Song Foxiang, groaning while winking, “What’s the situation now?”
Song Chan glanced outside the ward and whispered, “They’re still in the corridor, haven’t left. What are you up to? You didn’t even give me a heads-up!”
Song Foxiang fished his phone from under the pillow, groaning nonstop while typing a message to Song Chan:
“Do you like that Xie Qian? Your eyes were glued to him. Guys who are too good-looking aren’t reliable, I don’t approve!”
Song Chan thought her dad was about to discuss some strategy, but the message was about her liking Xie Qian.
So absurd, she nearly smashed the phone in her dad’s face.
“I don’t like him!”
Song Chan typed furiously, “Is that the point right now? The point is Boss Jiang and Xie Qian came together. They’re so chummy, they must’ve known each other for ages. If Boss Jiang asks you to forgive that Xie guy, what’ll you do?”
Song Foxiang scoffed.
Boss Jiang wouldn’t ask him to forgive Xie.
At most, Jiang would play mediator.
If Jiang really forced him to back down, how could Jiang keep face at the company?
Song Foxiang stopped typing and whispered, “What can Boss Jiang do to me? My job’s secure. As long as I don’t make a major mistake, Jiang can’t sack me.”
Being chief editor of the magazine was great.
If he couldn’t keep the role, no big deal.
The group’s magazines had mediocre sales, and Song Foxiang’s chances of promotion were slim. He was content to stay chief editor until retirement.
If Jiang Xuekun shamelessly tried to push him out, Song Foxiang wasn’t scared.
If he wasn’t wanted here, he’d find a place elsewhere. He didn’t believe he couldn’t land a similar job!
Did Rongcheng Publishing Group and the Xie guy wear the same trousers as every print media in the country?
Impossible!
Song Foxiang was in high spirits. With Jiang Xuekun involved, he was even less worried.
Jiang Xuekun better handle this fairly, or Song Foxiang wouldn’t hesitate to step on Jiang to craft his image as a principled scholar—bah, bah, bah, slip of the tongue. He didn’t need to craft that image; he already had it.
Song Foxiang’s groans were turning into hums.
Song Chan relaxed.
Her dad might seem unreliable at times, but anyone who thought him foolish would regret it.
He was never daft when it came to big matters!
Song Chan’s gaze and thoughts drifted to the corridor.
She hadn’t expected Xie Qian to be that “Boss Xie’s” son. She hadn’t met “Boss Xie” yet but already pictured him as a brash, nouveau riche type.
Xie Qian didn’t seem like a nouveau riche’s son.
Recalling Xie Qian’s earlier apology, Song Chan felt it was awfully casual, like he was just going through the motions.
That didn’t match Xie Qian’s intelligence.
Xie Qian was the top student in their grade, dominating every exam, big or small, never giving second place a chance.
Song Chan turned back to her dad for confirmation:
“You said Auntie Zou, Xie Qian’s mum, always presented as single at work?”
Song Foxiang thought Song Chan doubted him and swore, “No one’s ever seen that Xie guy. Xiao Zou never mentioned her family to colleagues. We only knew she had a son, never heard about a husband.”
Song Foxiang suddenly realised.
Xie Qian wasn’t just Xie Jinghu’s son but also Zou Weijun’s.
Sigh, looking like Xie Jinghu was no fun. Resembling Xiao Zou would’ve been better.
A touch too much was overdone, a touch too little was bland.
Song Foxiang slipped into daydreams, giggling to himself.
Song Chan, meanwhile, was deep in thought.
Mentioning a son but not a husband?
If the family were happy, what woman could resist bragging about her husband? Even the most reserved would let something slip.
So, were Xie Qian’s parents on bad terms?
That would explain why Xie Qian’s apology was so half-hearted.
He didn’t want to apologise at all!
Song Chan’s heart lightened.
Knowing Xie Qian might not be aligned with “Boss Xie” cheered her up.
Even if she wasn’t Xie Qian’s fan, Song Chan thought he was perfect—a brilliant, handsome, ethereal boy who shouldn’t have a domineering dad.
…
Outside the ward, Jiang Xuekun was talking about Song Foxiang.
“Old Song’s got a stubborn streak. When the magazine hired him, it wasn’t for his skills but his fame.”
In his youth, Song Foxiang published several poetry collections. Back then, poets were adored. Though not a national sensation, in Songcheng, he was as popular as today’s young adult authors.
Wen Ying mulled over Jiang Xuekun’s words.
Was he saying Song Foxiang wasn’t great at running the magazine but had a temper to match his fame, so Xie Qian’s perfunctory apology wouldn’t cut it?
Thank heavens, Chief Editor Song was such a character. Xie Qian must be thrilled.
Sure enough, Xie Qian wasn’t angry. He even comforted Jiang Xuekun understandingly, “If once doesn’t work, I’ll try twice. If one day’s not enough, I’ll take two. I’ll win Chief Editor Song over with my sincerity.”
—No, you’ll use your sincerity to bury your dad.
Father-son clash? Jiang Xuekun had no issue with it, but he had to remind Xie Qian to keep things in check.
“This involves your mum too. She’s on a business trip now, but she’ll return. The longer this drags, the more office gossip there’ll be.”
That was worth considering.
If his mum’s emotions were truly stable, it might not matter if she found out.
Should he take the gamble?
Xie Qian glanced at Wen Ying, who whispered, “Besides being gross, this won’t cause real harm.”
The insult was enough.
Xie Jinghu wasn’t the type to swallow a loss quietly. Today’s humiliation would spark a ferocious counterattack.
Honestly, Wen Ying was a bit worried for the Song family.
Song Foxiang was humiliating Xie Jinghu now, but once Xie Jinghu had time, he might strip Song Foxiang of his livelihood.
Next time, Xie Jinghu wouldn’t act himself. He had a lapdog in Songcheng, Zhao Dong!
Xie Qian glanced toward the ward, about to speak when his phone rang. It was Zhong Yong’s number.
“Young Master Xie, has Mr. Song agreed to settle? Boss Xie’s almost at the hospital.”
Xie Qian was surprised, “My dad’s coming to apologise in person?”
“No, Boss Xie’s coming for treatment.”
Zhong Yong’s tone carried faint regret.
The boss wanted to keep Xie Jinghu locked up longer, but Xie wasn’t a pushover. Today, for some reason, he stopped insisting he was fine and requested hospital treatment—that injury was serious for a man. The police saw Xie Jinghu wasn’t ordinary, and since he admitted to the assault, they escorted him to the hospital. The dispute needed further mediation, but the priority was addressing the injury’s risks.
Who gave Xie Jinghu that idea?
Xie Qian hung up, “No need to agonise now. My dad’s coming. Chief Editor Song will have to play along with him. As for us, let’s watch for now.”
Watch what, the drama?
Wen Ying mentally filled in the blank, but Xie Qian suddenly looked at her. She realised: Xie Qian didn’t want her in Xie Jinghu’s sight.
She wanted to watch the show but couldn’t draw Xie Jinghu’s attention… Wen Ying had an idea and slipped back into Song Foxiang’s ward.
The Song family looked up at her in unison.
Wen Ying smiled sheepishly, “Can I borrow your bathroom?”
