SVWL Chapter 67

T/L: I’m not cutting this chapter in two because I want you to quickly read the plot points I’m excited about~

Liu Jianbai suddenly announced the purpose of the banquet, and what he said was like a bolt from the blue for Zhu Shoushan.

Take his son and daughter as his own? Then what is he?

But Zhu Shoushan felt more fear than anger.

Why does Liu Jianbai do this? Did that old man tell him to do it? What is he trying to do?

Not only was Zhu Shoushan surprised, but the people who came to the banquet today were equally surprised.

Zhu Tong knew about this in advance, so he didn’t react much. To his surprise, Xiao Xin was able to calm down. After a little shock in her face, she returned to her usual demure and calmness.

In dealing with this kind of situation, Xiao Xin was more experienced than her older brother.

While the twins could be calm, the guests were very much not. 

The first consideration for those present was their own interests. Liu Jianbai suddenly recognized the children of the Zhu family as his own. What is Zhu Shoushan’s attitude?

Almost everyone turned to look at the man they had already found by the fountain.

Zhu Shoushan was holding a wine glass by the fountain pool, and looked at the people on the high platform with a slight smile. He was neither complacent nor surprised, making it difficult to understand his attitude.

Has this matter already been negotiated between the two of them?

The Zhu family was also considered one of the industry leaders in A City. They wouldn’t believe that Zhu Shoushan would make any moves to please Liu Jianbai at the cost of his own children. While Liu Jianbai may be influential, he hasn’t instilled enough fear to prompt such extreme actions.

The only possibility was for the two to cooperate.

In this case, the Zhu family was likely to surpass the Xia family and the Jiang family soon, turning from “one of the best in A CIty” into the “only best”.

But why did Liu Jianbai choose the Zhu family?

“If I’m not mistaken, Liu Jianbai’s actions are related to the deceased former wife of Zhu Shoushan, right?”

Beside the rockery, Jiang Wan and Cheng Chen remained in place, watching several prominent figures in the distance who were being watched by the crowd.

Cheng Chen did not deny her guess.

Madam Lan’s identity has always been a mystery in A City. No one knew what kind of person Zhu Shoushan’s former wife was. When a situation couldn’t be explained by surface facts alone, people tend to think deeper. Jiang Wan could think of this, and others would soon follow suit.

Thinking of something was one thing, but actually being able to find out was another matter entirely. It depended on each individual’s abilities.

Cheng Chen said, “Since Jiang-zong wants to know so much, she can check it himself.”

“…”

He’s still angry, ah?

Jiang Wan couldn’t help but be more curious about his relationship with Zhu Tong.

But let’s try to keep a low profile for now.

Jiang Wan chuckled lightly and said, “I know I can’t make a move towards Young Master Zhu anymore now. I apologize for this incident.”

Cheng Chen’s expression eased a little. “Then what are you going to do in the future?”

Jiang Wan asked back, “What?”

Cheng Chen replied, “Your marriage alliance failed. Those old fogies in your Jiang family aren’t going to give up so easily, are they?”

In response, Jiang Wan fearlessly said, “If they’re not afraid of the Jiang family going bankrupt, they can certainly try to oust me.”

In the end, her efforts were the icing on the cake if successful. And if she failed, she had ways to control those board members. 

Cheng Chen paused for a moment, and then asked, “Do you really plan to continue like this?”

Jiang Wan said, “What does Cheng-zong mean?”

Cheng Chen said bluntly, “Your personal problem.”

Jiang Wan followed up, “So, Cheng-zong, are you planning to sacrifice yourself to help me?”

Her teasing remark received no response. Jiang Wan’s smile gradually faded from her face as she took a sip from her glass and said, “I’d rather find someone myself than have them push people towards me, don’t you think?”

Cheng Chen: “…”

The two stopped talking.

Jiang Wan looked at the people on the stage again, and finally set her eyes on Zhu Tong.

Zhu Tong was luckier than her – he had people who truly cared and loved him.

And as for herself, ever since her father first sent her to someone else’s bed, she felt there was nothing about her body worth cherishing.

She wasn’t someone who dwelled on past sorrows. What’s lost is lost, and instead of dwelling on it, she focused on preventing further losses.

She used the person who ruined her, gradually gaining control over the Jiang family. She transformed from a discarded individual to someone relied upon. Those with ulterior motives tried every means to put their bloodline in her stomach so they could control the Jiang family in the future.

It’s a pity that even if she brought a “wild seed” from outside, she wouldn’t let them get their wish.

Jiang Wan let out another smile, tinged with sarcasm. 

---

No matter what the guests at the banquet thought, Liu Jianbai and Zhu Tong had already recognized their parent-child relationship.

From then on, the status of the two children from the Zhu family skyrocketed, attracting even more schemers. However, there were also more concerns and hesitations among those plotting.

After the “ritual” of acknowledging paternity was over, Uncle Liu still had to go through the motions of greeting the children’s biological father. As for how “affectionate” words were exchanged, only Zhu Shoushan himself knew.

Zhu Tong took Zhu Xin into the house from the square, and told her everything that happened in the past few days, including what Qin Junhong had done before.

Zhu Xin was very quiet after listening.

Zhu Tong was also a little nervous.

He didn’t know what Xiao Xin’s feelings for the Zhu family were. Compared with his long hospitalization, Xiao Xin spent more time with them. 

And as for Qin Manwen… he still hasn’t had a good talk about her with Xiao Xin. 

Since those things haven’t happened yet, he has no evidence¹referring to the Qin’s scheme towards Zhu Xin.

Acting on his own initiative, he sent her to her grandfather’s place, and now, without informing her, he has announced their kinship with Uncle Liu.

What will Xiao Xin think?

In a wide corridor, after listening silently for a long time, Zhu Xin finally spoke, “Ge, I want to go back.”

Zhu Tong frowned slightly.

Zhu Xin explained, “I still have some things left at home, which Mom left for the two of us. I want to go and get them back.”

Zhu Tong hesitated. “Xiao Xin…”

“Don’t worry, Ge, I’m really just going to get those things. I’ll let Grandpa’s people follow me.”

Zhu Xin gave him a reassuring smile. 

Zhu Tong did not force her to stay, and let her go back to the Zhu family’s house.

The banquet on the square was still ongoing, but the theme no longer mattered. Zhu Tong ran to the balcony of the house, looking down at the square below, where his grandfather’s people were leaving the estate with Xiao Xin.

Lost in thought, he walked back to the corridor absentmindedly and, following his instincts, pushed open a door. Warm light suddenly streamed through the crack in the door, snapping the distracted person back to reality.

At a glance, Zhu Tong saw a young man sitting on the sofa with his legs crossed.

His eyes lit up, and he walked into the room with extra springs on his steps. When he realized what happened, the door of the room had been closed by himself.

Shao Ming looked at him and raised his eyebrows slightly, “Are you done?”

Zhu Tong nodded hesitantly. “…Mn.”

Once things about the banquet were done, he had to address the matter he had brushed off with a “we’ll talk about it later.”

But what is he going to say?

He dawdled over and sat down on the sofa.

Shao Ming sat on the far left, and he sat on the far right.

Looking at the “maximum” distance between the two, Shao Ming smiled and asked, “Am I that scary?”

Zhu Tong: “…”

He scooted himself to the other side.

He moved inch by inch, and Shao Ming was far too impatient to wait. He got up directly, walked to his side and sat down next to him.

Zhu Tong: “!”

He glanced nervously at the door, but when he turned around, he found that Shao Ming was really just sitting down beside him.

He made no extra moves.

Zhu Tong’s heart, which had been held high, suddenly sank, leaving him with a sense of emptiness.

Shao Ming looked at him from his peripheral vision. 

Zhu Tong titled his head and snuck a glance, instantly meeting the bright gaze of the youth, then quickly looked away.

Shao Ming suddenly said, “You look good today.”

“…”

Zhu Tong blinked for no apparent reason, not understanding why he suddenly said this.

But… is he really that good looking?

He was also dressed up for the occasion today. Uncle Liu even specially arranged for a stylist to help with his appearance. He hadn’t cared much before, whether he looked good or not, and he hadn’t thought about impressing anyone.

He did not expect Shao Ming to appear at the banquet.

And also “evaluated” him so bluntly like that.

Because the person who said it was Shao Ming, Zhu Tong couldn’t help but pay attention.

He glanced at his clothes, then turned to look at Shao Ming.

A good suit would accentuate one’s demeanor perfectly, with its broad appearance and smooth lines. Paired with a tie, it exudes elegance and simplicity.

Worn by Shao Ming, it sealed away his usual slightly rogue and unserious demeanor, adding a touch of… restraint and austerity.

The more Zhu Tong looked at him, the redder his face became. He retracted his gaze and said, “You are also very handsome today.”

Really, really handsome.

Before, in the dim light behind the rockery, it was hard to see clearly. But now, sitting under the bright lights, his mature charm was undeniable. The way his legs crossed exuded an indescribable sense of sensuality.

If Shao Ming had come down in this state earlier, Zhu Tong wasn’t sure if he would have had enough resistance to raise his hand.

Awkwardly, as he was caught off guard, the person beside him suddenly leaned in, and Shao Ming said, “I looked handsome today? Was I not handsome before?”

Zhu Tong: “…”

The familiar scent approached suddenly, and Zhu Tong instinctively wanted to lean away, but as he turned his head and saw Shao Ming’s face leaning in, his hand, which was about to push against the sofa, froze in place.

Shao Ming noticed Zhu Tong’s every move and realized what he was looking at, so he pretended to be surprised and said, “So you prefer me dressed like this?”

Zhu Tong subconsciously denied, “I’m not…”

“If you like,” Shao Ming interrupted him with a whisper, “I don’t mind dressing like this every day.”

“…”

Zhu Tong only smiled and said, “Can you dress like this at school?”

Did this guy forget that they were still students?

Shao Ming indifferently shot back, “What’s wrong with that?”

Zhu Tong: “Yang-laoshi will chase after you.”

Yang Can, the dean of their grade, was not only in charge of other teachers. He also was in charge of the student’s discipline.

Shao Ming casually said, “He can’t catch up with me.”

“…”

“He can’t beat me either.”

Zhu Tong: “…”

‘Then you really are pretty great.’ 

It seemed that Shao Ming’s playful demeanor had a calming effect on Zhu Tong, as he felt himself relax in response to the teasing.

Shao Ming also saw the change of his awkwardness. He stopped teasing him, and said in a low voice, “Did you encounter any troubles outside?”

Zhu Tong was slightly startled.

He suddenly realized something.

When Uncle Liu took him to the stage just now, he had someone take Shao Ming upstairs. The room arranged for him was right next to the balcony, and from the corridor, he could see the entire square. Shao Ming should be well aware of what was happening below.

He and Xiao Xin suddenly recognized Uncle Liu as their godfather, and Shao Ming didn’t seem to be surprised at all.

Was he just curious, or did he already know something?

Zhu Tong paused and asked in a low voice, “Is there anything you want to ask me?”

Shao Ming asked back, “Do you have anything to ask me?”

Zhu Tong: “…”

He has, yeah.

For example – what is the connection between Shao Ming and Jiang Wan?

What contradiction did he have with Xia Weiyi?

Why did Shao Ming grit his teeth like that when they first met?

But honesty is a two-way street. 

After a moment of silence, Zhu Tong decided to speak up first. “If… you had a young sister who was originally carefree, enjoying campus life freely, and her family treated her well, with good relations between them, but all of that was just a facade. Her family actually wanted to use her, and their kindness was not genuine. And you knew all of this, you wanted to tell her, but you were afraid she wouldn’t believe you and feared it would disrupt her current life… What would you do if you were in that situation?”

His sudden frankness was something Shao Ming did not expect.

The dependency in his eyes when he looked at himself made Shao Ming’s heart skip a beat for a moment.

Shao Ming suppressed the agitation in his heart and calmly asked, “Have you told her about these things?”

Zhu Tong shook his head slightly.

He never told Xiao Xin – he didn’t know how to say it. He didn’t know how to convince Xiao Xin to accept the truth if Xiao Xin asked him back in shock.

Before, he still hoped that their father could see through the true colors of the Qin mother and son duo, and that he could step in to resolve the matter.

But the sudden marriage arrangement made it impossible for Zhu Tong to have any hope for him.

He could only forcibly disconnect him and his sister with the Zhu family.

Today’s events, although Xiao Xin didn’t blame him for anything and didn’t throw a tantrum, who knows what she’s really thinking? Will she feel that her brother is meddling too much and interfering too often?

Shao Ming suddenly smiled, “Since you didn’t say it, how do you know she won’t believe you?”

Zhu Tong was stunned.

Shao Ming continued, “Between you and your sister, who spent more time at home from childhood to now?”

Zhu Tong reflexively replied, “She does.” 

“So things you can find, why do you think she can’t find it?”

“That’s because…”

He only knew about it because of the system. Xiao Xin wouldn’t react the same way as he does, and Qin Manwen pretends very well in front of Xiao Xin, even better than in front of him, because it’s purposeful. Her kindness to Xiao Xin was genuinely heartfelt.

Zhu Tong said, “Xiao Xin… she’s different from me.”

“…”

Shao Ming didn’t ask him why she was different. After a moment of silence, he said, “Where was Xiao Xin when you transferred to Gongshui County?”

Zhu Tong: “I sent her to our grandfather’s house.”

He paused abruptly as he spoke.

Shao Ming said, “She agreed?”

Zhu Tong nodded.

“When she agreed, did she ask you why?”

“…”

Zhu Tong suddenly realized, turning his head sharply to look at Shao Ming.

Shao Ming raised his hand to rub his earlobe and smiled, “So, do you want to try trusting her a little more?”

Zhu Tong: “…”

Yeah, why didn’t he try to trust Xiao Xin more?

He insisted on sending Xiao Xin to their grandfather’s house. Although Xiao Xin seemed to be sulking with him on the surface, she never once asked why, not even until today.

Why was she so calm when she heard what Qin Junhong did and Zhu Shoushan’s decision?

Is Xiao Xin, like him, hiding some of the things she knows in her heart so as not to disturb his life?

They are siblings, and furthermore, twins. 

After their mother’s death, they were the closest to each other. Why didn’t they find time to sit down and talk properly from childhood to adulthood?

If it wasn’t for her reluctance to leave her “family,” why did Xiao Xian insist on returning to the Zhu family’s house after learning about their father’s intention to arrange a marriage for him?

She… wouldn’t go back because she wanted to fight them off, would she? 

Zhu Tong’s mind was filled with images of Xiao Xian arguing with their father and Qin Manwen playing along on the sidelines. If Xiao Xian went back… she would be so frustrated.

He suddenly got up and said, “I have to go back.”

Shao Ming casually asked, “What are you going to do when you go back?”

Zhu Tong said, “I’m afraid that Xiao Xin will go back because of my marriage…”

He trailed off. 

Zhu Tong’s body froze slightly when he just stood up.

The room fell silent for a while.

Is he, once again, revealing something incriminating without realizing it?

He turned his head slowly, and Shao Ming on the sofa was looking at him with burning eyes.

Zhu Tong blurted out, “It’s not what you think it is.”

Shao Ming pretended to ponder for a moment, “What do you think I’m thinking?”

His reaction clearly indicates that he already knows something, or at the very least, he has heard about it.

Zhu Tong paused and asked, “When did you know?”

Shao Ming said, “If it is about the marriage arrangement, I heard about it before coming to A City.”

Zhu Tong: “…”

Before coming to A City?

Zhu Tong thought about the time Luo Suo told him, before Shao Ming came to A City… Wouldn’t that mean Shao Ming knew about his marriage arrangement even earlier than himself? 

He couldn’t help but stare at Shao Ming.

Could it be that the drop in favorability was because Shao Ming heard that he was going to marry?

If Shao Ming indeed has such intentions towards him, then it’s not impossible for his decreased favorability towards him due to the arranged marriage revelation.

Zhu Tong suddenly sat back again.

He looked at Shao Ming, his expression serious. “I never intended to enter into any arranged marriage. It was a decision made solely by my father without my knowledge, and I only learned about it after returning to A City. The arranged marriage has been called off, and from now on, my father no longer has the authority to decide matters between me and Xiao Xin. The purpose of today’s banquet, hosted by Uncle Liu, was precisely for this reason.”

“…”

Seeing him looking this serious, Shao Ming narrowed his eyes, and after a while, he said in a low voice, “Why… why explain this to me?”

Zhu Tong continued, “Because I don’t want you to misunderstand.”

Shao Ming: “…”

He suddenly smiled and said, “Little Young Master, did you forget something?”

Zhu Tong was startled.

“I did confess to you.” Shao Ming approached him and said, “But you didn’t respond to me. You don’t have to explain anything to me on that front.”

Zhu Tong: “…”

Shao Ming’s lips curved into a smile. “So, in your opinion, proving your innocence to me is such an important matter? Even before we’re together, our Young Master already remembers to uphold his moral standards?”

Zhu Tong was completely choked by him.

What innocence? What moral standards? 

What is Shao Ming blathering about? 

Just as he was about to speak, Shao Ming continued, “And why would you think that I already knew about your arranged marriage and still showed up here?”

“…”

Zhu Tong was stunned and asked, “Are you here… to steal the bride?” 

Shao Ming: “…”

He suddenly remembered a novel Zhu Tong had read in the classroom when he just started school and hadn’t got his textbook – “Waiting for The Day You Fall in Love with Me”. 

What did this young master watch during his free time? 

He couldn’t help but laugh and said, “If you want me to do that, I can stage a performance to satisfy you.”

Zhu Tong: “…”

Stage a performance? What does he mean? 

It means the prerequisite for the bride-stealing does not exist, ah! 

Zhu Tong’s face quickly turned red.

If Shao Ming knew that he really wanted to marry someone else, he wouldn’t come to pester him again.

Since he was here, it meant that he already knew what marriage was about, and there was no need for him to explain.

So what was he doing with the hurried explanation just now?

Did he reveal something again?

But if it wasn’t for knowing that he was going to get married, what was the reason for the drop in favorability?

Zhu Tong also still wanted to ask why Shao Ming knew Jiang Wan. He turned his head and met his teasing and playful smile, and his mind flashed with the words he just said: “stealing the bride”. Suddenly, his ears turned red, and he couldn’t say anything.

He should go to Xiao Xin first.

The thought of escaping from Shao Ming made him forget the thought of “trusting Xiao Xin more” that he had just had.

Zhu Tong stood up again, his body stiff, almost stumbling over his own feet. “I’ll go back first…”

Before he could utter the words to leave, he felt a sudden tightness in his abdomen. A hand swiftly barred his path, causing him to lean back abruptly. His legs reflexively curled up as they hit the sofa, and with a heavy thud, he found himself seated on the uneven surface next to it. Turning his head, he was met with the enlarged, handsome face of Shao Ming, which was now much closer to him.

Shao Ming whispered in his ear, “Since you’ve allowed me to ‘steal the bride,’ wouldn’t it be a bit disappointing if I didn’t make a move?”

At the same time, the door was pushed open, and Cheng Chen walked in with a fruit bowl, “Tongtong, I heard that you and your friend…”

As he lifted his head, his eyes met another pair by the door and four more inside the room. The person by the door looked bewildered, while the two inside appeared utterly perplexed.

T/L: from the scale of 1 – 10, how dead do you think Cheng Chen will be?

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  referring to the Qin’s scheme towards Zhu Xin