Novel Bin Chapter 57: Found a Good Friend
Thank you rosadina for the kofi!
Song Xuanhe pressed down on the “open” button and calmly watched as a furious Song Guochao walked over.
Although Song Guochao was furious, his reasoning had still been keeping his rage under control. When he saw Song Xuanhe’s provocative expression, however, the barely suppressed fire inside him surged and almost overcame his rationality.
After all, compared to having your mistress cheat on you with a stranger, it was a whole new level of humiliation if your former mistress was cheating on you with your own son.
To a male chauvinist like Song Guochao, even if Liu Xu wasn’t his anymore, the fact still remained that she had once been his. Therefore, after he had found out that a mere plaything had screwed him over and caused his twenty percent of shares to be transferred, he had ordered for her company to cut off her resources to teach her a lesson in a fit of rage. However, he had never expected that she would get together with another man.
Let alone for that other man to be his own son.
It was just that, even though he was already so livid that his face was turning purple, there was still a sliver of rationality left in Song Guochao. Therefore, when he noticed the discreet glances coming from passing executives, Song Guochao gritted his teeth and said to Song Xuanhe, “Come with me to my office.”
Song Xuanhe walked out of the elevator, brushing his unstyled hair back. Confusion appeared in the pair of eyes beneath his smooth, clean forehead. “Why, ah?”
“Shameful!” When he saw how Song Xuanhe didn’t respect him or care about him at all, Song Guochao raised his voice. But upon seeing everyone’s gaze turn towards their direction, he lowered his voice again. It sounded like his voice was being forced out of his throat. “Don’t you know what you’ve done?”
“No.” Song Xuanhe’s lowered eyes were full of innocence and befuddlement. “I haven’t been late nor have I left work early as of late. I didn’t make any mistakes at work either. So, what did I do?”
After saying this, Song Xuanhe’s innocent expression changed slightly. His eyebrows furrowed just a bit. A moment later, it looked like he had thought of something. At once, his eyes widened slightly.
Song Guochao didn’t know why, but he had a bad feeling about this. A subconscious desire to stop Song Xuanhe from speaking arose inside of him.
But before he could open his mouth, Song Xuanhe beat him to it, sounding like he had just come to a realization. “Are you talking about the news about me participating in last night’s premiere?”
Song Guochao’s lips open and closed. He immediately wanted to cut Song Xuanhe off.
Unfortunately for him, Song Xuanhe didn’t give him a chance. While the innocent expression on his face didn’t change, one could make out a trace of willfulness and indifference in his eyes. “A female celebrity had been pestering me last night. I hadn’t wanted to pay her any attention, but she had kept tugging at me. I don’t know what her goal was. But in any case, I pushed her away and left immediately. I have no idea why it was on the news this morning.”
As he listened to Song Xuanhe imply that the mistress he had kept was worthless and had been the one who was clinging onto him unsolicitedly, Song Guochao’s anger flared so high that he felt like he would burst. To add to this matter, Song Xuanhe was unexpectedly not done. “Don’t worry. I have a boyfriend. I would never fool around with a woman of unknown origin like her. After all, even if I’m a scoundrel, I still have principles. I would never do such shady things while I’m still taken.”
When he had finished, there was still that innocent expression on Song Xuanhe’s face as he smiled obediently. He then pointedly said, “Don’t you agree, Mr. Song?”
How could Song Guochao disagree?
With an ashen expression, although he was so angry that his cheeks were puffed out so much that they were probably stiff to the touch, he didn’t say a thing.
At this moment, it seemed like Song Xuanhe had suddenly remembered that Song Guochao had been looking for him to discuss something. He asked, “Right, what did Mr. Song want to speak to me about?”
Song Guochao sucked in a deep breath while looking at that face that held some similarities to his own. Words of violent rage brewed in his mouth but were swallowed down in the end. He gnashed his teeth and said, “I was about to….”
Song Xuanlin interrupted Song Guochao upon finally arriving. With his tall stature and long legs, he reached the two of them in no time at all. Appearing unbiased, he stood exactly in the middle of the two people. There was a steady expression on his face as always. “Mr. Song, Chairman Song called just now. He said that he’ll be arriving at the company in half an hour. You are in charge of the quarterly meeting this month. However, Mr. Zhang of the finance department has suddenly taken some emergency time off. He has submitted the finance report forms to me, and it seems like you will likely have to undertake his duties.”
Song Guochao’s rage was doused upon suddenly being informed of this pressing matter. He had been preparing for this quarterly meeting for a long time now as he had wanted to use it to turn his situation around. Therefore, he had already prepared all relevant powerpoints, documents, and speeches. An issue cropping up in the financial department meant that he had to re-arrange everything. Suddenly, he was no longer in the mood to make trouble for Song Xuanhe. In the blink of an eye, he turned around and headed for his office.
The assistant, who had called Song Xuanlin over, sighed in relief. He gave Song Xuanhe a signal with his eyes, looking glad that they had managed to get out of that situation. He then pointed at Song Xuanlin and gave a thumbs up, silently praising the other for his great plan.
Shortly after Song Guochao had arrived, the assistant had slipped away to call Song Xuanlin for help. Therefore, he naturally had no clue that Song Xuanhe had already resolved the issue with Song Guochao. That was why he was winking at Song Xuanhe right now. However, Song Xuanhe didn’t think anything of it. Meanwhile, the person who had watched the entire process while hiding in the corner thought it was so funny, the corner of his lips curled up.
This person had long since come to understand just how sharp the legendary, irascible Song er shao’s tongue was. But when he saw the other’s seemingly innocent expression contrasted with that hard-to-conceal willfulness in his eyes, he couldn’t help but chuckle silently. There was great interest reflected in his innately roguish eyes.
Nonetheless, neither Song Xuanhe nor Song Xuanlin had noticed that there was someone else present. As soon as Song Guochao had left, the two of them had headed off to the president’s office.
The president’s office was huge. The huge, arched French windows seemed to give a wide 360-degree view of the entire city. However, Song Xuanhe, who was sitting by the window on the guest chair, only swept an uninterested gaze over it before looking away.
As Song Xuanlin steeped some tea, he also secretly observed his younger brother, who he hadn’t paid any attention to in a long time. When he noticed the uninterested look the other had on while glancing around the room, he said, “Grandfather was furious this morning. Have you thought about how you’re going to fix this?”
“Why was he angry?” Song Xuanhe asked despite clearly knowing the answer.
Actually, while Song Xuanlin had been examining Song Xuanhe, Song Xuanhe, who had been leaning against the sofa, had been doing the same.
Ever since Song Xuanhe had transmigrated over, even when taking into consideration the amount of time he had spent living in the Song Residence, he could count the number of times he’d interacted with Song Xuanlin on his fingers. Compared to the other people of the Song Family, he was much less familiar with him.
Every time he saw Song Xuanlin, the other perpetually had a peaceful expression and steady bearing. This time was no exception. Even though it was rare for a young man such as himself to do something like brew tea, he was still able to do it to the letter as if he was immersed in the action. He was exactly as the rumours and the original host’s memories portrayed him.
Song Xuanlin was the complete opposite of the original host, who had seemed to suffer from extended Chuunibyou syndrome. While the original host’s development seemed like that of a typical bad child, Song Xuanlin was that of a typical good child. When he was young, his grades had been exceptional. He had been lovable and sensible. After growing up, he was mature and steady. He followed the rules. Even Song Guochao, who didn’t like Li Nianan and thus, by extension, didn’t like her kids, would treat him amicably.
It was just that Song Xuanlin was always too indifferent, whether it was towards his younger brother—the original host—or his father, Song Guochao. Song Xuanhe hadn’t expected for Song Xuanlin to speak up this time.
Song Xuanhe had purposely acted dumb, but Song Xuanlin didn’t get angry. He pushed a cup of tea in Song Xuanhe’s direction and said, “Even if you don’t like Father, you don’t have to fall out with him for real. There are some things that should only be done after careful consideration. Perhaps provoking him will make you feel temporarily satisfied, but it won’t solve the issue in the long term. You’ll only end up putting yourself in a disadvantageous situation if you don’t think about the consequences of your actions.”
Regardless of whether it was Song Xuanhe now or the original host, it was the first time for either of them to hear Song Xuanlin guide him like a proper older brother should. Song Xuanhe paused while reaching for his cup. He then placed his hand back down on his lap. His next question sounded like one of pure curiosity. “You don’t like Song Guochao either?”
Song Xuanlin furrowed his brows. It was obvious that he didn’t really approve of the way Song Xuanhe addressed their father. He said, “What you call him privately doesn’t matter. But outside, be careful that you don’t become the target for gossip and derision because of a moment’s indulgence.”
Another piece of advice. There was also concern inside his words this time.
Song Xuanhe raised his brows in surprise. Actually, if he had been the original host, he’d probably be ecstatic. This was because, even though Song Xuanlin didn’t really care about the original host, the original host had truly liked and worshipped his older brother.
It was also precisely because of this that, when rumours had first come up regarding Song Yansong’s plan to choose a successor between the two of them, the original host had publicly declared that he had no intentions of succeeding the company and that he supported his older brother. After saying that, the original host had even secretly hoped that Song Xuanlin would praise him or get closer to him because of it.
It was just that what he had hoped for never happened.
Therefore, when he heard Song Xuanlin’s tone—which was obviously that of an older brother advising his younger brother—Song Xuanhe felt a bit melancholic. Obviously, he didn’t think that the original host had been a good person. He would even go so far as to say that the original host deserved what had happened to him in the original plot. However, after having possessed the other’s body and memories, Song Xuanhe found it very difficult to be impartial and loathe him like the other readers or Xiao Yuanmu.
It wasn’t just a thing or two, or even a person or two, that could make a person into someone like him.
When Song Xuanlin saw Song Xuanhe lower his eyes silently, he thought that the other didn’t want to listen to his preaching. Thus, he sighed quietly and continued, “I won’t say too much about this. But, you’re already twenty-two years old. You have to consider your actions more carefully.”
Song Xuanhe suddenly laughed out loud. He then spoke in a languid voice, “Didn’t Mom say that Ge will help me from now on? Why should I think so hard? Isn’t it fine to just do what makes me happy?”
Song Xuanlin frowned when he saw Song Xuanhe’s good-for-nothing display. He unconsciously knitted his brows. “You’re already an adult. You should naturally take responsibility for your actions rather than become someone else’s responsibility. If you can’t control yourself and end up causing a difficult-to-suppress disaster in the future, do you think Grandfather and Father will disregard the public opinion and the company’s interests to protect you?”
“Don’t I still have you?” Song Xuanhe smiled. The look in his eyes was hard to read, however.
Song Xuanlin didn’t hesitate or mince his words. “I won’t do it either.”
When he saw the smile on Song Xuanhe’s lips change slightly, Song Xuanlin continued, his own expression unchanging. “The only person who would disregard everything else to protect you is Mother. But even if she wants to protect you, she has no ability to do so. If even the Song Family refuses to protect you, then the Li Family will be even less inclined. In the end, she’d be forced to abandon you.”
“Wasn’t this just an argument with Song Guochao?” Song Xuanhe chuckled. “I didn’t think you were the type to lecture people. You never did this in the past. If I had known, I wouldn’t have caused trouble.”
Song Xuanlin examined Song Xuanhe’s expression that seemed to convey that he hadn’t taken his words seriously. In the end, he pressed his lips into a straight line and finished his cup of tea. He then said, “I have nothing more to say. The meeting will start soon. Let’s go.”
*
It was probably because the expressions of all three generations of the Song Family were bad—even the usually frivolous Song er shao looked pensive—but, this time’s quarterly meeting was much more solemn than usual. Aside from the sounds of the serious-faced Song Guochao speaking and pages flipping, there were no other sounds inside the meeting room. This contrasted with how their meetings typically went. Usually, one would be able to hear an occasional, quiet, whispered discussion, or someone would share their opinion.
Song Guochao, who was currently standing at the podium, had just finished his section. He then had the financial department’s deputy manager speak about the Song Group’s financial situation for this quarter. When they saw the quarterly reports, the expressions of all the executives and shareholders turned ugly.
Trembling underneath this oppressive atmosphere, the finance department’s deputy manager talked about this quarter’s financial situation. When he had finished, he quickly left the podium. At this moment, the meeting room was absolutely silent. Song Yansong’s expression was so cold that it looked like ice would form on top of it.
Suddenly, he spoke up. “Song Xuanhe, you are the marketing department’s director. Tell me why the company’s performance has declined.”
Although Song Xuanhe had been thinking about something else, he had also been paying attention to the meeting. When he heard Song Yansong say this, he raised his head at once. Although he had no interest in taking part in the running of a company, he had signed many documents every day while at work. Therefore, he naturally had a fair understanding of the company’s situation. As such, he wasn’t flustered at all. “I think that the primary reason for the decline in company performance this quarter is….”
Song Xuanhe obediently made his analysis. Although it wasn’t outstanding, there were no faults within his statements either. As he listened to this, Song Yansong’s expression eased up. The people around also sighed in relief.
News that Song Guochao had stopped Song Xuanhe this morning and that the father-son pair had nearly broken out into another big fight had already made its way around the company prior to this meeting. Everyone here had naturally already heard about this. Although they didn’t know what had been the cause, considering the fact that even Chairman Song’s expression was heavy meant that it had been no small matter.
They were all part of the company’s administration and/or were shareholders. They didn’t want the meeting to become a battleground for the Song Family. They also didn’t want to accidentally listen in on something they shouldn’t or watch as either Song Guochao or Song Xuanhe was reprimanded on the spot. Therefore, when they had heard Song Yansong speak, the majority of the people in the room had shifted uncomfortably on their butts. They just wanted to leave as soon as the warning signs appeared.
When they had seen Song Xuanhe pass Song Yansong’s test without any mishaps, the other people in the room couldn’t help but turn to look at Song Guochao, whose expression currently wasn’t anything good.
Song Guochao, as expected, wasn’t happy. One of the reasons why he had worked so hard to take charge of this meeting was because he thought it might have helped him take his shares back. When he had seen the scandal regarding Song Xuanhe on the news this morning, although he had been furious, when he had seen the equally unhappy expression on Song Yansong’s face, he had realized that this was his chance.
That had been why he had rushed over to the company in search of Song Xuanhe in the morning. As long as he had been able to drag Song Xuanhe into his office and chide him, with Song Xuanhe’s temperament, he would have very likely had to leave the company. Song Yansong had already been angry. If Song Xuanhe had missed the quarterly meeting as well, Song Guochao might have been able to get his shares back if he had asked for them.
But, Song Xuanhe had not acted the way he had imagined. Not only had he made Song Guochao choke up in front of everyone, but he also had even given an adequate analysis of the report form during the meeting, thereby shattering Song Guochao’s hopes to pieces.
Song Yansong decided to let Song Xuanhe squirm for a bit by not immediately commenting on his analysis. He then said in an insipid tone, “The reason you brought up was obvious. Be more mindful in your work from now on. Don’t fool around so much outside.”
He had neither been harsh nor easy on him. Song Yansong then turned to Song Guochao. “You were in charge of this meeting, so you must best understand the company’s situation. Tell me why the company’s performance has gone downhill.”
Song Guochao froze up. Wasn’t the reason what Song Xuanhe had just said? There were no other reasons he could think of.
Therefore, Song Guochao repeated what Song Xuanhe had just said but in his own words. He hadn’t added his own thoughts nor changed anything.
Song Yansong’s expression, which had just improved, sunk once again. He slammed his hand against the table. “Why are you so narrow-minded despite being a vice-president? What’s the point in me asking you this question if all you’re going to do is repeat the obvious?!”
Song Guochao trembled. Although he felt like he had lost a lot of face just now, he still tactfully decided not to talk back.
Song Yansong sighed, disappointed in his son for failing to meet expectations. He then turned to Song Xuanlin. “You say it.”
“Aside from the reasons brought up by the two Mr. Songs, the company’s decline in performance is also in part due to the newly implemented price restriction policy….”
Song Xuanlin easily summarized the cause of the company’s decline in performance with great depth. In the end, he also suggested a plan of action to improve the company’s performance.
With Song Xuanlin as further comparison, the image of Song Guochao being reprimanded became even more firmly engraved in everyone’s minds. As for Song Xuanhe, everyone knew that he didn’t care about work. Therefore, it was already an improvement that he had been able to give an analysis without any errors.
Song Yansong’s expression finally eased up. He gazed at his eldest grandson, who had grown up a long time ago, with a complicated gaze. Out of the corner of his eye, he also subconsciously glanced at Song Xuanhe, who didn’t seem to be paying any attention. Song Yansong sighed heavily inside. His determination over a certain decision wavered.
Song Xuanhe didn’t know what Song Yansong was thinking. This was because he had been shocked upon hearing Song Guochao repeat his words. Although he had always known that Song Guochao had no talent for business, it was different seeing proof of this in person.
There were many reasons why a company’s performance would decrease. Naturally, it was impossible for him to have covered all the reasons as he had only mentioned several points. Song Xuanhe had only mentioned the ones he had because, firstly, those were the only ones he had been able to confirm while reviewing and signing documents, and secondly, he hadn’t paid much attention to this stuff anyway.
But regardless of anything else, Song Guochao had been in the business scene for twenty to thirty years now. Moreover, he was ambitious with regards to the Song Group. And yet, he couldn’t even notice such a simple problem as this. He didn’t just have no talent—he shouldn’t even be in business!
When the meeting had ended, because of the stifling atmosphere around the three generations of the Song family, the other executives and shareholders all rushed out in a hurry.
Song Guochao and Song Xuanlin also left. The only people left were Song Xuanhe and Song Yansong. After Song Xuanhe had been chided by the other, he could finally leave.
When Song Xuanhe had returned to his office, Xiao Yuanmu was already waiting for him there. Since he had moved back into the apartment, and Xiao Yuanmu had started to cook again, the location of his daily lunch had shifted from the dining hall to his office. This had already been going on for quite some time, so the first thing Song Xuanhe, who was already used to this, did was go over and look at today’s lunch.
Two meat dishes, one vegetable dish, and one soup. It was a very standard home-cooked meal. The delicious, fragrant, beautiful food in the light-coloured Tupperware enticed Song Xuanhe’s already rumbling stomach.
He walked over to his seat and picked up his chopsticks. Xiao Yuanmu also began to eat. A peaceful meal passed just like that.
After his assistant had taken the Tupperwares to wash, Xiao Yuanmu asked, “I heard that you had a fight with Mr. Song in front of the executive elevator this morning and that you said you would never two-time while dating.”
Song Xuanhe paused while stretching his arms. He went over what he had said this morning before bringing his arms back down and nodding. “That’s right.”
Xiao Yuanmu asked in a quiet, casual voice, “What about long-distance relationships?”
“A long-distance relationship is still a relationship.” Song Xuanhe leaned back against the sofa, arms wrapped around a pillow. There was a languid tone in his voice from having just eaten his fill. “Since it’s also a kind of relationship, I’d still do the same.”
Xiao Yuanmu made a quiet sound of acknowledgement as if he had really just been asking casually.
But, Song Xuanhe’s interest was suddenly piqued. The original novel hadn’t been finished. It didn’t say which man who this big shot, who had been surrounded by all sorts of men, would end up with or if he’d entered an immoral 8P relationship. It hadn’t revealed what Xiao Yuanmu thought on the emotional front either. Therefore, the very curious Song Xuanhe asked, “What about you?”
“What about me?”
“Seven—I mean two-timing, ah.” Song Xuanhe nestled into his spot on the sofa, staring at Xiao Yuanmu with curious eyes.
“I wouldn’t do that.”
Xiao Yuanmu’s response was very straightforward. He had never even thought about going steady with one person, so he would obviously never want to waste time on an even more troublesome emotional entanglement like that.
When Song Xuanhe heard how unhesitating he had been in answering him, he suddenly lost all interest. He dropped one of the extra pillows onto the ground and said in a bored tone, “Who knows for sure?”
Xiao Yuanmu’s expression didn’t change when he heard the other’s doubtful statement. He didn’t have any intention of explaining himself either. He glanced at the clock and then got up in preparation to leave.
However, after taking one step, he heard Song Xuanhe suddenly say, “Say, imagine there was a really bad person who everyone thought was utterly despicable. You accidentally find out about his pitiful past and the reason for said pitiful past. Would your opinion of this person change?”
Xiao Yuanmu stopped walking, but he didn’t look back. He said in a cool voice, “What does that have to do with me?”
Song Xuanhe was slightly taken aback. He stared at Xiao Yuanmu’s back silently.
When he didn’t hear any sounds behind him, Xiao Yuanmu continued to walk towards the door. When he reached the door, he once again heard Song Xuanhe suddenly speak up. “Then, what if you had a younger brother like that? Would you try to guide him back onto the right path?”
“No.” A dark light flashed through Xiao Yuanmu’s eyes. His gaze was frosty, and his tone was frigid. “I don’t have a younger brother. Even if I did, whether or not he mends his ways is his own problem. It has nothing to do with me.”
After Xiao Yuanmu had left, Song Xuanhe continued to stare at the door for a long time. He then lied back onto the sofa.
After he had come out of Song Xuanlin’s office, he had been constantly thinking…what if the original host had heard Song Xuanlin say those things to him before his personality had been fully formed? Would he still have turned out the way he had?
He didn’t manage to come up with an answer. However, Song Xuanhe did recall his own younger cousin, who always loved to fight with him. He also recalled that cousin’s parents. Although they had been strict, they had also indulged that cousin of his.
If he hadn’t been pulled back into the sunlight by Zhou Yunyang, that sweet, stubborn, naive idiot who had loved to preach, maybe he would have turned out more-or-less like the original host. He might have ended up walking more-or-less the same road.
Following his sudden realization over how absurd he had used to be, Song Xuanhe began to resent his aunt and uncle who had purposely raised him to be a good-for-nothing person. He had always thought that, if his aunt and uncle had been willing to scold him even once, then perhaps he wouldn’t have wallowed in that metaphorical dark swamp all on his own for so long.
However, Xiao Yuanmu’s words had dispelled all of his pent-up hatred.
Even between those most closely related, no one was responsible for anyone else, let alone his aunt and uncle, who had been more distantly related and feared that he would fight their son over their family’s inheritance in the future.
It was because he had been unable to overcome his emotions that he had been perpetually wishing to have a real family again. He had just wanted to forget the fact that, since a long time ago, he already had no home or family to return to.
Eve: Xuanlin surprisingly will have some character development. I will say that I was saddened here when I thought about how the original host could have turned out differently if someone had just cared. Can’t say I wasn’t disappointed with Xuanlin here. Also partly because I love the doting older brother trope. I was also sad over SXH’s thoughts about his past too. My poor baby.