“Damn it, Why are you here?”
Song Jiaxin’s eyes widened, staring in disbelief at Song Shiyi, who stood in front of him like nothing had happened.
“Oh, good morning.” Song Shiyi half-covered his face as he yawned, then casually walked past him straight into the kitchen.
Truly worthy of being called the vicious cannon-fodder. Even after taking two hard blows to the head, he was still bursting with energy, lively as ever.
Although, he had to admit, he also admired the resilience of this body. After being drenched through in the rain and tossed about for so long, not even the faintest sign of a cold had appeared.
As expected, characters in those old-fashioned abuse-dramas were built to endure anything.
Seeing that Song Shiyi was ignoring him, Song Jiaxin’s expression grew even darker. He followed quickly after him:
“You think that just because you hit me last night, you can run off and hide for a night and then come back and pretend nothing happened?”
Yet, because of the two strikes he’d suffered yesterday, a lingering fear still clutched at him. Subconsciously, he kept a safe distance from Song Shiyi.
Even so, while his head spun with calculations and schemes, the figure standing with his back to him looked thin, silent, and busy with some unknown task, offering no response.
Song Jiaxin’s face shifted between light and shadow, and suddenly, as if struck by a thought, he let out a sneer.
“You couldn’t have had nowhere else to go, so you tucked your tail between your legs and came crawling back, could you?”
The faucet clicked on, and a steady stream of water poured into the electric kettle. A moment later, the plug was pushed into the socket.
“Figures. After all, you’re just a bastard with a dead mother, aren’t you? If it weren’t for my father’s generosity in taking you in, you probably wouldn’t even know where you belong.”
Song Shiyi still didn’t say a word. That silence only made Song Jiaxin all the more certain of his guess. His smug smile spread wider as he pressed forward step by step:
“Although, what I don’t get is, why not go to Brother Ye? Aren’t you supposed to be dating him? Looks to me like he never had any intention of taking you in.”
No wonder. Last night, even with blood pouring from his scalp and his whole head pounding with pain, he had still forced himself to call Gu Ye to tattle.
And, just as expected, Gu Ye hadn’t let him down. He must have done something to terrify this coward so badly that he had no choice but to scurry back here, tail between his legs.
As expected of a coward, last night had only been a moment of desperation, a dog forced into a corner snapping back.
Song Jiaxin’s fingers drifted to the wound on his forehead, which still throbbed and twitched with pain.
His malicious thoughts bubbled up uncontrollably as he sneered:
“If you kneel down right now and lick my shoes, maybe…. just maybe, I’ll plead with Father on your behalf, and he’ll let you stay here a little longer.”
By now, the heavy malice on his face could no longer be contained. He reached out, intent on forcing Song Shiyi to turn around so he could savor the expression on his face.
But the very next second, Song Shiyi turned on his own accord. In his hand was the kettle, its light just flicking off after finishing the boil.
Without the slightest hesitation, he tipped it over.
Perhaps yesterday’s shock had been too overwhelming, because Song Jiaxin had been tense and on guard all along. With an instinctive jolt, he leapt several meters back.
The scalding water splashed across the floor, though some droplets still landed on the back of his hand, leaving it red and burning.
“Returning it to you.” Song Shiyi’s lips curved. His eyes were naturally rounder in shape, and when he smiled, it made him look pure and almost innocent.
What he was referring to was a scene from the book.
When the original soul had first arrived in this household, Song Gucheng had at least been willing to put on the act of a caring father, asking after his health, pretending concern here and there.
When he saw that the old second-hand computer he’d been using was so outdated and laggy it could barely run, he immediately instructed his assistant to purchase a brand-new one.
But that single considerate gesture ended up provoking Song Jiaxin’s jealousy.
That very same night, Jiaxin carried a mug of scalding hot coffee straight into Song Shiyi’s room. Without the slightest regard for the fact that the original soul’s hands were still typing on the keyboard, he tilted the cup and poured it directly over.
Though he pulled back at the last second, sparing him from burns, the new computer was ruined on the spot, completely fried beyond repair.
The original soul had swallowed his anger in silence and endured it. But Song Shiyi? He had no intention of letting someone get away with that kind of filth.
“Song Shiyi!”
Song Jiaxin shrieked, both furious and panicked. His voice cracked with outrage, about to explode but Song Shiyi casually shook the half-full bottle of water in his hand and smiled.
“Ah, look at that. Still half left.”
At those words, Song Jiaxin instinctively retreated two full steps. The movement was small, but it instantly gave him away, and the fire in his chest dimmed in an instant.
After what had happened last night, he knew Song Shiyi wasn’t joking. The threat wasn’t empty. He really dared to do it.
Seeing his reaction, Song Shiyi couldn’t help but laugh out loud.
So bold and merciless when it came to ruining someone else’s things, never sparing a thought for the consequences.
But now that the tables had turned, now he knew how to be afraid.
One after another, they were all the same kind of wretched.
“Jiaxin? Why are you standing in the kitchen doorway?” Song Gucheng’s voice floated over, thick with obvious concern.
“You only just had your stitches done. Shouldn’t you be lying down, getting proper rest?”
But before his words of fatherly affection were finished, his gaze shifted further inside and there he saw Song Shiyi.
That disgrace of a son was standing there with a smile on his face, for no reason at all, as if he had something to be pleased about.
Song Gucheng started violently. The memory of last night surged back into his mind, and his expression twisted hideously.
“You still have the face to come back here?”
“Why wouldn’t I?” Song Shiyi blinked, widening his eyes in feigned innocence, his tone brimming with confusion.
“Didn’t you tell yourself that from now on, this would be my home, and I must never feel restrained?”
“So, I came back without the slightest restraint.”
“You!!”
Song Shiyi picked up the kettle and poured himself a cup of hot water. He blew gently across the rim, then lowered his head to sip, cautious and unhurried.
Only after a few quiet gulps did he speak again, his tone light and almost careless:
“Could it be that you’re already suffering from senile dementia at your age? Forgotten your own words so soon?”
The remark was so blatantly offensive that Song Gucheng trembled with fury. He opened his mouth to deliver the harsh reprimand this insolent bastard deserved but before he could utter a syllable, Song Shiyi’s smile only deepened.
He raised his hand and waved past him, as if beckoning.
“Dad, it was me who brought him back.”
The calm voice came from the staircase.
Song Qingwen descended from upstairs, adjusting the cuffs of his shirt with measured composure.
Even though it wasn’t a banquet, he was still dressed in a tailored suit. His tie was knotted to perfection, and the fine cut of the fabric outlined his tall, superior frame.
Hearing those words, both Song Gucheng and Song Jiaxin’s expressions shifted dramatically.
Neither of them had expected this, Song Qingwen, who rarely interfered in family matters, actually stepped in to shield him.
But before Song Gucheng could voice the questions crowding his throat, Song Qingwen spoke again, his tone even and unhurried:
“Didn’t Uncle Bai and Uncle Shao say they were coming to visit today? You should probably get ready to receive them.”
Swallowing his anger for the time being, he shot Song Shiyi with a vicious glare.
Song Shiyi, however, looked utterly indifferent, as if the whole matter had nothing to do with him.
Without so much as a pause, he pulled out a chair and sat down, sipping slowly at his glass of water in small measured gulps.
Song Gucheng’s eye twitched violently from rage at this attitude. Yet, at this moment, he truly had no way to deal with him.
Forcing down his frustration, he stopped his older son, Song Qingwen, who had been about to follow him downstairs.
“It shouldn’t have anything to do with the company. I can handle it myself.”
Just as he was about to remind his eldest to keep an eye on Song Shiyi, the young man merely let out a soft, mocking laugh. Without another word, he turned and headed straight upstairs.
In truth, even when Song Gucheng had received the phone call earlier, he had felt a flicker of confusion. After all, people don’t drop by without a reason.
The two visitors, Bai Luping and Shao Xian did have business dealings with him, but if he was honest, their personal friendship was no more than ordinary.
For them to show up so suddenly, in such a secretive manner, left him uncertain what they were after.
He remained downstairs to wait. From where he stood, he could still clearly see through the glass railing of the second floor: Song Shiyi leaning lazily against it, his gaze drifting off somewhere, lost in thoughts unknown.
Ever since his business ventures had begun flourishing, Song Gucheng hadn’t felt this sense of things slipping out of his control for a very long time.
His temper had never been the best, and the fire was just starting to rise in his chest when suddenly he felt a surge of weakness, his breath faltering.
It was right then that the household servant brought the two visitors inside.
Song Gucheng managed a strained wave of his hand, motioning for them to sit first. Carefully, he steadied his breathing, pressing down the erratic throb in his chest.
Only after several slow breaths did he begin to recover. Seizing the moment, he picked up the tea at his side and quickly swallowed down his prescribed morning dose of medicine.
Seeing this, Shao Xian had barely even settled into his seat before he leaned forward with concern, his tone excessively courteous:
“Old Song, what’s wrong with you?”
Once the pills were in his stomach, though the effect wouldn’t be immediate, the very act of taking them brought a faint psychological comfort. His complexion eased, and he let out a long sigh, shaking his head.
“Don’t even mention it, just the old problem acting up. These past few days it’s been like this. Last night’s banquet, I had to let my eldest attend in my place. I simply couldn’t endure it anymore.”
“I envy you,” Shao Xian quickly followed up, flattering smoothly. “With such an outstanding son like Qingwen, you’ll never have to worry about succession. Unlike my own useless brat, who spends every day driving me up the wall.”
“But perhaps it’s for the best that President Song didn’t attend yesterday.” Bai Luping’s tone carried a faint smile, his words layered with implication that made Song Gucheng’s brows crease.
“And what exactly does President Bai mean by that?”
“Oh, nothing much. Just that last night’s banquet was rather chaotic. If you’d been there, I’m afraid you might not have been able to bear it.”
Shao Xian clicked his tongue, his words deliberately vague as he spoke, then covertly exchanged a glance with Bai Luping.
The reason they had come so early in the morning was obvious, last night’s banquet. They wanted to drop by and, right to his face, savor the gossip.
And judging from Song Gucheng’s expression, he clearly had no idea what kind of explosive scandal had erupted during his absence.
Really, that eldest son of his, how could he keep something so important hidden from his own father?
They had originally been looking forward to “opening the box” right on the spot, to watch in person how Song Gucheng’s face would twist with shock when he learned the truth. But unfortunately, his health was clearly in poor shape.
If they pushed him too far and ended up sending him straight to the hospital, then what?
With that worry in mind, their conversation meandered, jumping from one casual remark to another, neither of them deciding whether to reveal the incident or not.
Song Gucheng’s frown only deepened. He could see it plainly from their evasive looks, something was off.
The banquet had been hosted by the Gu family’s Gu Ruyu and Gu Kang. Neither of them were reckless youngsters, nor were they the careless sort like Shao Xian, who had no sense of propriety. There was no way they would have arranged anything disorderly.
That left only one possibility: someone must have caused a scene in public.
For some reason, Song Gucheng’s thoughts immediately leapt to his second son, the one whose personality had changed so dramatically. A creeping sense of dread was about to rise when..
From upstairs came the sound of a muffled quarrel.
It was followed at once by a sharp, short scream, and then a figure came tumbling violently down the staircase.
The staircase itself had glass railings, so Song Gucheng saw it all clearly: the figure sprawled in panic at the bottom was none other than Song Jiaxin, his face pale with fright.
“Second Brother, why did you push me?” Song Jiaxin’s face was drained of color as he clutched at his cheek. Tilting his head upward, he looked as aggrieved as a victim could possibly look.
Song Gucheng’s gaze snapped upward again. There was Song Shiyi, who had originally been in the living room, now descending slowly, step by step, down the stairs.
“I didn’t push you just now.” His tone was unhurried, every word deliberate.
“What, you think I’d frame you on purpose?” Song Jiaxin’s panic made his voice grow sharp and fast.
But before he could finish, Song Shiyi, still looming above, eyes cold in his downward gaze, lashed out with his foot.
His kick landed squarely on Song Jiaxin’s shoulder, sending him reeling again. With a heavy thud, Jiaxin crashed all the way to the first floor.
“That,” Song Shiyi said flatly, “was me kicking you.”
✦ ✧ ✦
Cresvynia
[Translator]
☕ A LITTLE SOMETHING FOR THE TRANSLATOR
Coffee: useful. Translator: useful. You: potentially useful.
☕ BUY THEM A COFFEE →
✧ (づ｡•ㅅ•｡)づ ☕ ✧
✦ thank you for reading ✦
Next →
ChaptersChapter · This One I didChapter 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