translator: Eve

editor: xiin

Song Xuanhe had lived at Louis’ place for two days, but Xiao Yuanmu hadn’t come back yet like he had promised. They had even lost contact with him.

Song Xuanhe had still been calm in the first twenty four hours of Xiao Yuanmu’s disappearance. He also hadn’t asked Louis or Yang Jie for news of Xiao Yuanmu. That was because he had known that it would be futile.

Forty eight hours since Xiao Yuanmu lost contact with them, Song Xuanhe was still calm. In contrast, Yang Jie fell into a panic. He went over to Louis’ house to discuss Xiao Yuanmu’s current whereabouts with Louis and Song Xuanhe in an attempt to receive consolation.

Seventy two hours after Xiao Yuanmu had lost contact with them, Song Xuanhe still seemed calm on the outside. At this point, Louis had already ordered his subordinates to head to S Country to inquire for information. Yang Jie had also dispatched Joe to try and see if he could get information about Xiao Yuanmu from Mrs. Xiao. Meanwhile, Song Xuanhe was informed by the System that Xiao Yuanmu was safe and sound.

Ninety…the morning of the fourth day, Song Xuanhe found himself alone in Louis’ apartment. Today, an unexpected guest arrived—Xiao Baicong.

Song Xuanhe only nodded at him coolly before opening the door for the other to enter.

Xiao Baicong had followed Song Xuanhe into the guest room. He sat down when Song Xuanhe gestured for him to do so, a perfect smile on his face. “Mr. Song doesn’t seem surprised by my visit.”

His tone was also completely different from Xiao Yuanmu’s. Xiao Baicong’s tone was cultured and polite.

He didn’t seem like a boy who had just come of age. It was very clear that he had grown up in an enormous, strict family. He had a noble, gentle air to him. There was also a subdued arrogance that only a family that had remained powerful for over a hundred years could produce. He seemed easy to approach but he was actually watching everything with a disdainful gaze.

This was very different from Xiao Yuanmu. This helped Song Xuanhe snap out of the daze he had been put in upon seeing Xiao Baicong’s face, which was similar to how Xiao Yuanmu had looked when they had first met.

Song Xuanhe smiled at him as he pointed to the tea leaves on the table. “I heard that Xiao xiao shaoye only drinks tea and plain water so I prepared some Iron Goddess tea in advance. Would you like to try it?”

Xiao Baicong’s gaze changed slightly when he heard Song Xuanhe’s words and looked at clay teapot that was completely different from the rest of the northern European decor in this room. However, the smile remained on his face as he nodded, “Yes, please.”

Song Xuanhe smiled back as he focused on brewing the tea. He ignored how Xiao Baicong was sizing him up.

“I didn’t expect Mr. Song to know how to brew tea.” Xiao Baicong sniffed the cup of tea Song Xuanhe passed over. “I thought that this was Mr. Song Xuanlin’s hobby.”

Song Xuanhe took a sip of his own cup and smiled back. “He’s my older brother. Even if I don’t enjoy his hobby, it can’t be helped that I’ll become more familiar with it than the average person. Don’t you agree, Xiao xiao shaoye?”

Xiao Baicong nodded. With a grin, he spoke in a clear and bright voice, “You’re right, Mr. Song. When it comes to brothers who have grown up together, even if they don’t share the same hobbies, they can’t help but be influenced by the other.”

Song Xuanhe raised a brow when he heard this noncommittal answer. He couldn’t help but admit that the xiao Family seemed to have some good genes. Regardless of whether it was the inexperienced Xiao Yuanmu from two years ago or the young Xiao Baicong, they were both experts at speaking.

One of them could KO you with a curt, decisive attack, while the other was tactful and unfathomable. Although they took different approaches, they were equally matched.

“The tea is lovely.”

Xiao Baicong had only wet his lips before putting the tea cup down. He continued to smile at Song Xuanhe. “Actually, I wanted to discuss something with Mr. Song while also taking the chance to inform you of something.”

Song Xuanhe’s legs were folded and his hands were gently placed on his leg. He nodded, “Please, go ahead.”

Xiao Baicong took in Song Xuanhe’s casual, lax posture and something flickered through his eyes. His expression, however, didn’t change. “Mr. Song, you haven’t contacted your family in a long time, have you?”

“If I’m not mistaken,” Song Xuanhe seemed to be thinking about it, “It has probably been about a week since I last spoke to my family. Everyone has a different perception of time. If Xiao xiao shaoye considers this a long time, then I suppose you could say that.”

Xiao Baicong smiled bashfully. “Mr. Song—no—can I call you Xuanhe ge? I recall that Ranyun calls you that. I feel like ‘Mr. Song’ sounds too distant. You can also call me Baicong.”

Song Xuanhe didn’t seem to mind Xiao Baicong’s abrupt change in topic. “Sure.”

“It’s like this, Xuanhe ge.” Xiao Baicong used his new form of address.

Song Xuanhe nodded in response.

“I inadvertently heard some news from one of my servants. Apparently, the Song Family has encountered some issues as of late. Although I had never met you before, I have always known about you. I know about your relationship with my older brother too. That’s why I sent people over to help out.”

Xiao Baicong sounded a bit shy. However, Song Xuanhe’s eyes darkened.

“But I didn’t expect that my older brother would also send people, too. My subordinates bumped into Gege’s subordinates and thought that they were going to hurt your family, so a little accident occurred. Gege left home three days ago because of this altercation. You know, my father hasn’t been doing well lately, so we all got together in S Country. At that time, he had left in quite the hurry. All I know is that he went back to China, but I don’t know where exactly. I really don’t know.”

Xiao Baicong looked a bit worried. “All our uncles are angry at him for his sudden departure. My parents are also worried about his safety. But my subordinates have heard no news about him. That’s why I wanted to ask you if you knew anything about where my brother is.”

Xiao Baicong gazed at Song Xuanhe with eyes similar to Xiao Yuanmu’s. His tone was anxious and sincere. “This is really important to our family. Xuanhe ge, if you know anything, please tell me and my parents.”

Song Xuanhe took in the other’s pitch-black eyes that were just like Xiao Yuanmu’s peach blossom eyes. A sliver of ridicule flitted through his eyes.

This child was only eighteen years old but he was a skilled actor and schemer. He was worthy of being the sole successor of the Xiao Family prior to Xiao Yuanmu’s return. On this point, he differed greatly from Xiao Yuanmu.

The Xiao Yuanmu in the past had never bothered with being tactful even when faced with difficult circumstances. He would never bend down or compromise even a little bit, even if it would only be temporary.

Anyone who had seen Xiao Yuanmu’s genuinely clean and pure eyes would remain unaffected when presented with the false goods in front of them.

“I’m really worried about Xiao Yuanmu.” Song Xuanhe furrowed his brows slightly and he unfolded his legs. There was a difficult-to-detect concern on his face. “I haven’t been able to contact him for two days now. I didn’t know that something happened to my family. Now that I know, I will send someone to investigate things. If I hear anything regarding Xiao Yuanmu, I will definitely contact you.”

“Two days ago?” A light flickered quickly through his eyes. “When? What did he say? Did he say where he was?”

Song Xuanhe shook his head. “He only said that he was safe. We then chatted about normal, everyday things. He didn’t tell me that something had happened to my family or that he left S Country.”

“Did he say anything out-of-the-ordinary?” Xiao Baicong asked, “Can you tell me the specifics of your conversation?”

When Xiao Baicong saw Song Xuanhe narrow his eyes, he apologized. “Sorry. I know that this is a very rude request. But my parents and I are really worried about him. The other family members are also concerned with how he left without a word and how he’s disappeared without a word. Every clue is important to us.”

Song Xuanhe nodded in understanding. “No worries. I don’t remember the specifics. The only thing I can remember clearly, which may perhaps be of help to you, is that he told me that he would have to delay his return. But he didn’t tell me exactly how long he would be delayed.”

“Only that?” Xiao Baicong asked, “And you lost contact with him afterwards?”

“Yes.”

“I see.” Xiao Baicong’s worry deepened. “That means that something unexpected must have happened after he spoke with you. Otherwise, he would not go two days without contacting you, considering how he has a habit of calling you every day. It seems like things are trickier than I anticipated. It will be difficult to find him in a short amount of time.”

Song Xuanhe paused. “How did you know that we talk every day?”

Xiao Baicong asked, “Was I wrong? At home, I always saw Gege leave at the same time everyday to make a call. Once, I inadvertently overheard a bit and figured out that it was you on the other side. That’s why I thought he must have been calling you each time.”

“No, you’re right.” Song Xuanhe smiled and shrugged. “He doesn’t feel rest assured, leaving me alone in Y City. Maybe it’s because there aren’t any gun laws here. He always has to check up on me to feel at ease.”

Xiao Baicong said, “He really loves you.”

Song Xuanhe smiled. Xiao Baicong then took a look at the time and got up. “Xuanhe ge, it was a pleasure talking to you. But things are really busy at home right now. I have to leave. Thank you for your hospitality.”

“No problem.”

Song Xuanhe saw Xiao Baicong off.

“I trust that we’ll have many more opportunities to chat in the future.” Xiao Baicong smiled. “Until then.”

Song Xuanhe watched as Xiao Baicong climbed into his car. The expression in his eyes changed slightly as he whispered, “Truly a cautious fellow.”

【Did Xiao Baicong really come to you for a chat?】The System said：【You two don’t seem close enough for that.】

【He came to get information.】Song Xuanhe closed the door and mildly said：【Too bad he’s nothing compared to Xiao Yuanmu.】

The System said：【You’re worried that Xiao Yuanmu…someone’s come.】

Song Xuanhe had yet to walk away from the entrance when the doorbell rung once more. He turned around to look at the person on the screen, surprise flashing through his eyes when he saw who it was.

Eve: Sneaky, sneaky little brother.

xiin: updates will switch to 2x a week from next week because i need to start stocking up on chapters @[email protected]