Chapter 57: Wordplay

Chapter 57 Word Games

Song Shimu leaned back languidly on the sofa, saying slowly, "He doesn't have that old-man vibe."

Qin Xu tapped open the surveillance footage, mulling over Song Shimu's words. "So, he dyes his hair? Where did you meet such a weirdo? And one with absolutely no taste."

"He didn't dye his hair," Song Shimu clarified.

"Then he's genuinely old. Mom and Dad haven't even gone gray yet, and you're the first to bring home someone with white hair." Qin Xu's tone was icy, his eyes filled with disdain for the person Song Shimu was "fond of."

Song Shimu smirked. "Mom and Dad have already met him."

Qin Xu's brows furrowed tightly, as if they could crush a fly. "You took him to meet Mom and Dad?"

"He met Mom and Dad before I did."

"I know almost everyone Mom and Dad know. The person you're so keen on—he's not some unreliable type, is he?" Qin Xu questioned skeptically.

Song Shimu just smiled without answering.

Qin Xu naturally assumed he had a guilty conscience and immediately concluded that this person was untrustworthy. "Even though Mom and Dad aren't conservative, and they might accept that you're gay, they won't let you date someone unreliable."

At the mention of acceptance, the smile on Song Shimu's face subtly faded.

Even if they were open-minded enough to accept one son being gay, they probably couldn't accept both sons being gay, and together at that…

Song Shimu sighed, losing the desire to tease Qin Xu. He said directly, "Doesn't the surveillance in your shop have audio recording?"

"That shop primarily hosts business meetings and deals. To protect privacy, the surveillance systems aren't equipped with audio."

"Then rewind the footage and let me see the face of the person I met."

Noticing the shift in Song Shimu's demeanor, Qin Xu thought to himself that Song Shimu must realize their parents would never accept it. He looked down to exit the video and happened to see the person Song Shimu was "thinking of" leaving the table.

He tapped the progress bar and saw that from the moment Song Shimu sat down, the two had chatted for less than ten minutes, and only the first round of dishes had been served.

A flicker of secret delight rose in Qin Xu's heart, but when his gaze caught the takeout boxes on the table, that glee was instantly replaced by a chilling realization. His face stiffened as he sneered, "The person you've been so focused on doesn't seem very interested in having a meal with you."

"Check the earlier footage," Song Shimu said, ignoring Qin Xu's comment.

Qin Xu exited the video and sent a few messages. While waiting, he asked, "You two aren't together yet, are you?"

"No."

Hearing they weren’t together brought Qin Xu some comfort, but he was still concerned about Song Shimu's taste. Unconsciously, he began earnestly lecturing, "I advise you to cut your losses early and open your eyes to better people. That guy isn't even worthy of you based on age alone."

"Hmm," Song Shimu glanced at him.

Qin Xu felt inexplicably scrutinized, guessing that his words might have hit a nerve. He offered comfort, "It's not uncommon for your first crush not to be accepted by the family. Don't be too upset. With your qualities, it's easy to find someone else."

"Stop talking," Song Shimu said, feeling for the first time that Qin Xu's words were grating. He forcibly suppressed the urge to throw his affection rating in Qin Xu's face, got up, moved to a single sofa, and sprawled out, closing his eyes as if to block out the situation.

Watching Song Shimu's evasive posture, Qin Xu's lips pressed into a tight line. What was so worth being fond of about some old man?

He hadn’t even finished his tasks but had already fallen for someone else.

Just then, his phone vibrated softly. Qin Xu looked down, and his expression turned instantly cold and dangerous as he viewed the newly arrived video. You'd better have some other extraordinary qualities.

Qin Xu tapped his thumb on the screen, and the video immediately filled the display.

The video began with the tightly shut private room door. A few seconds later, the door was pushed open, and a server from the shop entered first, politely making a standard welcoming gesture. Then, a leg clad in gray trousers and black leather shoes stepped in.

The man’s face was exposed in the surveillance footage—

...He really was old, not as handsome as him, not as wealthy, and his personality was unknown.

The only thing known was that Song Shimu's "fondness" wasn't romantic affection, but rather the kind where you wish the other person would just disappear.

Chen Mingsheng of Shenjing—the culprit behind the constant collapse.

For a moment, Qin Xu didn’t know whether to laugh or get angry. He was relieved that this person couldn't possibly be loved by Song Shimu, but also annoyed... though not really.

"Song Shimu, you've truly mastered word games," Qin Xu said with a somewhat helpless expression.

Song Shimu raised his hand, his withdrawn expression easing slightly. "Now do you understand why I was 'fond of' him?"

Qin Xu gave a hollow laugh. "You deliberately said something ambiguous to make me misunderstand, and you didn't explain. Did you enjoy messing with me?"

Song Shimu parted his lips, swallowed what he originally intended to say, and instead remarked, "I was testing the chemistry between us brothers. The proof is, you don't understand me at all—you actually suspected I'd like such an old thing."

Qin Xu didn’t expect to be countered and said with a bitter laugh, "Then why did you admit it when I asked if you liked older men?"

Song Shimu pursed his lips into a smile. "I do like people older than me."

"..."

"And older than me in every way," Song Shimu added.

Qin Xu stared at Song Shimu, hesitating to speak. After a long pause, he managed to say, "Have you been in a relationship before?"

"No, I was too busy before," Song Shimu replied. "It's not as busy here, so I plan to find the right person and experience the bitterness of love."

Qin Xu's intense gaze flickered with struggle. His thin lips parted several times, but in the end, he chose silence.

Seeing Qin Xu pick up documents to read again, Song Shimu got up and went to his room to find clothes for a shower.

"Haven't you finished yet?"

Song Shimu knocked on Qin Xu’s bedroom door and called out.

Click—

Soon, the bedroom door was pulled open. Qin Xu stood there wearing a black turtleneck sweater, his damp bangs hanging over his forehead. His tall brow bone cast a faint shadow under the light, his nose was straight, and his pale lips held a hint of moisture. The bandage on his face was hidden in the shadows, looking like a mere accessory on his strikingly handsome features.

A refreshing minty scent wafted over. Song Shimu stared at Qin Xu's freshly washed face and asked, "Did you change your cologne?"

"Mm," Qin Xu opened the door to let him in, then turned and went inside to pick up the prepared clothes, putting them on one by one. "Since Mom and Dad are here, I won’t show my face. I’ll just listen in."

Song Shimu crossed his arms and looked at him. "You really don’t have to go, you know."

Today was the day of Song Hongkai’s trial. Although Qin Xu and Song Hongkai were related by blood, they hadn’t interacted much. He could have easily stayed home to work but instead chose to dress incognito just to witness Song Hongkai being imprisoned.

Qin Xu’s hands slowed as he wrapped his scarf. His tone was cool as he said, "He’s the one who changed both our lives, after all. I should see how it ends with my own eyes."

Song Shimu nodded, watching Qin Xu put on a mask and a baseball cap, and even wrap a scarf around his neck over the turtleneck. He couldn’t help but tease, "You know, dressing like this makes you look suspicious. People might think you’re here to cause trouble."

Qin Xu paused while putting on his gloves, then continued. "The innocent have nothing to fear. I just don’t want Mom and Dad to see the injury. If they recognize me, back me up."

Song Shimu deliberately sighed dramatically. "This job is getting harder and harder. Not only do I have to handle work matters, but I also have to cook for my boss from time to time, and occasionally help him cover up in front of the family. Money really doesn’t come easy..."

Qin Xu patted Song Shimu's head. "Not charging you rent is already a perk of our relationship. What more do you want?"

"Hey!" Song Shimu covered his head. "I was wondering why you covered your face and then your hands—turns out it was to hit me!"

"Enough nonsense, let's go." Qin Xu strode toward the door, and Song Shimu followed.

In this disguise, Qin Xu was more prepared than Song Shimu had imagined.

To avoid being spotted right after getting out of the car, Song Shimu thought Qin Xu would choose a car he rarely drove. Instead, Qin Xu rented a taxi, had Song Shimu sit in the back, and acted as the driver himself.

Song Shimu gave two thumbs up in admiration. "The boss is the boss—your thinking is meticulous."

Qin Xu chuckled lightly and pressed the accelerator.

Recalling Qin Xu's series of actions, Song Shimu asked suspiciously, "By the way, why does it feel like you’re so skilled at disguising? Do you hide every time you get hurt?"

"Minor injuries aren’t worth it. For bigger ones, I hide. This time, although the injury isn’t serious, the marks around my neck would probably have them giving me grief about it for ages," Qin Xu explained.

"Getting cold feet now? Why didn’t you think of that when you were pretending to faint?" Song Shimu retorted.

"He didn’t tell me what I wanted to know."

"You had him subdued, with a knife to his neck—couldn’t you have found out then?"

"This is a society governed by law. He knew I wouldn’t really hurt him. Besides, anything coerced isn’t necessarily true," Qin Xu explained.

Song Shimu was speechless. "I was there—I could’ve verified it for you."

Qin Xu fell silent.

Song Shimu couldn’t help but suspect, "Did you just want to leave a scar on yourself to seem more manly?"

Qin Xu’s mouth twitched. "No."

"You’d better not. Let me tell you in advance—scars on the face are ugly. You’d better take good care of it, or just get it treated if needed."

"…"

After arriving at the courthouse, Song Shimu had just stepped out of the car when he turned and saw Tan Manjin and Qin Song. Coincidentally, they noticed him too. "Shi Mu—"

Song Shimu leaned down and said to Qin Xu, "Don’t get out yet." Then he closed the door and walked toward Tan Manjin and Qin Song.

"Dad, Mom," Song Shimu called out obediently.

"Was it a rushed trip back?" Tan Manjin patted Song Shimu. Hearing a few days ago that the two were on a business trip, she hadn’t expected them to come. She didn’t think her younger son had made time to be here.

"Not rushed. Brother arranged it for me—there was plenty of time to return," Song Shimu said.

"If work is too busy, you don’t have to travel like this," Qin Song added.

Song Shimu shook his head. "Brother has been covering for me these past couple days. It’s manageable."

"No matter how busy work gets, you both need to remember to rest, understand?" Tan Manjin said with concern.

"Okay."

"Let’s go in. Lawyer Zhang is already waiting for us inside."

On the other side, Qin Xu watched through the car window as the three entered the courthouse. Once they were out of sight, he picked up his phone and checked the time. There was still half an hour until the trial began.

He switched apps and replied to a few emails.

When there were twenty minutes left until the trial, Qin Xu got out of the car, went through the procedures, and entered.

While collecting his observer pass, he caught a glimpse of silver-white hair out of the corner of his eye. Qin Xu’s gaze swept over and recognized the person from the surveillance video a few days ago, now unexpectedly appearing beside him.

Qin Xu frowned slightly. Is Shenjing embroiled in litigation too?

But before he could ponder further, Chen Mingsheng had already taken his observer pass and entered the courtroom where Song Hongkai was being tried.

Qin Xu’s frown deepened as he followed.

After handing his observer pass to the bailiff, Qin Xu walked toward the public gallery.

Chen Mingsheng sat in the last row, on the right side. Qin Xu chose a seat in the same row, on the left.

As soon as he sat down, Chen Mingsheng turned to look at him. Qin Xu pretended not to notice and waited quietly for the trial to begin.

Just then, his phone screen lit up. He looked down and saw a message from Song Shimu.

"I saw Chen Mingsheng."

"Yeah, I’m sitting right next to him."

"I see. What’s he here for?"

"You’re asking me?"

"I didn’t invite him. He wouldn’t be here to help Song Hongkai, would he?"

"Could be."

Song Shimu turned off his phone, his expression hardened.

His gaze sharpened like a physical force, sweeping directly toward Song Hongkai, who sat across the room.

Song Hongkai was slumped forward, his face devoid of color, as if he had long given up resistance and accepted whatever comes.

If Chen Mingsheng dared to help Song Hongkai, then Song Shimu could accelerate his plans to make Shenjing pay.

The last observer entered, their footsteps mingling with the rustling of papers, echoing through the spacious courtroom.

The court clerk sat at the front with a laptop, fingertips lightly gliding over the mouse as they verified the attendees. The presiding judge had already taken their seat, speaking solemnly in low tones with the associate judges beside them.

As the trial time arrived, the courtroom gradually quieted. With a "thud" of the gavel, the presiding judge issued the command, their dignified voice resonating through the hall: "This court is now in session!"

Under the judge’s direction, the plaintiff, defendant, and defense lawyers took turns stating their claims, presenting events and evidence, then launching into fierce debates.

Song Shimu looked at the barely ten-second clip submitted as evidence and couldn’t help but reflect. A mere few seconds of action had changed two lives completely.

Life's twists often seem more absurd than one could imagine.

Just then, a hand gripped his shoulder. Song Shimu turned.

Tan Manjin was looking at him apologetically, about to say something.

But Song Shimu leaned in first and whispered, "I realized Qin Xu was skinnier than me when we were kids."

Tan Manjin couldn’t help but smile, mussing Song Shimu’s hair. The curve of her lips held a tinge of sadness.

The final trial phase concluded with the gavel's decisive strike.

The presiding judge announced the final verdict, sentencing the defendant Song Hongkai for the crimes of child abduction and property infringement to 10 years of imprisonment, along with a fine of RMB 3 million. The defendant Song Hongkai was ordered to return all financial losses to the plaintiff Tan Manjin within ten days from the effective date of the judgment.

Upon hearing the final verdict, Song Shimu finally let out a sigh of relief, stealing a glance toward the audience seats. Chen Mingsheng sat calmly in his original spot, appearing completely indifferent to the trial outcome, as if he had merely come to observe.

After exiting the courthouse, Tan Manjin looked around to ensure no one was close by and couldn't help but complain to Qin Song, "Only just ten years—he should have been fined more money."

Qin Song replied, "Extorting us and only asking for three million—so unambitious."

Nearby, Song Shimu was scanning the area and noticed Chen Mingsheng standing not far behind them, maintaining a distance of about five meters.

Song Shimu couldn't quite decipher what this person intended to do.

"Shi Mu, how many days are you back for?" Tan Manjin turned to ask Song Shimu.

Song Shimu withdrew his gaze, "I have a flight this afternoon."

"Tomorrow or the day after?"

"Today."

"Huh?" Tan Manjin instinctively glanced at her watch—it was 11:30. "Why did Qin Xu only give you half a day off?"

"Knowing it's an important matter, he only gave you such a short time off," Qin Song frowned, took out his phone, found Qin Xu's number, and dialed. "Tell him to hang on a little longer. You should rest at home today."

"There's no need—"

The standard ringtone sounded from Qin Song's phone, and at the same time, the same ringtone echoed from not far behind them—