Chapter 9

Once Song Ling left, Song Zhaoguang immediately had the nanny clean the house.

He sat on the sofa angrily, regretting that he didn’t whip Song Ling before.

But he didn’t dare. Song Ling’s eyes were too scary, that kind of desperate cruelness was just like his mother’s.

Song Zhaoguang relied on Song Xuelian to get ahead and become the general manager of the Baomu Group. Song Ling’s mother was just one of his subordinates at the time, but Song Xuelian was about to give birth, and the woman was beautiful and charming, shrewd and capable. That year, he used alcohol to force her, and that was how Song Ling came about.

Unexpectedly, she was a strong woman that would rather die than surrender, also dragging him down to hell with her. If it wasn’t for the Song family spending money to settle the matter, he would’ve returned to those days in that dark warehouse delivering goods.

The woman was humiliated and sent her suicide note to the office, jumping off the company building, pushing him to the forefront again.

Fortunately, everything was blocked at the time and money could settle everything.

Song Zhaoguang was a bit afraid of Song Ling. He felt that Song Ling took after his mother, and if it weren’t for Jinyi…

Song Zhaoguang frowned and sighed.

At this time, Song Jinyi walked up to Song Zhaoguang and patted his shoulder reassuringly, “Dad, don’t be angry.”

Song Zhaoguang: “How can I not be angry? That little bastard…”

Song Jinyi smiled politedly, “Dad, don’t curse Song Ling like that. He’s my younger brother, so aren’t you scolding me too?”

Song Zhaoguang: “It’s still Jinyi that’s sensible. With you here, Dad has no need to worry. Dad’s the one that’s sorry to you.”

Song Zhaoguang looked at Song Jinyi, wondering why the tall and handsome Song Jinyi was the one that had severe anemia and a kidney disease, and even had precious panda blood. Why did Song Ling’s blood type just happen to match his?

(TN: Panda blood is Rh-negative blood type that is “as rare as pandas”.)

Song Jinyi: “Today is Song Ling’s mother’s death day. It’s understandable that he’s not in a good mood. Dad, don’t be angry.”

The stern face of Song Ling’s mother that had just faded from his mind popped up again because of Song Jinyi’s words. He cleared his throat somewhat embarrassedly and patted him on the shoulder, “Good child, if only everyone was as gracious as you.”

Song Zhaoguang didn’t want to talk about Song Ling’s mother and went up first.

Song Jinyi looked at his back and smiled eerily.

Zhou Qingluo kept pulling Song Ling’s arm walking out, not letting go until they walked out of the gate.

He glanced back at the resplendent house. When he was free later, he would delete all the photos he took earlier.

It was too suffocating.

No wonder why Song Ling said that this was where he lived, and not his home.

He turned his head. Song Ling was staring at him, making him embarrassed.

“You don’t have to be so moved, it’s just an ordinary act of righteousness.”

Song Ling seemed to see through his mind, “You still think this house is grand?”

“Horse sh*t is glossy on the outside.”

Song Ling looked disgusted, “Zhou Qingluo, can you have some culture? This is called a gold coating to cover up the shabby inside.”

In just a short half an hour, Zhou Qingluo was despised twice by Song Ling on the study of culture.

He rolled his eyes and scoffed, “Alright, you have culture. You have a high education, you’re the best.”

“Who said I have a high education? I didn’t graduate high school.”

Zhou Qingluo laughed angrily, puffing out his chest and declaring, “Hm, then why are you laughing at me? At least I’m an undergrad!”

Song Ling glanced at him and curled his lips, “What’s the difference?”

“…” How could he say that so self-assuredly?

Originally, Zhou Qingluo didn’t want to meddle in Song Ling’s family affairs, but his family was really too hateful. As a warm-hearted good citizen, he couldn’t help but say something.

“I think it’s good for your mental and physical health to move out.”

Song Ling smiled coldly but said nothing.

“Then if you don’t move out, you have to hit them back. Hit a few more times and he’ll be obedient.”

Song Ling was taken aback.

Zhou Qingluo: “You can’t beat them?”

“?”

“If you can’t beat them, keep fighting. You’ll be able to beat them one day. The enemy is like a spring: if you’re strong they’ll be weak, if you’re weak they’ll be strong.”

Song Ling smiled slightly. His expression suddenly froze and he started walking back.

Zhou Qingluo couldn’t figure him out, “Huh?”

Song Ling quickened his pace and didn’t answer.

Song Ling left behind his computer. He always carried it with him everywhere, and this was the first time he forgot it.

Today was his mother’s death anniversary. Jiang Shiyan used to accompany him, but now he was alone and really wanted to rip off the fake faces.

Jiang Shiyan used to always persuade him that he was a part of the Song family and to endure it. That one day, everything would get better.

But now Jiang Shiyan had also left. What ‘everything would get better’? Bullsh*t.

He had always been sinking in the mud, but Jiang Shiyan gave him a dream he shouldn’t have. Once he woke up, he would drag everyone down into the abyss.

And the password to the abyss was in his computer.

But when Zhou Qingluo pulled him just now, the hatred in his head seemed to lighten, as if he was led forward by some magic. He simply walked out like this, forgetting his computer bag.

He walked to the door with a gloomy face. Song Jinyi was standing outside, looking at him with a smile, a computer bag in his hand.

Song Ling walked faster towards him and Song Jinyi handed it to him, “I was just about to send it over to you.”

Song Ling took the computer with no expression, turning to leave.

Song Jinyi still looked gentle and elegant, “Go ahead and eat snail noodles if you want, I’ll take care of Dad’s side.”

Song Ling stopped and turned his head, smiling coldly: “Brother has always been so kind to me.”

Song Jinyi: “What are you saying? We’re brothers.”

Song Ling curled his lips mockingly, “Then when is Brother going to tell Dad that there are many people with panda blood in this world? When can I stop having my blood drawn for your transfusions?”

After he finished, he left. Song Jinyi’s smile vanished and his heart sank.

From Song Ling’s lifeless eyes, he saw a desperate beast hiding inside. He was no longer someone held back by a heavy burden.

It seemed that after destroying his dream, that pawn Jiang Shiyan was of no more use.

Song Ling went to the garage and drove out his red Maserati. He set the GPS to Xiangshan Cemetary, stepped on the accelerator, and rushed out of the garage with a roar, like a ferocious beast.

He could vaguely hear yelling coming from the second floor, “Driving so fast in the front yard, might as well just crash to death!”

Song Ling turned a deaf ear and left.

After driving out the front gate, he saw Zhou Qingluo with his scooter parked under a big tree, waiting in the shade.

This person was really stupid. Anyone could figure out that he was just using him.

Yet he actually didn’t leave afterwards. Don’t tell him that he actually wanted to take him to eat snail noodles?

Song Ling originally wanted to step on the accelerator and rush away, but his foot landed on the brake and stopped smoothly beside him.

He was going to Xiangshan Mountain to honor his mother and wouldn’t take Zhou Qingluo with him, so he didn’t understand what he stopped for.

A strange thought appeared in his heart, possibly guilt.

Zhou Qingluo was blinded by the bright red of the car. Song Ling was wearing sunglasses, one hand on the steering wheel, looking forward, his sharp profile and ostentatious tattoo making him seem cold and arrogant. There seemed to be an invisible barrier, cutting him off from the rest of the world.

It was a completely different person from before.

The two were silent. It was just a few seconds, but it seemed like a century.

Zhou Qingluo also didn’t know what he was waiting here for. Did he actually plan on taking him to eat snail noodles?

So, the 5,000 yuan not only included the labor to anger his father but also the current awkwardness?

Seems like…

Not a bad deal.

Zhou Qingluo turned around and wore his helmet, hopped on the scooter and drove away.

He hadn’t gone far when there was the sound of engines revving and a red flash sped by, disappearing at the end of the road soon after.

Ever since Zhou Shoulin was idle at home, he started studying more recipes and changed the meals every day for the two siblings, becoming more and more delicious.

Zhou Qingluo was taking a rare break. Looking at Zhou Shoulin who was bustling around in the kitchen, “Dad, why don’t you start a live broadcast teaching people how to cook? You’ll definitely be popular.”

Zhou Shoulin waved his hand, “Go rest in your room, I’ll call you when the meal’s ready. There’s a lot of smoke here.”

“I’m serious, Dad. There are lots of food bloggers online, but they don’t cook as well as you.”

“You think too highly of your dad. At my old age, I don’t want to make a fool of myself.”

Zhou Qingluo didn’t force his dad anymore. With Zhou Shoulin’s introverted and lowkey personality, if he was attacked by keyboard warriors, he definitely wouldn’t be able to take it.

For lunch, Zhou Shoulin cooked braised pork ribs, scrambled eggs with loofah, and some clear vegetable soup. After Zhou Qingluo finished eating, he set out to deliver the food to Zhou Qingmu.

Zhou Qingmu was preparing to go abroad and there were many things in the hospital, leaving no time for her to go home to eat. Zhou Qingluo took a bottle of milk and a banana, putting them together with the lunchbox and sent them to Zhou Qingmu.

Zhou Qingmu was an intern in the surgery department. Although it was lunch break, the hospital was still crowded as ever. Only the senior consultation area of the hematology department had fewer people.

Zhou Qingluo didn’t expect to meet Song Ling here.

He was wearing a loose black t-shirt, beige sports trousers, a black mask, black sunglasses, and a black cap, sitting quietly on the blue plastic chair outside the department.

His body was wrapped up tight in black attire, and if it weren’t for the tattoo on his neck, Zhou Qingluo would never have recognized him.

He was leaning against the chair, his head tilted back against the wall. His right arm’s vein was just poked with a needle and blood was still dripping out. The area around the hole was bruised and particularly striking against the white skin.

All the other patients were accompanied by someone, but only he was sitting there alone, a black computer bag beside him, which he carried almost everywhere.

Zhou Qingluo glanced at him and unconsciously slowed down.

Song Ling moved a bit and Zhou Qingluo immediately withdrew his gaze, walking forward like nothing happened.

Before he took a few steps, he heard Song Ling’s cold voice from behind him, “Zhou Qingluo.”

Zhou Qingluo pretended to be deaf and walked straight forward.

Footsteps sounded behind him and Zhou Qingluo was blocked by Song Ling.

He hadn’t had time to say anything when Song Ling looked at the top of his head and said with a half-smile, “So much shorter than me.”

Zhou Qingluo was exactly 180 cm and it was the first time he was ever called short. He smiled, ignored him, and tried moving around him.

Song Ling also took a step, blocking him: “Don’t recognize me?”

Zhou Qingluo gritted his teeth. First he attacked his height and now he attacked his memory. What a keyboard warrior (troll).

Zhou Qingluo raised the bag in his hand, “I’m busy delivering food.”

“Not an order, so it must be to an acquaintance.”

Song Ling was trying to strike up a conversation, but Zhou Qingluo was having none of it. He frowned impatiently and really wanted to say ‘none of your business!’ but swallowed the words down, “Yeah.”

Song Ling seemed to lose his patience and broke the broken jar, “Zhou Qingluo, can’t you see that I’m trying to find something to talk about?”

Zhou Qingluo laughed, “Then thank you for the hard work.”

Song Ling: “…”

The two suddenly fell silent again, and this atmosphere suddenly reminded Song Ling of the scene where he was waiting for him beneath the tree that day.

Zhou Qingluo started to leave, but Song Ling suddenly didn’t want him to go like that day, riding away on his scooter without a word.

He grabbed Zhou Qingluo’s hand, closed his eyes, and took a breath.

“That day, I really did use you to provoke him on purpose.”

Zhou Qingluo’s feet paused and blinked lightly.

“I’m sorry.”

Zhou Qingluo pursed his lips slightly. He never expected this big villain that would destroy the world in the future to apologize to him.

Before he had time to say something, Song Ling said: “I haven’t eaten yet, is here anything?”

That tone and forceful changing of subjects was too obvious.

Zhou Qingluo sighed and took out the extra milk and banana, handing it to him.

Song Ling accepted it readily, unable to resist curling his lips.

Remembering his look as he dragged him to eat snail noodles, Song Ling’s mouth corners raised slightly, “Are you soft-hearted so easily?”

Zhou Qingluo looked at him speechlessly, lifting up the scan-to-pay QR code: “Five yuan for milk, one for a banana, four for delivery, a total of ten yuan.”