Rebirth: Phoenix Riding the Ninth Heaven

Qi's mother-in-law was still in bed, but the visitor outside had already hurried to the main door. There was the sound of footsteps approaching, accompanied by the visitor's urgent voice: "Old Qi, are you ready? If you are, I'll take my people away right away! They're urging me to send the things over quickly, otherwise they'll leave! If you miss this opportunity, you'll never see such a good thing again! You know, I came back specifically to visit my family, and time is running out, so I'm in a hurry to get back!" As she spoke, the visitor had already reached out and pushed open the door, stepped into the house, and glanced around, as if searching for something.

The man who came was a lean man in his fifties, his black hair and beard already intertwined with gray, as if the years had left deep and shallow traces on his body. When he stepped into the room, he was about to speak, but when his eyes met the people in the room, he suddenly shut his mouth tightly, as if under a spell.

His eyes darted around, filled with confusion and bewilderment, like a series of silent question marks. He kept casting inquiring glances at Old Qi, as if eager to know what was happening. Old Qi, on the other hand, first fixed his gaze on his eldest daughter-in-law and eldest son, then slowly spoke, "Big brother, take your wife and your eldest son back to the house. As for the youngest son, leave him here for now. I'll help take care of him for a while." He then nodded slightly at the lean man, indicating that everything was settled.

Qi Jianlin stood there silently, listening to the adults' conversation. His small frame seemed somewhat helpless. When he saw his parents seemed about to leave, a strong sense of unease welled up in him. Despite his young age, he bravely took a step forward and quickly ran to his mother.

"Mom! You can't leave!" Qi Jianlin shouted at the top of his lungs, his voice clear and loud, as if trying to break through the oppressive atmosphere. His clear eyes stared at his mother, filled with reluctance and pleading.

At that moment, my mother raised her head slightly, glanced timidly at her mother-in-law sitting above her, then quickly lowered her head like a frightened deer. Her hands nervously rubbed the corners of her clothes, wrinkling the once neat fabric. After much hesitation, my mother spoke haltingly, "Mother-in-law... I just want to take my youngest son to my room to play for a while, is that okay?" Her voice was so soft, like the fluttering of a mosquito's wings, almost inaudible.

However, before my mother could finish her words, my mother-in-law ruthlessly interrupted her. "No need! Just leave it there! Get out of here! Your father and I have something important to discuss! Don't get in the way!" My mother-in-law's tone was stern and resolute, leaving no room for negotiation.

Qi Jianlin watched helplessly as his mother was berated by his mother-in-law, his heart filled with anger and resentment. But he knew his voice was too weak to change anything. So, he could only hold on tightly to his mother's clothes, hoping she would stay. But his mother gently patted his hand, motioning him to let go. Finally, she sighed helplessly, turned, and slowly walked out the door.

Qi Jianlin bit his lip as he watched his mother walk away, tears welling up in his eyes. He didn't understand why his mother-in-law wouldn't let them take his brother away, and he didn't know what awaited them next...

Qi Jianlin felt as if he were under a spell, his legs rooted to the spot, not daring to move an inch. He just stood there in the corner, staring intently at the people inside, not blinking, as if afraid to miss even the slightest movement or expression.

At that moment, Grandpa Qi, who had been silent the entire time, suddenly erupted in a violent coughing fit. The sound, like muffled thunder, was particularly abrupt in the quiet room. Then, with a stern face, Grandpa Qi shouted to Qi's father in an extremely serious tone, "Big Boss, take your son back to the house and get some rest! Your uncle and I have something important to discuss!"

Upon hearing this, Qi's father hurriedly stood up from his seat. He kept scratching the back of his head, looking at his father with a bewildered expression, and stammered, "Dad... well... why don't I take our youngest son back home first? Look, he's been eating and drinking here, and he must be tired. It's perfect for him to come back with me and get a good night's sleep."

However, before Qi's father could finish his words, Grandpa Qi's eyes suddenly widened, and his already resonant voice instantly rose another octave, roaring deafeningly: "Old man, what do you mean by this? Do you think a grandfather like me would harm my own grandson? Humph! No matter what, he is still my precious grandson. There is no need for you to be suspicious here! Get out of here quickly, and don't let me see you again!"

Faced with his father's stern expression and rebuke, Qi's father didn't have the courage to utter a single word in rebuttal. He lowered his head, his steps heavy as if a thousand-pound burden were bearing down on him, as he slowly inched toward the door. Just as he was about to step out, his father's deep, stern voice suddenly rang out from behind him: "Take your eldest son away too! You're standing here like a log, an eyesore. Get out of here!"

Qi's father shuddered, his heart filled with helplessness, but he still turned around and quickly walked to his eldest son Qi Jianlin. He stretched out his trembling hand, gently took Qi Jianlin's wrist, and said softly, "Let's go, son, let's go back first."

However, Qi Jianlin didn't immediately obey his father and leave. His eyes were fixed on a corner of the room where his younger brother was sitting. He was unwilling to leave like this, so he mustered up the courage to shout to his father, "Father, we can't just leave like this! My brother is still here!"

Hearing this, Qi's father smiled bitterly. He shook his head gently and sighed, "My child, it's okay. After all, we are all family. Even if our bones are broken, they are still connected. They won't harm your brother." After saying this, he pulled Qi Jianlin's hand hard.

Although Qi Jianlin was still filled with worry and reluctance, he knew he couldn't go against his father's decision. Finally, he gritted his teeth, looked back every few steps, and followed his father out of the room, leaving only a lonely figure behind...

Seeing the father and son slowly walk out of the house, Grandma Qi's heart tightened. She hurried forward and reached out to close the door tightly. Just as she closed the door, she heard a muffled "bang" behind her - it turned out that Dr. Peng had also followed suit and closed his door.

Even so, Qi Jianlin still felt a little uneasy. He cautiously tugged at the corner of his father's clothes, then stealthily pulled his father back out the door. The two of them stood there quietly, their ears perked up, intently listening to the sounds inside the house.

At this moment, the old man who had been sitting in the room chatting with everyone seemed particularly anxious. He couldn't wait to ask, "Is everything done? We need to hurry! Those people have agreed to leave tonight."

Hearing this, Grandma Qi's mood instantly became cheerful, and even her voice unconsciously rose eight degrees: "It's all right! We know the situation of this family very well. They haven't had time to divide the family property for the child yet. So, we can still do this. Take a look at this child. If you think he's okay, then take him away! This little guy is only a little over a year old and can't remember anything at all. As long as you take him home and raise him well, he will be no different from your own children when he grows up. You won't be able to recognize him as not one of your own!"

The gray-haired uncle nodded repeatedly and said firmly: "Yes, yes, this is indeed feasible! The family only said that they wanted a son, but did not specify the age of the child. Little kids don't remember much. When you raise him older, he will naturally be no different from your own child!" As he spoke, the uncle couldn't wait to step forward and opened his arms to pick up Qi Jianlin's younger brother.

However, the young boy instinctively felt fear when he saw a strange face approaching him. Instantly, he burst into tears, tears pouring out of his eyes like a dam breaking. He kept crying out, "Mother, I want you! Brother, come hold me! I want you to come quickly! Wuuuuuuu... I'm scared! Mother, brother..."

Those cries of terror and helplessness pierced Qi Jianlin's heart like sharp knives. Looking at his fragile, pitiful little brother, still in his swaddling clothes, Qi Jianlin felt a pang of pain. He couldn't understand why his cruel grandparents would have the heart to sell such a young child. Did they have no regard for family affection at all? How could such an unjust thing happen in this world?

Qi Jianlin was so anxious that he didn't care about anything else. He rushed forward like an angry lion and pushed the door open with all his strength! With a loud "bang", the door was pushed open.

At the same time, Qi Jianlin shouted at the top of his lungs: "Grandpa and grandma, what are you doing? Why do you want to sell my brother? He is my own brother, what does it have to do with you?" His voice was deafening, as if the whole house was shaking.

Qi's father, standing nearby, was completely stunned by the scene unfolding before his eyes. He was shaking uncontrollably, his face filled with horror. After all, these were his biological parents. He couldn't understand why they would do such a cruel thing—sell their own son!