Since her son had caused the accident, Xiao Yuanchun brought him over to apologize again after the family doctor left. She also gave Song Liang a black-and-gold membership card for Songlan Mansion.
Apparently, it came with extensive privileges: a permanent suite on the top floor, various complimentary services, and discounts worth several hundred thousand yuan a year.
Chu Xiyuan was green with envy. Even Xiao Ji didn’t have one, he said. Only ten people in all of Linhai did, and Xiao Yi was the only one in the Xiao family.
Hearing that, Song Liang accepted without hesitation.
Once Xiao Yuanchun left, Xu Bowen wisely dragged Chu Xiyuan outside.
Xiao Ji remained in the room. After staring at Song Liang with a dark expression for some time, he asked, “Why didn’t you tell me you jumped into the sea for me that night?”
Song Liang: “?”
Hadn’t he jumped because he had kicked Xiao Wenyu?
Holding back his emotions, Xiao Ji said, “I heard your conversation with Xiao Wenyu. He forced you to drug me, and you refused. You were even willing to jump into the sea and kill yourself.”
Song Liang: “…”
Was he really that devoted?
Before he could speak, Xiao Ji continued hoarsely, “Xu Huan and I did have something once, but that’s in the past. He chose his career, and I have my own responsibilities. He isn’t coming back. Xiao Wenyu lied to you. You don’t need to worry about him.”
Of course Song Liang wasn’t worried.
He was only concerned about the main love interest. Xu Huan’s family had money; the main love interest didn’t. And the little bastard before him bullied the weak and feared the strong. Coercive romance was his specialty.
“Then let’s get married now,” Song Liang said.
Xiao Ji was stunned. “…Married?!”
Song Liang nodded. “I saved you twice. It’s only natural that you’re moved. So let’s get married.”
Xiao Ji opened his mouth, then finally looked away.
“…We should get engaged first. Follow the proper order.”
Song Liang wasn’t surprised. Leaning against the headboard, he asked, “When?”
“…After the New Year.”
Perhaps realizing how vague that sounded, Xiao Ji added, “Before the Lantern Festival.”
Song Liang nodded. “All right.”
Xiao Ji studied his calm expression, unsure what he was feeling.
“Is there anything you want?” he suddenly asked.
Song Liang began, “A Land—”
【Shut your mouth!】
“…Nothing.”
His eyes were so still that his entire expression seemed empty and lifeless.
Xiao Ji felt something catch in his throat. Unable to meet his gaze, he lowered his head.
“Get some rest, then. I’ll go. Press the bedside bell if you need anything.”
“All right.”
The door closed behind him. For someone usually so graceful and composed, he looked almost as though he were fleeing.
【He doesn’t seem to have any intention of marrying you.】
“I know,” Song Liang said lightly.
He had known from the start. Even if the original owner hadn’t drugged Xiao Ji, even if Song Liang risked his life to save him, Xiao Ji still wouldn’t marry him.
【Why? You risked your life for him. Why doesn’t he love you? Even out of gratitude?】
“Pride.”
“Humans have thoughts, so they consider thought superior to desire. On that basis, proud people refuse to surrender to desire. They will only surrender to true love and a noble soul.”
【What does that mean?】
“They believe lowly status produces lowly souls, and noble status produces noble souls.”
【That’s prejudice.】
“Pride breeds prejudice. Nothing unusual about that.”
Song Liang unlocked his phone.
“He considers his own soul noble. So even if it isn’t an ideal first love like Xu Huan, it’ll be a stubborn, unyielding soul like the main love interest. Never someone like me, with nothing to offer.”
3085 immediately grew angry.
【Who says you have nothing to offer?! You’re a powerful soul selected from countless small worlds, one that even death couldn’t erase! Your free will was so strong it used up half my—】
The electronic voice cut off as abruptly as if someone had pulled its plug.
Silence filled his mind, apparently hoping to pretend nothing had happened.
Song Liang didn’t press.
“Winning Xiao Ji over isn’t going to work. I need a different approach.”
The voice immediately returned.
【Different how? The main mission can’t change.】
“It’s only marriage. If I can force an engagement, I can force a wedding too.”
【…Wake up. Apart from the Emperor’s Tear, you have nothing.】
“Someone else can do it.”
Before 3085 could ask who, Song Liang said with amusement, “I think Xiao Yi has been treating me rather well lately.”
【???】
In a small sitting room, Xiao Musheng sat on the sofa, studying the man opposite him.
“I thought you wouldn’t come back this year either.”
“I grew up here, after all. Sometimes I feel like coming back for a look. I happened to be passing.”
“I thought you were afraid I’d make things difficult for that child.”
“…”
Xiao Musheng smiled. “He is my own grandson. I wouldn’t go that far.”
Xiao Yi simply stood and left.
He encountered Xiao Guangjin, who had hurried over upon hearing the news. Before the other man could speak, Xiao Yi walked past without sparing him another glance.
Furious, Xiao Guangjin complained to Xiao Musheng.
“Dad, look at him!”
A faint, elusive smile lingered on Xiao Musheng’s face. He said nothing.
“What did he come for? To back Xiao Ji up?”
Xiao Guangjin leaned closer and lowered his voice, then immediately reconsidered.
“No, he would’ve come earlier for that. Did he really come to celebrate your birthday?”
“What happened between that Song boy and Wenyu?”
“…”
Xiao Guangjin looked awkward. “Just a minor matter. Nothing to trouble you with.”
“Investigate him.”
Xiao Musheng’s gaze darkened.
“He treasures that nephew of his, yet he’s agreed to let him marry an illegitimate son—and even came here himself. Find out exactly what’s going on.”
Xiao Guangjin paused. He didn’t see what there was to investigate about Song Liang, but he certainly wouldn’t refuse his father’s order.
Yang Xuan hadn’t expected his boss to leave without attending the birthday banquet either. Xiao Yi merely visited his old room before departing.
In the end, Xiao Ji and his assistant stayed behind. With his injured ankle, Song Liang had a convenient reason to leave and caught a ride back to Feixi No. 1 with Xiao Yi.
The two sat side by side in the back seat, unusually quiet.
So quiet that Yang Xuan almost thought they were giving each other the silent treatment.
In reality, Song Liang was discussing tactics with 3085.
Since Xiao Yi held the real power, Song Liang figured he could simply join his side.
Whatever else happened, he would first get Xiao Yi to marry his nephew off to him. In return, he could ensure Xiao Ji didn’t side with Xiao Musheng.
As for afterward, it would be best if Xiao Yi won. If he didn’t, Song Liang would already have completed his mission.
The mission had never said he couldn’t get divorced.
3085 checked the instructions and genuinely found no rule against marrying and then divorcing.
Speechless for a moment, it could only point out the main problem: Xiao Yi might refuse to entertain him at all.
In the original novel, Xiao Yi was practically the perfect final boss. His kindness to Xiao Ji early on was genuine, and his ruthlessness after their falling-out was equally real. He had driven Xiao Ji into seemingly hopeless situations several times.
Without his protagonist’s halo, Xiao Ji might not have won.
And all its host possessed was the Emperor’s Tear, which he would have to hand over on the day of the engagement.
【You have nothing to offer.】
Song Liang sighed. 【I have nothing to offer.】
Xiao Yi: “…”
Yang Xuan: “…”
Yang Xuan glanced at his boss inquisitively through the rearview mirror. Finding him as composed as ever, eyes lowered, he relaxed.
Apparently, everything was fine.
Song Liang thought the matter over for the whole journey without reaching a solution.
Then, just as they were about to get out, Xiao Yi walked around the car, opened his door, and held out a hand.
“?”
Song Liang studied it.
A suit sleeve woven with silver thread. Platinum cufflinks set with sapphires. A strong, elegant wrist, defined bones, long fingers, and cool, pale skin.
The very picture of refinement.
That hand alone could draw countless admirers in a watch advertisement.
He raised an eyebrow at its owner, puzzled.
Xiao Yi’s expression was mild, his green eyes perfectly still.
“Get out.”
Song Liang watched him for a moment, then smiled and held out both arms.
“Well, then. A little help, Uncle?”
Xiao Yi paused as he bent down and lifted his eyes.
“Are you that desperate for relatives?”
Song Liang laughed. “Then, a little help, Chairman Xiao?”
Ignoring the outstretched hands, Xiao Yi bent down, scooped him off the seat, and carried him out bridal-style.
Yang Xuan had just stepped out of the driver’s seat.
He froze.
So did the villa staff who had come out to greet their employer.
“Do you treat all your nephews’ partners this way, Chairman Xiao?”
“I don’t have that many nephews.”
“So I have Xiao Ji to thank for this?”
“…”
“If there were no Xiao Ji, would you still help me?”
“…”
Xiao Yi paused as he bent to set him down, then continued, placing him on the edge of the bed.
He withdrew his arms and made to leave.
Song Liang caught his wrist.
At the same time, he hooked a leg around Xiao Yi’s waist and abruptly rolled, pinning him beneath him.
His soiled suit jacket had already been discarded, his tie loosened and his shirt collar left open.
Almost the instant he pressed down, Song Liang felt the physical response of the man beneath him.
Slowly, he lowered his face.
Meeting those startled, beautiful green eyes, he murmured like a devil tempting its prey—
“Uncle, do you want to sleep with me?”
“…”
Their eyes met. Their breaths mingled.
For an instant, Xiao Yi was drowned out by the pounding of his own heart.
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