8. Expectations

Qin Yichen sat comfortably in the VIP suite overlooking the grand hall, surrounded by his five closest friends from university. Each of them was now a powerhouse in their own right, holding sway in the elite circles of City A.

The air was thick with the camaraderie of old friends who had built their fortunes together, their conversations flowing effortlessly as they caught up on the latest trends and developments in their respective fields.

To his right sat Li Wei, a real estate mogul whose sharp instincts had turned countless developments into gold mines.

Across from him was Zhang Lei, a tech entrepreneur whose innovative startups were making waves not just in City A, but internationally.

Next to Zhang Lei was Chen Rui, a venture capitalist with a knack for spotting the next big thing in business, always one step ahead of the competition.

Beside Chen Rui was Wang Jun, the owner of a chain of luxury hotels that catered to the city's elite, his business acumen matched only by his flair for hospitality.

Finally, there was Tang Min, a prominent lawyer known for his unyielding tenacity in the courtroom, his services sought after by the wealthiest and most powerful.

As they sipped their drinks, the conversation shifted from casual banter to more serious topics—mergers, acquisitions, the rise of new competitors, and the ever-changing landscape of City A's business world.

Li Wei was animatedly discussing a new development project in the city's outskirts, while Zhang Lei chimed in with his thoughts on the future of AI in tech startups.

Chen Rui, always the opportunist, spoke of a promising new investment opportunity in the medical field, while Wang Jun shared insights on expanding his hotel empire-'Imperial', to other cities.

Qin Yichen listened, contributing his thoughts here and there, but his mind occasionally drifted to the party below. 

The event had been unfolding smoothly, with Qin Yichen and his friends enjoying the exclusive atmosphere in the VIP suite. The suite now housed six hostesses, each more charming than the last, adding to the lively yet intimate mood of the evening.

Chen Rui, known for his scandalous lifestyle, had already excused himself to a private room with his chosen hostess, leaving the others in the suite to continue their flirting and drinking. The air was filled with light laughter and the clinking of glasses, but the sound of a phone ringing abruptly cut through the playful atmosphere.

Qin Yichen slowly pulled his phone from his pocket, glancing at the screen before standing up. "I'll see you guys later," he said, his tone casual but firm as he answered the call and moved toward the door.

"Leaving already? Bored?" Wang Jun called out with a hint of concern in his voice.

As the owner of the hotel, he felt responsible for ensuring his friends were enjoying themselves and was surprised to see Qin Yichen making an early exit.

Qin Yichen shook his head, a faint smile on his lips. "No, something came up," he replied, waving off Wang Jun's concern as he continued toward the door.

Once in the elevator, Qin Yichen's demeanor shifted, becoming more focused and intense. As soon as the doors opened into the underground parking lot, he entered the backseat of a car with a driver who had been waiting for him. They exchanged a brief conversation before Qin Yichen answered a phone call.

****

Xu Fan was just about to scream for help when she recognized the person now standing in front of her. It was her father-in-law,Qin Yichen's secretary named Su Yize.

A wave of relief washed over her, but it was short-lived. Su Yize's sharp eyes, partially obscured by his round-rimmed glasses, held a vacant expression that made her uneasy despite the familiarity.

'What a surprise,' she thought, trying to mask her concern with a forced smile.

" Miss Xu, the master requests your presence immediately," Su Yize stated flatly.

"Father?" Xu Fan whispered, her worry deepening. "Is everything alright?"

Instead of answering, Su Yize adjusted his glasses with deliberate slowness, a smile tugging at the corners of his mouth. He loosened his grip on her arm, but the silence was unsettling.

"Follow me," he commanded, the words heavy with an authority she couldn't ignore.

Startled by his tone, Xu Fan paid and apologized to the Uber driver, then hurriedly caught up with Su Yize. She trailed behind him, her mind racing with thoughts of what her father-in-law could possibly want from her at this hour.

As they walked back into the lobby of the hotel, Xu Fan felt the weight of onlookers' stares. Some seemed to recognize her, their knowing looks adding to her discomfort, while others gazed at her with curiosity. The tension was palpable, and she found herself holding her breath until they entered the elevator.

The moment the elevator doors closed, sealing them off from prying eyes, Xu Fan finally gave in to the questions swirling in her mind.

"Are we going home?" she asked, her voice tinged with hope and fear.

Silence.

She was just about to give up when Su Yize responded, "Not quite."

Her heart sank. 'What the hell is that supposed to mean?' she thought, her anxiety spiking as the elevator descended. She could feel that something was amiss, and the cryptic nature of Su Yize's responses only heightened her unease. The tension in the air was thick, and the journey down felt like an eternity.

'Ding.' The sound of the elevator reaching its destination brought Xu Fan a momentary sense of relief. As the doors slid open, the sight of the underground parking lot greeted them, cold and dimly lit.

Just as they stepped out, a sleek black luxury sedan pulled up in front of them, coming to a stop with a quiet hum. The car's tinted windows made it impossible to see who was inside, and Xu Fan's unease returned.

Secretary Su moved swiftly, approaching the backseat door and opening it with a practiced gesture. He stood aside, silently urging her to get in.

The sound of her heels clicking against the concrete floor echoed through the empty parking lot as Xu Fan walked toward the car. Her heart pounded in her chest as she peered into the backseat. The figure inside was partially shrouded in shadow, but she instantly recognized him.

Cautiously, Xu Fan slid into the car, her movements careful and deliberate. She murmured a quiet "thank you" to Secretary Su as he gently closed the door behind her. He then walked around to the front passenger seat, leaving her alone in the back with the man who had summoned her.

Turning her head, Xu Fan lowered it respectfully and greeted her father-in-law. "Hello, Father," she said, her voice soft yet steady. "You called me?"

Qin Yichen, the patriarch of the Qin family, sat beside her, his face unreadable in the dim light. He was a man of few words, known for his stern demeanor and commanding presence. Tonight, however, there was something different in his eyes—a hint of something that made Xu Fan's stomach twist in apprehension.

"Xu Fan," Qin Yichen began, his voice low and measured. "There are matters we need to discuss."

Xu Fan nodded slightly, her mind racing. 'What could be so urgent that he had to meet her like this, in the dead of night?'

She couldn't shake the feeling that whatever was coming would not be pleasant.

The car began to move, the soft hum of the engine the only sound in the otherwise silent space. Xu Fan glanced at her father-in-law, trying to gauge his mood, but his expression remained impassive.

"Have I done something wrong?" she asked cautiously, breaking the silence.

Qin Yichen remained silent for a moment, his gaze fixed on the window as the city lights flickered by. Then, he turned to her, his eyes sharp and penetrating.

"Not yet," he said finally, the weight of his words hanging heavily in the air. "But you need to understand that being part of this family comes with responsibilities and expectations."

Xu Fan swallowed hard, nodding in agreement. "I understand, Father."

Qin Jiancheng leaned back in his seat, his gaze never leaving her. "Good," he said, his voice carrying a warning. "Because from now on, there will be no more mistakes. Do you understand?"

"Yes, Father," Xu Fan replied, her voice barely above a whisper. The atmosphere in the car was thick with tension, and she could feel the gravity of his words settling heavily on her shoulders.

The car continued to glide through the city streets, but Xu Fan's mind was elsewhere, racing to understand the implications of this conversation.

She had always known that life in the Qin family would be challenging, but now she was beginning to see just how high the stakes really were.