As Liang Ziyu’s final words fell, the hall sank into silence once more.
Most of those present were accustomed to the sordid affairs of wealthy families. Fathers and sons turning on each other, siblings fighting among themselves, uncles and nephews becoming enemies—such things surprised them only briefly. But what Liang Ziyu had just revealed truly shocked them.
Many of them looked up to the Xiao family or sought to attach themselves to it. Now they were learning that this supposedly century-old prestigious family had once been no better than bandits and robbers. Old Master Xiao’s celebrated comeback had been built on betraying a close friend. Even Xiao Yi, the renowned chairman of Xiao Group, had been born after the old man forced himself on another man’s wife.
It was staggering.
Everyone instinctively looked toward the father and son. Xiao Musheng stood leaning on his cane without a word. Only Xiao Yuanchun, who was standing nearby, could see his withered hand trembling slightly.
The other person concerned, Xiao Yi, stood a few steps away. His handsome, indifferent face showed not the slightest disturbance, as though he were listening to someone else’s story. He was as aloof and dignified as he always appeared in public.
The faint, complicated pity Liang Ziyu’s story had stirred in the guests vanished in that instant.
The truth was that even such a disastrous beginning had not stopped this man from reaching his present position, taking everything the Xiao family possessed, and driving an old fox like Xiao Musheng into a corner.
Had the occasion allowed it, they would have called him a fucking legend.
Of everyone there, Xiao Ji found it hardest to accept. Liang Ziyu’s account struck him as absurd. He shouted angrily, “What nonsense are you talking about? Do you have any evidence?”
“Evidence? No. Just take it as nonsense, then.” Liang Ziyu toyed with the gun in his hand and glanced around the room. “The rest of you can pretend you didn’t hear it, too?”
Xiao Ji’s face darkened. He wanted to punch him.
The guests’ expressions shifted. Whether it was true no longer mattered. After tonight, the Xiao family would face a devastating public backlash, and its rivals would seize this opening to deal it a heavy blow.
Regardless of who had arranged tonight’s trap, the Xiao family would ultimately suffer the greatest losses.
Liang Ziyu kicked Liang Long. “Get up and take your men out of here. Don’t you know there’s a wedding today? Why bring some lousy toy gun here and make trouble?”
Everyone looked at him strangely. That last shot had punched through the ceiling. What kind of toy gun was that?
Liang Long naturally understood that his brother was cleaning up after him. He hurried to scramble up, but his legs had gone numb from kneeling, and one knee had slammed into the floor. The moment he stood, pain shot through it, sending him pitching forward.
Liang Ziyu frowned and reached to catch him.
Just then, the lights overhead went out. The entire hall plunged into darkness.
Everyone froze. They waited, but the emergency lights failed to come on as well. A chill crept through them.
Liang Ziyu reacted too. Grabbing Liang Long by the collar, he demanded coldly, “Playing tricks on me?”
Liang Long hurriedly begged, “No, no! It wasn’t me! I swear it wasn’t me! I don’t know what’s happening!”
Panicked screams and footsteps were already rising around them. Realizing the night’s trouble was far from over, Liang Ziyu dragged Liang Long behind a table and called out to Song Liang.
There was no answer.
His heart sank.
Elsewhere, Song Liang had retreated behind a table the instant the lights went out. He moved so quickly that even 3085 was stunned. Such a fierce desire to survive seemed utterly unlike its deranged host, who normally went around provoking trouble and courting death.
Darkness was the most dangerous time. Someone might easily shoot him in the confusion. Song Liang stayed still, listening to the crowd scatter in panic. He recalled the distance between his position and the hall doors and was preparing to slip out amid the chaos when he heard Liang Ziyu call his name.
He was about to answer when a hand covered his mouth.
Song Liang’s pupils contracted. His right hand caught the hand over his mouth while his left elbow drove straight backward. The person behind him clearly had not expected such a swift response. He took the blow squarely and let out a muffled grunt in the darkness.
That faint sound alone stopped Song Liang’s next strike midway.
A moment later, his back pressed against a broad, slightly cool chest. A familiar scent enveloped him, and a warm breath brushed his ear. An arm circled his waist and drew him into an embrace.
Perhaps sensing his tense muscles relax, the man behind him released his mouth. The arm around his waist drew him a little closer, signaling for him to move backward.
Song Liang simply followed the guiding pressure, turned around, and walked forward. Although they were both in darkness, the other man moved as though he could see, leading him steadily onward.
The moment they left the hall, the clamor and confusion were shut behind the door. In the light, Song Liang could finally see the man holding him.
The overhead lights cast perfect, sculpted shadows across his handsome face. His dark green eyes shone like jewels. Yet the most captivating thing was always the way he looked at you: calm and intent, as though that still, emerald lake would forever reflect you alone.
“Honestly, I don’t think our goals conflict. You really didn’t need to pull this on me. Even if I married Xiao Ji, I wouldn’t help him fight you.” Song Liang considered it. “I could even help you deal with Xiao Ji.”
“I don’t need to deal with him.”
“Then why—?”
“…”
Still holding him, Xiao Yi lowered his eyes. His thin lips curved slightly. “I simply don’t want to watch you marry him.”
Song Liang: “…”
【System, if I shoot him dead right now, will it affect the main storyline?】
【Uh… why don’t you try?】
【…】
Song Liang drew a small breath and offered him a friendly, diplomatic smile. “I think we’ve always gotten along quite well. Don’t you?”
Xiao Yi’s gaze settled on his rosy lips. “Very well.”
Song Liang: “…”
He asked in some disbelief, “You don’t actually like me, do you?”
Xiao Yi raised his eyes to meet his. They were as still as an emerald lake, yet as deep as an abyss. After a long while, he lowered his lashes and released Song Liang’s waist.
“Xiao Musheng won’t let the wedding continue.”
“Just exchanging rings is fine. I’m not picky.”
“…”
“Say something.” Song Liang tugged his clothes.
Xiao Yi looked down at the hand gripping his clothing. “Why does it have to be Xiao Ji?”
“Because—”
“You don’t like him at all, and your acting is terrible.”
“…”
Song Liang could only say, “I’m vain. I want a life of extravagance. I want to be an emperor.”
Xiao Yi lifted his eyes indifferently. “So you agreed to cooperate with Xiao Musheng.”
“Yes.” Song Liang was not surprised that he knew. “You knew I was in the office lounge that day.”
“A book was missing from the shelf.”
“…”
Understanding dawned. Song Liang raised a brow at him. “So? I betrayed you. How are you going to take revenge?”
Would he torture him until death seemed a mercy before killing him, as in the original novel? Or would he finish him off cleanly, right here?
Xiao Yi watched him for a moment. A cold, sharp light flickered in his eyes, and he suddenly raised a hand toward him.
Song Liang’s gaze sharpened. He immediately lifted his gun.
The next instant, a hand gripped the back of his neck and pinned him hard against the wall. A fierce, scorching kiss descended. His lips were sucked forcefully, every curve of his mouth pressed and worried over as though Xiao Yi meant to devour him whole.
Song Liang’s half-raised gun stopped in midair. His entire body stiffened.
He wanted to say, “Why aren’t you following the script?” But the moment he opened his mouth, his lips were bitten and his teeth pried apart. His tongue was caught in a frantic tangle. Hot, damp breaths and saliva mingled, and wet sounds filled his ears.
The kiss forced Song Liang backward, but the wall was already behind him. His nape was held tight, his waist locked in an unyielding embrace. Almost his entire body was pressed into Xiao Yi’s arms, with nowhere left to retreat.
Their breaths burned. Their mouths remained fiercely entangled, until moisture gathered at the corners of Song Liang’s eyes. At last, he could not bear it and shoved him.
His tongue received another bite, followed by one to his neck, before he was finally released.
“Revenge taken.”
Xiao Yi wiped the moisture trailing from the corner of his mouth with a finger. His gaze was deep, desire unmistakable in his eyes. With his nose resting against Song Liang’s, he spoke between heavy breaths.
Song Liang: “…”
【…】
He really did lust after its host’s body.
The root of Song Liang’s tongue hurt. The tip hurt. His lips and neck hurt too, burning as though they had been rubbed with sandpaper—or simply sucked swollen. Speechless, he stared at the man.
“…What exactly are you trying to do tonight?”
Xiao Yi lowered his head and kissed him. “It’s dangerous inside. Yang Xun will take you somewhere safe.”
The corners of Song Liang’s eyes were still flushed, but a chill had entered his gaze. “Do you think I’m someone who’ll obediently follow your arrangements?”
Xiao Yi did not argue. He stepped back and released him. “Of course not. But you seem to have quite a few people you care about.”
Song Liang thought he meant Song Zhicheng and was about to object when he caught sight of Yang Xun and the bodyguards a few steps away.
Duan Yan and Chen Jiahe stood with them, looking distinctly guilty.
Song Liang: “…”
“You seem very interested in that young actor surnamed Chen. I hope I haven’t guessed wrong.” One look at Song Liang’s face told Xiao Yi he was right. “I made a point of bringing them out for you too. No need to thank me.”
Watching the faint amusement in his eyes, Song Liang felt a rare urge to slap that face.
Xiao Yi did not linger. After having Yang Xun bring the others over, he gave Song Liang one more look and left.
Song Liang watched his figure disappear at the end of the corridor, then turned to Yang Xun. “Aren’t you going with him?”
For once, Yang Xun made no cutting remarks. He fell silent for a moment, left two bodyguards to watch Song Liang, and turned to follow.
Song Liang looked at the two troublesome idiots before him. In unison, they lowered their heads, guilty and ashamed of their own inadequacy.
Leaning against the wall, Song Liang took a deep breath and closed his eyes. Duan Yan’s cautious question reached his ears.
“Bro, what exactly is Chairman Xiao trying to do?”
Song Liang rapidly reviewed everything that had happened tonight, along with every earlier clue. Finally, an image surfaced in his mind: a photograph, and a date circled on a calendar.
April seventeenth.
His eyes snapped open. Through clenched teeth, he said, “He wants to die.”
Duan Yan choked. “You don’t have to be that harsh. He did save—”
Before he could finish, Song Liang shoved past him and ran. He moved so fast that even the bodyguards could not stop him.
All they heard was his furious voice.
“Fuck, he really intends to die!”
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