“Alright, enough. We are all family; it is one thing for kin to have a little scuffle, but let us not talk about ‘defense’ and other such unlucky things,” Song Cheng finally found an opening to interject.
He quickly moved to separate Song Xingqiu and Song Wenyue.
It was no wonder Song Xingqiu’s punch had been so decisive and solid; he had come prepared.
Song Cheng did not have time to feel bad for his son. He gave Song Xingqiu a deep, meaningful look before turning to Wei Yin. “Come with me. I have something to say to you.”
Song Cheng was not entirely sure if his decision to invite Song Xingqiu back was the right one. But the arrow was already on the string; there was no turning back now. Since the two were already at odds and Song Wenyue had taken the bait, he decided to see it through and use the opportunity to provoke Song Wenyue further.
Song Cheng led Wei Yin into the adjacent room, leaving only Song Xingqiu and Song Wenyue in the living room. The household staff stood far off, tactfully staying out of the way.
Ignoring Song Wenyue, Song Xingqiu sat back down on the sofa and picked up his teacup to resume tasting his tea.
Song Wenyue: “…”
Song Wenyue felt a surge of resentment toward his parents. If they were going to step aside to talk, why did they not help him up first? He was still on the floor! Was no one going to check on him?
He could only clutch his stomach and sit awkwardly on the floor for a moment, praying that Song Xingqiu had forgotten he was there, before slowly picking himself up.
Song Wenyue hesitated. If he went back to his room now, it would look like he was afraid of Song Xingqiu. Instead, he chose to sit on the sofa next to him.
Song Xingqiu received a message from Wu Hongzhou.
Wu Hongzhou: I ran into Shen Qianyan and passed along your message.
Wu Hongzhou: He said he has something for you and told me to wait at the library.
Song Xingqiu’s hand paused. He immediately guessed what Shen Qianyan was referring to: his notebook. Shen Qianyan was actually quite a decent person.
Song Xingqiu: Okay. Please keep it for me for now; I will come by to get it tomorrow.
Without his phone, Song Wenyue could only sit there idly. Seeing Song Xingqiu constantly replying to messages made him feel restless. He was afraid of Song Xingqiu’s attention, yet when Song Xingqiu treated him like thin air, he could not stand being ignored.
Gathering his courage, he asked harshly, “Who are you chatting with?”
He regretted it as soon as he asked. Knowing Song Xingqiu’s temperament, why would he ever answer?
To his surprise, Song Xingqiu did. “Wu Hongzhou.”
Song Wenyue: “…”
Song Wenyue’s eyelid twitched; that answer was worse than no answer at all. He was already in a foul mood from being punched, and now he had to hear Song Xingqiu talk about the person who had betrayed him.
Song Wenyue’s temper flared.
Having finished his messages, Song Xingqiu finally had a moment of leisure. He looked up at his incompetent nephew, resting his hands on his knees and lightly tapping his knuckles.
He admired Song Wenyue’s humiliated expression with a relaxed air. “Are you not curious why Wu Hongzhou chose me?”
Of course he was. Song Wenyue blurted out, “Why?”
Song Xingqiu gave a bright smile. “Because he is smart, I suppose. He saw that you are a fool and realized that choosing me offers a better future.”
Song Wenyue was instantly livid. “SONG! XING! QIU!”
He must have been kicked in the head by a donkey to ask that question! Song Xingqiu’s answer made his already terrible mood even worse. He could not fathom how someone could be as petty and aggravating as Song Xingqiu, and yet, he kept falling for it.
Song Wenyue stood up abruptly in a rage.
Song Xingqiu cracked his knuckles.
Song Wenyue sat back down.
Choking on his frustration, he could only grab his father’s cup of tea from the table and gulp it down in one go.
The atmosphere in the living room was split between two extremes. Song Xingqiu started playing Candy Crush, the playful sound effects echoing through the room. To Song Wenyue, it sounded like Song Xingqiu was laughing at him.
Fortunately, Song Cheng and Wei Yin finally finished their talk and emerged from the room. Wei Yin’s face was somber and filled with struggle; it was clear that whatever Song Cheng had said had a significant impact on her.
Seeing his parents, Song Wenyue skipped over Song Cheng and looked directly at Wei Yin, sounding incredibly aggrieved. “Mom!”
His father had not taken a stand earlier, so Song Wenyue had already given up on seeking help from him.
Looking at her son, Wei Yin’s expression turned complex. She still could not bring herself to be ruthless; even if it was just a pretense, she did not want her son to suffer.
Song Cheng patted her hand, signaling her to look at Song Xingqiu.
Wei Yin looked at her son, who was still complaining like a child, and then at Song Xingqiu, who had just exited his game and reverted to the image of a composed, masterful figure. Sensing her gaze, Song Xingqiu smiled and gave her a small wave.
Her heart wavered.
Song Cheng whispered in her ear, “Xingqiu is a year younger than Wenyue.”
Wei Yin: “…”
The contrast was indeed devastating. As her husband said, Song Wenyue was twenty years old, not two. In a couple of years, he would graduate and take over the company.
Previously, she knew her son was bullying classmates, but as Song Xingqiu pointed out, because it was their son doing the bullying, they did not care. They could overlook his poor character, but they could not ignore a lack of competence.
The bullying tactics Song Wenyue used in school were far from what they had imagined. They were low-level and clumsy; he even did the dirty work himself, seemingly unafraid of leaving evidence. To make matters worse, he could not even beat Song Xingqiu and was being played for a fool.
Things could not continue like this. Song Cheng gave Wei Yin two choices: let Song Xingqiu temper him, or have another child.
Wei Yin naturally could not bear the thought of anyone, even a future child of her own, taking Song Wenyue’s inheritance. She had to accept the first option.
After a moment of internal agony, Wei Yin made her choice. She sighed and turned her head away.
Seeing her expression, Song Wenyue was hit with a sudden sense of foreboding. He called out urgently, “Dad!”
Song Cheng’s face darkened. “So you still remember I am your father?”
“Forget it, there is no point in lecturing you now. Since you have already suspected something, I will not beat around the bush. I will keep this brief.”
Without warning, Song Cheng announced the nightmare: “Regarding the successor of the Song Group, I intend to choose again between you and Xingqiu.”
Mother Song held Father Song’s arm as they walked in from outside. She was acting coy with him when she suddenly saw Song Wenyue storming toward them in a rage.
She was startled.
Mother Song was roughly the same age as Song Cheng. She had always been unwelcome in this household, but fortunately, she never let it get to her; she simply did not bother with Song Cheng’s family. Since Father Song had stepped back from the front lines, the two of them often went out to enjoy themselves and were not home much.
She would not have come at all if her precious son had not returned from the Federation.
She had technically watched Song Wenyue grow up, but he was never close to her as his nominal grandmother and was often quite fierce, so she was a bit afraid of him.
When Song Wenyue saw his grandparents, his anger boiled over. It was all their fault for insisting on having another son. If they had not had Song Xingqiu, none of this would be happening!
He could not understand why his father had suddenly decided to let Song Xingqiu compete for the inheritance. More bizarrely, his mother had not protested and had seemingly acquiesced.
It was absurd! Song Xingqiu’s “eligibility” for the succession should have expired long ago. Where had anyone ever heard of an uncle competing with his nephew? It was a laughingstock!
If his grandfather had announced this, he could understand it and would have raised hell with his parents. But it was his own father who announced it, which he found incomprehensible.
Song Wenyue ran up to Father Song to question him. “Grandpa, did you make my dad do that?”
Father Song did not speak. Mother Song, not knowing what they were talking about, watched curiously.
Seeing Mother Song, Song Wenyue’s rage was instantly ignited. “It was you! It was you, was it not? You are the one who has been whispering in Grandpa’s ear!”
Song Wenyue took two steps forward, but Father Song’s bodyguards were quick to step in and block him. Song Wenyue now had a touch of PTSD when it came to tall, imposing bodyguards.
Father Song immediately understood what was happening. He knew about the bet between his eldest and youngest sons. However, he did not believe Song Cheng and his wife would actually let Song Xingqiu mistreat their son; they would likely stop as soon as the boy suffered a little.
He did not mind. He had intended for Song Xingqiu to return to the country this year anyway. No matter how successful Xingqiu was in the Federation, the Empire was his true home. The Song family’s connections were all here, and Father Song hoped to pave the way for his youngest son before he passed away.
Before, his son had not shown much interest or talent, but now that he had both, he naturally wanted to nurture him. He was just surprised; did Xingqiu not just return today? Had he already convinced them?
Song Wenyue glared fiercely at Mother Song. “Stop dreaming. Give up on your delusions!”
“The heir to the Song Group can only be me.”
“Just you wait!” With that, he turned and stormed off.
Mother Song was left entirely confused. She understood every word, but the sentences made no sense to her. What delusions? What inheritance?
Having spent time in high society, she had long since realized how naive her previous thoughts were and had put aside those unrealistic ideas. Her son had been living quietly abroad for years; why was this being brought up now?
Father Song led her into the house. Soon, she stopped worrying about it.
“Xingqiu!” she cried out excitedly to the figure on the sofa.
Song Xingqiu stood up and embraced his mother as she rushed toward him. This was not the first time he had seen her; she cared for him deeply and visited him in the Federation every year.
Song Xingqiu had adapted well to his current identity. Between the financial support and the genuine care from his parents, he felt no awkwardness at all.
“Mom,” he called out, then looked at Father Song. “Dad.”
His tone was affectionate, with a hint of playfulness.
Father Song’s heart softened at the sight of his youngest son. He asked, “Did you tell him everything?”
The question was vague, but everyone except Mother Song understood. Song Cheng nodded. “Yes.”
Mother Song: “?”
“Oh my god! You are going to inherit the company!” Mother Song’s eyes widened, and she quickly covered her mouth, checking behind her to make sure the door was closed.
Song Xingqiu had gone to another room to explain the situation to her. Her reaction was exactly as large as he expected.
He corrected her: “I am not inheriting it; I am pretending to compete for it.”
Mother Song’s eyes darted around. “Can the fake not become real?”
She was secretly thrilled. After being married to Father Song for so many years, the rest of the Song family looked down on her. Even the servants did not respect her. If it were not for her constant travels with the old man, she would have been driven mad by the environment.
If Song Xingqiu could actually get the inheritance, she would be the mother of the “emperor,” a true Empress Dowager. The thought made her beam with joy.
Song Xingqiu replied decisively, “No. Song Cheng will not give it to me.”
Mother Song thought for a moment and sighed. “True. You were born too late. You might outlive the old man, but you will not outlive Song Cheng.”
“I do not handle company business, but I have heard your father mention that most of the people there are Song Cheng’s now. Even your father has few allies left.”
Compared to the giant that was the Song family, Song Xingqiu’s assets in the Federation, while impressive for a young man, were insufficient.
“By the time Song Cheng passes, you will be an old man yourself, and I will likely be in the ground.”
The more she thought about it, the more discouraged she became, but she quickly brightened up. “Forget it. You have your own company and career; you do not need theirs anyway. How does it feel being back?”
Having been a second wife in the Song family for over twenty years, she had developed an excellent mindset. She had only found out last year that her son had built a career in the Federation; before that, she thought he was just playing around under the old man’s guidance. She had wanted to brag to the Song family, but they rarely gathered. Now, seeing how angry she had made her grandson, she felt vindicated and could not help but laugh.
Song Xingqiu replied, “It is alright.”
Mother Song asked with concern, “Song Wenyue did not make things difficult for you at school, did he? He is a notorious bully!”
She still had lingering fears. To those who knew him, he was the Song heir; to those who did not, he seemed like a street thug.
Song Xingqiu did not hide anything and told her what had happened at school. Hearing that so much had occurred in just one week, Mother Song was shocked and frightened, cursing Song Wenyue under her breath.
“You are only his uncle in name; everyone knows you are a year younger than him!”
“He is a grown man, and you are just a child!”
“How can he be such a bully? To try and humiliate you in public. If you had not specifically learned Sanda in the Federation, you would have suffered greatly.”
She regretted letting him walk away so easily earlier; she should have given him a piece of her mind!
“So shameless, shifting the blame like that. He is the one who bullied you and failed, yet instead of apologizing, he has the nerve to accuse you.”
The more she spoke, the angrier she got. “No, this cannot be brushed aside. Go tell your father; get some justice!”
She grabbed Song Xingqiu’s wrist and marched into the living room. Song Xingqiu did not stop her; he followed obediently. Why refuse when someone was so eager to stand up for him?
In the living room, the three members of the Song family were still discussing the situation. Wei Yin was adamantly opposing the fact that Song Xingqiu had gained management rights over the academy for a year.
“I will not say anything else, but I do not agree with him having management rights,” she insisted. “Xingqiu has management rights while Wenyue is just a regular student; the gap is too wide and unfair.”
Mother Song arrived like a whirlwind, cutting off Song Cheng and Wei Yin. “When your son was being raised here instead of being sent abroad, why did you not talk about fairness then?”
“Our Xiao Qiu stayed abroad for so many years. He should have entered Axironia in tenth grade, but he was delayed until twelfth. He is in an unfamiliar environment with new classmates; why do you not talk about fairness there?”
“How about this: let them both transfer to the school Xiao Qiu attended in the Federation. It is not like the family lacks money. I will let you be fair for once; let Song Cheng buy that school for Wenyue. Would you be willing then?”
Mother Song’s three sharp points silenced Wei Yin immediately.
Mother Song was not one to indulge them. Since their relationship was already poor, she was not afraid of a fight. She rolled up her sleeves and continued, “You have the nerve to talk about fairness? Do you even know what your son did to mine?”
“Do not tell me Xiao Qiu was not hurt; your son committed attempted murder! Murder first, attempted second, do you understand?”
“Now you want to talk about them being uncle and nephew? I have not seen you teach Song Wenyue to call him ‘Uncle’ even once. Xiao Qiu is a year younger than him!”
Mother Song rolled her eyes. Now that her son had his own path, she was much bolder. “I know you all talk behind our backs about Xiao Qiu having a mother but no upbringing.”
“Well, too bad. Xiao Qiu is successful on his own. He grew up excellently even without me raising him, unlike some people who had both parents around and still grew up into a ‘crooked tree.'”
She added sarcastically, “If you are really that upset, why do you not just hang yourselves from that crooked tree? It would be a relief for everyone, and the tree would finally be useful.”
“How peaceful that would be!”
Father Song coughed. “Chen Qianxi! That is enough.” He used her name to stop her before the eldest son and daughter-in-law could explode.
Wei Yin was in the wrong and could not vent her anger. Mother Song kept harping on the “attempted murder” point, demanding justice from Father Song. In the end, not only were Song Xingqiu’s management rights upheld, but Song Cheng also had to give him a seaside villa as an apology.
Song Xingqiu accepted it all, occasionally putting on a pathetic, aggrieved expression.
Mother Song was heartbroken. “Look at how thin my child is. How much strength could he possibly have? He would blow away in the wind!”
Father Song frowned. He had not brought Song Xingqiu back just to be beaten by his grandson! Song Wenyue was truly getting out of hand, committing such outrageous acts and even daring to question him.
Absolutely lawless! Father Song’s face darkened as he looked at his youngest son with pity.
Song Xingqiu gave a little whine. “Dad!”
Father Song’s heart ached. His grandson was well-fed at home while his son had been struggling abroad, only to be bullied upon his return. It was frustrating.
Mother Song pulled Song Xingqiu over, and he cooperatively turned around to show off his slender frame. “See for yourselves! He is so thin. Unlike Song Wenyue, who is a big guy with all that muscle; it is frightening.”
“Who would believe that Xiao Qiu was the one bullying Wenyue?”
Song Xingqiu sighed with a troubled look, making Wei Yin and Song Cheng’s lips twitch.
Song Cheng thought to himself: Do you dare lift your shirt and show everyone the muscle underneath?
Song Xingqiu had just shown them the surveillance footage where Song Wenyue looked like a total amateur compared to him. How could he “forget” so quickly?
Song Cheng decided to pay his way out of the trouble. After the villa was not enough, he threw in a car to finally satisfy the two of them.
After securing the house and car, Mother Song led Song Xingqiu away, muttering, “So stingy, only one house and one car.”
Song Xingqiu followed obediently. In the distance, Wei Yin turned away speechlessly. She comforted herself; there was no point talking to that woman. She only had the upper hand this time because they were at fault; otherwise, she would not bother with her.
Song Xingqiu and Mother Song went to inspect the car Song Cheng had given him. It was a limited edition luxury vehicle, one of only ten in the world, with a current market value of 38 million. Song Wenyue had been eyeing it for a long time and had asked Song Cheng for it multiple times, only to be brushed off. He never expected it to end up in Song Xingqiu’s hands.
When Mother Song mentioned this to him, her tone was full of schadenfreude. As the matriarch of the Song family, her horizons were not so narrow that a single car would thrill her; she was simply happy that her son got something Song Wenyue could not.
Song Xingqiu, on the other hand, was genuinely happy to receive such a valuable asset. Life in a wealthy family was truly great; a small conflict with a nephew could result in compensation worth over a hundred million. What worries could such a life possibly have?
Song Xingqiu stayed for lunch with his parents and Song Cheng’s couple. Song Cheng and Wei Yin had no appetite and barely ate, leaving most of the food to Song Xingqiu and Mother Song.
Mother Song kept piling food onto his plate. “You are so thin, eat more. You need to put on some meat.”
The Song family’s chef was excellent, even better than the school’s. Song Xingqiu cleared his plate, making it look even more like he had been starved abroad.
After lunch, Song Cheng and his wife left early in a bad mood. Song Xingqiu spent the afternoon chatting with Father Song. His eldest son was getting older and was focused on the company; his grandson was hot-headed and rebellious. Only his youngest son was considerate and willing to keep him company.
Father Song had not enjoyed such familial warmth in a long time. He was very glad Song Xingqiu had returned.
As it got late, Song Xingqiu prepared to return to school. Father Song finally spoke, offering a protective warning: “Wenyue is indeed your nephew, but do not feel you have to act like an uncle and endure mistreatment.”
“As your mother said, if we are talking about age, you are younger than him. If you run into something you cannot solve, do not force yourself; call me.”
“I have handed the company to your brother, but I am not dead yet. You do not need to fear him.”
His tone was very affectionate. Though he did not say it outright, the old man had many issues with Song Wenyue. People usually favor the younger generation, but only if they provide emotional value. Song Xingqiu was younger than the grandson and was his own flesh and blood, so his heart naturally leaned toward him.
Song Cheng’s “invitation” for Song Xingqiu to return was, to put it bluntly, an attempt to use him as a whetstone for his son. No matter how much power Song Cheng gave Song Xingqiu now, his heart would ultimately favor Song Wenyue, and the company would be handed to him. Father Song saw through this clearly; if Song Cheng backed Wenyue, he would back Xingqiu.
Song Xingqiu, who had already taken a few steps away, immediately turned back and gave his father a big hug. “Okay. Thank you, Dad.”
Father Song’s expression brightened as he finally let Song Xingqiu go.