Translated by Eve

Edited by Kara

After having managed to safely make it through the night on the cruise, trembling in trepidation, as soon as they had disembarked, Song Xuanhe began a punctual routine of going to work from 9 to 5. At work, he would prudently avoid Xiao Yuanmu. When he got off work, he'd go straight back to the Song Residence. His schedule was now very rigid.

When he recalled how Xiao Yuanmu had said that he'd check, Song Xuanhe felt his scalp go numb. Although he was certain that he wouldn't react even if Xiao Yuanmu were to sit on his lap and seduce him, even just thinking about it made him feel opposed. Moreover, he didn't know if Xiao Yuanmu would use some other kind of method to turn him on.

However, he couldn't hide from him forever. The plot still had to go on at the specified times. Even if he wanted to keep avoiding the other, he had no choice but to brace himself.

The gathering this time was a biannual party for those in the circle who already possessed some level of authority and influence. The event was considered for both business and pleasure. You could come to expand your connections or to just have fun.

It was precisely because of this that the partic.i.p.ants of this party were of all different levels of society. It was not restricted to people of only one circle or age group. The partic.i.p.ants in attendance were: second-generations who were already in power, those who were currently being taught by their families to take over, and also many young entrepreneurs who had started their companies from scratch. The only thing in common was that most of them were under thirty years old.

The reason Sun Jinren had appeared at this party, aside from the fact that he was eligible, was because someone else had brought him. When Song Xuanhe saw him today, he found out that the person who had brought Sun Jinren was unexpectedly Song Jiabao.

Song Xuanhe recalled that it had also been Song Jiabao who had told Sun Jinren of the relations.h.i.+p between himself and Xiao Yuanmu. He had also been the one to urge Sun Jinren to attempt to lay his hands on Xiao Yuanmu. Contemplation flashed through Song Xuanhe's eyes. Although Song Jiabao loathed the original host, for some reason, he had never done anything to him directly. Instead, he had always acted against Xiao Yuanmu.

However, what Song Xuanhe was more concerned over was the fact that Sun Jinren was still able to attend this party despite the fact that his company had changed hands. Once again, he perceived just how strong the plot's force was.

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Xiao Yuanmu had also noticed Sun Jinren. The light in his eyes flickered, and his gaze discreetly flitted to Song Xuanhe.

Song Xuanhe didn't notice his gaze. He raised his head and faced towards Song Jiabao, who was walking over. The corner of his lips rose. “Cousin, I hadn't expected for you to come. I heard that my brother was busy. You must have gotten your hands on his invitation.”

When he had heard Song Xuanhe indirectly insinuate that he had no right to attend this party, Song Jiabao's expression changed slightly, a cold smile appearing on his lips. “You don't have to concern yourself over how I came. I just wanted to tell you that Uncle is really unhappy about your current relations.h.i.+p. He hopes that you will shape up.”

Song Xuanhe also smiled. “You specifically went to ask my brother for his invitation for this trifling matter? He could have just told this to our butler. There was no need to trouble Cousin.”

Song Jiabao glared at him coldly. His gaze flitted between Song Xuanhe and Xiao Yuanmu, who the former was holding hands with. He then sneered. “You must quite like this little boyfriend of yours. It's one thing to bring him to such an important occasion, but must you two men hold hands like this and be so clingy? But then again, who knows how long the two of you will be able to be so affectionate?”

Song Xuanhe's eyelashes trembled slightly. He looked at Sun Jinren, who stood behind Song Jiabao. “I hadn't expected to see Boss Sun here either. Has the issue with Boss Sun's company already been resolved?”

Sun Jinren hadn't thought Song Xuanhe would suddenly speak to him. He subconsciously glanced at Xiao Yuanmu, who made him feel dread. Although he had determined that the person who had acquired his company and become the largest shareholder had nothing to do with Xiao Yuanmu, his intuition told him that Xiao Yuanmu definitely still had something to do with it.

The only thing that puzzled him was that he had never seen Xiao Yuanmu before the cruise, let alone offended him. Acquiring a company was not something that could be done in one night, and this case was no exception. Although it had exploded the night on the cruise, and his company had changed hands the next day, they had found out that someone had actually begun acquiring Jinren shares more than a month ago.

He was certain that he had not offended Xiao Yuanmu more than a month ago. Therefore, just what reason did the other have to set his sight on his company?

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The more he thought about it, the more afraid he felt, and the less he understood. But when he thought about what Song Qiyi had promised him, his misgivings could not triumph over the business he had painstakingly built. As long as he destroyed the relations.h.i.+p between Song Xuanhe and Xiao Yuanmu, Song Qiyi would give him the Jinren shares he owned. After that, he would just need to get a few more shares before he would be able to regain his position as the largest shareholder.

This was why he was going to stake it all.

Sun Jinren forced out a smile. “

Er shao,

you've become even more handsome after having not seen you for a few days.”

Song Xuanhe raised a brow. “After having not seen you for a few days, you seem to have gotten thinner.”

“I should be losing weight.” Sun Jinren gave a hollow laugh. “

Er shao

, if there's nothing you need, I will take my leave first.”

Song Xuanhe glanced at Song Jiabao, who was thinking about who knows what, and nodded. He watched as Sun Jinren left.

“You seem to be paying a lot of attention to Sun Jinren.”

Xiao Yuanmu's voice sounded in his ear. The moment Song Xuanhe inadvertently met the other's eyes, his expression was unnatural for a split second. But soon after, he regained his calm. “He shouldn't be able to come here with his current status. I wonder what Song Jiabao brought him here for.”

“As long as he has a motive, you'll find out when the time comes.” Xiao Yuanmu said indifferently.

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As he said this, Xiao Yuanmu let go of his hold on Song Xuanhe's hand, which he had been holding since they had entered the private villa. Xiao Yuanmu then s.h.i.+fted a bit away.

Song Xuanhe's hand that had been held by Xiao Yuanmu's dry, warm hand suddenly felt breezy. The back of his hand now felt a bit cold.

The party had started at six o'clock. Because it was taking place at the private villa of one of the party's founding members, they had access to the whole villa.

It had everything guests would want, from the barbecue in the gardens to the models in bikinis lounging by the heated pool. There was also a c.o.c.ktail-tasting station on the first floor and a quiet room on the second floor for talking business.

Right now, it was already nearing eight in the evening; the sky had already darkened. The villa was still brightly lit, however. For the guests here, the party had just gotten started.

Following the System's notifications, Song Xuanhe went to sit in the lounge on the first floor. There weren't many people there. The majority of the guests were having fun with others elsewhere. Therefore, it was very quiet on this side.

Xiao Yuanmu was as cold and taciturn as ever. He sat next to Song Xuanhe, his gaze on his own fingers that were gently tapping against his leg. He seemed to be deep in thought, but at the same time, it also looked like he wasn't thinking about anything at all.

Song Xuanhe pursed his lips. He felt like the atmosphere in this room was strange. He also felt like, although Xiao Yuanmu didn't seem all that different from usual, there was still something off about him. But, the plot would soon start to roll. He was in no mood to think too much about it. Thinking about what was about to occur, he felt even more at a loss regarding what to say to Xiao Yuanmu.

【Sun Jinren has returned. The plot will continue as prescribed.】

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【This is an important scene.】The System said：【When Sun Jinren's company had changed hands, you had asked me a question. I've already told you that every world has its own rules under which it functions. One of the rules is that important events concerning the protagonist's fate must occur. Even if there are some deviations, the world will automatically patch things up so that things will still end up heading in the same direction. Therefore, you don't need to worry. 】

Song Xuanhe wasn't worried. Actually, he even had a faint hope that this important scene wouldn't happen. But since it was something fixed, he would have no choice but to wait for it silently.

“What are you thinking about?”

Xiao Yuanmu had looked up at some unknown point in time. His legs were crossed, and one of his elbows was bent, digging into the sofa's armrest. His other hand was on his own knee. The finger that had been tapping gently had already stopped. Xiao Yuanmu turned his head over, eyes dark. He simply watched Song Xuanhe like this quietly.

It looked like he was waiting for something or like he had a clear understanding of what would happen next.

The conjecture once again emerged in Song Xuanhe's chest. He pressed his lips into a straight line and said, “I was thinking that it's too boring here and that maybe we should head home early.”

The finger on Xiao Yuanmu's leg s.h.i.+fted slightly. He sat up a bit straighter, and his eyes became more intense and dark. His refres.h.i.+ngly cold voice was deeper than usual. It was difficult to read anything from his voice. “You want to leave?”

“Do you?” Song Xuanhe met with Xiao Yuanmu's eyes. His tone was serene.

Xiao Yuanmu seemed to just be asking, “If I wanted to go, would you leave right now?”

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Song Xuanhe didn't reply immediately. He was silent for a few seconds before opening his mouth to speak. However, just as the words had been about to leave his lips, he heard Sun Jinren's voice behind him. “Song

Er

, so you were here. Perfect. I had something to discuss with you.”

The words were exactly the same. Suddenly, ripples suddenly arose in Xiao Yuanmu's typically still eyes.

Eve: *gasps*

Kara: Oh my G.o.d! Okay, it's happening! Everyone, stay calm! Σ(っﾟДﾟ；)っ