Translated by Eve

Edited by Kara

Thank you Loki_Niflheim for the kofi! ?

Guan Zhi was someone who always did as he said. He called Song Xuanhe only two days after the bowling night, wanting to go out and eat with him. However, no one picked up even after he had called several times.

At that time, Song Xuanhe had just gotten off work and was going to meet up with Xiao Shenglin. He hadn't expected to b.u.mp into the indifferent-faced Xiao Yuanmu as well as Song Jiani, who he hadn't seen in a long time, at the door.

Just as his phone rang, Song Jiani caught sight of him. She headed over to him and hugged his arm. “Xuanhe

gege

, Auntie said that we should all have a meal together.”

After she said this, she cast a disdainful and proud glance at the tall Xiao Yuanmu, who stood a few feet away. Xiao Yuanmu didn't pay any attention to her expression. His eyes were on Song Xuanhe, who was obviously losing his patience.

His gaze was focused on the hard leather book in Song Xuanhe's hands. His gaze darkened slightly, and he asked, “Where are you going?”

Song Xuanhe pulled his arm out of Song Jiani's grasp. He then declined the call from the unknown number. He replied, “I have something going on. About to go eat with someone else.”

When Song Jiani heard this, she pouted, “Auntie said that you had to come back and eat today! She even specifically had me come get you.”

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“My mother never mentioned this to me.” Song Xuanhe gave her a cool glance. Actually, he had no idea why Song Jiani was so obstinate. Even his cold words had only made her disappear for a short while. Soon after, she had already made her comeback.

Was liking someone really supposed to be this terrifying?

Song Xuanhe frowned un.o.btrusively. He secretly rejoiced in the fact that he himself was in love with his art and thus above all of this.

Xiao Yuanmu watched as Song Xuanhe's eyebrows furrowed and then relaxed. He didn't know what the other was thinking about. Song Xuanhe looked like he was vexed one second but then like he was relieved in the next. A flicker of a smile flashed through Xiao Yuanmu's eyes. However, when he thought about how the other had mercilessly humiliated him on the phone a few days ago, only for some rich merchant from outside of town to donate to the orphanage for seemingly no reason the next day, his smile turned into a probing look.

Song Xuanhe didn't notice Xiao Yuanmu's expression. He stepped to one side, widening the distance between himself and Song Jiani. When he saw her lips part as if she was about to speak, he cut her off coldly. “I have something to do. If you want to eat, eat by yourself. Don't follow me. Furthermore, you're no longer an employee of this company. Don't run over here completely uncalled for again.”

Song Xuanhe then left. He pa.s.sed through several groups of employees, who had purposely slowed down to listen to the gossip. He then waved over the security department chief, who was standing nearby.

The security department chief quickly made his way over. “Young Mr. Song, do you have any orders?”

Song Xuanhe gestured in Song Jiani's direction with his head. In a cold tone, he said, “That woman doesn't work here. Don't randomly let her in next time.”

The security department chief was taken aback. For him to have this position, he naturally had his own connections. He might not know the other people in the company, but he knew who in the company were connected to the executives. He recognized all of them. After all, to keep his job, he had to make sure that he didn't offend anyone he couldn't afford to offend.

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The previous security department chief had earnestly advised him to never offend the young lady Song.

When he had heard that Miss Song had quit, he had found it strange. He hadn't expected that she had offended the little master of the company. However, how can he stop her with her ident.i.ty?

“That….” The security department chief hesitated. He wondered why he hadn't just pretended that he hadn't seen Song Xuanhe beckoning for him. He had wanted to give off a good impression in front of the little master, but in the end, he ended up being shoved into the heart of the struggle. “The shot hits the bird that sticks his head out.” The ancient people who created that saying got it right.

Before the security department chief could speak, Song Jiani had already walked over with red eyes. She gripped her bag tightly, the sharp, fine, diamond studs digging into her flesh. “Song Xuanhe! Do you really hate me that much?!”

“Is it because of that man, who won't even be accepted by the Song Family?” Song Jiani pointed at Xiao Yuanmu. Her expression was full of indignation as she looked at Song Xuanhe. “You're treating me like this because of him?”

Song Xuanhe glanced at Xiao Yuanmu, who she was pointing at. The other's expression was calm, but for some reason, he seemed to make out a hidden darkness in the other's eyes.

When he thought of what Song Jiani's fate had been in the book, Song Xuanhe sighed inwardly,

“She's just looking for trouble, and trouble's going to kick her in the a.s.s.”

However, Song Xuanhe didn't feel any sympathy or friends.h.i.+p towards her. He had already warned her before. He had no obligation to do anything more for Song Jiani, who would only harm him in the future. However, he would not aggravate the situation either.

“What does this have to do with him?” Song Xuanhe declined the call again, his tone that of impatience and indifference. “Even without him, I would never like you.”

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“I don't believe you!” Song Jiani raised her head. She didn't let her tears fall. She watched as Song Xuanhe declined yet another call and sobbed, “Auntie really did tell me to bring you to dinner. But if you have other plans, I'll tell Auntie. Why do you have to say such hurtful things? You just have to agree to having a meal with me next time.”

Song Xuanhe realized that his and Song Jiani's mind didn't work the same way. He gave up on arguing with her and simply pa.s.sed by her on his way out.

“Unless you agree to have a meal with me, I won't let you go!”

Song Jiani rushed over and stood in front of Song Xuanhe, blocking off his path. She had a stubborn look in her eye.

However, Song Xuanhe didn't speak. Instead, a chilly voice came from behind her. It was cold and hateful. “He's my boyfriend. Why does he have to eat with you?”

It wasn't only Song Jiani who was surprised, even Song Xuanhe hadn't expected Xiao Yuanmu to speak out right now.

However, before he could think about it, he saw Song Jiani turn around, obviously provoked. She raised her hand, wanting to hit Xiao Yuanmu's face. Her actions were so quick that they caught Song Xuanhe unprepared.

But, Xiao Yuanmu's actions had been even quicker. He grabbed hold of Song Jiani's wrist and pushed her backwards. There was no change in his expression.

Song Jiani hadn't expected Xiao Yuanmu to have the gall to push her. After steadying herself, she didn't let the matter go. Song Xuanhe could see the undisguised chill in Xiao Yuanmu's eyes and felt his back go cold. He pulled Song Jiani back and asked, “What are you trying to do?!”

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“I'm going to kill that vixen!” Song Jiani's eyes were red, and her voice was sharp. “The one you should like is me!”

Song Xuanhe knew that she wouldn't listen to reason. When he thought about how Xiao Yuanmu wasn't one to take abuse anyway and how Song Xuanhe had already done so much for Song Jiani, he simply let go of her. “Do whatever you want then.”

He hadn't expected for Song Jiani to grab his arm. She softened her voice. “I won't hit him anymore. Don't be angry, okay?”

Song Xuanhe's eyebrows furrowed slightly. He wanted to throw her off, but Song Jiani was holding onto him with all her strength and wouldn't let go. If he forcefully pulled his arm away, Song Jiani would definitely fall.

However, Song Jiani's nails were digging into his skin. It hurt.

“Let go.”

“I won't let go. Don't be angry. Don't ignore me.” Song Jiani said in a pitiful tone, eyes red.

If the spectators hadn't known that Xiao Yuanmu and Song Xuanhe were a couple, they would have thought that Song Xuanhe and Song Jiani were in the middle of a lover's quarrel right now.

Xiao Yuanmu stared at the two people's tightly entwined arms. His eyes turned dark and frosty.

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Song Jiani squeezed harder and harder. Her nails digging into Song Xuanhe's arm caused more and more pain. He endured and endured it, but in the end, he couldn't take it anymore and threw her off.

He hadn't expected Song Jiani to actually let go but then grab his other arm instead. Song Xuanhe had his sketchbook in his other hand, so he subconsciously tried to protect it so that she wouldn't tear it.

Unexpectedly, following Song Jiani's forceful pull, the sketchbook in his hand ended up flying out of his hands and landing open face-up less than three metres away from where Xiao Yuanmu stood.

On the sketch paper was a drawing of a man who looked icily arrogant. He was looking at the world with a frosty look of disdain. His slightly lowered eyelashes were very fine, and his slightly pursed lips emitted a lonely, frigid air.

In that moment, the entire room went silent. Then, whispers arose all around.

“Isn't that Xiao Yuanmu in that drawing?”

“It really looks like him, especially the eyes and eyebrows. However, the expression's a bit different.”

“It's definitely Xiao Yuanmu. You can tell right away. Besides, it's Mr. Song's sketchbook. Who else would it be except for his boyfriend?”

“When Mr. Song was pursuing Xiao Yuanmu, he had been so grandiose. When they got together, he had calmed down quite a lot. I hadn't seen them together very much as of late, so I had thought they had broken up. Seeing this drawing though, I realize that I definitely thought too much. If being able to draw him this vividly didn't mean he liked him, what would?”

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Everyone agreed. Only one person said quietly, “Am I the only person who wonders why Young Mr. Song draws so well? Like it even looks professional.”

Everyone else was focused on gossiping about Song Xuanhe and Xiao Yuanmu's relations.h.i.+p. They were also concentrating on the scene before them. Therefore, they all ignored this quiet voice.

Even people standing further away had seen it. Xiao Yuanmu, who was standing the closest to it, had obviously seen it all the more clearly.

When he saw the picture of him, he had been shocked for a moment. Because this was indeed him but not the version of himself that he showed Song Xuanhe. Regardless of whether it had been the previous him prior to his rebirth or the current him, who had put on a facade, he had never shown this side to Song Xuanhe before.

He was very familiar with that cold, aloof, proud version of himself. However, there was also a hint of weakness and apprehension that Song Xuanhe had so easily captured in this drawing. It was a side to himself that Xiao Yuanmu had never seen before.

Xiao Yuanmu lowered his gaze slightly. He had seen the other drawing Song Xuanhe had of him in the other's study. In that drawing, the man's aura was still cold, but there was still a hint of pure warmth left in his eyes. Although he had turned up his nose to that drawing, after seeing his past self in his memories, he couldn't help but admit that Song Xuanhe had very accurately captured his pre-reborn self's aura and emotions.

It couldn't be that this was what he looked like in Song Xuanhe's eyes? Or rather, is this what the current him looked like to Song Xuanhe?

Xiao Yuanmu was lost in thought. Meanwhile, when Song Jiani saw this picture, she was so angry that her face turned red. She crawled over, wanting to steal the sketchbook from Xiao Yuanmu's hand and tear up the picture. However, as soon as she had lifted her hand, Xiao Yuanmu grabbed hold of her wrist again.

This time, Xiao Yuanmu didn't hold back when he threw her off. He let her fall to the ground and then gazed down at her. With a chilly voice, he said, “I don't make it a habit to hit women.”

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The crowd, who had still been preoccupied with the drawing of Xiao Yuanmu that Song Xuanhe had done, burst out into a hubbub. They hadn't thought that Xiao Yuanmu, who had no background to lean on, would dare to push Song Jiani.

A male employee couldn't watch this idly and scolded him for not knowing how to treat women kindly. They chided him for actually raising his hand against a woman. However, as soon as that male employee had spoken, a nearby female employee answered back in a dissatisfied tone. “Xiao Yuanmu and Young Mr. Song are openly together. Meanwhile, Song Jiani came over here, trying to become the other woman. She was even arrogant enough to try to hit Xiao Yuanmu. All Xiao Yuanmu did was push her a bit. That's still considered not being nice to women? What, is he supposed to just let her hit him?”

Other people agreed. “Yeah, besides, Xiao Yuanmu didn't even hurt her. He just pushed her a bit.”

Someone else said, “Song Jiani's a girl. She isn't that strong to begin with. A slap wouldn't hurt all that much. He pushed her hard though. You can imagine how much it must have hurt just by hearing the sound she made when she fell. You guys are just saying this, because you're jealous of Song Jiani's beauty, aren't you?”

“Why don't you go help then?” Someone sneered. “And, you were saying that Xiao Yuanmu has an unfair advantage over Song Jiani because she's a girl? Doesn't Song Jiani also have an unfair advantage over Xiao Yuanmu because he has no family background to rely on?”

The employees' argument went back and forth. However, Song Xuanhe didn't hear any of it. That was because, the moment Song Jiani fell, the executive elevator a short distance away had opened. Song Guochao, dressed in a suit and leather shoes, walked out. He had seen Xiao Yuanmu shove Song Jiani.

“What are you doing?!”

Song Guochao roared, walking over with large strides. He motioned for his a.s.sistant to help Song Jiani up. He didn't look at Song Xuanhe and simply said to Xiao Yuanmu, “This is a company. Which department are you in? You actually dare to hit someone in broad daylight! From tomorrow on, you don't need to come back!”

Song Xuanhe, who had been ignored, snorted. He knew that he wouldn't be able to make his appointment today. With that, he truly became angry.

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Song Xuanhe's gaze fell on the human resources department chief, who was a few paces behind Song Guochao. He asked, “Department Chief Sun, did you hand over your work to Mr. Song?”

Department Chief Sun s.h.i.+vered upon being looked at by such a cold gaze. He cursed himself for having such bad luck, but he still smiled apologetically. “Of course not.”

“Then, why is Mr. Song capable of firing an employee with a single word?” Song Xuanhe c.o.c.ked his brow, voice dripping with ice. “And, here I thought that you were about to quit and leave.”

Department Chief Sun was startled into breaking out into a cold sweat by these two calm sentences. He promptly said, “Firing an employee…although we're the human resources department, we also have to communicate with the executives of said employee's department. I can't just fire someone because I say so.”

“Is that so?” Song Xuanhe walked over to Xiao Yuanmu and faced Song Guochao, ridiculing the latter. “I didn't know that Mr. Song had been transferred to the venture investment division? Are you making such bold changes as soon as you have taken office? Is this just the first change?”

Song Guochao's expression darkened. In the past, Song Xuanhe would have taken into consideration the time and place when he quarrelled with him. Usually, it would only be at home, in the meeting room, or in the offices where only the executives who knew of their situation were present. He hadn't expected that Song Xuanhe would actually shed all pretense of cordiality here in public and leave him no way of getting out of this situation.

“What?” Song Guochao said in a heavy voice, “Do I not even have the right to fire an employee?”

Song Xuanhe raised a brow. “Of course you have that right. But, I do think you're using your authority here at this company to take revenge for a private grudge.”

Song Guochao hadn't expected for Song Xuanhe to actually acknowledge his relations.h.i.+p with Xiao Yuanmu in front of so many people. Although same-s.e.x marriage had become legal in China long ago, Song Guochao was still a traditional-minded man. In his eyes, a relations.h.i.+p should be between a man and a woman.

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It was a disgrace to the Song Family for Song Xuanhe to be with a man.

“I'm using my authority to take revenge for a private grudge?” Since Song Xuanhe didn't care about his reputation, he wouldn't give him any face. Song Guochao snorted, “I have no grudge against him. Fighting is not allowed in the company. If it happens, the employees involved must be fired. What, does he get special favour, because he's yours? What will happen to the company if we don't adhere to our rules?”

Song Xuanhe smiled coldly and said, “I hadn't thought that Father would be supportive of seeing other people barging into other people's s.p.a.ces and trying to steal someone who is already taken. It seems I was wrong.”

When he heard how Song Xuanhe had revealed his scandal, Song Guochao was shocked. Then, his face turned red. He had never expected that Song Xuanhe would mention his scandal shortly after the worst of it had pa.s.sed!

Song Guochao pointed at Song Xuanhe, his finger shaking. “You b*stard!”

“Even someone who had raised his first love as his mistress outside for several decades and allowed her to come knocking on his family's door isn't considered a b*stard. I don't dare accept that honour.” Song Xuanhe raised a brow. There was a bit of a smile in his curved eyes.

He was really grateful to Song Guochao for giving him this opportunity. Although Song Guochao's matter had blown up, only his family and the stockholders knew of the change in his status. The other people in the company hadn't really known about this. If this had continued, when something happened to Song Xuanhe later, Song Guochao would still have been able to act like he had in the novel. He would have been able to choose not to protect him while pretending to still be a loving father.

Even though such a scandal had occurred, those who had not personally witnessed how bad their relations.h.i.+p was would never have thought that Song Guochao was intentionally choosing not to help him. However, everyone here had now witnessed it. Now, when the time came, Song Guochao would be forced to act like a decent person and refrain from causing him more trouble.

In the beginning, he had been vexed, wondering how he should go about letting everyone know that he had already cut ties with Song Guochao.

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He hadn't expected that Song Guochao would handle this for him. How could this not make him happy?

A real smile appeared on Song Xuanhe's face. However, from Song Guochao's point of view, it was a reflection of the other's pride over having ridiculed him in front of everyone. That smile infuriated him immensely.

“You, you!” When he heard everyone whispering around him, things went dark in Song Guochao's vision. He thought that it would be good if he fainted from his anger. However, he had always taken good care of his body. Even though he was so furious, it wasn't enough to make him faint.

Song Xuanhe didn't really want to anger Song Guochao into fainting. If that happened, instead of the victim, he'd become the perpetrator. Therefore, he quit while he was ahead.

He was about to leave. However, when he turned around, he met with Xiao Yuanmu's eyes. The other was staring at him with serene eyes, his sketchbook still in the taller man's hand. Song Xuanhe's steps paused. He then grabbed the other's arm and started to head outside.

“Xuanhe

gege

!”

Song Jiani's voice came from behind him. Song Xuanhe pulled Xiao Yuanmu with him, quickening their pace.

Yesterday, he had taken his car to get some maintenance done. For once, Song Xuanhe had woken up early, so he had come to the company with Song Xuanlin. He had originally planned on taking a cab to his appointment and back. However, he hadn't expected for this to have happened.

Standing on the street, Song Xuanhe was at a loss over where to go.

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Xiao Yuanmu stared at Song Xuanhe's hand on his arm. The corner of his lips raised a few degrees. “Where do you want to go?”

As soon as he said this, Song Xuanhe's phone rang again. Song Xuanhe picked up his phone and looked at the caller ID. It was Xiao Shenglin.

“Lin

zi

.” When he thought about how he would miss the dinner with the designer whose work he enjoyed, Song Xuanhe pursed his lips. “Sorry. Something happened. I won't be able to make it tonight.”

“What's wrong?” Xiao Shenglin asked, “Do you need any help?”

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“You'll probably hear about it by nighttime.” When he recalled Song Guochao's expression just now, Song Xuanhe smiled. “Sorry, can you help me apologize to Feng Tong? Tell him I'll definitely treat him next time.”

When he heard this name, Xiao Yuanmu's gaze moved to Song Xuanhe's face.

If he didn't remember incorrectly, Feng Tong was a very renowned new designer. Had Song Xuanhe been taking this sketchbook with him to see Feng Tong?

Song Xuanhe was still chatting with Xiao Shenglin. Xiao Shenglin apologized to Feng Tong for him and said that Feng Tong didn't mind. He also told him that the other had agreed to have a meal together some other time. With that, the call ended.

Xiao Yuanmu watched as Song Xuanhe's expression regained its warmth. The other looked very happy. A sliver of a baffling sense of discomfort arose in his heart. He didn't know why he felt uncomfortable. However, he knew that he really wanted to destroy Song Xuanhe's happy mood.

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After Song Xuanhe hung up, his phone rang again.

Song Xuanhe noticed that it was a familiar unknown number. He recalled that this was the fifth time this number had called. The other side probably really had some reason to call him. Therefore, he accepted the call this time. He hadn't expected for Guan Zhi's furious voice to come through though. “You promised to eat with me! Why have you been declining my calls!?”

“If you don't want to eat with me, just tell me! Did you think that I need you to eat with me?! Do you think that I only have you to eat with?!”

Before Song Xuanhe could even speak, Guan Zhi fired off like a machine gun. It felt like the anger-covered bullets had managed to travel through the phone and hit Song Xuanhe's body. “Why aren't you saying anything?!”

“Great young master.” Song Xuanhe didn't know whether to laugh or cry. It was actually really hard for him to be angry when faced with Guan Zhi. He could only say, “You were talking so much, I couldn't interrupt.”

Guan Zhi paused for a few seconds. His tone then eased up a lot. “Then, tell me why you kept declining my call.”

“You're calling from an unknown number. Isn't it normal to decline?” Song Xuanhe didn't let Guan Zhi cut in. “Something was up on my end just now. We'll eat together next time. I promise not to decline your call.”

Probably because he had just become an adult, and he had always been sheltered, Guan Zhi was very easy to coax. When he heard that something had come up for Song Xuanhe, his anger had vanished. He wasn't rebellious like other kids his age at all.

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Not only that, but he was even worried. He asked what had happened and if Song Xuanhe needed any help.

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Song Xuanhe told him vaguely that it was a family matter. Guan Zhi was rea.s.sured by this. He was then very amenable, agreeing to eat together a few days later. Song Xuanhe sighed in relief. He didn't notice that Xiao Yuanmu's dark eyes had regained their calm or that his slightly pursed lips had relaxed.

When he finished dealing with Guan Zhi, Song Xuanhe remembered that he was still holding onto Xiao Yuanmu's hand. He let go of the other's hand and went to grab the sketchbook Xiao Yuanmu was holding. However, just as their hands had been about to touch, he saw Xiao Yuanmu raise his hand.

Song Xuanhe paused. He then stood up and looked at Xiao Yuanmu. He was about to ask why the other wasn't giving it back to him. However, as he looked up, he accidentally met with Xiao Yuanmu's unreadable eyes and swallowed his question back down.

“Who are these designs for?”

This was what Xiao Yuanmu had asked, gaze fixed on Song Xuanhe.

The author has something to say:

Xiao Yuanmu: The measurements for the upper body are right, but the measurements for the pants are a bit off. Let's measure it again when we go back.

Song Xuanhe: Measure my a.s.s, f*ck you!

Xiao Yuanmu: Yes.

Eve: The emotional roller coaster XYM has makes me, a spectator, tired. LOL

Kara: Aiya, Song Jiani is so annoying. Girl, get a grip, please. Mumu, you don't want to destroy SXH's happiness; you just want his happiness to come from you instead. Hehe（*'∀'人）♥