Chapter 6 HeartFelt Family talk

With the memories of his previous life intact, Xiao Feng was deeply aware of the circumstances that had shaped his past.

His parents, Xiao Yunyang and Qin Zhen, had secretly fallen in love and, in their youthful indiscretion, crossed boundaries that led to Qin Zhen becoming pregnant before marriage. At that time, Xiao Yunyang had just started his career as a county official, a position that demanded an unblemished reputation. Various constraints, both societal and professional, had prevented them from formalizing their relationship immediately.

When Xiao Feng was born, Qin Zhen faced the harsh reality that she could not openly raise him. Caught in the web of societal expectations and her husband's burgeoning career, she had been forced to send him to an orphanage. Later, after marrying Xiao Yunyang, the couple became entirely consumed by their ambitions. Xiao Yunyang, whose career trajectory was soaring, had been particularly cautious. Acknowledging Xiao Feng during that volatile period could have provided his adversaries with ample fodder to tarnish his name and sabotage his rise in government circles.

Now, years later, Xiao Yunyang had firmly established himself as Jing Zhaoyin in the capital, a position of significant power and influence. With this stability, the couple could finally acknowledge their son without fear of repercussions, ensuring his rightful place in their lives.

Xiao Feng, however, showed little interest in revisiting the painful details of the past. Seeing this, Qin Zhen let out a soft sigh, her voice tinged with both guilt and relief. "Since Feng'er doesn't want to delve into the past, let's not bring it up. What matters now is that our family is finally reunited."

She cast a fleeting glance at her husband, her lips curling into a faint but heartfelt smile. "We can discuss everything else later. For now, let's let our son enjoy his meal without any interruptions or heavy topics weighing him down."

After a quiet but warm lunch, the family made their way to the study. The room exuded a sense of tranquility, with its wooden bookshelves lined with volumes on law, history, and finance. The subtle aroma of aged wood mingled with the faint scent of fresh tea as Qin Zhen busied herself brewing a pot of high-quality leaves. She poured the tea with utmost care, handing a cup to her husband and another to her son, ensuring they both felt at ease.

Breaking the silence, Xiao Yunyang spoke in his usual composed yet authoritative tone. "Feng'er, you've already graduated from university. Have you given any thought to what you'd like to do next? Have you considered pursuing a career in the civil service?"

Before Xiao Feng could respond, Qin Zhen interjected sharply, her eyes narrowing at her husband. "A career in the civil service? Do you want him to end up like you—constantly busy, working late into the night, and barely having any peace of mind?"

Her tone softened as she turned toward Xiao Feng, her face lighting up with a gentle, affectionate smile. "Feng'er, why don't you come work with the Qin Family Group? Now that I've stepped back from the business, you can take over gradually and learn everything at your own pace."

Xiao Feng, maintaining his composure, shook his head and smiled faintly. His voice was steady and confident as he replied, "Mom, Dad, I appreciate the offer, but I've already made my plans. I graduated with a degree in finance, and I'd like to establish my own investment company."

Qin Zhen's face reflected a mix of emotions—concern for her son's decision but also pride in his determination. "The Qin Group already has a well-established investment division," she suggested eagerly. "Why don't you start there? You can take over its operations and manage the investments. Even if you make mistakes, it's fine. Consider it a learning experience, and there's no pressure."

Despite her past reputation as a commanding and fearless businesswoman, Qin Zhen now wore an uncharacteristically anxious expression. This woman, who had once dominated the corporate world with unwavering confidence, now waited for her son's response with bated breath, her nervousness betraying her strong desire to make amends for the years they had lost.

Xiao Feng could see the conflict in her eyes. He understood her deep-seated guilt and her desire to provide him with opportunities she had been unable to offer in the past. However, he also knew that taking over the family business was not the path he wanted to follow.

Sensing Xiao Feng's hesitation, Xiao Yunyang stepped in, his calm yet firm voice breaking the tension. "Qin Zhen, our son is grown now. He has his own plans and dreams. The best thing we can do is respect his choices."

Qin Zhen looked between her husband and her son, her expression softening as she sighed. "Feng'er, if you're set on starting your own business, do you have enough capital to get started? If not, just let me know, and I'll transfer as much as you need right away."

Her voice carried both concern and acceptance, a reflection of her resolve to support her son in any way she could. She understood the excitement and ambition that came with starting a venture and was prepared to back him unconditionally.

Xiao Feng smiled warmly, his gratitude evident in his eyes. "Thank you, Mom. But I've already saved up enough. It's more than sufficient to get my business off the ground."

Relieved and proud, Qin Zhen nodded, her expression a mixture of contentment and pride. "Alright, Feng'er. Just promise me one thing—if you ever need help, no matter what, don't hesitate to come to us. Your happiness is what matters most."