Translated by Eve

Edited by Kara

Song Xuanhe had originally planned on heading over to Xiao Shenglin's home right after Lunar New Year's, but things hadn't gone as he had wished.

——The morning of Lunar New Year's Day, Song Jiabao, whose wounds had yet to fully heal, had followed his parents to visit the Song Family. He had told everyone about how Xiao Yuanmu had beaten him up. And then, Song Xuanhe had beaten him up again in front of everyone. That was why he had been delayed.

Back then, Song Jiabao's parents had just finished paying their respects, so they had started to worm into Song Guochao and Li Nianan's good graces. Song Xuanlin had been on the phone giving his New Year's greetings, and Song Xuanhe had been sitting with Old Mr. Song. Because he had gotten up late, he had missed breakfast. That was why he had been eating some light refreshments, which had been specifically prepared for him.

The atmosphere had originally been pleasant. But, who knew what Song Jiabao had suddenly thought of? With his broken arm in a cast, he had turned to look at Song Xuanhe. His tone was light and speech slow. There was self-blame and grievance threaded through his words. “Xuanhe, I'm so sorry. I've always wanted to apologize to you face-to-face. I hadn't paid attention to my words in the past and ended up offending Mr. Xiao. Although I've already paid no small price for this, I still feel guilty, especially after I had heard that Mr. Xiao and you have broken up. My guilt had grown exponentially upon receiving the news, and I had wanted to apologize to you immediately. But, the doctor had forced me to rest. That's why things had been pushed back until now. You won't blame me, right?”

“Why would he blame you?” Song Xuanhe had just eaten a bit of his bacon sandwich and had yet to swallow when he heard Song Guochao speak, “We didn't approve of a man like Xiao Yuanmu to start with. It was your cousin who had been stubborn in liking him. It's a good thing that they've broken up. Furthermore, Xiao Yuanmu had been ruthless towards you despite knowing that you are Song Xuanhe's cousin. Just based on that, you can tell that he's got a bad character. He doesn't take my Song Family seriously. Song Xuanhe is the one who should be apologizing to you. Why should a victim apologize to his a.s.sailant? Now that you've mentioned it, Uncle will get justice for you. I will make him apologize to you in front of everyone here.”

“No, no, no, Uncle, I was the one in the wrong. How could I let Xuanhe apologize to me?” Song Jiabao's face was filled with fear. However, when he turned to Song Xuanhe, one could see a look of hatred and self-satisfaction in his eyes. He glanced at Old Mr. Song with his peripheral vision, his expression changing slightly. He whispered, “Xuanhe, I'm so—”

“What are you apologizing to him for?!” Song Guochao interrupted. “He's been spoiled rotten. That's why, even though he's already so big, he doesn't understand that he has to apologize after doing something wrong. It's perfect. This is an opportunity for him to learn to respect his elders. He has to change after making a mistake.”

“But…” Song Jiabao glanced at Song Xuanhe cautiously. He looked like he wanted to say something more but was hesitating like he was afraid of him.

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“There are no 'buts.' Uncle will back you up. You, quickly apologize to him.” The latter sentence had been directed towards Song Xuanhe.

Song Xuanhe didn't look up. He quietly continued to eat his food in an elegant manner. When the auntie brought over a hand towel, he had smiled and gave her his thanks as if Song Jiabao and Song Guochao's conversation had nothing to do with him.

“Hurry up and apologize!” Song Guochao smacked the table as he shouted.

Song Xuanhe still didn't look up. After finis.h.i.+ng off the last bite of his pastry, he unhurriedly put down his b.u.t.ter knife. He wiped his lips clean with poise. He then smiled and said, “Since Jiabao has apologized to me with so much sincerity, I'll accept it. After all, you came over on New Year's Day. I shouldn't haggle with you over what had happened last year. I just hope that you will watch your words in the future. Although our Song Family is influential, a large tree will attract trouble. One day, someone else might disregard our family and make you regret—”

“What are you saying?!” Song Guochao interrupted Song Xuanhe. He carefully glanced at Old Mr. Song's face from his peripheral. When he saw that the other didn't seem angry, he sighed in relief. His expression then grew heavy. “I told you to apologize, not that your cousin has apologized to you!”

“Father.” Song Xuanhe looked up at Song Guochao, the smile on his face fading. His eyes were calm and filled with indifference. “If I'm not mistaken, this is between Xiao Yuanmu and Cousin. Even if someone else were to get involved, that someone can only be me. Xiao Yuanmu, Cousin, and I—all of us think that it was Cousin's fault. Since the three people involved all agree, why must you insist that it was my fault?”

Song Xuanhe's look of confusion was just right. His drooping eyes were filled with innocence and a faint trace of disappointment as if he had no idea why Song Guochao was b.u.t.ting in and insisting he apologize. He also looked upset that his father wasn't able to tell who was in the right and who was in the wrong.

After he had said this, the expressions of Song Jiabao's parents, who had been silent all this time, changed slightly. A trace of discontent also appeared on Old Mr. Song's expressionless face.

“You did something wrong, so you should obviously apologize. Xiao Yuanmu and Jiabao's fight arose because of you.” Song Guochao clearly knew who Old Mr. Song's displeasure was directed towards. After all, the old man was always biased towards Song Xuanhe. However, he still continued on. “You should know why your cousin is apologizing to you. You cannot treat your relatives like this just because you are the Song Family's successor. Furthermore, if you treat Jiabao, who you have grown up with, like this, how will you be able to treat your employees and co-workers well in the future? Will you be able to manage the company properly?”

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The latter half of Song Guochao's words had been what he had been intending to mention all along. He had been planning on leaving this for the end to give the old man some time to ponder over it. But, he hadn't expected for Song Xuanhe to twist things like this. If he had let Song Xuanhe continue to justify himself, he would probably have been able to completely wipe himself clean of this matter. Therefore, he had decided to immediately say what he had wanted to say.

“I have already told you that I don't plan on inheriting the company. This matter….”

“Enough!”

Song Yansong, who had been silent up until now, interrupted Song Xuanhe. He cast a chilly gaze towards Song Guochao, displeasure seeping into his even tone. “The matter between Song Jiabao and Xuanhe's ex-boyfriend is just a conflict between the younger generation. It doesn't matter who was right. Resolving it is up to them. What are you, an elder, meddling for?”

Song Jiabao and Song Guochao's expressions changed at the same time. Song Jiabao's father promptly chuckled and tried to smooth things over. “That's right. It's just a scuffle between children. Boys, they will always end up with a few bruises. Jiabao came over to apologize today. Come, Jiabao, quickly apologize to your cousin.”

Song Jiabao glanced at his father, but his father had been busy appraising Old Mr. Song's expression. When Song Jiabao's father saw that Old Mr. Song had a heavy expression on and remained silent, he gritted his teeth and turned to give Song Jiabao a signal with his eyes. “Apologize!”

Old Mr. Song's words had turned the tables on the situation in an instant.

Right now, the person who was in the most awkward position wasn't actually Song Jiabao but rather Song Guochao, who had pressured Song Xuanhe to apologize. If Song Jiabao were to really apologize to Song Xuanhe in front of everyone right now, it would be no different than a vicious slap to his face.

“Dad's right. Children should resolve their own matters.” Song Guochao looked at Song Xuanhe with a forced smile. “Xuanhe didn't have to apologize earlier either. Let's just let the matter go. It's not lucky for us to bicker about last year's matters on New Year's Day.”

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“Father is right.” Song Xuanhe nodded. “We really shouldn't talk about this today. Besides, Cousin has already apologized to me, and I have already accepted it. Let's let this go.”

Song Guochao had been surprised when he had heard Song Xuanhe's first sentence. When he had heard what came after, his smile froze over. He hadn't wanted Song Jiabao to have “apologized.” But, Song Xuanhe, this scoundrel, insisted on opposing him. Based on this, he knew that if Song Xuanhe really were to succeed the company, then he'd be forced to walk with his tail between his legs for the rest of his life in this home.

No matter how Song Guochao thought about it, he knew Song Xuanhe absolutely could not inherit the Song Family. A cold glint flickered through his eyes. He cast his gaze away. For the first time, he didn't get angry over Song Xuanhe's words.

No one noticed the vicious light in Song Guochao's eyes. Song Jiabao was currently being pressured to apologize. He was already in his twenties. He couldn't put down his pride. Although he had said that he had wanted to apologize in the beginning, he was now silent.

Song Xuanhe was in no rush. He calmly waited for him to speak.

Song Jiabao gnashed his teeth. His gaze s.h.i.+fted from his parents' faces to Song Yansong's stern expression. He then took in how Song Xuanhe was waiting for him to speak. His teeth nearly cracked from how hard he was grinding them. It wasn't until Song Yansong looked over that he finally spoke up. “This was all a misunderstanding. I really should apologize. But, there's something I want to say to Xuanhe first. Let's go to the garden.”

Song Xuanhe didn't know what Song Jiabao was planning. When he saw how the other looked like he was forcing himself to bear with the humiliation, he raised a brow, spirits high. He glanced at his watch. “Sure. But, I have an appointment later, so let's make this quick.”

Song Jiabao and Song Xuanhe walked to the little garden outside. It had snowed heavily several days in a row. Therefore, except for the twenty-or-so-metre-long greenhouse, everything else was covered in white. Snowflakes fell onto their collars, causing the two who had just stepped up to take back their leg.

Song Xuanhe went to stand by the French windows, arms crossed. “Let's talk here?”

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Song Jiabao took a step outside and then looked at Song Xuanhe with a dark expression. When he saw the other's indolent, calm att.i.tude, his gaze became even more sinister. However, it seemed like he had suddenly thought of something after Song Xuanhe had spoken. He laughed and took a few steps closer to Song Xuanhe. With a hushed voice, he said, “Speaking of which, I should thank you. Xiao Yuanmu came from an orphanage, so he can't be anything good. Who knows how many people he's sold himself to before you? Only you would treat him like he's something precious.”

Song Xuanhe smiled and looked at the time. He raised a brow. “And?”

It was like Song Xuanhe didn't take anything he said or did seriously, like the other was high up in the clouds while he was in the mud. Song Jiabao's expression twisted for a moment, but it was quickly replaced by a smile. “I've always wondered why that man had been able to catch your heart. I had someone look into something, and I really did discover something. If you want to know, I'll tell you for free. How about it?”

Song Xuanhe nodded in a carefree manner. He pointed at his watch and then turned around. “Looks like you don't plan on apologizing. That's fine. I'll tell Grandpa and them that you've already given me a sincere apology. I'm in a rush, so, Cousin, you should….”

“Do you really not want to know?” Song Jiabao looked at Song Xuanhe's back and spoke in a frigid tone, “In any case, I'm a good person, so I'll share it with you. Speaking of which, you should thank me for helping you teach the man who threw you away a lesson.”

Song Xuanhe's steps halted. He chuckled but didn't look back.

But, Song Jiabao seemed to have been provoked by his chuckle. He abruptly raised his voice and said, “You should have seen it. That ex-boyfriend of yours, who always looks like he doesn't take anyone seriously…you should have seen what he looked like being shut in a room full of snakes. He had looked so innocent, pitiful, and helpless as if anyone could go in and f*ck….”

Before he could finish his sentence, he felt a blast of wind against his face. A fist slammed into Song Jiabao's chin. A second later, his knee and stomach suffered heavy blows. After he had fallen onto the ground, Song Xuanhe shoved his knee against Song Jiabao's stomach.

Song Xuanhe watched as the other struggled to get free while dry-heaving. But, he didn't stop. Punch after punch landed on Song Jiabao's body. Song Xuanhe's eyes were bloodshot, and he gave him no mercy. His voice was terrifyingly cold.

“If anything happens to Xiao Yuanmu, I'll make your life a living h.e.l.l.”

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The author has something to say:

Today's Xuan baby is really bada.s.s!

Xiao Yuanmu: I just knew you loved me.

Song Xuanhe:

Xiao Yuanmu is being protected by me. Anyone who dares to touch him, I will mess you up!

Eve: Someone hold me back imma bout to join SXH in kicking sc.u.m a.s.s.

Kara:

holds Eve back

Don't worry! He

bao's

got this! Kick his a.s.s, baby! (ﾉ≧∀≦)ﾉ