In the Years When I Was a Father-Chapter 7: The Playboy Dad (7)

Qi Wenfeng secretly glanced at his dad, seeing him looking at him with a smile. Suddenly, he became a bit flustered and angry, and the thoughts he had been harboring inside came spilling out.
“I’m Qi Wenfeng, your real son, Grandpa’s real grandson. Why don’t I have the right to enter the Qi family or inherit the Qi family’s assets? Is it just because I’m your illegitimate son? But I didn’t choose that!”
After saying this, he couldn’t help but cry. Didn’t he just want a normal family? During every holiday, his dad hardly ever had time to spend with him. He had even secretly seen his dad with that annoying Qi Wenyu a few times, not knowing how much he longed for his attention.
It was like today, on New Year’s Eve. He had never experienced spending the night with his dad for the new year. When he was a child, he would always cry himself to sleep on New Year’s Eve, which is why he loved to act cute to Qi Sheng, afraid that one day he would have no father left.
Qi Sheng, feeling his son’s pitiful gaze, was indeed a bit heartbroken. After thinking for a moment, he said, “Xiao Feng, your dad knows that you understand all those big principles. You’re just a little unwilling to accept them, and I don’t want to talk too much about it.”
Seeing his son pouting at him, Qi Sheng actually found it quite cute. “You see, every tree has only one main trunk. Even if its branches are lush, they can’t change the growth direction of the trunk, or else the tree will grow crooked. The Qi family is like that tree. If we can’t make the trunk clear, it will slowly decline. The Qi family is your grandfather’s lifetime of hard work, so he must handle it carefully. Once he’s decided on the trunk, he must pay even more attention to it.”
Qi Wenfeng understood this principle too, and he couldn’t help but interrupt his dad. “But now, that guy isn’t even Grandpa’s real grandson. Is Grandpa really going to insist on letting him inherit the Qi family?”
Qi Sheng smiled and wasn’t in a hurry to answer. He continued, “The Qi family is your grandfather’s lifetime of effort. Unless something unexpected happens, he naturally hopes his grandson will inherit it. Previously, it was Qi Wenyu, and now it’s Wenyan.”
Although the truth was a bit harsh, Qi Sheng was determined to make it clear. “Wenyan has suffered a lot these years, and to be honest, it was my fault. If I had been there for him and his mother when Wenyan was born, no one would have been able to take advantage of the situation, and Wenyan wouldn’t have ended up abandoned. So, from now on, whether it’s me or your grandfather, we will lean towards Wenyan.”
Seeing his younger son visibly upset, Qi Sheng hurriedly added, “But you’ve been raised by me since you were little, and these years, compared to Qi Wenyu, I’ve spoiled you more. Xiao Feng, I want you to know that even if the Qi family is eventually Wenyan’s, I will never treat you unfairly…”
Qi Wenfeng, unwilling to accept this, interrupted his dad, “So what you’re saying is that I don’t have any right to inherit the Qi family, right? But what if Wenyan doesn’t have the ability? Are we supposed to just watch him ruin the Qi family, all just to make up for the suffering he’s gone through? Am I really not qualified to inherit the Qi family?”
Qi Sheng wasn’t angry at his son’s attitude and continued, “Wenyan has Old Master Qi and the Bai family watching over him. If he still can’t shoulder the responsibility of the Qi family in the future, your grandfather won’t fully hand the Qi family to him. As for passing it on to someone else, it might be you, or it might be Qi Wenyu. The condition is that you have to be more capable than Wenyan, more qualified to bear the responsibility of the Qi family. Otherwise, your grandfather would rather give it to Qi Wenyu.”
Seeing his son’s eyes widen in shock, Qi Sheng couldn’t help but remind him, “Son, the Qi family is your grandfather’s lifetime of work. He cares about the future of the Qi Group more than anyone. Making up for Wenyan’s suffering is one thing, but he will never let the Qi Group fall apart in his hands.”
Looking at his son Qi Wenfeng, who was eagerly awaiting his response, Qi Sheng continued, “So, if you really want to fight for the inheritance of the Qi family, then from now on, you need to work hard, just like your brother Qi Wenyu, and improve your abilities. After all, opportunities are always given to those who are prepared!”
However, Qi Sheng then poured a little cold water on him, “But son, I also need to remind you that becoming the head of the Qi family doesn’t just mean you have the right to squander the family’s wealth. The most important thing is that you must bear the responsibility of the Qi family, just like your grandfather did, sacrificing personal time and putting all your energy into the company’s development.”
Seeing his son deep in thought, Qi Sheng smiled and added, “Look at me—if I had the strength to take on the responsibility of the Qi family, I would have done it. But at my age, I’m ready to retire. So, son, you need to think carefully. Is what you want really what you’re pursuing? Otherwise, you might end up with nothing.”
Qi Wenfeng grumbled, “What you’re really saying is that as long as Wenyan isn’t completely useless, the Qi family has nothing to do with me, right? You say Grandpa worked so hard, but isn’t this just a way to scare me into giving up? No wonder you suddenly gave me a violin today—are you planning to train me in music? You don’t even want me to fight for the Qi family’s inheritance!”
Qi Sheng lightly tapped his son’s forehead with the chopstick handle. “You’re being disrespectful. He’s your older brother. If you really want to develop towards becoming the heir to the Qi family, I won’t stop you, but you mustn’t use underhanded methods. If you do, not only will your grandfather cancel your eligibility, but I will deal with you as well. Your grandfather has already said that he’ll take you back to the Qi family soon. How do you feel about that?”
Rubbing his forehead where it hurt, Qi Wenfeng was both surprised and happy. He couldn’t help but ask, “Really? Grandpa really agrees that I can return to the Qi family? What about Mom?”
Qi Sheng frowned when he thought about Zhou Yan. “Son, to be honest, your mom has too many schemes, and she has her eyes set on things that don’t belong to her. I don’t want you living with her forever. I’ve given her enough money over the years so she can live comfortably, but I won’t give her any more.”
Qi Wenfeng looked disappointed. He lowered his head and quietly ate his food. Qi Sheng didn’t say more, feeling that he had said enough for today. He hoped his son would understand the choices he needed to make, and that he would take responsibility for his own future. As long as Qi Sheng was watching over him, he wouldn’t allow any unexpected issues to arise.
After dinner, the child clung to him for a while before finally heading home obediently. Qi Sheng checked the time—it was already 4 PM. If he went back now, Old Master Qi would definitely give him a cold reception.
When he returned to the Qi family around 5 PM, the living room only had Old Master Qi in it. Upon seeing him, Old Master Qi shot him a stern look, but didn’t scold him as usual. It seemed he had gotten used to Qi Sheng’s behavior.
Qi Sheng, feeling thick-skinned, sat next to Old Master Qi and began eating grapes from the fruit plate, one by one, causing Old Master Qi to roll his eyes at him. Qi Sheng wanted to laugh but dared not.
“Alright, Dad, I just went to see Xiao Feng and also gave Zhou Yan a warning.”
Old Master Qi seemed somewhat satisfied with his response but still cautioned him, “The Qi family is already chaotic enough. Don’t let any unscrupulous people try to stir things up. If something like that happens again, just wait and see how I’ll deal with you!”
Qi Sheng responded without hesitation, “Okay, okay, don’t worry. I’ve got people watching.”