Chapter 42 "Goodnight, A-Tang..."
Xie Tang and Chu Song each occupied one side of the large bed, with enough space in the middle for two more people.
Xie Tang tried her best to stay still with her back to him, afraid that her sleeping posture would disturb his peaceful sleep.
Chu Song was wide awake. As she turned to her side, she saw that Xie Tang was still in the same position, not having turned over even though most of the night had passed—she must not have fallen asleep yet, otherwise she wouldn't be so still.
Still angry?
"Can't you sleep?" he asked softly.
Xie Tang was actually awake, but she didn't respond.
Her thoughts were like a tangled mess, entangled with the child she had never met and the anxious Mingwei...
However, the most common one is still Chu Song.
The thought of his grievances and forbearance weighed heavily on her heart, making it hard to breathe.
She felt sorry for his sacrifices, his helplessness, and even more sorry for him being born into such a family, burdened with excessive responsibilities and expectations.
Chu Song watched her retreating figure for a while, then reached out and pulled her tightly into his arms, nuzzling his chin against her hair. "Goodnight, A-Tang."
The next morning, Xie Tang slept very restlessly, lying almost like a corpse.
Seeing Chu Song get up, she also sat up.
Chu Song looked at her sleepy eyes and said, "If you're not hungry, sleep until you're full before going downstairs."
After saying that, he washed up and went downstairs.
Xie Tang did as she was told and went back to sleep.
At breakfast, Mingwei didn't see Xie Tang and Wen Qu, so she asked why.
Chu Li and Chu Song each made up an excuse to get away with it.
After breakfast, Chu Song went back to her room to get her things.
Xie Tang was fast asleep, the blanket wrapped tightly in her arms, her feet pressed against the blanket, a rather unrestrained sleeping posture.
He didn't disturb her; he simply took a book and went to the second-floor balcony.
When Xie Tang woke up, it was already lunchtime.
Downstairs, besides the housekeeper and nanny, only Master Chu and Chu Song were at home, and the two were playing chess in the living room.
After greeting Master Chu, Xie Tang went into the kitchen to ask what else was available to eat.
Aunt Yu said lunch was seafood rice, but they could make something else if we didn't want it.
Xie Tang was already starving and quickly said, "I'll eat this."
Aunt Yu smiled as she served the meal and thoughtfully made her a cup of iced lemon tea.
She thoroughly enjoyed the feeling of being taken care of.
After dinner, Master Chu invited Xie Tang to play a game of chess.
Xie Tang was no match for him and was quickly defeated.
Master Chu sighed, "Your grandfather was a master chess player, it's a pity you didn't inherit his skills."
Xie Tang also felt regret, and even more regret that her grandfather had passed away so early.
"I'm tired, you can all leave now." Master Chu stood up, leaning on his cane.
Chu Song tried to help him up, but he waved his hand and said, "I can walk by myself."
As he staggered back to his room, the butler followed closely behind.
Seeing that Chu Song had no intention of playing chess, Xie Tang tidied up the chessboard.
Chu Song went upstairs for a moment, then came down dressed.
After a good night's sleep, Xie Tang had forgotten the unpleasantness of last night and asked, "Want to go out?"
"Okay, let's go to Uncle's house. You can come along."
"good."
Chu Yuan's residence is not far from the Chu family's old house, only a ten-minute walk away.
The two remained silent the entire way, and Xie Tang simply enjoyed the scenery along the way.
The courtyard gate was ajar, and Chu Song pushed it open with practiced ease, as if he were returning to his own home.
Chu Yuan and Yao Fan were drinking tea and watching TV in the living room. When they saw them come in, Chu Yuan nodded and said, "You're here."
"Mm," Chu Song replied.
Xie Tang stood beside him and greeted him politely.
Yao Fan gave Xie Tang a warm smile, invited her to sit down, and got up to go to the kitchen to prepare fruit.
As Xie Tang listened to the two chatting about everyday things, she could clearly sense that Chu Song's expression was much more relaxed in front of Chu Yuan than it was at the old house, and he seemed completely at ease.
Their close bond made them look more like father and son than uncle and nephew.
Before long, Yao Fan brought over a fruit platter.
Chu Song gestured for Xie Tang to chat with his aunt, then followed Chu Yuan to the study.
Judging from their solemn expressions, they must have something important to discuss.
"How are things going with A-Song? Do you find him too boring?" Yao Fan asked with concern.
“Song-ge is very good, but… I feel he’s been wronged,” Xie Tang said carefully. “It’s obvious he trusts his uncle more…”
“Yes, you read that right.” Yao Fan smiled gently. “Ah Song is very close to us; we watched him grow up. Our lineage has few descendants, all because I can’t have children. Your uncle never forced me to have children for him…”
She picked up a family photo from the table, her fingers gently tracing the smiling girl in the picture. "This is Ah Yun, Ah Song's daughter who grew up with him. It's a pity she's gone..."
Xie Tang looked at the photo and softly comforted her, "She has never gone far; she lives on in our hearts."
Yao Fan smiled gently and changed the subject: "We get along well with Asong. Don't be fooled by his obedient and well-behaved nature since he was little; he's actually never been happy. Since he was born, his father, Chu Zhi... has never held him even once, not even once."
Xie Tang's heart suddenly tightened.
Nine-year-old Chu Song was quiet and sensible, never causing any trouble. Little did he know that before that, he had already lost his father's love.
“The old man saw that we didn’t have a son, and he once advised Mingwei to let us adopt A-Song. Mingwei didn’t agree, so the matter was put aside. But we have always treated A-Song as our own child. We tried our best to make up for what Chu Zhi and Mingwei couldn’t give him. But in the end… we are not his biological parents, and we can’t make up for the harm that Chu Zhi caused him.”
"Perhaps deeply influenced by Chu Zhi, A Song seems to be quite slow to perceive love. I've never seen him truly like anyone. So, I was very surprised to learn that he was willing to marry you. Whatever his reasons for marrying you, I hope you two can have a good future together."
"good."
Just then, two people entered through the door.
Although Xie Tang had only met them once, he was deeply impressed and recognized them at a glance—it was Chu Zhi and You Ning.
"Sister-in-law," Chu Zhi greeted Yao Fan.
Yao Fan clearly didn't like them, and didn't even offer them a seat, only coldly saying, "Your brother is waiting for you in the study."
Chu Zhi responded, changed into slippers, and then his gaze fell on Xie Tang.
He stepped forward, stopped two steps away from her, lowered his eyes to examine her, and gave her that ambiguous smile again.
Even though Chu Song resembled him, Xie Tang's dislike for him was no less.
Yao Fan stepped forward to stop him: "What are you doing?"
Chu Zhi's gaze remained fixed on Xie Tang's face as he smiled nonchalantly, "Do you still like the wedding gift I gave you?"
Xie Tang recalled his words when they first met and instantly realized that his so-called "surprise" was actually the baby boy—it was clearly a shock!
"I'll have to trouble you to take care of my son from now on." He smiled frivolously. Xie Tang suppressed the urge to throw a punch, his face cold and hard, and remained silent.
Seeing that she had no reaction, Chu Zhi, like Chu Song, felt bored.
He turned to You Ning behind him and said, "Wait outside." Then he walked alone towards the study.
The study door was pushed open, and Chu Song looked at Chu Zhi, who walked in nonchalantly, with a gloomy expression.
"Brother, you wanted to see me?" Chu Zhi noticed his gaze, but still maintained a nonchalant attitude. He sat down opposite Chu Yuan, leaning lazily against the back of the sofa, his gaze falling on his son's face, which looked exactly like his own, with a cold mockery: "Your brother... is he being good?"
"Chu Zhi!" Chu Yuan roared in fury.
This younger brother, on whom he once placed high hopes, is now indulging in a dissolute life, causing trouble everywhere he goes, and showing no sense of family responsibility or commitment whatsoever!
Seeing his anger, Chu Zhi smiled casually: "Brother, why are you taking it so seriously when you were just joking with Ah Song? You called me here to sign the contract, right? Here, I have other things to do..."
"Where is You Ningren?" Chu Yuan slammed a thick stack of contracts on the table.
Chu Zhi took it, and without even looking at it, was about to sign: "My signature is the same. I guarantee she won't dare to do it again..."
"Have her come over and sign!" Chu Yuan interrupted sharply, leaving no room for argument.
Chu Zhi slammed his pen on the table in frustration, crossed his legs, and dialed You Ning's number with a displeased expression.
Chu Song looked at his father coldly, as if he were looking at a stranger.
Since he betrayed his mother Mingwei, the bond between father and son has long since vanished, and Chu Zhi must feel the same way about him.
They are father and son with the strongest blood ties in the world, yet more distant than strangers.
You Ning was quickly called in and stood fearfully at the door, her gaze sweeping over the room full of men with gloomy faces—these were all people she couldn't afford to offend.
Once she's signed the contract and received the money, she can disappear far away.
Apart from Chu Zhi, no one here wants to see her.
This woman, only 23 years old, is far more cunning and ruthless than her age suggests.
She knew how to use her beauty to climb up to Chu Zhi, and she also knew the principle that "a mother's status depends on her son." In less than a year, she gave birth to Chu Yun.
The birth of this child was a shock to the Chu family, and even more so, a potential threat.
She, on the other hand, used Chu Yun as leverage to extort money and the opportunity for fame from the Chu family.
"Sign it!" Chu Zhi ordered impatiently.
"Okay, okay." You Ning replied cautiously, picked up the pen, her hand trembling slightly, and prepared to put pen to paper on the contract.
Chu Song's hand suddenly landed on the signature page.
He stared at the woman before him, his gaze as sinister as a hawk's: "Do you know what's written in this contract?"
“I…I know.” You Ning didn’t dare to look him in the eye. “You…no, Mr. Chu told me.”
She was referring to Chu Zhi.
Chu Yuan said in a deep voice, "Read aloud Articles 3 through 7, the key clauses."
Yu Ning's hands trembled, her voice strained: "This contract shall come into effect on the date of signature by both parties. Upon its entry into force, any existing relationship between Chu Yun and Party B (Yu Ning) based on blood, law, or any other form shall be terminated..."
After reading it, she stared intently at the table, not daring to look up.
“Remember,” Chu Song’s voice was icy cold, “we can elevate you, and we can also ruin your reputation.”
"I know, I know!" You Ning nodded frantically. Of course, she knew when to stop. Offending the Chu family would bring her no benefit, as her future career depended on them.
"Don't worry! From now on, I... I'll pretend this child is dead! I will never let anyone know about my relationship with him again!"
A child, in exchange for ten million and a chance to become famous—it's worth it.
Even though marrying into a wealthy family is hopeless, this deal is still worthwhile.
"sign."
As if afraid they would change their minds, You Ning quickly put down her pen and signed.
Chu Song stared into her eyes, where a complex mix of emotions flickered—fear and excitement.
After she finished signing, Chu Song shouted angrily, "Get out!"
You Ning hurriedly walked out.
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