Chapter 57: Madam, where

Song Qicheng fell completely silent, but still didn't leave.

Because… couldn't bear it.

After a moment of silence, he finally said, "Alright, I understand."

Seeing that he still wouldn't leave, Song Huan Yan could only say, "Big brother, I respect you a lot."

She said no more, giving Song Qicheng enough dignity.

"Hmm." Song Qicheng nodded, finally stood up, "I'll go back to my room first; you should rest early too."

"Okay." Song Huan Yan also rose, holding her phone, "I'll see you off."

Song Qicheng felt very defeated, his steps heavy and slow.

At the doorway, he realized he actually had countless things he wanted to tell Song Huan Yan—talk forever, nonstop, endlessly.

But…

It seemed he would never get another chance to say those words.

He just stood at the doorway, unmoving.

Song Huan Yan could only take the initiative and say, "Good night, big brother."

That was a dismissal order.

Song Qicheng turned his head to look at her.

His eyes were still a deep crimson, emotions churning within his gaze, exceedingly complex, deeply restrained.

Finally he said, "Yan Yan, happy wedding."

After speaking, his Adam's apple rolled deeply, and he choked up instantly, then turned and left.

Song Huan Yan slightly frowned, reached out and closed the door.

Seeing Song Qicheng like that, the feeling in her heart… was also quite complicated.

In her heart, from childhood to now, Song Qicheng had always been a towering big brother.

Steady and tough, capable of handling matters, not many words, and has always been very good to her.

She was the only daughter in her family, and Song Qicheng was like the sky that supported her.

He had just been so fragile and painful, on the brink of collapse, yet he forced himself to restrain fiercely, holding on.

Song Huan Yan took a deep breath, sat on the bed, picked up her phone and looked at the screen.

The man on the screen was peerlessly handsome, but she didn't know what to say.

Although there was no misunderstanding, it still felt a bit awkward.

The two just stared at each other, and after two seconds Song Huan Yan spoke first, "Sorry, I didn't know…"

Nan Gong Yu cut her off for the first time, "You don't need to apologize; it's not your fault."

Song Huan Yan pressed her lips together.

Nan Gong Yu added, "Not surprising."

His words left Song Huan Yan even more at a loss for what to say.

She just felt awkward.

She suddenly recalled the wound on her wrist.

Song Huan Yan lifted her hand to look; indeed there were some bruises.

She was still wondering how to explain to Nan Gong Yu the matter of pulling him out to shield the gun…

Nan Gong Yu was the first to speak, "It seems worse; have you applied ointment?"

Song Huan Yan touched it, looked up at him, "I've applied it, but for this kind of wound, topical medicine does little; it needs time. I'll just wear a long sleeve later."

"Um… mainly I don't want to spread that little mess involving Leng Jian Yue everywhere. Especially if my family finds out, they'll definitely go after the Leng Family, and it would go on and on. That's why I used you as an excuse; I lied. You don't mind, do you?" she said.

She asked a bit nervously.

Hearing that, Nan Gong Yu said, "You handled it very well."

Song Huan Yan was taken aback, "Really?"

He not only wasn't angry, but was praising her?

"Hmm." Nan Gong Yu nodded, "If you were to speak the whole truth, it would entangle things again, involving the elders of both families. If it blew up, the Leng Family would lose face, and gossip would spread endlessly. Some matters and people are best dealt with in a small circle."

After speaking, a hint of a smile appeared at Nan Gong Yu's mouth corner, "Huan Yan, you've grown up; you handle matters properly and steadily, very good."

His praise made Song Huan Yan a bit embarrassed; she almost blushed, hurriedly said, "You're not angry, so it's fine."

Nan Gong Yu said, "I'm not petty; I'm happy for my wife to use me as a shield. A husband should shelter his wife from wind and rain. You no longer need to be so cautious; just forge ahead."

Song Huan Yan raised her eyebrows slowly, for the first time feeling that listening to others could still be pleasant.

"Hmm, okay." Song Huan Yan nodded.

She suddenly recalled that Nan Gong Yu had also heard her say: she quite liked him…

Did he misunderstand something?

Song Huan Yan wanted to explain, but Nan Gong Yu neither asked nor brought up the topic.

If she deliberately explained that her affection for you isn't romantic, you'd misunderstand… wouldn't that be even more inappropriate?

Forget it, not everything needs to be clarified.

At that moment Nan Gong Yu said, "By the way, if it suits you, how about moving to Yu Garden to live in the next couple of days?"

Song Huan Yan thought the suggestion was quite good.

Anyway, once Song Qicheng said those words, it became very delicate.

She was grateful for Song Qicheng's contributions to the Song Family and respected him as a person.

But the two have always been a man and a woman who grew up together, yet have no blood relation… if emotions between them change, it becomes delicate and untimely.

Anyway, she's already married, so moving out is fine.

Otherwise at home, it's not just she who feels uneasy; surely Song Qicheng also feels uncomfortable.

"Okay," Song Huan Yan agreed.

"Mm," Nan Gong Yu said, "Tomorrow or the day after, I'll have someone pick you up. Just bring whatever you want; the rest, Uncle Liu the steward, will take care of."

"Mm," Song Huan Yan replied softly, intending to say "thank you," but suddenly remembered his remark that spouses needn't thank each other, so she added, "You... haven't had your meal yet; did I hold you up? The food will get cold soon."

Nan Gong Yu was unfazed and said, "No problem, just replace it. As for you, Huan Yan."

Song Huan Yan blinked slightly, "Me? What's wrong with me?"

Nan Gong Yu lifted his hand to glance at his wristwatch, "It's twelve thirty in the early morning, my lady."

His words made Song Huan Yan stare, and looking at his cool, handsome face, she thought, this man... is he being a bit flirtatious?

"You should rest," Nan Gong Yu said.

"Oh, okay." Song Huan Yan came back to herself, "I'll rest right away, good night."

Nan Gong Yu nodded.

Just as Song Huan Yan reached to hang up, Nan Gong Yu stared at the screen and suddenly asked, "Lady, what about the goodnight kiss?"

Song Huan Yan: "...."

His etiquette is really... too perfectly detailed, isn't it?

Song Huan Yan felt embarrassed, yet she couldn't refuse.

Song Huan Yan hesitated for two seconds, then, cheeks flushed, made a "mm" mouth shape and hurriedly asked, "Is this okay?"

Nan Gong Yu pressed his lips together, "Fine, rest early."

"Okay. You should eat soon, too." Song Huan Yan nodded, was the first to hang up the video call, set the phone aside, and slipped into the covers.

How come I've never heard anyone say Nan Gong Yu is this... flirtatious?

Even though she holds no hope for romance, it's a bit hard to resist.

Is it a long‑planned scheme, or simply perfect details?

Song Huan Yan didn't dare to probe further.

But she suddenly remembered there was something she had forgotten to tell Nan Gong Yu.

But she couldn't say it now; it's late, she'll tell him next time.

On Nan Gong Yu's side, Meng Zhangfeng stepped forward, "Sir, the dishes are cold; have the Kitchen replaced them for you."

Nan Gong Yu nodded.

Meng Zhangfeng instructed the Kitchen to change the dishes, stepped forward to pour wine for Nan Gong Yu, and couldn't help gossiping, "I didn't expect Song Qicheng to have a different feeling for the Young Madam; looks like the old house finally caught fire and he couldn't contain it."

Nan Gong Yu lifted his wine glass, took a sip, "Normal."

Meng Zhangfeng lowered his head and laughed, "The Young Madam just said she likes you."

Nan Gong Yu set down his glass, "I like her too."

His words came out very naturally.

But because it was so natural, in the end... there was nothing at all.

Meng Zhangfeng slightly furrowed his brows, stopped the topic, and changed the subject, "The Young Madam's temperament is far better than Miss Leng's; her composure and compromise are truly impressive. Sir, you have a keen eye—your lady's position truly belongs to the Young Madam; only she can sit steadily without causing a ruckus."

If Leng Bai Wei went through what Song Huan Yan just experienced, the wound on her wrist alone would cause a scene.

When dealing with Song Qicheng's late‑night drunken confession, Leng Bai Wei would surely brag about how good Nan Gong Yu is to him, stepping on the confessor.

But later she would tell Nan Gong Yu that she has many suitors.

Nan Gong Yu ignored Meng Zhangfeng's words, and when the Kitchen brought out steaming dishes, he finally spoke, "Give orders on the project cooperating with the Song Family, keep an eye on Song Qicheng. Put some pressure on him so he doesn't have a day of idleness."

"Understood," Meng Zhangfeng nodded.

"Also," Nan Gong Yu said coldly, "This year, don't let Leng Jian Yue make any money."

The next day.

Song Huan Yan got up relatively late and, upon waking, instinctively glanced at her phone.

Based on the time, it should be the late night over there for Nan Gong Yu.

Even if she intended to send a good‑morning message, now wouldn't be the time.

Afraid of disturbing him; his schedule is probably tight.

She decided to wait for him to contact her.

Song Huan Yan squeezed the phone and went to freshen up, then went downstairs for breakfast.

To her surprise, Song Qicheng was also at the table.

Song Huan Yan paused, stepped forward, and greeted her parents and Song Qicheng.

Ning Shuyue said, "Sit down quickly and eat."

Song Huan Yan nodded.

Song Qicheng's expression remained unchanged, as if nothing had happened last night.

At the table, no one spoke; Song Huan Yan said to Ning Shuyue, "Mom, Sir wants me to move to Yu Garden."

Ning Shuyue replied, "Alright, when?"

"Today or tomorrow," Song Huan Yan said, "The exact time is still uncertain."

"Fine." Ning Shuyue seemed quite pleased.

Song Qicheng looked at Song Huan Yan with a calm face and asked, "So sudden?"

Song Huan Yan didn't know whether he didn't remember last night or what, but she nodded and said, "Well, it's a matter of time anyway."

Song Qicheng nodded, remaining silent.

When everyone was about to finish eating, Song Qicheng wiped his mouth and said, "I'm planning to acquire a house near the company today, for convenience. From now on I won't have to go home every day."

His words left the Song Family members stunned.

Ning Shuyue asked, "So sudden? Did you already plan it?"

Song Qicheng has always lived in the Song Residence; although he is an adopted son, he is also the Song Family's only son and the eldest son.

His parents died when he was young; he was formally adopted by the Song Family, so he legally holds inheritance rights.

Regardless of how much of the Song Clan he can inherit, as far as the Song Residence is concerned, if nothing unexpected occurs later, it will most likely be left to him, with him as the head making the decisions.

Song Huan Yan was also a bit surprised, but soon understood, and she said nothing.

"Hmm." Song Qicheng nodded, "Mother, don't worry, it's just for work convenience."

Song Huaiguo said, "The child is grown; getting a house abroad is a very normal thing, people also need private space."

Ning Shuyue nodded repeatedly, "Right, look at me. Son, if you have a girlfriend, wouldn't it be inconvenient to come home every day?"