Song Yuzhang: Chapter 52 - Took the bait
Chapter 52: Took the bait
Shen Chengduo's rise to wealth was far from glamorous. He had originally been a street thug, a hooligan who took advantage of the chaotic times to engage in shady dealings and build his fortune. Later on, he gradually transitioned into legitimate business, but his status in Haizhou remained awkward. When it came to wealth, Shen Chengduo didn’t believe he lacked anything. But when it came to social standing, no matter how much he resented it, he had to admit that he simply wasn't presentable.
It wasn’t that Shen Chengduo hadn’t tried to integrate into Haizhou’s upper-class circles. The idea was easy to entertain, but incredibly difficult to execute. The elites of society were happy to frequent his establishments to eat, drink, whore, and gamble, but when it came to truly accepting him, they would instantly put on airs of moral superiority.
It was hard—too hard.
So, Shen Chengduo eventually gave up on the idea.
Who cared about them anyway? Wasn’t he living just fine as he was?
And yet, deep down, he couldn’t say he was completely at peace with it.
Even with all his money, there were still people who would slap him in the face whenever they pleased, without giving him the slightest bit of respect.
When Shen Chengduo thought of the humiliation he suffered that day at the International Hotel, the left side of his face and his molars would throb faintly with heat and pain.
Come to think of it, Song Yuzhang had been there that day too.
Shen Chengduo didn’t hold a grudge against Song Yuzhang. With Meng Tingjing’s unpredictable temper, there was no point blaming anyone else.
What he didn’t expect was that even a bastard like Song Yuzhang could have some sort of connection to the Nie family. Shen Chengduo had assumed the two of them were about the same, but in the end, it seemed that even a bastard could be a cut above him depending on their origins.
“How did it go yesterday with that prim and proper young lady?” Shen Chengduo reclined on a couch. Beside him, a delicate, pretty young man was clipping a cigar for him.
Song Yuzhang sat on the other side of the couch, playing with a smooth, translucent piece of warm jade in his palm. He smiled faintly and said, “Not bad.”
Shen Chengduo chuckled softly and didn’t expose the lie.
He was quite attentive to the affairs of Haizhou’s prominent families and knew them well.
Among the four major families, he considered the Nie family the most inscrutable— mysterious, low-key, and truly impenetrable.
Despite all the effort Second Young Master Shen had put into getting engaged to a Nie family girl, there was no sign that it had brought their families any closer.
Yet Song Yuzhang had only been back in Haizhou for just over three months, and he had already managed to form a close bond with that pampered little heir of the Nie family?
Shen Chengduo wanted to probe a little, but held back.
He and Song Yuzhang weren’t that close yet.
The boy finished prepping the cigar, took a few puffs himself, then placed it at Shen Chengduo’s lips. Shen puffed on it, eyes slanted toward Song Yuzhang, sensing that he too had his own kind of mysterious air.
“It’s getting late. I should be going.”
Song Yuzhang stepped down from the couch. When the boy moved to help him with his shoes, he waved him off.
Shen Chengduo had been silent until he suddenly asked, “You still planning to meet that young lady tomorrow?”
Song Yuzhang put on his shoes and turned back with a smile. “We’ll see. If I’ve got time, I’ll come back and hang out.”
He returned to the Song household reeking of cigars and cologne. As soon as Song Mingzhao caught the scent, he started interrogating him like a jealous wife.
“Nothing much, just spent a few hours killing time.”
Song Yuzhang replied with a faint smile, though his tone was clearly perfunctory.
Song Mingzhao had always basked in his ‘favor,’ so now he couldn’t tolerate even the slightest carelessness from Song Yuzhang. Though he held back from lashing out, his face turned cold. “You're getting more and more like Third Brother. I don’t even know where you run off to every day.”
“That’s not true.”
Song Yuzhang replied casually.
Song Mingzhao was deeply displeased. His feelings for Song Yuzhang were extremely complicated—part brotherly affection mixed with the need for attention, part desire to support him as an elder brother. This made it hard for him to demand anything directly. Instead, he just stewed in his own frustration, unable to let it show.
Yet Song Mingzhao’s expressions were as transparent as paper in the Song residence. That morning, Song Yekang noticed right away that something was off. Ever since Song Mingzhao had made a fool of himself at the racetrack, Song Yekang had been waiting for a chance to mock him. Seeing his sour mood, he immediately walked over to needle him. “Well now, Fourth Brother, why have you been so alone lately? Where’s Fifth Brother?”
Song Mingzhao knew exactly what Song Yekang was up to and refused to give him the satisfaction. He forced a smile and said, “Fifth Brother’s busy with work at the bank. You should be more diligent, too, Second Brother. With Father ill, the bank’s future is riding on you guys.”
“Haha,” Song Yekang threw an arm around Song Mingzhao’s shoulders. “Our dear Fourth Brother, always so charming.”
Dragged downstairs like that, Song Mingzhao was inwardly filled with disgust.
Oddly enough, though he’d never had especially warm relations with his brothers, he’d at least managed to maintain surface harmony. But ever since Song Yuzhang returned, the contrast made the rest of them seem utterly repugnant.
“Well, well,” said Song Jincheng from the dining room as the two came down. “The brothers are finally gathered again.”
Song Mingzhao gave a forced smile and took a seat, silently thinking: What a schemer. So annoying.
“I was just thinking the same,” Song Yekang let go and sat down. “It’s rare, isn’t it, for Fourth Brother to rejoin our big, happy family?”
“Look at that face—doesn’t seem like he’s all that happy.”
“Really?”
Song Yekang looked at him with a grin. “Fourth Brother, come on, you can’t really be confused about who your real brothers are, can you? Who grew up with you, and who’s just a stray dumped from the sky?”
Song Mingzhao smiled. “Of course not.”
“You’re a scholar, unlike the rest of us. And Fifth Brother, well, he’s been abroad—you know what Western ideas are like.” Song Yekang paused, noticed the disdain in Song Mingzhao’s eyes, then added slowly, “So it’s only natural for him to be chummy with someone like Shen Chengduo.”
Song Mingzhao immediately shot him a sharp look, and a trace of cruel delight appeared on Song Yekang’s face.
“Oh?” Song Jincheng played dumb. “So Fifth Brother is close with Shen Chengduo now?”
“Yep. I hear he’s often seen at Shen Chengduo’s clubs and casinos. The two are very tight.”
“Really? Those places of Shen Chengduo’s are anything but clean.”
“Clean or not, they’re just for fun, aren’t they?”
“Well, that’s one way to put it. I heard the girls—and boys—in those places are quite attractive.”
Smack—
Song Mingzhao set down his chopsticks, his expression so dark it could drip water. “I’m full,” he said coldly.
He turned and left immediately. Song Yekang and Song Jincheng exchanged glances and shared a gloating smile.
That’s how the Song brothers were—hostile as enemies one moment, then united in picking on the remaining sibling the next. It was a unique form of warm, familial affection.
Song Mingzhao was about to explode from anger.
These past days, he had been working himself to the bone, busy forging connections for Song Yuzhang with people in Haizhou. He didn’t have time for anything else. And what did Song Yuzhang do in return? He went and started associating with someone as lowly as Shen Chengduo!
Song Mingzhao remembered it vividly—when Song Yuzhang and Shen Chengduo had fought over Xiao Yuxian, not a single decent word had come out of Shen Chengduo’s mouth.
That kind of person... That kind of person...
Fury surged through Song Mingzhao, making his head spin. He wanted nothing more than to storm into the bank and demand if Song Yuzhang had lost his mind!
Instead, Song Mingzhao went straight to interrogate the family chauffeur.
When he heard the driver say that Song Yuzhang was meeting up with Shen Chengduo nearly every other day, his vision nearly went black.
So while he was busy plotting and working late into the night, Song Yuzhang was out gallivanting with Shen Chengduo?
Song Mingzhao was truly enraged.
He was so furious his forehead throbbed. He had to steady himself against a pillar in the house, eyes fixed on the floor as he muttered to himself, “That bastard corrupted Xiao Yu. Just wait, I’ll make sure he pays for it!”
Song Yuzhang had taken Nie Bonian horseback riding twice. On the third visit, just as he arrived, a Nie family servant came up to the car and bowed. “Fifth Young Master, the young master hasn’t finished his English lesson yet. You can either go back or wait inside for a bit.”
English lesson… Song Yuzhang found it both amusing and awkward. He rubbed his palm against his knee. The invitation had been unexpected, and whether he went or not didn’t seem to matter much either way. After a brief pause, he nodded and said, “Then I’ll trouble you.”
From the outside, the Nie estate resembled a large manor—tall walls and towering trees that made it hard to see clearly. But once inside, Song Yuzhang found the space open and bright. Sunlight beamed down like spotlights, casting a splendid glow on the elegant, antique buildings. Song Yuzhang kept his eyes forward and didn’t let them wander.
That afternoon, a gentle autumn rain began to fall and continued steadily until evening.
The driver opened the car door. Under the dim glow of the streetlamp, the figure stepping out cast a long shadow. A fine suit emphasized his broad, sharp shoulders. A monocle sat neatly on his sharply contoured face. The rain had misted over the lens, making it hazy.
A servant came up with an umbrella. “Eldest Master, you’re home early today.”
Nie Xueping removed his monocle and tucked it into his chest pocket. “It’s raining today. Did Bonian skip riding?”
“No, Fifth Young Master Song is inside painting with the young master.”
Nie Xueping paused. “He hasn’t left yet?”
The servant blinked. “No, Fifth Young Master is still inside.”
Nie Xueping returned to his bedroom and changed into his usual comfortable house clothes. After tidying himself up, he headed to where Nie Bonian lived.
The cool autumn rain dripped from the eaves. As Nie Xueping approached the window, he looked inside and saw the room was mostly empty. His brow furrowed as he stepped in. A few paces later, he finally heard voices.
"...draw flowers as rain, draw leaves as rain, draw water as rain."
The young man’s voice was warm and kind, with a gentle cadence that was pleasant to the ear. Nie Xueping stopped in his tracks.
“You’re right, Brother Yuzhang. This way, rain is easy to draw!”
“Bonian is very clever.”
From behind a shelf, Nie Xueping peeked out and saw Song Yuzhang’s upright figure. Nie Bonian leaned his head against his shoulder. The window was slightly ajar, and the scent of rain and grass drifted softly inside.
Nie Xueping silently left again without disturbing the two watching the rain. He returned to his study. Just as he was about to sit and handle some matters, he paused and walked toward the back window.
His study was almost a restricted area—no servants allowed in his absence. All doors and windows were shut tight. He opened the rear window, letting in the delicate, fragrant air brought by the autumn rain. The breeze carried no chill, only a refreshing scent that cleared the mind.
Nie Xueping gazed off into the distance, lost in thought.
Some time later, a servant came to report: “Fifth Young Master Song is leaving.”
Nie Xueping was silent for a moment, then said, “Have the steward see him off.”
Song Yuzhang had spent the afternoon at the Nie home, but it hadn’t been unpleasant. He even picked up a few useful pronunciation tips while eavesdropping on the English lesson. When it was time to part, Nie Bonian clung to him, reluctant to say goodbye. Song Yuzhang stroked his hair and gave him a gentle kiss on the cheek. “It’s raining and chilly outside. You’re delicate—don’t catch a cold again. I’ll come see you when I’m free.”
Following the steward, Song Yuzhang left the Nie estate. The steward handed him a gift box about two feet long and slender.
“What’s this?”
“Our eldest master is currently occupied and couldn’t see you off himself. He asked me to give you this as thanks for spending time with the young master.”
“I was just playing with Bonian to pass the time. Mr. Nie is too courteous.”
“Please, Fifth Young Master—do accept it. It’s nothing valuable.”
Knowing it would be impolite to refuse, Song Yuzhang accepted the box with grace. After getting into the car, he stroked the silk covering the gift and said to the driver, “Take me to Vienna.”
He brought the gift to Shen Chengduo, who tried to take it immediately without a word of courtesy. Song Yuzhang gave it up but said, “Easy with your hands, Brother Shen. Don’t ruin it.”
Shen Chengduo, knowing he had come from the Nie household, was already feeling a bit competitive. He reluctantly handled the box more carefully, slowly opening it. Inside was a tightly rolled painting scroll. Judging by its appearance, it was quite old. Though he was a rough man and hesitant to touch it, Song Yuzhang casually unrolled it.
As the scroll unfurled, a scene of bamboo in autumn rain appeared, vivid on the paper. Song Yuzhang glanced at the artist’s signature, and a number instantly came to mind—this painting was exceptionally valuable.
Even Shen Chengduo, uncultured as he was, recognized the signature and had the same thought: This thing is worth a fortune!
Holding the scroll in both hands, Song Yuzhang admired the painting while thinking to himself how consistent the Nie family was—spending lavishly without hesitation.
“Brother Song,” Shen Chengduo finally couldn’t hold back, “You’re on pretty good terms with the Nie family, huh?”
Song Yuzhang lowered his lashes, a glint of amusement flickering in his eyes. “The fish has taken the bait.”
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