Song Yuzhang: Chapter 77 - Date
Chapter 77: Date
Liao Tiandong set down the file in his hand and frowned slightly. “Who?”
“Fifth Young Master Song, Song Yuzhang, the current president of Song Bank.”
Liao Tiandong paused in thought. This person coming to visit him? What did that mean? Song Yuzhang? Song Qiyuan's younger brother?
“Oh,” Liao Tiandong casually lifted his hand. “Let him in.”
Liao Tiandong had only heard of Song Yuzhang by name and had never met him in person. When Song Yuzhang appeared before him, it took him completely by surprise.
What a stunning man! Even someone like Director Liao, who was used to seeing good-looking people, was momentarily dazzled by Song Yuzhang's smile.
“Director Liao.”
“President Song.”
They shook hands, and Liao Tiandong quickly invited him to sit. “I missed the grand banquet at the Song residence last time—I wasn't in Haizhou. What a pity. President Song, you’re quite the distinguished gentleman.”
“Director Liao is a busy man. It was just a simple welcome banquet. If you're ever free and willing to grace me with your presence, may I have the honor of hosting you personally another time?”
Waving his hand, Liao Tiandong said, “The higher-ups are keeping a close eye—better not.”
Song Yuzhang didn’t insist. With a warm and gentle tone, he brought up the two million U.S. dollars that were about to mature, asking whether Liao Tiandong needed to use the money. If not, he could help roll it over—the current economic climate was unstable, and keeping it in their bank was safer.
“Director Liao can withdraw it at any time, instantly, no delay.”
Liao Tiandong thought for a moment. “For such a small matter, you could have just sent a manager. Why trouble yourself to come in person?”
Smiling, Song Yuzhang said, “It’s not about the matter—it's about the person. Director Liao is an honored guest; it’s only right.”
Hearing such flattering words from such a charming man naturally pleased Liao Tiandong. Since the money wasn't urgently needed anyway, he verbally agreed casually. After all, Song Yuzhang did say it was available anytime without delay. He’d leave it for now and withdraw it when needed.
Shortly after Song Yuzhang left, the phone in Liao Tiandong’s office rang. He picked it up casually. “Hello?”
The voice on the other end was familiar.
“Oh, Boss Meng,” Liao Tiandong’s tone immediately softened. “What is it?”
“Director Liao, may I ask whether President Song of Song Bank was just in your office?”
Liao Tiandong's smile froze for a second, though his tone remained mild. “Yes, he was. Why, Boss Meng?”
“He came to…?”
Liao Tiandong answered with a chuckle, “He came to talk business. Why, since when are you interested in banking? Your textile business is doing great—are you thinking of venturing into finance now?”
“Director Liao, you're teasing me. I just wanted to ask you for a favor.”
“Go ahead.”
“Director Liao, isn’t the deposit you have in Song Bank about to mature?”
Liao Tiandong hesitated. “Yes.”
“Once it matures, withdraw it.”
Liao Tiandong paused. “Boss Meng, what do you mean by that?”
“It’s nothing much. I just hope you’ll trust me—better to have the money in your own hands.”
There was something in his tone that hinted at more, but Liao Tiandong couldn’t quite make sense of it. Still, he verbally agreed for now. “Alright, I understand.”
“Please make sure to withdraw it on time.”
“Yes, yes, got it.”
After hanging up, Liao Tiandong flipped through a few more pages of documents but felt increasingly uneasy. He set the papers down, tapped his fingers on the desk, and, unable to sit still any longer, decided to go to the opera.
As for Song Yuzhang, he wasn’t sure whether his relationship with Nie Xueping counted as an affair.
If it wasn’t, Nie Xueping’s behavior certainly didn’t reflect that of someone merely treating him as a junior acquaintance—no one holds a junior’s hand or kisses their lips. But if it was, all intimate actions had been done in secret, and Nie Xueping had never explicitly said anything.
Caught in a haze of uncertainty, Song Yuzhang suddenly understood.
Ah—he had met a true player.
Fine. Then just play.
After all, Nie Xueping must have some interest in him to even want to play, and he himself was more than happy to play along. With someone like Nie Xueping, he was not at a disadvantage.
Song Yuzhang had fully figured it out now.
Whether lying beneath or being on top—there was no fundamental difference.
Song Yekang had even tried to hang himself over Nie Qingyun.
Did that make Nie Qingyun the weaker, abused party? Clearly not.
So top or bottom—it made no difference.
The true vulnerability lay in emotional dependence, in the psyche. Just lying underneath meant nothing.
To be honest, once he understood that, he even began to feel a bit more at peace with that one encounter with Meng Tingjing.
In retrospect, though it had been unwilling on his part emotionally, his body had undeniably enjoyed it—thoroughly, in fact.
So there was no need to brood over how humiliating Meng Tingjing’s attitude had been. As long as he had enjoyed himself, that was enough.
Now that Song Yuzhang had figured it all out, he could also dare to imagine. He’d been celibate for a long time and really was, as Song Mingzhao said, on the verge of bursting. But Nie Xueping didn’t seem to have that kind of intention. He always kept things within a certain boundary. Song Yuzhang suspected that, too, was one of Nie Xueping’s tactics, so he remained calm and composed in his dealings with him.
After visiting Director Liao, Song Yuzhang went to see a movie with Nie Xueping.
It sounded absurd, but it really happened.
And it was Nie Xueping who suggested it.
Well—not quite.
Song Yuzhang had approached Nie Xueping first. After exchanging a few pleasantries, Nie Xueping asked if he’d like to go watch a movie together.
Song Yuzhang hesitated briefly, then agreed.
Knowing how cautious Nie Xueping was, he had assumed the theater would be cleared out for privacy. But instead, they entered the cinema along with the crowd. The movie had just opened, so the place was packed. Amidst the bustling audience, as they moved along, Nie Xueping suddenly grabbed his hand.
Song Yuzhang turned his face to look at him, and Nie Xueping was already looking at him. The theater was dark, and Nie Xueping’s eyes were bright—and gentle.
Throughout the entire movie, Nie Xueping never once let go of Song Yuzhang’s hand. Song Yuzhang stroked his hand, feeling the various calluses on it—ones from writing, from old injuries, and from handling guns.
It was a pair of hands with experience and stories. Song Yuzhang had never had an intimate relationship with someone so much older than himself, and he found the novelty quite interesting. While watching the movie, he idly played with Nie Xueping’s hand, and Nie Xueping didn’t react at all, letting him do as he pleased.
It wasn’t until the movie ended that Nie Xueping gently tightened his grip on Song Yuzhang’s hand again. Under the gradually brightening lights of the theater, Song Yuzhang looked at him. Nie Xueping’s eyes were still like a calm, deep lake, warm and untroubled. “Let’s go,” he said.
After leaving the cinema, the two of them went to a nearby Western restaurant. Western restaurants in Haizhou were all decorated with a certain ambiance—cherub wallpaper blowing trumpets, a vase on the table holding two vibrant roses. Song Yuzhang looked at Nie Xueping through the roses, resting his chin on his folded hands and smiling. “Is Mr. Nie taking me on a date?”
Nie Xueping replied, “What does Mr. Song think?”
Song Yuzhang smiled, “I think Mr. Nie is treating me like a schoolgirl—watching a movie, eating Western food. Don’t tell me we’re going boating next?”
Nie Xueping smiled faintly. “No boating. How about a flower exhibition?”
Song Yuzhang couldn’t help laughing. After he was done, he looked at Nie Xueping, realizing that he seemed to be serious. Slightly surprised, he asked, “You really want to go to a flower exhibition?”
Nie Xueping nodded. “They’re displaying some very rare flower species.”
Song Yuzhang burst into laughter.
He laughed hard, while Nie Xueping just quietly watched. When Song Yuzhang finally stopped, Nie Xueping asked, “Am I that old-fashioned?”
Song Yuzhang shook his head, still holding back laughter. “Should work well on schoolgirls.”
Nie Xueping said, “Sorry, I don’t go on dates very often.”
“I understand,” Song Yuzhang replied. “Mr. Nie, you’re too busy.”
Nie Xueping just smiled without confirming or denying it.
After a pause, he asked, “So, do you still want to go to the flower exhibition?”
Song Yuzhang chuckled. “I’d be delighted—after all, they’re showing very rare flower species.”
Nie Xueping could tell he was being teased, and he lowered his head slightly, smiling with a quiet tolerance.
While dining, Song Yuzhang brought up Nie Bonian again. Nie Xueping said that because of the cold weather, Nie Bonian was prone to falling ill and was now recuperating at home; better not to let him catch a chill.
“Has his health always been like this?”
Nie Xueping smiled. “Much better than when he was young.”
“I’ll find time to visit him again.”
“That would be good,” said Nie Xueping. “He’s always looking forward to seeing you.”
Song Yuzhang smiled. “Then I’ll try to spend more time with him.”
“No need to trouble yourself. You have your own difficulties. The bank must keep you busy?”
Song Yuzhang smiled evasively. “It’s manageable.”
After the meal, Nie Xueping did indeed take him to the flower exhibition.
There was no one else there.
“This place officially opens tomorrow,” Nie Xueping explained.
Song Yuzhang nodded. “Then we should be careful not to damage any plants.”
The flowers were beautiful. Song Yuzhang didn’t know much about horticulture, so he could only appreciate their beauty and fragrance on a basic level. The two of them quietly strolled from flower to flower. Song Yuzhang read the flower descriptions but soon found them dull, so he asked Nie Xueping, “Mr. Nie, do you really like flowers?”
“I’m not particularly fond of them. Qingyun likes them.”
“Then why did you bring me to a flower exhibition?”
Nie Xueping turned his face toward him, his eyes settling gently on Song Yuzhang’s face. “You don’t like it?”
“I…” Song Yuzhang hesitated. “It’s alright.”
Nie Xueping said, “If you see any you like, you can order them. After the exhibition, they’ll be delivered to your residence.”
Once again, Song Yuzhang was caught off guard. He thought, Nie Xueping’s even sending me flowers now? Does he really think I’m a little girl?
He glanced around at the exotic blooms. “Mr. Nie, if you see any you like, you can order them too. I’ll have them delivered to your place.”
Nie Xueping smiled. “Then I’ll thank you in advance.”
His response made Song Yuzhang smile in return. “Mr. Nie, you’d better not like too many. These flowers cost almost as much as gold.”
Nie Xueping chuckled softly. He raised a hand and gently brushed Song Yuzhang’s hair. Though the gesture was brief, the tenderness of it lingered clearly. “Mr. Song, don’t worry. There aren’t many things I come to like.”
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