Chapter 85: Looking for Friends

Translated by Eve

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Song Xuanhe had just driven his car past the metal gates when he sensed the tense air in the Song Residence.

Zhang Chao, who had been waiting for him at the main entrance this whole time, ran over to his car right away. Song Xuanhe lowered his window and Zhang Chao jogged alongside the still-moving car. “Er shao, you’ve received many calls from our business partners on your work cell phone today. Some of the callers included President Yang of Earth and President Li of Zhongsi—the latter of which the Song Group is already discussing the possibility of cooperation with. David from Kirby has also called in. He wants to continue discussing the case from last time, the one that we have yet to reach a conclusion on despite already having undergone two rounds of discussion. Among these….”

“Stop.” Song Xuanhe stepped on the brake and pressed his index finger to his lips. He slung his other arm outside the window and leaned back against the car seat. He shut his eyes and said in a flat voice, “Let me rest for a moment.”

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.”

“Er shao will be up soon. He still has a few things to sort out. President Yang of Earth and President Li of Zhongsi have both called in today….

“Yes, we have also received news from Kirby, with whom we had yet to successfully wrap up negotiations. Yes sir. I will remind Ershao to immediately head inside when he is done.”

After hanging up, Zhang Chao exhaled. He cautiously walked back into the garage with light steps.

“I didn’t think that you’d be one to lie, Assistant Zhang.”

A languid voice that seemed to hold a hint of amusement echoed through the garage. Zhang Chao’s steps paused. He turned to see Song Xuanhe leaning against the car nearest to the garage’s exit. There was a small smile on his face.

“I didn’t lie. Everything I said was true. Ershao, have you not been sleeping well these days?” Zhang Chao examined Song Xuanhe’s complexion, voice turning solemn, “For the last few months, you’ve been telling me that you were going to get together with friends every day after work. But…while I know that you must be feeling frustrated or disappointed—although you’re still young now—you still can’t indulge in that kind of thing too often. Otherwise, when you’re older you’ll—”

The smile on Song Xuanhe’s face froze and his expression changed a few times. In the end, he couldn’t stop himself from chuckling. “What are you thinking about?”

The solemn expression on Zhang Chao’s face eased up and the corner of his lips raised slightly. “Ershao, don’t worry too much about Mr. Xiao. The Chairman will not disregard your wishes and force you to do something you do not want to do.”

Song Xuanhe: “Did you think that I was feeling nervous just now?”

Zhang Chao shook his head, a serious, earnest expression on his face. However, the tone he used made it sound like he was coaxing a child. “Of course not. How could Ershao be nervous?”

Song Xuanhe: “….”

“I’m not the one who’s nervous.” Song Xuanhe threw his car key to Zhang Chao. When he saw the other look like he wanted to speak up, he made a shush gesture with his hand. His smile was ostentatiously confident. “You’ll understand in a moment.”

Zhang Chao’s steps halted for a moment. He stared at Song Xuanhe’s straight back and thought, Ershao has finally grown up. He smiled, gratified, before following Song Xuanhe from behind.

They walked over to the door of the Song Family’s main residence. Zhang Chao made it over in quick strides and helped Song Xuanhe open the door. The door creaked open and the sound of conversation on the other side paused. Everyone turned to look towards the opened door.

Song Xuanhe walked in, his gaze sweeping over the complicated expressions on everyone’s faces. He smiled. “Why are you all standing around the entrance? Weren’t we going to eat?”

Li Nianan was currently ordering the servants to prepare the table. When she saw that Song Xuanhe had returned, she smiled. However, when she made her way to him, her brows knitted. “It’s only been two weeks since I last saw you. How did you lose so much weight? Is work tiring you out too much?”

“Mrs. Zhang.” Li Nianan tugged Song Xuanhe inside by the hand while speaking. “Quickly bring out a bowl of congee to help pad He bao’s stomach.”

“We’re about to have dinner, why would he need to pad his stomach?” Song Guochao frowned at Song Xuanhe. “Tell me, what does RE company, that was on Fortune and the other world ranking, have to do with Xiao Yuanmu? Is Xiao Yuanmu RE’s President? Also, did you already know….”

“Also what?” Li Nianan interrupted. “Can’t you see how tired your son is? Can’t you talk about something like this after dinner?”

“What do you mean, ‘something like this?’” Song Guochao’s face darkened. “Do you know just how important the energy source in Xiao Yuanmu’s hand is? If we’re late by even a second, we might lose out on an opportunity worth billions of….”

“Enough.” Song Yansong stood up and spoke in a flat voice, “Let’s eat first. We’ll discuss the rest after dinner.”

“Dad…” Song Guochao noticed Song Yansong’s gaze. He swallowed back down the words he was about to say and simply followed the older man into the dining room.

Except for Song Xuanhe, who had not tasted the Song Family kitchen’s meals in a long time, and Li Nianan who was fully concentrated on putting food in Song Xuanhe’s bowl, the other six people didn’t eat much and were absentminded the entire dinner.

After the dinner ended, the servants cleared the table. The plates of food had barely been touched.

Song Yansong stood up and said, “Xuanhe, come with me to the study.”

Song Xuanhe nodded and walked over to support Song Yansong as he walked. Song Guochao also came over and said, “Dad, I’ll come with you.”

Song Yansong glanced at Song Jiabao’s father, who had been standing to the side. He then told Song Guochao, “No need. The rest of you can wait down here.”

Song Guochao still wanted to insist on following along. However, Li Nianan grabbed his arm. She only let go after Song Xuanhe and Song Yansong had gone upstairs.

“What are you doing?” Song Guochao flung off Li Nianan’s hold. “Let go of me!”

Li Nianan loosened her hold at once. She said in an insipid tone, “Dad has something to say to Xuanhe right now. There’s no point in you joining in. Moreover, regardless of whether Xiao Yuanmu is the President of RE, he and Xuanhe have already broken up. Have you forgotten about how you were the one who had been most vehemently against them being together? You had also been the happiest one after they had broken up.”

Song Guochao flushed in shame, being told off like this in front of Song Jiabao’s family and others. He roared, “What do you know? I’m doing this for the sake of the company. A useless woman like you can’t do anything except go shopping or beautify yourself. You can’t even look after a child. What are you doing, trying to meddle in the family’s affairs now? Song Xuanhe was spoiled rotten by you!”

Li Nianan had pulled on Song Guochao’s arm earlier with intentions of helping him save face. Old Mr. Song always meant what he said. Even she knew that this matter was of great importance despite the fact that she wasn’t in the business. Since the old man wanted to talk to her youngest son alone, that meant that he did not want anyone else present. If she hadn’t pulled Song Guochao back, he would have been even more embarrassed upon being forced to walk down the stairs with his tail between his legs later. However, she hadn’t expected for him to say such things to her.

“That’s right. I spoiled my son rotten. He’s my son and my son alone. He has nothing to do with you.” Li Nianan wasn’t angry. She only looked at him with a derisive look in her eyes. She said, “I raised both sons single-handedly. Regardless of whether they grew up well or spoiled, it was all because of me. Since that’s the case, you better not meddle in their affairs. I don’t care whether the ‘Xiao Yuanmu’ you guys talk about is He bao’s ex or not. No one is allowed to force He bao to do anything he doesn’t want to do!”

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?”

“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.”

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.”

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.”

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.

However, he hadn’t prepared for this.

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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?”

“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?”

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.”

“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.”

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.

“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.

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?”

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?”

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.”

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.”

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….”

“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.”

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.”

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.

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?”

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.”

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.”

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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.

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