What to exchange? Tong Zhao looked down at the loosely fitted ring on her finger, paused for a moment, and then realized what Shan Song meant.
Then I fell into confusion again...
Reminded by Shan Song's gentle pinching of his finger, Tong Zhao snapped out of his daze and hurriedly slipped another ring onto Shan Song's finger before a second commotion erupted from the audience.
When I looked up again, I was met with the eyes of the person in front of me.
His tall figure completely enveloped him, his cheekbones were high, his eyebrows were lowered, and his eyes, as deep as an icy pool, stared at people without blinking.
Such a fierce and menacing demeanor should have made people feel suffocated, but the person being stared at did not feel the slightest fear.
Tong Zhao's eyelashes fluttered twice, and she lowered her eyes.
The omega, who had been keeping to himself, finally felt the reality that "the alpha in front of him is my fiancé".
If a marriage is absolutely necessary, then the Alpha in front of me... doesn't seem like a bad option.
The ceremony continued amidst the host's impassioned voice. After Tong Zhao and Shan Song stepped down from the stage, they returned to their original positions.
Amid Zhou Muyuan's rebuke, Shan Song savored the memory of Tong Zhao's fingers gently touching his palm, unsure whether it was intentional or unintentional.
But there is no doubt that Shan Song himself was momentarily overwhelmed by this cautious action.
Thinking of Tong Zhao's bright and clear eyes when she looked at him, Shan Song clicked his tongue lightly, suppressing the restlessness that was growing in his heart.
I truly feel ashamed for letting this child down after trusting me...
In the brief moment of distraction, Shan Song didn't notice that his reaction had completely changed its meaning in Zhou Muyuan's eyes.
Zhou Muyuan, who was on the verge of exploding, was stung by his seemingly disdainful expression and almost instantly burst out: "Do you have a big problem with this? You have to get married whether you want to or not. Aren't you so capable of betraying your own family? If you're so capable, then don't come back to the Zhou family in the future."
Dan Song was jolted back to his senses by the roar, his brows furrowed as he glared at Zhou's father.
Then his stepmother's voice came from beside him, advising, "Old Zhou, I don't think Xiao Song has any feelings for that Qin family kid. Maybe we shouldn't force him?"
Then he turned to Shan Song and said insincerely, "Xiao Song, quickly apologize to your father and stop being so willful."
"What a joke! What does he think this is? A marriage alliance between two families, how can he just back out like that? He dares to throw a tantrum on stage, does he even respect me as his father?"
“Dad, my brother definitely didn’t do it on purpose. He still has to go back to the company to help you, and besides, my sister-in-law is so beautiful…” Zhou Xinlin paused, his tone ambiguous, “How could my brother not like her, right, brother?”
Shan Song scoffed lightly, coldly watching the mother and son put on their act, and said in a calm tone, "I haven't even said anything yet and you've already convicted me?"
"Could it be that I've wronged you?"
Zhou Muyuan shot a fierce gaze at him, as if the person in front of him was not his son, but some kind of enemy.
"Since you're convinced I don't want to get married, what can I say in argument? But I'd like to ask my dear younger brother—"
Dan Song took two steps forward, his piercing gaze forcing Zhou Xinlin, who had just been speaking rudely, to take several steps back. Then his gaze swept over Zhou Xinlin and the family of three who shared his hatred, finally settling on Zhou Xinlin. His eyes suddenly turned icy: "How beautiful is she? Don't tell me you have some ulterior motives towards your sister-in-law?"
"How dare you speak to your brother like that!" The roar arrived as expected: "You unfilial son!"
"He's after my omega. My father was just lecturing me. Does he want me to hand him over to my brother? If he really wants that, it's not impossible before we get married."
Dan Song watched Zhou Xinlin's face turn from white to black with amusement, and said with a smile, "How about it? Good brother, if you want to form a marriage alliance with the Qin family so much, your elder brother will naturally be willing to grant your wish."
Zhou Xinlin's tone was harsh, his bravado masking his inner weakness: "Brother, you'd better not make jokes like that!"
"I'm not joking, what do you think?" Shan Song smiled at Zhou Muyuan, "My brother and I both inherited your excellent genes. My younger brother and that beautiful omega from the Qin family are a good match, aren't they?"
"You! You..." Zhou Muyuan's fingertips trembled as he pointed at Shan Song, his lips moving and his expression ferocious.
Having watched the commotion unfold for a while, stepmother Ruan Qiuju finally stepped in to smooth things over when the fire was now burning her own son.
"Old Zhou, don't be angry. How can you treat an engagement like a game? This kid is probably just upset that you kicked him out of the company. You two may be arguing, but the company is so big, how can you manage it all by yourself? Xinlin is too young, so let Xiaosong go back and help you!"
"What do you know? I can't handle him?" Zhou Muyuan seemed to be reminded of something, pointing at Shan Song's nose and cursing, "Don't think the Zhou family can't function without you. Going back to the company, huh? Don't even think about stepping into the Zhou family's door again until you get married!"
Dan Song remained expressionless and spoke calmly: "I will follow Father's arrangements."
"Hmph!" Zhou Muyuan felt smug seeing how he had him completely under his control: So what if he's unhappy? He still has no choice but to obey me, just like his mother who died young.
Thinking of this, Zhou Muyuan's anger subsided considerably, and he pretended to walk away.
Zhou Xinlin and her son also left, giving Shan Song a few provocative glances before they left.
As the engagement ceremony drew to a close, Zhou's father's departure did not cause much of a commotion, but a few words still reached Tong Zhao's ears.
Most of the comments were about the Zhou family's dissatisfaction with him and Shan Song's dislike of him, and they were said in a furtive manner, so Tong Zhao didn't take them too seriously.
I was stunned when I overheard someone say, "The eldest son of the Zhou family is quite pitiful. His mother passed away and his stepmother took over. He can't even decide his own marriage."
He spotted Shan Song in the crowd. The tall, imposing man seemed to shut out everything in the banquet hall. When he sensed being watched, his eyes suddenly sharpened, making one's hair stand on end and giving the illusion of being stared at by a wild beast.
Dan Song turned his head and saw that it was Tong Zhaocai, which softened his expression. He raised his eyebrows slightly: What kind of expression is that?
After a brief exchange of glances, Tong Zhao was called by a member of the Qin family. When she turned around, Shan Song had already left.
My pocket vibrated again, and the screen displayed a message that Shan Song had just sent.
Go back and get some rest. Don't overthink it. Keep in touch.
Tong Zhao replied with a flick of her finger: 【Okay, you too.】
...
Back at the Qin family home, Qin Daosheng arranged for several bodyguards to guard Tong Zhao and moved his residence to the main house, presumably to prevent him from running away.
Tong Zhao didn't take their wariness seriously; on the contrary, he was quite happy to be at ease. There were few people in the main house, and the Qin family was busy with their cooperation with the Zhou family, so they had no time to pay attention to him.
Although the bodyguards outside the door were watching him all the time, at least he didn't have to live in constant fear and worry about his unknown fate like before.
Coupled with her subconscious trust in Shan Song, Tong Zhao slept soundly for several days.
Having recovered most of his energy, Tong Zhao also had the time to look around the Qin family's residence.
He just didn't expect to run into an acquaintance as soon as he stepped out the door.
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