12. He Was Also a Partner

“That young man up front, you seem quite comfortable listening, don’t you? I remember you,” Old Master Qin said again, immediately shifting the focus forward.

Ji Hanxiao, sitting in the passenger seat, hadn’t expected to be singled out despite keeping a low profile. He turned back with a bright smile toward Old Master Qin.

“Old Master, we meet again.”

Wait a moment—what did he mean by that?

Qin Yin and Si Yun were both puzzled. Si Yun wondered how this clear-eyed young man she had brought along seemed to know everyone around her.

“Grandpa, do you know him?”

Ji Hanxiao smiled and replied, “For my first round of funding, Old Master Qin already provided a contract proposal. My team and I are currently considering it. If all goes well, we will cooperate.”

Upon hearing this, Si Yun seemed to recall that when she first met Ji Hanxiao, Old Master Qin had indeed been invited and was seated in the main position.

“Are you going to invest in him? He’s working in AI? From what I know, this industry is still quite unfamiliar domestically. Are you sure?” Si Yun voiced her concerns without hesitation. Ji Hanxiao could only smile wryly—who talks about their own husband like that? If she wasn’t trying to get sponsorship, that would be one thing, but to make things worse like this...

“No way, Yun Yun, you also invested ten million yourself.”

“Yun... Yun Yun?” Qin Yin was the first to lose her composure; that nickname was hers alone!

“Who told you to call me that?” Si Yun blushed deeply, whispering a warning.

Ji Hanxiao laughed and looked toward Old Master Qin.

“Thank you for your recognition. Our studio’s business team will reply to your company before 6 p.m.,” Ji Hanxiao answered.

Si Yun stared at him in astonishment—he really did seem quite proper.

“No, Old Master Qin, I truly think you shouldn’t take such a risk,” Si Yun said firmly once more.

“Yun... Yun Yun, don’t say that. The field I’m in will inevitably become an industry that changes the world; it’s just a matter of time,” Ji Hanxiao said with conviction.

Old Master Qin smiled upon hearing this.

“I believe in his project,” Old Master Qin declared. Si Yun found it difficult to argue further, silently hoping this young man was reliable and wouldn’t let Old Master Qin down. After all, he was her husband.

“Alright then, since Old Master Qin is so certain, I won’t say much. I just hope you don’t make decisions too hastily. Every decision of yours sends chills down my spine,” Si Yun said with a wry smile.

Qin Yin looked at her grandfather with concern and tenderness.

“Grandpa, suddenly taking on so many projects—aren’t you tired? Is our family... facing some trouble?” Qin Yin asked softly.

Old Master Qin gently rubbed her little nose.

“What are you thinking, little girl? It’s just that I want to make use of the little time I have left to do something. I’ve lived a steady life all my days. Although the Qin family’s business remains, it’s too quiet. I have to leave you something good,” Old Master Qin said with a smile. At that moment, Qin Yin’s eyes welled with tears, and Si Yun understood.

The Qin family, as it stands now, though there is a saying that a dying camel is bigger than a horse, once the Qin family falls into the hands of Qin Yin, the sole heir, even the camel would not survive the harsh reality—it would collapse outright.

“Grandpa, you—”

“Yin girl, you’re grown up now, why are you crying? Grandpa originally wanted to find you a good match, but since you’re not very clever, I can’t entrust you to anyone else. The only person I can trust is this one here.” Old Master Qin looked at Si Yun.

Si Yun was overwhelmed by the favor.

“Me... me?” she thought to herself. I’m a woman.

“More than a man, I firmly believe that as long as you can be with Si Yun, it will offset your...” Old Master Qin didn’t continue but looked resolutely at Si Yun.

“So, bring me the inheritance rights to the embroidery house. No matter what it costs to hold this embroidery exhibition you’re planning, this old man will support you.”

It all happened so suddenly that Si Yun was momentarily at a loss.

That day truly held too many events.

That evening, just after finishing her shower, Si Yun was still reflecting on the day’s happenings when she saw the young man she had found on the phone in the living room.

“Boss, where the hell have you been the past two days? Are you even going to keep your company? You can’t dump everything on me and Little Bu. I haven’t slept for twenty-six hours. Do you want me to drop dead in your office?”

“Alright, stop nagging. You haven’t even wiped the drool from the corner of your mouth yet. Have you sent the contract reply to the Qin Corporation?”

“I sent it as you instructed this afternoon, but Boss, I feel a bit shortchanged. The contract from Tengyou in the capital is actually better than Qin’s and more favorable to us. Why did you choose Qin’s?”

“Oh, I didn’t pay attention,” Ji Hanxiao answered irresponsibly. Si Yun paused while drying her hair. Although she didn’t want to eavesdrop, this was truly frustrating. She had thought Ji Hanxiao would be more meticulous, especially since he had carefully reviewed the prenuptial agreement.

“Wait, what’s with that long hair behind you? Boss, you’ve got a female ghost behind you!” the voice on the video call suddenly shouted in terror.

Si Yun could even hear the sound of someone falling from their chair onto the floor—it must have hurt.

Ji Hanxiao glanced back at Si Yun, who felt her ears warm and shot him a glare.

“Don’t you have a study? Next time, don’t make conference calls in public places,” Si Yun admonished.

Ji Hanxiao obediently nodded. Si Yun then looked at the video screen, focusing on a scruffy little boy who looked even younger than Ji Hanxiao—a genuine little puppy dog, just a bit messy in appearance.

“And I’m not a female ghost,” Si Yun said with a sweet, forced smile to the video call, then slipped back into her bedroom wearing a light nightgown.

The living room fell silent, and after a long while, Ji Hanxiao’s gaze moved away from the doorway to the video call. Suddenly, four more heads appeared on the screen—five people staring at him in unison.

“What the hell, Boss? What the hell? Not a female ghost, then what is she, a fairy? Where did you steal her clothes?” the little puppy dog asked.

Ji Hanxiao laughed.

“What are you talking about? She’s your sister-in-law.”

“What the heck?”

“Oh my god, did I hear wrong?”

“Wait, did Boss say he’s married?”

“He didn’t say that. He said we have a sister-in-law now...”