Song Ze, around twenty-seven or twenty-eight, had clear, handsome features, tall and slender, his demeanor quite dashing. However, those who knew him a bit understood that he was a womanizer, often causing trouble because of his infatuations, yet he never learned from his mistakes. His grandmother was Song Yuanguang’s first wife, making him the legitimate eldest grandson of the main branch, even more so than Song Li. Despite the old master’s affection and the important position he was given, the family business was never to be handed to him due to his unchangeable habits. His narrow, always slightly sleepy eyes, combined with unusually long eyelashes for a man, gave him a hazy look. Upon entering, he first smiled at Song Li, “Fourth Brother, long time no see.” In their generation, Song Li was the fourth, and Song Ze was the seventh. Song Li chuckled, “Seventh Brother, indeed, it’s been a while. I’ve been looking for you, why was it so hard to find you?” Song Ze’s face stiffened momentarily before he laughed, “I heard Fourth Brother got a beauty from Heaven on Earth as a sister-in-law. I was eager to meet this new sister-in-law, but then I thought, knowing many at Heaven on Earth, she might be an old acquaintance, which could make things awkward for you, so I decided to keep my distance.”
Song Li, amused yet somewhat impressed by Song Ze’s ability to spin tales, pointed at Fu Xiaotang, “Here she is, go greet your sister-in-law.” Song Ze casually followed Song Li’s gesture. His gaze fell upon a delicate figure against a chaotic backdrop, her natural beauty shining through without any makeup, her cheeks still flushed, enhancing the brilliance of her dark, jewel-like eyes. Song Ze, despite his varied encounters with beautiful women, had a soft spot for this type of delicate beauty. Seeing her bound and looking distressed, like a fairy in distress waiting for rescue, he couldn’t help but exclaim, “Oh, dear sister, what brings you here?” Fu Xiaotang was taken aback, certain she had never met this notorious playboy, and turned to look at Song Li for an explanation. Song Li chuckled and said, “What sister? She’s your sister-in-law, not your sister!” Song Ze, taken aback, exclaimed in surprise, “What are you talking about?” Song Li nodded matter-of-factly, “Yes, that’s right!” Pu Xiaotang couldn’t help but retort softly, “We’re already divorced.” Song Ze, who had just lamented loudly about the missed opportunity, paused for a second upon hearing Pu Xiaotang’s words, then burst into laughter, clapping his hands, “Good riddance! Good riddance! A divine sister like you shouldn’t be with such a scheming, unappreciative man!” Song Li was both amused and angry, feeling somewhat reassured. Even if Fang Junjie couldn’t arrive in time, with Song Ze here, Zhao Dongyuan wouldn’t get the upper hand.
Seeing Song Ze’s playful antics, Zhao Dongyuan couldn’t help but remind him, “Young Master Ze, why don’t you take Song Li away? Whether you choose to steam, boil, beat, or kill him, do as you please, just make sure he can’t come back to settle scores with us. I know he’s been troubling you a lot, I don’t need your thanks, just remember me when you become the head of the New Song family.” Song Ze responded with a non-committal “Hmm,” and waved dismissively, “Alright, alright!” Then he hurriedly started to untie Pu Xiaotang, saying, “Good sister, come home with me!”
Zhao Dongyuan stepped forward to intercept, “Hey, Young Master Ze, you can’t take this girl! She’s Fang Junjie’s person!” Song Ze paused, “Fang Junjie?” He turned to look at Zhao Dongyuan, “His person? How did she end up in your hands?” Zhao Dongyuan cursed inwardly, realizing Song Ze hadn’t listened to a word during their earlier conversation. He explained patiently, “Fang Junjie is now my arch-enemy. He ruined decades of my business just because I glanced at this girl a few times. If I don’t avenge this, I’m not a man!”
“Oh,” Song Ze said, thinking to himself that if he were in Zhao’s place, he’d just gouge out his eyes for looking, but aloud he said, “Then go find Fang Junjie, what’s the point in kidnapping a girl?” Zhao Dongyuan’s face flushed slightly as he awkwardly laughed, “Young Master Ze doesn’t know, this girl is Fang Junjie’s heart. He keeps her hidden away; I had to use all my might to bring her here, which also dragged in Song Li, nearly causing a big mess.”
“And then?” Song Ze raised an eyebrow, his face darkening, “Are you planning to take your revenge on Fang Junjie through her?” Zhao Dongyuan felt a chill under Song Ze’s gaze, forcing a smile, “Yes, but since Young Master Ze also likes her, we can enjoy her together. As a guest, you should take the first move.”
Song Li, hearing such vile talk, felt a rush of anger. He thought to himself, ‘Zhao Dongyuan, just wait, I’ll knock out every tooth in your mouth and teach you how to speak properly!’ Song Ze, however, managed a smile and then swiftly slapped Zhao Dongyuan, sending him sprawling. Zhao’s men rushed in upon hearing the commotion, but Song Li stepped on Zhao’s back, pulled out a gun, and pointed it at Zhao’s head, shouting arrogantly, “Who dares to move?” Everyone froze.
Song Ze tapped Zhao’s head with the gun, laughing menacingly, “Old Zhao, at your age, why haven’t you learned? I, Song Laoqi, might be bad, but I never engage in kidnapping or worse. With any woman, I’ve always been gentle and respectful, offering them the best. Even if I tire of them, I ensure a good parting, with houses, cars, money—never shortchanging them. What I want is their willingness! I detest men who take out their frustrations on women. You’ve known me for so long, yet you’ve so misunderstood me. I’m truly disappointed. How can I still consider you a friend?”
Zhao Dongyuan, blood in his mouth, spat out a tooth, cursing Song Ze’s lineage in his mind but not daring to utter a word with the gun to his head. He kept apologizing, “No, no, Young Master Ze, I was joking. I could never do something so beastly. I just invited Miss Fu to make Fang Junjie anxious, and then I’d return her. Please, calm down, and put the gun away, be careful not to misfire.”
Song Ze laughed, “I knew you weren’t that kind of person. Alright, even so, we’re still good friends. I’ll take this lady with me, and if Fang Junjie wants her back, he can come to me!” Zhao Dongyuan nodded bitterly, thinking he wouldn’t dare seek Song Ze out.
Song Ze, now in high spirits, picked up Pu Xiaotang, feeling the soft warmth in his arms, “Good sister, let’s go calm your nerves!” Pu Xiaotang felt like she’d escaped one danger only to fall into another, just about to resist when Song Li spoke leisurely, “Old Seven, where are you taking your sister-in-law?” Song Ze spat, “Bah! Old Four, I heard clearly, she said she divorced you. You should call her your sister-in-law now!”
Song Li chuckled softly, “Old Seven, look behind you.” Song Ze, dismissive, turned around only to find a cold, black gun barrel pressed against his forehead. Fang Junjie had arrived with an armed group. Fang pushed the gun forward slightly, paused for effect, then slowly withdrew it, smiling gently, “Young Master Ze, forget about Xiaotang. She has nothing to do with you Song family anymore.” He handed the gun to Situ Nan, took Pu Xiaotang from the stunned Song Ze, tightened his grip, and apologized softly, “Sorry I’m late.” Pu Xiaotang, feeling safe at last, embraced Fang Junjie, her face pale, shaking her head slightly, “I’m fine, I wasn’t hurt, nor was I scared!”
