As one of Linhai’s best-known business clubs, Songlan Mansion offered more than the finest luxuries and diversions. Its design was remarkably considerate too.
Take the private elevator beside an unused reception room on the top floor. It offered options for every eventuality: if there was time, one could slip away in the elevator; if not, one could duck into the room and pretend to be discussing business.
Song Liang couldn’t help praising it.
“Genius.”
At the unexpected remark, Xiao Yi turned to look at him.
Song Liang made himself perfectly at home, tugging him toward the private elevator.
“I was planning to escape through that one. Your bodyguards blocked me halfway there, so I had to duck into your room.”
Xiao Yi lowered his gaze to the hand gripping his clothes and the shoulder nearly touching his own. He discreetly freed himself.
“I don’t like being touched.”
Song Liang raised an eyebrow.
“Then why didn’t you shoot me when I was lying on top of you?”
Xiao Yi gave him a cool glance and entered the reception room, plainly unwilling to continue the conversation.
Watching his tall, aloof figure retreat, Song Liang clicked his tongue inwardly.
【Are all rich people this affected?】
【He simply looks down on you.】
Song Liang thought that explained it.
As Linhai’s foremost wealthy family—the novel’s household of powerful CEOs—the Xiaos were practically royalty to ordinary people. Even the guards at their gates considered themselves a cut above the rest.
In the book, after the original owner used underhanded methods to become Xiao Ji’s fiancé, the entire family despised him. Even Xiao Wenyu’s dog seemed to look down on him.
The servants made snide remarks and mocked him to his face. Yet he dared not offend a single one of them. He could only swallow his resentment, then turn around and take it out on the main bottom.
Xiao Yi was the only member of the family who never mocked him.
Because Xiao Yi ignored him outright. He didn’t even spare him a glance.
The purest form of contempt, really.
Yet although the original owner had sometimes resented Xiao Ji, he had never resented Xiao Yi.
First, he didn’t dare. Second, Xiao Yi didn’t look down on him alone. He looked down on everyone equally.
Apart from Xiao Ji, no one in the family mattered to him. He was an emperor in all but name, regal and remote.
Song Liang’s current position was even worse than the original owner’s. First he had taken the family heirloom; now he had become a host.
It was hardly surprising that someone born into generations of wealth like Xiao Yi would have little regard for him.
Song Liang: 【Doesn’t matter. I’ll win over his nephew. Then, whether he likes me or not, he’ll have to grit his teeth and give me a red packet.】
【…Find a way out first.】
Behind them, Yang Xuan had witnessed the entire exchange.
The pretentious host introduced by the second young lady was clearly trying to ingratiate himself with his employer, only to be coldly rejected.
Perhaps Yang Xuan had misunderstood. His employer might not like him at all. The young man was simply shameless, determined to secure a wealthy patron, and clinging to him of his own accord.
Yang Xuan should have rushed in to rescue his employer earlier.
Mr. Xiao might be tall and strong, but he had just broken two ribs and probably hadn’t fully recovered. Unable to defend himself, he had given this young man an opening.
Ultimately, it was the second young lady’s fault.
She had taken advantage of his employer’s poor health to try this tactic. Once his clothes were off, denying what had happened would be difficult.
How calculating.
No wonder Yang Xuan’s brother had told him to keep an eye on her before he left. This was what he had been guarding against.
With that thought, Yang Xuan couldn’t resist warning the young host.
“Don’t waste your efforts. Mr. Xiao isn’t interested in men.”
Song Liang had practically forgotten he was there. He turned at the remark.
“Not interested in men? So he only likes women?”
Only likes women? That made his employer sound positively dissolute.
Yang Xuan frowned.
“He isn’t interested in women either.”
Understanding dawned on Song Liang’s face.
“Oh. Impotent.”
Yang Xuan: “!!!”
“You—”
He lowered his voice angrily.
“You can be held legally responsible for spreading rumors! Xiao Group’s legal department could sue you!”
Song Liang replied lazily, “What rumor did I spread? You said it yourself. Not interested in men or women. What else could it be?”
“Couldn’t he simply be devoted to his career?” Yang Xuan snapped. “Mr. Xiao only thinks about his career. All he wants is to pursue it!”
“Who’s Career? A man or a woman?”
Yang Xuan: “…”
This person was beyond help.
“Vulgar!”
Song Liang was about to ask what was vulgar about him. He studied art, a perfectly refined subject.
Then voices sounded from the reception room, and he asked, “Is Xiao Ji in there?”
Yang Xuan frowned.
“Who told you Young Master Xiao Ji was in there?”
Song Liang was a little surprised.
He had assumed Xiao Yi had brought Xiao Ji along to meet clients today. Avoiding recognition was precisely why he had put on both a mask and a cap.
Apparently, Xiao Ji wasn’t attending?
“Where did he go?”
Surely he wasn’t still leading people around looking for him?
“Why are you asking?”
Yang Xuan looked wary, his tone stern.
“I’ll have you know our young master isn’t interested in men either.”
Remembering the main couple’s string of melodramatic love-hate entanglements, their tearful, bitter intimacy, Song Liang gave him an ambiguous smile.
“Are you sure?”
Yang Xuan: “???”
What was that expression supposed to mean?
The moment Song Liang entered the reception room, he saw Xiao Yi seated at the long table in the center.
Opposite him sat a man in his twenties, dressed in a black suit and a red shirt, without a tie. His top two buttons were undone, revealing a small patch of warm, tanned skin.
His features were sharply defined, his expression rakish, with an air of roguish arrogance. A tall, broad bodyguard stood beside him.
He had been looking at Xiao Yi. At the sound by the door, he turned toward Song Liang.
After a casual appraisal, his gaze settled on the tie around Song Liang’s wrist. A suggestive look immediately crossed his face.
“My apologies. I thought Chairman Xiao was deliberately keeping me waiting. Turns out you were busy. Did things get a little too vigorous earlier? Is that why he needs the mask?”
As soon as he finished, 3085 spoke in Song Liang’s mind.
【Character data unlocked. Would you like to view it?】
Song Liang: 【Yes.】
A transparent electronic screen appeared before him.
The man’s photograph occupied the upper-left corner, with basic information beneath it.
Name: Liang Ziyu.
Identity: One of the sons of Liang Sizhong, chairman of Xinhe Group and former leader of the Xinglong Society; deputy general manager of Xinhe Group.
…
The remaining information covered his romantic exploits and past acts of arrogance, filling an entire page.
His record was hardly spotless.
Song Liang skimmed it, then returned to the identity field.
【What’s the Xinglong Society?】
【An established criminal organization dating back forty years. It has begun transitioning into legitimate business. Its former leader, Liang Sizhong, is now chairman of Xinhe Group—and Liang Ziyu’s father.】
Song Liang: 【Begun transitioning. Meaning it hasn’t entirely left that past behind?】
【Correct.】
Song Liang considered for a moment, then his lips curved.
Noticing the shift in his emotions, 3085 asked curiously, 【What are you smiling about?】
Song Liang: 【Nothing. A few things just fell into place.】
3085 was mystified.
Beside him, Xiao Yi slowly raised his eyes to Liang Ziyu after the suggestive remark.
His green gaze was calm. His words were languid and imperious.
“Who gave you permission to speak to me like that?”
Liang Ziyu’s expression changed at once.
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