Chapter 55

Chapter 55

Old Master Song’s birthday was just three days away, so Song Yuxuan’s celebration was a modest affair, with only a few close friends invited to the family home.

Tang Yiwen arrived back in Yunjing on the evening of Song Yuxuan’s birthday.

After the birthday dinner concluded, the Song family’s main residence settled back into quietude.

That night, Tang Yiwen accepted the invitation to stay over, and Song Yuxuan led him to the guest room.

As soon as the door closed, Tang Yiwen said with a touch of remorse, "Yuxuan, I’m so sorry. I couldn’t help you. Song Yuqiao had someone specifically watching me—the moment I took photos, they were forcibly deleted."

"Yiwen, you’ve already done so much for me. Besides, we didn’t come away empty-handed."

Song Yuxuan scrolled through a few photos on his phone to show him. Tang Yiwen was surprised and then recalled, "When you contacted the reporters that day, were you already planning for contingencies?"

Song Yuxuan nodded with a smile. He added that it was thanks to Yiwen diverting Song Yuqiao’s attention that the person he’d arranged managed to snap a few pictures.

The guilt in Tang Yiwen’s heart lessened. Yuxuan had specifically asked his father to arrange their business trip stay at Yuhai’s most luxurious hotel. If Yuxuan’s objective hadn’t been met, wouldn’t he have been terribly disappointed?

Yuxuan was more capable than him. He had become an intern at Song Corp, yet with Yuxuan’s talent, getting into the company shouldn’t have been so difficult. But his own elder brother blocked him, forcing him to resort to stratagems just to join his family’s company—it was truly absurd.

Gazing at his good friend’s smiling eyes, he sincerely hoped Yuxuan would achieve his aspirations.

Recalling the photos he had just seen, he grimaced as if disgusted. "It was just speculation before, but I never imagined those two would actually get together. After being blood brothers for so many years, aren’t they repulsed by it?"

Song Yuxuan smiled in agreement. "I haven’t been back that long, and they moved so quickly. They might have had something illicit going on for ages but couldn’t expose it due to their positions."

The two exchanged a look, both feeling disdain. Even someone as outwardly polished and praised as Song Yuqiao still harbored a dark, sordid side.

Song Yuxuan thought, if someone like that could manage Song Corporation, why couldn’t he?

His gaze no longer deigned to fall upon Song Jianan. What was a mere Song Jianan? He intended to contend for power within Song Corporation. As long as he stood high enough, no one would dare ignore him to fawn over a fake.

*

After the trip to Yuhai, they returned to Yunjing. The next day was Old Master Song’s birthday.

Song Yuqiao didn’t mention it at home, only stating that he wouldn’t be home for lunch or dinner the following day.

Song Jianan also feigned ignorance and didn’t inquire. The next day, life resumed its rhythm from before the Yuhai trip.

Song Yuqiao spent the morning tackling his piled-up work and returned to the old mansion at noon to have lunch with the patriarch, taking the opportunity to present the gifts he had prepared in advance.

The patriarch opened them, grumbling about the extravagance. "It’s just a birthday, and you’re giving two gifts. Do you have too much money to burn?"

Song Yuqiao helped him unwrap them. "Grandpa, the fishing gear you’re opening is from Jia Jia. He knows you love fishing and specially bought it for you."

The patriarch paused, opening it to reveal a high-quality set of fishing gear. He couldn’t put it down, running his hands over it with delight, a hint of a smile in his eyes. "That’s thoughtful of him. Even after leaving, he still remembers this old man."

Since the Song family was hosting a banquet today, Song Jianan’s presence would be awkward, so it was best he didn’t attend. The patriarch didn’t press him on why he wasn’t there, only sighed and said, "I have a Hetian jade ruyi scepter. It’s his birthday gift. Take it to him later."

Song Yuqiao agreed.

The patriarch then asked, "When did you start seeing someone? Why haven’t you told the family?"

Song Yuqiao replied, "Grandpa, where did you hear such baseless rumors?"

The patriarch shot him a look. "Cut it out; you can’t hide it from me. You were photographed playing with your boyfriend in Yuhai. Did you think I wouldn’t find out?"

A softness crept into Song Yuqiao’s expression. "So you already know, Grandpa. We’ve only just started dating, which is why I didn’t say anything."

The patriarch smiled contentedly. Years ago, he had grown detached from family ties, focusing solely on cultivating a successor for Song Corporation. Over the years, he had naturally grown closer to this grandson than others and, like any ordinary elder, had worried that his grandson’s aloofness would make it hard for him to find a partner. Now, he could finally set his mind at ease.

In the afternoon, guests began to arrive gradually.

By evening, the entire Song estate was bustling with activity, filled with guests, elegant attire, and fragrant perfumes.

As the current head of Song Corporation, Song Yuqiao stayed by the patriarch’s side. It was a long time before he managed to slip away from the crowd for a brief respite.

"Big brother."

Someone called out to him from behind.

He turned and saw Song Yuxuan walking toward him, all smiles.

"Big brother, I heard you went to Yuhai a few days ago. Did you have a good time?"

Song Yuqiao’s expression turned cold.

The report had been published that morning. After the patriarch mentioned it at noon, he had his assistant retract the report and easily traced it back to Song Yuxuan.

Considering Song Yuxuan’s recent maneuvers, Song Yuqiao didn’t need to think hard to guess his intentions.

His voice was icy. "You’re quite well-informed."

Song Yuxuan feigned surprise. "How did you know I bought all the photos that person took?" Then he smiled. "I’m still far from matching you, big brother."

Song Yuqiao looked at him coldly. "You want to join the company?"

Song Yuxuan blinked. "As expected of you, big brother. You guessed it. Today is Grandpa’s birthday, and almost everyone from Yunjing’s high society is here. Surely you won’t refuse me at a time like this?"

Song Yuqiao’s gaze swept over his face before he turned to look at the scenery of the old mansion, his voice still cold. "Since you want to join,"

"I’ll have my assistant arrange a suitable position for you tomorrow."

Song Yuxuan’s smile became more genuine. "Thank you, big brother."

He left with light steps.

As Song Yuxuan was about to go downstairs, his cousin Song Xifan suddenly appeared, blocking his path.

Song Xifan said, "Can we talk in private?"

Song Yuxuan raised an eyebrow and followed him.

Song Zhen, who rarely made appearances, emerged from a corner and quietly trailed after them.

On the balcony.

The swaying wine glass stilled as Song Yuqiao took a sip.

His relationship with Jia Jia was special, and it wasn’t the right time to make it public. But as for the photos in Song Yuxuan’s possession—no matter what they captured, they weren’t enough to threaten him. A single word from him to the press and major media outlets, and no one would dare risk his wrath by leaking those photos.

Song Yuxuan was not a threat, but since he was so eager to join the company, Song Yuqiao wanted to see just how capable his younger brother was. Song Corporation did not tolerate idlers.

He didn’t dwell on these matters.

Gazing at the sky gradually darkening to indigo, he found himself missing Jia Jia.

He took out his phone. There were no messages from Jia Jia, so he opened the messages from his bodyguard, his brows slowly furrowing.

After the banquet ended and the guests left, he stayed with the patriarch a while longer before making an excuse to leave.