Urban Soldier Young Master

Chapter 976 - 975: Negative Appraisal

Despite Qin Yan's reputation for being stern and rigid, earning him the nickname "Iron Face," he couldn't help but smile repeatedly in response to Qin Ruoying's cheerful demeanor."Alright, your dad is over fifty now; do I really need you to teach me about this kind of stuff? Of course, I've already prepared the red envelope for Chu changing his address. Originally, I planned to bring it out at the wedding, but since you've mentioned it, I'll give it to Chu now, and we'll skip it during the ceremony."

Feeling quite comforted, Qin Yan spoke as he was about to turn and head to his bedroom to get the red envelope. Just then, Qin's mother emerged from the kitchen where she was cooking.

"Lao Qin, about the address change, let's wait until the wedding. Why are you rushing? Let Chu call us uncle and aunt for a few more days; there will be plenty of time for him to call us mom and dad in the future."

Though Qin's mother spoke casually, her gaze avoided Chu Ge. She wanted to make a final effort if possible; she truly hoped not to hold this wedding ceremony.

Even though she had informed relatives and friends long ago, and the wedding day was fast approaching, even though the deposit for the banquet had been paid, even though canceling the wedding would make them a joke, she was willing to go through it all if it meant her daughter would leave Chu Ge and lead a peaceful life.

Qin Yan paused and smiled at his partner, "There's no better day than today. I'm not fond of handing out the address change money during the wedding ceremony either, so giving it to Chu now seems good. How about you give Chu your red envelope too?"

"Ah, old detective, do you know anything about life's little pleasures? Important things should be left for important occasions to be meaningful. When relatives and friends attend our daughter's wedding and find out the address change money isn't given, they'll talk behind our backs, thinking we aren't treating our son-in-law well."

Qin Yan was slightly stunned and then laughed, "Seems like that's true. By the way, don't call me old detective anymore; your partner is now a detective team leader, all thanks to little Chu. If it weren't for Chu..."

Before Qin Yan could finish, Qin's mother nudged his arm, "Okay, change your clothes first. Wearing your police uniform doesn't seem like you're at home. The food is almost ready; we'll chat at the table."

"What's wrong with these clothes? Why don't they seem like home attire?"

Qin Yan laughed to himself, muttered a bit, but went to his bedroom and took off his police uniform. Ever since he became the detective team leader as he wished, his whole demeanor has improved, becoming more agreeable. If it were in the past, he might've been somewhat displeased.

"Mom, you..."

Qin Yan didn't say much further, but Qin Ruoying was a bit unhappy. She had adjusted the mood so well, and Chu Ge was on the verge of calling Qin Yan "Dad," but her mother's few words disrupted it all.

Seeing her sister's face turning sour, Qin Ruojing quickly nudged her inconspicuously, pulling her hand. Even though some words must be said these days, she didn't want her sister to begin the conversation.

Given Qin Ruoying's temper, she would ignore everything when her emotions rose and wouldn't hesitate to shout anything out, which could easily create chaos.

Qin Ruojing thought her actions were hidden well, but Chu Ge saw everything clearly. He was quite aware of Qin's mother's intentions too.

By then, Qin's mother's cooking was nearly done, and Chu Ge, Qin Ruojing, and Qin Ruoying didn't return to their rooms. They all went to the kitchen to help, one brought out the dishes, another handled the cutlery, one found the cups, and they hustled a bit together until the dinner began.

The old couple sat on one side, Chu Ge and the Qin sisters on the other, just like before, with Chu Ge sandwiched between the sisters.

"Little Chu, with your condition... could you drink a bit less?"

"Well, the doctor said it's best no to drink, but since I'm home, I should make some effort and drink a few with you, so I'll just have a little."

Chu Ge indeed had a craving for alcohol. He picked up a white porcelain baijiu bottle, stood up and poured a full cup for Qin Yan, filled another for Qin's mother, and poured himself half a cup, while the Qin sisters drank beer.

Once Chu Ge finished pouring the liquor and took his seat, Qin Yan picked up his glass, at which point everyone focused their gaze on him, clearly indicating he had something to say.

"Little Chu, truth be told, I owe you an apology. This first glass, let me toast to you."

"Lao Qin, weren't we supposed to wait for the wedding to change how we address each other, why are you..."

Qin's mother stopped half-sentence when she saw Qin Yan slightly frowned. She swallowed the rest of her words; no matter how she felt about her daughter's marriage, she wouldn't voice it at such an occasion.

Upon hearing Qin Yan, Chu Ge quickly picked up his glass, "Uncle, what are you saying? You're flattering me way too much."

Although Chu Ge could easily take this opportunity and call Qin Yan "Dad," he didn't want to do it. After all, he understood clearly that Qin's mother still had some misgivings, and he wanted to wait until he fully gained her approval before calling them "Mom and Dad" with full confidence.

Moreover, the excuses Qin's mother made before seemed quite reasonable to Chu Ge; important matters are best reserved for appropriate moments.

Qin Yan shook his head, "What nonsense about taking the blame, I knew about your injury but never went to see you. Your mother wanted to, but I thought her presence would just cause more trouble. That's my fault. Even though I was busy with work, that's no excuse. Honestly, I feel truly sorry for you."

Upon hearing this, Qin's mother, Qin Ruojing, and Qin Ruoying were slightly taken aback. As the people closest to Qin Yan, they knew his temperament well. Even if he occasionally did something wrong, he almost never apologized. They couldn't even remember the last time Qin Yan said sorry to anyone.

Holding his wine glass, Chu Ge also shook his head, "Uncle, just hearing you say this makes me content, really. I understand your situation, so please don't take it to heart. Besides, look at me—I'm alive and kicking, aren't I?"

"Good, good kid, I won't say much more, it's all in the wine."

Qin Yan clinked glasses with Chu Ge and drank his glass of baijiu in one go. Seeing Qin Yan finish his drink, Chu Ge downed his half-glass as well.

"Old Qin!"

"Honey!"

"Brother-in-law!"

The voices of three women rang out almost simultaneously, their faces filled with worry and reproach towards the father and son's drinking.

"It's okay, it's okay, it's just a glass of wine, right? Xiao Chu drank, how could I not? This was my toast to Xiao Chu."

Hearing Qin Yan say this, Chu Ge's eyes twitched a bit. He was touched yet a little speechless. Clearly, his father-in-law drank first, and he just followed suit. How did it become his father-in-law following his lead to finish that glass of wine?

"Old Qin, are you crazy? Your liver isn't in great shape, your blood pressure is high, and you treat this fifty-something-degree baijiu like plain water? Xiao Chu is young, but you... sigh, what can I say to you?"

Facing his wife's worried gaze, Qin Yan shook his hand repeatedly and laughed boisterously.

"My dear, look at this, both of your daughters worry more about their brother-in-law than their father with high blood pressure. Over the years, have I failed as a father? Have I truly done too little for them?"

Hearing this, both Qin Ruojing and Qin Ruoying felt a pang in their hearts, wondering if their father, who's been a detective all his life, had noticed something and was testing them?

Earlier, when they saw Chu Ge down half a glass of baijiu, they instinctively cried out. Even if Chu Ge seemed fine, he's still recovering from an illness. So it's only natural for them to be anxious when he downed half a glass in one go.

As the sisters were nervously apprehensive, Chu Ge spoke up.

"Uncle, I might be out of line to say this, but you... are indeed not a good father, not even a good husband."

Chu Ge's sudden words froze the previously harmonious atmosphere at the dining table. Qin's mother, Qin Yan, Qin Ruojing, and Qin Ruoying all turned their eyes towards him.

Qin Yan's face slightly darkened. No matter what, he was the head of the family and Chu Ge's elder. He could joke about himself, but for Chu Ge, as a younger generation, to say such a thing directly... that seemed a bit too much.

Deep down, Qin Yan was a traditional, somewhat chauvinistic man. No matter what he did, his wife and children were not to criticize him lightly. He never thought, even after he admitted his fault to Chu Ge, Chu Ge would still give such a straightforward, negating assessment of him.

Qin Ruojing and Qin Ruoying were constantly giving Chu Ge looks, fully aware of their father's temper. He was the unquestioned authority in the house—saying it nicely. In harsher terms, it meant his "tiger's butt" couldn't be touched.

The sisters couldn't understand what possessed Chu Ge to say such things. Wasn't he just making trouble for himself?

Among those present, the only one not too bothered was Qin's mother. With just that sentence from Chu Ge, it seemed... perhaps there's hope for her to work on Old Qin tonight after all?