This is the best bridge for a community of interests.
“Whoa! What’s going on here? How do you two know each other?” Mu Huaizhi had originally intended to spectate for a while longer, but he had not expected the situation to take such an exciting turn.
Song Xingqiu had actually come prepared.
How had he managed to persuade Wu Hongzhou?
Every time Mu Huaizhi thought he had a high enough opinion of Song Xingqiu, the man always managed to deliver a fresh surprise.
Mu Huaizhi sat down familiarly in the seat next to them, right across from Song Xingqiu, acting as if they were close friends of many years. He rested his chin on both hands atop the table, his face full of interest. His eyes darted back and forth between the two, trying to discern some clue from their expressions.
Not far away, Song Wenyue watched them in disbelief. He could not understand why his lackey would suddenly betray him and throw himself into Song Xingqiu’s arms, especially right after he had been disciplined by Song Xingqiu!
Song Wenyue’s expression was hideous. Jiang Xing and Xue Chengyi exchanged a look, standing silently behind Song Wenyue, not daring to make a sound.
Wu Hongzhou did not answer Mu Huaizhi’s question. He glanced at Song Xingqiu, clearly waiting for his lead.
Mu Huaizhi whistled inwardly. Has he really acknowledged a new master?
Song Xingqiu had already taken a bite of his lunch. He praised the dish to Wu Hongzhou: “As expected of your recommendation.”
Only then did he respond to Mu Huaizhi in a leisurely manner: “Just a case of shared interests.”
Song Xingqiu looked Mu Huaizhi directly in the eye. His posture was relaxed, his eyes held a hint of a smile, and his tone was teasing: “What, we are all adults here. Do we not have the autonomy to make our own friends?”
He paused, his demeanor becoming lazy. While his eyes remained fixed on Mu Huaizhi, his words were clearly aimed at the other person: “Or, are you jealous because your friend was snatched away?”
When Wu Hongzhou heard Song Xingqiu use the word “friend,” his eyes flickered slightly. He had never imagined he could be Song Xingqiu’s “friend,” nor did he view himself as one.
With that slight provocation from Song Xingqiu, Song Wenyue could no longer stand still. He took a step forward, reaching out as if to lay hands on Song Xingqiu again.
Song Xingqiu merely swept a glance at him from the corner of his eye. Song Wenyue’s hand flinched back instinctively, as if it had been burned.
Infuriated by his own shame, Song Wenyue kept his voice low, though his anger was palpable to anyone listening: “Song Xingqiu, if you like a dog, then take it. Do not think I actually care!”
Wu Hongzhou’s expression remained unchanged. He kept his eyes lowered, unruffled by being called a dog.
Song Xingqiu, however, withdrew his smile and looked up at him coldly.
Song Wenyue felt a shiver run down his spine.
Song Xingqiu retracted his gaze and said indifferently: “Is there anything else? If not, my friend and I would like to eat our lunch.”
His fingers moved slightly, the threat clear.
Wu Hongzhou had entered Axronia specifically to get close to Song Wenyue; he had long since become desensitized to the word “dog.” He had not expected Song Xingqiu to insist on the term “friend” until the very end.
His emotions stirred.
Song Wenyue stared fixedly at Song Xingqiu for a few seconds before glaring at Wu Hongzhou. He knew he would not get the better of Song Xingqiu today. He grabbed the back of Mu Huaizhi’s collar and pulled him roughly from his seat: “We are leaving!”
Mu Huaizhi wailed in frustration: “Easy! I still wanted to chat with Xingqiu a bit more.”
Song Xingqiu had not even kicked him out yet. He was genuinely curious about the man. Unfortunately, Song Wenyue was not about to give him the chance. Song Wenyue could not beat Song Xingqiu, but he was more than a match for Mu Huaizhi.
Mu Huaizhi could only bid Song Xingqiu a pitiful farewell: “Xingqiu, I will come find you in a couple of days. You must not forget me.”
Song Wenyue led Mu Huaizhi away, with Xue Chengyi and Jiang Xing hurrying to follow. Qin Xiushi watched for a moment before following suit, though he stole one last glance at Song Xingqiu as he passed.
This highly-anticipated farce ended abruptly in a way no one had predicted. However, the bombshell information it provided was enough to keep them entertained for the entire semester!
Song Xingqiu continued eating his lunch.
The restaurant remained silent for a minute. With Song Wenyue gone, everyone exhaled a long sigh of relief. They looked at each other, and without a word, hurriedly returned to their meals. They stuffed food into their mouths, their minds racing.
Song Xingqiu was actually this powerful!
They had originally thought he was a soft target to be bullied, but it turned out even Song Wenyue could not touch him. In fact, Wenyue had suffered a massive humiliation. Not only that, but one of Wenyue’s three main lackeys had defected.
This time, Song Wenyue had truly lost both the battle and his dignity. Campus life at Axronia was becoming a bit too eventful.
Halfway through lunch, Wu Hongzhou noticed Song Xingqiu looking down at his phone, replying to messages. Though he had been called a friend, the cautious Wu Hongzhou still placed himself in the role of a subordinate. He spoke to Song Xingqiu carefully: “They will not let this go.”
Song Xingqiu looked up at him. He did not answer but gestured for Wu Hongzhou to continue.
Wu Hongzhou did not look away. Seeing that Song Xingqiu had not rebuked him, he breathed a sigh of relief and explained: “I admit you are very capable and can handle the three of them alone. But,” his tone shifted, “you cannot stay on guard forever.”
“A thief can wait for a thousand days, but you cannot defend against a thief for a thousand days.”
“They could move against you at any time. Perhaps to you, they are indeed weaker and more childish than your previous opponents, but do not underestimate them.” Wu Hongzhou pursed his lips.
He continued calmly: “I know you are very powerful in the Federation, but this is the Empire’s Axronia Academy. You have no foundation here. Axronia has its own rules of the game; they are not something a recent transfer can easily break. I only aligned with you because my father happened to establish a connection. Others will not give you a friendly face because of that.”
Wu Hongzhou spoke very bluntly.
Song Xingqiu sighed inwardly. He truly had not misjudged the man. Although Wu Hongzhou was Song Wenyue’s lackey, a minor side character in the book, he carried himself with dignity. Whether it was his posture during conversation or his grasp of the situation, he was very impressive.
He was a smart man.
Before coming here, Song Xingqiu knew he needed to choose a suitable friend within the academy. He had immediately thought of Wu Hongzhou.
Wu Hongzhou’s father’s company was at a critical stage for going public. Song Xingqiu had participated in the company’s Series C financing and entered into a deep cooperation with them. Song Xingqiu used this to secure Wu Hongzhou’s defection.
Between uncertain future support and immediate, effective support, anyone would know what to choose. Furthermore, in the technology sector, the projects and resources in Song Xingqiu’s hands were superior to those of the Song family.
Wu Hongzhou had not let him down. Even his entrance today and his careful act of getting food for him were timed perfectly to make Song Wenyue look like a fool.
Song Xingqiu did not disagree with Wu Hongzhou. He offered an appreciative smile: “Yes, you are right.”
Wu Hongzhou relaxed. It seemed Song Xingqiu did not dislike his direct way of speaking. Before Song Xingqiu arrived, he had considered many ways to interact with him. He had mostly thought about coaxing him like a child, the way he did with Song Wenyue.
But after seeing Song Xingqiu today, he realized that a man who had caused a stir in the Federation’s business world at only nineteen was nothing like a child. With him, there was no need for roundabout testing or deception; one only needed to lay out the facts and circumstances plainly. Song Xingqiu would make his own judgments.
Even so, Wu Hongzhou’s heart pounded as he spoke, fearing Song Xingqiu might suddenly turn on him. He admitted he was gambling. Fortunately, he won.
Song Xingqiu was not angry. Wu Hongzhou’s voice grew much more relaxed: “Then,”
Song Xingqiu suddenly interrupted him: “But you are wrong about one thing.”
He pointed to himself, smiling brightly: “Compared to the Federation, my foundation in the Empire is actually at its strongest.”
Facing Wu Hongzhou’s puzzled look, Song Xingqiu said: “Have you forgotten? I am a member of the Song family. The reason Song Wenyue stands at the top of the pyramid in this academy is precisely because of his status as a Song, is it not?”
Wu Hongzhou froze. His expression turned strange, and after a long moment, he said cautiously: “It is because of the Song name, but it is not just the name. It is because he is,”
He stopped speaking.
Song Xingqiu finished the sentence for him: “The heir?”
Wu Hongzhou neither nodded nor shook his head; he simply remained silent in agreement.
Precisely. The heir. There were many members of the Song family, but only one heir. Only the heir has value; only the heir receives the recognition of the entire school.
Fearing Song Xingqiu might be in a bad mood, Wu Hongzhou added quickly: “Even though you are not the heir, you already have your own industries. Once Song Wenyue understands the truth and knows your real strength, he will not come looking for trouble again.”
Song Xingqiu’s success in starting a business in the Federation was, naturally, a great thing for the Song family. No matter how much they clashed or fought over assets on a daily basis, at the end of the day, they were one family. Blood relations are the most inescapable bonds in this world.
Lovers can break up. Friends can part ways. Only blood cannot be severed.
It is the best bridge for a community of interests.
As far as he knew, the Song family’s previous attempts to expand into the Federation had been unsuccessful until Song Xingqiu appeared and filled that gap. In the future, the two parties should join forces to maximize their interests. No one turns their back on money. Song Wenyue has no reason to target Song Xingqiu.
Song Xingqiu swirled the tea in his cup, saying meaningfully: “Then that will be a problem.”
To escalate the conflict between himself and Song Wenyue, he was currently, just like Wenyue, a successor of the Song corporation.
Wu Hongzhou was confused and wanted to ask more, but Song Xingqiu stopped answering, merely stroking the rim of his teacup.
His nephew should be calling his eldest brother right about now, should he not?