Chapter 138: Back to Song

Song Huan Yan knows he would say that, and indeed hardship is hardship.

Song Huan Yan looks at him, purses her lips, and seriously says, "Lord Nan Gong Yu, which line isn't hard? Earning money is certainly hard, seeking achievement is also hard. You… managing and steering such a huge multinational conglomerate, isn't that hard?"

Nan Gong Yu was momentarily stunned.

Indeed, that is naturally quite hard.

When busy, the gears keep turning; when idle, one still cannot fully relax.

One must improve, set defenses, plan layouts, and take control.

The finest details are etched into the bones, not a moment can be slack.

"Hmm." Nan Gong Yu nods, "You're right. However, it's only natural for a man to be a bit harder; you don't have to be that hard."

Song Huan Yan says, "Actually it's not hard. You see them both working hard because they're just actors, not capital. And I… have enough capital to let myself not be that hard."

Nan Gong Yu raises an eyebrow.

Song Huan Yan explains, "First, in the script I can avoid overly hard scenes; second, even if there are hard parts, the people serving me will be far more numerous than them."

Nan Gong Yu's eyes deepen a bit, saying, "Understood. President Song certainly has plenty of confidence."

Song Huan Yan feels a bit embarrassed, saying, "Lord Nan Gong Yu, please stop teasing me."

Nan Gong Yu pulls her into his arms, "It's not teasing, it's praise."

Meng Zhangfeng, driving ahead, felt all sweet inside; day after day, the sugar supply is ample.

Nan Gong Yu thinks Song Huan Yan is truly not pretentious at all.

If it were someone else, they'd probably act cute and claim they're tired.

Tonight's shoot didn't finish until midnight.

Qiao An doesn't want to return to the Qiao Family.

Going home, she would have to live alone; her parents still don't know she got together with Nan Gong Jue.

If they found out, they'd probably be heart‑broken enough to kill her.

A night alone is too lonely; far less warm than two people huddling together.

So she insists on going home with Qin Zi Mo.

Qin Zi Mo was heavily provoked on set.

Nan Gong Yu, lofty as he is, though not deliberately flamboyant, somehow can't hide his flamboyance, which deeply provoked him.

He even doubts himself.

As a man, did he fail to make Song Huan Yan as happy as she was just now on set?

Nan Gong Yu even kissed her lips in public.

He never even kissed!

So Song Huan Yan must be rejecting him, right?

At first it was just playing with him, right?

After getting a top‑tier big boss, she didn't hesitate to dump him, right?

What holy goddess, it's still just judging people?

But…

He loves Song Huan Yan so much!

How can Song Huan Yan be so ruthless?

Qin Zi Mo starts to be extremely conflicted again.

Upon hearing Qiao An wants to follow him home, Qin Zi Mo loses his temper, "Can you stop clinging to me?"

Qiao An, hearing that, also gets angry, suppressing her voice, "I still carry your seed in my womb; you tell me not to cling to you?!"

Qiao An now has no one to cling to.

Being rotten together with Qin Zi Mo, naturally she won't give up.

This remark made Qin Zi Mo so angry he couldn't find a place to vent, but he didn't dare cause a big scene, so he just gave up.

He took Qiao An home.

Qiao An, upon entering, exclaimed in surprise, "Why are we staying here? Where's your villa?"

Qin Zi Mo tossed the key onto the table, "Song Huan Yan took it back."

Qiao An was shocked for a while, then said, "So, you're living here now? Living with your parents?"

Qin Zi Mo says, "If you want to reject me, just get out quickly."

Qiao An took a deep breath and fell silent.

The two entered the Bedroom; Qin Zi Mo, exhausted, collapsed onto the bed, not wanting to speak.

He thought that today he could only helplessly act in front of Nan Gong Yu.

In such cold weather, naked, and even a water scene.

The one he kissed was still Qiao An.

He could only perform with all his effort.

He felt himself humble and despicable down to his bones.

Finally… deeply realized the insurmountable gap between stars and capital.

Qiao An also got onto the bed.

Qin Zi Mo, eyes closed, said wearily, "Now, we can only focus on filming properly, not cause trouble. Keep your mouth shut, don't provoke Song Huan Yan again. Otherwise, I can't help you."

This time, Qiao An unexpectedly didn't argue, just said, "Hmm, I understand."

People with no way out have no right to lose their temper or be willful.

After a moment, Qiao An said, "But Song Huan Yan's support for our plan hasn't changed; when we truly establish ourselves internationally…"

"What's the point of standing on the international stage!" Qin Zi Mo opened his eyes and erupted in anger, "Even standing internationally is just being an actor! You think that makes you capital? Do you know that even if you take on movies and endorsements all year, nonstop, you're still not worth as much as that man's single word!"

Qin Zi Mo's sense of inferiority as a man was laid bare by Nan Gong Yu's provocation.

Qiao An snorted coldly, "You compare yourself to him? There's no second one in the world, what's there to compare? Besides, whatever the case, it'll definitely be better than now!"

Qin Zi Mo fell silent; that point was indeed true.

Qiao An hugged him, sighing gloomily, "I'm in a bad mood."

If you're in a bad mood, then do something else, distract yourself, also vent your emotions.

Qin Zi Mo was also full of rage and inferiority, wanting to vent.

The two clicked instantly.

Qin Zi Mo forcefully pinned Qiao An down, scolding, "If it weren't for you, I wouldn't have gotten this far! You slut!"

After saying that, he treated Qiao An roughly.

Qiao An made no sound, and was actually willing to endure.

She was under too much pressure, lingering on the brink of collapse.

She needed that thing to distract her, to give her a brief respite from pain.

She just hadn't expected… Qin Zi Mo, in the heat of the moment, called out… Song Huan Yan.

Qiao An finally broke down.

She was also indignant; she actually called out Nan Gong Yu!

Anyway, having lost Lord Nan Gong, Nan Gong Yu is also unattainable.

Qin Zi Mo also can't get Song Huan Yan; he can call, so why can't she?

Upon hearing that, Qin Zi Mo exploded, gripping her throat, "Who are you calling!"

Qiao An twisted his hand, "Then who are you calling!"

"I can call, you can't call!"

"On what grounds can't I call? I'm calling! Nan Gong Yu, Nan Gong Yu, Nan Gong Yu! Lightly, lightly…"

Qiao An kept shouting while crying, unable to stop fantasizing: if… she were Nan Gong Yu's wife… how wonderful that would be.

Both of them went all out, like lunatics, clashing with each other, mad to the core.

They shouted wildly the names of Song Huan Yan and Nan Gong Yu…

Finally, after the two's relentless effort, that child ultimately couldn't endure this torment.

In no time, Qiao An's abdomen throbbed intensely, and she began bleeding.

Late at night, the two, tightly wrapped, went to a private clinic.

They got the doctor's phone number posted on the wall, called the doctor, and threw money to have the doctor come over at midnight to treat her.

The current Qiao An wouldn't dare enter a hospital.

Returning to the three‑room apartment, it was already three A. M.

Qiao An was tossed onto the bed by Qin Zi Mo like a dead dog.

Qin Zi Mo said in one sentence, "We have to shoot tomorrow, go to sleep."

Qiao An lay on her side, silent, continuously shedding tears.

She finally fell!

"Why… not fall earlier?"

She also has to continue shooting tomorrow; she can't take leave, nor can she quit.

No matter how hard or humiliating, she must endure it!

This is the only path she can take; only by using this path can she reclaim some glory.

Sunday.

Nan Gong Yu and Song Huan Yan's departure times coincided, and today the two are to formally return to the Song Residence for a meal.

They should have gone long ago, but the matter of Lord Nan Gong delayed them.

Nan Gong Yu was listening to Meng Zhangfeng's report on the prepared gifts.

Song Huan Yan said, "Don't bring any gifts. You should be used to coming empty‑handed to the Song Residence for a meal, shouldn't you?"

Nan Gong Yu raised an eyebrow slowly, "But everything is prepared. Next time, okay to come empty‑handed? A son‑in‑law's first visit to his in‑laws without any gifts looks bad in terms of propriety."

Song Huan Yan insisted, "Don't bring them. If they're prepared, put them in the storage; next time if something requires a gift, then bring it."

Nan Gong Yu always felt this was still somewhat improper.

Song Huan Yan first told Meng Zhangfeng, "Do it this way. Changfeng, put the gifts into storage."

Meng Zhangfeng was stunned for a moment.

Unbelievable, the Young Madam now actually dares to directly make decisions for Lord Nan Gong!

Meng Zhangfeng didn't dare to comply immediately, turning his gaze toward Nan Gong Yu.

Nan Gong Yu, after a moment of silence, said, "As the lady wishes."

Meng Zhangfeng then nodded, "Yes."

And Song Huan Yan only then realized… did she… order the big boss again?

The two returned to the Song Residence, and Ning Shuyue and Song Huaiguo were overjoyed.

It was Nan Gong Yu's first formal visit to the Song Family, a momentous occasion, and Song Qicheng naturally had to be called back home.

It was set for lunch.

When the two arrived at the Song Residence, it was about eleven o'clock.

Visiting the parents, it was just time to start the meal.

As soon as Nan Gong Yu sat down in the Main Hall, he said, "Sorry, Mom and Dad, it's my first time here, I didn't bring any gifts, came empty‑handed."

Song Huan Yan hasn't spoken yet.

Ning Shuyue immediately said, "We're all family now; why bring gifts when you come back for a meal? That would be formal! Family shouldn't speak as strangers; no need to bring anything, never need to bring anything again."

Song Huaiguo directly added, "Exactly. You've already given so many Betrothal Gifts, what more would you bring?"

Ning Shuyue gave Song Huaiguo a light pat.

Song Huaiguo said, "To be honest, I'm even embarrassed."

Song Huan Yan laughed, "Dad. Mom. Not bringing gifts was my decision; I didn't bring any when I returned to the Nan Gong Old Residence either. Also... it's my mother‑in‑law's idea, to get used to coming home empty‑handed for a meal. So... I didn't ask Lord Yu to bring anything; originally, he had prepared a whole bunch."

Ning Shuyue slowly raised an eyebrow, "Right, right, Qing He is absolutely correct! Neither side needs to bring anything; just happily come home for a meal. If you have time, come back often!"

Song Huan Yan nodded, "Okay."

Nan Gong Yu, also very filial, nodded, "Alright, Mom. I'll definitely come back often when I have time."

After chatting about family matters for a while, the elderly couple were extremely satisfied with Nan Gong Yu and extremely enthusiastic.

Song Huan Yan was left hanging on the side.

Unable to hold back, she sighed to Ning Shuyue, "You've almost become your own son."

Ning Shuyue said, "Quickly peel an apple for Yi Han."

Song Huan Yan: "…"

Song Huan Yan said, "Isn't there... a servant?"

Ning Shuyue replied, "Can a servant peel it as well as you can?"

Song Huan Yan was literally speechless.

Nan Gong Yu laughed, "Mom, no need to trouble her. There's no need for Song Huan Yan to do it herself; I don't eat apples."

Ning Shuyue looked at Song Huan Yan, "Look how sensible Yi Han is."

Song Huan Yan: "?"

As if she were the one being unreasonable?

Before she could speak, Ning Shuyue said, "Yan Yan, peel an orange for Yi Han; it's so sweet. It was air‑lifted in this morning, you know."

After speaking, she unceremoniously shoved a big orange into her hand.

Song Huan Yan: "…"

Fine then.

It's the first time the big brother has come to his father‑in‑law's house; enjoying such treatment is understandable.

Ning Shuyue added, "Once peeled, feed it to Yi Han yourself."

Song Huan Yan was speechless for a moment, then nodded, "Alright. I'll serve your own son."

Ning Shuyue glared at her, "Naughty."

The mother‑daughter interaction was very playful.

Nan Gong Yu, while chatting with Song Huaiguo, couldn't help glancing at Song Huan Yan.

Song Huan Yan grabbed a napkin, preparing to peel an orange for the big brother.

Unexpectedly, the napkin she just took was smoothly taken away by Nan Gong Yu's outstretched hand.

Song Huan Yan was stunned for a moment, then turned her gaze toward him.

Unexpectedly, he reached out again, even more smoothly taking the orange from her hand.

He didn't say a word, and he was still discussing international economics with Song Huaiguo.

Yet, with his hand naturally placed on the napkin, he began peeling the orange.

This whole routine was like flowing clouds and water, extremely smooth.

Watching it left Song Huan Yan dumbfounded.