Translated by Eve
Edited by Kara
“What do you need help with, President Xiao? I will do anything you need.” Song Guohua had not expected to be able to hop onto Xiao Yuanmu’s ship so easily. He was so excited that he started to shake slightly. There was also a tremor in his voice as he spoke.
Xiao Yuanmu gazed into the distance, taking in the sight of the congested traffic beneath him. There was an obscure look in his eyes. He didn’t speak for a long time.
Despite not hearing anything from the other side, Song Guohua didn’t dare to urge Xiao Yuanmu to speak. He lightened his breath and cautiously waited for an answer.
Someone then knocked on Xiao Yuanmu’s door. Xiao Yuanmu looked away from the window and told the person to come in without hanging up.
Yang Jie pushed the door open. When he saw that Xiao Yuanmu was currently holding his phone, a flash of understanding flickered through his eyes. “There are ten minutes until the break is up. Xiao ge, do you want to eat something or maybe delay the meeting a bit longer?
“No need,” Xiao Yuanmu said in a flat voice, “The meeting will reconvene on time.”
Yang Jie nodded. He looked at the phone in Xiao Yuanmu’s hand hesitantly. He had been about to say something else, but the phone in his own pocket started to ring. When Yang Jie pulled the phone out and glanced at it, his mind blanked. He then looked at Xiao Yuanmu as if he had something to say.
Noticing Yang Jie’s expression, Xiao Yuanmu thought that the other had something serious to tell him. Therefore, he hung up the phone and asked, “What’s wrong?”
“This call…” Yang Jie raised his phone and directed the screen towards Xiao Yuanmu. “It’s from Song shao.”
Xiao Yuanmu’s expression changed slightly. He turned his face slightly towards the window again and said, “Take it.”
Yang Jie paused for a few seconds before answering the call on speaker.
“Hello? Song shao.”
Song Xuanhe, who had just been saved by Li Nianan from Song Xuanlin’s grasp, was in a fairly good mood. You could hear it in his voice. “Yang Jie, where are you right now?”
“I’m at Xiao…” Yang Jie saw the expression Xiao Yuanmu directed towards him and changed what he was going to say. “I’m in the meeting room, arranging the documents for the upcoming meeting.”
“Do you know where Xiao Yuanmu is now?”
Yang Jie glanced at Xiao Yuanmu’s expression again. Seeing that the other didn’t turn to look at him, he told the truth. “President Xiao is in his office.”
“Is he busy?”
Xiao Yuanmu nodded slightly. Yang Jie thus said, “Very busy. President Xiao worked overtime last night and didn’t even go home. He had to hold a shareholder meeting early in the morning too. The meeting had lasted five hours before he got a break….”
“Is that so?” Song Xuanhe clicked his tongue. He then lied without blinking, “No wonder he didn’t pick up my call just now. He’s probably fallen asleep at the office.”
Yang Jie looked at Xiao Yuanmu. Xiao Yuanmu took two steps towards him and indicated for Yang Jie to continue.
“President Xiao is probably still awake. Do you want me to find him for you?” Yang Jie didn’t know what else to say. He just wanted to end the call as soon as possible.
“No, it’s fine.” Song Xuanhe lied down on his bed, exhaling comfortably. “Tell him congratulations for me. With regards to your company’s ranking. I’m going to sleep now. Bye.”
Xiao Yuanmu had raised his hand, about to take the phone, when he heard the call end.
Faced with Xiao Yuanmu’s frosty gaze, Yang Jie handed the phone over and asked, “President Xiao, how about calling back?”
Xiao Yuanmu’s finger twitched. In the end, he stuck the phone back into his pocket and said in an insipid voice, “No. Go tell everyone that the meeting will continue.”
*
The next morning, when Song Xuanhe headed downstairs, he discovered that Song Jiabao’s family actually hadn’t left.
“Xuanhe, ah.”
Song Guohua walked over to Song Xuanhe and smiled. “Uncle called President Xiao yesterday. He’s already agreed to cooperate with me. But, Uncle still needs you to help out. We’re a family. So, you’ll help Uncle, right?”
Song Xuanhe had been sleep-deprived for the last few months. Although he had slept a full eight hours last night, one night wouldn’t be enough to clear his sleep debt. Therefore, although he had been woken up by his alarm, Song Xuanhe was still half-asleep. He would have skipped work at the Song Group to sleep all day if it had been a weekday. However, today was the weekend, so he had to go to the studio.
Right now, as Song Guohua was talking to him, the words went in one ear and out the other. Song Xuanhe didn’t care about what the other was saying at all. He didn’t plan on answering the other either.
When he saw Song Xuanhe’s indifferent expression, the smile on Song Guohua’s face froze. He then continued, “Did you not sleep well last night? You young people shouldn’t stay up so late. Otherwise, you’ll suffer when you’re older.”
Song Xuanhe perfunctorily nodded his head before sitting down at his seat.
Song Xuanlin took in his sluggish appearance. He poured a cup of freshly squeezed juice and said, “Drink it.”
Song Xuanhe accepted it and took a few sips. The iced juice was cold and helped to wake him up.
“Xuanhe, what about the thing Uncle had said to you just now…?”
Song Xuanhe frowned. He was still half-awake and was also still grumpy from having just woken up. “What does Xiao Yuanmu working with you have to do with me?”
“Xuanhe, that’s not right,” Song Guohua’s wife said, “We’re a family. It’s only expected that you should help your uncle out.”
Song Xuanhe casually stirred the congee in the bowl. He took a few mouthfuls and then placed his spoon down. “I already told you, there’s nothing between Xiao Yuanmu and I now. But, I know him. Song Jiabao has offended him pretty heavily. I’m actually quite surprised he agreed so easily.”
“That’s why I need you to act as a go-between,” Song Guohua said, “Uncle’s company is one of the Song Group’s business partners. It’ll do the Song Group a lot of good if Uncle’s company does well. Besides, everything in the past was just a misunderstanding. It’ll be fine once the misunderstanding has been cleared up.”
Song Xuanhe laughed when he had heard this. He raised his chin and pointed to Song Jiabao. With a smile that didn’t reach his eyes, he said, “You should ask him how many times he’s offended Xiao Yuanmu and whether it’s something a single apology can resolve.”
Song Guohua looked at Song Jiabao. Although Song Jiabao was afraid of Song Xuanhe, there were a lot of people around, so he believed that Song Xuanhe wouldn’t beat him up here. Therefore, he spoke in a rather confident tone, “The matter between Xiao Yuanmu and I was nothing but a little scuffle. Since you two used to be together, it shouldn’t be too much to ask you to help clear things up with him.”
“Look, Jiabao said it was just a little scuffle. President Xiao probably doesn’t mind it either.” Song Guohua smiled, “How about you help us speak to him?”
Song Yansong and Song Guochao came downstairs together at this time. Song Guochao just so happened to hear this. “Your uncle is your senior. You’re not even willing to help him out with something as small as this?”
Song Xuanhe lost his appetite. He placed his spoon down and pulled his phone out to make a call.
When Song Guohua saw the contact name, his expression turned into one of apprehension. “Xuanhe, what are you doing?”
“I’m helping you ask if he minds, ah.” Song Xuanhe put the call on speakerphone. As they listened to the ringing tone, he said in a flat voice, “Uncle and Father want me to ask my ex-boyfriend about what had happened between him and Cousin. If I don’t do it, I’ll be accused of not respecting my elders and not caring about my family. Obviously, I should help you out.”
When Song Guohua heard this, he had wanted to say something. But before he could respond, the call had been picked up.
“Is there something you need?”
When they heard the icy, impatient tone, which obviously didn’t sound like someone getting a call from their lover, the expression of the majority of people in the room changed slightly. Song Guohua’s expression changed the most drastically.
“Yes.” Song Xuanhe swept his gaze over the other people’s expressions with keen interest. He smiled. “I’m calling you, because I have a question for you.”
Xiao Yuanmu, who had waited a whole day for Song Xuanhe to call back, paused. His voice was calm and distant. “What is it?”
“Do you remember that cousin of mine? Song Jiabao?”
When Xiao Yuanmu had heard Song Xuanhe mention someone else after having finally called him after so long, Xiao Yuanmu’s voice grew colder. “Yes. What about him?”
“He wants to apologize to you.” Song Xuanhe’s eyes flitted over to the nervous Song Jiabao. “He hopes that you’ll forgive him and not hold what had happened in the past against him. He also hopes that you’ll agree to cooperate with his family’s company. What do you think? Will you forgive and work with him?”
Xiao Yuanmu lowered his gaze. He didn’t respond right away. There was quite a bit of background noise coming from the other side of the phone. Occasionally, he could also make out the faint clink of cups and plates. He didn’t even have to ask. He knew that Song Xuanhe had put him on speakerphone.
It was about eight in the morning in China right now. Song Guohua must have seen Song Xuanhe yesterday to have been able to give Xiao Yuanmu a call. Furthermore, they must have met at the Song Residence. Therefore, Song Xuanhe must be currently sitting in the Song Residence’s dining room. There was also a high probability that Song Jiabao’s family was also present. This was probably the reason Song Xuanhe had called him.
Xiao Yuanmu’s lips curled up into a cold arc. If it hadn’t been for Song Jiabao and his family, Song Xuanhe probably wouldn’t have thought to call him.
In less than half a second, Xiao Yuanmu had been able to guess Song Xuanhe’s present situation and thoughts.
However, Song Xuanhe didn’t know this. He simply waited for Xiao Yuanmu’s reply with a calm expression.
“In what capacity are you asking me this?”
When Song Xuanhe noticed Song Guohua’s gaze on him, he smiled and said, “As a member of the Song Family. My uncle’s nephew. My cousin’s cousin.”
“RE’s already decided to team up with Haig. We have also decided that we will not be partnering with any other air-conditioning manufacturers.”
Song Guohua was majorly disappointed. He looked away from Song Xuanhe.
Song Xuanhe raised a brow and asked, “Then, what about the misunderstanding with my cousin? Do you forgive him?”
“There’s no misunderstanding between us.”
Xiao Yuanmu knew about Song Xuanhe’s relationship with Song Jiabao’s family. He also knew that the other had called him, because he had wanted him to personally reject Song Guohua. However, even though he was angry about this, he still couldn’t help but do as Song Xuanhe wanted.
“Okay.” Song Xuanhe heard what Xiao Yuanmu was implying. Meanwhile, it was obvious that Song Jiabao’s family didn’t get it as they looked visibly relieved. Regardless, Song Xuanhe wasn’t nice enough to warn them. “That’s it. I’ll be hanging up now.”
A dark light flashed through Xiao Yuanmu’s eyes, and he pursed his thin lips.
Song Xuanhe had just been about to hang up when he suddenly recalled something. He said, “Right, congratulations on the success of your new energy source research.”
It had just been a short sentence, but it was enough to make Xiao Yuanmu smile. He made a soft sound of acknowledgment. However, when Song Xuanhe decisively hung up right after, his curled lips once again flattened.
“Is there anything else, Uncle?” Song Xuanhe stood up as he spoke, “I’m busy, so I’ll be leaving first.”
He had just taken a few steps when he suddenly paused. He turned to look at Song Jiabao, a wicked smile in his eyes. “Oh yeah, Cousin, I forgot to tell you, but Xiao Yuanmu knows about the thing with Boss Sun.”
Song Jiabao froze while cutting the food on his plate. His expression changed at once, and he turned to look at Song Xuanhe. However, Song Xuanhe had already left the room and could not be seen.
*
By the time Song Xuanhe had reached the studio, Shi Qi was already waiting for him. He stood off to the side, looking uncomfortable. He watched as the designers darted here and there, busy with their own work. When he finally saw Song Xuanhe walk in, he acted like a baby chick that had finally found its parents. He looked excited and dependent on Song Xuanhe.
“Song laoshi!”
Song Xuanhe had originally been planning on going around the other to reach his office. He turned his head and was met with a pair of sparkling eyes.
“Song laoshi, you’re here. I have already told my manager about training with you. He agreed.”
Song Xuanhe nodded. “Come in with me.”
Shi Qi followed Song Xuanhe into his office.
After closing the door, Song Xuanhe crossed his arms and asked, “Are you nervous when meeting strangers?”
Shi Qi was taken aback. He licked his lips rather nervously and looked down. “I’m always like this in unfamiliar places.”
“You’re afraid of strangers and are uncomfortable in unfamiliar places but still want to be a model?” Song Xuanhe raised a brow, tone not at all gentle. “Did your manager not tell you that you’re not going to be able to mix in within these circles with a disposition like that?”
Shi Qi pressed his lips into a straight line. He didn’t answer.
Song Xuanhe felt like he was bullying a small child, seeing the silent, guilty expression on that youthful face. But then again, when he thought about Shi Qi’s age, he realized that the other was indeed still a kid.
Nonetheless, Song ershao had never been one to feel ashamed over bullying small children. His words were as sharp as before. “If you’re not good with unfamiliar people and places, then you’re not suited for this field. You’re in high school right now. It’s better for you to go back and focus on your studies.”
“I like modelling.” Shi Qi abruptly raised his head. He met with Song Xuanhe’s eyes before quickly looking away. “I will work hard to regulate my nervousness….”
Song Xuanhe sat down on the sofa and gazed up at the other. He said in a flat voice, “You’re so nervous in front of me right now. I find it really hard to believe that you won’t mess up because of stage fright on the runway.”
“I won’t!” Shi Qi looked at Song Xuanhe. His voice wasn’t loud, but it was firm. “As long as I’m on the runway, I won’t feel nervous.”
“So, you want me to take a gamble and keep you on the off-chance you’ll calm down on the runway?” Song Xuanhe raised a brow. “Do you think you’re worth gambling my debut show over?”
“You said I could do it yesterday.” Shi Qi frowned. “You chose me out of the five of us. That means that you think I can do it, right?”
“No. I just chose the best out of the bunch.” Song Xuanhe’s expression was that of indifference. “However, today, I feel like you aren’t such a good choice after all.”
“You won’t regret it.” Shi Qi took a step forward. He then paused when he met with Song Xuanhe’s gaze. He said in a clear voice, “I’m a good choice.”
Song Xuanhe: “Keep up that imposing manner. Remember how that feels. If I see you cowering at the entrance of the studio again tomorrow morning, you won’t need to come back.”
Shi Qi was taken aback. He said, “Then, I….”
“You can leave for now.” Song Xuanhe stood up, opened the door, and said, “Come back at the same time tomorrow. It’ll be your last chance.”
Shi Qi didn’t move. He didn’t dare to let the expression on his face change. He was so nervous that his jaw tensed. “I don’t know what kind of expression I was making. I don’t know how to find this feeling again.”
“Well, it’s not the one you have on now.” Song Xuanhe grabbed him by the wrist and dragged him out the door. “Whether you can find that feeling again by tomorrow or not has nothing to do with me.”
He didn’t hesitate to shut Shi Qi outside. Song Xuanhe then turned around and threw himself into his work.
He didn’t know how much time had passed. Some time later, Feng Tong knocked on his door. Only then did Song Xuanhe come out of his work.
“There’s a model coming in for an audition this afternoon.” Feng Tong walked in and shut the door. “He has ample experience. He’s done a few international shows for luxurious brands. I’ve seen him at a show once. He’s got a good aura.”
Song Xuanhe was interested. “Why did he come to me?”
“He disappeared for three months after his last show. Not even his manager could contact him.” Feng Tong said, “Seems like he had offended the editor-in-chief of some domestic magazine when he violated their contract. He was originally supposed to reach the B-list upon coming back to the country, but because of this matter, basically no one wants him. That’s why he has come here to try his luck.”
Song Xuanhe directly said, “I don’t like people who don’t honour their contractual obligations.”
Feng Tong smiled and sat down next to him. “I know. But although I’ve only seen him once, I think that he’s not that kind of person. I also think that his aura really suits your designs. That’s why I want to give him a chance. In any case, you haven’t found a model yet. Why not let him audition?”
“When is he coming?”
When Feng Tong heard Song Xuanhe ask this, he knew that the other had agreed. Therefore, he smiled and said, “He’s already here. But, we’re currently on our lunch break. So, he’s been waiting outside.”
Song Xuanhe nodded slowly. He didn’t tell the other to have the model enter. He just said, “If that’s the case, I suppose I’ll just wait until it’s time for his audition to make my decision.”
Feng Tong knew what Song Xuanhe was thinking. Feng Tong had only said all that, because he thought that the other was a rather good model. But in the end, Song Xuanhe was his business partner. He would not say anything more on the model’s behalf. It was now up to the model’s own capabilities.
The two of them discussed the show’s decorations after having lunch. They had already decided on the venue: an old church. Regardless of whether it was the spectator’s angle or the decorations, they had to carefully consider their options.
Aside from the show venue’s decorations, they also had to discuss the backstage area, the makeup artists, the lighting, etc. They had chatted for a full two hours but had not been able to come up with a conclusive decision to any of these issues. Unfortunately, albeit trivial, they had to do it themselves. This was why Song Xuanhe and Feng Tong had been so busy.
At around two in the afternoon, someone else knocked on Song Xuanhe’s door. Feng Tong glanced at the time and stood up. He said, “Lunch is over. Looks like it’s time for the audition.”
Song Xuanhe also stood up. He had a lot to do this afternoon, so it would be best if he could get the audition over with quickly.
“You can head straight over to the changing rooms.” Feng Tong left the office with Song Xuanhe while saying this. “I’ll go call him over.”
Song Xuanhe had no objections. He turned to head towards the changing rooms. He sat down on the sofa, where he had sat yesterday, and waited for the model Feng Tong had mentioned.
Two minutes later, a knock came from the door.
“Come in.”
The gray-glass door rimmed with a black, artsy, metal frame was pushed open. A tall man exuding an aloof aura walked in.
When Song Xuanhe saw who had come, he raised his brows in surprise. “It’s you?”
“Song shao?”
The person who had walked in paused. He had faint frown lines, which added a cold, sinister air to him, making him feel very hard-to-approach.
Song Xuanhe sized him up, an interested smile on his lips. He walked over to the man and stuck his hand out. “Long time no see.”
The man hesitated before reaching out with his own hand, his jaw tense.
Song Xuanhe shook his hand and then let go. “I didn’t think that you’d be the one to audition, Yu Zhong. I had thought that we’d never see each other again.”
Yu Zhong replied in a flat voice. “I did too.”
“Alright.” Song Xuanhe raised a brow and went back to sit on the sofa. As he made his way back over, he said, “The changing stalls are over there. The clothes are inside. I don’t have to tell you what to do after you change, right?”
“No.” Yu Zhong handed the paper bag in his hands to Song Xuanhe and then headed into one of the changing rooms.
Song Xuanhe was curious about what had happened since they had last met. Although the young man from back then had been haughty, he had also been loyal and decisive. Now, he was cold and seemed cynical. However, Song Xuanhe had to admit that Yu Zhong’s current temperament suited his designs very well.
Yu Zhong changed very quickly. A short moment later, he pulled the curtain of the changing stall open and walked out.
He wasn’t wearing any shoes. He walked across the runway barefooted, wearing a pure-white, linen trench coat. The clothes looked like they had been tailored to his measurements. Every single seam seemed to be perfectly in line. The coat swayed against his calves as he walked in a smooth and steady pace. The totem design embroidered on the collar in the same colour as the trench coat could be faintly seen under the changing room’s lights.
This was a casual-style trench coat. However, the person wearing it had on a cold and indifferent expression the whole time. His frown lines also added a bit of a wicked air to it. The model’s aura was like pure black. Contrasted with the pure white clothes, it made one unable to look away.
Yu Zhong was the first person to ever properly interpret Song Xuanhe’s clothes. Furthermore, the current article he had on was still an unfinished piece. Song Xuanhe could almost imagine just how dazzling Yu Zhong would be on the runway wearing the competed version.
“The clothes on that rack over there, from left to right.” Song Xuanhe pointed and said, “Try each piece on.”
Yu Zhong was surprised but didn’t comment. He did as Song Xuanhe said. After picking up the clothes, he went to model each one.
After seeing Yu Zhong model all the clothes, Song Xuanhe had confirmed that Yu Zhong was indeed the most suitable person to wear his designs. Although he wasn’t completely what he wanted, the other was seventy percent there. It had already exceeded Song Xuanhe’s expectations.
Therefore, after the other had finished modelling all the clothes, he directly said, “We’ll sign the contract today. You’ll fly to Y Country in September. Is that fine with you?”
Yu Zhong was silent for a moment. He then said, “You must have heard about how I had violated a contract.”
Song Xuanhe: “And?”
Yu Zhong: “You still trust me?”
“I do.” Song Xuanhe smiled, his tone casual. However, there was a sliver of scrutiny in his eyes. “You wouldn’t dare to fail to honour mine, would you?”
Yu Zhong’s lips twitched. It seemed like he had wanted to say something. But in the end, he only said, “I won’t. Don’t worry. Besides, I can’t afford to pay the penalty that would come with violating a contract with one of the Song Group’s successors.”
Song Xuanhe smiled, appearing carefree. He called someone over to prepare the contract. While the contract was being formulated, he suddenly remembered the boy Yu Zhong had protected before. He asked, “Right, where did that model who you were on good terms with go?”
Yu Zhong’s hand twitched. He said in a flat voice, “He’s doing very well now. He’s working abroad.”
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