Outside the window, the night was thick and heavy, like ink that wouldn’t dissolve, with the scattered lights within it gradually thinning out. Inside, an extravagantly ornate crystal chandelier hung high, reflecting brilliant light, while piano music flowed uninterrupted. Under the lights, the swirling dance steps resembled blooming flowers one after another.
The Song Family had spared no expense for this birthday banquet. Bottles upon bottles of red wine expensive enough to collect lined the tables, and the desserts were made by renowned French masters. Most importantly, Old Master Song—who had been bedridden in the hospital for over half a month—made a personal appearance to celebrate his beloved granddaughter’s birthday.
Old Master Song was a legendary figure. Even after retiring over a decade ago, his influence lingered. Unfortunately, no matter how remarkable a person was, they couldn’t escape the inexorable march of time.
He had grown old.
He had fallen ill.
He had even reached the point where he needed a wheelchair to move. According to inside information, the soil for Old Master Song’s grave was already piled up to his neck. Perhaps next month, or maybe just next week, the gathering they attended wouldn’t be a birthday banquet, but a funeral.
“As the star of the show, why hasn’t Miss Song arrived yet?”
Another person shrugged. “They say she suddenly realized the necklace and dress didn’t match, so she’s fussing over it again.”
“How interesting.” The tone was odd.
There was a saying, “Like father, like son,” but it didn’t apply to the Song Family. Old Master Song had shouldered everything himself, leaving no room for the younger generation to gain proper experience. The result was a power vacuum.
Once Old Master Song passed away, the Song Family’s decline was inevitable. They might even see their current assets divided and devoured.
“Hey, aren’t you Assistant Chen?” A pot-bellied man sidled up with a fawning smile.
Assistant Chen withdrew his probing gaze and returned a polite smile. “President Li.”
President Li’s smile deepened. “I didn’t expect Assistant Chen to remember me.” He beckoned the girl at his side. “This is my daughter. She’s been nagging me, saying she wants to meet our President Yan and catch a glimpse of him. It’s just that…”
Assistant Chen’s smile grew more perfunctory. He first complimented the girl lavishly, then deftly changed the subject.
Couldn’t these people use their brains? No matter how capable an assistant was, he couldn’t interfere in his boss’s personal life. Besides, he suspected their boss had been so tormented by insomnia that he had no worldly desires left.
President Li talked endlessly, from Old Master Song’s poor health to the deep ties between the Song and Yan families, throwing in some flattery along the way. “President Yan is a man of loyalty and gratitude.”
Assistant Chen was pondering how to respond when a slightly noisy stir caught his attention. He glanced toward the source on the second floor, and his eyes widened unconsciously. A stark word popped into his mind: beautiful.
Her tea-colored hair was neatly braided up, perfectly matching the gemstone crown on her head and revealing a slender, pristine neck—like a proud swan, untouched by dust.
Yet the overly ornate accessories seemed to contradict that. The gemstone crown, earrings, necklace, bracelet, and ring could almost be called tacky, but that dazzlingly beautiful face more than compensated.
Beautiful things set off even greater beauty, and her bright, smiling eyes were the true treasures.
“Fu Fu, happy birthday~”
This was Song Fu, the Song Family’s only daughter, who had studied abroad for years.
A soft name, but her personality was anything but. Blessings obtained too easily weren’t cherished. In response to the well-wishes, Miss Song merely nodded perfunctorily before positioning herself beside Old Master Song’s wheelchair. In a sweet tone, she called out, “Grandpa.”
Old Master Song’s eyes crinkled into slits with laughter, his affection for his granddaughter overflowing. “Our Fu Fu is truly beautiful. Have you seen your birthday gifts? Is there anything else you want?”
“Yes.”
The girl didn’t answer directly but circled around it. “I really, really want this gift. Will Grandpa grant it to me?”
Old Master Song was keenly aware of his impending death and agreed without hesitation. “Of course. As long as our Fu Fu is happy.”
“Really?”
Assistant Chen watched as Miss Song’s face lit up with delight. She skipped over to their boss’s side with light steps and pointed at him without reservation.
“Then the one I want is him.”
Her words dropped like a stone into a still pond, sending ripples of shock through the room.
She wasn’t asking for a car, a yacht, gems, or a mansion—but a living person.
And not just anyone who could be treated casually or molded at will. This person, Yan Huai Xu, had a future brighter than anyone else’s present, making him the object of flattery and sycophancy.
Even Assistant Chen broke into a sweat.
He believed that whoever Miss Song picked would be eternally grateful, but she had to choose their emotionless boss.
Even though Old Master Song could be considered their boss’s benefactor, it wasn’t Miss Song doing the helping. Treating him like a gift—like an object tossed about lightly—would surely anger their boss. Old Master Song, however, should be more clear-headed and wouldn’t tolerate such rudeness. He would probably discipline his willful granddaughter…
“Him?” Old Master Song repeated uncertainly.
Song Fu nodded firmly. “Yes, him. I want Yan Huai Xu as my fiancé!”
Once more, her words rang out clearly.
Everyone’s gazes darted between Old Master Song and Yan Huai Xu. They halted their actions, waiting silently for what came next.
One impatient soul couldn’t hold back and teased first. “Miss Song, you’ve probably been abroad too long and forgotten how to speak properly in your hometown. Your attitude needs to be more…”
Before he finished, a scoff cut him off. Miss Song lifted her chin slightly, her gaze disdainful as if looking at a fallen leaf by her feet. “Are you educating me on behalf of my grandpa right now?”
Old Master Song wasn’t dead yet, so the man naturally didn’t dare overstep. He quickly denied it but glanced toward Yan Huai Xu.
After all, strictly speaking, he had taken a side and stuck his neck out. Yet Yan Huai Xu acted as if it had nothing to do with him, making no move, simply watching Miss Song before him.
Old Master Song seemed to ponder for a moment before raising his already cloudy eyes. “Huai Xu, this old man wants to help make this wish come true. What do you think?”
Yan Huai Xu’s thin lips parted lightly. “Good.”
That single light word made everyone who heard it widen their eyes. Assistant Chen was no exception. He even doubted his own ears—how else could he have heard his boss say yes?
His boss, who harbored absolute disgust for family matters, who showed aversion at public displays of affection and refused to attend weddings… Now he was willing to become someone’s fiancé? Was Miss Song too beautiful, or did Old Master Song’s face carry that much weight?
In any case, Old Master Song was visibly delighted. He repeated “good” several times, his spirits visibly lifting. He formally announced the news again. “Then today is not only my granddaughter’s birthday, but also her engagement banquet with Huai Xu.”
Miss Song raised her glass of red wine and downed it in one swift gulp. “Thank you, everyone.”
The man who had spoken out first flushed red then pale, but he forced a smile and commented on how perfect and well-matched the pair were. Extremely adaptable.
Everyone harbored their own thoughts.
For the Song Family, this alliance was undoubtedly a boon that could delay their decline.
And they would need to reconsider their attitudes toward them.