Encounter

Realizing what he felt for Song Ren, Su Feng felt at a loss for words.

He was in love with her...

But since when?

Su Feng stumbled, startled by his thoughts. He quickly left the room. Gently, Su Feng closed the door behind him, hoping that he was not too noisy. He approached the guest room, climbing onto the bed, and shut his eyes. His mind is circling thoughts of his past.

Meanwhile, Song Ren felt as if her heart was about to burst. She woke as soon as she felt him lift her, but Song Ren did not want him to know that, so she pretended to sleep. But after he settled her into the bed, Song Ren wondered why he stayed for a long moment after. She had to still her breathing and close her eyes to convince him that she was asleep.

Song Ren stirred to the other side and tried to shut him out of her head for the rest of the night.

---

The next morning, Qian Meigui woke up feeling restless. She stayed up reflecting about the conversation she had with Song Sheng the evening before and she felt heavy.

She shifted out of bed and placed on casual clothing before descending the stairs.

Qian Meigui's steps halted when she caught sight of the tall silhouette of her brother, "Song Sheng," she breathed quietly.

He wore a suit with a long sand-coloured trench coat. His dark hair tousled to one side.

She took slow steps and saw him speaking to Song Jun in a hushed whisper. From her view, she could not hear what they were saying, but she witnessed Song Sheng ruffling his brother's hair as they stepped into the main living room.

Qian Meigui fully descended the stairs and approached the pair of brothers. She then gently said, "Hello," to both of them.

Song Sheng's expression was neutral; she could not tell what he wanted or what he was thinking. He nodded politely without saying another word.

Qian Meigui sat on an ivory leather chair close to the two of them when Song Ren walked in with Su Feng.

Song Ren appeared to be shocked. She had not seen her brother since they settled her inheritance and responsibilities, and she did not expect to see him today. Song Ren had always admired Song Sheng since she was a child, so when he disinherited himself, she felt enraged; how could he give up? However, now, she was not entirely sure how she felt.

When she attended work yesterday, the employees treated her differently. They've always treated her with respect, but the difference was that they listened to her orders more attentively, and they catered to what she wanted. Of course, Song Ren addressed them, saying that she did not need extra special treatment and to treat her as they always had.

Also, her father promoted her to gradually ease her in as the future CEO of the company, which made her feel more accomplished. She now entirely takes care of the business while her father travels.

Song Ren sat on a couch, opposite of Song Sheng and Song Jun. Su Feng joined next to her, but he barely uttered to her since he woke.

Regardless, she looked towards her older brother, the boy she admired, the man who could have been her twin if their age gap wasn't five years. What did he want?

Song Ren waited. She was not going to say anything first despite the awkward tension. Su Feng shifted, leaning forward, settling his forearms on his thigs, eyes on Song Sheng like an eagle. At that moment, Su Feng appeared to be protective of her. Song Ren wondered what overcame him, but she supposed it was because he felt that backing his future wife, even though their relationship was complicated.

Song Sheng's face was reserved and composed, unwavering. He knew and disliked Su Feng; because he was the man who teased his younger sister endlessly during their teenage years.

Song Sheng looked away and glanced at Song Ren. He approached her swiftly, ignoring Su Feng's glare and said to her, "I'm sorry."

The tension was high, and to Qian Meigui, Song Ren's expression seemed to be unforgiving. But in her mind, she begged them to mend the tear in their relationship.

"Why did you do it?" Song Ren asked, her voice cold and smoky.

Song Sheng desperately wanted to tell her, but he was not ready to reveal why. He would rather ruin himself to protect the family. He would gladly ruin his reputation, his job, and anything in between to protect his four younger siblings. He understood that burden long before he disappeared and left the country. And yet, he could not tell her.

"I wanted to pursue a different career," a half-truth he told.

Song Ren held her arms together under her chest, and if Qian Meigui did not personally know her, she would have felt frightened.

After a moment of reservation, Song Ren smiled. "You were always the serious one, Sheng. Of course, I forgive you, after all, I am now the new lady boss," she winked at him.

Song Sheng smiled. He stood up and ruffled her hair when Song Ren's expression changed and swatted his hand away. Qian Meigui smiled at their interaction and was blissfully happy.

Something that only Qian Meigui noticed was the way Su Feng gazed at her deeply and the fact that Song Ren didn't realize, she frowned.

After a moment, Song Sheng gazed over at Su Feng and asked, "why the fuck is this guy here?" Qian Meigui felt like laughing, but she held herself back. Song Ren smiled, finding it amusing.

"He's my fiancé," she casually said. To Ren, it was a casual statement, but to Su Feng, it stirred some part of him he tried so hard to contain.

Song Sheng raised a brow and said, "this small fry is your fiancé?" He pointed at Su Feng. "I expected you would have reached for someone more to your liking," he said.

Song Ren smirked, "Speak for yourself, you've never had a girlfriend, and yet you're judging me on my choice. May I remind you that Su Feng is the future heir of Sun Group, and therefore he outranks me and you both. But no need to worry, brother, for I will make sure he never steps over me."

At that, everyone heard a howl coming from outside the living room. It was Jinyi who laughed so hard; she held her stomach. "Oh, Sheng, Song Ren slapped you with her words," she said.

Song Sheng chuckled, "Good." In this world, women were under-appreciated, and he needed the reassurance that Song Ren was capable of taking care of herself.

Meanwhile, Su Feng felt taken aback. Was he a small fry? Although Su Feng was shorter than him, he was right at six feet tall. He was at a loss for words.

Song Ren turned to him, smiling broadly. Her beautiful hair framed her, and her eyes squinted into crescent moons. She grabbed his forearm with a reassuring touch, as to tell him not to take any offence. And then suddenly, he no longer felt offended.

Song Ren decided to rise, and Su Feng immediately followed. She knew something was wrong with this fellow but could not put her finger on it. They both went to their respective rooms to get ready for their day at Sun Group.

Song Jinyi dragged Song Jun to their musical practice, and they left Song Sheng and Qian Meigui alone.