Chapter 9 Laughing and Hugging

Translated by Eve

Edited by Kara

“Here, here! I’ll start us off. Let us toast to our Song shao!”

At the head of the dining table stood a middle-aged man with a shaved head and round face. He raised his hand that held the drink in Song Xuanhe’s direction and then downed the white wine in his glass.

Song Xuanhe sat in his spot lazily, looking at Huang Cong with a smile that wasn’t a smile. However, he still gave him face and stood up. After finishing his own wine, he wrapped an arm around the other’s shoulder, smiled, and said, “I congratulate Director Huang in advance for your movie’s great future success.”

Huang Cong had already been beaming, but his smile grew even more radiant after hearing that. He gave a look to the pretty woman sitting on Song Xuanhe’s other side and said, “Song shao gets right to the point! Our Xiao Liu also wants to make a toast to you. You mustn’t refuse!”

Song Xuanhe’s gaze flitted over to the woman, who had just stood up. The corner of his mouth rose, and he said, “Film Empress Liu is so beautiful, how could I refuse?”

Liu Xu was very sensible. Her pale fingers pinched her glass of white wine, and she brought it to her bright red lips. She smiled. “Song shao is young and promising. I make this toast to you.”

After drinking the wine in her glass, Liu Xu gazed at Song Xuanhe. He did not say anything nor did he express a desire to return the toast. He only glanced at her insipidly. One could even see the apathy in his eyes.

Liu Xu did not dare sit down before Song Xuanhe said anything. However, she didn’t know whether she had offended this young master, so she didn’t dare say anything more at the moment either.

The two of them were in a deadlock. It turned the originally lively room quiet.

Song Xuanhe suddenly smiled. He tilted his head and said, “I have always wondered where I’ve seen Film Empress Liu before. I couldn’t put my finger on it before, but I just remembered now.”

Everyone in the room sighed in relief. They then heard Song Xuanhe say in a lazy voice, “Has Film Empress Liu gone to Chengguang with my father before? That hotel is under my name. That day, I had gone to inspect it. I think I saw the two of you there.”

The atmosphere that had just eased once again became tense with Song Xuanhe’s words.

Everyone at this party was someone within the entertainment industry. Everyone would know of any and all rumours within the circles. However, no one had known about Liu Xu and Song Guochao.

Liu Xu had just received the award for Best Actress and was biding her time. She had been waiting to film a good movie and fly straight into the skies. She naturally would not have let anyone catch hold of any information that could have caused her to be involved in a scandal at such an important point in time. Furthermore, the news about Liu Xu and Song Guochao had been suppressed by the Song Family. Not a single rumour was leaked. So, naturally, none of them would have thought of this.

However, they believed that Song Xuanhe as the Song Group’s youngest young master would not just come and slander a female celebrity with no proof. She was just an actress who had just received a “Best Actress” award — an award that looked like it was made of gold but actually only had a low percentage of it within. Even if it had been an actor who had won an international film award, before this young master who had both capital and was born with a golden spoon in his mouth, they were nothing but a measly entertainer, that’s all.

“Song shaoye, what are you saying? I don’t quite understand…” Liu Xu steadied her mood and only revealed a puzzled smile.

She and Song Guochao had only been together for two months. It had been kept extremely confidential. Not only did others not know of this, but also not even Liu Xu’s manager did. Song Xuanhe had probably come here because of hearsay. He couldn’t have evidence. She absolutely would not panic.

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It wasn’t that bad if it were to come to light that she was dating after getting the “Best Actress” award. However, if it was exposed that she was a mistress, then her future would be destroyed.

Song Xuanhe smiled. She was worthy of being the actress who had just won “Best Female Lead.” Liu Xu’s acting ability was quite good. Her reaction time was also very quick, and she was also intelligent.

And, what he needed right now was an intelligent person like her.

“Perhaps I saw wrong,” Song Xuanhe poured another glass of wine and curved his eyes as he spoke to Liu Xu, “Since it was a misunderstanding, I hope that Film Empress Liu will forgive me.”

Liu Xu watched as Song Xuanhe filled the glass to the brim. The metaphorical stone sitting on her chest disappeared, and she laughed, “What’s with the talk about forgiveness? It’s just a little misunderstanding. I’m usually a bit in a daze, so I’m not good at recognizing faces. I always mistake people for others and have never gone to apologize for that.”

Huang Cong sighed in relief over Liu Xu’s slickness. He carefully appraised Song Xuanhe’s expression. Seeing him smile without any concerns, Huang Cong promptly broke out in a hearty laugh, “Hahaha…it’s a misunderstanding! It seems like Film Empress Liu and Song shao are fated. Let us make a toast to you!”

Song Xuanhe accepted the glass. He was just about to drink it when a male actor on one side of the room smiled and said, “Since Song shao and Film Empress Liu are fated, and the misunderstanding has been resolved, then this glass of wine shouldn’t be drunk like this. I think Song shao and Film Empress Liu should do a love shot. With this glass, all debts will be washed away.”

Song Xuanhe’s smile froze. He looked at the ordinary-looking male actor, who had a flattering smile on. He was just about to speak when he saw a black column-like thing out of the corner of his eye through the window. He rescinded the coldness in his eyes and turned to face Liu Xu. He beamed. “Since someone has suggested it, I’ll have to ask if Film Empress Liu will give me the honour?”

Other people did not know about the matter between her and Song Guochao, but Liu Xu did. Therefore, she knew that Song Xuanhe was Song Guochao’s son. It had also been said that the two of them did not get along. It was obvious that Song Xuanhe and Song Guochao were completely different. Song Xuanhe’s handsome and clear eyes held a smile. Not only did she not feel repulsed, but she also actually felt quite excited.

Although Song Guochao was a good sugar daddy, he was still quite old. Although he didn’t have a beer belly, he still had wrinkles and could not avoid that decline in stamina that came with advanced age. Furthermore, with Song Guochao, no matter how much she fawned over him, she would only ever be a secret lover. Moreover, she had heard that the Song Family’s Old Master had no intentions of letting Song Guochao succeed the Song Group.

However, it would be different if she got together with Song Xuanhe. He was young, single, handsome, and the most important thing was: He was Old Master Song’s most beloved grandson. It was also said that his relationship with his elder brother, Song Xuanlin, wasn’t bad either. If she could get together with him, even if she didn’t become a daughter-in-law to the Song Family, at the very least she wouldn’t have to hide while they were dating. Even if their relationship was exposed, it wouldn’t be much of a hit to her reputation. It might even make her more popular.

When there was nothing to compare it to, Liu Xu thought that she was extremely fortunate to have seduced Song Guochao. However, now that there was Song Xuanhe, and it was obvious who was the better choice, she began to think things over.

With a new plan in her mind, Liu Xu gave Song Xuanhe a bashful smile. She reached out to loop her arm around Song Xuanhe’s arm and said with a smile, “If Song shao doesn’t mind, I obviously do not mind either.”

Song Xuanhe furrowed his brows silently. In these few seconds, it seemed like Liu Xu had convinced herself of something. The gaze she used to look at him had changed. Although he had never dated before, he had played around in bars and all sorts of clubs when he had been around fifteen or sixteen years old. Even if you’d never eaten pork, you’d seen pigs run. Moreover, with his background and face, he’d seen this kind of expression many times before. He didn’t even have to think to figure out the meaning behind it.

It was just that if Liu Xu wanted him, then that would depend on whether she had the ability to get him.

Song Xuanhe’s gaze flitted to the camera outside of the window. He crossed arms with Liu Xu and downed his drink.

After three rounds, everyone in the room was tipsy. Even Song Xuanhe felt dizzy. Luckily, his background made it so that if he didn’t want to drink, no one would dare to make him drink.

What was unexpected though was that after Song Xuanhe chatted with Huang Cong for a while, he discovered that although the other was quite a bootlicker, he was also very professional. Furthermore, the film Huang Cong was seeking investors for really piqued Song Xuanhe’s interest.

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It was just that Song Xuanhe did not immediately agree. Instead, he expressed his interest and arranged to talk with Huang Cong about this on another day.

Huang Cong was ecstatic. Actually, this was a film that he had always wanted to shoot. It could even be said that his previous films had all been preparation for this one. Right now, he was finally more or less prepared. It was just that it was hard to find investors. Even if he was an even smoother talker, when it came time to really invest, all of the big bosses were all shrewder than the last.

Moreover, the production costs of this film weren’t low. An ordinary person would find it very difficult to support it. But if there were more investors, then his authority as the director would be reduced. Therefore, he had never finished negotiations.

Today, he met up with Song Xuanhe for the purpose of leaving a good impression on the Song Group’s youngest young master so that it would be easier to do business in the future. He didn’t expect that he would give him such a big pleasant surprise.

Huang Cong was really in a happy mood. He became even more enthusiastic towards Song Xuanhe. When the last round had finished, it was already nearing eleven o’clock. When Huang Cong saw that Song Xuanhe was already drunk and how Liu Xu’s gaze would occasionally flicker to Song Xuanhe, an idea suddenly popped into his mind.

When they left the room, Huang Cong said, “Xiao Lin, ah, support Song shao as he walks since you’re sitting next to him.”

Liu Xu had also drank quite a bit. Right now, her face was flushed. When she heard this, she promptly went over to hold Song Xuanhe up. She said with a smile, “Song shao, I’ll take you to call up a taxi.”

Huang Cong shook his head and gave Liu Xu a look. He said, “You’re not being thoughtful. Song shao is drunk. How can he go back like this? Take him to the hotel we’re staying at. I’ll get a room for him.”

Huang Cong was an old fox within the entertainment industry. He had a good understanding of the private interactions between female celebrities and investors. Moreover, Song Xuanhe had expressed interest in Liu Xu before. It also seemed like Liu Xu was interested. He would naturally encourage it.

Song Xuanhe’s mind was a bit murky, but he was still pretty clear-headed. So, when he heard this, he shoved Liu Xu’s arm off and said, “No need, I’ll head back on my own.”

Liu Xu grabbed onto Song Xuanhe’s arm once more. Her voice was gentle and lovely, “I’ll support you. I’ll take you to the car.”

Song Xuanhe gave her a look. With Liu Xu clinging onto him like this, it was no different than if she were hanging off of him. And yet, she had the nerve to say that she would be the one supporting him. But when he thought about the paparazzi outside, he didn’t fling her off.

Outside of the restaurant, there were several cars already waiting for them. The assistant director promptly directed the partygoers and had managers and chauffeurs support people to their cars.

Song Xuanhe pushed Liu Xu’s arm off of him again and walked over to his own car. He told Huang Cong that they would continue their conversation another day and then got in.

When Zhang Chao smelled the scent of alcohol on Song Xuanhe and thought back to Film Empress Liu who he had just seen, he couldn’t help but say, “Xiao Shaoye, do you want to return to the main residence or your apartment?”

When he thought about the scandal that would erupt tomorrow morning, Song Xuanhe thought, How can I go back to the main residence? He shut his eyes and said, “The apartment.”

Seeing Song Xuanhe lazily close his eyes, Zhang Chao did not say anything more. The car smoothly made its way back to the villa district downtown.

After getting out of the car, Zhang Chao first went to knock on the door. After waking Xiao Yuanmu, he went to support Song Xuanhe out of the car.

The set had been on the outskirts of town. It had taken nearly two hours to get home. Song Xuanhe had already fallen asleep and was rather muddle-headed. Only when he felt someone holding him by the waist did he finally regain some awareness. He looked up and narrowed his eyes. When he saw that it was Xiao Yuanmu, it took him two seconds to react. He slowly asked, “Why is it you?”

Xiao Yuanmu was shrouded in a cold aura. After smelling the scent of alcohol on Song Xuanhe, his eyes became even colder. He wanted to throw him onto the ground, but Zhang Chao was standing off to the side. He could only endure and say, “Who did you think it was?”

Song Xuanhe blinked his eyes. Drowsiness once again overcame him. He hugged Xiao Yuanmu’s waist in turn and rubbed his head against the other’s chest before finally shutting his eyes and falling back to sleep.

Xiao Yuanmu had only asked without thinking. He didn’t really care that he didn’t get an answer. However, just as he was about to carry the other in, he felt the other’s arm wrap tightly around his own waist. Because it was summer, he hadn’t been wearing much when he came outside. Furthermore, he was in his pyjamas. He could feel Song Xuanhe’s warm, alcohol-scented breath against his chest. Even if there was a layer of clothing between them, it still made him feel itchy.

Soon after, he felt Song Xuanhe rub his head against his chest. Xiao Yuanmu’s body grew rigid after that. He looked down and saw the other’s curled lashes slightly flutter along with his breath. The other’s expression was serene in his sleep, completely off guard.

He looked like a little kitty, who was completely dependent on his owner. It made people’s hearts soften for no reason at all. It just made him want to hold him in the palm of his hands and carefully cherish him as if afraid that he wouldn’t be completely cozy.

The author has something to say:

System: Yesterday, Zhang Chao woke Xiao Yuanmu up and had him carry you into your room.

Song Xuanhe: WTF! And I’m still alive?!