Meng Tang thought Song Guantang was truly being dramatic.
But seeing Song Guantang’s cold, unpleasant expression at that moment—like a chainsaw-wielding maniac in a horror movie, ready to go berserk and slash someone at any second—she felt she should crack a little joke to lighten the mood.
“Then you can’t forget me too quickly. Remember to burn more paper money for me every Qingming Festival, since I died for you.”
She thought this dark joke was quite funny, but not only did Song Guantang’s face show no trace of amusement, his eyes grew even colder and darker, like a bottomless vortex.
Once it sucked her in, there would be no escape.
Immediately after, a large hand pinched her waist.
Meng Tang couldn’t help but cry out in pain, “Ouch, you’re going to pinch my waist in half!”
She was already so pitiful, yet he still pinched her—was there no humanity left?
“If it doesn’t hurt, you won’t remember.”
His voice held no warmth, yet carried a restrained indulgence: “Don’t ever say such things again.”
Meng Tang opened her mouth, wanting to rebel against this tyrannical authority.
Unexpectedly, Song Guantang added another line: “Otherwise, your allowance will be completely cut off.”
Meng Tang instantly felt as if her weak spot had been seized.
How despicable—this scoundrel was threatening her with the thing she cared about most: money!
“Guanting, how could you barge into the ancestral hall like this? You’ll disturb our ancestors!”
Just then, Song Yuanshan and Gao Yali were also awakened by the commotion. Wearing pajamas and hastily throwing on coats, they hurried over.
If earlier, while speaking with Meng Tang, Song Guantang’s expression had been cold but restrained, now, facing Song Yuanshan and the others, Song Guantang lifted his eyelids, his gaze icy and devoid of warmth, sweeping over them like he was looking at the dead. It inexplicably made one feel as if a venomous snake had coiled around their vital artery, ready to strike with a fatal bite at any moment.
“With scum like you around, the coffin lids of the Song family’s ancestors can’t stay shut.”
With just one sentence, Song Yuanshan and Gao Yali’s faces darkened.
Even Meng Tang wanted to give a thumbs-up—this sharp tongue was a one-hit kill!
“Song Guantang, stop this nonsense. Since you’re back, things will be easier. Come with me to the police station immediately, sign the mediation agreement, and bring your brother back!”
Song Yuanshan wanted to use his authority as an elder to pressure Song Guantang.
But unfortunately, Song Guantang paid him no mind, not even sparing him a glance.
“Song Yuanshan, don’t think too highly of yourself.”
Song Guanting steadily held his little wife in his arms, striding forward directly toward the two blocking their path, showing no intention of stopping.
“Move aside.”
Gao Yali still wanted to say something: “Guanting, we’re all family…”
Song Guanting was a man of few words but ruthless actions—he kicked out.
With a cry, Gao Yali was knocked to the ground.
Song Yuanshan’s face turned ugly as he hurried to help his wife up, turning back in furious accusation: “Song Guantang, how could you lay hands on your mother? This is lawless!”
Song Guanting only gave them the back of his head, letting out a cold snort.
“My mother died long ago.”
Song Guanting carried Meng Tang all the way out of the old mansion.
Assistant Zhou, seeing them emerge, immediately opened the car door.
Only after stepping outside did Meng Tang realize the sky was still dark, meaning that not long after she had been trapped in the old mansion, Song Guantang had rushed back overnight from France.
For a moment, Meng Tang’s heart felt a sudden, heavy pause.
After placing her in the back seat, Song Guanting did not get in himself.
Meng Tang instinctively grabbed his hand. “Aren’t we going home?”Song Guanting thought she was just frightened from the day’s events. His thumb gently pressed against the corner of her eye, the touch light yet lingering.
“I’ll be back soon.”
Indeed, Song Guanting had rushed to the old mansion to snatch her away and even kicked Gao Yali. He needed to handle the aftermath.
Meng Tang released her grip and, staying true to her role as a dutiful wife, added, “Be careful. They have the numbers, so don’t confront them head-on. If you really can’t win, just run.”
“Or give me a signal, and I’ll call the police to rescue you. They can arrest everyone and send them to keep Song Yixuan company in jail. That way, they won’t have to worry about him crying alone in the police station.”
At a time like this, only his little wife could be so carefree and teasing.
Only she dared to joke with him like this.
Song Guanting’s thin lips curved slightly, and he let out a brief chuckle.
His thumb slid down to her soft earlobe, giving it a gentle pinch.
“Wait for me.”
Only after Song Guanting’s figure disappeared from sight did Meng Tang finally look away.
“Has the business in France been settled?”
Assistant Zhou replied truthfully, “The follow-up work has been handed over to the project director. As soon as Mr. Song learned something had happened to you, he chartered a flight back without stopping. He hasn’t slept for nearly a day and a night.”
Meng Tang was somewhat surprised.
It seemed Song Guanting cared about her more than she had thought.
No, what Song Guanting cared about was likely the conditions he had negotiated with the Song family, not her.
After all, hadn’t he rushed back to discuss those conditions? She was just an incidental part of it.
Song Yuanshan and Gao Yali were already complaining to Old Master Song in his bedroom.
“Dad, we were just trying to advise Guanting not to act recklessly in front of the ancestral tablets, to avoid disturbing them. But who knew he would kick without hesitation? He probably blames me entirely for making his wife kneel in the ancestral hall as punishment.”
Gao Yali’s face was pale as she clutched her stomach, complaining to Old Master Song.
With just a few words, she painted Song Guanting as an unreasonable madman who dared to lay hands on his elders.
Old Master Song was already short of breath. Hearing that Song Guanting had barged into the ancestral hall and even kicked someone there, he was so angry he could hardly breathe.
A servant nearby hurriedly helped him with his oxygen. “Old Master, the doctor said you mustn’t get angry. Please calm down.”
After taking a few breaths of oxygen, Old Master Song finally caught his breath.
“Bring that unfilial son to me.”
As soon as he finished speaking, a cold, menacing voice rang out. “Grandfather, using such methods to force me back—isn’t it just to see me go mad?”
Song Guanting’s tall, imposing figure appeared at the doorway. As he strode in, his cold, sinister gaze swept over Song Yuanshan and Gao Yali.
Especially Gao Yali, who was still in pain from the kick Song Guanting had delivered. Though she might have exaggerated it, the kick was real. She instinctively hid behind Song Yuanshan, afraid Song Guanting might lose control and go mad again.
“How could you lay hands on Yali in the ancestral hall? She is your elder, after all. This is an act of defiance!”
Old Master Song gasped as he questioned him.
Song Guanting glanced sideways, his eyes filled with cold mockery and disdain.
“She’s not dead yet, so what’s the fuss?”
Old Master Song nearly choked on his anger. “You…””Dad, please don’t be angry. My injury is minor, and I believe Guanting was just concerned about his wife, which caused him to lose his temper momentarily. I don’t blame him.”
Gao Yali appeared magnanimous in her forgiveness while subtly revealing her true intentions with earnest persuasion.
“Guanting, I know you’ve never liked me. If there’s anything I’ve done wrong, just tell me and I’ll correct it. But Yixuan is your own brother.”
“He’s young and impulsive, and he made a mistake in the heat of the moment. Fortunately, you intervened in time, and he hasn’t caused any real harm to the company. For the sake of family, could you please be lenient and let him off this once?”