Chapter 30: The Old Fox’s Trap Runs Deep

Grandfather Qi smiled and said, “You know my four children well. Your mother is my eldest daughter, and she suffered because of it when she was young. She has the straightforwardness and generosity of the Qi family, but lacks its cunning. She’s direct and forthright, but fortunately your father is much the same. Together, they make a good match.

Your second aunt is clever, but she cares too much about relationships and appearances. If she were to become the successor, she’d never build the necessary network; she’d ruin it all instead.

Your eldest uncle is good at maintaining what he has, but he’s not capable of development. He can keep things going, but these are times of great change—everyone is striving to advance. If we only keep what we have, it’s no different than declining.

Your youngest uncle is ambitious, but he only looks ahead and never back. In ancient times, he would have made a fine vanguard, but he’s no general. Yi, I chose you because I’ve thought through all these aspects.”

Xie Yihuang understood and had to admit that the Qi family truly was as Grandfather Qi described. She gazed at him for a while, then something occurred to her. “Grandfather, is there something you’re hiding from me?”

He smiled gently. “Why do you think that?”

She answered directly, “You’re thinking about the third generation, but it’s not just me—there are my elder sister and brother, Cousin Hua from Uncle’s family, Cousin Xue from Aunt’s, and Uncle will be married by the end of this year—he may be a father by next year if things go quickly. But you haven’t considered any of them, only me. Are you hiding something from me?”

Grandfather Qi sighed. “See? You’ve spotted the issue just by talking with me. Your two uncles see me every day, but they never noticed. Isn’t that reason enough for me to choose you?”

“Grandfather, don’t change the subject,” she said, displeased.

He no longer avoided the issue. “There’s a problem with my liver. Medically speaking, it’s liver cancer—currently at the middle stage. But with the coral marrow you gave me, along with my own medical treatments, I can hold out for a few more years. As for your cousins, I don’t have time to wait for them. Considering your talents, I’ve decided to choose you directly.”

Liver cancer—the color drained from Xie Yihuang’s face. “Grandfather, isn’t there any way to cure it?”

“Perhaps someone else could, but I can’t treat myself for now. However, with detoxification, I can still live for a while. Don’t worry—I won’t rest until I’ve trained you up to my satisfaction.” His tone was calm, unashamed. “So, Yi, have you considered my offer?”

Xie Yihuang was never someone who took things lightly. She was well aware of Grandfather Qi’s kindness to her. She recalled her friends in their group chat saying that this was an era for striving, that to be a proper slacker, you needed some backing—without it, you’d be a dead fish, not a salted one.

Now that Grandfather Qi had given her this foundation, why would she pass up the opportunity?

“Grandfather, I agree to become the Qi family’s successor.” She understood the importance of gratitude. Since Grandfather Qi treated her well, she was willing to repay him with equal sincerity.

“Excellent. From tomorrow on, I’ll begin teaching you in all respects. Being the successor of the Qi family isn’t easy, Yi. You’ll have to work hard from now on.” Grandfather Qi was very pleased with her answer.

Hearing this, Xie Yihuang couldn’t help but get nervous. “Grandfather, is it too late to take back what I said?” Suddenly, the weight of responsibility pressed down on her.

Grandfather Qi looked at her with a half-smile. “What do you think?”

Seeing his expression, Xie Yihuang understood immediately. “I’ve fallen into your trap, haven’t I? As expected, the old are the wisest. No matter how clever I am, I can’t outsmart you—you’ve tricked me, and I even agreed willingly.” She sighed deeply, a look of defeat on her face.

Grandfather Qi laughed heartily, delighted by her response.

Another day, Grandfather Qi took Xie Yihuang to Xiezhang Village. Instead of going to her house, they went straight to see her second granduncle.

Second Granduncle was Xie Yihuang’s grandfather’s uncle, the patriarch of the Xie clan. Though he was no longer the clan leader, the current leader was his son. Their branch of the family had always been fair and just, so they had long held the position of clan leaders.

When Second Granduncle saw Grandfather Qi, he was slightly surprised. “What brings you here, Mr. Qi?”

“No one comes to the temple for nothing,” Grandfather Qi replied directly. “I’m mainly here for my daughter Yuhe and my son-in-law Weimin.”

Second Granduncle immediately understood. “I heard Yuhe had an argument with the Yunjiang family yesterday.”

Grandfather Qi nodded slightly. “Originally, it was just a quarrel between mother-in-law and daughter-in-law. Honestly, it’s not a big deal—even tongues and teeth have their disagreements. It’s normal for mothers- and daughters-in-law to have problems—every household has its share of friction. But yesterday’s argument wasn’t just about that—it’s the result of favoritism after the family division.”

Though he wore a faint smile, a commanding aura radiated from him—the very spirit of the Qi family. “Second Granduncle, when Weimin and Yuhe split from the family years ago, all they got was half a door and a pair of buckets. Nothing else. Even the thatched house they eventually lived in was only given to them after you intervened—it was converted from a cowshed. I wrote the document myself. Surely you haven’t forgotten?”

Of course, Second Granduncle remembered. It had been quite a scandal at the time. Back then, Xie Weimin and his wife were forced out with nothing—not for any real reason, but simply because Xie Weimin married Qi Yuhe, which displeased the old Xie matriarch.

When Xie’s father married her mother, it was Second Granduncle who presided over the simple yet proper ceremony. But the old matriarch insisted on causing trouble, and eventually forced a family split. Now, years later, the trouble continued.

“Though those past events are over, everyone knows in their hearts who was right and who was wrong. I didn’t get involved back then because I respected Madam Gan as Weimin’s mother. Even if what she did was wrong, the debt of birth and upbringing comes first. So long as it didn’t lead to disaster, I had nothing to say.” Grandfather Qi’s voice remained calm and composed, as if he bore no resentment.

“These years have passed in peace, but now that Weimin’s children are grown, he wants to build a house for them—a good thing. But building a house isn’t easy—it costs money.”

His tone shifted, and even Second Granduncle could sense his displeasure. He had a feeling that if this was handled poorly, the Xie family’s reputation might be ruined.