Tong Zhao felt he needed to defend himself: "But I thought I'd contact you for help if I couldn't handle it."
"Well, at least you have some self-awareness."
Shan Song suddenly leaned closer to him and looked him in the eye: "Have you also thought that the Qin family and the Zhou family are too powerful, and telling me, a small business owner, is of no use?"
For some reason, this person had another bad thought. Even though he was so perceptive that he had already guessed that the omega in front of him was thinking of him and didn't want to cause him any trouble, he still asked that question on purpose.
"No!" Tong Zhao immediately retorted, her eyes widening considerably at the sight of such a large pot.
"Isn't that right?" Shan Song found his reaction quite amusing and asked in return.
He was clearly deliberately misinterpreting my meaning, and then he tried to turn the tables on me! Tong Zhao felt as if she had suddenly glimpsed a corner of this person's wicked nature, just like when he deliberately teased him back then.
"Are you angry?" Shan Song asked.
"……No."
"Don't be angry, I just wanted to tell you not to always think too highly of people."
Dan Song returned to his seat, his tone indifferent: "You haven't made any progress over the years. Did you really think that little knife was of any use back then?"
In his opinion, Tong Zhao was a bit reckless back then, but he was still a child after all, and unusually kind-hearted. It was already quite remarkable that someone from an ordinary family could have such a sense of crisis. It was normal for him not to think things through. Shan Song understood this, but still wanted to give him a heads-up.
Tong Zhao sighed inwardly. He had only done two stupid things, and this person just happened to see them both. Now, he had been unfairly labeled an innocent innocent, and he was powerless to refute it...
Should I tell him that I'm not actually so naive about the world, and that I wasn't just being kind for no reason back then, but that I was just trying to use you as a last resort because I couldn't keep my job?
What if things take a turn for the better?
As it turns out, there were no "what ifs." He really did meet a wonderful person, although this kind person with the surname Shan is now telling him not to think too highly of people...
Ultimately, she gave up on explaining and obediently responded to the not-so-pleasant expression of concern: "I know."
"You disagree?"
"No."
The last vestige of seriousness in Shan Song faded, replaced by a smile in his eyes: "No, no, I understand. Is that all you can say?"
Tong Zhao looked up at him, her light brown eyes clearly saying: So what do you want?
They may not even realize how unbearable that seemingly complaining yet subtly trusting gaze is.
A moment later, Shan Song was the first to look away.
Noticing that Tong Zhao's phone indicator light was flashing, Shan Song picked it up and handed it to Tong Zhao.
"Qin Daosheng is urging me," Tong Zhao reminded him.
"Yes, we'll meet again later, and we'll talk then." Shan Song took out his phone: "Let's exchange contact information first."
"good."
After adding the person and changing their nickname, Shan Song asked in a low voice, "Can you handle the Qin family?"
"OK."
"Well, if you have any questions, just push them onto me. Contact me anytime if you need anything, don't be afraid of trouble. We need to discuss the marriage together."
"I know." Tong Zhao looked up, her eyes sparkling like a well-behaved puppy.
Shan Song couldn't resist ruffling his hair: "Want to come out with me?"
"Um."
After walking a few steps, Tong Zhao remembered something and asked him, "Don't we need to avoid suspicion?"
“We’re already engaged. I’m just here to see my fiancé. What’s the point of avoiding suspicion?”
Then why did you secretly write me a note?
Tong Zhao didn't ask, but Shan Song seemed to know what he wanted to say. As they walked out, he said, "I can tell you don't really like these kinds of occasions. Let me help you relax."
I see.
"Thank you—" Upon meeting Shan Song's gaze, Tong Zhao swallowed back the thank you she was about to say.
Shan Song added, "You're so relaxed you've fallen asleep. Looks like the note wasn't a waste of time."
"..."
Back in the banquet hall.
The atmosphere seemed to heat up a bit more. As soon as Shan Song came out of the room, he put on his usual expressionless face, exuding an aura of pressure.
As he passed through the crowd, people around him avoided his gaze, and the volume of their conversations suddenly dropped. Even Tong Zhao, who was standing next to him, had the illusion that he was being bullied by others.
He gently tugged at the sleeve of his shirt, lowered his head and said in a low voice, "I'll go find my father and the others first."
Dan Song raised an eyebrow slightly and gave him a scrutinizing look, thinking to himself: His acting skills are indeed quite good; he really does look like the timid little guy he met for the first time.
"I'll go with you."
...
Qin Daosheng was suppressing his anger and ordered people to go find Tong Zhao, who had suddenly disappeared.
When Shan Song and his companion arrived, they caught him scolding the person on the other end of the phone in a low voice: "Could it have run away? Go find it! Search every room!"
"Father," Tong Zhao called out timidly from a short distance away.
Qin Daosheng paused, turned his head, said into the phone, "No need to look anymore," hung up, turned around, and said through gritted teeth, "Where the hell have you been? You dare not answer the phone?"
"I..." Tong Zhao lowered her head, looking timid and hesitant.
Shan Song picked up the conversation: "Uncle."
Qin Daosheng then noticed that there was someone standing beside him, and his expression softened a bit: "Xiaosong, what brings you here?"
"I met my...fiancé, we chatted for a bit, and it took up a lot of time, I'm sorry."
Qin Daosheng's eyes swept between the two men, and he forced a warm, fake smile.
"I see. Nephew, you didn't even tell me beforehand. Today is the engagement of the Zhou and Qin families, so it's best to be careful."
"Uncle is right, I was inconsiderate." Shan Song nodded.
"The ceremony is about to begin, and your father is waiting for you."
"Then you go ahead with your work."
Shan Song gave Tong Zhao a deep look, then turned around, concealing his previous expression, and strode forward.
Once Shan Song's figure disappeared into the crowd, Qin Daosheng said coldly, "Come with me!"
Tong Zhao lowered his head and followed behind the person.
Qin Siyuan soon arrived as well, and the two Alphas cornered Tong Zhao in the room.
Qin Daosheng looked down at him condescendingly: "You'd better not have any ulterior motives. What did Shan Song tell you?"
Tong Zhao remained silent.
Qin Daosheng could barely maintain a semblance of courtesy towards Shan Song out of respect for the Zhou family, but there was no need to do so with Tong Zhao.
Qin Daosheng's greasy face couldn't hide his disdain: "Hmph, he can't even protect himself, do you expect him to help you? Don't dream. Remember, your surname is Qin, and you are a member of the Qin family."
"I thought you were a pragmatic person, but I overestimated you."
"..."
Sharp sarcastic remarks were incessant, but Tong Zhao shut down her mind and pretended to accept them in silence.
Qin Siyuan remained silent, merely watching Tong Zhao coldly from the side.
After Qin Daosheng finished reprimanding him, he slowly opened a document and presented it to Tong Zhao.
His tone was calm, but his eyes were terrifyingly cold: "Your maternal grandmother's house, those neighbors who helped you, you don't want them to be homeless because of your refusal to cooperate, do you?"
Tong Zhao's gaze lingered briefly on the boldface words "Old-style Community Renovation Plan," and his eyes trembled.
Qin Siyuan continued calmly, "Being honest is better for all of us."
"……yes."
Tong Zhao lowered her head, pursed her lips, slumped her shoulders, and hunched over as she replied softly:
“I… I’m not used to this kind of situation. I just wanted to find a room to rest. That person suddenly came in and told me he could take me away, but I didn’t agree to anything he asked. I won’t do it again next time.”
Qin Daosheng scoffed lightly, unsure whether he believed it or not.
Qin Siyuan patted his shoulder and said, "You did a great job."
"All you need to do now is cooperate with the Qin family to complete the marriage alliance. As for anything else, the Qin family will satisfy you."
“That’s right,” Qin Daosheng agreed, emphasizing his words with a deeper meaning: “Including approving a large sum of compensation for the demolition, so that your good neighbors can enjoy their old age in peace.”
"I understand," Tong Zhao replied in a low, hoarse voice.
Qin Daosheng then smiled with satisfaction.
"The ceremony is about to begin, let's go."
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