Song Yuzhang: Chapter 19 - Cheer him up
Chapter 19: Cheer him up
A long line of people stretched outside the cake shop, winding from the street corner to the alley’s end. Meng Tingjing couldn’t understand why so many people wanted to eat such cloyingly sweet things in this scorching heat. What he understood even less was why he had agreed to eat one himself.
“Brother Meng, let me treat you to lunch.”
“No time.”
“How about dinner?”
“Also busy.”
“Tea, then?”
“It's too hot.”
Meng Tingjing found himself rather strange. If he was unwilling, he could just leave, so why was he still standing here, nitpicking like a nagging old woman? How did he even have the leisure for this? Yet, his feet seemed rooted to the ground, and looking at Song Yuzhang’s uncomplaining patience gave him an indescribable sense of satisfaction.
As he had thought before, Song Yuzhang could easily provoke people, but he could also easily charm them. No matter the case, right now, he was trying to win his favor. In that case, why not enjoy it?
Just as Meng Tingjing coldly waited for the next part of the act, Song Yuzhang fell silent again.
Meng Tingjing glanced down.
Song Yuzhang smiled at him.
Seeing that smile, Meng Tingjing’s heart stirred, and he thought, This shameless fraud will never change. He can’t sit still for a moment before stirring up trouble again. Fine, let’s see what he’s up to this time. He swore he wouldn’t get angry, would remain calm, and when the time was right, he’d take this man out and deal with him, saving the Song family from this big headache.
Song Yuzhang truly was trying to please him. He was an emotional person—when he wanted to be kind to someone, he didn’t hold back, not even considering the cost, not even caring about his own life. Young Master Song had saved his name, but Meng Tingjing had saved his body—along with a coffin, as a bonus. Comparing the two, Meng Tingjing’s kindness to him was even greater than Young Master Song’s.
As for Young Master Song… well, he could burn more paper money for him.
Meng Tingjing, however, was still alive—he didn’t need paper money; he only needed to be cheered up.
Song Yuzhang summoned the patience he used when coaxing a pretty boy. Objectively speaking, Meng Tingjing was indeed a pretty boy—just taller than most and with a worse temper. But overall, coaxing him was no psychological burden at all.
Just when Meng Tingjing was about to lose patience, Song Yuzhang finally spoke again—no teasing, no playing tricks, just the same earnest sincerity. “Then… do you still want the cake?”
Meng Tingjing stared at him. His lips moved slightly—words of refusal were at the tip of his tongue, but he never spoke them. Instead, he just let out a nonchalant hum.
And so, Song Yuzhang broke into a bright, delighted smile. “Brother Meng, I’ll get you a cake!”
Meng Tingjing’s car was the latest imported model, equipped with air conditioning. It was noisy, but the cool air was pleasant. Sitting inside in his long robe, he didn’t feel the heat at all. The same couldn’t be said for Song Yuzhang. Like every other member of the Song family, he dressed impeccably when going out. Even now, he stood at the end of the long queue in a full suit. Just watching him made Meng Tingjing feel hot.
The Song family driver had originally wanted to stand in line, but Song Yuzhang declined. He didn’t say anything unnecessary, simply strode over and joined the queue himself. The driver watched helplessly as the absurdly handsome fifth young master stood under the blazing sun, waiting in line like an ordinary person. He then turned to look at Meng Tingjing with a hint of grievance, only to be met with a piercing stare that made him shrink back into the car.
Meng Tingjing knew perfectly well that this was all for show. Why else would he refuse to use a driver and insist on standing in the sun? He was doing it all for him.
But what did it mean?
Meng Tingjing watched thoughtfully.
The queue itself wasn’t interesting—just a dense mass of people. Even across the street, where everyone’s faces blurred together, Song Yuzhang stood out like a crane among chickens. He was tall and elegant, carrying himself with effortless grace.
Meng Tingjing had been wondering all along—who was this person?
There was no ‘Song Yuzhang’ on the passenger list. So which unfortunate soul on the list had he replaced?
Judging by his appearance, he didn’t seem like an ordinary person. His bearing was refined—if it weren’t, he wouldn’t have fooled both him and the Song family so easily.
So who exactly was he? If he was someone from a good background, why would he impersonate a ‘Song Yuzhang’ who had never even boarded the ship?
Did he come to the police station out of guilt, needing confirmation that no one had survived? Or was he seeking redemption for his sins?
A few days ago, he had tricked him into letting him take a Song family car home. Walking away alone like that—was that also an act, meant to temper his anger? And now? Did he already know that he had been keeping an eye on the police station these past few days? Was he trying to set another trap?
Meng Tingjing was a genuine prodigy. Even as a child, he had been full of schemes. His family was large and complicated, with eight concubines treating the Meng household like their own little palace, constantly scheming against each other. Meng Tingjing had grown up watching these intrigues unfold, absorbing every lesson. It was only natural that he had become suspicious by nature. Later, when he took over the docks—a place teeming with all sorts of unsavory characters—he learned that without a sharp mind and an iron will, he would never be able to control the men under him. Over time, his naturally shrewd nature evolved into something even more calculating. Now, he saw everyone as harboring ill intentions.
And in this case—he wasn’t wrong.
However, today, Song Yuzhang truly was being quiet, without any of his usual playful antics.
The heat was indeed unbearable. He wasn’t the type to sacrifice comfort for appearance. After standing in line for a while, he took off his jacket and draped it over his arm. People before and behind him stole glances, but he paid them no mind.
After all, from now on, he was ‘Song Yuzhang.’ There was no need to be as cautious as before.
That thought was unexpectedly reassuring. Living quietly as ‘Song Yuzhang’ wasn’t such a bad fate.
Despite the long line, it moved quickly. In just over twenty minutes, it was his turn. The shop assistant informed him that only chestnut cream cake was left. He took one. With the cake in hand, he walked back and knocked on the window of Meng Tingjing’s car. Meng Tingjing lowered the window. Sweat glistened on Song Yuzhang’s forehead. His face, flushed pink under the sun, radiated beauty.
“Here, chestnut cream.”
Through the car window, Song Yuzhang handed it over. Meng Tingjing took the box with a complicated expression, catching the sweet aroma first, along with the faint scent of sweat on Song Yuzhang.
“Brother Meng, go ahead with your work. I won’t keep you.”
With that, Song Yuzhang, carrying his jacket on his arm, returned to his car. The moment he got in, he unbuttoned his shirt. “It’s really hot.”
The driver was distressed. “Fifth Young Master, you should have let me go.”
“It’s fine. Let Brother Meng be a little happy.”
Song Yuzhang thought to himself that he had indeed angered Meng Tingjing before. This person had a proud nature—without a bit of suffering, how could he be pleased?
So, just a little suffering that didn’t really matter. It was just a bit of heat and standing for a while. For him, that barely counted as suffering.
The route back was the same. Meng Tingjing’s car followed behind Song Yuzhang’s. He held the delicate cake box in his hands, but instead of feeling pleased, his mind was in turmoil, completely preoccupied with trying to figure out Song Yuzhang’s intentions—so much so that he was almost obsessed. He couldn’t understand why Song Yuzhang was trying to please him. What kind of sinister plan was he scheming? And yet, what Meng Tingjing couldn’t possibly expect was that Song Yuzhang truly had no ulterior motives. He was simply trying to make him happy.
Meng Tingjing carried the cake back to the docks. As he neared the office, he stopped a passing worker. “Do you want some cake?”
“Huh?”
Meng Tingjing patiently repeated, “Do you want some cake or not?”
The worker froze, looking at the cake box in Meng Tingjing’s hand. He hesitated, then made a panicked face. “Young Master, cake is too expensive. I can’t afford it.”
“Take it.”
Meng Tingjing extended his hand with an air of arrogance.
The worker hesitated for a moment, then, still somewhat confused, took the box.
Meng Tingjing paid him no further attention and entered his office. When dusk fell and he was about to leave, he suddenly thought of the cake again and sent someone to fetch the worker back.
The worker quickly arrived, holding the box in his hands with a beaming face. “Young Master, the cake is still here! I didn’t touch it!”
Meng Tingjing had an imposing presence throughout the docks. He was ruthless in his discipline, strict in rewards and punishments. After his latest cleanup of the docks, even the veteran Ding Youhai had been thrown into prison. Everyone was on edge, afraid of making any mistakes.
So, when the worker received such an exquisite cake, he hadn’t dared to eat it. Fearing it would spoil in the heat, he had hidden it in a shaded cave by the shore. Now, as he retrieved it, the cake’s exterior had only slightly melted. Feeling that he had passed some kind of test, the worker grinned proudly. But for Meng Tingjing, faced with this slightly melted, even sweeter cake, he felt at a complete loss. After a moment of silence, he waved his hand weakly. “Leave the cake. I’ll give you a bonus at the end of the month.”
“Thank you, Young Master!”
Meng Tingjing took the cake and walked out. Night had already fallen.
His car was parked by the street near the docks. He walked toward it at a slow pace, the cake swinging in his hand as if he wanted to shake it to pieces. His face was dark, his gaze unfocused. After walking for a while, Meng Tingjing suddenly felt something off. He sharply raised his head—and was caught completely off guard to see Song Yuzhang standing not far away.
The moon had yet to rise. The sky and sea were both a deep, oppressive blue, blending into a vast, seamless canvas. Under this backdrop, Song Yuzhang was still dressed as he had been during the day, his coat unbuttoned, hands in his pockets. The hem of his jacket gathered against his slender arms, billowing slightly in the sea breeze.
Meng Tingjing stopped in his tracks.
Song Yuzhang had clearly seen him too. He casually pulled one hand out of his pocket and waved in his direction.
After waving, Song Yuzhang lowered his hand. Seeing that Meng Tingjing remained rooted in place, he simply walked over on his own. The sea breeze blew his hair into disarray. Before he even got close, he was already smiling. “It was so hot during the day, but now that the wind’s blowing, it’s actually quite cool.”
The wind was like an invisible force, pushing Song Yuzhang’s hair back, fully revealing that stunningly beautiful face. The moon had yet to rise, but in Meng Tingjing’s eyes, one had already appeared—a brilliance so striking, it was almost sharp, carrying an edge like a hidden blade.
Meng Tingjing remained motionless, watching as Song Yuzhang drew closer step by step. His chest trembled violently, a feeling akin to the first time he had held his beloved Browning pistol—for the sheer power and danger of it… left him momentarily dazed.
----------
If you like my translation, please support me by buying me a coffee:
0 comments: