Volume One, Chapter 43: Admiration

Song Qingyu agreed so quickly, and everything went so smoothly.

Naturally, Song Yanfeng was suspicious.

But he didn’t think Song Qingyu had the nerve for such things—even if she did, not just anyone could impersonate the Prince with such ease.

“We’ve all met the Prince. Haven’t you seen him twice? If someone was pretending, we’d spot it instantly,” Song Xinrui scoffed.

She had indeed seen him twice.

Once, she’d been thrown out of the banquet hall, utterly humiliated.

The second time, she’d caught only a distant glimpse; he hadn’t even glanced her way.

“So if it’s really the Prince, is he truly going to give Xin Qiao to Song Qingyu?”

“It’s just a small foundation. If she wants it, let her have it,” Song Xinrui grumbled, still hoping to profit from Xin Qiao herself.

But compared to a foundation, forging a connection with the Prince was, of course, far more important.

Glancing at his watch and seeing it was about time, Song Yanfeng rose and left the private room to greet their guests.

Soon after, Song Qingyu arrived with Pei Jingmo.

The instant Song Xinrui saw Pei Jingmo, she grabbed Song Yanfeng’s sleeve in an excited and nervous frenzy. “Dad, it’s really the Prince!”

Song Yanfeng straightened his clothes and hair at once. He hadn’t dared hope entirely, so when he saw Gu Yuandong, he was overjoyed.

Flustered, he hurried forward.

“President Gu, apologies for not welcoming you sooner.”

Song Qingyu was a little nervous. She worried that Pei Jingmo might not play his part well, and stole a cautious glance at him.

Pei Jingmo responded with a faint murmur, striding into the private room with his impossibly long legs—his demeanor uncannily similar to the aloof Gu Yuandong.

At last, she could breathe a sigh of relief.

Inside the private room.

Because of the earlier banquet, Song Xinrui was both afraid of Gu Yuandong and unable to resist wanting to get closer to him.

Thinking she finally had a chance to approach the Prince, she plucked up her courage, about to sit beside him—

But Gu Yuandong only needed to exchange a glance with Song Qingyu, and she immediately took the seat at his side.

Song Qingyu knew Pei Jingmo disliked her being overly polite—he didn’t want her to be too distant, even if it was just an act.

His glance had been clear just now: if she didn’t comply, and he decided to walk away, all their efforts would be for nothing.

Song Yanfeng, more perceptive than Song Xinrui, called out, “Xinrui, come over here.”

Song Xinrui bit her lip and reluctantly went to sit at his side.

The waiter soon served the dishes. Song Yanfeng shot Song Qingyu a look, signaling her to break the ice and introduce them.

What was there to introduce about a useless father and a scheming stepsister? Still, she could warm up the atmosphere.

Song Qingyu turned a plate of glossy braised pork in front of Pei Jingmo, remembering he liked this dish.

“President Gu, the braised pork here is quite good. Please try some.”

She covered her mouth, speaking in a whisper only he could hear, “This place is expensive. It’s rare to come here—eat more and make Song Yanfeng spend a bit.”

Unaware of her whispered exchange with Gu Yuandong, Song Yanfeng was stunned to see the Prince, known for never eating in public, pick up a piece of braised pork and eat it.

Song Yanfeng immediately tried to ingratiate himself. “President Gu, this is a small place I frequent. Qingyu loves their pickled fish. If you like it, she can bring you here often.”

Song Qingyu’s expression soured. “Dad, you must be mistaken. I like crystal shrimp dumplings. The pickled fish is Song Xinrui’s favorite.”

Song Yanfeng’s face froze. “Heh… perhaps I was mistaken. My fault, my fault…”

Though he said this, inwardly he cursed Song Qingyu. Even if he’d gotten it wrong, she shouldn’t have corrected him in front of the Prince!

In the next instant, the Prince picked up a crystal shrimp dumpling with his chopsticks and placed it in Song Qingyu’s bowl.

Song Qingyu’s heart skipped a beat.

But as he set it down, Pei Jingmo paused, as if remembering something, and ate it himself instead.

After finishing, he even commented, “Not bad.”

Song Qingyu was exasperated. How was this any different from making it obvious?

Song Yanfeng’s gaze darted between the two. Suddenly, he met Gu Yuandong’s cold, sharp eyes, and a chill spread from his feet to the top of his head.

He was secretly alarmed. For someone so young to have such an intimidating presence—no wonder he was a man who’d walked through blood and corpses.

“Dad…”

Song Xinrui had also noticed the Prince’s unusual attention toward Song Qingyu. She grew anxious.

Song Yanfeng, of course, had his own calculations.

Song Qingyu was already married—and to a laborer at that.

If anyone in the family could latch onto the Gu family, it would have to be Song Xinrui.

But Song Xinrui had recently offended Gu Yuandong.

So he said, “President Gu, this is my younger daughter, Song Xinrui. She admires you greatly. She did something to upset you at your banquet recently—today, she’s here to apologize.”

At this, Song Xinrui promptly picked up her glass and walked over to Gu Yuandong, her voice honeyed and coy. “I’m sorry, President Gu. Please forgive me this once, since it was my first mistake.”

Her saccharine tone nearly made Song Qingyu gag.

Oh no!

She’d forgotten to coach Pei Jingmo on how to handle Song Xinrui.

Could Pei Jingmo manage?

She looked anxiously at the man beside her.

With a crisp snap, porcelain chopsticks were set down on their rest—soft, yet in the quiet room, it was startlingly loud.

Pei Jingmo pressed his palms together, leaned back lazily in his chair, and gazed indifferently at the man opposite him. “The only reason I came here was for the sake of old teacher Xie and her daughter. What does it mean, Song sir, to have someone addled in the head toast me?”

Song Qingyu nearly burst out laughing, hastily covering her mouth.

Song Xinrui’s face turned green.

Song Yanfeng was mortified. “Sorry, President Gu. My daughter meant no harm.”

“If something makes me uncomfortable, that’s malice enough. Or am I expected to be endlessly tolerant?”

“No, no, that’s not what I meant.”

Helpless, Song Yanfeng shot Song Xinrui a glance.

Song Xinrui’s teeth nearly cracked, but she dared not make a scene in front of the Prince. She could only set down her glass, cover her face, and leave in tears.

The atmosphere grew tense. Song Yanfeng looked to Song Qingyu.

Sensing the moment was right, Song Qingyu got straight to the point. “Dad, the Xin Qiao Foundation was founded by my mother. President Gu is also optimistic about its future. You’ve managed it for years, and that’s been hard on you. Now you’re getting older and should enjoy your retirement. Let me take over the foundation.”

Song Yanfeng’s mind worked quickly. He’d originally wanted to use the foundation to control Song Qingyu.

But with Gu Yuandong sitting right there, he couldn’t go back on his word.

“Yes, Xin Qiao was your mother’s lifelong endeavor. Now that you’re grown, it’s time to hand it over to you.”

With those words, Song Qingyu immediately produced the transfer contract and a pen, placing them before Song Yanfeng. “Then please sign the contract, Dad.”

Forced into a corner, Song Yanfeng glanced up at Gu Yuandong, who seemed indifferent to their family affairs—his expression hidden behind a mask.

Suddenly, Pei Jingmo spoke.

“I’ve heard much about the Xin Qiao Foundation. Tianqi Group has also been involved in many charity projects. Perhaps we’ll have a chance to collaborate in the future.”

Song Qingyu was surprised—she hadn’t prompted Pei Jingmo to say any of this.

But his words made Song Yanfeng sign all the more readily.

“Yes, yes, contributing to charity was always Qingya’s dream.”

Seeing his signature, Song Qingyu was overwhelmed with emotion.

She’d never imagined reclaiming Xin Qiao in this way. She knew if not for Gu Yuandong, Song Yanfeng would never have handed it over.

She truly owed this to Pei Jingmo.

With their goal accomplished, Pei Jingmo checked his watch. “I have other matters to attend to. I’ll take my leave.”

Pei Jingmo was so considerate. Song Qingyu quickly gathered the contract, saying, “I’ll walk you out.”

Once outside the private room, Song Qingyu could barely contain her joy. She was about to express her gratitude to Pei Jingmo when, suddenly, she spotted Fu Linhan approaching with a group.

Fu Linhan noticed them as well, surprised to see Pei Jingmo here. “Hey, Jing—”