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“What does that have to do with you?”

Song Xuanhe had originally thought that Xiao Yuanmu would ask him why there was a drawing of him in the sketchbook. He hadn’t expected him to ask about the designs instead. Song Xiao Shaoye, who had been feeling guilty, straightened up and lifted his chin up slightly, appearing very confident that he was in the right.

Xiao Yuanmu hadn’t missed that flicker of guilt in Song Xuanhe’s eyes. He glanced at the other, his speech calm and unhurried. “I just thought that those designs were really breathtaking. So, I thought I’d ask.”

Song Xuanhe’s eyes lit up. His ink-black eyes seemed to shine, and he couldn’t suppress the corners of his eyes from curving into a smile.

Back then, the reason he had studied drawing, aside from the fact that it was calming, had been mostly because his fine arts teacher would always squat outside of his classroom. That teacher would always enthusiastically tell him that he mustn’t waste his talent, that he refused to miss the chance to teach him, a good seedling who would eventually become a painting master of the next generation.

That teacher had pestered him to death, trying to get him to become a fine arts student. However, because this teacher had been in the painting and calligraphy committee, the teacher in charge of Song Xuanhe’s class couldn’t say any harsh words. All they had said was that Song Xuanhe was a good student, soit wasn’t suitable for him to learn art. His homeroom teacher had basically said that learning art should be left to the students who weren’t good at studying.

As soon as that teacher had said those words, the old arts teacher had exploded. He had then gone to pull out works from domestic great masters in the field, fuming, and spoke about their artistic mastery and excellent scholastic backgrounds. When he had finished, he also pulled Song Xuanhe over and emphasized how important one’s talent was. He had said that if one wasted one’s talent, they would be met with heaven’s wrath.

What the chuunibyou-inflicted Song Xiao Shaoye had liked best had been when others praised him. Although he had liked it more when others praised him for his expertise in physics, math, or fighting and while the old arts teacher’s praises were very exaggerated, because he had always said them with a very emotional expression, they had seemed very sincere.

Song Xiao Shaoye, who had loved being praised, had felt like happiness had been spreading throughout his body. He had thought that this slovenly-dressed old man had a discerning eye. He had thought that his days would become very enjoyable if he learned to draw with this old man and get praised by him every day.

Therefore, Song Xuanhe had agreed. However, the next three years had felt like an abyss of suffering. Forget praising him, if the old art teacher hadn’t glared at him or punished him all day, that was something to rejoice over. This had really decreased Song Xuanhe’s zeal.

It was just that Song Xuanhe had always wanted to be the best in whatever he did. He was not someone who would give up halfway. Furthermore, as he drew, he had discovered that drawing was really fun. He had wanted everyone to acknowledge his drawings and praise him sincerely. Therefore, as time went on, he had invested more and more of his energy into drawing.

Of those next three years, it took nearly two before the art teacher’s reaction had gone from fuming to nodding with a serious expression. However, when the old teacher had heard that Song Xuanhe had been planning on majoring in fashion design at university and not traditional Chinese painting or oil painting like he had thought, he reverted back to fuming at the other. He had been even more resentful for Song Xuanhe failing to live up to his expectations.

Back then, everyone had known of Song Xuanhe’s family background. While the other students couldn’t become pure artists, Song Xuanhe’s family had been capable of supporting him if he had gone this route. But even if the teacher thought it was a waste of his talent, there was no way he could force his student to change majors. Therefore, although the old teacher was disappointed, he couldn’t do anything about it.

Later on, when Song Xuanhe had gone to university, although his teachers had been kind, no one else had praised him as frankly as the old teacher had back then. This had frustrated Song Xuanhe. However, this frustration had also led him to work even harder on bettering himself. He had hoped that other people would acknowledge his work.

The first time he had left the country on exchange, he had just so happened to be accepted as a disciple of a top Italian designer. Under this designer’s tutelage, he had honed his skills for two years. Afterwards, he had put on his first fashion show. It had been his debut show that had made it so that he would never lack praise or admiration again.

However, all of this had disappeared since he had transmigrated to this world.

Although Song Xuanhe had stopped basing his self-confidence on other people’s acknowledgement and praise when he had established his own design studio, who could resist sincere praise and admiration?

Song Xuanhe tried to suppress his lips from curling up. Even though his eyes had already curved up slightly into a smile, his tone was calm. “Those designs weren’t made for anyone. I drew them out of a flash of inspiration.”

Not even Xiao Yuanmu himself had realized that the cold had dissipated from his eyes after seeing Song Xuanhe’s slight, split-second change in tone and attitude. Now, he was watching the other closely. With a cool voice, he said, “Since that’s the case, why is my drawing in the same sketchbook as the designs?”

“I had a sudden impulse while drawing, so I had decided to draw something else for a bit.”

Even the fifteen/sixteen-year-old Song Xuanhe, who had been hyped up often, would have calmed down after being continuously praised for a month straight despite his happiness. The current him, who was now five-six years older, would definitely not lose his head after Xiao Yuanmu had praised him once. Therefore, the joyful expression had only lasted a few seconds before he had regained his calm.

After all, Song Xuanhe hadn’t forgotten how he had ridiculed the other when he had called him previously, asking him for money to help the orphanage director.

As long as Xiao Yuanmu wasn’t broken in the head, he would never genuinely praise him so calmly as if he had no ill-feelings towards him. Moreover, this big shot was famous for seeking revenge for even the smallest grievance.

【The bigshot’s a bit temperamental, brother.】The System suddenly sounded, expressing its thoughts. It disapproved of how Song Xuanhe was looking at the other with prejudice：【Maybe the bigshot was just praising you, because he thought you drew well. Why are you humans always so suspicious of your compatriots?】

【A compatriot who will try to kill me in the future and wants me to suffer a fate worse than death?】Song Xuanhe replied expressionlessly.

【Sorry.】The System shut up.【My bad for disturbing you.】

“I don’t remember you having studied fashion design before.” Xiao Yuanmu’s eyes had a sharp glint in them as if he wanted to see through the other’s eyes and into his heart. “Why are your designs as good as renowned designers?”

Song Xuanhe had already expected Xiao Yuanmu to ask him this since the other had picked up the sketchbook. Therefore, when he had heard the other ask this, he wasn’t too flustered. Instead, the corner of his lips rose, and he glanced at the other through the corner of his eye. “Just because I didn’t learn it in school doesn’t mean I couldn’t have learned it elsewhere. Did you really think you know me so well?”

Xiao Yuanmu’s gaze was sharp. When he saw Song Xuanhe raise his chin without any semblance of guilt in his eyes, he hesitated. Indeed, he didn’t really know Song Xuanhe, especially after he had discovered that there was a discrepancy between his memories. He had begun to wonder if he had ever really understood this young man, who had caused him to go through a lot of trials and tribulations—of which he had come out stronger.

However, after interacting with the other for some time, he had discovered that, although it was easy to read Song Xuanhe’s likes and dislikes from his face, if the other really wanted to hide his thoughts, his pure, limpid eyes were his greatest helper. It was really difficult to tell whether he was telling the truth when you looked into his eyes.

He was both an open book and hard-to-read. He was an amalgamation of truth and lies but was also frank and pure. Song Xuanhe had the ability to make people believe his every word, because no one could discern the truth from his eyes.

Would a cunning, wily fox like Song Xuanhe have let himself end up with such a terrible fate, one like that in his last life?

Xiao Yuanmu didn’t think so. The light hidden in the depths of his eyes flashed. He actually didn’t have to watch things too closely. Soon, time would reveal clues to him.

“I just wanted to tell you something.” Xiao Yuanmu’s gaze lowered slightly. His eyes regained their serenity, and his tone was very calm. “If you want to draw me, you don’t have to do it in secret. As long as you don’t sell it, I can’t accuse you of violating personality right laws.”

After saying this, Xiao Yuanmu went over to the taxi that had just stopped for them, not bothering to look at Song Xuanhe’s expression. He left Song Xuanhe standing there frozen in place, a dumbfounded expression on his face. Why was it that Song Xuanhe felt like Xiao Yuanmu wasn’t holding a grudge over last time, when he had refused to lend him money and had instead humiliated the other?

“It can’t be that I misjudged him?” Song Xuanhe murmured to himself. But as soon as he had thought this, he denied it right away. How could Xiao Yuanmu be such a broadminded person? He was probably holding back for now and planning to make a big scene later.

For example, now that he already had evidence against the Song Family, he was probably waiting for an opportunity to hand it over to one of the Song Family’s opponents. Comparing the timeline to that of the book, it looked like it was nearly time for the Song Family to be attacked by their opponent.

Xiao Yuanmu, who was currently sitting in the car, had no idea what Song Xuanhe was thinking. The current him now also didn’t want to keep paying so much attention to Song Xuanhe.

That’s right. He had already noticed that he had been paying ridiculously high attention to Song Xuanhe.

Even if it was for the sake of finding out an interesting truth, even if it was to feel that happy feeling, even if it was for the sake of quieting down the memories of the him prior to rebirth, even after adding all of this together, he still shouldn’t be paying so much attention to Song Xuanhe.

He would soon bring carnage to the Song Family. He had to make preparations prior to his return. That was what he should be focusing on. All of the things he still had to do were much more important than Song Xuanhe.

Xiao Yuanmu looked away from the window. He closed his eyes, forcing back the messy emotions he should not have.

*

It was not unexpected that Song Xuanhe ended up seeing Song Guochao donning a dark expression when he returned home.

The moment Song Guochao saw Song Xuanhe walk through the door, his already dark expression became even gloomier, so dark that if his face had been the sky, it would have started raining. Li Nianan was beside him. Although she felt that it had been very inappropriate for her son to give a girl so little face in front of so many people, she still couldn’t bear seeing Song Guochao lash out at him.

Therefore, she said, “He bao, tell Mom who were you going to eat with? How come you didn’t tell me?”

Song Xuanhe hadn’t said anything when Song Guochao snorted, “Who else could it be? Birds of a feather flock together. He hangs out with a mishmash of scoundrels. None of them have any prospects ahead of them. And yet, he forgets who he is and lowers himself to mingle among those scum.”

Li Nianan’s eyebrows furrowed. She was about to defend her son when she heard Song Xuanhe say, “I heard that you become the company you keep. Father slept beneath the same covers as Zhang Xiuya all year long. The saying definitely rings true for you.”

When Song Xuanhe mentioned this, Song Guochao was even more enraged. He hadn’t expected Song Xuanhe to keep holding the Zhang Xiuya matter against him. Whether it was at home or at work, he didn’t give him any respect at all. He had even dared to contradict him in front of the entire company. Now, he dared to mention the affair again.

“It doesn’t matter how I am with others, I’m still your father!” Song Guochao suddenly stood up, jabbing his finger at Song Xuanhe’s nose. He said, “I don’t know what I must have done in my previous life to end up being punished by the wrath of heaven to have a b*stard like you as a son. If I had known you would be like this, I would have wrung your neck as soon as you had been born!”

Song Xuanhe sneered. Hadn’t Song Guochao used another method to wring the original host’s neck in the end?

Song Xuanhe didn’t like the original host, who had been an arrogant, domineering, stupid idiot who liked to do terrible things despite being so dumb. However, he hated Song Guochao, who had purposely raised his own child to become like that and then had pretended to stand on moral high ground while contributing to his own son’s death.

Compared to the original host, someone like Song Guochao deserved to face retribution even more.

When Li Nianan heard Song Guochao say such things, she could no longer sit still. She stood up, showing no signs of weakness. “If my son’s a b*stard, then what are you? Let me tell you, this is the last time I’ll tolerate you treating my son like this. If there’s a next time, I will make the matter of the stock transfer public. When that time comes, let’s see if you’ll still be able to act so overbearing in front of my son!”

Li Nianan hit the mark with her words. What Song Guochao cared about the most was his higher birth status, his feelings of superiority. He looked down on those people who struggled to climb up the ladders. He thought that he was on a whole different plane of existence compared to them. However, Li Nianan currently threatened to destroy what he valued the most. This was unbearable to him.

However, even if he didn’t want to bear with it, he had to, because he was powerless.

Song Guochao’s face turned purple. Old Mr. Song, who had been standing on the second floor for a while now, walked down the stairs. He glanced at the helper auntie and then gave her instructions. “Serve the food, ba.”

Song Xuanlin, who had been sitting off to the side reading a newspaper, also stood up. He walked over to Song Yansong and helped him walk over to the seat at the head of the dining table. He then took a seat beside him.

The whole family didn’t speak while eating. After the servants cleared the table, Song Yansong said in an insipid tone, “The Deere-Barlow cruise ship will be docking in Lan City. Our Song Family has been given three invitations. I’m old now, so I won’t be partaking in the festivities. I’ll leave the three invitations to you boys.”

Song Guochao was startled, but soon after, a wave of ecstasy came over him. The Deere-Barlow cruise ship was one of the most luxurious in the world. However, that wasn’t what attracted people. What really drew people in was the Deere-Barlow auction. Only the world’s most influential people had the right to attend. This meant that there was a high chance that he could turn his fortune around.

“I don’t care what issues you and Nianan have between the two of you.” Song Yansong looked at his son, who was thinking about who-knows-what, and said in a heavy tone, “The two of you must appear to be on good terms at this auction. I don’t need you two to act affectionate. But at the very least, you have to give the impression that you two respect each other as husband and wife. Although the situation with the stocks fluctuating has been resolved, there are still people watching us, waiting for a chance to find out what’s really happening with our Song Family. This time, I want the two of you to fix this mess once and for all!”

Song Yansong’s words practically shattered Song Guochao’s delusions. If he really wanted to accomplish anything, he’d have to keep away from Li Nianan. However, Old Mr. Song’s words had put an end to his thoughts.

“Dad!” Song Guochao raised his head. Although he was a nearly fifty year-old man, there was still a trace of caution when facing his father, who had been formidable all his life. “Hasn’t the company’s affairs already been resolved? How can I mingle if I’m with Li Nianan all the time?”

Song Yansong’s expression grew heavy. What he hated the most were his only son’s cowardice and his ignoble way of conducting himself. If Song Guochao had slammed his hand on the table and said outright that he didn’t agree to this, then perhaps Song Yansong would be willing to raise his impression of the other. Unfortunately, this son of his was ambitious but didn’t have the courage and wisdom to go with it.

Like this, forget Song Yansong’s mature, steady, eldest grandson, Song Guochao couldn’t even best his daring, sharp, youngest grandson.

Song Yansong sighed inwardly. Actually, compared to his older grandson, Song Xuanlin, he thought more highly of his younger grandson, Song Xuanhe. The Song Group had been stable for too long. It was a bit stuck in its old ways. Song Guochao couldn’t see it, but Song Yansong knew that the Song Group’s influence in the business world had actually been falling.

Right now, what the Song Group needed was someone who did not intend to uphold the group’s traditions. It needed a dauntless go-getter. It was only with someone like this that the Song Group could advance. Before, he had hesitated, because Song Xuanhe had been too impulsive. However, he had seen that his younger grandson had bettered himself. It was just that he seemed to genuinely have no desire to take over.

Forget it. Song Xuanhe was still too young now. He wouldn’t be able to steady himself and take over anyway. Perhaps in a few years, he’ll change his mind.

“You’ll do as I say.” Song Yansong’s tone was icy. “The company doesn’t need you to mingle right now. You just have to let everyone know that the relationship between the Song Family and Li Family is still firm. You don’t have to worry about anything else.”

Since getting off work, every breath Song Guochao had taken was filled with irritation. When Song Yansong went upstairs, Song Guochao shot up with so much force that his chair fell over behind him. He glared at Song Xuanhe with an extremely dark gaze and then climbed the stairs too, not looking back even once.

Li Nianan patted Song Xuanhe’s arm, using her actions to tell him that he didn’t have to pay Song Guochao any mind.

Song Xuanhe smiled at Li Nianan. His gaze then swept over to Song Xuanlin, who had kept himself out of the affair the whole time. He then got up and returned to his room.

Lying on the bed, Song Xuanhe stared out at the gentle moonlight outside of his window. His lips rose into a sneer, “Song Xuanhe’s family life is pretty miserable. I almost sympathize with you.”

The longer Song Xuanhe lived in the Song home, the more he understood what kind of effect living in such circumstances must have had on the original host. What the original host had done to Xiao Yuanmu could not be excused, but as the saying goes, detestable people may have pitiful pasts. The original host had truly been a pitiful person.

【He did so many bad things.】The System said slowly：【None of the readers think he deserves any sympathy.】

The smile on Song Xuanhe’s face didn’t change. Whether someone deserved sympathy or not was a subjective matter. He didn’t need to discuss it with anyone. After all, even though he felt a shred of pity for the original host, it didn’t erase the disgust he felt for what they had done.

It was just that he felt a bit sad for him. A person had many sides to them. Whether someone was good or evil was not set in stone. But, for him to have had more bad sides to him than good meant that he had probably been treated with more malice than kindness.

He was like Xiao Yuanmu. Wasn’t it because Xiao Yuanmu had faced so much malice in his life that he had been forced to become a man who people revered but kept distant from in the book?

【So…the one you actually sympathize with is Xiao Yuanmu?】The System said hesitatingly.

“There’s nothing to sympathize with there.” Song Xuanhe spread his hands out as he laid there. He shut his eyes and continued, “He’s devising his strategies up in the clouds. He has the majority of people’s fates in his hands, their lives even. What’s there to pity?”

The System fell silent. As an AI that thought through the use of data, it didn’t understand Song Xuanhe’s emotion right now. The data suggested that he wasn’t happy, but he wasn’t hurt either.

However, Song Xuanhe didn’t lament for long. As he was coming up with a new black and white series inspired by his realization about life, his cell phone rang.

“Xiao Shaoye.” Zhang Chao’s voice came through from the other side. “You previously had me watch over the orphanage director’s condition. Someone came to visit her today. Shortly after that person had left, a doctor rushed in. It seems like she isn’t doing well.”

Song Xuanhe’s eyebrows furrowed slightly. He had ordered Zhang Chao to keep an eye on the director as a precaution. This was because in the book, aside from the fact that Song Xuanhe had humiliated him, the reason why Xiao Yuanmu hated Song Xuanhe so much was because someone had said that the Director had died after Song Xuanhe had sent someone to visit her. Because the Director had been too agitated, she had ended up dying from cerebral hemorrhage.

Obviously, Xiao Yuanmu had naturally taken that to mean Song Xuanhe had been the one to kill the Director.

Song Xuanhe had also thought that the Director’s death had to do with the original host. However, Song Xuanhe didn’t have any scenes related to that. Others could be deceived, but the plot given to him by the System could not.

Therefore, as a precaution, he had let Zhang Chao assign someone to watch over her.

He hadn’t expected that something would really happen just a few days after.

“What’s the situation like now?” Song Xuanhe’s tone was heavy. Since this still had happened despite the fact that the Director had been moved to the hospital, that meant that this was not an accident.

It was just that Song Xuanhe didn’t know whether this person’s aim was to target Xiao Yuanmu or to frame him. He also didn’t know whether this person just happened to be an enemy of the Director, who hadn’t dared to appear after the Director had died.

“She’s in the operating room right now. Mr. Xiao has already rushed over. He’s currently waiting outside the operating room.”

Song Xuanhe was taken aback. When he thought of Xiao Yuanmu, who had been asking him about his designs just a few hours prior, a thought suddenly appeared in his mind. The current Xiao Yuanmu must be feeling really helpless and upset.

After all, the Director was the only person he acknowledged as family.

“Keep watch. If anything happens, call me.” Song Xuanhe sat up. He looked out to the garden that was currently enveloped in darkness. It felt like his heart was covered by the same gloom. “Also, pay close attention to Xiao Yuanmu’s mental state.”

Zhang Chao responded affirmatively. When he thought about the concern Song Xuanhe had for Xiao Yuanmu, he said a bit hesitatingly, “Xiao Shaoye, you should come to the hospital. I think Mr. Xiao’s mental state isn’t very good right now.”

Song Xuanhe’s lips pursed slightly. He paused and then said, “No. Just keep me updated on the situation.”

“Okay,” Zhang Chao said. He then added, “Mr. Xiao is picking up his phone. It seems like he’s making a call.”

Song Xuanhe was caught off guard. Suddenly, an inexplicable feeling arose in his heart. After making a faint sound of acknowledgement, he hung up.

As he expected, the moment he had hung up, an incoming call popped up on his phone’s screen. The name on the screen was Xiao Yuanmu.