Chapter 123 Grinning and Nodding

translator: Eve

editor: xiin

“Song still hasn’t given the clothes to you?”

Feng Tong, who had just so happened to overhear what Xiao Yuanmu had said, walked over with a smile on his face. He sounded a bit surprised. “The first versions of his clothing…. Or rather, all of the clothes on the stage today were not the first editions he had made. Every single piece he made had been in accordance to your measurements. They’ve been ready for a long time now. I thought he had already given them to you.”

The moment Feng Tong had opened his mouth, Song Xuanhe had wanted to stop him. But he thought that he would seem even more suspicious if he were to do that. Therefore, he remained silent. After Feng Tong finished speaking, he saw Xiao Yuanmu’s eyes light up. Song Xuanhe replied in a mild tone: “I made them in your size only because it was convenient. I didn’t alter any of them afterwards. They probably don’t look as good as the ones on the stage. If you don’t like them….”

“I’ll like them.”

There was a shallow curve to Xiao Yuanmu’s lips. When he saw Song Xuanhe’s gaze on him, the corner of his eyes also raised slightly. His long, straight eyelashes didn’t seem as sharp as they usually did. It was difficult for him to hide his joy.

It was the first time Louis had seen Xiao Yuanmu show such a childish expression, like he was really happy but didn’t want anyone to see it. His eyes widened in shock and he turned to look at Yang Jie, mouthing, “This isn’t the Xiao I know!”

It was also rare for Yang Jie to see Xiao Yuanmu like this. But he wasn’t so shocked he thought it was a miracle, like Louis. He remained very calm, almost Buddha-like…. As long as Xiao ge was with Song Xuanhe, anything could happen.

Feng Tong realized that he had misspoken when he heard Song Xuanhe’s reply. He gave Song Xuanhe an apologetic look and then changed the topic. “Gentleman, the banquet is about to start. Would you all be heading over with us?”

Xiao Yuanmu nodded slightly as he grabbed Song Xuanhe’s hand.

Song Xuanhe looked up at Song Xuanhe, taken back. He couldn’t read any emotions in the other’s eyes, as if the other thought that this was normal between them.

【I don’t have any information on Xiao Yuanmu anymore. I’ve lost a lot of his data. But even without the data, I feel like he’s different from how he had been in the past.】

Before the System had spoken up, Song Xuanhe had also thought the same thing.

Ten months ago, even when Xiao Yuanmu had wanted to hold his hand, the aura he gave off seemed to say ‘I want to hold your hand, please don’t refuse. Even if you do, I’m still going to hold your hand.’ But now, when Xiao Yuanmu held his hand, he acted like nothing had happened. If it wasn’t because Song Xuanhe could feel how tightly the other’s grip was, he would have thought that the other had accidentally grabbed hold of his hand while shaking out his own.

It was just that, with Xiao Yuanmu acting like this, it would only make himself seem all the more unreasonable if he were to throw the other’s hand off.

Song Xuanhe looked down and stared at their interlocked fingers. He wondered what had changed, to make Xiao Yuanmu so…smooth.

【You’re not imagining things.】Song Xuanhe’s eyes narrowed. He was forced to follow after Feng Tong with his hand in Xiao Yuanmu’s. With no expression on your face, he said：【He’s definitely different.】

【Humans are such strange creatures.】The System lamented：【But time is even more strange. Time doesn’t exist for us systems. But you humans have managed to put a unit of measurement on time. And because of that, you humans change unpredictably as time passes. We systems never experience unpredictable occurrences. 】

【Does that include your predictions of human decisions?】Song Xuanhe asked.

【Of course.】The System said：【We analyze the data to come up with every possible choice a human may make. We then calculate the probability of each decision. Everything is predictable.】

【Then can you predict….】

“Mr. Xiao, you’re finally here.”

The party had arrived at the location of the banquet. Mr. Bai was standing not far from the entrance with Bai Mo. When they saw Song Xuanhe and them, Mr. Bai promptly dragged Bai Mo over to greet them. When he noticed Song Xuanhe and Xiao Yuanmu’s entwined fingers, he paused, before continuing with a grin on his face: “Song shao, congratulations on the success of your show. If it weren’t because your clothes are better-suited for young people, I would buy a few myself. But they will definitely suit Bai Mo. I’ve already put an order in for all the clothes that were featured in your show.”

Song Xuanhe’s expression changed slightly, the corner of his lips rising a bit. He smiled back. “Thank you, Mr. Bai.”

“No need to call me Mr. Bai.” Mr. Bai pretended to be upset. “You and Mr. Xiao are both Bai Mo’s friends. Call me Uncle Bai. Mr. Bai sounds too formal.”

Song Xuanhe raised a brow. The smile on his lips didn’t reach his eyes as he turned to look at Bai Mo, who stood behind Mr. Bai. He didn’t reply.

Bai Mo looked at Xiao Yuanmu, his lips pursed. He saw that Xiao Yuanmu’s gaze was fixed on Song Xuanhe the whole time, so he tugged on his father’s arm. “Dad, I’ve only met Song shao and Mr. Xiao a few times. We can’t be considered friends.”

“You young people can be considered friends after just a few meetings. It’s not like I said you were dating. What are you being so awkward for?” Mr. Bai laughed, “Besides, you young people are also reckless when it comes to love. After meeting a few times, you’ll start to say that you want to be with someone for the rest of your life out of impulse. Some people even forget all about the unhappy events in the past while lovesick. It must be even easier to make friends, right?”

Song Xuanhe’s gaze darkened slightly. He was about to reply why he heard Xiao Yuanmu’s chilly voice in his ear. “You’re wrong.”

“Regardless of whether it’s a friend or a lover, no one would choose to associate with someone without considering it rationally.” Xiao Yuanmu’s gaze was cool and his tone was calm. But for some reason, Louis and the rest of them felt like there was a look of derision in his eyes. “Secondly, Xuanhe has always been cautious when making friends. Not just anyone can become friends with him. I’m the same.”

As soon as Xiao Yuanmu spoke, the venue fell silent.

Aside from the editor-in-chiefs of magazines and the models, the rest of the banquet’s guests was comprised of a third of the world’s most well-known figures. They had come for Xiao Yuanmu. Therefore, when Xiao Yuanmu arrived, it hadn’t been just Mr. Bai who had noticed. They all had.

It was just that Mr. Bai had been the quickest. When he dragged Bai Mo to chat with Xiao Yuanmu, it wasn’t like they could go over and interrupt them. Furthermore, they didn’t know Xiao Yuanmu’s personality well. They wanted to figure out Xiao Yuanmu’s discourse style while listening to their conversation.

When they heard Xiao Yuanmu shoot the other down so ruthlessly, they all subconsciously closed their mouths, their gazes gathering on Mr. Bai.

Mr. Bai, the centre of attention at present, stared at Xiao Yuanmu in shock. It was obvious that he hadn’t expected Xiao Yuanmu to embarrass him like this in public.

From what he knew, Xiao Yuanmu and his son had a good relationship. Even if he joked a bit as an elder, Xiao Yuanmu shouldn’t get angry.

There was a reason why he thought this.

Mr. Bai remembered that Xiao Yuanmu had treated everyone very indifferently before he had been found by the Xiao Family. Although he didn’t pay much attention to the young man, he had seen how he and Song Xuanhe had interacted from afar. At that time, Xiao Yuanmu had not treated Song Xuanhe like one would treat their lover. Song Xuanhe had been the same.

No one else would think much of it, but Mr. Bai was different. He has had many ex-wives and lovers. He had a lot of experience in the dating world. With one glance, he had been able to tell that Song Xuanhe and Xiao Yuanmu didn’t have a good relationship.

Meanwhile, Xiao Yuanmu treated Bai Mo differently. Back then, he had seen it clearly. The first time Xiao Yuanmu had laid eyes on Bai Mo, his expression had been different. Back then, Bai Mo had also helped Xiao Yuanmu out as well. Under these circumstances, Bai Mo would inevitably be special to Xiao Yuanmu.

He had tested his theory before the show had started today as well. He had asked around before, inquiring about Xiao Yuanmu’s personality after the other had returned to the Xiao Family. He had heard that Xiao Yuanmu was even more aloof than before. Even when his seniors, who were both much older than him and had much more experience than he did, tried to talk to him, he treated them very coldly. In contrast, Xiao Yuanmu had been very patient with them when he had brought Bai Mo more.

What did this mean? This meant that Bai Mo was special to Xiao Yuanmu!

He had heard of Song Xuanhe and Xiao Yuanmu’s relationship before. However, he had thought that it was just a casual relationship kids tended to have. So when Xiao Yuanmu’s identity was revealed, Mr. Bai thought that this was a perfect opportunity.

He didn’t know how much of their relationship was real. But what he did know was that the fact that Song Xuanhe had forced Xiao Yuanmu to be with him in the beginning was true. One of his employees had grown up in the same orphanage as Xiao Yuanmu. Originally, he had only approached the young employee because he wanted to figure out how to approach Xiao Yuanmu.

He didn’t expect to find out that Song Xuanhe had threatened Xiao Yuanmu with the orphanage. The young employee had explained things very carefully. He had even recounted their conversation. He had also said that he had been standing outside, eavesdropping, which meant that there was no way he could be wrong.

When Mr. Bai recalled what Xiao Yuanmu and Song Xuanhe’s interactions had looked like, he believed the young employee. After carefully deliberating over this, a restless feeling started to emerge in his chest. If Xiao Yuanmu was still willing to be with Song Xuanhe despite what the other had done, why couldn’t his son—who Xiao Yuanmu had a good impression of—replace Song Xuanhe as the future spouse of the Xiao Family’s head?

As soon as this thought had popped up in his head, he had been unable to resist implementing it. When he thought of the glory the Song Family enjoyed at present, he couldn’t stop himself from imagining how much honour the Bai Family would receive if Bai Mo and Xiao Yuanmu got married. The Bai Family’s corporation would be able to grow extensively. The more he thought about it, the more he didn’t want to let go of this opportunity. Therefore, he looked for a chance to bump into Xiao Yuanmu. As soon as he got it, he rushed on over to implement his plan.

It was just that, he had never expected that Xiao Yuanmu would publicly refute him without any mercy.

“Sorry.” Bai Mo came forward. It was probably out of shame and indignation, but both his eyes and cheeks were flushed. He glanced at Song Xuanhe and then addressed Xiao Yuanmu: “Mr. Xiao, I hope you’ll forgive him. He heard that we were in contact in China so he thought we were friends. It’s my fault for not clearing things up with him. Let me apologize. I hope that you aren’t angry.”

Song Xuanhe’s finger twitched, stopping Xiao Yuanmu from replying. He then smiled at Bai Mo and said, “Bai shao, I’ll accept your apology on Xiao Yuanmu’s behalf. But the banquet is about to start and everyone’s waiting for us. Can you let us through?”

The author has something to say:

Xiao Yuanmu: Showed everyone who Song Xuanhe belonged to out of his own volition.

Song Xuanhe: Was forced to show everyone who Xiao Yuanmu belonged to.

Eve: …Is…that…jealousy I smell…Song Xuanhe?