When Song Yan received this WeChat message, he just walked to the school gate and was thinking about what important things Xia Zhiye would want to tell him. Then, those thoughts perished the moment he was blinded by a big red Ferrari two-door supercar at the school gate.
Under the flashiness of this extraordinarily exaggerated supercar, even Song Minghai’s Maybach looked low-key in comparison
However, Song Yan has seen a lot of luxury cars since he was a child. This level of supercar wasn’t enough to attract his attention – what really caught his attention was the young lady leaning on the supercar.
She looked beautiful.
The very ostentatious kind of beautiful.
He wasn’t sure if it was dyed hair or the colored contact lenses that gave him the impression. She had soft and fluffy wavy hair, while her eyes were light brown. Her skin is fair, her eye sockets are deep, in the shape of a peach blossom. Overall, she looked of mixed-race descent. Somehow, her appearance seemed vaguely familiar.
But he should have never seen this lady before, otherwise he would remember her, someone with this kind of flashy appearance. But since he never saw her, where do these vague deja-vu feelings come from?
As Song Yan was racking through his brain, he caught a flash of the lady’s wrist. His pupils shook, and his aura dropped several temperatures.
—that woman wore a limited edition Cartier diamond bracelet on her wrist, the exact same one with the one displayed on the avatar of the rich woman who often finds Xia Zhiye to play with.
No wonder she felt familiar.
But why did she appear at the entrance of Nanwu No.3 Middle School?
—and during Christmas Eve, at Xia Zhiye’s birthday?
Didn’t Xia Zhiye say that he had to go out somewhere for the night, too?
With all these premises added together, the answer became crystal clear.
Song Yan clenched his fists subconsciously, fantasizing that he would call Xia Zhiye out to confront him.
But it would be too embarrassing to do so.
Plus, Song Yan believes in Xia Zhiye, he believes that Xia Zhiye will not cross his moral bottom line, he believes Xia Zhiye will not cheat on him, and he believes that Xia Zhiye will handle this situation tactfully.
He logically knew this, but his emotions still bubbled up. Song Yan clenched his fists tightly, gritting his back molars, cursing inwardly.
‘Xia Zhiye, that idiot.’
‘Xia Zhiye, that trash.’
‘Xia Zhiye, that beast.’
‘Xia Zhiye, that dog.’
‘He actually sneaked around to see other wealthy women behind his back without telling me in advance. He really likes living on the edge.’
‘When he comes back in the evening without being disciplined under the Song family rules, he can forget about becoming the daughter-in-law of the Song family!’
After a round of cursing, he took a deep breath and swallowed up his anger. He adjusted his state, tidied his hair and coat, making sure all of his demeanor was correct and proper.
Then, he held his chin up high and went to the woman. When he was in front of her, he spoke coldly, trying to alienate her as much as possible: “You are here to find Xia Zhiye.”
Xia Yu was bored waiting for Xia Zhiye, so when she heard a young man’s voice, she immediately turned her head. There, she met a very beautiful, cool beauty, and it excited her. She smiled as she replied, “Yes, xiao didi, how did you know?”
‘Who is your xiao didi?’
‘Are all good-looking boys your xiao didi?’
Song Yan thought that this woman definitely would call Xiao Zhiye “xiao didi” also. Thinking of that instantly made him very uncomfortable, but he still maintained his politeness and aloofness. “Well, I’m his roommate. I’m fortunate to have seen your photo.”
“Oh… so that’s this, ah…”
‘Wait.’ she immediately noticed something.
‘Hold on, he’s…’
‘The roommate?!’
‘Xia Zhiye’s roommate?!’
When Xia Yu realized that the beautiful boy in front of her was most likely her future “sister-in-law”, her excitement shot through the roof.
Just as she was about to acknowledge the relationship on the spot, she heard her noble and beautiful “sister” coldly say: “Although I’m not quite sure about the nature of your relationship, I still want to say, Xia Zhiye is underage and no longer single. So, I hope you can be mindful of your boundaries.”
After bidding her a “Happy Christmas Eve”, he turned around to the Maybach behind him, leaving no room for discussion.
Xia Yu was stunned.
‘What does this mean?’
‘Is boldly asserting sovereignty like this… popular with the youth nowadays?’
After getting into the co-pilot seat, Song Yan recalled what he had done just now, and after confirming that he had not lost his way, he let out a long breath.
Fortunately, Song Minghai’s Maybach was long discontinued, and as a result, very rare and considered top-class. While it wasn’t as flashy as the Ferrari, it was far more expensive. He was not defeated in the slightest.
At least he let that rich woman know that Xia Zhiye has more rich friends than just her. He hoped this would make her back down.
While Song Yan just asserted himself, Song Minghai had been immersed in looking at financial statements in the car and didn’t notice Song Yan’s previous actions. He only spoke a word without lifting his head upon hearing the sound of him getting into the car: “Let’s depart now.”
The driver immediately started the vehicle and drove away from the old street in front of the school.
After the vehicle arrived at the five-star hotel in the city center, Song Minghai did not take Song Yan directly to the banquet hall, but took him back to the hotel suite on the top floor.
He took out a very expensive-looking white suit from the closet and threw it to him. “Give me your hideous scarf. Put on this set, someone will come to take care of your hair later.”
He said his scarf is hideous-looking.
Song Yan confidently felt that Song Minghai had no sense of aesthetics at all.
Although he had a difficult relationship with Song Minghai, the education he received from childhood had accustomed him to the most basic social etiquette and banquet manners. Therefore, even though he disagreed with Song Minghai’s comments on his scarf, he still chose to accept the formal attire.
He coolly and sarcastically rejected the suggestion to style his hair: “No need to style my hair specifically. I’m not like those companions of yours who need to use their looks to serve others.”
Song Minghai didn’t get angry. He just walked to the dressing mirror and picked a brooch for himself. “That’s fine. Keeping the hair simple with a student-like style is good too. It appears less deliberate.”
Song Yan didn’t even bother to roll his eyes. He picked up his clothes and went into the suite.
He was tall, with a slender skeletal structure – but his advantage lay in his narrow waist and long legs. The originally white suit, which should have made him look chubby, fit him just right. It exuded a sense of an aristocratic young master.
When he came out after changing, he received Song Minghai’s approving gaze. “Not bad. Taking you out won’t be embarrassing.”
After finishing speaking, he threw a delicately packaged gift box over: “The gift is also prepared in your name. Give it to the birthday star himself.”
It’s quite heavy, making it hard to guess what’s inside.
Song Yan opened the lid and found a deep blue velvet interior cradling a silver dagger. Its handle were studded with gemstones. He sneered, “Giving a dagger as a birthday present, quite a creative choice.”
Song Minghai explained in a slow and friendly manner. “This is a Victorian antique, worth 170,000, and the birthday star is exactly 17 years old.”
It’s really worth the money.
“It seems that Song-zong has some requests he wanted to ask, ah.”
Song Yan’s tone was filled with ridicule.
Song Minghai neither confirmed nor denied the accusation. “There’s a project that needs me to secure a piece of land in Nanwu. However, there’s a hitch now. Without their family’s connection, we can’t secure the land auction. All the upfront investments will be put on hold, and there might be problems with the financial chain. Do you understand, Young Master Song, that your luxurious lifestyle might not be guaranteed anymore?”
“I understand.”
“I hope you can do well tonight if you understand.”
Song Yan wasn’t sure how to demonstrate good behavior, but if he was in a bad mood, making Song Minghai embarrassed in front of those he needed to please seemed like a great idea.
So she put away the knife and responded perfunctorily, “Alright, Song-zong, can we go to the birthday banquet now? I have to go back before 11 o’clock to the dorm.”
Song Minghai finally picked out a brooch he was satisfied with. He nodded in approval, adjusted his suit collar, and said, “Alright, let’s go.”
It must be said that when Song Minghai is dressed in formal wear, he exudes a bit of the “domineering CEO vibe” found in those Mary Sue novels. Meanwhile, Song Yan’s features are exquisitely beautiful, and in a formal suit, his cold and indifferent face appears even more sophisticated.
When two people appeared in the banquet hall at the same time, they immediately caught the attention of most people in the venue.
Coupled with Song Minghai’s decent position in the business world, there were countless people trying to get close, offering flattery and compliments.
Song Minghai’s goal was very clear. After a few polite words, he picked up the glass and took Song Yan straight to the center of the venue. “You Grandfather Xia’s grandson is about the same age as you, with excellent academic performance and overall qualities. Barring any unexpected circumstances, I plan to help him apply for Ivy Leagues universities next year. Remember to chat with him later and learn from him.”
“Also, to help boost your favorability with potential business partners, right?”
Song Yan wasn’t planning to give Song Minghai any face, and he lazily glanced over the banquet hall.
A space with 24-hour temperature control and oxygen supply, filled with the fragrance of clothes and the opulence of the attendees. Glasses clinked together in celebration. In the center of the room, stood a ten-tiered high cake, most likely crafted by some renowned pastry chef, appearing exceptionally exquisite.
Song Yan suddenly felt a sense of irony.
They both have the Xia surname, and have the exact same birthday. One of them had to find ways to get a new air conditioner, while the other had a 24-hour constant temperature control system. One of them was reluctant to waste money on buying a cake, while the other could throw hundreds of thousands just to host a dinner banquet full of strangers.
If it wasn’t for changing the air conditioner and buying a cake for the person he liked, there was no need to follow Song Minghai to such a nauseating place.
If it wasn’t for this… maybe he could follow Xia Zhiye to his business, drinking cheap milk tea and secretly playing games in the back of the classroom.
With these thoughts in mind, Song Yan’s liking for the protagonist of this birthday banquet diminished. He just wanted to finish the formalities quickly and leave. After all, the cake he ordered for Xia Zhiye was waiting for him to pick it up, and there was a scumbag who went out to date wealthy women waiting to be confronted when he returned. It’s better for him to prepare a washboard for that scumbag to kneel.
Holding the gift box with one hand, he turned around and asked Song Minghai. “What’s the name of your business partner’s grandson? I’ll go give him the gift and leave.”
Just after he asked that, Song Minghai seemed to have suddenly seen someone. He walked over slowly, demeanor changed. “Ah, Lao Xia. It’s been a long time since I haven’t seen you. You’ve been doing well recently.”
It seems that his father’s business partner has arrived.
Song Yan heard his father’s voice and followed his direction. Expressionlessly, he turned around and said, “Xia…”
He initially prepared to exchange polite pleasantries, but upon turning around and seeing the scene before him, the word “Xia” got stuck in his throat.
In front of him, stood an elderly man in a traditional Tang suit. He had white hair, a youthful face, and a clear, lean appearance.
On the left side of the elderly man was a young woman with light brown, large wavy hair. She had peach blossom-shaped eyes, a delightful smile, and a Cartier bracelet shining brightly under the light.
On the right side of the elderly man stood a tall and slender young man, wearing an undoubtedly expensive, logo-free, custom-made black suit. However, around his neck was a red, coarse-knitted scarf that looked quite cheap.
The young man’s hair was gelled back, revealing his three-dimensional facial features with high nose, deep eyebrows, and a pair of attractive peach blossom eyes.
Those light brown eyes, usually full of amusement and mirth, now seemed filled with shock, bewilderment, and a fear of death, as if he had unexpectedly encountered someone he never thought he would see.
The atmosphere fell into a dead silence. It was almost suffocating.
Song Yan rationalized, ‘There must be two people in this world who look exactly the same, share the same surname, and have the same birthday. It’s certainly possible.’
Maybe this person is just Xia Zhiye’s half-brother.
Or maybe just twins separated at birth. But Xia Zhiye somehow was lost and separated from the family for some reason.
After all, the person in front of him couldn’t be Xia Zhiye.
If he was, then he must be dreaming.
–Otherwise, both he and Xia Zhiye would have to die.
But they only got together last night. It’s a cruel thing to be separated by death today. Therefore, this person must not be Xia Zhiye.
However, Song Minghai’s rare gentle and friendly voice sounded cruelly in his ears, “Come, Xiao Yan, let me introduce you. This is your Grandfather Xia’s granddaughter, Xia Yu, and this is your Grandfather Xia’s grandson, Xia Zhiye.”
Precisely at this moment, Song Yan was completely unable to describe how his brain and heart felt.
Fortunately, Song Minghai’s gift was a dagger.
Convenient.
T/L: on one hand, the scene is quite hilarious. But on the other hand… Song Yan definitely feel really betrayed.
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