At this moment, everyone by the sofa had risen and was walking towards the dining table.
Fu Runze suddenly shook He Xinmeng's hand and asked, tilting his head, "Mom, why aren't Aunt Shen and Chenchen and the other two here?"
The moment he entered the hall, he had been looking around for them, but he hadn't found them.
"Hush—" Hearing this, He Xinmeng immediately pulled him aside and whispered, "I don't know either. But this is their family matter, we outsiders must not speak carelessly."
Although He Xinmeng had been standing by the sofa earlier, her gaze had occasionally flickered towards the three men talking over there.
She could clearly see that Qin Si Ye's expression was not very good, likely related to Shen Xi.
"It's Grandpa Qin's birthday today, how could they not come?" Fu Runze tilted his head, his long eyelashes fluttering, quite perplexed.
Uncle Qin had already admitted they were his children left outside, and had also said he would marry Aunt Shen.
At such an important occasion, why weren't they brought along?
His grandfather always received him first on his birthday every year.
"Perhaps they had something urgent to attend to and couldn't make it. Don't guess wildly, let's go over quickly." He Xinmeng couldn't figure it out for a moment, so she could only find an excuse to vaguely dismiss him.
Fu Runze, however, pouted and walked very reluctantly.
If he had known he would be the only child there today, he wouldn't have come.
The Qin family's living room and dining room were connected, spanning a full seventy to eighty square meters.
There was more than enough space to place two tables.
The elders of the Qin family and their clan members who came to congratulate them sat at the main table, while the younger generation sat at another table with the Gu Lin and Fu Ji Heng families.
Qin Si Ye should have been sitting with them, but he was specifically called to their table, told to keep the uncles and elder cousins company.
As the eldest son, Qin Si Ye was the first to stand up and say a few words of thanks and blessings. Following that, Qin Xiu Zhi himself stood up with his wine glass and delivered a speech full of emotion.
The servants first brought out a bowl of longevity noodles. After Qin Xiu Zhi finished eating amidst everyone's blessings, he then lit the candles on the two-tiered birthday cake and they all sang "Happy Birthday."
Next, Butler Sun and the servants came forward, cut the cake, and distributed it to everyone.
After the cake was finished, the food was served, and they began the main meal.
After everyone had shared three toasts, they started to toast each other.
All eyes were focused on Qin Xiu Zhi; he was the protagonist of the day.
One group after another came to toast him, leaving him no chance to even catch his breath, yet his face was always adorned with a happy smile.
He had long decided that today was his birthday, and he would drink to his heart's content. After all, it was his own home, and it was fine even if he got drunk.
Seeing that the wine at the main table was almost finished, Fu Ji Heng seized the opportunity, quickly bringing his wife and son over with their wine glasses.
"Uncle Qin, our family of three wishes you a happy birthday and many more youthful years to come."
"Very good. Now that the company is led by Si Ye, I am also very at ease. I now spend my days at home enjoying tea, bird-watching, and living out my years in peace. Although age is creeping up on me day by day, my mindset is indeed becoming younger and younger with each passing year." Qin Xiu Zhi raised his glass and looked at them, his eyes filled with pleasure and contentment.
Everyone present laughed along with his words.
After the four of them took a sip together, Fu Runze's soft voice suddenly echoed in the hall, "Grandpa Qin, I'd like to toast you separately. I wish you boundless fortune like the East Sea and longevity like the Southern Mountains."
His words caused everyone to look at him in surprise.
How could this child speak so eloquently? At such a young age, he could utter such grand and poised words, truly remarkable. One could tell he was well-raised.
"Thank you, little Runze." Qin Xiu Zhi hadn't heard such a pleasant child's voice in many years. He excitedly pulled the boy into his arms and lightly kissed his cheek. "I will definitely live a long life, just like your grandfather."
"Mhm." Fu Runze nodded solemnly and finished his glass of juice in one gulp.
His serious little demeanor elicited laughter from everyone present. They all praised the child for being so smart and adorable.
Qin Xiu Zhi also raised his glass and drank it all in one go. As soon as he put down the glass and took a bite of food, he couldn't help but look at Qin Si Ye, who was sitting opposite him.
"Si Ye, look, Ji Heng's child is almost five years old, and Gu Lin's child will be born in a few more months. You need to hurry too. I've been eagerly anticipating holding a grandson for days."
At this, all eyes squarely fell on Qin Si Ye.
He was similar in age to Fu Ji Heng and Gu Lin, and they had been best friends since childhood. Everyone in the Qin household knew this.
By his age, he was already in his thirties, and it was indeed time for him to consider his personal affairs.
"Si Ye, for a man, career is very important, but you can't put all your energy into it. Starting a family and continuing the lineage are equally important." At this point, an uncle-like figure from the Qin clan suddenly advised him earnestly.
Others from the clan also chimed in with their advice.
Meanwhile, Jiang Jie, sitting at the main table, exchanged a knowing glance with Su Yi Xin at the secondary table.