Chapter 83

“Oh,” Tian Yi, not interested in business matters, enthusiastically asked, “What color is your evening gown? Is it black again? I recently acquired a new set of jewelry, perfect for black attire. Shall I have someone bring it over for you to see?”

“Thank you, sister-in-law.”

“What are you thanking family for,” Tian Yi said. “This time, it’s Song Xuehan from the Song Family who has returned. Do you still remember her? Her wife is the only daughter of the Luo Family. Whom will you bring as your companion?”

According to social etiquette, if one does not have a partner or lover, it is most appropriate for the companion at a banquet to be the same as the host’s.

Tian Yi raised her chin slightly, indicating Song Pianxian, who was accompanying Nie Xingzhou.

“Xingzhou mentioned wanting to introduce Ms. Xiaosong to the social scene.”

Nie Lingbo set down her glass, and the clear glass tabletop emitted a faint sound of contact, causing Tian Yi to glance back.

“A gathering at the Song residence isn’t suitable.”

Tian Yi pondered for a moment. “Indeed.”

After all, it was a gathering of aristocratic families, not some frivolous party hosted by a few wealthy individuals. It required a certain level of respect, and bringing someone unfamiliar might be presumptuous.

Nie Lingbo nodded.

In such gatherings, Song Pianxian would feel out of place since she hadn’t experienced them before.

Moreover, Nie Lingbo had plans for that evening and couldn’t accompany Song Pianxian the whole time. But there would be plenty of opportunities in the future to take her out.

Song Pianxian was unaware that she had missed the opportunity to meet with the Song Family. According to the plot, at this point, Song Xuehan from the second branch of the Song Family, who was her cousin, had returned to China to visit relatives and would stay there for some time.

The Song Family had never given up on finding Song Pianxian. Over the years, they had deployed many people, but due to the inherent irrationality of the plot, they had not found her until after Xi Heng and the original owner’s tragic love affair, which allowed the original owner to return to the Song Family.

The trigger for the recognition in the plot was when the original owner, in order to escape from Xi Heng, worked as a shopping guide at the top mall under the Song Family’s industry, and happened to impress Tian Yi, Nie Lingbo’s sister-in-law.

Later, Tian Yi brought Song Xuehan’s wife, Luo Ruzhi, to go shopping together, and they coincidentally met Song Xuehan while he was inspecting their family’s mall and coming to pick up his wife.

Perhaps there was some special connection between cousins, as Song Xuehan couldn’t help but pay attention to the original owner, even making Luo Ruzhi and Xi Heng jealous. After some entanglement, the truth finally came to light, and the original owner returned to the Song Family.

And this time, under Nie Lingbo’s arrangement, Song Pianxian encountered the key figure Tian Yi through another method, half a year ahead of schedule. At this time, Song Xuehan and Luo Ruzhi had just returned to the country.

From the perspective of the recorder of task 09, the host quickly and decisively broke up with Xi Heng as soon as she landed, clearing the emotional line completely. The new human teammate had no memory but could perfectly ignore Xi Heng’s existence and directly bring the key figure to the host.

With both parties working together, the task progressed rapidly, showcasing excellent results.

On the evening of the Song Family banquet, Song Pianxian and Xiang Sixi were having a simple and warm dinner in the apartment. The original owner’s cooking skills were average, and these were new dishes that Song Pianxian learned from recipes. Xiang Sixi was very happy with the meal.

As Xiang Sixi enjoyed the delicious tomato scrambled eggs, she glanced up at Big Sister, who was looking at her phone.

“Sis?”

“It’s nothing, just checking the time.” Song Pianxian put down her phone and served Xiang Sixi a bowl of soup.

Checking the time, the banquet should have started.

She was curious about the kind of chemistry Nie Lingbo, her companion, would have when meeting with the Song Family.

It felt strange. Nie Lingbo was clearly an independent individual but was like another self, driving the task forward.

They were fighting side by side.

Ding dong.

The doorbell rang.

Song Pianxian’s hand holding the chopsticks paused, and she looked up.

Nie Lingbo’s companion was Xi Zihua. She brought Xi Zihua to the banquet and sent her off to socialize and talk about work, like releasing a bunny. As a member of the Nie Family, she naturally had the host personally receive her. Almost as soon as she picked up the champagne glass, Song Xuehan and Luo Ruzhi arrived in front of her.

Song Xuehan had a cold temperament, but when facing Nie Lingbo, she rarely raised a polite smile.

“Ms. Nie, long time no see.”

“More than three months ago, Ms. Nie and I met in country F,” Luo Ruzhi, as Mrs. Song, was extremely friendly.

The Song Family extended an olive branch, and Nie Lingbo naturally wouldn’t refuse.

Both sides were interested in getting to know each other. They chatted back and forth, appearing very congenial to onlookers.

Fu Siyuan and Bai Rong arrived at this moment. They had planned to come early, hoping to strike up a conversation with the Song Family. If they could develop some acquaintance, it would be even better.

However, after waiting for Xi Heng for twenty minutes, and still no sign of him, they couldn’t wait any longer. They decided to set off first and instructed someone to find Xi Heng.

On the way, they remarked that if it weren’t for Song Xuehan marrying Luo Ruzhi, Xi Heng wouldn’t have had the chance to be chosen by the Xia Family when selecting his wife.

Although the Song Family was lofty, their son Xi Heng was so outstanding that he could be matched with a fairy.

But when they saw a woman standing alongside the Song Family, not falling behind and even taking a dominant position, and then learned about her identity from others, Fu Siyuan was about to step forward to strike up a conversation—

What a great opportunity to befriend both the Song and Nie Families at the same time!

Bai Rong, who understood her son better, hesitated, but Fu Siyuan had already approached, so she had no choice but to follow suit.

“Ms. Song, Mrs. Song, Ms. Nie,” Fu Siyuan said with a smile tinged with flattery, “It’s a pleasure to meet you. I am Fu Siyuan.”

Fu Siyuan was able to win over Xi Wei in the past, so his appearance wouldn’t be bad. Now in his middle age, he was still refined and elegant, albeit with slightly cloudy eyes.

But for Song Xuehan and Luo Ruzhi, who had been out of the country for a long time, they hadn’t heard of his name.

“Fu Family from City C?” Song Xuehan asked.

Fu Siyuan’s smile froze for a moment, feeling unwilling but helpless, “It’s the Xi Family.”

Nie Lingbo added lightly, “He’s Xi Zihua’s father.”

“Oh, the Xi Family,” Luo Ruzhi suddenly realized, looking at Bai Rong, “So, you’re Mrs. Xi, right?”

Fu Siyuan and Bai Rong felt uncomfortable together, and there were even a few mocking laughs nearby.

To put it bluntly, Fu Siyuan bringing his mistress out was frowned upon by everyone. They didn’t say anything out of courtesy, but they had already mocked him behind his back. Now that he was embarrassed, many people found it amusing.

Bai Rong maintained a dignified appearance, and Fu Siyuan spoke up to defend her:

“My wife is unwell and resting at home. This is my… my companion, surnamed Bai.”

He didn’t have the courage to admit that she was his lover, so he put it euphemistically.

Fu Siyuan thought that the Song Family would give him the same “face” as others, but he greatly overestimated himself and underestimated the gap between himself and these aristocratic families.

The old steward who was in charge of receiving guests at the Song Family’s residence noticed what was happening and whispered something to Song Xuehan’s side.

After the old steward stepped aside, Song Xuehan’s face became even colder, like frozen frost.

“We invited the Xi Family, so naturally Mrs. Xi should attend. Even if Mrs. Xi is unavailable, Ms. Xi should attend on her behalf.”

Song Xuehan said mercilessly:

“The Song Family does not welcome this Ms. Bai.”

Fu Siyuan and Bai Rong were sneakily kicked out of the banquet by the Song Family, becoming the biggest joke of the evening.

Meanwhile, their son, whom they were eagerly anticipating, was being snubbed outside Song Pianxian’s door, his face as black as coal.

When Song Pianxian heard the doorbell, she went to look through the peephole and immediately saw Xi Heng’s face.

Perhaps seeing that she didn’t open the door, Xi Heng outside raised his hand and knocked on the door himself.

Xiang Sixi also came over, asking, “Sister, who’s outside?”

Song Pianxian replied, “My ex-boyfriend.”

Xiang Sixi wouldn’t fail to recognize Xi Heng, but she understood who was family. Seeing someone outside refusing to leave while Big Sister didn’t want to open the door, she immediately asked:

“If he keeps ringing our doorbell and refuses to leave, can we call the police?”

Song Pianxian shook her head.

“We can’t?” Xiang Sixi worriedly tugged at Song Pianxian’s clothes.

Song Pianxian reassured her, “No, he probably won’t do that.”

In the text, although Xi Heng is domineering and challenges legal boundaries, those are all behaviors exhibited after drinking or in the later stages of the plot. Song Pianxian inferred that at this point when she had just left Xi Heng, he should still be able to maintain his rationality and manners.

Sure enough, with Song Pianxian still not appearing, Xi Heng impatiently adjusted his tie and said in a deep voice, “Pianxian, I know you’re inside. If you’re playing hard to get and don’t want to see me, I won’t argue with you.”

He seemed to speak with a condescending tone, “Sooner or later, you’ll understand that being by my side is the best place for you.”

After speaking, he turned and left.

Even Xiang Sixi, separated by the door, was startled by Xi Heng’s words. She knew Xi Heng had power and authority, so she was even more afraid of him doing something to Big Sister.

“What does he want?”

“Don’t worry about him.”

Song Pianxian knew all too well the tricks Xi Heng could play, and at this moment, she remained unmoved.

She made a phone call first, informing the property management and security that she wouldn’t accept any male visitors. Then, she walked to the window, glanced at the license plate of Xi Heng’s car parked below, and instructed the security to blacklist it from entry.

In the car, Xi Heng’s eyes were dark and couldn’t figure out why Song Pianxian had become so tough. Where did she get the courage?

As the car slowly headed towards the Song Family’s residence, Xi Heng hadn’t forgotten his main business. However, he didn’t know if Nie Lingbo would attend; otherwise, he would have disregarded Song Pianxian long ago.

During the journey, Xi Heng asked Meng Yue, “How is Song Pianxian’s Little Sister performing at school?”

Meng Yue’s scalp tightened, “I was just about to tell you. Xiang Sixi’s homeroom teacher replied yesterday that Xiang Sixi is currently tutoring Nie Xingzhou from the Nie Family.”

“The Nie Family?” Xi Heng frowned, his expression worsening, “How could she have any interaction with Nie Xingzhou!”

“I-I haven’t finished yet…” Meng Yue buried his head, speaking cautiously and quickly, “Song Pianxian is currently tutoring Nie Xingzhou. It is said that… Ms. Nie personally hired her.”

Xi Heng sat up straight suddenly, turning his head to stare at Meng Yue, enunciating each word: “Say that again?”

Meng Yue held his breath: “It was Ms. Nie Lingbo who personally hired Ms. Song Pianxian, for Ms. Nie—”

“Shut up!” Xi Heng roared.

Why? Why did Song Pianxian appear in front of Nie Lingbo several times?

Xi Heng took a deep breath, suppressing his chaotic thoughts.

It must be just a coincidence—

But Nie Lingbo was so smart, she would definitely notice something was wrong. He should think carefully about how to explain it to her.

Meanwhile, Nie Lingbo, whom Xi Heng was constantly thinking about, was speaking with Song Xuehen’s wife.

They had already arrived on the second floor of the Song Family’s residence. There were no other guests here, only a place for VIPs to rest, extremely secluded.

It was here that Nie Lingbo inquired about the missing daughter of the main branch of the Song Family.

“When it comes to this cousin, Aunt has never forgotten her. She hasn’t recovered well in the sanatorium over the years, all because of her concern,” Luo Ruzhi sighed, “I wanted Aunt to feel better after adopting Little Fei, but how? Aunt said that seeing Little Fei receiving good education, not worrying about food and clothing, and then thinking about her own daughter suffering somewhere, made her even more uneasy.”

“So, we decided to let Little Fei stay in the country.”

Nie Lingbo didn’t have much impression of Song Fei, and asked, “It seems like we didn’t see Song Fei today?”

“She’s studying in her room,” Song Xuehen replied calmly.

Nie Lingbo smirked, probably understanding what was going on.

The larger the family, the more they value etiquette. Since Song Fei is not a biological relative, the Song Family wouldn’t give her too much respect in such situations, avoiding it if possible.

“Last time I went to visit our elders in France, I found out that among their generation, my family and the Song Family’s main branch have some distant relatives.”

She raised her glass to Song Xuehen: “Your cousin is also my cousin. In the future, when I’m often in the country, I can help with the search.”

Nie Lingbo rarely spoke so much, and what she said was about bringing the two families closer together. Song Xuehen and Luo Ruzhi naturally felt pleased.

“So there’s such a connection between the two families.”

In fact, the top aristocratic families in the country can be counted on one hand. If you try to connect with them, there must be some distant relation. But when Nie Lingbo said it herself, it meant she acknowledged it, which was a good sign.

“You’re really helping a lot. Ah, poor cousin, she got lost when she was young. Over the years, the foundation has helped dozens of families find their children, but there’s still no news of her. But no matter what, we have to keep looking.”

Hearing this, Nie Lingbo casually turned her wine glass:

“I’ve always heard you call her cousin, but I don’t know when she was born. Should I call her cousin or elder cousin?”

Luo Ruzhi was in a dilemma, but Song Xuehen remembered clearly:

“She was born in 2199.”

•  

Nie Lingbo came to a conclusion in her heart, feeling contented, like a cat that got what it wanted, lazily satisfied.

She raised her glass, swirling it around:

“Younger than me, she’s my cousin.”

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Translator: Glariosa
Editor: Ruu

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