Chapter 61: I

Song Qicheng's eyes suddenly turned a deep, unreasonable red.

He had actually been immensely regretful for a long time.

His regret left him sleepless all night, and he painfully lasted until daybreak.

Even today, while in a work meeting, the emotion of regret still wrapped around him, making even his breathing feel especially difficult.

But Song Qicheng said nothing.

Seeing him stay silent, Nan Gong Yu said, "If you don't want to speak, I'll speak for you."

"As the eldest son of the Song Family, the head of the Song household, you now make Huan Yan's return home feel awkward. You need to avoid suspicion and keep distance from her. Song Qicheng, that is Song Huan Yan's home."

His voice was cold, but Song Qicheng's eyes reddened even more, fierce.

Nan Gong Yu's words... were spot on.

Once he said it outright, it was as if he personally pushed Song Huan Yan out of the Song Family.

Even the protection of being the older brother could no longer be used.

He actually personally pushed the girl he had liked since childhood out from his protective umbrella...

Making her feel embarrassed even to return to her own home, perhaps even fearful... fearful that more unpredictable, uncontrollable variables might arise between them.

He was indeed heavily drunk last night, so he couldn't control himself...

Song Qicheng remained silent; after a while, he choked out with difficulty, "Sorry, I... was drunk and muddled."

Nan Gong Yu's voice was extremely cold, "Stop making excuses. If Huan Yan had any other feelings for you, you would have sensed it over the years. Since she doesn't, you should know she only sees you as an older brother. You should also know you ought to bury your thoughts for the rest of your life. Yet you still said it."

Nan Gong Yu was incisive, sharply pointing out the selfish desire Song Qicheng was trying desperately to hide.

It caused the dignity he had struggled to maintain to crumble with a thunderous crash.

But Song Qicheng wasn't concerned about losing face; he just felt very uncomfortable.

Because every word Nan Gong Yu said was correct.

He originally was the most unwilling to hurt Song Huan Yan, yet he still hurt her with his own hands.

Song Qicheng didn't know what to say; his eyes were very red, and his lips trembled badly.

It took a while before he steadied his emotions.

It seems Nan Gong Yu is truly kind.

Kind to the point of noticing even the most delicate details.

Truly can be called deeply considerate.

No wonder Song Huan Yan married him directly, skipping the whole process.

He lost, and lost completely.

Song Qicheng kept silent, and Nan Gong Yu also said nothing.

He was fully patient, steadily controlling the whole situation.

Song Qicheng gave a wry smile; indeed, Nan Gong Yu is just Nan Gong Yu.

This man, who controls a third of the world's wealth, is terrifyingly powerful.

Song Qicheng finally spoke, "I found a place near the company..."

Nan Gong Yu extinguished his cigarette, "The point isn't where you two live, understand?"

Song Qicheng couldn't not understand; he was just forcing himself to hold on.

The real point is... Song Huan Yan has lost the person who was supposed to protect her for a lifetime.

If Song Huan Yan also had feelings for Song Qicheng, that would be another matter.

But Song Qicheng knew there was none, yet still acted out of his own selfishness...

"I know," Song Qicheng said, "I'll find a way to make amends."

Nan Gong Yu replied, "No need."

Those few words made Song Qicheng's heart ache explosively; he was speechless for a long time, his throat burning.

After a while he finally spoke, but changed the subject, "Do you also like her a lot? When did it start?"

Nan Gong Yu's tone was cold, "It has nothing to do with romance. She is my wife, so I naturally must protect her completely. I am merely feeling sorry for the little girl. She did nothing, did nothing wrong, and even deliberately kept distance to safeguard the overall situation. But you, President Song, you made an innocent person suffer undeserved grievance!"

Song Qicheng took several deep breaths, feeling utterly ashamed.

Every word Nan Gong Yu said pierced his heart.

In the end he didn't know what to say, and didn't utter a single word.

But Nan Gong Yu didn't waste words and hung up directly.

Leaving only Song Qicheng's self-reproach and regret, collapsing into numbness.

His love ultimately harbored selfishness, and because of that selfishness the person he loved most suffered undeserved grievance.

He once thought he was the one who loved Song Huan Yan the most.

He endured, he suppressed.

But he didn't expect that his love... in the end... was so impossible to present.

He couldn't even lift his head in front of Nan Gong Yu.

So was he truly the one who loved Song Huan Yan most?

Or is Nan Gong Yu the one who loves more?

It can be said that no one has ever heard that Nan Gong Yu has such feelings for Song Huan Yan.

If it were true love, why would he almost marry Leng Bai Wei, and why wait until now to act?

Perhaps... it's not about love or not; it's simply because Song Huan Yan married him, and a husband protecting his wife is naturally a given.

After work, Song Huan Yan got into the car.

Just as she was about to start the car, her phone rang.

She picked it up and saw it was a video call from Nan Gong Yu.

Song Huan Yan turned off the fire, answered, and the man's cool, handsome face appeared on the screen.

"Lord Yu." Song Huan Yan greeted first.

Nan Gong Yu nodded, "Ready to finish work?"

"Hmm." Song Huan Yan replied, "And you? Free now?"

Nan Gong Yu said, "Hmm, just finished a summit, now on a break."

"Oh." Song Huan Yan nodded, "Did you call me… for something?"

"Yes." Nan Gong Yu said plainly, "Later go home and tidy up, see what you want to bring, get it ready. Later Uncle Liu will come to pick you up, and tonight you'll stay at Yu Yuan."

Song Huan Yan raised her eyebrows slightly: "That soon?"

Sure enough, the boss's efficiency… isn't just talk.

"Okay." Song Huan Yan nodded, "Got it."

Nan Gong Yu said no more, only, "Be safe on the road."

Song Huan Yan pursed her lips, "Hmm, then hanging up."

Nan Gong Yu, "Alright."

It takes Song Huan Yan an hour's drive to get home from the company.

Returning to the Main Hall, Song Huan Yan was stunned.

She hadn't expected… Gu Qinghe and Nangong Ren to be in her house.

Song's father and mother sat on the sofa, keeping her company.

Song Qicheng also returned, sitting beside them.

Both sets of parents were chatting happily.

Ning Shuyue saw Song Huan Yan, hurriedly waved, "Yan Yan, come quickly; Aunt Gu and Uncle Nan Gong have come to visit the house on purpose."

"Oh, they're here." Song Huan Yan suppressed her surprise and stepped forward.

Gu Qinghe beamed, "Yan Yan, come quickly; haven't seen you in ages, Aunt Gu misses you a lot."

Song Huan Yan quickened her pace, reaching the sofa edge, and Gu Qinghe said to Ning Shuyue, "That's wrong, why still call her Aunt Gu? You should just call her Mom now."

She was truly overjoyed.

Ning Shuyue also laughed happily, saying, "Of course."

Song Huan Yan inexplicably blushed a little—was she about to change how she addressed him?

Gu Qinghe pulled Song Huan Yan onto the sofa, looking at her with satisfaction.

Nangong Ren, fearing Song Huan Yan might feel embarrassed, said, "Yi Han is still abroad; letting Yan Yan change her address alone might make her shy. It's not too late to change it when Yi Han returns."

Song Huan Yan hadn't expected Nangong Ren to be such a considerate person.

Clearly a lofty elder, yet low‑key and kind.

Could it be that Nan Gong Yu's thoughtfulness in this respect comes from Nangong Ren?

When Gu Qinghe heard that, she pursed her lips and smiled, "Right, right, the old man is right; look at me, getting impatient. Yan Yan, don't mind, I'm just too happy."

The two elders being so kind actually made Song Huan Yan feel a bit awkward.

She smiled lightly and said, "I don't mind. But since I've already registered with Lord Yu, changing the address is appropriate. Even though he's not here, it doesn't matter."

It's like some soldiers: after marriage, they receive a mission and have to leave in a hurry.

The daughter‑in‑law indeed hasn't had time to change how she addresses him, and the husband has already been dispatched on a mission, not by her side.

Does she have to wait until the husband returns to change it?

Once married, it's married; no need to be overly pretentious.

Moreover, since both elders are proactively caring about her feelings, she should change it promptly to make them happy.

In any case, the fact is that she's already married to Nan Gong Yu.

Hearing her say that, Gu Qinghe and Nangong Ren's faces were filled with unmistakable delighted surprise.

Gu Qinghe asked, "Really, Yan Yan? Is that truly how you feel?"

Song Huan Yan's smile brightened at the corners of her mouth, nodding, "Of course, Mom."

That "Mom" instantly made Gu Qinghe's smile radiant.

Song Huan Yan looked at Nangong Ren and straightforwardly changed her address, calling, "Dad."

Nangong Ren immediately beamed, nodding repeatedly, "Good, good, good, Yan Yan is really obedient."

Song Huan Yan understood why they were so happy, and she inexplicably felt happy as well.

Nan Gong Yu is not young; now that he's truly married, as parents they are naturally overjoyed.

Gu Qinghe, delighted, immediately took off the Jade Bracelet from her wrist and, without further ado, slipped it onto Song Huan Yan's wrist.

Song Huan Yan wasn't surprised; this seemed to be a symbol of a great household.

Fortunately, Gu Qinghe wasn't pulling on her injured wrist.

Gu Qinghe laughed, "This is a tradition of the Nan Gong family to pass to the eldest daughter‑in‑law. Yan Yan, it'll look good on you!"

Song Huan Yan's wrist was slender; the emerald‑green jade bracelet set against her cool white skin was truly stunning.

The bracelet wasn't just pure glass‑type emerald green; its translucence was excellent, the color perfect, and the design very distinctive—a dragon.

Sure enough, great families are particular.

Song Huan Yan neither declined nor pretended, and directly said, "Thank you, Mom."

Gu Qinghe was overjoyed; she really liked Song Huan Yan, and liked her temperament even more.

Ning Shuyue also took Song Huan Yan's hand, "It looks really nice, Yan Yan, you must protect it well."

Song Huan Yan nodded, "I know, Mom."

Song Qicheng's complexion didn't look very good.

Song Qicheng wasn't doing it on purpose; it was probably instinct.

Gu Qinghe said, "Yan Yan, today I came with your dad; actually Yi Han arranged it."

Song Huan Yan raised an eyebrow.

Nangong Ren said, "Yes, Yi Han arranged for us to deliver the betrothal gifts."

This made Song Huan Yan even more surprised.

Yi Han wasn't even in the country, yet arranged the details so meticulously.

"Oh." Song Huan Yan came back to herself, "Thanks, Mom and Dad, for the trouble."

Delivering the betrothal gifts doesn't actually require the elders to come personally, but Nan Gong Yu's arrangement clearly gave the Song Family ample face.

Gu Qinghe smiled, "No trouble, it's only natural."

Now we should get to the proper business of the betrothal gifts.

The betrothal gifts from the Nan Gong family naturally wouldn't lose face.

The accompanying Old Mansion steward called for them to be delivered, and after each item was listed, Song Huan Yan was still surprised.

Almost every city received a villa plus five commercial shops.

Kyoto a commercial street office building.

One luxury cruise ship, one private jet.

Antique calligraphy and paintings, precious jewels, all were present.

But these aren't the main point!