Chapter 563: Bringing Food to Join the Enemy

Lady Feng’s birthday banquet started five days ago, yet the main theme was business networking, especially in real estate, investments, and foreign trade, attracting many attendees.

Notable among them were bank presidents, telecom executives, and traditional manufacturing magnates.

Due to Lady Feng’s poor health, greeting guests was quite difficult.

So, lately, it’s been Feng Shihua and Qin Jingqiu who have been entertaining the guests.

The little rich girl stayed close by Lady Feng’s side, occasionally accompanying her uncle and aunt to meet some relatives.

Only when the banquet segment concluded did a moment of peace ensue.

The actual birthday celebration for Lady Feng, where she was the central figure, took place on the fourth day with very close relatives and closely collaborating businesses and leaders attending.

Feng Nanshu sat next to her aunt, watching people in evening gowns interchanging toasts, her expression somewhat dull.

She felt somewhat out of place with the Feng family.

Even the invited relatives for the birthday felt strangers to her.

They seemed less familiar than the plainly dressed folks from Hongrong Homes, like Third Uncle, Grandma Li, and Sixth Aunt.

She could dash to Third Uncle’s store shouting, “Jiang Qin’s family is here!” but couldn’t declare herself as the young lady of the Feng family.

Unsure what to do, she spent her time eating and spacing out alone.

Some distant relatives of the Feng family also felt somewhat estranged towards Feng Nanshu.

Introduced as Feng Shirong’s eldest daughter, relatives and friends would pause, then act overly friendly while muttering, “Didn’t the Feng’s eldest only have a son?”

This situation wasn’t strange.

Her “mother” had protected her too well, unknown to outsiders.

Thus, no one remembered Feng Shirong had a first wife.

Then the banquet officially started, and the endless toasting commenced.

Feng Shihua’s presence was somewhat subdued, most business and political figures initially sought not him but Qin Jingqiu.

But Feng Shihua himself wasn’t much interested in this type of social business; he’d chat more with those who approached him and otherwise discussed Jiang Qin with Feng Nanshu in a relaxed manner.

“Uncle, when can I go back?”

“Do you miss Jiang Qin?”

Feng Nanshu nodded lightly.

Feng Shihua looked at Qin Jingqiu: “Didn’t your aunt borrow you for a week?”

“Better return early, so I can borrow you again next time!”

“You really know how to play your cards,” her uncle teased.

Feng Nanshu squinted her eyes: “I’ll come to see you and aunt again next time.”

After chatting with the Southeast Asian trade king, Qin Jingqiu couldn’t help but come over and glance at them: “Look at me, out toasting by myself while you two sit comfortably.”

“Wife, you know my temperament, I don’t like these settings.”

“Aunt, you know I’m socially anxious.”

Qin Jingqiu pressed her lips looking at them, a light smile on her face: “You two really seem like father and daughter.”

Actually, she was surprised at Feng Nanshu’s behavior these past few days; though she usually had a stoic face when interacting with others, the anxiety in her eyes was gone.

Even in such crowded situations, she could sit peacefully, clearly no longer socially anxious.

Jiang Qin really accomplished in three years what she couldn’t in many.

Actually, there were many well-born and handsome young masters at the banquet who brightened up at the sight of Feng Nanshu and wanted to meet her.

But Qin Jingqiu wouldn’t allow it, so they had to give up.

Can’t help it; my daughter is spoken for.

As time passed, the banquet finally ended, and the visibly radiant Qin Jingqiu was now struggling to stand from tiredness.

On the way back to She Mountain Estate, Feng Shihua skillfully massaged his wife’s shoulders.

Feng Nanshu sat beside them, watching earnestly and learning.

Soon, the driver brought them to She Mountain Estate, but Qin Jingqiu was surprised to find three people sitting in the living room as they entered.

A burly man in a black shirt was making tea.

A woman in a white dress and draped in fur looked well-maintained.

Plus, a little boy sat on the sofa, fiddling with a toy plane.

The man served the tea to the nearby woman and playfully tickled the little boy next to him, his smile warm.

“Big brother? You’re back?”

Feng Shihua stopped in his tracks, surprised.

“Came to wish mom a happy birthday.”

After speaking, Feng Shirong turned to Feng Nanshu: “Nanshu, dad’s back.”

Feng Nanshu was silent for a moment before speaking: “Dad, mom.”

The woman addressed as mom nodded with a radiant smile: “Nanshu, you’re really getting more beautiful.”

The little rich girl, with her right arm around her left, stared at the woman in the white dress and instinctively stepped back.

At this moment, Qin Jingqiu’s expression darkened.

Since giving birth, this woman hadn’t returned from abroad until today; who knows what trouble she has brought now.

“Jingqiu, long time no see.”

“Long time no see, Duan Ying.”

“You should call me sister-in-law.”

Duan Ying, clutching the fur on her shoulders and walking in high heels, came forward: “After all, I’m your big brother’s wife, and Nanshu’s mom.”

Feng Shihua pulled at his wife’s sleeve, then warmly looked at Feng Shirong: “Big brother, it’s been a while since you came back. Let’s talk in my study, catch up a bit.”

“Sure, I also have something to discuss with you.”

“…”

Located on the second floor, the brothers went up one after another and entered the study.

Feng Shihua brewed tea while Feng Shirong, seated on a sofa, broke the silence: “About that thing I mentioned last year, have you considered it?”

“Hm? You mentioned sister-in-law wanting lychees? Didn’t I send a batch over last year?”

“Not that, it’s about Qin’s real estate.”

Hearing this, Feng Shihua paused his tea pouring, then nonchalantly responded: “It’s all family business; does it matter who runs it?”

Feng Shirong frowned: “If it’s all the same, why did Qin Jingqiu set up Qin Real Estate and in just a few years, take so many resources from Fengshi Real Estate?”

“Fengshi was too bloated; it touched everything, creating a bunch of useless departments. Jingqiu and I discussed starting Qin Real Estate to streamline and transition to new commercial property sectors.”

“Okay to start a new company, but why does it end up surnamed Qin?”

Feng Shihua pushed a cup of tea toward his brother: “It’s just a name; is it that important?”

Feng Shirong blocked the tea cup: “Don’t sidestep the issue; you’re not a fool not to care about business!”

“Big brother, when you all moved funds abroad for investment and agreed one should stay to handle business here, Jingqiu, who’s more capable and fitting, got the nod with dad’s and your approval!”

“Approval doesn’t mean she should change her surname; look at the management of Qin Real Estate, all surnamed Qin!”

Feng Shihua, sipping his tea, finally spoke: “How much did you guys lose abroad?”

Feng Shirong remained silent for a while: “You don’t need to worry about that. But her being unable to have children and now the company being filled with her kin—don’t you worry about Fengshi’s future?”

Feng Shihua frowning: “We agreed not to discuss this anymore.”

Feng Shirong, sipping his tea, remained quiet for a long time.

Three minutes later, he rose from the study and headed to the living room.

With his demeanor adjusted, Feng Shirong picked up his son, placing him on his shoulder: “Let’s go, I’ll take you to see the old home.”

Duan Ying chuckled softly, tapping him: “Be careful, don’t drop our son!”

“Got it, got it.”

Feng Shirong jiggled his son, who giggled gleefully, then like a caring father, stepped towards the door.

Taking just a few steps, Feng Shirong paused then turned: “Almost forgot, Nanshu, come back with us?”

“…”

Feng Shirong also had a villa in She Mountain Estate, not far from next door. Though he only occasionally came back during New Year’s, with servants maintaining it, it wasn’t neglected.

News once covered a rich man buying too many villas to live in, ending up enjoyed by nannies and housekeepers. The situation was somewhat similar.

Silent, Feng Nanshu followed the family of three into the “old home,” sitting on the sofa.

Once inside, Feng Shirong stretched and strolled around, while Duan Ying set their son on the sofa, whispered something, then walked forward, embracing Feng Shirong.

The little boy, turning to Feng Nanshu, sized her up.

“Why are you in my house?”

The boy spoke in American English, eyebrows furrowing: “Don’t you have your own home?”

Stunned, Feng Nanshu replied in English after a second: “I…it’s certainly home, yes.”

“Where’s your home, then?”

“In Hongrong Homes, Block 7, Unit 502, Golden Mountain Street, Jizhou City.”

“Then why aren’t you in your own home, why are you in mine?”

The boy played with his toy car, showing a child’s bluntness.

Feng Nanshu quietly pulled back her feet, pursing her lips and sitting silently on the sofa.

Then she saw the boy suddenly stand up from the sofa, quickly running to Duan Ying, then reaching out to embrace Feng Shirong’s neck, affectionately calling out “Daddy.”

From beginning to end, Feng Nanshu didn’t know his name, as her father seemed not inclined to tell her, as if it wasn’t important.