While Xiao Ji was speaking with the doctor, Song Liang took the opportunity to chat with the nurse attending to him and ask whether Xiao Yi had visited. She shook her head, saying she had never seen Chairman Xiao here.
Unconvinced, Song Liang asked Yang Xun as well.
Recalling Xiao Yi’s evasiveness and the instructions he had given him, Yang Xun said no.
“…”
Song Liang asked, “You’re saying that during the days I was unconscious, your boss never visited, never asked about me, and didn’t care?”
Yang Xun thought back to Xiao Yi’s exact words. He had said Song Liang surely wouldn’t want to see him after waking up, or hear his hypocritical concern after the damage was already done. That meant there was absolutely nothing wrong with his answer.
He nodded. “Correct.”
Song Liang: “…”
Fine. Impressive.
3085 sneered. 【Someone was so sure the villain was interested in him. And now? He can’t even be bothered to keep up appearances. You rank below the disadvantaged students supported by his scholarship fund.】
Song Liang said nothing. At the birthday celebration, a certain someone had carried him bridal-style and taken him home separately, putting on a remarkably committed performance. Song Liang had intended to play along and walk willingly into the trap. Then, through the distress message he had sent Zheng Xin, he would subtly let Xiao Yi know that he had recognized the setup and cooperated anyway, earning himself a hefty boost in goodwill.
Who would have thought Xiao Yi wouldn’t respond at all? He wouldn’t even spare the time to make a token visit to his future nephew-in-law.
A crushing defeat. Forget ranking below a scholarship recipient—Xiao Yi barely seemed to acknowledge his existence.
Song Liang sighed. 【Looks like I’ll have to activate the backup plan.】
【?】
What damn backup plan?
Before the system could ask, Song Liang grabbed Xiao Ji. Startled, Xiao Ji thought something might be wrong.
“What is it?”
Song Liang looked at him with grave sorrow. “I have something to tell you.”
“What?”
“I said before that I liked older men.”
“…”
Xiao Ji’s expression darkened. Through gritted teeth, he asked, “Are you announcing your intention to cheat in front of everyone here?”
The doctors and nurses: “…”
Yang Xun: Incredible. The kid has someone else on the side, too.
The attending physician cleared his throat and said casually, “The patient is recovering well. We’ll leave you to it.”
Their minds buzzing, the doctors and nurses walked out while pretending nothing had happened. The moment they stepped through the door, they encountered another unexpected figure.
Inside, Song Liang explained to the visibly furious Xiao Ji, “You’ve misunderstood. I’m trying to repent.”
Xiao Ji paused. Repent?
“I don’t think he’s any good. You’re better after all,” Song Liang said.
Xiao Ji: “…”
He laughed in anger. “Should I thank you?”
“You’re welcome. He only has himself to blame for not appreciating me,” Song Liang replied calmly.
That expression only made Xiao Ji feel worse. He couldn’t help asking, “Didn’t you say he was older and experienced?”
“He is experienced. But too much experience isn’t a good thing.”
“How so?”
“Experience means cunning, and cunning means scheming. In short…” Song Liang sighed. “Older men lie and break hearts. I don’t like that.”
He had barely finished when the door opened, revealing Xiao Yi outside.
Surprised, Yang Xun called out, “Xiao Yi?”
The room fell silent. Xiao Ji and Song Liang both turned toward him.
Xiao Yi simply stood there, his gaze resting on the hand Song Liang had wrapped around Xiao Ji.
Yang Xun: “…”
What a disaster.
Song Liang hadn’t expected him to appear and instinctively assumed he had come for Xiao Ji. He said, “Your uncle’s looking for you.”
The atmosphere grew even stranger. Yang Xuan, who had been stuck behind Xiao Yi without a chance to enter, finally spoke up.
“Sir came specifically to see you, Young Master Song.”
Surprised, Song Liang replied, “I’m already being discharged. What’s there left to visit? If Chairman Xiao wanted to see a patient, he could have come two days earlier.”
Yang Xuan: ??? Two days earlier? His boss had spent that entire night here!
Xiao Yi glanced at Yang Xun.
Yang Xun: ?
Weren’t you the one who told me not to say anything?
“Uncle.”
Xiao Ji had felt somewhat conflicted these past few days, but this was still his uncle. Ultimately, his uncle had used Song Liang to protect him. Now that he had come to visit Song Liang of his own accord, it must also be for his nephew’s sake.
Touched, Xiao Ji said, “Thank you for coming to see Song Liang.”
Yang Xuan: “…”
Yang Xun: “…”
“You’re welcome,” Xiao Yi replied evenly.
Song Liang added, “Thank you, Chairman Xiao.”
Xiao Yi studied him for a moment. “Are you uncomfortable anywhere?”
Song Liang smiled. “Emotionally.”
Everyone: “…”
Xiao Yi’s expression remained unchanged. “What would make you feel better?”
“A few million in my bank account might help.”
Xiao Yi looked at Yang Xuan.
Yang Xuan faltered. “…How many million?”
Xiao Yi continued looking at him.
Yang Xuan: Fine. Understood. At least ten.
He quietly went to take care of it.
Xiao Yi looked back at Song Liang, who smiled and nodded. “I feel much better now. Thank you, Uncle.”
At that single word, Yang Xun watched half the chill around a certain man disappear. Even his expression eased a little.
Yang Xun was impressed. What an achievement—paying ten million just to be called “Uncle.”
Song Liang took something out of his pocket and placed it on the bedside cabinet.
“It’s a little damaged, but it seems to work. I hope you’re not angry, Uncle.”
The black, diamond-set mechanical watch was understated and dignified, perfectly suited to a man in power. Now, however, a spiderweb crack ran across its face, scratches covered the metal bracelet, and traces of dark red blood remained in the crevices.
Everyone present knew where those marks had come from. They could imagine just how dangerous the situation had been.
Silence settled over the room again. Xiao Yi stood without speaking for a long time before finally saying, his voice slightly hoarse, “It was a gift. Do whatever you want with it.”
Song Liang assumed he simply didn’t want such a damaged watch back.
“True. Returning it to you in this condition wouldn’t be appropriate. I’ll find someone to repair it.”
Xiao Yi’s hand abruptly clenched at his side. His throat moved as though he wanted to say something, but no words came. In the end, he only said, “Get some rest.”
Song Liang waved. “Bye.”
Yang Xun couldn’t help glancing at him. What a vindictive little thing. The man hadn’t even made it through the doorway before being dismissed. Anyone watching might have thought the Song family owned the hospital.
Xiao Ji felt that sending his uncle away like this was inappropriate. “We’re about to head back too, Uncle. Why don’t you come with us?”
Xiao Yi glanced at Song Liang and replied calmly, “No need. I have something to do.”
Since he had said that, Xiao Ji couldn’t insist and simply saw him off.
Xiao Yi turned to leave. He had only taken a few steps when a certain voice drifted out of the room behind him.
“Have our engagement outfits been arranged? Will they be ready before the Lantern Festival? I want to save a few invitations for my friends…”
“…Shut up.”
“Are you shy?”
“…”
Unable to bear watching any longer, Yang Xun followed Xiao Yi outside and caught up with him. He studied that perfectly composed face and gave a derisive snort.
“If you like him that much, why not just steal him away?”
“You’ve raised the boy to adulthood. That’s more than enough to repay Xiao Ying for looking after you back then.”
The man beside him didn’t even glance his way. He merely said, “You stay here,” and stepped into the elevator.
Yang Xun held the doors open with one hand and asked, “He seems awfully wary of me. The moment he heard my name, he threw away the water I poured him, cup and all. Have you people been bad-mouthing me?”
Xiao Yi’s gaze shifted slightly. “No one has mentioned you to him.”
Yang Xun raised an eyebrow.
Now that was interesting.
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