The drive from Feixi No. 1, where Xiao Yi lived, to the old Xiao family home took almost three hours—practically halfway across Linhai. Considering Xiao Yi’s attitude toward the old house, Song Liang suspected he had chosen Feixi No. 1 precisely to put more distance between them.
That gave him cause for concern.
“If they decide to kill me, I won’t even have a car.”
He made this remark at breakfast that morning.
Beside him, Xiao Ji drew a deep breath.
“What do you think the Xiao family is? A gang? A band of outlaws?”
Song Liang shook his head.
“Who knows? I’m the one forcing this marriage, after all. I have a guilty conscience.”
Xiao Yi was sitting opposite them when he said it. Xiao Ji instinctively glanced at him. Seeing no reaction, he realized his uncle must already know he was being forced into the engagement.
The thought irritated him all over again. He sneered at Song Liang.
“You deserve it.”
Song Liang gave him a lingering look, then wiped his mouth with his napkin and went upstairs to change.
Aunt Jiang couldn’t help wondering whether she had prepared breakfast badly today. Ever since Song Liang had joined the household, she had never seen anyone manage to silence him.
Xiao Ji was surprised too. He had been ready for another irritating retort, yet Song Liang had simply left.
Was he ill? Or genuinely frightened?
Then again, that made sense. His usual arrogance toward Xiao Ji depended entirely on having the Emperor’s Tear in his hands. At the end of the day, Song Liang was merely an illegitimate son of the Song family. Facing an established family like the Xiaos, he would still feel afraid.
Xiao Ji’s mood shifted subtly. He had grown accustomed to Song Liang’s arrogance lately. Discovering that he could be frightened after all eased some of his accumulated frustration.
Before long, Yang Xuan arrived to pick up Xiao Yi.
“Young Master Xiao.”
Xiao Ji nodded and asked whether he had eaten breakfast. If not, he could sit down and join them.
Yang Xuan didn’t stand on ceremony. He sat opposite Xiao Ji, accepted the tableware Aunt Jiang brought him, and began eating.
Xiao Ji turned to Xiao Yi.
“Are you going out today?”
“Yes. Director Chang of Qianyuan Group is celebrating his birthday.”
Xiao Ji felt a little troubled by that. His uncle could make time for a business partner’s birthday, yet wouldn’t attend his own father’s celebration.
“Grandfather mentioned you when he called before. He said he hoped you would come back this year.”
Worried that his uncle might be displeased, he added, “If you don’t go, there’s no telling what Third Uncle will say about you to him.”
“He’ll talk even if I go.”
Xiao Yi took a sip of coffee. Setting down his cup, he added, “Don’t get into a confrontation with him or his son. There’s no need.”
Those last words made Xiao Ji’s heart skip. His uncle never offered empty reassurances. He only did useful things. If he said there was no need, then there really was no need.
“I heard the police went to the hospital to see Xiao Wenyu a few days ago. Did they get anything out of him?”
“No. But we don’t need him to say anything.”
That strengthened Xiao Ji’s conviction that his uncle had some conclusive evidence that could get Xiao Wenyu arrested. He simply didn’t know what it was.
Uncle and nephew chatted intermittently. As Yang Xuan ate, he kept sneaking glances at the empty seat nearby, wondering where a certain male temptress had gone.
Then slow footsteps sounded from the stairs. Their unhurried rhythm alone conveyed the owner’s casual attitude, perfectly matching a certain someone.
Almost simultaneously, all three men at the table looked up.
Song Liang, now changed, was slowly descending the stairs.
He wore an all-black tailcoat ensemble. The fine texture of the satin seemed to carry a soft, flowing sheen. Distinctive peaked lapels emphasized his tall, slender frame. Straight black trousers and matching leather shoes gave him a strikingly upright silhouette, while the slightly tapered waist highlighted his narrow middle and the curve of his hips.
Because his arm was still in a sling, the jacket remained unbuttoned. His tie was untied, merely draped around his neck. The pale gray shirt was open slightly at the collar, revealing a patch of fair skin and part of his collarbone.
It was formal evening wear, yet he wore it like a fashion statement. Combined with his clean, handsome features and indifferent expression, the effect made it difficult to look away.
Even Yang Xuan couldn’t help staring for a while. Then he remembered something and turned.
Sure enough, both uncle and nephew opposite him were staring too.
Xiao Ji genuinely found Song Liang stunning. He had thought that although the outfit was exquisitely designed, it would be difficult to carry off, and Song Liang would look awkward in it.
Instead, it suited his bearing perfectly. He looked remarkably composed and distinguished, without a trace of his former cringing awkwardness.
Xiao Yi, meanwhile, watched the figure descending the stairs. Just before Song Liang looked his way, he discreetly withdrew his gaze, as though he had never raised his head at all.
Naturally, Xiao Ji refused to acknowledge his momentary admiration. He cleared his throat and frowned.
“Why haven’t you tied your tie properly?”
Song Liang raised an eyebrow and glanced at the right arm suspended against his chest, silently asking how he was supposed to do that.
Xiao Ji remained dissatisfied.
“There are plenty of staff here. Couldn’t you ask someone?”
Song Liang walked straight over to him.
“Then you do it.”
Xiao Ji looked at his carefully dressed appearance, those clean, beautiful features. His throat moved slightly before he turned his face away.
“Find someone who wants to.”
Yang Xuan quietly looked at his boss opposite him.
Ask your uncle, he thought. He likes tying things.
Speechless for a moment, Song Liang was about to look for Aunt Jiang when his gaze instinctively went to Xiao Yi.
Today, Xiao Yi wore a black satin shirt. The fabric fell smoothly over his broad shoulders and elegantly shaped chest. He sat upright as he ate, looking as though he were attending a royal banquet—graceful enough to belong in a painting.
Someone that elegant surely wouldn’t help tie his tie.
Song Liang turned to Yang Xuan.
Yang Xuan immediately stiffened.
Just then, Xiao Ji suddenly stood in front of Song Liang and took hold of the tie around his neck.
As he began tying it, he said stiffly, “Just this once.”
Song Liang didn’t care. As long as someone did it for him.
Yang Xuan instantly relaxed.
But a young master like Xiao Ji had never tied anyone else’s tie in his life. Or perhaps someone’s face was simply too close. His fingers worked for ages without producing a proper knot.
Song Liang began to doubt him.
“Do you actually know how?”
“…”
Xiao Ji’s face darkened. He had the nerve to ask that? It was because he kept lowering his head to watch, breathing all over Xiao Ji’s hands.
“Shut up and stop moving!”
“You’re wrapping it the wrong way.”
“Then do it yourself!”
“…”
With their heads close together, occasionally exchanging a few bickering words, they inexplicably looked like a young couple. Aunt Jiang couldn’t help smiling to herself.
Yang Xuan watched briefly, then quietly looked at his boss.
Wonderful. As still as stagnant water.
The more flustered Xiao Ji became, the less he could manage the knot. Meanwhile, the man in front of him kept staring at his hands and face. That burning gaze made his fingertips tremble and his face grow warm.
He inwardly cursed Song Liang’s shamelessness. Staring at him like this in front of his uncle, without the slightest embarrassment!
Song Liang was indeed watching him. He had only one thought.
Was this guy an idiot? It was just a tie. What on earth was he doing, looping it around like that? And was his heartbeat a little fast?
Clink.
A crisp sound rang out as chopsticks touched a plate.
The next moment, a low, indifferent voice followed.
“I’m finished.”
Everyone turned.
Xiao Yi had already risen and was heading toward the entrance, apparently ready to leave.
Song Liang asked instinctively, “You’re going out today too?”
Xiao Yi paused slightly without turning.
“Yes.”
Song Liang didn’t ask where he was going. He merely said, “Then remember to take your bodyguards. Don’t get robbed on the way again.”
Xiao Ji: “…”
Yang Xuan: “…”
The New Year was almost here. Couldn’t he say something more auspicious?
Song Liang saw nothing unlucky about his remark. In fact, he thought he had expressed himself rather well. He had even learned to show concern for his elders.
He lifted his good hand and waved.
“Have a safe trip, Uncle!”
Yang Xuan caught sight of the watch on his wrist and was stunned.
If he remembered correctly, that was a custom piece his boss had paid an eight-figure sum for.
He had simply given it away???
That cost more than a Land Rover!!!
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