Chapter 16: You’re My Brother

Chapter 16 You’re My Brother

"Hello?"

Song Shimu answered Qin Xu’s call. The last time they’d spoken was half a month ago, when Qin Xu had accepted his friend request. Song Shimu had sent the recording, but Qin Xu had only replied with a period, and there had been no further communication.

This was Qin Xu’s first time initiating contact, but Song Shimu wasn’t surprised.

"Where are you?"

"Wenlisi Bar. Coming?" Song Shimu checked the time and rattled off the address.

Qin Xu’s tone turned cold. "I recall you took a sick day today."

"I did. But what kind of cast takes a whole day to remove? I got it off this morning and rested at home for half the day. I’m meeting someone at Wenlisi Bar later. Want to join?" Song Shimu said.

Qin Xu looked up at the stream of employees leaving work, a gut feeling telling him he’d been outmaneuvered again. Song Shimu had clearly anticipated his call. "Inviting me so eagerly—you need me there, don’t you?"

Song Shimu chuckled. "You need to write a report, and I need someone to help me fend off drinks. We both get what we need."

"Me, fend off drinks for you?" Qin Xu sneered. "Am I the secretary, or are you?"

"You’re my brother."

"…………"

Wenlisi Bar.

By the time Song Shimu arrived at the private room, Song Yinmu and Xiang Shan were already inside.

Xiang Shan, with his square-jawed face, sat imposingly on the sofa in formal attire. Years of drinking had left his shirt stretched taut across his abdomen.

Song Yinmu sat beside Xiang Shan, dressed in a white shirt and black trousers, a loosely tied necktie around his neck. His shirt was neatly tucked into his waistband, accentuating his slender, flexible waist.

"President Xiang, these grapes are sweet. Try one."

Song Yinmu leaned sideways, holding a fruit platter like a diligent attendant, a fawning smile on his face as he offered a grape to Xiang Shan.

"It’s a bit far." Xiang Shan narrowed his triangular eyes, staring at the grape as he leaned lazily against the sofa back, making no move to take it.

Just as Song Yinmu was about to move the grape closer, a hand suddenly appeared behind his waist, pushing him forcefully toward Xiang Shan.

Song Yinmu gasped, falling into Xiang Shan’s arms. Only then did Xiang Shan open his mouth to take the grape. Whether due to the close proximity or a lack of control, Xiang Shan’s lips brushed against Song Yinmu’s fingertips, leaving a faint, moist trace as he pulled away.

Song Yinmu’s almond-shaped eyes widened slightly. He struggled out of Xiang Shan’s embrace and continued selecting grapes with downcast eyes, appearing shy and innocent, like a youth unaware of the world’s ways.

But from an angle Xiang Shan couldn’t see, no trace of flattery remained in Song Yinmu’s eyes—only resentment and disgust.

Song Shimu witnessed this scene as he entered, raising an eyebrow slightly.

"President Song, you’re finally here. We’ve been waiting for quite some time." Xiang Shan’s eyes lit up at the sight of Song Shimu, his gaze brazenly sweeping over him before settling on his waist, a wicked smirk curling his lips.

Song Shimu offered a perfectly measured smile. "No need to call me President Song now. The company’s long gone."

"Aiya," Xiang Shan chuckled, narrowing his eyes before shooting a glance at Song Yinmu, signaling him to pour the wine. "With President Song’s capabilities, rebuilding wouldn’t be difficult. If needed, I’d be more than happy to lend a hand."

Song Shimu moved his glass away. "I just had a cast removed today from a fracture. The doctor advised against drinking."

Xiang Shan feigned surprise. "Oh? Is that so?"

Song Shimu glanced at Song Yinmu, his tone flat. "You were there with me when it happened. You tell President Xiang."

Song Yinmu’s eyelashes trembled slightly, his gaze fixed intently on Song Shimu. "He missed a step on the stairs. It was the day of his mother’s funeral, so it’s understandable that his mood was affected."

"Tsk, my apologies. I’ll punish myself with a drink." Xiang Shan drained a glass in one go, a shrewd glint flashing in his small eyes.

He had long known about Song Shimu’s circumstances. Bringing it up today was precisely to make Song Shimu aware of his situation and more willing to accept his help.

Once a favor was owed, how far could entanglement be?

Actually, when he first learned that Song Shimu was the true heir of the Qin family, he had given up on any ideas about him—after all, who would dare provoke the Qins?

This meeting came about entirely because of Song Yinmu, who claimed that Song Shimu wasn’t welcomed by the Qin family.

Xiang Shan hadn’t believed it at first, but later he noticed that after Song Shimu returned, Qin Xu’s position at Qinfeng remained completely unaffected. Half a month ago, he even made Song Shimu his secretary! According to Song Yinmu, Qin Xu even paid Song Shimu’s hospital bills!

This wasn’t just a lack of welcome—this was outright disownment!

Overjoyed, Xiang Shan quickly had Song Yinmu arrange this meeting. This time, he wanted Song Shimu to understand that the only one who could save him was himself!

"Have some fruit. The selection here is excellent, and the platter is well arranged." Xiang Shan pushed the fruit platter toward Song Shimu.

Song Shimu nodded, picking up an orange and slowly peeling it.

"So, President Song, any thoughts on starting another company?" Xiang Shan waited patiently for him to finish peeling before asking in a friendly manner.

Just as Song Shimu was about to answer, his phone screen lit up. He changed what he was going to say, sighing, "It’s not up to me anymore."

"Then who is it up to?"

Weren’t the Qins refusing to acknowledge this son? Were they not even allowing him to make his own way?

Just then, Song Shimu’s phone rang. He held it up, showing Xiang Shan the caller ID. "The decision-maker is here. He keeps a close eye on me—even on my social gatherings."

With that, Song Shimu went out to greet Qin Xu.

Xiang Shan pondered Song Shimu’s last words, then turned to Song Yinmu. "Didn’t you say the Qin family doesn’t want Song Shimu?"

Song Yinmu, unaware of any issue, replied matter-of-factly, "They don’t. Qin Xu is always watching Song Shimu, preventing him from rebuilding."

Xiang Shan fell into thought, casually wrapping an arm around Song Yinmu’s waist and having him feed him fruit.

Downstairs, Song Shimu found Qin Xu, who had just emerged from the parking lot. After half a month, he had thinned out, his more defined facial features making him appear even colder, his aura of detachment more pronounced.

But his handsome face and well-built physique still drew attention—at 190 cm, he walked with confidence, turning heads every step of the way.

Song Shimu met him and guided him toward the private room, making conversation as they walked. "Just how busy have you been these past half a month? You’ve slimmed down."

Qin Xu gave him a cool look. He wanted to say, "Isn’t it thanks to you?" but held back. "None of your business."

Song Shimu complained, "How is it none of my business? You used that hotpot incident to pressure me into agreeing, then didn't handle the consequences. After Mom and Dad found out I became your secretary, I was exposed! I’ve had to eat Cantonese cuisine for half a month! What if Mom and Dad see you like this and worry about you?!"

"..."

Qin Xu replied flatly, "I’ve been busy with company matters. Not being scolded is what I deserve. Meanwhile, you! You’ve been leisurely every day, always asking employees to do your work for you."

Song Shimu hadn’t expected an explanation. After venting his dissatisfaction, he smiled and replied, "Haven’t you noticed? Since I started cracking down on them, they’ve stopped slacking off."

"Only because they’re not slacking in the break room or bathroom anymore."

"Ah, you've given me an idea. I'll go corner them at their desks next time!"

"…………"

"Aren't you curious about who I'm taking you to meet?" Song Shimu changed the subject.

"Who?"

"President Xiang from Qianyue. Have you had any dealings with him?"

"Trash," Qin Xu coldly remarked.

Song Shimu laughed. "With that assessment from you, I feel reassured."

"..." Qin Xu gave Song Shimu a deep look.

If he remembered correctly, that President Xiang was someone who played both sides, and the recent troubles at Qianyue had something to do with him.

The private room wasn't far. They took the elevator and walked a few steps before arriving. Song Shimu pushed the door open first, with Qin Xu following behind.

Inside, Song Yinmu was being held by Xiang Shan but jumped back at the sound of the door. Xiang Shan frowned, pulling at his waist to pull him back, but Song Yinmu leaned in and whispered urgently, "My brother is here."

Xiang Shan felt a thrill run through him—not because the person in his arms was particularly appealing, but because of the words "my brother," giving him the sense that he had already taken something belonging to Song Shimu.

Ignoring the resistance, Xiang Shan pulled him closer, pressing Song Yinmu's waist closer to his own. When the person in his arms struggled, Xiang Shan smirked and moved his hand down, digging his fingers into Song Yinmu's buttock.

The person in his arms panicked and pushed him away, prompting Xiang Shan to withdraw his hand.

"President Xiang, hope you don’t mind one more person?" Song Shimu ignored their flirtation, leading Qin Xu to the sofa to sit down.

"Well now, President Qin, what brings you here?" Xiang Shan straightened up slightly, surprised that Qin Xu had actually come.

He had thought Song Shimu was just stepping out to make a call, not to fetch someone.

Beside him, Song Yinmu's eyes lit up at the sight of Qin Xu.

Originally, the main purpose of today’s gathering was to set up an encounter between Song Shimu and Xiang Shan. He hadn’t expected Song Shimu to bring Qin Xu along, but if Xiang Shan could sleep with Song Shimu, the collaboration between Qinfeng and Qianyue would be secured. With that, he could eventually enter Qinfeng and, after a few years of building his position, it wasn’t impossible for Qinfeng to become his.

Qin Xu glanced sideways at Song Shimu and said lightly, "Not welcoming me?"

"I wouldn’t dare. I’m just afraid this small gathering isn't worthy of you," Xiang Shan replied, holding a wine glass and absentmindedly rubbing it, his demeanor entirely different from when he was with Song Shimu.

"No occasion is beneath me. I’m just here to take a look and then leave," Qin Xu said indifferently.

Xiang Shan nodded, picked up the wine bottle, and poured a glass for Qin Xu.

"With President Qin here, this humble place is shining brighter," Xiang Shan said, raising his glass in a toast. Song Yinmu hurriedly picked up his own glass.

"Just casual is fine," Qin Xu said, raising his glass slightly.

Xiang Shan smiled and drained his glass, then turned to Song Shimu. "What were we talking about just now?"

Song Shimu obligingly prompted, "We were discussing whether I should start a company again."

Qin Xu’s brow twitched almost imperceptibly.

Xiang Shan understood and picked up where they left off. "I think you’re perfectly suited to run a company. You have such talent and ability." He paused here and looked at Qin Xu. "What do you think, President Qin? Should Shimu start a company?"

Qin Xu’s expression was unreadable. He lowered his gaze and took a light sip of wine, his narrowed eyes sweeping over Song Yinmu before settling on Song Shimu’s face.

When they entered, he had noticed the little exchange between Song Yinmu and Xiang Shan. He didn’t know when the two had gotten involved.

Still, it had nothing to do with him. Their interaction reminded him of the rumors he’d heard during his investigation—that Xiang Shan had had his eye on Song Shimu and had always wanted to have him.

If the rumors were true, then Xiang Shan’s goal this time was to use Song Shimu’s desire to start a company to establish leverage.

But Song Shimu was a sly fox. He couldn’t possibly be unaware of Xiang Shan’s intentions.

So what was his purpose in coming here? To ask for his help without giving him a heads-up? Was he so sure Qin Xu would say what he wanted?

Qin Xu withdrew his gaze and said coldly, "Starting a company isn’t just about having ability."

"True, that’s very true," Xiang Shan nodded in agreement. "So I wanted to say, if Shimu wants to start one, I can provide the capital."

Song Shimu, who had been peeling an orange, looked up, feigning surprise.

Seeing this, Qin Xu cursed inwardly: What a performance.

Outwardly, he said, "It seems the Xiang family is doing quite well. Throwing around capital for a Qin family member to start a company—what would that make the Qin family look like?"