Zhang Chao was taken aback. At this moment, he noticed the dark circles under Song Xuanhe’s eyes and decided to shut his slightly parted lips.
The garage was silent for a moment. Five or six minutes later, Zhang Chao’s phone started to ring. His ringtone sounded especially jarring within the quiet and spacious garage. He covered his phone and headed outside, flustered. After finding his way outside, he picked up the phone. “Hello, Mr. Song.” Ab5djU
“Er shao
Li Nianan raised her voice for once. Her last sentence rang especially clearly throughout the house. After she said this, silence befell the living room. Even though they were separated by the entrance hall and greenhouse, the servants who were currently cleaning up the dining room also heard it. They cautiously quieted their own movements, afraid of getting implicated in their master and mistress’ quarrel.
Song Xuanhe, who had already entered the study, didn’t know about the argument that was happening downstairs. He calmly welcomed the old man’s sharp, examining gaze.
“Did you really not know about Xiao Yuanmu founding RE?” kAmtje
“Nope.” Song Xuanhe remained composed. “Grandpa, you should know how my relationship with Xiao Yuanmu started. If he had that much power back then, he would have never acquiesced to my threats.”
Song Yansong’s moustache shook slightly. For once, he directed a displeased look in Song Xuanhe’s direction. “I’ve already had someone look into him. I have confirmed that it is indeed the Xiao Yuanmu you know. He didn’t bother to hide information about him. I believe that those old fellows won’t be any slower than we are. They probably already know about Xiao Yuanmu.”
Story translated by Chrysanthemum Garden.
Song Xuanhe nodded calmly. He looked very innocent and lovable. “They want to work with Xiao Yuanmu.”
“That’s right.” Song Yansong picked up a fountain pen that had been lying down on the centre of an opened book and sighed. His look of displeasure had only lasted for a second before he regained his serious expression. “The relationship between Xiao Yuanmu and you wasn’t a secret, either. No matter what they want to do, you are their closest channel for information. Xiao Yuanmu’s company was founded last September. The two of you had still been together then. Even if you say that you don’t know anything, those people will still try to use you as a point of breakthrough.” 1CR98p
Song Yansong closed the book on his desk and said, “But what’s important right now isn’t any of this. Tell me, just what is the relationship between you and Xiao Yuanmu right now?”
Song Xuanhe blinked, looking like he didn’t understand the question.
“The resource in Xiao Yuanmu’s hands is too enticing. Not only do people within that industry want to cooperate with him, even entire countries want to get in on it. Moreover, the fact that he had been bold enough to release personal information despite possessing this resource means that he is confident with whatever power he has behind him. When people realize that they cannot do anything to him, they will understand that currying favour with him will be the quickest and most convenient method to get their hands on it.”
Song Yansong looked at Song Xuanhe in the eye and said, “We have no way of hiding the fact that the two of you have broken up. Grandpa is worried that people will try to exploit you.” GJeLpc
Song Xuanhe was taken aback for a moment. And this time, the dazed expression was real.
From what he knew about Song Yansong, the other put the group’s interest first, the family’s interest second, and personal interest last. Looking at the original book, this trait of his was evident just by looking at how the original Song Xuanhe had been exiled from the Song Family.
But now, the old man Song Xuanhe had always been on guard against, was using a concerned tone to say ‘Grandpa is worried that people will try to exploit you.’ And yet, in the past, he had always thought that the people who most wanted to exploit him would be Song Yansong and Song Guochao.
One was for the sake of the group and family, whereas one was for the sake of personal interest. Although they had different ideas, their goals were the same. Therefore, Song Xuanhe had already made preparations for every possibility. p5 nIU
However, he hadn’t prepared for this.
Song Yansong interpreted his startled expression as one of fear. He couldn’t help but furrow his brows. The worry was completely swept off his face and his expression became stern and imposing. “Everyone must take responsibility for their actions. What you did to Xiao Yuanmu led to today’s circumstances. You have no other choice but to face it head-on.”
Song Xuanhe blinked. When he saw the strict expression that was nearly identical to that of his real paternal grandfather, the conflicted feelings inside him lessened. Seeing the wrinkles in the old man’s forehead deepening because of his silence, he smiled. “Grandpa, don’t worry. Xiao Yuanmu won’t do anything to me.”
Song Yansong, who knew about what Song Xuanhe had done, didn’t believe him. There was an examining look in his eyes. “How can you be sure?” aZNWYb
“Regardless of how we got together, we had dated for so long. Besides, we broke up on good terms.” Song Xuanhe used his deceiving face to make a confident and earnest expression. He didn’t feel guilty at all for lying. He continued, “I know him. He would never do anything to me.”
Song Xuanhe’s sure expression made Song Yansong hesitate. When he recalled the things his investigation had turned up, a few ideas flashed through his brain. However, he didn’t reveal any of that on his face. He simply stood up and said, “Since that’s the case, you can go out. They’re still waiting for us downstairs.”
After exiting the study, Song Xuanhe first headed to his room to take a shower. After he changed his clothes, he headed downstairs feeling refreshed. The people who had been downstairs earlier were still there. The only person who had disappeared off to somewhere unknown was Song Xuanlin.
The tips of Song Xuanhe’s hair were still wet. He was still ruffling his hair, trying to dry it with his hands, when he saw everyone on the sofas turn to look towards him. He paused on the staircase and smiled. “It’s so late. Uncle, Auntie, you’re not going home yet?” kyeiN0
Song Jiabao’s father smiled. “We lost track of the time while chatting with your father. What did you talk about with the old sir?”
“Nothing much.” Song Xuanhe pushed the hair that had fallen against his forehead backwards. He said in a casual tone, “We just talked about my love life.”
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“That’s indeed important.” Song Jiabao’s father laughed. “You’re so big now. It is indeed time that the old sir starts to worry about that. I remember that you were dating RE’s president. How are the two of you now? Do you intend to get married?”
“Does Uncle not know?” Song Xuanhe walked over to sit next to Li Nianan. “Xiao Yuanmu and I broke up already.” dc8gR2
Song Jiabao’s father’s smile changed slightly. His expression grew stiff. “So you’re saying that your ex-boyfriend, Xiao Yuanmu, really is RE’s president?”
“That’s right.” Song Xuanhe blinked. He had just showered so his eyelashes were still a bit damp, making him look all the younger and innocent. “He’s the one Cousin talked badly about, the one he said was selling his body.”
“When did I ever talk badly about him….”
When Song Jiabao saw Song Xuanhe turn in his direction, the psychological shadow left after the other had beaten him until he hadn’t been able to make a sound, quickly enveloped him. Song Jiabao’s voice grew increasingly weak. Although the doctor had said that this wouldn’t affect him in his daily life, his left hand that usually felt normal, suddenly started to ache, as if the residual effects the doctor had mentioned had flared up. OyIrXj
“Don’t take what young people say in the height of anger while arguing seriously.” Song Jiabao’s father’s stiffened expression didn’t ease up. However, he still tried to force a smile out. “You’re all same-aged friends. Fighting will only help improve your relationship. Your cousin and Xiao Yuanmu just had a bit of an argument. If you intervene, it’ll resolve itself very quickly.”
“Uncle, I’m afraid I can’t help out with this. Everyone knows that Xiao Yuanmu and I have already broken up. How could I possibly be of any help?”
“But you two used to date.” Song Jiabao’s father said, “Don’t you young people break up and get back together frequently? I think the two of you make a good match. You’ll naturally be able to get back together once you clear up this matter between the two of you.”
When he heard this, Song Xuanhe raised a brow, astonished. He then turned to Song Guochao. iera5R
Song Guochao noticed his gaze. With an angry expression on his face, he said, “Your mother says that I have no right to meddle in your business. Who you’re with doesn’t concern me in the least.”
Song Xuanhe: “I feel relieved then. I had originally been afraid that you’d force me to get back together with Xiao Yuanmu.”
“You don’t plan on getting back together with him?” Song Jiabao looked up. He shrunk back when he met with Song Xuanhe’s gaze. However, he still said, “But you even did that for him…”
Song Xuanhe tilted his head, a confused look on his face. “What did I do?” K3RvHY
Song Jiabao curled up. “Nothing.”
Song Jiabao’s mother furrowed her brows in discontent. “Xuanhe, Jiabao is your cousin. Why are you scaring him?”
“Did I?” The confusion deepened. “I just asked him a question. Was that enough to scare him? I guess I should avoid Cousin when I see him from now on.”
“You didn’t scare him. Don’t listen to your aunt’s nonsense.” Song Jiabao’s father gave his wife a look and then slid over towards Song Xuanhe. With a smile, he said, “Xuanhe ah, you know that Uncle’s company makes air conditioners. The new energy source RE has is extremely important to Uncle’s company. Uncle knows that the two of you have broken up but isn’t there an old saying that says that love will linger after a night together? There must still be feelings between the two of you. How about you help refer Uncle to Xiao Yuanmu?” DZOTPF
Song Xuanhe was shocked by Song Jiabao’s father’s ‘love will linger after a night together.’ First of all, there was the issue of whether he and Xiao Yuanmu ever ‘spent a night together.’ Even if they had, this saying wouldn’t apply to them in any case.
It was probably because the look of expression of refusal on Song Xuanhe’s face was too obvious but Song Jiabao’s father immediately followed up, earnestly trying to persuade him. “It’s not just Uncle. If the medical research team the Song Group has recently invested in can get a business agreement with RE, it will be able to quickly occupy a spot in the medical robots industry. And there’s much more too. You can’t ignore the Group’s future just because of your feelings right now.”
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Song Xuanhe smiled. “Uncle, it’s no use even if you persuade me. Xiao Yuanmu and I will not get back together. I can’t help you.”
“I don’t care whether or not you get back together with him,” Song Guochao said. “But we must get a cooperation agreement with RE. As a member of the Song Group, there is no room for discussion.” MGP1tN
Li Nianan grabbed Song Xuanhe’s hand and then turned to talk to Song Guochao. “I already said that no one can force my son to do anything he doesn’t want to do.”
“Do you think that I’m doing this for my own sake? It’s for the whole company—the whole family.” Song Guochao said with a darkened expression. “It’s not just us. Everyone knows just how valuable RE is right now. Because of this, if the Song Group is able to grab a cooperation agreement, it will benefit us greatly. Let’s put aside everything else for now. If we get this, our stocks will rise dramatically. Song Xuanhe holds twenty percent of the compay’s shares. He also has an advantage others do not. Why can’t he make a sacrifice for the company?”
“Why should he have to?” Li Nianan said coldly. “If you want to cooperate with RE, go negotiate yourself. Don’t drag my son into this.”
“You….” Bp40UK
“Father.”
Song Xuanlin walked in from outside and interrupted Song Guochao. His gaze paused on Song Xuanhe, who was sitting next to Li Nianan. “I was just informed that the American government is currently proactively communicating with RE. As for whether the new energy source will be monopolized by the government or if it’s simply a cooperation agreement, we’ll find out tomorrow.”
If the American government monopolized it, it wouldn’t matter what Song Xuanhe said. It would all be useless. Song Guochao shut his mouth, glanced at Song Xuanhe and then looked away. He then stood up to leave.
Song Jiabao’s father furrowed his brows but forced out a smile upon turning to Song Xuanhe again. “Xuanhe, how about you give Uncle Xiao Yuanmu’s contact information? After all, there was that misunderstanding between him and your cousin last time. Uncle wants to personally call him to clear up this misunderstanding.” Gxa4I6
Song Xuanhe glanced at Song Jiabao’s father. Song Jiabao’s father asked, “Do you have it?”
“Yeah.” Song Xuanhe seemed to think of something. His lips curled into a smile and he began to read off a number.
Song Jiabao’s father promptly recorded it. He then called the number. When the dial tone sounded, he got up and headed outside.
Song Xuanlin walked over to Song Xuanhe and said, “I have something to discuss with you.” HJwa9T
Song Xuanhe had already expected that Song Xuanlin would talk to him. Actually, since Song Xuanlin had said ‘you’re my younger brother’ to him, he had started to chat with him more. Back then, the reason he had immediately moved back to his apartment downtown after New Year’s was partially because it was more convenient while working at the studio. But mostly, it had been because he had wanted to avoid Song Xuanlin’s conversations.
However, it looked like there was no avoiding it this time.
Song Xuanhe stood up and followed after Song Xuanlin.
The two of them walked over to the garden within the glass greenhouse and sat down on the sofa in the centre. Song Xuanhe looked at Song Xuanlin, waiting for the other to speak. But after a few minutes, Song Xuanlin still didn’t seem to have any intentions of opening his mouth. Or rather, it was like he had yet to figure out how to word what he wanted to say. mrCSH5
The temperature on May nights was comfortable. None of the four doors of the greenhouse were closed. A refreshing, cool breeze blew in gently from outside and Song Xuanhe rested his eyes, feeling relaxed. He waited for Song Xuanlin to say what he wanted.
Song Xuanhe didn’t know how much time had passed. He had nearly fallen asleep when he heard Song Xuanlin speak up. The other’s flat voice echoed through the air. “Do you want to inherit the company?”
Chrysanthemum Garden.
Song Xuanhe opened his eyes. He looked at Song Xuanlin’s slightly pursed lips and asked, “This is what you wanted to ask?”
It was probably because Song Xuanhe’s expression was too relaxed and not serious, but it didn’t match this serious topic at all. Song Xuanlin frowned and said, “I know that the relationship between you and Xiao Yuanmu wasn’t as bad as everyone else thinks it was. If you want to inherit the company, he will be a great asset to you.” ju9mfE
Song Xuanhe raised a brow. “Why are you so sure he’d help me?”
“He likes you and you like him,” Song Xuanlin said in a cool voice. “It’s normal for people who like each other to help one another out.”
Eve: Hehehehe. Big Brother knows what’s up. Also SGC smh. He’s so shameless. I want to hit him. If this was an ancient world he’d prob try to straightforwardly marry SXH off to Mumu.