Translated by Eve
Edited by Kara
When he saw that Song Xuanhe was silent all this ti, the System beca rather flustered and said, 【Have you made your decision? We really can discuss this!】
“Discuss what?”
【For example, I could give you one chance to ask for help?】The System saw Song Xuanhe sneer and promptly added:【Two chances, two chances!】
“Three chances. Otherwise, there’s no discussion.”
The System was conflicted but finally gnashed its teeth and said:【Three chances it is. Deal!】
Song Xuanhe stretched, and a crafty smile appeared on his face, “OK. Then, from now on, your na is Er Gou.”
The System: ….
“What? Didn’t you say that I have the right to choose your na?”
【Perhaps we can discuss this?】
“Are we going to unfold the plot or not, brother?”
Er Gou choked, gnashing its teeth in anger as it accepted this na, and said:【From now on, you can directly speak to in your head. There’s no need to say it out loud. Right now, I’m going to end my ti-suspension ability. Just follow the plot. Otherwise, if it’s not a scene related to the protagonist, then you are free to act as you see fit, so long as you don’t cause the story line to deviate.】
【Didn’t you say that I had to do as those words said?】Song Xuanhe adapted very quickly and then continued to speak in his mind:【So what you’re saying is that I only have to earnestly follow the plot when Xiao Yuanmu is around. In any other case, so long as it doesn’t influence the general direction of the story, I can play around however I want?】
When he heard the words “play around,” the System felt a bad premonition arise in its heart. However, it still replied honestly:【Yes.】
Song Xuanhe’s eyes curved into a smile as he bead:【Alright, unfreeze ti, ba.】
As if nothing abnormal had occurred, everything before his eyes beca lively once more. The assistant was still looking at him worriedly. When he didn’t hear Song Xuanhe’s response, he asked once more, “Xiao Shaoye, are you not feeling well?”
Song Xuanhe waved his hand. He took a look at the orphanage’s gate through the window. He said, “It’s nothing. Let’s go, ba.”
Zhang Chao asked, “Aren’t you going to look at the information?”
“No. I already know what I need to know. Let’s go straight in.”
Zhang Chao nodded, hesitated for a mont, and then tried to persuade him again, “Xiao Shaoye, Xiao Yuanmu is unable to discern between what’s good for him and what’s bad for him. You don’t have to haggle with him. After so ti, he’ll naturally accept you.”
Song Xuanhe turned to give Zhang Chao a glance. He smiled while he said, “I have a sense of propriety.”
Zhang Chao followed Song Xuanhe into the orphanage. They ca here under the pretext of contributing goods. Therefore, the orphanage’s Director ca to see them very quickly.
The orphanage’s Director was an elderly lady of about sixty years old. Her body was a bit feeble, but she seed extrely amiable and kind. She took Song Xuanhe and Zhang Chao to take a look around with a smile before bringing them into her office.
Song Xuanhe sized up this very simple and crude office quietly. He knew very well about the orpahange’s current financial situation. Still, he smiled, “Granny, actually, the main reason why I’ve co here to donate is because of Xiao Yuanmu. He has graduated from a well-known school, and his ability at work is extraordinary. I inadvertently overheard that he was an orphan, so I wanted to co here to take a look at the place he grew up in and help out a little bit.”
When the Director heard Song Xuanhe praise Xiao Yuanmu, she first smiled and then asked, “Are you Yuanmu’s coworker?”
“Yes.” Song Xuanhe had fair and clear skin as well as a handso face. When he smiled, it was very easy for him to increase the goodwill that others had towards him. “Is he here today?”
“Of course!” The Director smiled. “It’s rare for his friends to co looking for him. I’ll call him over for you.”
A short while later, Xiao Yuanmu followed the Director in. The mont he saw Song Xuanhe, his face that still held a faint but distinct gentleness imdiately froze over and was replaced with vigilance. However, because the Director was still there, he only used an expressionless tone to say, “Why have you co here?”
The Director furrowed her brows when she heard this. She said, “Yuanmu, your friend ca to see you. How can you talk to him like this?”
Xiao Yuanmu pursed his lips. The gaze he directed towards Song Xuanhe was full of loathing and restrained apprehension. He didn’t utter a single word.
Zhang Chao wanted to lant on behalf of Xiao Yuanmu, but Song Xuanhe was his direct superior. Therefore, he could only do his best to diate. Thus, he said, “Director, it seems like Xuanhe and Yuanmu have so things to talk about. How about you give a tour of the facilities here?”
The Director nodded. She gave Xiao Yuanmu a warning and then left with Zhang Chao.
When their footsteps were far enough away that they could no longer be clearly heard, Xiao Yuanmu said with a quiet, icy voice, “What are you planning to do here? I’ve already quit.”
Song Xuanhe folded his arms and leaned against the sofa lazily. He was just about to say sothing when a part of the wooden fra of the sofa poked out from the back. Imdiately, he could no longer maintain his carefree and lofty manner. He could only bear with the pain as he said his lines, “I didn’t agree. How could you quit?”
Xiao Yuanmu’s gaze beca sharp. He then heard Song Xuanhe continue, “You’ve also seen it. This orphanage is already so worn out that it couldn’t be any more worn out. I heard that they’re planning on opening a new orphanage in the Capital’s suburbs. It’s impressive and brilliant. The children left here are mostly the sickly ones. It’s only because of the Director’s kindheartedness that this agency has been able to stay afloat with much difficulty. Otherwise, this little place would have already been demolished. Say, should I help the Director out a bit?”
“What do you an?”
Song Xuanhe shifted forward a bit. On his face was a smile that made people want to beat him up, “What I an is up to you. If you agree, no matter if it’s resources or construction, this orphanage will receive funding. If you don’t agree to my demands, then this orphanage will likely be demolished, and a high-rise will be built in its place. This land belongs to my Song Family. You should know what I’m capable of.”
Xiao Yuanmu didn’t speak. However, even if he didn’t speak, those eyes that held a constrained, frosty air were enough to make people feel the cold as if it was tangible.
Song Xuanhe didn’t care. He only smiled and continued, “I’ll give you three days to think it over. Three days later, either obediently agree to my demands, or watch this orphanage be razed to the ground. It’s all up to you.”
He then slowly stood up and left after leaving words for the other to ponder over.
Once he reached the road, the System said with pleasant surprise:【Brother, I found that, although you’re a designer, your acting ability is actually quite good, ah!】
【Being skilled is essential to make it in the world. Furthermore, one can never have too many skills. 】Song Xuanhe lazily leaned against his seat that was made of real leather. The part of his back that had been poked just now still ached with faint pain.
【That’s true. You’re truly worthy of being the host that I, Z48—Er Gou— have chosen.】The System forced itself to accept its na and then continued:【I’ll send you information on the Song Family so that you can adjust to the Song Family’s life more smoothly.】
Three days later.
When Song Xuanhe ca down, everyone was already present at the dining table.
The woman with a mature air looked up and saw that Song Xuanhe had co down. A smile blood across her face. “Co quickly. We’ve been waiting for you.”
The middle-aged man sitting to the left of the woman was looking at his phone. When he heard her speak, he raised his head and said with furrowed brows, “You’re getting more and more outrageous. At the company, you brazenly chase after a man. Now that you’re ho, you make your entire family wait for you to eat breakfast. What’s next?!”
Song Xuanhe’s lips curled into a smile. His tone was provocative, “Grandpa hasn’t even scolded . Dad, why are you so angry? It couldn’t be that the newly crowned Film Empress didn’t make you feel good yesterday, ba?”
“Impudent!” Song Guochao jumped up, so furious that his face turned a purplish-red, “How can you speak to your father like this?! Are you looking down on ?!”
Song Xuanhe shrugged. He was about to say sothing when the elderly man sitting at the head of the table spoke, “Alright. What are you doing, making a fuss so early in the morning? All of you, sit down and eat.”
Song Guochao had a face full of rage, but he had no choice but to sit. Song Xuanhe also walked to his seat and sat down.
With everyone in their places, breakfast was served. The servants successively brought in plate after plate. Disregarding soup, porridge, water, and juice, each person had at least five to six plates or stear baskets placed in front of them. Each breakfast item was exquisite and artistic, the West and the East combined. Looking at the table, it was obvious that just the expenses incurred for this family’s breakfast were incomparably extravagant.
Song Xuanhe ate his breakfast quietly, eyes lowered. During these last three days, he had gained a solid understanding of the original host’s personality and family.
The original Song Xuanhe was arrogant, overbearing, and egotistical. Because of his age and the fact that he had grown up in a rather cynical environnt, his chuunibyou phase had persisted. And, the most obvious part of chuunibyou syndro was…rebellion.
However, he enjoyed being able to always stand on the opposite side of Song Guochao, arguing against him. He never tired of it.
Only, after staying in the Song Family for these three days, Song Xuanhe thought that it was only logical that the original host had grown astray, having grown up under such an environnt.
He had gathered clues leading to this by looking at the constitution of the family’s mbers. There was the grandfather who held all authority, had the final say, and would not allow anyone to refute him; there was a cowardly, incapable, womanizing father, who could only put on airs in front of his son, a mother who spoiled her youngest son rotten, and an older brother who was much more outstanding than him in every aspect.
As written in the story, the Song Family controlled the Capital’s biggest privately run company and was also the richest family in the Capital. Because Song Xuanhe’s father, Song Guochao, had no talent in business and was a womanizer, the current Song Family was still managed by Song Xuanhe’s grandfather. In the choice for the successor, the Song Family had directly skipped over Song Guochao. Right now, it was between Song Xuanhe and his elder brother, Song Xuanlin.
It was just that Song Xuanhe had no intention of inheriting the family business. From a young age, he had never had to worry about his daily necessities. He had also grown accustod to courting death with all his might, only to then have his family clean up his sses. Obviously, he wouldn’t want to undertake any responsibilities. Moreover, if there hadn’t been Xiao Yuanmu, the Song Family would have indeed had the ability to let him live his entire life like this.
Nonetheless, Song Xuanhe didn’t want to always have to think of a new way to provoke Song Guochao whenever he saw him as if they were fighting chickens, for the sake of his character settings. He was even less willing to gain another enemy on top of Xiao Yuanmu.
Therefore, he needed to find a way that complied with the original host’s personality to “naturally” put a stop to his current kind of behaviour. Moreover, he had to change his personality.
Just yesterday, after he saw Song Guochao and the new Film Empress’ scandal be revealed, a solution instantly erged in his mind. Only, there was no rush. He would first finish his official business of unfolding today’s plot.
This ti, Assistant Zhang Chao did not co with. Song Xuanhe drove himself to the Qing City Orphanage.
The gatekeeper was the sa one who let Song Xuanhe in last ti. Thus, the gatekeeper didn’t stop him upon seeing him. Instead, the gatekeeper called out with a smile, “Xiao Xiao, your friend has co!”
Song Xuanhe’s steps paused.
Xiao Xiao?
The future badass, abnormal, ntal case of an iceberg tycoon was actually being called such a cute nickna as “Xiao Xiao?” For so reason, this made him feel that there was a bit of a “gap moe” here.
Xiao Yuanmu ca out. He wasn’t surprised to see Song Xuanhe. With a cold voice, he said, “Follow .”
Song Xuanhe followed after Xiao Yuanmu and arrived at the Director’s office that he had been in three days ago. He purposely sat down on the armchair that didn’t have any holes. He raised his chin and recited his lines, “Have you thought it over?”
Xiao Yuanmu’s expression darkened. He stared fixedly at Song Xuanhe for a while before saying with an insipid tone, “Do I have a choice?”
Song Xuanhe shrugged, his lips curling into a smile. “No.”
When he heard this, Xiao Yuanmu’s eyes turned even colder. His jaw tensed, and he fell silent for a mont. He then said, “I agree.”
When he heard this tone of voice that sounded like the other was making a humiliating compromise, Song Xuanhe lifted his head to size Xiao Yuanmu up. The other was extrely good-looking. His back was always straight, and he had wide shoulders and long legs. Even though he was wearing a cheap white T-shirt and washed-out jeans, he still made it look high-class.
Just from looking at him like this, Song Xuanhe felt that he could really understand why the original host had taken a fancy to Xiao Yuanmu and had been determined to have him.
“Then, pack up your stuff, and co with ,” Song Xuanhe looked away and said, “From now on, you’ll be living with in my apartnt that’s near the company.”
Xiao Yuanmu lowered his gaze. His voice was bland, but there was a cold air seeping through it, “Rember what you promised .”
“Of course.” Song Xuanhe stood up, pleased with himself. “So long as you’re willing to be good, this orphanage will only improve.”
【After saying this, Song Xuanhe raised Xiao Yuanmu’s chin. Under the other’s cold gaze, he smiled, “Since I’ve agreed to help you finance the orphanage, then shouldn’t I get a little sothing in return? Don’t you think so?”
Xiao Yuanmu’s expression changed slightly. There was wariness and loathing in his eyes. With a frosty tone, he said, “What do you want?”
Song Xuanhe smiled devilishly. He pinched Xiao Yuanmu’s chin and pulled him down, kissing him on the lips. Before the other could push him away, he let go and spoke with a ridiculing tone, “Not bad.”】
Song Xuanhe, who had gotten up and was about to leave, froze. Quickly, he realized what the words that appeared in his head ant. However, there was still a sliver of hope in his heart:【It couldn’t be that you want to follow what’s written here, ba?】
Er Gou shattered his hope:【Jiayou, brother.】
Eve: Two notes! One, this is a protagonist shou novel, so SXH is the shou. But the gong/shou dynamics are not really pronounced in this novel!
Also, just wanted to make the note that MC (SXH) never does anything that would really hurt ML. Even in the ‘scenes’ he has to play out, he tries his best to change what he can, to find loopholes and overall just be less of a dick. Likewise, ML is a lot less overbearing than typical BL MLs. There are so dubcon-ish scenes but all-in-all, both of them are pretty respectful to one another and it’s a pretty equal relationship in terms of power balance.
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