. She doled out a few words of caution for Qin Xuan to take care of himself.
After hanging up the phone, Qin Xuan wiped away the tears that had pooled at the corners of his eyes.
Mom! In this life, I'll never let you down.
Later, when Qin Xuan informed He Yun, she didn't put up a fuss. Since Shen Xin Xiu had given her blessing, she had no grounds to object. She just looked at Qin Xuan with a tinge of reluctance.
"Don't practice martial arts!" Qin Xuan reiterated.
"I know," He Yun rolled her eyes at Qin Xuan and pouted. "I'm your aunt. I don't need you to babysit me. You just take care of yourself."
Qin Xuan heaved a sigh. He knew He Yun still wasn't taking his words to heart.
However, it was only for one month. Even if He Yun dabbled in martial arts, it wouldn't exacerbate her condition too much. In his previous life, He Yun had been hale and hearty until he graduated from high school.
Qin Xuan opened the door and strode out. Su Yunyue tiptoed after him.
"What are you doing?" Qin Xuan shoved his hands in his pockets and cast a casual glance back at the furtive Su Yunyue.
Su Yunyue emerged from the shadows with a sheepish grin.
"Why didn't you level with He Yun?" Su Yunyue probed curiously. "You don't seem as straightforward as you look on the surface, do you?"
Qin Xuan regarded Su Yunyue with a detached gaze. "I told the truth just now. Did they believe me?"
Su Yunyue was left speechless. Qin Xuan let out a faint chuckle.
"Since they didn't believe me, why should I waste my breath explaining?"
He spun on his heel and walked away, his tall and slender silhouette stretching long in the fading light of dusk, leaving Su Yunyue staring blankly after him.
"Is he really only eighteen?"
Su Yunyue was filled with disbelief. In her eyes, Qin Xuan was more like an old soul who'd lived a hundred lifetimes, much like her grandfather. That air of composure and nonchalance were far beyond what one would expect from an eighteen-year-old.
Then, she suddenly snapped back to reality and snorted, "Don't think you can make me forget that you said I was 'taking advantage'! Kid, this time I know your name, identity, and address."