Chapter 945: Bamboo Horse Youth at 39

After the meeting, Jin Chen and Mu Henian still hadn't chosen a partner on the spot, and nobody could tell from those youths' expressions; they could only go back and wait for news.

Songshang'an, however, did not rush to leave, and directly said he wanted to talk alone with Song Xu.

Jin Chen asked Song Xu what he thought; the latter glanced at Song Chong, then at Songshang'an, nodded in agreement, and taking Jin Chen's hand whispered, "Brother is waiting for me outside."

"All right." Jin Chen agreed, and he and Mu Henian went out.

Song Chong also followed them out, not staying inside.

"Jin Chen."

Outside the conference hall, Song Chong called out to Jin Chen, his face still bearing that smile, "Let's have a chat too."

Jin Chen raised an eyebrow in doubt, "If it's about getting us to give up being with Xiao Yu'er, there's nothing to discuss."

"Of course not."

The shadow Song Chong had previously cast over them was still fresh in their minds; Cheng Huai was about to persuade Jin Chen when Mu Henian grabbed his hand and gently shook his head.

He could only relent, watching Jin Chen and Song Chong walk away.

"What is Song Chong up to?" Cheng Huai wondered. "If he doesn't want to split them up, why go to all that trouble?"

People with so many ulterior motives are truly puzzling.

Jin Chen thought the same.

Sitting opposite Song Chong, he thought he had heard some heavenly scripture.

"What are you saying? What do you mean Song Xu shouldn't accept a heart transplant—do you want him to die?"

Jin Chen's tone hinted at cold severity.

"What I mean is, at least he shouldn't accept the heart his father found."

Song Chong calmly explained, "You have the ability now; you should go find one yourself."

"His father…" Jin Chen cut off, thinking of Songshang'an's illicit dealings—could Song Chong actually know all this?

"Why not? How? Is the heart Uncle Song found illegal?"

Jin Chen's gaze seemed to see everything; he leaned forward, his presence full of oppressive force.

Sure enough, Song Chong's expression flickered for a moment before being masked again: "You don't need to know."

"I already know." Jin Chen spoke without fear, "But I'm curious—when he first got into that illegal trade, Xiao Yu'er wasn't even an adult; who was he doing it for, and why the rush?"

Song Chong remained silent, then suddenly felt an itch in his throat, "Do you mind if I smoke?"

"... Please go ahead."

Jin Chen propped his chin on one hand, seeing Song Chong smoke skillfully, "Uncle Song, weren't you in seclusion at a temple? Besides… a heart condition means you shouldn't smoke."

Song Chong tilted his head, exhaling a swirl of smoke before his eyes, "It wasn't seclusion; I just stayed there for a while."

"When did you find out Shang'an was doing illegal deals?"

"A long time ago," Jin Chen said, "so may I boldly guess that Uncle Song's desperate search for the most suitable, healthy heart is because of you?"

Song Chong let out a deep sigh, leaning back against the chair, "Right, it is."

Jin Chen nodded in understanding; then he could explain why, in the original plot, Song Chong still ended up getting a heart transplant—likely the one Songshang'an found for him.

But… those two seem unwilling to admit it.

Could there be something else… like a hidden grudge?

Jin Chen, curious, sat up straight and asked.

"You seem unwilling to admit it—are you deceiving yourself, or are you afraid to admit it?"

Song Chong seemed to recall something, his voice dropping low, as if speaking to himself, "Yeah, even so… he's still my brother."

Jin Chen: "Huh?"

What nonsense is this? I didn't catch it.

Before he could ask further, 0731 said they'd finished chatting over there, and Xiao Yu'er was looking for him.

"I'm leaving." Jin Chen rose at once, adding just in case, "Uncle Song, don't worry about this; when Xiao Yu'er comes of age, I've already taken him to get a heart transplant."

Song Chong stared at him in shock—it was practically the biggest change in his expression today.

"Before everything is settled, I hope Uncle can keep this confidential; moreover…"

Jin Chen hesitated, then spoke frankly: "You should know—if the illegal trade is exposed, even the Song Clan Group can't protect him."

Song Chong gave no reply, merely watching Jin Chen leave, as if pondering something.

They were speaking at the bench beneath the floor-to-ceiling window at the end of the corridor; Jin Chen had just stepped out when he saw Song Xu emerge from the conference hall, his expression chilly, and Songshang'an's face also looked grim.

"Xiao Yu'er." Jin Chen called softly.

Song Xu halted his steps, turned, and ran toward him, only relaxing when he flung himself into Jin Chen's arms.

"Did you argue with your father?" Jin Chen kissed Song Xu's cheek and asked gently.

Song Xu merely buried his face in Jin Chen's chest, shaking his head, arms wrapped around Jin Chen's neck; through the corridor he caught sight of Song Chong's silhouette, and in their exchanged glance he saw a smile in his uncle's eyes—and…

He averted his gaze, his heart feeling like a stone, "Let's leave."

"All right, let's go."

Jin Chen glanced at Songshang'an, but noticed his gaze had shifted away, looking behind them as if staring at someone.

That father and son must have said some secret, or a secret that made Xiao Yu'er unhappy.

Jin Chen took him away, and Songshang'an didn't try to stop him.

He looked at his own brother, whose face resembled his own, yet bore a completely different expression.

From taking over the group to now, over twenty years, he had never shown such gentleness.

This time, as before, Song Chong was the first to avert his gaze, turn and leave—just like some afternoon long ago.

"Don't go home reeking of smoke."

Songshang'an said the same, then left from another direction.

Outside the business banquet hall, someone was still waiting for him.

——

When the four of them met, Song Xu remained in low spirits, until he returned to the double dormitory where only he and Jin Chen were.

But he also had to cling to Jin Chen, otherwise he felt insecure.

Jin Chen simply held him while changing shoes, with one arm around him entered the room, sat on the Sofa before speaking gently, "Did Xiao Yu'er and Uncle Song not have a pleasant talk?"

Hmm…

Song Xu thought of his father's words, closed his eyes, and a sob choked his throat.

Father doesn't like me…… and doesn't like Mother either.

Mother used to be his classmate; in order to, in order to marry into a wealthy family, she reached an agreement with Grandfather, married Father, to cover up the scandal at the time.

Jin Chen asked, "What scandal?"

Song Xu whispered a sentence in his ear.

Jin Chen: "……"

Wait a moment, this amount of information is a bit much; let him take it slowly.

It was a cause he had never imagined; but if that were true, it would probably explain the parts of the original plot he hadn't figured out.

For example, why was Songshang hospitalized after a car accident, then Song Chong hurried back to Jing Shi, quickly took over the Song Clan Group; and another example, after Songshang's death, Song Chong underwent surgery…… was he trying to carry on his share of living?

——

This world is about to end, wives!

Next world preview: Tyrant Emperor Jin Chen & the Empress confined to the cold palace.