Song Yuzhang: Chapter 17 - Asking for Money
Chapter 17: Asking for Money
Song Yuzhang went to ask Song Jincheng for money.
“Eldest Brother, I really shouldn’t be asking, but you know I barely escaped with my life. I lost all my luggage and money, so I have no choice but to shamelessly ask you to lend me some for now. Once I return to England, I’ll wire the money back to you.”
“What are you saying?” Song Jincheng, holding a rolled-up book while standing in front of the bookshelf, said sternly. “Since Father entrusted you to us, as the eldest brother, it’s my duty to take good care of you. We’re family—there’s no need to talk about borrowing and repaying. I should have thought of this earlier, but I’ve been too busy with the bank.”
Without hesitation, Song Jincheng pulled out a checkbook and a fountain pen from the drawer, leaned over, and started writing. He asked, “How much do you need?”
Song Yuzhang never asked people for money; they always gave it to him voluntarily. Sometimes more, sometimes less. If he had to name a specific amount, it would be tricky. Asking for too little might make him seem inexperienced, exposing a weakness. Asking for too much would make him appear greedy and unlikable. He still wanted to maintain a harmonious relationship with the four Song brothers.
Smiling, Song Yuzhang said casually, “Eldest Brother, how could I possibly name a number?”
His attitude was open and natural, without a trace of insincerity. Combined with his face, he looked almost angelic. Without a word, Song Jincheng lowered his head and swiftly wrote down a number before handing the check to Song Yuzhang. “Let me know when you need more.”
Song Yuzhang took the check and glanced at it.
Ten thousand yuan.
No matter how well-traveled and experienced he was, his heart still pounded violently.
Ten thousand yuan… The immense wealth of the Song family was already evident in their lifestyle, but that was just the surface. Seeing cold, hard cash in the form of a check right in front of him had an impact that far exceeded the grand Song estate or their brand-new cars.
And then there was Song Jincheng’s offhand remark: ‘Let me know when you need more.’
The casual tone made it clear that ten thousand yuan was merely a drop in the ocean for the Song family, a number Song Jincheng could write down without a second thought.
Suppressing his excitement, Song Yuzhang remained outwardly composed as he sincerely expressed his gratitude. “Thank you, Eldest Brother.”
Song Jincheng patted his shoulder. “Get some rest.”
With a smile worth ten thousand yuan, Song Yuzhang replied, “You too, Eldest Brother.”
Song Jincheng remained silent. Only after the study door closed did he exhale deeply.
That bastard was too good-looking—so good-looking it was almost oppressive. Facing Song Yuzhang, he could barely breathe smoothly.
Of course, part of it was due to his own guilt.
The reason for his guilt was simple: Meng Tingjing’s ambiguous attitude.
Before returning, Meng Tingjing had sent a telegram to the Song family, saying only: “I was fortunate to rescue your youngest brother and am bringing him back.”
Fourth Brother, Song Mingzhao, unaware of the situation, was still laughing about how lucky that bastard was. But when Song Jincheng saw those words, his heart pounded in panic.
Meng Tingjing wasn’t a fool. Before he left, Song Jincheng had given him a bullet—that was a clear message.
Based on what he knew about his brother-in-law, dealing with someone like Song Yuzhang should have been effortless.
So why had he saved him? And brought him back?
Song Jincheng couldn’t understand it. When he finally saw Song Yuzhang in person, his first reaction was utter shock at his beauty. Later, back in his own room, the first thought that flashed through his mind was: Thank goodness he’s alive. That thought startled him. He had to wonder—had Meng Tingjing spared him because of his looks?
Song Jincheng wanted an explanation from Meng Tingjing, but he had never spelled anything out. Meng Tingjing was his brother-in-law, not his subordinate. He had no obligation to explain anything.
He watched coldly as the two of them interacted as if nothing had happened, making him even more uneasy.
He regretted his rashness. He had handed Meng Tingjing leverage over him on a silver platter.
Fortunately, nothing had been said outright, and Meng Tingjing hadn’t taken any action.
If no one brought it up, they could all pretend nothing had happened.
But what should he do about Song Yuzhang?
The old man wouldn’t live past the year. His will was locked in the safe—no one could open it, and no one dared to. Opening it would mean watching their own inheritance get divided up, and who wouldn’t feel the pain of that?
As for the other brothers, at least they had been raised together since childhood. Whether they were close or not, they had mentally prepared for the fact that the Song family’s wealth would be divided among them.
But now, with Song Yuzhang in the picture, no matter how much each of them was supposed to get, they would all lose a piece of it.
Song Jincheng clenched his fist and lightly pounded it against the desk. He felt completely stuck, utterly passive. The only comfort was that his three brothers were in the same position.
For now, he would wait. Patience was key. His three brothers wouldn’t all be able to stay calm when faced with the reality of losing part of their inheritance. He would let them fight it out first. He had already failed once—he wouldn’t act recklessly again. Better to wait and watch others make mistakes.
The next morning, Song Yuzhang got up early on purpose. His eldest and second brothers left the house the earliest. The third brother’s schedule was unpredictable. The fourth brother left just slightly earlier than him since Song Mingzhao had to go to school.
By the time Song Yuzhang entered the dining hall, only Song Mingzhao was left, sipping coffee and eating fried dough sticks. Upon seeing him, Song Mingzhao beamed. “Fifth Brother, you’re looking better and better.”
Among the Song brothers, the most naïve was undoubtedly Song Mingzhao. Everyone could see it, yet he still thought himself cunning, always wearing a mask that was the exact opposite of his true thoughts.
As a master of deception, Song Yuzhang found Song Mingzhao’s clumsy attempts laughable.
To deceive someone, one must first gain their trust. This means revealing one’s true thoughts most of the time—out of a hundred sentences, ninety-nine must be true, with only the crucial one being a lie. Someone like Song Mingzhao, who constantly wears a false mask, will only receive insincere responses and unconscious wariness from others.
“Good morning, Fourth Brother.”
Song Yuzhang greeted him briefly and sat down, maintaining his usual attitude of not intending to grow close to his brothers.
He had already hinted to Song Qiyuan that he wanted to return to England soon and mentioned the same to Song Jincheng. His goal was to make sure all four Song brothers understood one thing—he would leave the Song family sooner or later.
When he first met Song Zhenqiao in the hospital, the old man was stumbling over his words, but two key points stood out to Song Yuzhang: the father and son were not close, and he was an illegitimate child.
That was fine. In fact, it was good news for Song Yuzhang.
Not being close meant he had plenty of room to maneuver, and being illegitimate meant he was unwelcome and would be ostracized.
Perhaps the real Young Master Song, who had traveled all the way from England to reunite with his family, would be hurt by this. But as an imposter, Song Yuzhang was more than happy to keep his distance from his so-called brothers, avoiding any chance of exposing his deception.
Song Mingzhao was displeased by Song Yuzhang’s cold attitude. The more frustrated he felt, the more he exaggerated his warmth and friendliness. “Fifth Brother, after living in England for so many years, you must find it hard to adjust back home. Would you like me to show you around?”
Tearing a piece of fried dough, Song Yuzhang looked up. “Actually, Fourth Brother, I do have something to ask of you today.”
“Oh?” Song Mingzhao’s interest was piqued. “What is it? Just say the word.”
“It’s like this—Eldest Brother gave me a check, and I’d like to cash it at the bank. But I’m not familiar with local banking procedures and don’t want to make a fool of myself. If you’re free, could you accompany me?”
Song Mingzhao froze for a moment. “Eldest Brother gave you a check?”
Song Yuzhang nodded, his expression slightly embarrassed. “I shamelessly asked him for it.”
Song Mingzhao remained silent, thinking to himself, Good one, Eldest Brother. We agreed to deal with this bastard together, and now you’re secretly trying to win him over?
“That’s no problem. It’s our own family’s bank—who would dare make things difficult for you?” Song Mingzhao said. “Are you planning to buy something with the money? I know all the best shops in town. Let me take you.”
Song Yuzhang smiled modestly. “Then I’ll have to trouble Fourth Brother.”
Compared to anywhere else he had been, Haizhou’s prosperity was on an entirely different scale. Its massive port brought in an abundance of goods, and the towering department stores and densely packed shops were sights far beyond what Anjin had to offer. There was even an entire street dedicated to imported goods, and automobiles—rare in other cities—were so common here that they almost clogged the roads.
Song Mingzhao said the bank was nearby, so they left the car and continued on foot. Along the way, he led Song Yuzhang into a department store filled with a rich, fragrant aroma. When Song Yuzhang casually mentioned that he wanted a watch—having lost his own in the sea—Song Mingzhao took him straight to the watch counter.
The counter was small, but the clerk was clearly well-acquainted with Song Mingzhao. As soon as he saw him, he greeted him as “Fourth Young Master” while stealing frequent glances at Song Yuzhang.
“Fourth Young Master, you came at the perfect time. We just received a batch of Swiss watches last night, and the craftsmen are currently adjusting them. Would you like to take a look?”
“Sure, bring them out.”
The finely crafted boxes were opened, revealing several wristwatches resting on black velvet. The round dials and elegant leather and metal straps made it obvious they were expensive. Song Mingzhao pointed to one and said to Song Yuzhang, “Try this one.”
Song Yuzhang had never worn a watch before. In fact, before arriving in Haizhou, he had never even seen such a small and intricate device. When he mentioned buying a watch, he had actually meant a pocket watch.
Still, he agreed, placing his hand on the glass counter.
Under the bright overhead lights, his skin and veins were illuminated in sharp detail. His hand rested among the sparkling, luxurious watches, and in that moment, all of them seemed to lose their luster. Song Mingzhao clearly heard the clerk swallow hard. He shot the man a sharp glare and personally picked up the watch to fasten it onto Song Yuzhang’s wrist.
Song Yuzhang’s hands were the kind that suited a man—long-boned and well-defined, with powerful tendons subtly visible from the knuckles down. His skin, however, was pale, giving him a somewhat delicate appearance. When Song Mingzhao’s fingers brushed against his wrist, the sensation was unexpectedly smooth and warm—strangely captivating.
After fastening the watch, Song Mingzhao glanced up, only to find Song Yuzhang looking down at him, his gaze calm and thoughtful. Song Mingzhao’s heart skipped a beat. He quickly pulled his hands away and told the clerk, “It’s good. We’ll take this one.” Then, he reached for his money clip. But before he could pay, Song Yuzhang interrupted, “No rush, Fourth Brother. Let me withdraw my money first and buy it myself.”
“It’s all family money anyway,” Song Mingzhao said arrogantly. “Or do you only accept Eldest Brother’s generosity and not mine?”
Song Yuzhang sighed helplessly. “Fourth Brother…”
That one sentence subtly closed the distance between them. Song Mingzhao smirked—Winning someone over isn’t hard. Eldest Brother only knows how to throw money around, but buying a gift has a completely different meaning.
After purchasing the watch, they continued to the bank. Song Mingzhao summoned the bank manager to personally handle the transaction while the two of them relaxed inside, sipping tea. Their relationship had indeed grown closer—whenever Song Mingzhao spoke, Song Yuzhang listened attentively, his eyes focused with unwavering sincerity.
As the youngest in the family, Song Mingzhao had never enjoyed the usual privileges of being the baby of the household. Neither his father nor his brothers took him seriously. People rarely cared to listen to him, and he was used to being ignored. Now, encountering someone who not only listened but genuinely engaged with him, Song Mingzhao found himself feeling unexpectedly at ease. He even started thinking, Having a younger brother isn’t so bad.
“You studied sociology in England?” Song Mingzhao suddenly straightened, excited. “What a coincidence! I studied sociology too!”
“I only know a little—nothing compared to you, Fourth Brother, who’s a real scholar.”
“Come on, there’s no ranking in academia. We can learn from each other! One of our professors is a sociologist who studied abroad. Unfortunately, not at Oxford, or he’d be your alumni.”
“Really? That’s a pity.”
They were laughing and chatting when there was a knock on the door. But instead of the manager returning, the person who stepped in was Song Yekang.
Song Mingzhao was momentarily taken aback. He stood up and said, “Second Brother?”
Song Yekang walked over and naturally patted his shoulder, smiling. “How come you didn’t let me know you were coming? If I hadn’t run into Manager Sun by chance, I wouldn’t have known you two were here.” His gaze shifted to Song Yuzhang, who had also stood up, and he simply said, “You’re here.”
Song Yuzhang gave a slight nod. “Second Brother.”
He was sparing with words and didn’t show much enthusiasm toward Song Yekang. This pleased Song Mingzhao—it seemed that Song Yuzhang was someone who could be ‘tamed’ and rather easily at that. After all, just by buying him a watch and accompanying him to the bank, Song Yuzhang already seemed closer to him than to the other brothers.
Song Mingzhao liked how perceptive Song Yuzhang was—it made him feel that his efforts were paying off.
With Song Mingzhao around, there was no fear of awkward silence. He chatted and laughed, his crisp voice filling the lounge with his laughter, while Song Yuzhang stood quietly to the side, only slightly curling his lips when Song Mingzhao said something particularly amusing.
Song Yekang kept an eye on him from the corner of his eye. Before long, the manager returned and asked Song Yuzhang to sign a document. Song Mingzhao frowned. “It’s our own bank, and he still needs to sign just to withdraw money?”
The manager didn’t dare respond. Song Yekang patted Song Mingzhao’s shoulder again, speaking gently. “Fourth Brother, that’s not the right way to look at it. A bank must operate by the rules. Yuzhang, go with Manager Sun.”
Song Yuzhang nodded slightly but spoke to Song Mingzhao instead. “Fourth Brother, it’s fine. Things should be done according to the rules. I’ll go handle it.”
After Song Yuzhang left with Manager Sun, Song Yekang’s expression darkened. He gripped Song Mingzhao’s shoulder and said grimly, “Fourth Brother, have you already been won over by him?”
Song Mingzhao’s expression changed as well, and he laughed arrogantly. “Second Brother, are you underestimating me, or overestimating him? Me, won over by him? As I’ve said before, just wait and see how I send him right back to where he came from.”
Song Yekang studied his expression carefully, then loosened his grip and smiled faintly. “Then I’ll be waiting to see it.”
After signing the document, Song Yuzhang collected the money, which was placed in a leather suitcase that fit neatly in his hand. Manager Sun handed the case over, and as soon as Song Yuzhang turned around, he saw Song Yekang approaching.
“Second Brother.”
Song Yekang shot Manager Sun a look, and the manager immediately left.
Now, the small private room contained only the two of them. Song Yuzhang looked at Song Yekang with an innocent expression, as if he sensed that the latter had something to say to him. Without a word, Song Yekang unbuttoned his coat, reached into an inner pocket, and pulled out a thin check, which he handed to Song Yuzhang.
Song Yuzhang quickly said, “I’ve already cashed this check.”
Song Yekang replied, “Take it.”
Song Yuzhang didn’t move. “Second Brother, this isn’t in line with the bank’s regulations.”
“How do you know it’s against the rules if you haven’t even looked at it?”
Song Yekang placed the check directly under his nose.
It was still for ten thousand, but the signature on it had changed. The bold, flowing script now read ‘Song Yekang.’
Song Yuzhang looked up at him.
For the first time, Song Yekang was this close to him, finally getting a clear look at the young man’s startling beauty in the dimly lit room. His gaze wavered slightly before he lowered his voice and said, “This is a Citibank check. Don’t let anyone else know.”
“Second Brother, this is…”
“Pocket money. Take it,” Song Yekang’s gold-rimmed glasses glinted faintly. “If you ever need more in the future, you don’t have to ask Eldest Brother for it. You can come to me just the same.”
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