OL CH29

It was actually the head of the Qin family, Qin Yichen! How could this god of calamity be here?!

Second Young Master Ji’s voice was barely a whisper; neither the woman beside him nor Ji Yirou caught what he said. Their attention was entirely captivated by the formidable aura radiating from the man before them, leaving them completely oblivious to their patron’s sudden terror.

As a son of the Ji clan, even though Second Young Master Ji was an incompetent dandy who could only swagger about by leaning on his family’s prestige, he still understood who he could cross and who he could not.

Cold sweat dripped down his forehead. Ji Er knew full well that this man was notoriously ruthless to deal with.

The Ji family was powerful, but compared to the deeply rooted Qin clan, they were by no means a match.

He had heard Old Master Ji recount the terrifying methods of the Qin patriarch countless times. Just two days ago, the He Group, which had dared oppose the Qin family, had been taken down by authorities over corruption, bribery, and illicit dealings.

That the He Group collapsed so swiftly, and that the Qin family swallowed it whole with lightning speed, was inextricably tied to Qin Yichen.

Furthermore, word had it that the Ji family was currently striving for a crucial partnership with the Qin family. If they secured this project, the Ji family could rise to greater heights.

If he offended the head of the Qin family and sabotaged this deal, Old Master Ji would flay him alive!

At this thought, Second Young Master Ji hurriedly waved back the bodyguards. He then watched the man step forward without a word, expressionlessly walking up to the boy who had charged at him moments ago and throwing an arm around the youth’s shoulders.

Half-embraced, Bai Su stiffened for an instant. Yet knowing the man was backing him up, he quickly relaxed.

Though it was obvious at a glance that the people opposite were dangerous to provoke, Bai Su inexplicably felt that this man, whom he had only formally met today, was far more formidable than all of them combined. Unconscious feelings of trust and reliance quietly bloomed in his chest.

Noticing this, Chen Tian felt his heart soften. His darling was just like a little wild beast whose fur had just been stroked smooth: resting obediently in his master’s embrace, no longer baring his teeth or claws at external threats.

Subconsciously tightening his arm around him, Chen Tian felt all the more satisfied!

Observing Chen Tian’s protective posture and the gentle gaze he cast toward the youth, Second Young Master Ji’s triangular eyes darted about.

Judging by this display, could the head of the Qin family have taken a fancy to this boy?

Taking a closer look, the kid had red lips and white teeth, radiating sunny vigor coupled with an untamed, wild charm. He was indeed exceptionally dazzling, certainly possessing the qualities to turn heads!

To think that the Qin patriarch, a man renowned for remaining strictly detached and clean of scandals, would fall for a young lad, Second Young Master Ji was rather dumbfounded.

Yet even if the current turn of events defied his expectations, it did not stop him from pivoting his attitude on a dime.

Noticing how deeply Chen Tian valued the boy, Ji Er promptly turned his ingratiating smile toward Bai Su, chuckling heartily: “A misunderstanding, all a misunderstanding! I hope this young master won’t take it to heart.”

“Second Young Master, you are far too good-tempered! They bullied our Xiaorou!” Hearing this, the glamorous woman wore a look of disapproval.

Ji Yirou sensed that the man shielding Bai Su held considerable status, yet she could not care less at this moment. With the Ji family backing her, her initial trepidation had vanished.

In her eyes, the Ji family was a prominent household of great repute. In her previous life, aside from a tiny handful of behemoths like the Qin family, which prominent clan didn’t show them courtesy?

Therefore, terrifying as this man’s aura was, he surely wouldn’t casually offend the Ji family for Bai Su’s sake.

With this thought, Ji Yirou repeatedly hypnotized herself: she was no longer a nameless orphan girl, but the proud Eldest Miss of the Ji family!

Understanding Second Young Master Ji’s vain temperament and love for saving face, she immediately put on a tearful show, sobbing as if terribly wronged: “Father, Su Zhaozhao and the others are always bullying me! Just now, they hit and cursed at me on purpose, shoving me to the ground! I didn’t want to lower myself to their level, but… but they actually insulted my parents! Isn’t that insulting you? That’s why I couldn’t hold back!”

“That’s not true at all! She was the one who ran over and started insulting us first!” Su Zhaozhao retorted in outrage, before flinching at the terrifying glare Ji Yirou shot her.

Just then, a pair of warm hands rested reassuringly on her shoulders. Turning around, she saw the trusting gaze of her beloved Brother Bai Su, and plucked up her courage once again.

“It wasn’t like that! Ji Yirou called me an ugly monster, called Brother Heipi a black demon, and said the children in the orphanage were wild brats unwanted by any mother or father! I was furious, so I scolded her back, but I never insulted her parents! All of us in the welfare home are in the same boat, so why would I ever insult someone’s parents? And she tripped and fell on her own later, none of us pushed her!”

The little girl spoke with earnest conviction. She had always been sensible, gentle, and kind, never telling lies; Director Mama and Bai Su believed her immediately.

Hearing Su Zhaozhao recount that Ji Yirou had called them wild brats unwanted by parents, the other children grew equally furious. It struck right at the deepest, most painful wound in their hearts.

Seeing everyone glaring at her in anger, clearly believing Su Zhaozhao, Ji Yirou burned with intense hatred.

Why was it like this again? Why did everyone always take Su Zhaozhao’s side, believing this wretched girl after just a few sentences!

Recalling her miserable fate in her past life, Ji Yirou grew frantic with rage. She shrieked, “You’re lying! You’re lying!”

Fortunately, she still remembered where she was and didn’t lose control completely.

The woman holding her hadn’t expected her to become so hysterical; she hurriedly hugged her and patted her back, soothing her ceaselessly.

Once Ji Yirou quieted down, the woman pointed angrily at Su Zhaozhao and snapped, “So young, yet full of lies! How can a child like you be so vicious!”

“And the rest of you too, none of you are any good!” Saying this, she rolled her eyes at Bai Su in deep disgust.

She assumed that Bai Su being protected by this man was likely no different from herself and the other playthings kept by Second Young Master Ji.

Seeing someone throw dirty looks at his darling, Chen Tian’s gaze turned instantly icy.

Seeing this, Second Young Master Ji felt a chill down his spine, inwardly cursing the mother and daughter for their stupidity, just as the man opposite scoffed coldly.

“Vicious? I’d rather return that word to your precious daughter.”

“Ji Er, I saw with my own eyes today when this Miss Ji pushed my little friend right into the busy street. If I hadn’t arrived in time, wouldn’t she have caused a loss of life?”

At this point, Chen Tian shifted his piercing stare toward Ji Yirou. “So young, yet so sinister; this is a first in my life. A vulgar mother and a vicious daughter, Second Young Master Ji’s taste is truly unique.”

As Chen Tian spoke, he separated a sliver of fine divine sense and struck it sharply into the girl’s brain domain.

The biting mockery turned Second Young Master Ji’s face red and white, leaving him entirely incapable of rebutting.

More importantly, he could feel Qin Yichen’s profound fury, which chilled him to the marrow. He hurriedly forced an ingratiating smile: “Master Qin, Master Qin, please don’t be angry! How about…”

While Second Young Master Ji babbled placating excuses, Ji Yirou’s mind went completely blank for an instant.

Hearing Ji Er address Chen Tian as “Master Qin,” she realized this was a man of the Qin clan. To make Ji Er this terrified, could he be Qin Yichen, the head of the Qin family who had died young in her past life?!

Even if she hadn’t met Qin Yichen in her previous life, she had heard countless legends about him.

Realizing he had just wounded her with harsh words on behalf of these orphans, her jealousy toward Su Zhaozhao flared into sheer madness. In that fraction of a second, the string of Ji Yirou’s sanity snapped completely.

“Shut up, all of you shut up!” The girl shrieked piercingly, completely out of control as she screamed without restraint: “You’re the vicious, vulgar wretches! Filthy scum! Ah!”

Smack!

Second Young Master Ji’s palm struck across Ji Yirou’s face without hesitation.

He felt this girl looked nothing like the well-behaved child he had arrived to pick up; she was purely an unhinged madwoman!

Terrified, Ji Er bowed deeply to Chen Tian, apologizing frantically: “I’m so sorry, Master Qin! This child lacks manners and speaks nonsense. Please be magnanimous and forgive her!”

Ji Er’s throat parched from pleading for mercy. The woman beside him was equally stunned by the sudden turn of events, instinctively moving to support Ji Yirou. But catching Second Young Master Ji’s venomous glare, she froze completely.

Only now did she realize that the man opposite them was a formidable figure even the Ji family dared not offend.

Chen Tian waved his hand with apparent impatience at the chaotic spectacle, gesturing for him to take them away. Before they left, he added coolly, “One final word of advice, Second Young Master Ji: don’t go planting seeds of disaster for yourself.”

Ji Er nodded and bowed repeatedly, hustling everyone away as fast as his feet could carry him. On the way back, recalling Chen Tian’s warning sent a shiver through his bones.

Glancing at Ji Yirou beside him, whose eyes were bloodshot and whose face was twisted in maddened fury, he wondered: would bringing such a daughter back truly win him any advantage?

She dared speak to the head of the Qin family like this right now; before Old Master Ji, could she bring him anything other than disaster?

Suspicion flooded Ji Er’s thoughts, and he could no longer muster a pleasant expression for the woman who bore Ji Yirou either.

Back then, he had only taken a fancy to her looks and spent some cash on a brief fling. Who knew she was as stupid as a pig, lacking tact and greedily insatiable, which was why he had quickly grown sick of her and paid her off to leave.

It was only learning she had his daughter that made him agree to see her again and offer her some perks.

Judging by this, the child borne of such a foolish woman was indeed rotten to the core. Whether to bring her back to the Ji residence required some serious reconsideration…

Leaving them aside, Chen Tian had already put the Ji clan out of his mind.

The mental strike just now was merely a minor lesson.

As for how Ji Yirou failed to return to the Ji ancestral estate like in her past life, instead dumped onto her birth mother by Second Young Master Ji to be raised outside, still stuck as an illegitimate daughter living at the whim of others’ moods, or how her damaged consciousness led to ceaseless migraines and daily nightmares, none of this concerned Chen Tian.

At this moment, he was busy farming favorability points from his little partner in the welfare home.

Successfully handling the Ji family had already earned Bai Su’s immense gratitude, but hearing what the man said next made him feel utterly incredulous.

“You truly intend to sponsor our welfare home?” Bai Su looked at Chen Tian with joyful surprise.

“Yes,” Chen Tian smiled, ruffling the boy’s hair.

“It’s far more than that!” A clear voice rang out. The secretary who had escorted Su Zhaozhao and the others back stepped inside carrying a briefcase.

He bowed respectfully to Chen Tian, drew a document from his briefcase, and handed it to Director Wang: “Apologies for the delay, I had to handle some urgent documents and just made it back. This contract was authorized by our CEO. Please take a look.”

Seeing Director Wang accept the papers, the secretary pushed his glasses up the bridge of his nose and continued: “President Qin has always been passionate about philanthropy. Hearing recently that a welfare home in the north of the city was facing hardship, he instructed us to investigate and resolve all issues here permanently.”

“The buildings and land here have now been acquired by the Qin Corporation, and the Qin Corporation is willing to provide them to the welfare home free of charge. You may live here with complete peace of mind from now on. President Qin has also arranged for renovations to begin shortly, upgrading the living conditions for the children and adding sports and recreational facilities. Furthermore, the Qin Corporation will allocate a dedicated annual fund for the welfare home to guarantee the children’s nutrition, daily living, and education. Once the children grow up, those with outstanding character will receive priority internship opportunities at the Qin Corporation.”

“The document contains further details; please have a look, Director.”

“I-is this real?”

Director Mama looked at the invaluable stack of documents in shock, feeling as though she were dreaming.

And it was a beautiful dream that should have been impossible!

Bai Su looked similarly dazed. While the children nearby didn’t understand the specifics, most grasped that this man was going to repair their houses, provide them with food, and send them to school, prompting them to erupt into cheers.

The secretary noticed that his CEO had been watching the boy from today’s “car accident” with a warm smile the entire time, a sharp glint flickering in his eyes.

Stepping forward at the right moment, he smiled at Director Mama: “Director Wang, every word is true. If you have concerns, we can discuss the details in your office.”

Saying this, the secretary gestured politely.

Completely unaware that the secretary had casually taken charge, Director Wang followed him toward the office in a daze.

The remaining children dispersed slightly, though quite a few still lingered curiously nearby, watching Chen Tian.

Seeing this, Chen Tian leaned close to Bai Su and asked with a soft chuckle, “Xiao Bai, won’t you show me around?”

Hearing this, the boy nodded immediately: “Of course! Y-you can follow me!”

Bai Su was still overwhelmed with excitement. When looking at Chen Tian, a trace of eager warmth colored his eyes, feeling that this man was simply the best person in the world.

Not only for treating his injury and resolving the confrontation, in Bai Su’s eyes right now, Chen Tian was the great benefactor of their entire welfare home!

So even though the grounds were modest, Bai Su diligently showed Chen Tian around every corner, introducing each area with earnest care.

“Are you happy?” When they reached a secluded corner, Chen Tian suddenly leaned in to ask the boy.

Bai Su knew what Chen Tian was asking about, offering a shy smile: “Very happy! Mr. Qin, thank you so much!”

His heart was brimming with gratitude toward Chen Tian.

“Then… do you want to come stay by my side? I feel we hit it off quite well. You are a special child, and I see a unique resilience in you. As long as you work hard, you will surely accomplish great things in the future. I hope you can come to my side so I can nurture you properly.”

Chen Tian spoke with heartfelt concern for the boy’s future, gleefully thinking that now that he had resolved Xiao Bai’s greatest worry and reaped a massive harvest of favorability points, he should be able to abduct him home!

With such an outstanding partner, keeping him by his side was the only way he could rest easy!

Of course, Xiao Bai was still young, so he could use the excuse of grooming a trusted confidant for now. Once the boy grew up and came of age, he could take advantage of being close by to… cough cough cough!

Chen Tian’s mind was filled with vivid daydreams of their wonderful future. When Bai Su heard his words, however, he was genuinely stunned.

Did Mr. Qin mean he wanted to adopt him?

Although he would miss the welfare home, being adopted by such a wonderful person was undeniably a stroke of immense good fortune.

Looking at the man before him, the thought of living with him ignited an intense yearning in Bai Su’s heart.

Even if adopted, he could still visit frequently to look after his younger siblings here. A man as kind as Mr. Qin would certainly never stop him!

“So, are you willing?” Chen Tian asked gently once more, full of patience.

Only then did Bai Su answer in a hurry: “I am!”

His voice was loud and clear. Realizing it and seeing the amused smile in the man’s eyes, he felt embarrassed, muttering shyly once more: “I am willing. Thank you, Mr. Qin.”

“Still calling me Mr. Qin now?”

Seeing this, Chen Tian could not resist pinching the boy’s flushed earlobe, his voice dripping with playful temptation as he began yearningly imagining the scene of his darling calling him gege (brother).

Then, he watched the boy press his lips together. After quite a long pause, looking up at him with a mix of shyness and eager anticipation, the youth called out: “Dad!”

Chen Tian: ???