Translated by Eve
Edited by Kara
Because of Wei Chen, Song Xuanhe had to stay on the second floor to chat with all the elderly men. Actually, whenever he had wanted to bid goodbye, Wei Chen or Song Guochao would interrupt him.
Although the two people had different motives, their actions brought about the same result—by the time Song Xuanhe had come downstairs, there was an icy-cold expression on Xiao Yuanmu’s face that he hadn’t seen in a long time.
Although Xiao Yuanmu’s face was usually cool, it was still serene. Furthermore, because of their interactions lately, although they weren’t close, Xiao Yuanmu would at least greet him when he saw him again. Sometimes, he would even hold Song Xuanhe’s hand, refusing to let go, on a whim.
However, when Song Xuanhe finally sat down next to Xiao Yuanmu at noon, the other only gave him an insipid glance. When he looked away, the look in his eyes was frosty. It looked like there was a layer of thin ice over his face. Song Xuanhe didn’t need to consult his previous experience. He was able to easily tell that the big shot was angry.
“Song Guochao seems to want to use Old Mr. Wei to change his fortunes. He wouldn’t leave after we had entered the room and didn’t let either my mother or I leave either. Old Mr. Wei also couldn’t shoo us away, so I was forced to stay there.”
Song Xuanhe was able to easily figure out why Xiao Yuanmu was unhappy as soon as he saw him. In the next second, he was also able to pass the blame off of himself in one clean sweep. As expected, as soon as he had finished speaking, although Xiao Yuanmu’s expression didn’t change, his gaze did return to Song Xuanhe’s face.
“He’s got a good idea.” Song Xuanhe didn’t feel guilty for talking crap behind someone else’s back, even if the other was this body’s father. He continued, “Indeed, he’d be able to rise up by clinging onto the Wei Family. You must have seen it too. The gazes directed towards him have changed. In a few days’ time, those friends of his who had previously started to avoid him will probably call him up.”
Although Song Xuanhe’s words were impolite, they were true.
When his family had come downstairs with those important elderly men, he had noticed the smiles on the faces of the other guests as they had greeted them. Those people had then turned around and whispered guesses to each other. Shortly after Song Guochao had sat down, Song Xuanhe had seen several people at the other’s table chatting him up.
“So, it wasn’t because of Wei Chen?” As Xiao Yuanmu said this, his eyes narrowed slightly. His drooping eyelashes fluttered open, revealing his peach blossom eyes as he looked up. The outer corners of his eyes curved a bit. He was still a bit taller than Song Xuanhe even when they were both seated. Song Xuanhe couldn’t read the expression in the other’s eyes, but he seemed to realize what exactly had been making the other unhappy.
“Of course not.” Song Xuanhe replied without any hesitation. “I’ve only met him a few times. Why would he have me stay?”
Regardless of why Xiao Yuanmu had asked him this, Song Xuanhe would never say that he was on good terms with one of the big shot’s future pursuers. Moreover, he and Wei Chen really were strangers who had only met a few times.
It was probably because Song Xuanhe’s reply had held no hesitation and had been very firm, but the ice on Xiao Yuanmu’s face melted. For some baffling reason, he even chuckled.
Song Xuanhe’s intuition told him that there was something he didn’t know. Therefore, he asked the System:【What happened to Xiao Yuanmu while I wasn’t here?】
The System said：【I don’t know either, brother. After the crucial scenes have ended, you become nothing but an insignificant character to the big shot and the book. Therefore, my tracking and monitoring access also become limited. If you’re not within a set distance to the big shot, I can’t see what’s happening to him.】
【How useful.】Song Xuanhe had already gotten used to Er Gou being completely useless. After sarcastically roasting him once, he didn’t ask any other questions.
In front of the main table of the banquet hall, there was a two-step-high podium. Currently, someone from the Wei Family was making a speech there. Based on his looks, he was probably Wei Chen’s father, who had not made an appearance until now.
It was probably because of his occupation, but Mr. Wei, who had been enlisted in the army since he had been young, spoke very briskly. He didn’t speak much. He simply thanked everyone for coming and then announced for the banquet to begin.
One of the absolutely indispensable parts of large Chinese banquets were toasts. Shortly after the dishes had been brought out, there was even more mingling and drinking inside the hall. There were people standing up and moving around from every table. They all wanted to chat and toast people they knew or wanted to get to know. A moment later, aside from Old Mr. Wei’s table, Song Xuanhe’s table, which was mostly composed of the younger generation, was the most quiet table.
Song Xuanhe was very satisfied. In the beginning, when he had heard that Old Mr. Wei had invited a chef whose ancestor’s services had been employed in the imperial kitchen and who had been frequently invited to serve at state banquets for three generations, he had been very intrigued. Now, upon tasting the food, he realized that this chef did indeed live up to his reputation.
Most of the people sitting at this table were Wei Chen’s childhood friends. Several of them were second-generation rich kids who were on good terms with Wei Chen and in the same social circles. They had never seen Song Xuanhe before. However, they knew that, although they were all at a table in the back, everyone here was close friends with Wei Chen and simply didn’t want to mingle with their elders.
Everyone else at this table knew each other. For there to suddenly be two new faces, they would naturally feel curious.
Since Song Xuanhe had sat down, he had had no intention of chatting with the other people at the table. He only quietly ate the food on the table. He didn’t even look at anyone else through his peripheral vision. Eventually, one of the people at the table could not hold back and asked, “Song shao, we heard that your relationship with Chen er is quite good, but we’ve never seen you before. How about we have a meal together one of these days?”
Song Xuanhe had walked over with Wei Chen earlier. He had naturally discovered that the people sitting here were all Wei Chen’s good friends. It was also because of this reason that he hadn’t spoken too much. He didn’t want Xiao Yuanmu to think that he was close enough to Wei Chen that he could even join the other’s friend group.
When he heard someone speak to him, Song Xuanhe’s eyes had curved into a smile. He drew a clear line between himself and Wei Chen. “We’re not that close. Can’t say that our relationship is particularly good. We were probably placed here because we had decided to attend so late, so there were no other spots left.”
The person who had spoken to him obviously hadn’t expected Song Xuanhe to answer like this. The other people were also surprised. It wasn’t that they were being conceited; it was just that, even if someone didn’t painstakingly try to curry favour with them, they still would never act like they didn’t want to get in with them.
Although Song Xuanhe was smiling, and his words hadn’t been offensive, it was very clear that he didn’t want to get too close to Wei Chen or them. Everyone here had proud and arrogant personalities. It was rare for them to put down airs and speak to others. However, this young man had expressed that he didn’t want to get involved with them. Even if they wanted to say more, they wouldn’t bother to anymore.
Song Xuanhe was quietly happy. Except for Xiao Yuanmu, few people at their table ate. Song Xuanhe ate slowly while Xiao Yuanmu ate without haste. The two of them acted like no one else was around as they ate the dishes on the table. They tasted each dish with impeccable manners. The other people suddenly felt their appetites stir while watching them. Unwittingly, they found themselves picking up their own chopsticks.
It was just that, shortly after they had picked up their chopsticks, the toast army had finally reached them.
Most of the people who would come here to toast them were other young rich second generations. Although Song Xuanhe had a decent family background, his family was less influential than those who came from old money. Therefore, no one particularly looked for him to toast. Even if the toasters didn’t want to be too obvious and would toast the whole table, Song Xuanhe would refuse with the excuse of having just taken cold medicine. Therefore, the people who came to toast him and Xiao Yuanmu dwindled even more.
Waves and waves of toasters came and went. Song Xuanhe didn’t seem affected at all. That is until one young man, who came to toast, complained, “My father and I went to toast the main table just now. We had originally wanted to talk to the Xiao Family’s people, but it was full over there. We couldn’t squeeze in.”
That person then continued to prattle on. “Those people don’t dare to loiter around the elderly folks at the main table, so they went to fawn over the Xiao Family instead. I also saw that Guan shao was sitting at that table. The person from the Xiao Family was really arrogant. Except for Guan shao, he didn’t talk to anyone else. I think that it is actually fortunate that we hadn’t managed to cram in. Otherwise, I’d have been really fricking uncomfortable having to watch my father smile obsequiously to that person.”
The expression in Song Xuanhe’s eyes changed slightly. He then casually cast his gaze over to the main table. He remembered where Guan Zhi sat, because the other had also come over with him. When he recalled how Song Guochao had looked at him with a complicated emotion only to change his attitude towards him in a flash upon finding out that he was acquainted with Guan Zhi, Song Xuanhe felt amused.
There was a good show going on at Guan Zhi’s table, because it was near the main table. Therefore, compared to the peaceful main table, although that person had been exaggerating when saying that he hadn’t been able to squeeze in, there was indeed an endless stream heading to that table. The crowd never seemed to thin. The table was surrounded.
But, what excuse should he use to go over to the Xiao Family representative?
As soon as this issue cropped up in Song Xuanhe’s mind, his phone sounded loudly.
Song Xuanhe unlocked his phone and saw that Guan Zhi had sent him a text: Quickly come over here, and make up an excuse to drag me out of here! I’m annoyed to death by these people!!!!
Just what he needed. Those exclamation points made it very clear as to just how little patience Guan shaoye had left right now. However, this didn’t affect Song Xuanhe’s good mood at all.
He put his phone away and smiled at Xiao Yuanmu. “Guan Zhi asked us to make up an excuse and get him out of there.”
Xiao Yuanmu had also heard Song Xuanhe’s text tone. Nevertheless, he wasn’t interested. “Go by yourself.”
“No way.” Song Xuanhe said seriously, “How can I squeeze into that crowd on my own? You also heard it just now. There’s a lot of people over there. You have to help push me in.”
Xiao Yuanmu glanced at the table that was indeed surrounded but not to the point of being impossible to cram into. His expression didn’t change as he said coldly, “Not going.”
“You have to go with me.”
Xiao Yuanmu looked over. Only then did Song Xuanhe realize that he had sounded rather overbearing just now. Even so, he remained calm and said, “We’re not going to come back and will probably leave this place right away. Are you planning on staying here alone?”
“Let’s go.”
Xiao Yuanmu got up and followed Song Xuanhe to Guan Zhi’s table.
From afar, it had looked like there were a lot of people there. However, when they got closer, they discovered that there weren’t as many as they had thought. After all, everyone present at this venue valued their reputations. Even if they wanted to curry favour with the people sitting here, they wouldn’t act like aunties fighting over vegetables on sale at the supermarket. But then again, if that were to happen, it’d be hard to say whether they were planning on currying favour with or offending the people at the table.
Thus, Song Xuanhe and Xiao Yuanmu were very easily able to walk over to the spot opposite of Guan Zhi’s seat. It was the opposite seat, because there were five or six people hovering around Guan Zhi. They would have had to brush shoulders with those other people if they had wanted to get over there.
When Guan Zhi saw Song Xuanhe and Xiao Yuanmu, his eyes lit up. His impatient expression changed. “My friends came. We have something to discuss, so I’ll be taking my leave.”
The young man who had been talking to Guan Zhi frowned. He looked up at Song Xuanhe and Xiao Yuanmu across from them. There was little difference in the amount of time his gaze was on either person. He only glanced at them indifferently before looking away. It was obvious that he didn’t recognize Xiao Yuanmu.
Actually, Xiao Yuanmu didn’t recognize the young man from the Xiao Family either. The Xiao Family was immense, and there were countless members. Except for some people he’d gotten along with from the main family and some branch families—as well as some families related to the Xiao Family by marriage—Xiao Yuanmu hadn’t actually met all that many people from the Xiao Family despite having been apart of it for over ten years in his last life.
The two Xiao Family members were very indifferent towards each other. Neither of them recognized the other. Song Xuanhe, who had originally been looking forward to this, was disappointed. What was odd though was that there was also relief mixed in with his disappointment.
“Since your friends have come, you should go,” The young man surnamed Xiao said, “Uncle will probably come here to check up on business. We’ll probably hold a dinner party when the time comes. If you’re still in the country, you must come.”
Guan Zhi gave him a half-hearted response, stood up, and rushed over to Song Xuanhe.
“You finally came.” After they got a ways away, Guan Zhi finally started to complain. “I hate events like this. Those people always go on and on and on. And that Xiao Cuo, I have no idea why he started to talk to me. He had probably gotten annoyed by the surrounding people, so he decided to bother me. Because of him, I didn’t want to sit there for even one second longer.”
When Song Xuanhe heard the other finish his rant, he absentmindedly asked, “That guy just mentioned that you were going to leave? When?”
Guan Zhi’s steps paused. He raised a brow, and one could see that he was a bit pleased with himself. “What? You can’t bear to see me leave?”
“What do you think?” Song Xuanhe also raised a brow. The answer was obvious.
Guan Zhi snorted. “I was going to treat you to fine Canadian cuisine. Forget it.”
When he saw that Song Xuanhe made no reaction to his words, Guan Zhi circled back to the previous topic. “I hadn’t decided when I’d go back. But when that Xiao Cuo said that his uncle or whoever was going to come and would be holding a welcome feast that I’d have to go to if I were to still be here, I decided to leave before his uncle arrived.”
When Song Xuanhe heard this, he sighed regretfully. “I have already made a reservation for that restaurant that serves Imperial cuisine that you wanted to try. It’s scheduled for half a month from now. By that time, you’ll probably be gone. I guess we’ll try again the next time you’re back in the country.”
Guan Zhi’s eyes lit up. “Are you serious? Didn’t you say that you’d have to book half a year in advance?”
“That’s right,” Song Xuanhe said, “It is my friend’s reservation. He said that he wouldn’t be able to make it that day, so he transferred his reservation to me.”
“Then, I’ll come back in half a month,” Guan Zhi replied quickly, “School doesn’t resume until half a month later anyway, so I can go back after eating.”
Song Xuanhe suddenly remembered that Guan Zhi had just come of age. For once, he felt guilty as if he was deceiving a kid.
Therefore, Song Xuanhe, whose conscience suddenly came online, eased up his tone while speaking to Guan Zhi. “You mentioned that you wanted to eat fried sticky rice balls from the Long Tail Alley, right? I’ll take you there when you have time.”
Guan Zhi blinked, and excitement filled his voice. “Really? The hundred-year-old restaurant you said was really hard to find?”
“Yeah,” Song Xuanhe said, “The boss of that restaurant….”
“Watch where you’re walking.”
Midway through his sentence, Song Xuanhe was pulled by Xiao Yuanmu and ended up stumbling. He nearly fell into the other’s arms.
“What’s wrong?” Song Xuanhe turned around to look at the rather flat floor. He looked confused.
“A part of the carpet had been flipped over,” Xiao Yuanmu said in a flat voice, “You stepped on it while avoiding it and ended up flipping it over.”
Song Xuanhe mulled over it. However, no matter how hard he tried to recall the scene, he couldn’t tell whether or not he had stepped on something soft just now. Regardless, he didn’t think Xiao Yuanmu would lie. Therefore, he simply smiled with his eyes. “Thanks.”
Xiao Yuanmu’s gaze was cool. “No problem.”
Guan Zhi had also turned to look at the flat carpet. He didn’t quite get it. Although he had been chatting with Song Xuanhe just now, he hadn’t been so absorbed that he hadn’t been paying attention to what was underneath his feet. He clearly remembered that the carpet had been completely flat. No part of it had been flipped over.
But by the time he had come out of his thoughts, Song Xuanhe had already given his thanks. Therefore, Guan Zhi didn’t comment on it. After all, it was no big deal. Maybe Xiao Yuanmu had seen it wrongly.
After Xiao Yuanmu had interrupted their conversation, Song Xuanhe’s good conscience had seemed to have disappeared. They had already reached the end of the banquet hall’s corridor. After pushing the door open, they’d be outside.
Thus, Song Xuanhe said, “We still have something to do. You should go back by yourself. We’ll be going now.”
Guan Zhi nodded. He was about to push the door open when he suddenly thought of something. He turned his head and asked, “Do you know Liu Xu?”
Song Xuanhe paused and then nodded.
“I attended a party in the past.” Guan Zhi frowned. “There had been a lot of girls accompanying the men there to drink. One of them had been Liu Xu. That particular party had been really…well, in any case, it hadn’t been a decent party. Don’t be fooled by her.”
Song Xuanhe hadn’t thought that the next time he would hear about Liu Xu after she had been cut off by her company would be from Guan Zhi’s mouth. However, Song Xuanhe was also surprised when he heard Guan Zhi say such things. This was because although Liu Xu was snobbish, she was also very proud. Even if she’d been cut off right now, she must still have some savings left. Even if she had really wanted to look for a new supporter, she shouldn’t have fallen so low as to have to participate in a party like that where you’d be shared by everyone.
However, Guan Zhi had misinterpreted Song Xuanhe’s surprised expression. He thought that Song Xuanhe didn’t believe him. Therefore, he furrowed his brows and said, “I’m telling you the truth. I only got to know her after seeing the scandal between you two on the news. After that, when I saw her at that party, I had also been a bit shocked. I made sure to ask someone to confirm her identity before I told you.”
“I know.” Song Xuanhe laughed. When he heard the other’s awkward concern, he explained himself. “I don’t really know her, so you don’t have to worry.”
Guan Zhi’s ears turned red, and his eyebrows knitted even more tightly. “Who’s worried about you? I’m just repaying you for helping me out of that situation just now and for taking me out to eat in this past half a month’s time. The people of the Guan Family have never liked owing other people.”
Song Xuanhe raised a brow. “Got it. You’re not worried about me. Guan shao, can you open the door now?”
Guan Zhi pursed his lips, and it looked like he wanted to say something else. But in the end, he only snorted and pushed the door open.
The three of them left the banquet hall. They had just reached the hotel’s lobby when they heard someone shout, “Song shao!”
Song Xuanhe stopped walking and turned to look at the incoming person.
Lu Chao walked over quickly. When he saw Xiao Yuanmu next to Song Xuanhe, he paused for a second before quickening his pace. He said, “Song shao, I’ve been calling you all this time, but I haven’t been able to reach you.”
Song Xuanhe raised a brow but didn’t respond.
Lu Chao felt awkward but still continued to speak. “I’ve been trying to invite you to have a meal with me to apologize and make things up to you for last time. I didn’t want to just make it up to you but also to apologize to Xiao…Mr. Xiao. But, I couldn’t get a hold of you. I also couldn’t find you. Therefore, I’ve never had the chance until now. Will you do me the honour of having a meal with me?”
Song Xuanhe smiled, but it didn’t reach his eyes. He had no intention of speaking.
Lu Chao’s expression froze slightly. Who knew if it was because he was angry or embarrassed, but his skin flushed slightly. A while later, he turned his head stiffly towards Xiao Yuanmu. “Mr. Xiao, I was wrong about last time’s matter. I hope that you’ll forgive me. Please do me the honour of letting me treat you and Song shao to a meal and putting this matter behind us.”
Song Xuanhe hadn’t expected for Lu Chao to so shamelessly try this roundabout manner. However, his idea was obviously a bad one. Xiao Yuanmu was not someone who would be easy to deal with.
As expected, Xiao Yuanmu’s expression didn’t change. His gaze was firmly on the empty air in front of him. He didn’t even glance at Lu Chao out of the corner of his eye.
After a few seconds had passed without a response, the expression on Lu Chao’s face turned even uglier. But for the sake of his parents and his family’s business, he could only force himself to endure the embarrassment and humiliation. He took a step back and gave Xiao Yuanmu a ninety-degree bow. He suppressed the emotions in his voice. “Mr. Xiao, I’m sorry. I had been so senseless. Please forgive me.”
Xiao Yuanmu and Song Xuanhe didn’t speak. Guan Zhi also hadn’t left either, because he thought that this situation was amusing. He simply stood there with his arms folded as he watched the show.
A person was bowing while three other people simply stood across from him, watching him like they were watching a show in this spacious hotel lobby. Very quickly, this scene attracted quite a few gazes. Quiet whispers arose in the originally quiet lobby.
Although he couldn’t see the spectators’ expressions, Lu Chao knew that they were definitely pointing at him and talking about him. He gritted his teeth, and the hands at his sides clenched into fists. There was an unconcealed hatred and look of humiliation on his face.
“Mr. Xiao, Song shao?”
A young man dressed in a long, white wool coat walked over. He seemed quite surprised to see this scene. His eyes were widened, and his tone was cautious. “What…is happening here?”
What a coincidence for them to bump into Bai Mo here. Song Xuanhe raised a brow and subconsciously turned to look at Xiao Yuanmu.
Just as with Lu Chao just now, Xiao Yuanmu’s expression didn’t change at all as if he didn’t recognize Bai Mo or care why the other had appeared here.
Bai Mo, however, acted like he didn’t notice the other’s indifferent expression. He smiled. “I hadn’t expected to bump into you two here. My father has gotten his hands on some good wine lately. I had been planning on sending some over to you, Song shao. But, I realized that I didn’t have your contact information. That’s why I haven’t managed to gift it to you.”
Song Xuanhe acted like he hadn’t heard what Bai Mo was implying. He smiled. “You’re too kind, Bai shao. But, you don’t have to give that wine to me.”
Lu Chao, who had been bent over this whole time, could feel blood gradually rushing to his head. His ears turned even more red, but Song Xuanhe and Xiao Yuanmu didn’t react to him at all. Song Xuanhe was even leisurely chatting with someone else. Lu Chao couldn’t help but straighten his back. “Song shao, actually, I wanted to ask you for help.”
This time, Song Xuanhe finally replied to him. He looked at the flushed Lu Chao and asked in an indifferent tone, “What are you to me? Why should I help you?”
The author has something to say:
Everyone had different answers to the last chapter’s questions.
Here’s a spoiler: Three are true, and three are false.
As for which are true and which are false, that’s up to you guys to determine.
Eve: Wow so much is happening this chapter HAHA. Hope there’s some face-slapping for BM and LC .
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