When Song Liang got into the car, Xiao Ji spotted the familiar watch on his wrist and looked stunned.
“Where did you get that watch???”
“Your uncle gave it to me. Probably because I risked my life to save you, only for you to cheat behind my back. He’s worried I’ll tell people, so he wants to keep me quiet.”
Song Liang held it toward the sunlight streaming through the window, admiring the glittering ring of diamonds.
“I hear it’s worth dozens of Land Rovers. Is that true?”
Xiao Ji stared at the watch with wide eyes, saying nothing for a long time.
Song Liang raised an eyebrow.
“What’s with that expression? Is it fake?”
Xiao Ji glared at him.
“My uncle earns over a billion yuan a year. Would he use a fake?”
“Then why do you look so incredulous?”
“…”
Xiao Ji really was incredulous.
He knew his uncle well. Although generous and often willing to give him gifts, Xiao Yi had never given him anything this expensive—much less something he had personally worn.
Yet he had made an exception for Song Liang. Just because Song Liang had “caught him cheating” at the club a few days ago?
But he hadn’t done anything. He had explained that to his uncle. Apparently, his uncle still didn’t believe him and had even offered such an expensive watch to keep Song Liang quiet.
Xiao Ji himself had never worn it, yet his uncle had given it to Song Liang.
The more he thought about it, the more it grated on him. He glanced coldly at the man beside him.
“That watch is very expensive. Clever of you.”
Song Liang lifted his eyes.
“What’s that supposed to mean?”
“What do you think?” Xiao Ji looked at him with a mocking smile. “Didn’t you deliberately bring my uncle to the club to make that scene?”
“You cheat and somehow you’re still in the right?”
“I didn’t cheat.”
Xiao Ji’s expression was cold.
“And our engagement is only a contract. A transaction. Don’t let that little bit of leverage go to your head. When the time is right, I’ll explain our relationship to my uncle. So you’d better remember your place!”
Song Liang studied his angry expression thoughtfully.
“Are you jealous?”
Xiao Ji choked.
“Jealous? Have you lost your mind? I don’t even like you!”
“I mean jealous over your uncle.”
Song Liang raised his wrist and smiled.
“You’ve never worn a watch this expensive either, have you?”
Xiao Ji: “…”
He didn’t offer a single pleasant look for the rest of the journey to the old Xiao family home.
Song Liang didn’t care. Supporting his injured arm, he got out of the car.
Pingshan Estate perfectly matched the novel’s description of the Xiao family’s old home.
A grand four-story residence blending Chinese and Western architecture stood on sprawling grounds nestled between mountains and water. An enormous circular sculptural fountain occupied the center, with landscaped gardens stretching out on either side. Farther away, an equestrian complex and other buildings were faintly visible.
Its sweeping grandeur perfectly suited the Xiao family’s standing as one of the novel’s foremost wealthy clans.
Even Song Liang, who had already seen a luxurious residence like Feixi No. 1, had to marvel at their wealth.
He also finally understood why, in the original story, the original Song Liang had turned to Xiao Yi without hesitation after Xiao Ji’s downfall.
No one could stand somewhere like this, looking down on the masses, and then willingly become one of them again.
Against power and money, love was insignificant.
Xiao Ji’s car had driven straight into the estate. They stepped out onto the open space in front of the main residence, already filled with luxury cars. Any one of them could rival the Land Rover Song Liang had previously asked both Xiao men for.
No wonder 3085 had called him a country bumpkin. He really was one.
The Xiao family’s wealth was far beyond anything the original Song Liang or Jianglin University’s so-called rich kids could imagine.
He truly had wandered into a royal household.
【In the original novel, your first meeting with the Xiao family was humiliating. Xiao Musheng didn’t refuse the engagement, but he barely spared you a glance. Just keep a low profile and get through the formalities. Let any nasty remarks go in one ear and out the other.】
Song Liang: 【Understood.】
3085’s heart lurched. The last time it had heard those words was when its host bravely took on armed robbers.
It couldn’t help asking, 【Do you actually understand? Don’t walk up and kick Xiao Musheng when we get there.】
Song Liang: 【I wouldn’t go that far.】
He might get bored and enjoy causing trouble, but he wasn’t incapable of judging a situation. After all that effort, he was finally about to enter the main storyline. Only the engagement remained. There was no reason to offend Xiao Musheng.
Especially since he remembered that, despite appearing only a handful of times in the original novel, the old patriarch was nothing like the frail, doddering man outsiders might imagine.
He was sharp and vigorous, with everything involving the Xiao Group and the family firmly within his grasp.
Even the later turning point in Xiao Ji and Xiao Yi’s relationship had occurred, very “coincidentally,” after one of Xiao Musheng’s appearances. Song Liang didn’t believe the man had nothing to do with it.
The plot had changed now, and he didn’t know what attitude Xiao Musheng would take. But the patriarch hadn’t directly targeted the Song family to force them to call off the engagement, which meant things weren’t too bad yet.
Naturally, Song Liang had no reason to antagonize him.
3085 remained doubtful but couldn’t say much more.
The birthday banquet was scheduled for the afternoon, and preparations at the old house were at their busiest. Nevertheless, Butler Ye made time to welcome them personally. He greeted the unfamiliar Song Liang with a smile while glancing behind them.
Xiao Ji knew whom he was looking for.
“Uncle’s too busy to come. He asked me to bring his birthday gift.”
Butler Ye sighed, though he wasn’t surprised. It was the same every year, right down to the excuse: busy.
But the Xiao Group was a listed corporation with a mature organizational structure, managed by layers of carefully selected elite executives. How busy could its chairman possibly be?
He simply didn’t want to come.
Butler Ye smiled wistfully.
“Never mind. He’s been like this since he was young. The master is used to it.”
Xiao Ji said nothing. Of course he knew his uncle’s temperament. But appearances still had to be maintained before his grandfather, or his other uncles would seize the opportunity to gossip.
Song Liang suddenly asked, “What was he like when he was young?”
Butler Ye paused.
Xiao Ji immediately frowned and gave Song Liang a warning look.
Song Liang ignored it. He knew far too little about Xiao Yi. Now that he had finally reached the old family home, he couldn’t pass up the opportunity.
Butler Ye smiled kindly.
“Nothing unusual. Young Master Xiao Yi has always had a mind of his own. Once he decided on something, no one could persuade him otherwise. Everyone said he was mature beyond his years.”
Song Liang tried to picture him as a child or teenager, but couldn’t imagine it at all.
“He certainly is mature,” he agreed.
Hearing his familiar tone, Butler Ye looked mildly surprised.
“You aren’t afraid of Young Master Xiao Yi?”
“Afraid of what?”
“Of him, naturally.” Butler Ye chuckled. “He’s been quiet and unsmiling since childhood. Everyone’s afraid of him.”
“Really?” Song Liang replied casually. “Then those people probably made him angry.”
Both Butler Ye and Xiao Ji froze.
Song Liang tilted his head toward them.
“What?”
“I thought you hated my uncle,” Xiao Ji said.
He hadn’t forgotten what had happened in the study when his uncle attacked this man.
Song Liang raised his hand, displaying the eight-figure watch, and asked in astonishment, “How could I? Look how expensive this watch is!”
Xiao Ji: “…”
Damn it. He had forgotten just how much this man loved money.
He was about to walk on with a dark expression when a mocking voice sounded behind them.
“I’ve never heard flattery delivered so freshly and naturally. What an eye-opener~”
Song Liang turned and let out a little “Oh.”
It was someone he knew.
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