Song Jiawei was the only troublemaker in an otherwise smooth family banquet.
After the meal, everyone understood how much the elders valued this celebrity grandson’s wife. Grandpa Song even mentioned marriage during the banquet, showing his eagerness to hold his great-grandson.
In the past, Song JinXing would either leave the banquet early for work or arrive just in time and not linger after the meal. But since dating Zhong Ruanxing, his personality had noticeably softened, and he had grown much closer to his elders. Now, he even brought his girlfriend to the family banquet and stayed to chat with Grandpa and Granny Song after the meal.
Others might not notice, but Granny Song firmly believed this was all thanks to the grandson’s wife. Granny Song looked at “Zhong Ruanxing” more and more fondly.
When everyone gathered in the living room, Song family members who had been tipped off by Granny Song earlier came up one after another to give Zhong Ruanxing gifts. Song JinXing had never received this treatment even when returning from abroad. He accepted them gracefully.
To everyone's surprise, Zhong Ruanxing had also prepared return gifts, including one for Song Jiaci, Song JinXing’s year-old son. What’s more, she tailored each gift specifically to the recipient's taste instead of just going through the motions. Such thoughtful etiquette made people secretly marvel at her upbringing.
Watching all this, Granny Song wore a proud smile. After the pleasantries, she got up and said, "Xingxing, come take a walk with Granny and help me digest."
Everyone understood the old lady wanted private words with the grandson’s wife.
Sure enough, when Granny Song walked with Zhong Ruanxing to the garden, she asked in a low voice, "Xingxing, did that useless bastard Song Lecheng offend you in the past?"
Song JinXing was amused his granny was asking about this. He soothed, "Granny, it's in the past."
Whether it was him or Zhong Ruanxing, they had both taught Song Lecheng a lesson in their own way. As long as Song Lecheng didn't make trouble again, Song JinXing wouldn’t go so far as to ruin him.
Granny Song held his hand, speaking sharply, "I know best what kind of person that bastard is. Xingxing, it’s my Song family’s fault for not raising him right and letting you suffer bitterness. Granny apologizes to you on his behalf. From now on, as long as he doesn’t cause trouble, let it go. But if he stirs up more nonsense, feel free to deal with him as you like! Even if you beat him to death, Granny won’t blame you one bit!"
Song JinXing said gently, "I understand, Granny."
Granny Song went on, "Although you're family, you don't need to humor him for my sake from now on! Just live your own life with Xing. If any blind fools give you trouble, tell Granny and I’ll stand up for you."
Song JinXing laughed at the old lady's bias in his favor. "Alright, Granny will be my backing from now on."
Granny Song held his hand. "It makes me happy to hear you say that." She walked with the grandson's wife, enjoying the scenery, then asked, "Have your parents met Xing yet? When should our families meet and get engaged first?"
Song JinXing didn't know whether to laugh or cry. "Granny, I start filming the day after tomorrow. Let's discuss it when I finish this movie and come back." After hesitating a moment, he told the old lady about his and Zhong Ruanxing’s plans, "Also, we don't plan to announce our relationship yet. I'm just entering a crucial period in my career. I hope you can understand, Granny."
If his grandmother didn’t understand his hope that Zhong Ruanxing prioritize family life after marrying him, Song JinXing was ready to face that unfair demand himself. He didn’t want her to hear hurtful words from the esteemed elder.
Fortunately, Granny Song wasn’t some rigid old lady. As a pampered young miss herself, she understood a woman’s life shouldn’t revolve solely around family, husband and children.
Hearing the grandson's wife's candid words, Granny Song felt respected instead. Sensing his worry, she reassured him, "Granny understands! As long as you and Xing are happy, I'll leave the rest to you two! This old lady won't meddle from now on."
After the grandmother and grandson had been out for a while, Zhong Ruanxing also played two rounds of Go with Grandpa Song. She had learned from the old men in her apartment complex, becoming an enthusiastic but unskilled player. When the second game ended and she was gearing up for a third round eagerly, Grandpa Song said impatiently, "You're useless. Get your boyfriend over here!"
Zhong Ruanxing: "..."
If she were in her own body, she would plead and cajole the tycoon into another game. But now in the tycoon's body, she had to maintain her boyfriend's image, so could only respond, "Alright, I'll go get him."
Both of them had left their phones behind. Feeling bored, she thought she might as well go look for him and get some fresh air. But after coming to the old house so many times, she still underestimated its size.
There were four or five gardens in different styles just in the villa alone. She only knew Song JinXing had gone with Granny Song to walk in a garden after the meal, but had no idea which one!
Zhong Ruanxing already had a poor sense of direction. After just two turns away from the familiar area, she was completely lost. Luckily she had brought her phone. She didn't dare call Song JinXing, instead secretly messaging Song Shuling for help and sending a photo of her surroundings, asking Song Shuling to come find her.
Song Shuling replied with a "Laughing to death" emoji and said: Stay there, I'm coming over.
Zhong Ruanxing found an alcove in an artificial hill to sit down and rest, also appreciating the fish in the pond. She was using her phone to photograph a beautiful-tailed ornamental fish in the water when a familiar voice suddenly came from the other side of the fake mountain.
Although speaking in a lowered voice, Song Jingwu’s words still passed clearly through the hill: “Big brother, what did you call me here for?”
Zhong Ruanxing didn't expect to eavesdrop on the two brothers' private conversation just by getting a little lost. Her first reaction was to mute her phone. Debating between continuing to eavesdrop and revealing herself to say hello, Song Xinwen had already spoken.
His voice was somewhat low and angry: “Have you been in touch with the Kang's again?”
Song Jingwu’s voice also lowered: “Big brother, are you investigating me?”
Song Xinwen said, “Since you still call me big brother, stop contacting the Kang’s immediately! If what he’s done got exposed, even ten Song families wouldn’t be enough to make amends! Old Third stopped you two from collaborating forcefully before. If he finds out you've secretly got in touch again, things won't end as smoothly as last time!"
Song Jingwu gave a cold snort. “Still wet behind the ears yet you're also afraid of him?”
“This has nothing to do with him. It concerns the Song family’s future!”
“I see big brother is just overly cautious as usual! All these years of cautious small steps have been useless! In the end, the family business still fell into that brat Song JinXing’s hands!”
After a period of silence, Song Jingwu gave a cold laugh. “Or are you willing to just let that little punk from the Third Branch take everything away like this? When he was around, Grandpa favored him most. Now that he’s gone, Grandpa still favors his son. Sometimes I really wonder whether we were actually born to our parents!”
Zhong Ruanxing silently listened, feeling that Song Jingwu was like an evil force tempting the righteous to go astray.
“Big brother, we know how much we’ve contributed to the Songs over the years. Grandpa’s old and muddled in his actions, it's the duty of us as his sons to stop him from making mistakes, that's true filial piety. We’re both in our prime, and have long days ahead. It’s too early to talk about giving up. Who the Song family finally belongs to remains to be seen!”
The previously silent Song Xinwen finally spoke: “No matter who the Song family eventually belongs to, you must stop what you're doing now. Otherwise, I'll deal with you myself without needing that brat from the Third Branch.”
