Song Shiyi instinctively turned his head. The nearly empty parking lot held only a single, unassuming black sedan.
The person who had called him leaned casually against the car, dressed simply in a plain black suit, the only accessory being a wristwatch.
Yet an aura of quiet nobility and undeniable authority emanated from him. Song Qingwen.
Song Shiyi silently called the name in his heart.
He was the eldest son of the Song family and Song Shiyi’s biological elder brother.
Song Qingwen idly tossed the car keys in his hands, not seeming to notice how long he had been staring at Song Shiyi. So he had come tonight, too.
Song Shiyi was somewhat surprised that this person had called out to him. In the original story, this mysterious elder brother, though appearing gentle, was always cold and detached.
From his very first appearance, he managed company affairs with mechanical precision.
He had never helped Song Jiaxin, nor had he aided the original Song Shiyi.
Song Shiyi even suspected that if the original Song Shiyi had died before him, Song Qingwen’s reaction would have been to calmly call someone to handle the aftermath without a flicker of emotion.
“Is there something you need?” Song Shiyi asked, standing his ground, not too close, not too far with politeness.
Truthfully, he had no intention of confronting Song Qingwen. After all, he held no personal grudge against his elder brother; he had committed no true wrongdoing.
Yet, even thinking about him, the heart of this body ached painfully. His eyes felt hot.
Song Shiyi shook himself. Clearly, the original Song Shiyi had not yet learned to accept this situation so easily.
After tossing the keys back up earlier, Song Qingwen caught them, straightened, and reached for the rear door of the car, signaling for him to enter.
Was he taking him home?
Song Shiyi watched him, stepped forward, closed his umbrella under the canopy, and leaned down to slide into the car.
The persistent, gnawing pain hadn’t subsided. Song Shiyi rested his hand against the car door, propping his chin and staring at the rain streaking down the window, attempting to distract himself with other thoughts.
The person he had seen at the banquet, he had no doubt about his identity.
That was someone who, in the original story, had been the only one to treat the original Song Shiyi well, ultimately sacrificing his life for him: Qin Huai.
Song Shiyi’s gaze fell on the long-handled umbrella at his feet.
Although a secondary male lead, Qin Huai’s resources and status were no less than Gu Ye’s.
The Qin family, in the story, was even more formidable than the Gu family.
Their previous head had died suddenly, leaving Qin Huai, young and vulnerable, to navigate a treacherous world and take full control of the family enterprise before turning thirty.
Rumors of bloody struggles surrounded him, yet he gradually became low-profile, leaving only an enigmatic silhouette to the outside world.
And yet, such a ruthless figure had voluntarily chosen to accompany the original Song Shiyi selflessly, without any ulterior motive.
Why?
The book never explained; perhaps it was deemed unimportant. But now that Song Shiyi had entered the story world, he naturally wanted to understand, otherwise, how could he interact with Qin Huai?
Reflected in the car window, his face bore a beautiful, practiced smile, a way he used to steady his emotions.
Well, step by step, then.
“You seem in good spirits.”
Song Qingwen, driving, glanced at the dazed Song Shiyi in the rearview mirror, his tone neutral.
Amazing. Not only had Song Qingwen come to take him back, but he was even talking to him.
In the original story, this elder brother was nearly a background figure; Song Shiyi suspected the author included him solely to facilitate succession.
The foolish younger brother had wasted all his energy on a reckless romance, leaving no time for anything else.
“Maybe it’s because it’s rare for you to talk to me,” Song Shiyi replied, eyes crinkling, his voice full of joy.
“Is that so?” Song Qingwen didn’t deny it, his mouth curving faintly. “I thought you wouldn’t come back with me.”
“Knowing you’d come, you’re deliberately trying to make me unhappy?” Song Shiyi’s smile widened, though his words carried an unmistakable spark of mischief.
“What’s your problem?”
Song Qingwen glanced again at the rearview mirror. This time, their eyes met. Behind the mirror, those eyes, so similar to Song Shiyi’s, showed no real emotion.
Yet he seemed unfazed by the cheeky remark, his tone calm: “I see your temper’s quite high. Two times causing trouble and still not calming down.”
Song Shiyi chuckled lightly. Song Jiaxin really could take a beating, having endured one complaint after another.
He realized he had spent the evening venting and hadn’t checked his messages.
Opening them now, he saw a flood of chastisements from Song Guocheng, telling him to get lost, with Lin Nian interspersing a few cautious attempts at reconciliation.
He simply replied: first to Song Guocheng “Go away” then to Lin Nian “You too, go away.”
Stopping at the red light, Song Qingwen glanced casually at the lit phone.
“If you wanted to completely sever ties, why come back with me?”
Song Shiyi smirked. “And what if I go back? Song Guocheng can’t eat me, can he?”
“Although seeing them makes me sick, thinking that just my presence makes them restless… it doesn’t seem so bad.”
“And me?”
Song Qingwen asked unexpectedly. The car had entered the villa garage, his expression hidden in the dimness.
Song Shiyi paused. This question felt completely out-of-character for Song Qingwen. Yet after a brief hesitation, he answered brightly: “You’re awful too.”
Don’t assume bystander status makes anyone innocent. After all, no explanation could erase the fact that Song Qingwen had watched his biological brother struggle in hell without intervening.
“Is that so?”
The engine cut off, the interior light flickered, then went out when the key was removed. Song Qingwen’s breathing remained steady, as if merely criticized for driving carelessly.
“Just joking,” Song Shiyi said. As he unbuckled, he affectionately wrapped his arms around Song Qingwen’s neck from behind, nuzzling close: “Brother won’t mind, right? After all, we’re real family.”
The smile on Song Shiyi’s face faded abruptly. His dark eyes stared straight at the villa ahead, eerie in their intensity.
Slowly, he said: “I never counted you among those inside the house… so don’t disappoint me.”
At first, he hadn’t intended to retaliate against Song Qingwen. But feeling that heartache, he decided he wouldn’t let him off.
So… let’s rot together.
The Song residence was quieter than he expected, no lights on, everything silent.
“Song Jiaxin’s head was stitched up; Aunt Lin stayed at the hospital. Dad’s old ailments flared up, so he returned, he should be asleep now.” Song Qingwen explained while opening the garage door.
“You can go in without worry.”
Though Song Shiyi had just made a shocking proclamation, Song Qingwen gave no reaction. But at the doorstep, Song Shiyi sensed a slight teasing undertone in his words.
Exhaustion, however, had taken full control. He didn’t bother with further words, changed shoes, took a quick shower, and dove into bed.
A night without dreams.
The next morning, groggy, Song Shiyi stumbled out of his room, hair messy from sleep. A sharp, terrified scream jolted him fully awake.
It came from Song Jiaxin, who had stayed at the hospital until midnight, his head wrapped in thick bandages. Song Shiyi’s drowsiness vanished entirely.
A new day began and another battle awaited
I hate neutral character because it’s like they are blind! They aren’t supporting nor going against you?! Feels like they are Just a show piece in the place! Not saying that Song Qingwen should fight but at least protect your brother from your stupid father!!
✦ ✧ ✦
Cresvynia
[Translator]
☕ A LITTLE SOMETHING FOR THE TRANSLATOR
The translator would like coffee. This message contains no further arguments.
☕ BUY THEM A COFFEE →
✧ (づ｡•ㅅ•｡)づ ☕ ✧
✦ thank you for reading ✦
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ChaptersChapter 1 · He’s in the BookChapter 2 · You Like playing Stand-in, Right?Chapter 3 · This Kind of person is just asking for troubleChapter 4 · Is it so Bloody?Chapter 5 · Let’s Rot togetherChapter 7 · Illegitimate SonChapter 8 · Unfaithful husbandChapter 9 · MemoriesChapter 10 · Silence before stormChapter 11 · Hunt beginsChapter 12 · Nightmare I rememberChapter 13 · Why do they ride on their own heads?Chapter 14 · I forgive myselfChapter 15 · Can you take me in tonight since I’m homeless?Chapter 16 · Mr. Qin, do you like me?Chapter 17 · If you like it, you can have itChapter 18 · Gu Ye, it’s obvious that you also pursue these thingsChapter 19 · If you still can’t let go of Gu Ye, why not give it a try with me?Chapter 20 · He actually made him bow down to that bastard.Chapter 21 · Ruining someone’s future is simply unforgivableChapter 22 · God can’t possibly favor someone like youChapter 23 · UrnChapter 24 · May they die a horrible deathChapter 25 · If you’re broke, stop showing off.Chapter 26 · Kneel before me, begging for mercy.Chapter 27 · The plan succeededChapter 28 Part 1 · This time, the victim is Gu Ye Part 1Chapter 28 Part 2 · This time, the victim is Gu YeChapter 29 · This time, I’ll make full use of youChapter 30 · Educating about the existence of lawsChapter 31 · So who is he now?Chapter 32 · I want to destroy this fake spacetime.Chapter 33 · So, I was himChapter 34 · They’re all crazy, just let me have my wayChapter 35 · I will punish them in the right way.Chapter 36 · I’m already a lunaticChapter 37 · Can you stay by Qin Huai’s side for my sake?Chapter 38 · I’ll grant your requestChapter 39 · Not a pitiful littleChapter 40 · They Both should dieChapter 41 · I want to destroy the empire that Song Gucheng builtChapter 42 · Do you hate me too?Chapter 43 · No one should feel goodChapter 44 · He’ll definitely be the winner in the end!Chapter 45 · Acting is really tiringChapter 46 · I wanted that bastard to disappearChapter 47 · Ready made scapegoatChapter 48 · He’s willing to save themChapter 49 · I’ve come to catch up with youChapter 50 · You stole someone else’s placeChapter 51 · Shiyi, why won’t you save me…Chapter 52 · To make a good life is more importantChapter 53 · Even if you really cheated on me, it doesn’t matterChapter 54 · Finally, I can say goodbye to you completelyChapter 55 · Angel sent by heaven to save himChapter 56 · CEO Gu is a very affectionate personChapter 57 · If you love him, go to jail for himChapter 58 · His most beloved son wanted to kill himChapter 59 · Take good care of our dear fatherChapter 60 · Take back everything that truly belongs to meChapter 61 · He knew that Gu Ye would not let him downChapter 62 · The Song family’s shares must absolutely not be transferred to Song ShiyiChapter 63 · I am no one’s thingChapter 64 · He always knew what kind of person Song Qingwen was.Chapter 65 · FinalChapter 66 · Extra