Although the instruction was to teach Zhou Xinlin about investing, forcing Shan Song to encounter the Zhou family every time he opened his eyes was nothing short of torture.
Shan Song took a break from work and started contacting Tong Zhao more frequently.
Tong Zhao continued acting as he had told Qin Siyuan, pretending that Shan Song had already been seduced by him.
Moreover, this time she didn't have to wear those stiff suits anymore, which made Tong Zhao very happy. She even felt that she should have acted like this a long time ago.
It was only much later that Shan Song learned what Tong Zhao had said back then. He immediately nestled into Tong Zhao's neck and laughed nonstop. It turned out that his wife had also contributed to his reputation being ruined back then.
However, Shan Song was currently unaware of the reason, and when he took Tong Zhao to visit the Zhou family, he felt that the Qin family members' eyes were very strange.
Shan Song didn't pay much attention and instead instructed Tong Zhao: "When we get to the Zhou family, don't listen to their nonsense, and if you do, don't argue back. Just accept the gifts, understand?"
"OK."
"I should pretend to have a good relationship with you to disgust Zhou Muyuan. You can pretend to be a pitiful little thing that I'm forcing. Just improvise for the rest. I sent Zhou Xinlin away to do some investment. He won't be back for a while. When he gets back, just tell the Qin family that."
"They're even arranging plays for themselves now," Tong Zhao smiled slightly and nodded.
"OK!"
Dan Song rubbed the back of his neck: "Good boy."
"Just this once, stay away from them in the future," Shan Song said, still frowning as he got out of the car.
Tong Zhao found his behavior amusing, like a child throwing a tantrum, and so he blurted it out, only to be met with a half-smile from Shan Song: "A child?"
Tong Zhao pursed her lips and remained silent, her gaze darting back and forth: "No."
"Heh~" Shan Song pulled him into her arms: "Let's go, fiancé."
"..."
Zhou Muyuan and Ruan Qiuju were already dressed and waiting there, maintaining the airs of elders. After Tong Zhao entered, she glanced up and then quickly looked down, glancing to the side as if observing Shan Song's expression. She shrank back and remained silent.
Shan Song didn't even glance at Tong Zhao. He reached out and forcefully put his arm around Tong Zhao's waist, half-pulling and half-dragging her to sit down next to him, pressing them close together.
Under Zhou Muyuan's scrutinizing gaze, he introduced, "This is Father, and this is..."
Dan Song paused subtly for a moment, looked up, and saw that Ruan Qiuju indeed froze for a second before slowly adding, "Call her Aunt Ruan."
Tong Zhao stammered and greeted them softly, "Hello, Father. Hello, Aunt Ruan."
Zhou Muyuan didn't respond. Tong Zhao lowered her head further and further, looking so timid that she seemed to be forced by someone.
Zhou Muyuan narrowed his eyes, looked away and then looked at Shan Song. Shan Song calmly met his gaze, his fingers still tapping on Tong Zhao's shoulder like playing a piano: "Father, this is Qin Zhao."
"Xiao Zhao, right? Don't be nervous, come sit here with Auntie." Ruan Qiuju greeted her warmly.
Tong Zhao was flattered: "Thank you, Auntie, I..."
"He won't sit." Shan Song pulled his wrist back, trapping the omega in his arms.
"..."
Shan Song gave a gentle smile and said modestly, "He's shy and likes to sit with me. Please understand, Auntie."
When had Shan Song ever spoken to her so politely? His smile was chilling. Ruan Qiuju's lips twitched, and she glanced at Zhou Muyuan.
Zhou Muyuan's face was naturally a mix of emotions, but thinking that Shan Song's return might still be useful, he swallowed his anger and only said coldly, "It seems that the relationship has been cultivated quite well during this period."
"Yes, he's the young master of the Qin family, of course he needs to be pampered a bit," Shan Song said casually.
This immediately made Zhou Muyuan's eyes darken.
Dan Song didn't seem to notice anything amiss and called out to himself, "Where's the butler? Prepare some tea."
"Come, Xiao Zhao, offer your father a cup of tea."
Tong Zhao obediently took the teacup as instructed, walked to Zhou Muyuan, hesitated for a few seconds, raised the teacup, and bent his knees.
Shan Song stood behind him, watching indifferently, with a hint of weariness in his eyes.
He had no intention of serving tea to Ruan Qiuju, and Ruan Qiuju was well aware of this. To avoid causing herself any discomfort, she pretended to be invisible at this moment.
Because Tong Zhao was present, Zhou Muyuan couldn't make a scene. He stared at the teacup and remained silent for two seconds. This time, he didn't refuse. He raised his hand to support Tong Zhao, who was kneeling, and said, "Good child, you're a member of the Zhou family now. Don't do this again next time."
"Listen to your father."
"This is a small gift prepared for you by the Zhou family. Live well with Shan Song from now on. If you encounter any difficulties, you can tell your father." Zhou Muyuan patted Tong Zhao's hand suggestively, causing Tong Zhao's hand to tremble slightly.
"Thank you, Father."
Zhou Muyuan pretended not to see it, and looked up at Shan Song and said, "Since you know he is the young master of the Qin family, don't be so clueless, treat him well."
"What are you saying, Father? Xiao Zhao will be my omega from now on. I love Xiao Zhao so much, I will naturally take good care of him."
As he spoke, Shan Song carefully put away all the gifts he had personally selected for the meeting, and took Tong Zhao's hand with his other hand: "Then Father, we'll be leaving now."
Zhou Muyuan frowned: "Where are you going? Aren't you going to eat?"
Shan Song smiled and said, "We need to rehearse the wedding ceremony these two days. We'll be flying to the island this afternoon. I need to go back and tell the Qin family. Please forgive me, Father."
There was no reason to complain, Zhou Muyuan snorted coldly, but ultimately said nothing.
After leaving the Zhou family's gate and getting back into the car, the two drove along the winding mountain road for a while before suddenly looking at each other and smiling.
As soon as Shan Song got in the car, he threw the bundle of things back into the back seat. Then he turned his chin and gestured to Tong Zhao: "Take a look at them yourself. I picked them all out. See if you like them."
Tong Zhao smiled and casually opened the gift box: "What's this? Is it jade?"
Dan Song leaned closer mysteriously: "The auction price more than ten years ago was 450 million."
Tong Zhao's eyes widened for a moment.
"Are you happy? There are even more expensive ones, take a look."
He's not really greedy for money. This guy is really something. Tong Zhao's eyes gleamed, and the corners of his mouth remained curved in the smile: "This is a collectible, right? Its value should be more than the marked price. Why is Zhou Muyuan willing to give it up?"
“What does he know? He’s a nouveau riche. In his eyes, compared to the Zhou family, these things are probably just a few expensive pieces of broken stone. They’re perfect for bribing me to serve the Zhou family.”
Tong Zhao laughed: "How did you get influenced by Aunt Yuan?"
"A nouveau riche? That's what I was saying to Aunt Yuan." Shan Song thought the description was very accurate. Zhou Muyuan's ability to squeeze into the six major families was a disgrace to them.
Tong Zhao laughed even more heartily.
“I’ve been wanting to find a reason to get my mother’s collection back for a long time. This time, it’s just in time. Thanks to Zhao Zhao, my mother will be very happy.” Shan Song’s eyes fell on Tong Zhao, and he smiled gently.
Reminded by Shan Song, Tong Zhao asked, "Shouldn't we go and pay our respects to our mother?"
"Okay, I'll go right away."
"Let's buy a bouquet of flowers," Tong Zhao suggested.
"good."
The car was parked on the side of the street, and Shan Song unbuckled his seatbelt: "I'll go, you stay in the car for a while."
"good!"
Dansong returned quickly, carrying a bunch of fresh and vibrant sunflowers.
Dan Song opened the back seat and secured it, then picked up a small bag of things and sat back in the driver's seat.
Tong Zhao was a little confused and was about to ask what it was when Shan Song spoke first: "Zhao Zhao, lift your leg."
Tong Zhao unconsciously did as he was told, and then he saw Shan Song bend down and roll up his trouser leg, unscrew a bottle of medicine in his hand, pour out a little and rub it in his hands, and then massage his knee with moderate force.
"..." Tong Zhao was speechless for a moment.
"Why were you using so much force just now? You could have given me a hint: put a cushion under your head..."
Although it sounded like a reprimand, Shan Song's cold and hard voice was clearly full of concern.
Tong Zhao shrank his toes, lowered his head, and replied dryly, "Just adapt to the situation."
After rubbing the medicated oil on his forehead, Shan Song lightly tapped his forehead and said irritably, "You're quite dedicated."
"It won't happen again next time," Tong Zhao replied in a sweet and gentle voice.
Dan Song had no choice but to help him pull down his trouser leg: "Does it hurt?"
"A little bit."
"You... there won't be a next time." Shan Song deliberately kept a cold face.
"Okay!" Tong Zhao seemed very obedient, reaching out to gently hook Shan Song's palm: "I promise I'll discuss it with you, don't be angry."
This action reminded Shan Song of when she put the ring on his finger at their engagement party. Her eyes crinkled, and she couldn't maintain her composure: "Let's go."
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