0TIT1RMLE8

110

translator: Eve
editor: xiin

Song Xuanhe didn’t care that his resignation had been turned into a vacation. After handing over his work, he called Zhou Nan and Xiao Shenglin to meet up.

“Impressive, Song Er.” After listening to Song Xuanhe, Zhou Nan clinked glasses with him and said, “Can’t believe your dad and grandfather agreed to let you go on vacation at a time like this. A long one, too. What did you say to get them to agree? Teach me your ways.”

Song Xuanhe was completely relaxed after leaving his job. He leaned back against the couch, crossed his legs, and took a sip of beer. He was all smiles, “You wouldn’t be able to do it.”

“You’re lucky I’m nice.” Zhou Nan kicked him. He was still curious though, and scooted over to ask, “Honestly, tell me the truth. My old man’s been ordering me around like I’m a mule. I’m scared that he has illegitimate children out there who want to get rid of me by working me to the bone.”

Xiao Shenglin said in a flat voice, “Like your dad would even bother with you anymore if had illegitimate children.”

When he heard this, Zhou Nan clicked his tongue and turned to look at Xiao Shenglin. “Lin zi, you’ve really changed. You weren’t like this in the past. You used to be so gentle and warm. You’re just like Song Er now, with that vicious tongue of yours.”

He then turned to Song Er and sized the other up with scrunched brows for a while. Shaking his head, he said, “You too, Song Er. You’ve also changed. Ever since Xiao Yuanmu left, you’ve become so much like him. You’re frighteningly cold. I almost started to believe that silence was infectious. Now, you’re back to normal, but I don’t know if I should be relieved or worried.”

Song Xuanhe stared at him wordlessly as he lazed back onto the sofa, waiting for the other to continue.

Zhou Nan raised a hand and pointed to Song Xuanhe’s face. “That’s it! That insufferably arrogant, ridiculing smirk! You used to make that face all that time. But since Xiao Yuanmu left, you stopped making it. It was like you were suffering from facial paralysis all this time. I even went to ask Yu Yan for medical advice. I thought you had gotten some kind of disease and hadn’t gone to seek help.”

Song Xuanhe shook his leg, deeming it beneath himself to respond to this comment. Turning to face Xiao Shenglin, he said, “Uncle Xiao’s back from his summons to the Xiao Family. Did you hear anything from him?”

Xiao Shenglin’s faint smile disappeared. “The Xiao Family situation is complicated. Originally, they had decided to transfer him to the main branch, but then, they decided against it. They decided that it wouldn’t be pragmatic to transfer him back to his old position right away, so they gave him a new post. He had become the manager of a factory in Southeast Asia and was only able to come back now because he said that he wanted to take a break, considering his advanced age.”

Song Xuanhe dropped his leg and sat up straighter. “So what you’re saying is….”

“The Xiao Family’s a huge mess right now,” Xiao Shenglin said. “Xiao Yuanmu’s return messed up the divisions of the Xiao Family branches. He’s not incompetent or without any footing—he has RE. Anyone with eyes can see how capable he is. No matter how outstanding Xiao Baicong had been in school or during his internships, Xiao Yuanmu still outshines him, considering how he had built up such a huge company from scratch. Uncle doesn’t want to partake in this kind of power struggle, so he’s been trying to run away from it. But Xiao Yuanmu….”

Song Xuanhe’s expression changed slightly. His lips curled up in to a smile and he crossed his legs again. “You should know just how capable he is. We don’t have to worry about him.”