Song Yuzhang: Chapter 15 - Turn Against Someone Without Mercy
Chapter 15: Turn Against Someone Without Mercy
As the saying goes, ‘Whoever tied the bell must untie it.’ Although Song Yuzhang wasn’t entirely sure why Meng Tingjing was so furious with him, since the anger was directed at him, it was also up to him to resolve it. So, he deliberately stood Meng Tingjing up, letting him fume until he could fume no more, and only then did he offer an apology—this way, the situation would naturally rebound, achieving twice the effect with half the effort.
Seeing that Meng Tingjing’s expression had softened a little, Song Yuzhang didn’t push his luck. Instead, he became even more gentle and cautious. “All this back and forth has taken up some time. It’s almost lunchtime now. What would you like to eat? I’ll accompany you.”
Meng Tingjing replied stiffly, “No need. Just say what you need to and leave.”
“Alright,” Song Yuzhang gestured toward the sofa. “Shall we sit down and talk?”
The way he arranged things made it seem like he was the real owner of the office. Meng Tingjing shot him a displeased glance, and Song Yuzhang quickly withdrew his hand, clasping it behind his back with an understanding smile.
Meng Tingjing sat down first, then casually patted the sofa. “Sit.”
Song Yuzhang obediently followed suit, his movements and expression both impeccably proper.
Meng Tingjing realized that Song Yuzhang was the type of person who, if he wanted to provoke someone, could make them so angry they’d practically die from it. But if he wanted to be agreeable, he could immediately become completely faultless.
First, he had enraged him to the point of dizziness, then he turned around and acted all humble and conciliatory. Meng Tingjing coldly sneered in his heart—he saw right through this act. However, he had to admit that his anger from the previous night, which had kept him tossing and turning, had indeed been soothed.
“You met Chen Hanmin abroad, or on the ship?”
On the surface, this sounded like a question about his future brother-in-law’s romantic history, but in reality, it was a test for Song Yuzhang.
“We just happened to run into each other on the ship,” Song Yuzhang replied smoothly. “We weren’t acquainted before that. He was in France, I was in England—we had never met.”
A well-crafted lie.
“Just happened to meet?” Meng Tingjing gave him a cold glance, and finally, a familiar wicked smile appeared on his face. “You two seemed pretty close to me.”
“It’s true—we hit it off right away.”
Meng Tingjing scoffed inwardly. More like two scoundrels conspiring together.
Pair of shameless flirts.
He rubbed his palm against his knee and turned his face slightly. Song Yuzhang sat there with his eyes lowered, looking so obedient and dignified—like a flawless, harmless painting.
The office fell into silence. The sun climbed higher, its golden light streaming through the window, outlining Song Yuzhang’s profile and casting a fine glow on the soft downy hairs on his face.
Meng Tingjing stared at him, unable to look away.
If the crew had delivered the opium in time that day on the ship, would he really have forced it into this man’s mouth without hesitation?
Hard to say.
His gaze was naked and unrestrained, but Song Yuzhang was used to such stares. He had been beautiful since childhood and knew it well. No matter who it was, they would always want to steal a few extra glances at him. In truth, Song Yuzhang often wished he looked more ordinary. His face attracted too much attention, making certain things inconvenient. Of course, at times, it was also quite useful.
He sat still, letting Meng Tingjing scrutinize him, his face carrying a faint, distant smile.
Noticing his effortless composure, Meng Tingjing grew irritated again. He felt as if he were being looked down upon, and he could already imagine this man always being frivolous and presumptuous, using his pretty face to toy with whomever he pleased, holding no one in true regard.
Meng Tingjing was annoyed once more.
He was always the one looking down on others—no one had ever looked down on him. If anyone dared to, he would make sure they paid for it.
“Brother Meng…”
Perhaps sensing his thoughts, just as Meng Tingjing was about to flare up, Song Yuzhang lifted his face and looked at him directly. “I’m hungry.”
The fire in Meng Tingjing’s chest slowly died down in those clear, black-and-white eyes.
Strangely enough, despite this man’s overall air of flirtation, his eyes were bright and piercing—like the glint of a blade reflecting snow, capable of cutting through any defense with just one glance.
Perhaps it was because of those eyes that, on the ship that day, Meng Tingjing had lost his composure and let himself be caught off guard.
He wanted to tell him to get lost if he was hungry, but recalling that he had initially brought up Chen Hanmin as an excuse, he decided to get back to that topic first. “From now on, you’re not to associate with that Chen fellow anymore."”
“Alright.”
Song Yuzhang agreed so readily that Meng Tingjing still wasn’t satisfied. He sneered, “Weren’t you two kindred spirits? That easy to cut ties?”
Song Yuzhang looked at him quietly, a faint amusement surfacing in his eyes. He didn’t speak—just smiled at Meng Tingjing.
Meng Tingjing had the distinct feeling that Song Yuzhang was about to say something infuriating again. But, annoyingly, he also kind of wanted to hear it. He leaned forward slightly, pressing him. “Speak.”
Song Yuzhang’s smile turned even gentler. “If I say it, you have to promise not to get angry again.”
Meng Tingjing’s expression remained icy. “Say it.”
“I do feel reluctant to lose him as a friend,” Song Yuzhang admitted, glancing at Meng Tingjing. Seeing how tightly his face was drawn, he found it terribly amusing and deliberately lowered his voice. “But I also don’t want to upset you…” He smiled faintly. “If you don’t want me to associate with him, then so be it.”
Those words were indeed infuriating—not just because of what was said, but because of the way he said it. Song Yuzhang always spoke as if he were flirting, as if no matter who he was with, there was some underlying ambiguity. As if he were actually jealous of Chen Hanmin!
Song Yuzhang saw signs of anger in Meng Tingjing and found it even more amusing. He realized he had misjudged this man on the ship—Meng Tingjing was actually quite fun. He fanned the flames further, teasing, “Are you getting angry again?”
Meng Tingjing forced a smile. “Not quite.”
Song Yuzhang nodded. “I think I'll go back for lunch now.”
“Don't expect me to see you off.”
“That won’t do.” Song Yuzhang sighed. “The Song family’s car dropped me off and left.”
Meng Tingjing thought, Serves you right! Did you think being the fifth master of the Song family meant you were here to enjoy life? Just wait—there’s more trouble ahead for you!
Song Yuzhang put on his sincere and proper expression again. “Would you mind lending me your car?”
Meng Tingjing replied, “It's inconvenient.”
“How so?”
Oh? He dared to ask? Meng Tingjing nearly choked. He said coldly, “I'm going out.”
“Take me with you, then.”
“It's not on the way.”
Meng Tingjing was as unyielding as a fortress. Seeing that, Song Yuzhang didn't push further. He simply smiled faintly and said, “Alright. Then, can I borrow your phone?”
“It's broken.”
Song Yuzhang fell silent.
He stared at Meng Tingjing’s face, unreadable in its emotions, and finally spoke softly. “Tingjing.”
Meng Tingjing shot him a glance. “Don't call me so intimately.”
“Brother Meng, then.”
Meng Tingjing let out a noncommittal hum.
“Are you still angry at me?”
The conversation had circled back. Meng Tingjing lied, “Of course not. The phone really is broken. Try it yourself if you don’t believe me.”
Song Yuzhang said nothing for a long time before sighing.
“Then, farewell.”
He opened the office door and left.
Meng Tingjing watched his departing figure, feeling neither entirely satisfied nor entirely displeased. It was odd—no matter what, he always felt like he was at a disadvantage with this man. Perhaps it was because he saw through Song Yuzhang completely—he was toying with him.
Ever since they were on the ship, he had been deceived and manipulated. And now, today, the man still wanted to control his emotions by retreating in order to advance. Neither of these was something Meng Tingjing could ever tolerate.
But if he were to kill him… Meng Tingjing pressed his lips together coldly, admitting to himself that he couldn't quite bring himself to do it. For now, he would wait and see—surely, the man wouldn't be able to stir up too much trouble. At most, he would swindle some money, and in the end, it wasn’t even his money…
After sitting in his office for a while longer, Meng Tingjing left. He dismissed the driver, got into the car himself, and drove away from the dock toward the Song family residence. He drove slowly, and before long, he spotted Song Yuzhang on the street.
Song Yuzhang walked in an odd manner—his head was slightly lowered, eyes not on the road, yet his steps were steady, never bumping into anyone.
Meng Tingjing recalled that when they disembarked from the ship that day, Song Yuzhang had moved the same way, slipping into the crowd with the agility of a fish diving into the sea. If not for his sharp reflexes, perhaps this man would have disappeared into the throng in the blink of an eye.
Meng Tingjing’s grip on the steering wheel tightened.
Was he about to run away?
This man wasn’t stupid. Had he sensed something? Was he trying to make his escape?
That wouldn’t do. If he got away, wouldn’t that leave only him behind as the laughingstock? The four Song brothers could easily pin everything on him, and who knew—they might even turn the tables and strike back. The more Meng Tingjing thought about it, the more alarmed he became. Without hesitation, he pulled over, got out, and went after him.
However, someone else got to Song Yuzhang first.
“Hanmin?”
Song Yuzhang was surprised.
Chen Hanmin had spotted Song Yuzhang’s back from a distance and had been following him for a long time. Unable to resist any longer, he finally stepped forward and grabbed Song Yuzhang by the sleeve.
“Song…” Chen Hanmin’s face lit up with a smile he couldn’t suppress. “I heard—you’re the fifth young master of the Song family.”
Song Yuzhang also smiled slightly. He reversed his grip, taking hold of Chen Hanmin’s arm, and slipped into a small alley by the street.
The moment they entered the alley, Chen Hanmin pulled him into an embrace.
Song Yuzhang let his hands hang at his sides—neither returning the hug nor pushing him away.
“Mr. Song…” Chen Hanmin still addressed him the same way he had on the ship, murmuring as if in a dream. He added, “I really missed you.”
Chen Hanmin had thought it through—once he was home, he couldn’t afford to act recklessly anymore. A fleeting romance was just that, fleeting; once exposed to the light, it should fade away. Wasn’t that something both he and Song Yuzhang understood without words? Yet ever since he returned home, his mind had been consumed by Song Yuzhang. Even in his dreams, he saw him—his sharp yet gentle gaze as he clung tightly to his hand in the midst of raging waves.
Softly, Song Yuzhang said, “Let go first.”
Chen Hanmin had fought against every impulse to chase after him. Now that he was holding him, how could he possibly let go? He refused, whining, “No, I missed you.”
Song Yuzhang lowered his face, his gaze falling silently on the crown of Chen Hanmin’s head, and he smiled soundlessly. “But I don’t miss you.”
His tone was soft and gentle. Chen Hanmin took it as a joke and playfully complained, “So annoying.” The next moment, however, he was firmly peeled off of Song Yuzhang. Song Yuzhang grasped his shoulders and pushed him an arm’s length away. “Hanmin, I mean it.”
Chen Hanmin stood there, dumbfounded.
Song Yuzhang’s expression remained smiling. “Didn’t we agree that once we got off the ship, we’d act like none of it happened?”
Chen Hanmin still stood frozen, staring blankly at Song Yuzhang, as if his soul had just left his body.
Seeing his dazed and lost expression, Song Yuzhang remained unmoved and softly said, “Hanmin, don’t be foolish.”
Chen Hanmin shivered slightly under his clear gaze. “Mr. Song…”
“Don’t tell me you actually like me?” Song Yuzhang said in a low voice. “Do you really like me?”
Chen Hanmin stared at him intently.
“If you really do, then go out to the street right now and shout it,” Song Yuzhang said with a smile. “I’ll stand here and listen.”
Chen Hanmin’s face turned slightly pale.
The Song Yuzhang before him overlapped with the one in his dreams—cold, incomparably handsome, and carrying a hint of menace.
“You don’t dare?”
“I…” Chen Hanmin hesitated, his feet remaining still.
Song Yuzhang’s tone softened. “Alright, be good. Don’t overthink it. You were just confused for a moment.”
“…”
“Hanmin, don’t degrade yourself. It won’t end well,” Song Yuzhang said, waving his hand lightly as if dismissing him. “I know you’re a smart one. Go home.”
Like a wandering soul, Chen Hanmin turned and walked out of the alley.
Left alone in the narrow passage, Song Yuzhang felt the urge to smoke a cigarette.
He loved those fragile, proud, beautiful, and stubborn young masters. He enjoyed watching them debase themselves for him. But sometimes, he also pitied them, wishing none of them would love him. And yet, at other times, he wished that one of them would love him so recklessly, so desperately, that he’d have no way to escape.
So far, the one who had thrown everything away the most was Fu Mian.
The one he had wronged the most was also Fu Mian.
Leaning against the wall, Song Yuzhang thought in a haze: Perhaps the one who degraded himself the most was actually him.
Forget it. He wouldn’t think about it. In this world, everyone was cheap.
He straightened his posture, clicked his heels together, and walked out of the alley, looking as if he were in high spirits. After taking a few steps, the Song family’s driver spotted him from afar, quickly got out, and opened the door for him. “Fifth Young Master, is your business done?”
“Mm,” Song Yuzhang responded. “Did you get my sesame candy?”
“Yes, it’s in the back for you.”
“Thank you.”
At the street corner near the alley, Meng Tingjing stood watching. Not only had he just witnessed an excellent show, but he had also seen, with his own eyes, Song Yuzhang happily getting into that Cadillac—the very same one he had claimed had already returned to the Song family.
As the car sped away, Meng Tingjing let out a cold laugh.
Not bad. A mouth full of lies, heartless in the blink of an eye. Quite impressive.
----------
If you like my translation, please support me by buying me a coffee:
Previous Chapter | Table of Content | Next Chapter
0 comments: