Song Yuzhang: Chapter 47 - Visiting a Patient
Chapter 47: Visiting a Patient
Countryside horse ranch, perfect weather. A gentle breeze brushed their faces, and the lingering heat of summer drifted across their skin. Song Mingzhao fanned the air in front of his nose with his gloves and muttered, “Smells like horse dung.”
Beside him, Song Yekang nearly sprayed his soda. “Fourth Brother, what nonsense are you spouting?”
With a straight face, Song Mingzhao sighed, “This is so boring.”
Song Yekang chuckled again. “How is this boring?” He gestured into the distance where Nie Qingyun and her friend were riding side by side in equestrian gear. “The prettiest girl from Yanyun University is right there, and you’re saying it’s boring?”
Song Mingzhao glanced over with disinterest. “She is pretty, but what does that have to do with me?”
“Well, that’s funny. Wasn’t it you who was crying and begging to meet Li Menghua just a few months ago?”
“When did I ever cry and beg? Second Brother, don’t make things up. I was just curious, that’s all.”
“Oh? That doesn’t sound like something you’d say. Has our little Fourth Brother had a change of heart?”
Song Mingzhao turned his face away from the sunlight slipping under the umbrella's edge. “Change of heart, nothing. I just think this is pointless. Under this blazing summer sun—might as well be at home resting.”
“At home resting?” Song Yekang tapped his toe rhythmically and nudged Song Mingzhao with his elbow. “You mean at home looking for Fifth Brother to hang out with?”
Song Mingzhao flushed and forced a smile. “What, you don’t like me getting along with Fifth Brother?”
“Not at all.” Song Yekang fiddled with his soda straw. “But Fifth Brother’s been really busy lately. Maybe you shouldn’t bother him too much.”
“I know,” Song Mingzhao mumbled.
“I used to think he was just humoring Father by working at the bank for a few days,” Song Yekang said. “But turns out he’s quite serious. Started some kind of English class for the staff. I stopped by yesterday—the room was packed, all ages, and he was personally overseeing everything.” He shook his head, smiling. “Our Fifth Brother is making quite the splash.”
Song Mingzhao inwardly sneered at those words. He leaned back in his chair and smiled faintly. “Well, since Father put him in the bank, of course, he’s expected to do things properly. Being ambitious is good. Can’t have everyone like me, knowing nothing and doing nothing.”
Putting down his soda, Song Yekang rested his head on his hand. “Hey, Fourth Brother, I heard it was you who went to the hospital with him to see Father. What really happened that day? Why did Father suddenly want him in the bank?”
Song Mingzhao folded his arms, gave Song Yekang a sidelong glance, and chuckled. “So that’s why you suddenly invited me out to ride—trying to dig for information.” He stood up and slapped his gloves. “I don’t know anything. If you want to understand Father’s motives, you’ll have to ask him yourself.” With that, he walked off toward Nie Qingyun.
Seeing him approach, Nie Qingyun quickly tugged the reins to stop her horse.
“I’m heading back,” Song Mingzhao tilted his head behind him. “Second Brother will keep you company.”
Nie Qingyun blinked and lowered herself a bit. “Are you playing with me? Didn’t we arrange this today just to help you make a connection?”
Song Mingzhao glanced at the beauty still on horseback in the distance, then casually waved his gloves. “I’m leaving.”
All she could do was watch him walk away. After seeing Li Menghua off, Nie Qingyun asked Song Yekang in the car, “What’s going on with your Fourth Brother? Something feels off.”
“You noticed too?” Song Yekang smoothed his palm over his knee and shook his head. “Lately, all he does is hang around Fifth Brother. Doesn’t do anything else productive.”
Nie Qingyun burst into laughter. “You brothers are really close. It’s funny—I’m not like that at all with my two older brothers. Maybe it’s because we’re siblings of different genders?”
“Not necessarily. We brothers fight sometimes, too.”
“Haha, only close siblings fight.”
Nie Qingyun rested her chin on her hand. “I wonder when my Second Brother will come back. A few days ago, he sent a telegram saying he’s still busy out there. No idea what he’s doing all day, said he’s looking for someone—been at it for half a year and still hasn’t found them.”
“Really?” Song Yekang paused for a moment, then said, “In that case, he should come back to Haizhou. News travels fast here, and informants are everywhere. Wouldn’t it be easier to find someone here?”
“You’re right! Why didn’t I think of that?”
Nie Qingyun beamed. “I’ll send him a telegram when I get back, tell him to come home. That would also put my eldest brother’s mind at ease.”
“By the way,” Song Yekang asked, “why haven’t I seen Bonian lately?”
Nie Qingyun sighed. “That little brat’s sick again, holed up in the hospital.”
“Oh.” Song Yekang took her hand gently. “He must be bored in there all alone. I’ll go with you to visit him—and let’s bring Fifth Brother along. Bonian likes him, doesn’t he?”
“Great idea.”
So, Song Yekang instructed the driver to change course and head to the bank, taking Nie Qingyun along to ‘invite’ Song Yuzhang.
Nie Qingyun had never been to the Song family bank before and looked around curiously. “This place isn’t any worse than the Citibank.”
A thought struck Song Yekang. As he walked, he smiled. “What, thinking of switching allegiances?”
Nie Qingyun waved her hand and replied bluntly, “Elder Brother said since we’re already engaged, it wouldn’t be proper.”
“That’s funny—don’t they say you shouldn’t let wealth flow into outsiders’ hands?” Song Yekang met her clear gaze and quickly added, “I was just talking, didn’t mean anything by it.”
Nie Qingyun smiled. “Elder Brother has his reasons for doing things. I can’t interfere.”
Song Yekang nodded and moved past the topic. Although he was soon to be engaged to Nie Qingyun, he had no delusions about using the marriage to force the Nie family into investing in the Song family bank. The future was long—he only needed a bit of support. He believed that no matter how tight-fisted Nie Xueping was, he wouldn’t outright deny his future brother-in-law even a little help.
The two of them arrived outside Song Yuzhang’s office. Song Yekang gave a light knock on the door.
“Come in.”
The door opened. Song Yuzhang was sitting behind his desk, and behind his chair stood Liu Chuanzong, quiet as a shadow with his head lowered. Song Yekang glanced at Liu Chuanzong once and lost interest immediately.
“Second Brother, Sister Qingyun,” Song Yuzhang stood up with a cheerful smile.
Nie Qingyun smiled and nodded in return. Song Yekang picked up a document from the desk and casually flipped through a few pages, then smiled at Song Yuzhang. “Fifth Brother, you’re working hard.”
“Well, better to stay busy. I thought I’d help you and Eldest Brother out a little where I can,” Song Yuzhang said as he gestured toward the sofa. “Please, sit.”
“No need,” Song Yekang closed the file and tossed it back on the desk. “We’re here to kidnap you.”
“Kidnap me?” Song Yuzhang chuckled.
“Bonian’s sick, and Yekang and I want to go visit him,” Nie Qingyun said with a smile. “Do you have time to come with us? Bonian’s been missing you terribly.”
Realization dawned on Song Yuzhang’s face. He nodded readily. “Sure, I’ll come with you.” He turned to Liu Chuanzong. “Just handle things like we discussed yesterday.”
“Yes,” Liu Chuanzong replied.
Song Yekang chuckled. “Looks like I praised the wrong person earlier. So it turns out the work is all being done by someone else.”
As he screwed the cap onto his pen, Song Yuzhang gave a big grin. “Well, I have to at least put on a show.”
The three of them headed to the hospital. Along the way, Song Yekang tried to subtly probe information from Song Yuzhang, who answered everything without hesitation. Eventually, even Song Yekang felt a little guilty—his fifth brother was just too open, making him seem overly suspicious by comparison.
“So that’s how it is. That foreign language class of yours really surprised both me and Eldest Brother.”
“Really? My bad,” Song Yuzhang frowned slightly. “I should’ve told you both beforehand.”
Song Yekang waved it off. “It’s no big deal.”
Still, he found it absurd that the real reason for the foreign language class was to prepare for a Christmas ball at the bank. What kind of logic was that? Had staying abroad made him a bit slow in the head?
Though half-skeptical, Song Yekang couldn’t think of a reason why Song Yuzhang would lie to him, especially with that innocent, slightly puzzled look on his face.
Well, a foreign language class was just that—it wasn’t a major initiative. Everyone at the bank knew the funds came from the institution, not from Song Yuzhang personally. They wouldn’t be overly grateful to him. It was a strange move, but ultimately a meaningless one. After all, what were a few English phrases compared to a couple of hundred yuan in year-end bonuses?
Song Yekang let go of his worries and focused on using his brother’s likability to their advantage.
Sure enough, Nie Bonian was sick—and seriously so. His cheeks were flushed red, and the room was full: two nurses and two servants surrounded him like four guardian deities. Yet despite all that, he didn’t look happy—until he saw the three visitors. Then his eyes lit up. “Brother Yuzhang!”
Nie Qingyun laughed and nudged Song Yekang with her shoulder, teasing, “See? We’re just the extras.”
Song Yekang smiled without replying. Song Yuzhang had already walked over to the bedside, bending down slightly. “Bonian, I came to see you.”
“Mm,” Bonian gave a clear and joyful response. “Thank you, Brother Yuzhang.”
Song Yekang said, “You stay with Bonian for a while. Qingyun and I will go check on Father.”
“Alright.”
The two of them left the room, taking the ‘four guardian deities’ with them. Song Yuzhang sat down beside the bed and smiled at Nie Bonian. “I’m sorry I haven’t come sooner. I’ve been a bit busy lately and didn’t even know you were sick.”
“It’s okay,” Nie Bonian replied. “I get sick all the time. You don’t have to rush to visit.”
Though his face was red, it had a sickly hue. Song Yuzhang placed a palm on his forehead. “You have a fever?”
Nie Bonian gave another quiet “Mm.”
Recently, Song Yuzhang had been immersed in learning how to run the bank under Liu Chuanzong’s guidance, while also using his cover as a site inspector to audit foreign language classes. Unlike others who had notebooks and pens, he had to memorize everything just by ear and observation. Plus, with Liu Chuanzong—Song Zhenqiao’s trusted aide—always at his side, he had to be extra careful not to slip up.
The toll this took on his energy left him so drained that he didn’t even have time to chase people anymore, let alone remember Nie Bonian, who’d once been constantly on his mind. He had never walked the ‘proper path’ before and hadn’t known it could be so exhausting!
But there was no choice. His time was too limited.
No one knew when Song Zhenqiao might die. No one knew when Song Qiyuan might make a move. No one knew when Meng Tingjing might relapse. No one knew when Nie Yinbing might suddenly return.
Before that invisible thread pulled taut, he had to fully arm himself and be ready for anything.
To truly become ‘Song Yuzhang’ was, in truth, harder than any con he had ever pulled.
He held Nie Bonian’s hand—half out of genuine tenderness, half out of calculated need—and said softly, “How did you end up with a fever?”
Nie Bonian’s small hand curled into his palm, and he replied clearly, “I was born prematurely. I’m frail and get sick easily.”
Song Yuzhang gently squeezed his hand. “Does it hurt?”
“No,” Nie Bonian said. “I’m used to it.”
Song Yuzhang had never met a child so well-behaved and considerate, and his voice softened even more. “Do you want some water? Your lips look so dry.”
“I don’t want any.”
Nie Bonian’s face flushed even redder under the low-grade fever.
Song Yuzhang observed carefully and sensed that the child might be harboring some small, unspeakable concern. He coaxed him gently, asking why he didn’t want to drink water. Nie Bonian was still young, and after a few kind words, he eventually let the truth slip.
As it turned out, although Nie Bonian was only five years old, his mind was already that of a little gentleman. The nurses and servants were all women, and he was terrified that if he drank too much water, he’d need to pee. His fever had made his legs weak and powerless, so he would inevitably need to be carried to relieve himself. Nie Bonian was shy, and so, no matter what, he resisted drinking water.
Face flushed, Nie Bonian declared, “I’m a boy. I can’t let girls see.”
Song Yuzhang hadn’t expected that a child so young would already have such a sense of shame and self-restraint, and couldn’t help but feel a mix of amusement and admiration. He gently ruffled Nie Bonian’s hair. “Good boy.”
When Nie Xueping arrived and saw the nurses and servants outside the room, a hint of quiet authority flickered in his gaze. One of the maids quickly explained, “Young Master from the Song family is inside speaking with Young Master Bonian.”
Nie Xueping gave a small nod. “Thank you.”
Although he disliked how Song Yekang often used Bonian as a bridge to curry favor, he still found comfort in knowing someone was there to keep Bonian company in his absence. It wasn’t necessarily a bad thing. He stepped into the hospital room, and just as he turned the corner, he heard Bonian’s voice.
“…I can do it myself.”
Nie Xueping’s face remained calm as he turned, catching sight of the empty hospital bed and the bathroom door slightly ajar.
“It’s okay, you’re sick. Let me help.”
A gentle voice came from within, causing Nie Xueping to pause slightly.
“Thank you, Brother Yuzhang.”
Nie Bonian’s face was still blushing.
Song Yuzhang carried him out of the bathroom, and upon turning his head, he froze slightly when he noticed Nie Xueping had entered the room. “Mr. Nie.” In his arms, Nie Bonian immediately called out happily, “Daddy!”
Nie Xueping snapped out of his thoughts and stepped forward to take Bonian from Song Yuzhang’s arms, giving a polite nod. “Mr. Song.”
Song Yuzhang smiled. “Good afternoon. I came to see Bonian. My second brother and Sister Qingyun are here as well—they’re visiting my father. I’ll go fetch them.”
With that, he nodded and left, his expression bright and breezy, passing Nie Xueping like a fleeting breeze. Holding his frail son in his arms, Nie Xueping watched Song Yuzhang leave, his gaze lingering until he felt Nie Bonian tug at his neck with his small arm. He looked down to see the boy’s face flushed and eyes sparkling. “Daddy, Brother Yuzhang is really nice to me.”
“Is that so?” Nie Xueping gently placed his delicate son back onto the hospital bed.
Nie Bonian heard the disinterest in his father’s tone and hesitated, but couldn’t hold back. “Brother Yuzhang gave me water.”
Nie Xueping made a noncommittal sound as he pulled the blanket up over him.
Seeing that his father didn’t seem particularly moved, Nie Bonian pouted. Determined to prove that he had indeed earned Song Yuzhang’s affection, he blurted out, “He even wiped my little peepee for me.”
Nie Xueping’s hand paused mid-motion as he looked down at Nie Bonian.
Under his father’s stern gaze, Nie Bonian instinctively began to reflect on his words, but then he felt something was wrong. “Brother Yuzhang isn’t a girl, so it’s okay if he sees me.”
“Daddy, Brother Yuzhang really likes me. Can you ask him to visit me again? He won’t say no.”
Nie Xueping tucked the blanket around him and quietly smoothed down his hair. “Bonian, don’t be so willful.”
Nie Bonian was refused once again, and this time, the frustration and grievance finally overwhelmed him.
Last time, he had such a great time playing with Song Yuzhang. But when he asked to go to the Song house to see him again, his father refused, saying that Song Yuzhang was too busy to spend time with him.
Little genius that he was, Nie Bonian immediately sensed that this was just an excuse.
“Daddy,” Nie Bonian clutched the blanket with both hands, his little face solemn as he questioned, “Is it because you don’t like Brother Yuzhang, so you won’t let me play with him?” He stared into his father’s face, hoping to use all of his five-year-old observational skills to detect whether he was being lied to.
“There’s no such thing.”
Nie Bonian widened his eyes but couldn’t find a single trace of dishonesty in his father’s expression. He could only pout and respond reluctantly, “Oh…”
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