Song Yuzhang: Chapter 10 - How Obsessed Are You?
Chapter 10: How Obsessed Are You?
“Fourth Brother is unreliable. Just look at how he was before leaving. Those foreigners have just been through a disaster—can they really handle his antics?”
Song Yekang held a teacup in his hand, wearing a mild-mannered smile. The members of their family all loved to smile, but each had a different flavor to it. Song Yekang, highly nearsighted, always wore a pair of gold-rimmed glasses, giving him a scholarly air. His smile was like a spring breeze—gentle and pleasant.
Blown by that spring breeze, the fire in Song Jincheng’s heart burned even hotter. His brother-in-law had always been ruthless and decisive. Having received his hint, he should have handled things cleanly—how could he have made such a mistake and let the person return unharmed? When Song Jincheng received the telegram, he was so furious that he nearly coughed up blood.
“It can't be,” Song Jincheng said. “Fourth Brother just talks big, but he knows his limits.”
“I think the one who lacks limits the most is Third Brother—who knows where he’s run off to?”
“He never cares about anything but his own enjoyment.”
“With a personality like that, it’s a good thing he was born into our family.”
“Well said, Eldest Brother.” Song Yekang placed his teacup down. “A person’s birth is a matter of fortune.”
The two brothers exchanged a smile, sharing the same unspoken hatred toward Song Yuzhang, the one who had come to take a share of their fortune.
The four Song brothers were adept at keeping up appearances. Outsiders saw them as a harmonious and affectionate family, but in truth, they had been locked in a constant power struggle since childhood, competing both openly and in secret.
For reasons unknown, their father had never interfered in their conflicts. In fact, he seemed to encourage them, perhaps hoping that, like a process of breeding venomous creatures, the strongest among them would emerge as the best candidate to inherit the family business.
Before their father fell ill, the battle between Song Jincheng and Song Yekang had been reaching its climax—they were about to determine a winner. Then, out of nowhere, Song Yuzhang appeared.
Though they had never spoken about it openly, both Song Jincheng and Song Yekang silently agreed that their so-called Fifth Brother should obediently return to wherever he came from. Otherwise, they would show no mercy.
Song Yekang knew that Song Jincheng had secretly spoken to Meng Tingjing before the ship set sail. He figured that no matter how much the brothers schemed against each other, an outsider was a different matter—he should have been eliminated. His eldest brother was usually dependable.
Yet, the man had returned.
Their thoughts aligned, and the two brothers simultaneously shifted their resentment onto Meng Tingjing. That ruthless man had cleaned up the Meng family with iron-fisted efficiency—how could he fail at such a simple task?
As they both idly played with their teacups, they heard footsteps outside. Song Jincheng straightened up, rising to his feet—but upon seeing Song Yekang sitting calmly, still staring into his teacup, he hesitated and sat back down.
Keeping up appearances was only necessary between themselves. With outsiders, there was no need for such effort.
Though Song Yekang kept his head lowered, his ears were keenly attuned to the noises outside. He soon caught the sound of Song Mingzhao’s laughter and thought, Fourth Brother must have embarrassed himself again.
“I brought him back—why isn’t anyone coming out to greet us? It’s scorching outside, and the docks are a mess…”
Song Jincheng set down his teacup, letting his hand rest at his side as he faced the entrance, composing his expression into one of dignified solemnity. He was prepared to show their unwanted brother a proper display of family authority.
The first to enter was Song Mingzhao. After running this errand, he had talked the whole way back, and despite his impeccable attire, he was flushed from the heat. At twenty-three, he was the youngest of the brothers, exuding youthful energy as he beamed and extended a hand toward Song Jincheng. “Eldest Brother, I’ve brought our little brother home. Come on, take a look.”
Seeing Song Mingzhao deliberately block the person behind him like some theatrical announcer, Song Jincheng scoffed inwardly. As expected, Fourth Brother was as unreliable as ever— Song Yekang had been right! Outwardly, however, he smiled and said, “I was just about to look, but you’re in the way.” He made a show of leaning forward, though he remained firmly seated. “So, your name is Yuzhang? Come closer and let me see. For so many years, we never even knew you existed. Father has been keeping you hidden away like a treasure—”
Before he could finish his veiled jab, the sound of leather shoes shifting on the floor made him pause. The words died in his throat. Song Yekang, intrigued by Song Jincheng’s sudden silence, continued sipping his tea.
Then, he heard a deep and pleasant voice say, “Eldest Brother.” Song Yekang raised an eyebrow.
“Fifth Brother, that’s unfair,” Mingzhao complained. “You didn’t call me Fourth Brother once on the way here, even though I was the one who picked you up. That’s favoritism!”
Song Yekang smirked. Fourth Brother was as predictable as ever—charming to people’s faces, only to shove them into the mud the moment their backs were turned. Some habits never changed.
“Fourth Brother.”
The voice was not only rich but carried a subtle trace of amusement.
Song Yekang kept his head lowered, waiting for his turn.
But the expected ‘Second Brother’ never came. And Jincheng, unusually, remained silent. Though Song Yekang competed with Song Jincheng, he still respected his status as the eldest. His brow furrowed slightly as he set down his tea lid with a quiet snap and tilted his face up, ready to assess this so-called younger brother. The moment he looked up, he was met with a dazzling smile.
Song Yuzhang, upon seeing that the man wearing glasses with sleek, neatly combed hair was not the infamous Third Brother with the ruined perm, inclined his head slightly. “Second Brother.”
Song Yekang was highly nearsighted, and though he wore glasses, his vision remained somewhat blurry. The person before him stood two steps away, their features softened by distance, shrouded in a dreamlike haze. He couldn’t believe it. He refused to believe it. Was this younger brother truly…
Song Yekang narrowed his eyes, trying to see more clearly.
At that moment, Song Jincheng, who had remained silent for so long, finally spoke. “It’s good that you made it home safely.” He stood up, smiling. “Thank goodness you’re alright. Come in—we’ve prepared a welcome feast for you.”
Song Yuzhang gave a small nod, maintaining his quiet and composed demeanor.
It was his first time being called ‘Young Master,’ and his head was already brimming with devious thoughts. If he didn’t maintain a calm facade, he might just burst out laughing.
This was, without a doubt, the biggest con of his life. And the easiest one yet!
Song Jincheng stepped forward, seemingly about to support him, lifting his arm slightly as if to drape it over his shoulder, but after hesitating for a moment, he merely made a vague gesture. “Let's talk inside. The food and wine are all prepared.”
Song Yuzhang thanked him, while Song Mingzhao was much more unreserved, slinging an arm around his shoulders and squeezing them. “The family’s chef wasn’t sure what you’re used to eating. What do you have for meals in England every day…?”
The two youngest brothers appeared to be quite close as they headed toward the dining hall together.
Watching them walk away, Song Jincheng slowly lowered his hand, twisting it behind his back. Turning to the equally stunned Song Yekang, he said, “Let's go.”
Song Yekang remained seated, holding his teacup. “Eldest Brother.”
“Mm?”
“Did my eyes deceive me?”
Song Jincheng fell silent for a long moment before saying, “No.”
Song Yekang sat for a while longer before finally setting down his teacup. He adjusted his glasses and walked to stand beside Song Jincheng. The two brothers exchanged another glance, and now that they were closer, Song Yekang could clearly see the exact same thought reflected in his eldest brother’s eyes—stunning!
The four young masters of the Song family were all handsome and well-bred, and none of them had wasted their good looks. The married eldest brother, Song Jincheng, maintained two private residences in the city, one with a man and one with a woman, forming a perfect pair. The soon-to-be-engaged Song Yekang was known for his fondness for film stars. The unmarried Song Qiyuan had a passion for traditional culture, particularly opera performers, while the youngest, Song Mingzhao, was constantly entangled in campus romances. Among the four, the elder two were indiscriminate in their preferences, while the younger two were distinctly divided—one exclusively favoring male actors and the other enamored with young women. Overall, the family seemed to lean more toward an appreciation of male beauty.
Although Song Yuzhang was their brother, he had been absent for twenty years, raised outside the family—practically a stranger.
And now, out of nowhere, his breathtaking beauty had hit them with overwhelming force. Unprepared, they were caught completely off guard, their schemes and calculations momentarily pushed aside, leaving only a single thought dominating their minds—stunning!
It wasn’t the delicate beauty of a frail scholar, nor the rugged handsomeness of a warrior. Instead, he embodied something in between—the perfect balance of elegance and charm. Every poetic description of a dashing, jade-faced nobleman could be applied to him without the slightest exaggeration.
Too beautiful.
A cold sweat formed on Song Jincheng’s back. He had never imagined that someone could be so beautiful it was almost terrifying.
“Why are Eldest Brother and Second Brother taking so long?”
Song Mingzhao had already made himself comfortable, casually gesturing for Song Yuzhang to sit across from him. “Sit there. I wonder where Third Brother has run off to—probably off fawning over Xiao Yuxian again?” He directed this last comment toward the servant girl behind him. The girl, delicate and pretty, answered shyly, “I wouldn't know, Fourth Master.”
“Why’s your voice so soft today? Get bitten by a mosquito?” Song Mingzhao teased with a grin.
The girl shook her head, her face turning a bright shade of red.
Song Mingzhao smirked. All along their walk into the house, he had noticed the young maids acting the same way—flushed cheeks, eyes darting about. Turning to the now-seated Song Yuzhang, he said, “Look at you, making them all swoon.”
Just as Song Jincheng and Song Yekang entered the dining hall, they heard Song Mingzhao’s remark, and both of their footsteps unconsciously faltered.
Meanwhile, Song Yuzhang maintained his graceful smile, though inside, his mind was spinning with schemes. The Song family’s wealth far exceeded his expectations. In his eyes, it was like a massive pie, and he didn’t even know where to take his first bite. His mouth practically watered at the thought.
“Tell the kitchen to serve the food,”
Song Jincheng ordered in a low voice. A servant girl quickly scurried off.
As he took his seat, he glanced at Song Yuzhang, who sat directly across from him. Not missing a beat, Song Yuzhang immediately stood and respectfully greeted him, “Eldest Brother.”
Song Jincheng swallowed, his Adam’s apple bobbing slightly. “Mm,” he replied, his voice steady. “Sit.”
Song Yekang, deep in thought, wordlessly took his seat.
Song Mingzhao found it strange that neither of his elder brothers had confronted their so-called illegitimate sibling. He thought to himself, What’s going on? Are they actually afraid of that bastard?!
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