Return of the Celestial King

Chapter 190: Chapter 190: Homestead Land

Qin Hongguo and Luo Xianglan wished they could just accept the offer for Qin Tuo right then and there.

However, Qin Tuo just casually waved his hand.

"That won’t be necessary. I have a job now, so you don’t need to trouble yourself."

The words were spoken so casually that a surge of anger flared up in Qin Hongjian.

He sneered.

"A job? Don’t think I don’t know you’re just a salesman. What kind of a real job is that? These days, you need a proper civil service job to be secure."

Qin Tuo hadn’t told his parents that he was a company chairman, so of course Qin Hongjian didn’t know either.

Besides, Qin Tuo could tell at a glance that Qin Hongjian must be after something. Otherwise, why would he be so quick to offer him a job?

Qin Tuo knew perfectly well that his uncle had never truly considered his family to be kin.

Otherwise, he wouldn’t have just watched from the sidelines when their family fell on hard times.

Seeing that Qin Tuo had gone silent, Qin Hongjian pressed on.

"Qin Tuo, don’t be a fool who doesn’t know what’s good for him. Do you have any idea how many people beg me to find them a job? I barely give them the time of day. Are you really not going to seize such a great opportunity?"

At this, Qin Hongguo could no longer hold back. He was terrified his son would make a foolish mistake.

"Qin Tuo, what are you waiting for? Hurry up and thank your uncle!"

Beside him, Luo Xianglan was also frantically trying to catch Qin Tuo’s eye, her heart pounding with anxiety.

Qin Tuo sighed.

He had no choice. For his parents’ sake, he could only nod in agreement.

Qin Tuo offered a casual word of thanks, but his eyes held not a shred of gratitude.

Seeing that Qin Tuo had finally agreed, Qin Hongjian seemed to let out a sigh of relief.

Seeing his reaction, Qin Tuo became even more certain of his suspicions.

Qin Hongjian put on a magnanimous air, waving his hand with a smile.

"It’s nothing, we’re all family. No need to thank me. However... when I start renovating the old family home in a little while, it would be great if you all could come and help out!"

Qin Hongguo nodded eagerly, his face beaming.

"Of course, brother! When the time comes, just say the word. We’ll definitely be there."

But Qin Tuo couldn’t resist asking.

"Oh, renovating the old family home? How come I haven’t heard about this?"

The family’s old home was in the countryside. The homestead it sat on had been split equally between the two brothers, Qin Hongguo and Qin Hongjian.

Over the years, however, the country house had fallen into disrepair.

But now that Qin Hongjian had suddenly brought up renovating it, Qin Tuo was naturally suspicious.

When Qin Tuo asked about it, Qin Hongjian’s expression darkened. He instinctively didn’t want to answer.

But Qin Hongguo explained.

"Son, it’s like this. Your uncle wants to renovate the old house for his family to live in."

’Live in it themselves?’

Qin Tuo sneered inwardly.

’Qin Hongjian works in the city and has a house there. Why on earth would he move back to the countryside to live?’

’Just as I thought. Something’s not right here!’

And so, Qin Tuo asked calmly.

"But our family owns a share of that homestead. What about our portion?"

The moment Qin Tuo asked the question, the atmosphere in the private dining room grew tense.

Qin Hongjian, Zhang Caixia, and the rest of their family looked extremely uncomfortable.

Seeing this, Qin Hongguo shot Qin Tuo a sharp glare.

"Son, don’t be so ungrateful! He’s finding you a job, isn’t he? We can just give our share of the homestead to your uncle in return. It’s not like it’s any use to us. Land in the countryside is worthless!"

Hearing Qin Hongguo say this, satisfied smiles reappeared on the faces of Qin Hongjian and his wife.

But Qin Tuo just shook his head and sneered.

"Uncle, in that case, please don’t trouble yourself over the job. As for the family homestead, let’s keep things as they are. You can renovate if you want, just leave our family’s share untouched."

At these words, Qin Hongjian’s entire family was stunned.

They never imagined Qin Tuo would reject them so bluntly, right to their faces.

Besides, in their eyes, Qin Tuo was just an ex-convict who was now a simple salesman. What right did he have to take such a hard line with them?

Qin Hongjian couldn’t hold back his anger.

"Qin Tuo, you brat, you’re completely out of line! You’d better learn how to conduct yourself. You’ve still got a long life to live!"

Zhang Caixia, at his side, couldn’t resist adding sarcastically.

"Oh my, an ex-convict turning down such a great job. You really don’t know your place."

Of course, Qin Tuo dismissed their words as hot air, and for the moment, things reached a stalemate.

Seeing the increasingly ugly expression on Qin Hongjian’s face, Luo Xianglan grew anxious.

Fearing her son was throwing away the chance for such a secure job, she quickly tried to reason with him.

"Son, what do you need the homestead for? It’s useless to us. Why not let your uncle get you a good job instead?"

Qin Hongguo chain-smoked in frustration, clearly not understanding what had gotten into his son.

But Qin Tuo stated very calmly.

"Mom, you don’t understand. The homestead isn’t worth much right now, but in a year at most, its value is going to skyrocket!"

Hearing this, Luo Xianglan’s face filled with astonishment.

Across from them, however, Qin Hongjian’s family suddenly looked flustered.

Fang Hao, in particular, couldn’t help but snap his head up and stare intently at Qin Tuo.

When Luo Xianglan recovered from her shock, she shook her head vigorously.

"Son, are you joking? It’s just an ordinary plot of land. How could its value possibly ’skyrocket’ like you say? Isn’t that a bit of an exaggeration?"

Qin Hongguo also shot him a skeptical look, clearly not believing his son’s words.

Qin Tuo smiled and continued to explain.

"Mom, why would it be impossible? That area is about to be developed. Once the investors’ money arrives, the value of the homesteads will multiply several times over, if not more."

Luo Xianglan’s face was a mask of disbelief, and her breathing grew shallow and quick.

She asked earnestly.

"Son, is what you’re saying true? You’re not just making this up, are you?"

Qin Tuo nodded firmly.

"Of course it’s true, Mom. I won’t hide it from you—I happened to see the planning report for it at Prefect Xu’s house. It was all there, clear as day, in black and white."

Hearing this, Luo Xianglan was suddenly at a loss for words.

Qin Hongguo, too, was stunned. He never would have imagined that their plot of land had such immense potential value.

Seeing their reactions, Qin Hongjian finally snapped.

"Qin Tuo, what is the meaning of this? I just want to renovate the old house for my family to live in. Why are you making up these lies?"