Chapter 7 Not the Host

Chapter 7 Not the Host

Qin Xu almost laughed out loud at the man’s sheer audacity. "Song Shimu, has anyone ever told you how incredibly self-absorbed you are?"

Song Shimu calmly cupped his own face. "With looks like mine, it’s a miracle I haven’t fallen in love with myself."

[Silence]

Qin Xu didn’t bother engaging with someone so full of themselves. He picked up his papers, ready to return to his study, when he suddenly remembered something. "Every position in the company is filled except one. Are you interested?"

"What position?" Song Shimu asked.

"Executive Assistant."

"I’ll find another job," Song Shimu replied without a hint of hesitation. He had no desire for such a grueling role.

As expected, Qin Xu played the parent card. "I told Mom and Dad you’d be joining the company. Are you going to disappoint them?"

*Kind of, yeah.*

"Did Mom and Dad agree to me being your secretary?" Song Shimu retorted.

"Staying by my side will help you understand the company faster and better."

"You never actually told them, did you?" Song Shimu stated flatly. During his hospital stay, Qin Song had asked about his career intentions, and Song Shimu’s answer then was identical to the one he gave Qin Xu yesterday.

Qin Song had clearly disapproved, suggesting that once Song Shimu’s leg healed, he should join the company in a managerial role.

Though no specific position was mentioned, it was certainly not a secretarial one.

"So, are you coming or not?" Qin Xu pressed, his dark eyes showing no hint of guilt.

Song Shimu was direct. "No."

Qin Xu turned and left, making no attempt to persuade him further.

Song Shimu idled away the afternoon in the living room. As dinnertime approached, he heard sounds at the door. Assuming it was Aunt Sun arriving to cook, he was surprised to see Tan Manjin and Qin Song instead.

Song Shimu instinctively rose, but Tan Manjin quickly stopped him. "Oh, sit down. Your father and I were tied up yesterday and couldn’t pick you up from the hospital. This is a gift we picked out for you—hope you like it?"

As she spoke, Tan Manjin handed Song Shimu a dark brown bag.

Song Shimu’s eyes fell on the pattern and English letters on the bag, recognizing it as a top luxury watch brand.

His mind reeled. In his original world, a watch from this brand would have cost him half a year’s salary, and now one was just being casually handed to him?

"Want to open it and take a look?" Tan Manjin smiled at him.

Qin Song placed several bags in front of him. "These are all clothes we bought for you. Since your leg isn’t fully healed yet, hold off on trying them on for now. Wait until you’re feeling better."

"Okay."

Song Shimu had no reason to refuse. After thanking them both, he opened the gift.

He had assumed Tan Manjin and Qin Song would choose a style suited to him, but upon seeing the watch face, he dismissed that idea—he had never seen this design before.

The craftsmanship and logo were clearly authentic, undeniably real. So, was this watch custom-made by Tan Manjin and Qin Song… and did they specially fly abroad to acquire it?

"What do you think? This design was specially commissioned by Mom. It has your English initials engraved on the back—the only one like it in the world," Tan Manjin said with a smile.

"...Thank you, Mom." Song Shimu looked down, unable to help but recall this scene from the original text.

In the original story, Father and Mother Qin had also bought gifts, but it happened when the protagonist’s leg had fully recovered. However, the protagonist refused, as it didn’t align with his self-made man persona.

Song Shimu, leaning more into his own money-grubbing nature, beamed and said, "I really like it."

"As long as you like it. Your dad actually bought a gift too."

With that, Qin Song slid a gift box over to Song Shimu. "Open it and see?"

Song Shimu nodded and opened it; inside lay a property deed.

The bright red cover with gilded letters… Song Shimu froze, hesitant to accept it.

Tan Manjin noticed his hesitation and said gently, "Don’t feel burdened. We owe you, and this is just one part of how we’re trying to make it up to you."

Qin Song added, "It’s not just us—Qin Xu also prepared a gift. Not sure if he’s already given it to you."

Song Shimu nodded and accepted it, saying, "Thank you, Dad."

"Thank me too." Qin Xu, who had come downstairs at some point, tossed a car key to Song Shimu with a cold expression.

Faced with Qin Xu’s scowl, Song Shimu accepted the gift with surprising ease, yet still offered his warmest smile.

After all, when someone gives a luxury car with a cold demeanor, the focus isn’t on the attitude—it’s on the luxury car.

Qin Xu said indifferently, "The car is in the garage. If you want to drive it, find it yourself."

Qin Song stared at Qin Xu’s behavior, inexplicably feeling the urge to hit him.

Tan Manjin recalled how, when they first learned Song Shimu was their biological son and wanted to bring him home, Qin Xu had been calm and understanding. Now, he acted as if he wanted nothing to do with Song Shimu.

Having watched him grow up, she knew Qin Xu’s personality well—he would never act this way over mere financial interests. It had to be for some other reason.

Just as the gifts were finished, Aunt Sun arrived to cook. While she prepared the meal, Tan Manjin and Qin Song quickly freshened up, and everyone sat down together for a reunion dinner.

The atmosphere was relatively harmonious. Though Qin Xu wasn’t exactly enthusiastic, at least he didn’t constantly give Song Shimu dirty looks as he usually did.

The next day at noon, Song Shimu went out for a meal invited by a friend.

He had mentioned this the day before, and Qin Song had specifically arranged a driver for him.

As Song Shimu finished getting ready and left his room, he saw Qin Xu also leaving, dressed in formal attire.

Expecting to be ignored as usual, Song Shimu was surprised when Qin Xu initiated a conversation, "Where are you going?"

"To have a meal with a friend," Song Shimu replied, raising an eyebrow.

Qin Xu stared at him and asked again, "Where exactly?"

Song Shimu looked puzzled. "Are you coming?"

Qin Xu smirked. "Just worried you might end up kneeling on some restaurant’s stairs for half the day and refuse to get up, making the Qin family lose face."

"Thanks for your concern," Song Shimu said with a smile. "If I fall this time, someone will help me up. And it’s not like anyone’s going to keep staring either."

With that, Song Shimu hopped in the car, gave the driver the address, and left the estate.

Qin Xu watched Song Shimu’s car drive away, then turned and got into his assistant’s car. "Follow them," he said.

"Huh?" The assistant sounded surprised. "But Director Wang's drinking session..."

"Not going. That old man drinks every day, isn't afraid of dying. Let's bail him out just this once," Qin Xu said.

"Got it, President Qin."

Xunwei Restaurant, a hot pot restaurant with fiery red decor, its dining hall bustling with customers, filled with a lively, energetic atmosphere.

The person Song Shimu came to meet was Yu Hua, the male lead's best friend from university. In the original story, Yu Hua stayed by the protagonist's side throughout, witnessed both the rise and fall of the company, and was crucial to its comeback.

Now, Song Shimu had no intention of starting a business but hoped Yu Hua could land in a good place, preferably by joining Qinfeng. After all, Qinfeng was currently the biggest company with the best compensation and the most opportunities compared to others.

Whether unexpected events would occur in the future, Song Shimu wasn’t sure, but at least the biggest threat to Qinfeng’s future had already checked out.

"Mu! You made it!"

As soon as Song Shimu got out of the car, he heard someone calling him. Turning around, he saw a man with a well-put-together appearance, neatly trimmed short hair, sun-tanned skin, and dark, round eyes that gave an impression of sincerity and reliability.

Song Shimu hadn’t expected him to be waiting at the door and made his way over using his cane. Yu Hua rushed to support him, smiling. "It’s only been half a month, right? Why do I feel like you’ve gotten better looking?"

Song Shimu’s narcissistic side remained unchanged. "I’ve always been handsome."

"Yuck—" Yu Hua showed mock disgust for a moment before adding, "Actually, I thought you’d be depressed for a while after everything that happened. I didn’t expect you to seem much more cheerful when we met again."

The two entered the hot pot restaurant. It was the dinner rush, and the place was crowded. Each table was separated by a lattice-patterned screen, providing a relatively private space. Yu Hua had reserved a table in the back, where it was less crowded, and the neighboring tables were empty.

"I’ve worked through some things," Song Shimu said vaguely, steering the conversation toward Yu Hua. "How have you been lately?"

"Me? I’m doing alright. I went on a trip to the northwest. Didn’t expect to come back and see... Are you really okay now?"

Yu Hua looked Song Shimu over, ignoring his injured leg. He couldn’t see any obvious issues, though he noticed Song Shimu’s wrist seemed a bit thinner. Still, he looked healthier than when they’d last met.

"I’m fine. People need to mature, after all." By then, they had reached the table. Song Shimu was helped into his seat, and Yu Hua sat across from him.

A server came over with the menu. Considering Song Shimu’s preferences, Yu Hua ordered a divided pot and several dishes.

Meanwhile, two men walked in—tall, long-legged, with handsome, striking features that drew attention.

The server couldn’t stop stealing glances at them. "How many people in your party, sir?"

"Two."

"Alright, please follow me." As the server was about to lead the way, Qin Xu waved him away, his gaze fixed on a figure behind one of the screens.

Yu Hua didn’t notice the people at the next table. His attention was entirely on Song Shimu. In just half a month, he felt Song Shimu had become much calmer and more relaxed, no longer the cold-faced work robot who only had eyes for his job.

"Are you planning to join Qinfeng next?" Yu Hua handed the menu to the server and asked after the server left.

Song Shimu shook his head. With Qin Xu around, it was highly likely he’d only be able to take the position of executive assistant—a role he didn’t want.

However, "I think you should consider joining Qinfeng."

The protagonist had attended the best university in the country, and Yu Hua, as his classmate, was naturally just as accomplished. The original story mentioned that they both managed their studies well while starting their business, successfully pursuing graduate degrees and earning their diplomas. With strong academic backgrounds and rich work experience, having handled projects both big and small, if they couldn’t get into Qinfeng, then the company really needed to hire some experts.

"Are you going to pull some strings for me?" Yu Hua teased.

Song Shimu smiled. "If I could, I’d just ask you to come to the company directly. But the current head of Qinfeng has it out for me, so it’s up to you to work hard."

Behind the thin screen, Qin Xu’s eyebrow twitched. Was Song Shimu trying to plant a spy in Qinfeng?

*Well, that worked out perfectly. If they leaked any confidential information, he could catch them all in one go.*

*His decision to headhunt talent was indeed the right move,* Qin Xu thought to himself.

"Actually... a few days ago, I already received an interview invitation from Qinfeng. And from what Xiao Yu and the others said, quite a few people in the company have received invitations too," Yu Hua said.

"Them?" Song Shimu asked.

"Just..." Yu Hua listed a few names.

After hearing them, a flicker of surprise passed through Song Shimu’s eyes. Was Qin Xu trying to poach all the key members of the protagonist’s company?

He tapped into the system. "073, did the original antagonist poach people?"

"No, he hated the protagonist and everyone around him by extension."

Song Shimu’s gaze darkened. He asked 001, "001, if the protagonist can be replaced, what about the antagonist?"

"There are those who transmigrate as antagonists, but as the system’s controller, I can sense all systems. Qin Xu... doesn’t have the aura of a system. He can’t be a host."

"Then how is it that he can be punished?"

"..."

A possibility suddenly occurred to Song Shimu. "Could it be that the host 073 was originally supposed to bind with has already arrived in this world? But since I’ve taken over the protagonist’s body, they ended up in the antagonist’s?"