Volume One, Chapter 15: The Son’s Jealousy Drives Him Mad
Qin Yi could hardly believe his eyes.
He anxiously patted Xu Mingyue’s shoulder. “Aunt Yue, is that my mother?”
Xu Mingyue followed Qin Yi’s gaze.
For a moment, she was stunned as well.
The little boy Lin Qiao was holding looked so much like her.
Lin Qiao… could she have another son?
Before Xu Mingyue could respond, Qin Yi stormed toward the stage in anger.
By now, the voting had ended.
Lin Qiao and Huo Xiao were holding so many roses they could barely manage them.
The host announced that Lin Qiao’s group had won.
Qin Yi rushed onto the stage and shouted at Lin Qiao, “Who is he? You are my mother!”
He saw the woven Ultraman toy in Huo Xiao’s hand and snatched it away.
“That’s mine! All mine!”
Lin Qiao remained calm. “Xiao Yi, give the Ultraman back to Xiao Xiao.”
“No!”
Seeing Lin Qiao protect the little boy, Qin Yi became even angrier.
He threw the woven toy to the ground and stomped on it repeatedly.
“I won’t give it to him!”
Everyone looked on sadly as the delicate, almost artistic toy was crushed beneath Qin Yi’s feet.
Lin Qiao did not lose her temper. She gently spoke to Huo Xiao, “Auntie will make many more beautiful little animals for you.”
Although Huo Xiao was upset, he heard Qin Yi call Lin Qiao “Mom.” At this moment, he could no longer focus on the destroyed Ultraman toy.
His thoughts were chaotic, but he obediently nodded.
Lin Qiao’s affection for Huo Xiao deepened; she couldn’t help but kiss the top of his head.
Qin Yi was consumed by jealousy.
These used to be his! He didn’t even want them!
And now, Mom was giving them to someone else!
He shouted, “Don’t make any for him! They’re all mine! Where did this bastard come from?”
Lin Qiao finally lost her patience.
“It seems I haven’t raised you well all these years.”
“From now on, I am not your mother, and these woven pieces will no longer belong to you.”
Qin Yi burst into tears.
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Xu Mingyue hurried over and gently patted Qin Yi’s back, scolding Lin Qiao, “How can you be so cruel to your own son?”
Qin Yi snapped back to himself and, looking at the gentle and comforting Xu Mingyue, shouted at Lin Qiao, “I don’t want you! Dad doesn’t want you either! Bad mom! You’re so much worse than Aunt Yue!”
Lin Qiao took Huo Xiao’s hand and prepared to take him to receive their prize.
She said calmly, “Well then, I wish you and your new mother happiness.”
Qin Yi’s face flushed with anger. Xu Mingyue was pointed at and whispered about by onlookers, hearing words like “the other woman.” Embarrassed, she picked Qin Yi up.
“Forget it, Xiao Yi, let’s go.”
Qin Yi sobbed quietly into Xu Mingyue’s shoulder.
When he looked up, he saw the host handing the grand prize to Lin Qiao and Huo Xiao.
The Ultraman toy he had longed for!
Qin Yi turned his head, unwilling to watch any longer.
Mom was so cruel! He would never forgive her!
At this moment, Huo Xiao held the Ultraman toy but could not feel happy.
He realized that Lin Qiao really wasn’t his mother.
She had her own son.
Noticing Huo Xiao’s disappointment, Lin Qiao gently pulled him close and whispered an explanation.
Huo Xiao listened quietly and nodded obediently.
“Auntie probably isn’t really my mom. I still have to wait for my real mother to come back.”
Lin Qiao’s heart ached.
She couldn’t bear to tell him that his parents were no longer alive.
At that moment, the host approached.
“Congratulations. Besides the Ultraman toy, the first prize includes a two-day, one-night family photo trip to the ancient town. The hotel, lodging, and activities are all arranged and ready to go anytime.”
Lin Qiao looked at Huo Xiao’s reaction and saw his interest.
She softly asked, “Shall we go together?”
Huo Xiao nodded, his mood lifting.
Seeing the staff clearing the leftover materials, Lin Qiao thought of the woven toy Qin Yi had crushed.
She wanted to buy some from the staff to make more for Huo Xiao.
The staff generously pulled out a large box. “They’re all yours! Nobody knows how to weave these anymore, and they were going to be thrown away.”
He couldn’t help but praise, “Miss, your skill is really impressive.”
Lin Qiao nodded and took the box.
“Thank you.”
She held Huo Xiao’s hand and took him home.
When they arrived at the Qin residence, Qin Chen was sitting in the living room reviewing documents.
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“Uncle Qin! Look at my Ultraman!”
Huo Xiao proudly showed Qin Chen the woven Ultraman toy Lin Qiao had just re-made for him in the car.
“Auntie made it for Xiao Xiao; only he has one.”
Huo Xiao loved the gift so much that he held it high for Qin Chen to see clearly.
Qin Chen looked closely at the little hand holding the toy, his expression focused as if gazing upon a precious treasure.
Lin Qiao felt slightly embarrassed.
“It’s just a little thing I made casually. Nothing special.”
Qin Chen withdrew his gaze and patted Huo Xiao’s head, signaling him to play on his own.
Then he turned his attention to Lin Qiao. “Miss Lin, you’re very talented.”
A simple woven toy rarely earned such praise from the head of the Qin family.
Seeing Lin Qiao’s disbelief, he asked, “Miss Lin, would you be willing to make a few for me as well?”
Lin Qiao was puzzled. What would Qin Chen do with these little toys meant to amuse children?
He explained, “Recently, Qin Corporation has been negotiating with an investor who happens to have twins about Huo Xiao’s age. They should like these.”
Lin Qiao nodded in agreement since she had brought back plenty of palm leaves.
Following Qin Chen’s request, she wove a few small animals. When finished, she wasn’t very confident.
Gently tapping the woven animals on the table, she said, “Mr. Qin, do you think these little woven animals are appropriate as gifts from Qin Corporation? I’m not sure they’re good enough.”
“Miss Lin, do you lack confidence in this area?”
Lin Qiao was taken aback. She indeed felt uncertain.
Throughout her marriage, she had been belittled and suppressed.
She was never a person who lacked self-esteem.
But in recent years, she had repeatedly questioned and scrutinized herself.
Especially after Qin Yi had thrown away the little woven dinosaur, she plunged into self-doubt.
Qin Chen picked up the little woven animals.
He said earnestly, “Miss Lin, it’s the thought that counts. Those who receive them will surely treasure them.”
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A few days later, Lin Qiao unexpectedly received a call from her former mother-in-law, Cheng Ru.
Cheng Ru’s tone was as arrogant as ever. “Lin Qiao, those little woven animals you made for Xiao Yi before—I need them now. Make a few and send them to the Qin residence today.”
Without hesitation, Lin Qiao refused, “I don’t have time.”
On the other end, Cheng Ru gritted her teeth. “Lin Qiao, consider it paid for. Just name your price.”