On the way back, Song Xuanhe kept recalling what Xiao Shenglin had just said.
If Xiao Shenglin's death was related to his adoption by the Xiao family's patriarch and his wife when he was a child, then why didn't they deal with Xiao Shenglin earlier or later, but chose this time when so many years have passed?
What's more, even in small families in the imperial capital, there are brothers framing each other and sons forcing their fathers to death. Such a small thing happening in the Xiao family actually has no impact on the entire circle. Other people will not be in a big way because of this small thing in the Xiao family. After all, there are many people and there will be many gossips. Even in the most upright big families, there will be some secrets. As long as the Xiao family does not fall, no one would dare to talk about this matter even if Xiao Shenglin really died because of it.
So why did the Xiao family choose to attack Xiao Shenglin again after so many years?
Is it because of something that happened or because of someone?
Song Xuanhe suddenly thought of Xiao Yuanmu.
If the Xiao family wanted to eliminate Xiao Shenglin, who once replaced Xiao Yuanmu, because of Xiao Yuanmu's return, it seems to make sense.
Because if that was the case, it would explain why Xiao Shenglin got into trouble at this time, but for some reason, Song Xuanhe always felt that something was wrong.
"Second Master, we're here."
Zhang Chao parked the car and opened the door for Song Xuanhe. While opening the door, he couldn't help but take a look at his expression. Seeing that he was drunk but sober, he felt relieved.
Song Xuanhe came to his senses and got out of the car. He walked into the elevator and saw Zhang Chao did not leave but followed behind him. He stopped and turned around and said, "You go back. I can go up by myself."
"I'll make you some sobering tea and leave." Zhang Chao said, "Otherwise you'll have a headache when you wake up tomorrow morning."
Song Xuanhe was about to say that he wouldn't have a headache when he was drunk, but when he thought that this was not his body after all, he was silent for a while, then turned and entered the elevator.
After returning home, Song Xuanhe immediately found the sofa and lay down with a pillow.
Even though he drank a lot just now, he was still clear-headed because he had been paying attention to the alcohol content and did not mix anything. However, the aftereffects of drinking too much were still unavoidable. He felt very sleepy and had no strength.
Zhang Chao went to the kitchen as soon as he entered the room. After he made some sobering tea and came out, Song Xuanhe, who was lying on the sofa, was already asleep.
He put the tea aside and was about to take a blanket to cover Song Xuanhe when he heard Song Xuanhe's cell phone ringing.
Song Xuanhe was suddenly awakened. When he opened his eyes, he saw Zhang Chao standing next to him with a blanket. He rubbed his eyes, picked up the tea on the table and took a sip, saying, "You can go back."
"Then you should go to bed early." Zhang Chao nodded, bent down and put the blanket on another sofa. When he stood up, he didn't know what he was thinking about. A complicated look flashed across his eyes. He said, "Second Young Master, can I ask you a question?"
Song Xuanhe was holding his phone, and he said, "Speak."
"You...really don't plan to inherit the Song family?"
"I don't plan to." Song Xuanhe raised his head and saw Zhang Chao's regretful look. He said seriously, "Brother Zhang, I know you want me to inherit the Song family, but I don't like it. And you also know that I have my own favorite things. You don't need to ask me about this matter anymore, and don't help grandpa test me."
Zhang Chao froze for a moment, looked into Song Xuanhe's clear eyes, and sighed softly, "The young master has grown up."
"I'm sorry." Zhang Chao smiled bitterly and said, "There won't be a next time."
Song Xuanhe answered the phone and shook his head, "I know you've always been doing this for my own good."
Zhang Chao nodded slightly, paused, and seemed to be hesitant to speak.
Song Xuanhe didn't notice his expression and had a conversation with Xiao Shenglin, who was confirming that he had arrived home safely. When she hung up, she realized that he hadn't left yet.
"Brother Zhang, do you have anything else to do?"
"How long do you plan to take to come back after you go out?" Zhang Chao thought about it and asked.
Song Xuanhe raised his eyebrows: "Grandpa asked you to ask again?"
"No." Zhang Chao said, "I don't know why, but when I heard that you were leaving, I always felt uneasy, as if... it was not auspicious. Maybe it's because I've been following you all the time, so I feel a little uneasy."
Song Xuanhe was curious about what he didn't say, "Like what?"
Zhang Chao frowned, looked at Song Xuanhe and said, "Second Young Master, I've watched you grow up. There are some things I shouldn't say because of my status, but I can't let it go if I don't say it, so I must ask you."
Song Xuanhe nodded: "You ask."
"When I was checking your bank account for money a while ago, I found that you donated a large sum of money to charities and welfare homes in the suburbs. I don't want to investigate your spending, but there was no sign of this before, and... I also found that you have been looking up a lot of information on extreme sports recently. I didn't think much of it when I saw this, but I found that you were looking up information on Alang Country recently."
[Will your assistant find out what you are going to do? 】The system said in surprise.
Song Xuanhe's eyebrows jumped, and he said calmly: "It's just checking the information. What do you want to say?"
"Alang is one of the countries most severely affected by war right now. Even the flights to that country have been blocked. I am very worried about your investigation of information there."
"Second Young Master." Zhang Chao said, "Your recent spending and the things you checked make me very worried. I always have a feeling... that you will never come back."
When he said the last sentence, Zhang Chao's voice lowered, but his eyes were staring at Song Xuanhe very seriously, like a parent who had noticed that his adolescent child had dangerous thoughts and was ready for action.
It was the first time that Song Xuanhe knew that Zhang Chao was so sharp. In fact, he checked the information of Alang Country just to make his disappearance a logical but not completely hopeless result. After all, many people disappeared in Alang Country every year, and the armies of various countries and various organizations were intertwined and complicated. If he went back there, it would be very difficult for the Song family and Xiao Yuanmu to find him even if they wanted to.
It was precisely because of this that he looked up the information there.
But he didn't expect that he was discovered by Zhang Chao.
[The route home you chose seems to be blocked. 】The system said: 【Now Zhang Chao has discovered that you are checking the information of Alang Country. If you disappear there, they may think you committed suicide. 】
There was no need for the system to remind him of this, Song Xuanhe also knew that this path was no longer feasible.
However, the most urgent task is not to let Zhang Chao have any doubts.
"Brother Zhang, you think too much." Song Xuanhe seemed to find his words interesting. After laughing a few times, he said, "The donations are not because I did a lot of bad things before. You should know the reason for the welfare home. As for checking extreme sports, young people like me who yearn for freedom and pursue excitement have checked them. There is also Alang Country, because there is a special dyeing technique there, and an ancient hand-weaving technique. You also know that I am running a design studio now, and these are all my work content."
Song Xuanhe's words were well-reasoned and dispelled Zhang Chao's doubts one by one.
Zhang Chao thought this explanation was reasonable, but he still felt something was wrong. However, he couldn't figure out what it was, so he could only put aside his doubts for the time being and said, "The dyes and weavings in Alang should be the traditions of the Arab region. There may be other places besides there. I'll help you check."
Song Xuanhe said sincerely: "Thank you, Brother Zhang."
"What are you thanking me for?" Looking at Song Xuan's smiling face, Zhang Chao sighed inwardly, feeling both relieved and impressed: "The Second Young Master is becoming more and more mature."
Song Xuanhe's eyes were bent. Zhang Chao wanted to say something, but he heard Song Xuanhe's phone ringing again. He closed his mouth again and said, "You should get some rest early. I'm leaving first."
"Drive safely."
After Zhang Chao left, Song Xuanhe picked up the video call. Seeing Xiao Yuanmu on the other side, he raised his eyebrows and said, "It's two o'clock in the morning here. You really know how to pick a good time to call."
Seeing Song Xuanhe's cheeks flushed from drinking, and thinking of the news that those people had just reported, Xiao Yuanmu's eyes darkened a little, and asked, "Why aren't you asleep yet?"
Song Xuanhe sneered: "You ask even though you already know the answer."
Xiao Yuanmu's eyes flickered slightly, and he looked calm: "Because I just heard something suddenly, and I felt that you must want to know, so I called to see if you slept."
"Two o'clock in the morning?" Song Xuan's eyes and eyebrows were full of suspicion.
Xiao Yuanmu remained calm: "Yes."
"Go ahead." Song Xuanhe said, "What's the matter?"
"About Xiao Shenglin." Xiao Yuanmu said calmly: "I remember you had a good relationship with him."
"You say that as if he and I are closer than you are." Song Xuanhe grabbed a few pillows and piled them on the sofa, snuggled in, and then took a blanket from the side to cover himself. Then he said, "If I remember correctly, you and Xiao Shenglin can be considered brothers if you say that."
"The blood relationship is very different." Xiao Yuanmu looked cold, and after a pause he added: "But if nothing unexpected happens, he will be my brother in name only."
Song Xuanhe's expression changed slightly, and he frowned and asked, "Because of the fact that Xiao Shenglin was adopted by your family?"
A trace of surprise flashed across Xiao Yuanmu's eyes: "Did he tell you?"
"He was drunk just now and said it accidentally."
"Yeah." Xiao Yuanmu asked casually, not caring how Song Xuanhe knew it. It was a pity that without this reason, the chat time would be much shorter, so he asked another question: "What did he say?"
Song Xuanhe roughly repeated what Xiao Shenglin said.
Xiao Yuanmu: "It's similar to what I heard, with more details."
Song Xuanhe nodded, hesitated for a moment, and asked, "Do you think the Xiao family might do something to Xiao Shenglin because of this?"
Xiao Yuanmu hesitated for a few seconds and said, "Impossible."
"Why not?" Song Xuanhe said, "If you hadn't been found, Xiao Shenglin might not be in danger. But after you were found, Madam Xiao and the head of the Xiao family might be afraid that you would become alienated from them because of this incident, and would they attack Xiao Shenglin?"
Something flashed across Xiao Yuanmu's eyes, but he still denied it: "Xiao Lin can't do that. The benefits of doing so are far less than the value of the effort, and there are potential dangers. He is not that stupid."
Song Xuanhe's eyelashes trembled slightly, and he pursed his lips and said, "You don't seem to like the Xiao family."
"Yeah." Xiao Yuanmu admitted readily.
Song Xuanhe didn't ask why. After a few seconds of silence, he continued the previous topic and asked, "Who do you think in the Xiao family wants Xiao Shenglin to get into trouble the most?"
Xiao Yuanmu understood the implication of Song Xuan's words and asked, "Why do you think Xiao Shenglin will be in danger?"
Song Xuanhe didn't know how to answer, so he said vaguely: "Intuition."
Xiao Yuanmu narrowed his eyes slightly, and a dark light flashed in his eyes: "Do you have a hunch about him?"
"I also have a hunch about you." Song Xuanhe said, "For example, I knew about your stomachache very quickly."
The gloom in Xiao Yuanmu's eyes suddenly disappeared, and he put the phone further away, saying, "If someone in the Xiao family really wants to harm him, the most likely person is Xiao Bocong."
Song Xuanhe frowned: "What do you mean?"
Why did Xiao Shenglin's affairs suddenly involve Xiao Bocong?
"Because of me." Xiao Yuanmu said calmly: "The news about Xiao Shenglin was leaked to me by someone from Xiao Bocong's side."
"To annoy you?"
"Maybe." Xiao Yuanmu said, "There may be other reasons, such as what you said, letting Xiao Shenglin get into trouble and then blaming me."
Song Xuanhe was puzzled: "Will others believe it? Also, what's the point of putting the blame on you? Is there anyone who wants you to pay for your life because of this?"
Song Xuan and himself did not believe the last half of the sentence.
This world advocates equality for all, but where can there be true equality? Levels and gaps have existed since ancient times. There is absolutely no equality between two people with huge differences in status. Just like Xiao Yuanmu and Song Xuanhe who were not found by the Xiao family, and also like the current Xiao family's eldest master Xiao Yuanmu and Xiao Shenglin, who is related by blood but very far away from them.
Even if Xiao Yuanmu really heard that Xiao Shenglin had taken over his position and done something to him, no member of the Xiao family would protest against it.
Xiao Yuanmu's face was calm, with a cold look in his eyes: "Of course not."
"However, as the head of the Xiao family who didn't even let go of the person who tried to replace him but failed, there will always be people gossiping about this. Moreover, if I inherit the Xiao family, will I let go of Xiao Bocong, who has been sitting on the position of the only heir of the Xiao family?"
As Xiao Yuanmu finished explaining the interests and conspiracies in a emotionless manner, Song Xuanhe's brows began to frown a little.
Because Xiao Shenglin's situation was more dangerous than he had imagined, and because Xiao Yuanmu didn't seem to accept the Xiao family's attitude at all.
In the novel, although Xiao Yuanmu found it difficult at first to accept that he suddenly had parents and brothers, he gradually opened his heart later on. His feelings for his younger brother Xiao Bacong were even deeper than for his parents. Although he did not like to express it, the author described the differences between Xiao Yuanmu's attitude towards Xiao Bacong and other people in the Xiao family in many details.
For example, on Xiao Bacong's birthday, he would personally choose gifts according to his hobbies, when talking to Xiao Bacong, he would say a few more words than when talking to other people, and when Xiao Bacong made a request, he would basically not refuse even if he was reluctant... In general, Xiao Yuanmu in the book has a very close relationship with his younger brother Xiao Bacong, almost to the point of doting.
The book also says that Xiao Yuanmu grew up in an orphanage. Even if he usually appears cold and indifferent to family affection, when he is really facing his brother who is related to him by blood and is cheerful and sunny, he can't help but treat him differently from others.
Song Xuanhe felt a little strange. Logically speaking, according to the timeline in the book, although Xiao Yuanmu's relationship with Xiao Bocong at this time was not as close as that of brothers, it should be much closer than with other people. But now it seems that Xiao Yuanmu's attitude towards Xiao Bocong has nothing to do with pampering. It may even be that Xiao Yuanmu is not only not close to him, but also hates him very much.
What went wrong?
Song Xuanhe felt something was wrong, but he couldn't figure it out. He could only give up thinking and focus on the matter at hand: "You mean, if something happened to Xiao Shenglin, it's very likely that Xiao Bocong attacked Xiao Shenglin in order to frame you."
"Xiao Baicong is the most likely one." Xiao Yuanmu nodded, and then said, "But Xiao Shenglin's branch is also a suspect."
Song Xuanhe nodded slowly, wondering whether Xiao Yuanmu's analysis was likely. Suddenly, he paused and frowned, "The faction of Xiao Shenglin's family, that is, his uncle's family, do they support Xiao Bocong?"
Xiao Yuanmu glanced at him, a hint of surprise flashed across his eyes: "He has not yet chosen a side."
Song Xuanhe frowned, "They won't stand for you even if they don't stand for you. Regardless of whether you were in their group when you got lost, they are the most suspicious. After you come back, they will definitely not stand for you."
Xiao Yuanmu nodded, agreeing with Song Xuanhe's words.
Song Xuanhe felt that this matter was becoming even more difficult to handle. If only the head of the Xiao family wanted to deal with Xiao Shenglin, perhaps this matter could be easier to resolve, after all, there was Xiao Yuanmu. But if Xiao Shenglin was involved in the power struggle between Xiao Yuanmu and Xiao Bocong, this matter would become much more complicated.
"This matter..." Song Xuanhe rubbed his brows and said with a sigh, "It's really troublesome."
Xiao Yuanmu looked at him and asked, "Do you care about Xiao Shenglin's life or death?"
"Nonsense." Song Xuanhe said: "He is my friend."
"What about me?" Xiao Yuanmu stared at him without blinking.
Song Xuanhe paused while rubbing his brows, lowered his eyes and said calmly: "You can protect yourself."
"If I'm in danger..."
Xiao Yuanmu lowered his voice. He originally wanted to say that if he was in danger, he hoped Song Xuanhe would care about him more than Xiao Shenglin.
But thinking about how he had escaped death countless times in his previous life, and the last time he had no way to escape, he suddenly couldn't say the next words. If he was really in danger, he hoped that Song Xuanhe could face it with him and share the joys and sorrows, but he also hoped that Song Xuanhe could stay out of it and protect himself.
The two thoughts were so strong that he couldn't tell them apart for a moment. Did he want Song Xuanhe to be with him forever, or would it be better for him to be able to stay on his own?
"What if you're in danger?"
Song Xuanhe originally wanted to avoid what Xiao Yuanmu said, but when he stopped talking halfway, his original avoidance mentality changed. He wanted to know what Xiao Yuanmu had not finished saying.
Xiao Yuanmu's eyes flickered slightly, hiding the thick gloom that suddenly surged up. He raised his eyes to look at Song Xuanhe, suppressed the hoarseness in his voice, and said, "What will happen to you?"
Song Xuanhe suddenly fell silent, turned away and said, "How would I know about something that didn't happen?"
Xiao Yuanmu's eyes fell on his fair and plump earlobes. His Adam's apple rolled, and the dark color in his eyes gradually dissipated. He chuckled softly and said, "That's right."
Hearing the voice that seemed to come from Xiao Yuanmu's chest, Song Xuanhe couldn't help but purse his lips.
For a moment, the two were speechless.
After an unknown amount of time, Song Xuanhe felt an itch rising from his chest, and then he yawned heavily. His eyes instantly became watery, and he immediately said, "I'm sleepy. I'm hanging up now."
"etc."
Song Xuanhe's hand, which was about to touch the screen, paused. Seeing Xiao Yuanmu's face still there, he felt a little sorry that he couldn't interrupt it this time. He could only ask, "Anything else?"
Looking at Song Xuanhe who was curled up on the sofa surrounded by a bunch of pillows, Xiao Yuanmu's eyes deepened. He remembered the scene when Song Xuanhe was standing on the sofa and talking to him condescendingly.
He couldn't help but wonder what would happen if he hadn't resisted the reaction provoked by Song Xuanhe and had done it with him directly... Xiao Yuanmu's slightly opened legs moved and overlapped, then he moved the phone up and coughed softly, "I heard that you have already completed the leave procedures, where are you planning to go?"
Song Xuanhe tilted his head and said meaningfully, "Where did you hear that? I just told Zhou Nan and the others about this. It's not like Xiao Shenglin told Xiao Ranyun right after he knew about it, and then Xiao Ranyun told you right after that."
Xiao Yuanmu said calmly, "Mrs. Song told me."
Song Xuanhe paused, eyes widening: "Who?"
Xiao Yuanmu: "Aunt Song."
Song Xuanhe: "When did she tell you and how did she tell you?"
"In the morning, after you have completed the leave procedures." Xiao Yuanmu answered Song Xuanhe's question and added a word of advice from Li Nian'an: "Aunt Song said that she hopes I can contact you at any time, and it would be best if I could dissuade you from traveling around the world."
"Anything else?" Song Xuanhe asked, "Isn't that all? And why did you keep her contact information?"
"Aunt Song asked Mrs. James to give it to me." Seeing Song Xuanhe's tense expression, Xiao Yuanmu hid a smile in his eyes and said in a clear voice with a bit of innocence: "Aunt Song may want to confirm the relationship between you and me at any time. After all, you have a criminal record."
"What criminal record do I have?" Song Xuanhe's eyes widened, and his clear voice became hoarse because of the alcohol he had just drunk: "Besides, there is no relationship between you and me."
Xiao Yuanmu curled his lips and said nothing, looking at him as if he was looking at a lover who was making trouble for no reason.
Song Xuanhe was disgusted by his own thoughts and got goose bumps. He said with a stern face, "Don't contact her if you have nothing to do. If she contacts you, just pretend you didn't see it."
"Can."
Song Xuanhe was a little surprised at Xiao Yuanmu's straightforwardness, but he was still relieved that he agreed.
However, just as he was about to relax, Xiao Yuanmu continued, "If you answer a question for me and give me a satisfactory answer."
Song Xuanhe's eyebrows jumped, and he suddenly remembered the last time Xiao Yuanmu changed the subject. He glanced at Xiao Yuanmu's expression warily and changed his words: "It's up to you, you can contact me if you want."
Then, he hung up the phone immediately.
The author has something to say: Xiao Yuanmu: It doesn’t matter how many tricks you have, as long as they are useful.
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