Paper Lover At Old Town Bookstore Chapter 50
bymy people
In Mr. Song’s study, the old man behind the rosewood desk held the receiver, his knuckles turning white from exertion. Mr. Xing’s laughter in the receiver was rough and harsh, like sandpaper rubbing against the wood: “Hahaha, Old Song, I’m really eye-opening! Your Xiao Sheng, the dignified heir to the Song family, actually likes men!”
“One hundred million! For a poor boy named He Pingan, he paid off a debt of nearly 100 million without blinking an eye!” Mr. Xing’s tone was full of ridicule, “I thought he came to the neighboring city to pursue a career, but I didn’t expect that he came to the neighboring city to raise a lover! Old Song, this is really a happy event. Congratulations, there is a heir to the Song family – oh no, the heir has a ‘love’!”
With a “pop” sound, Mr. Song suddenly hung up the phone. The celadon teacup in his hand was swept to the ground, and the fragments scattered on the floor.His chest heaved violently, his face turned livid, and he roared at the door: “Call Song Qiusheng back! Now! Now!”
In a duplex apartment in a neighboring city, I was having dinner with Lin Zhiqing and He Ping’an around the dining table. My phone suddenly vibrated. It was the call from the housekeeper of the old house. His tone was as urgent as if it was on fire: “Young Master! The old man has made a big fuss. I want you to go back to the old house immediately and tell me that you have an important interview!”
I held the chopsticks for a moment, glanced at He Ping’an opposite, who was lowering his head to eat rice, and instantly understood in my heart – Mr. Xing must have found out, and deliberately distorted the facts in front of grandpa.
“I know.” I hung up the phone and continued eating calmly, “Grandpa asked me to go back to my old house.”
Lin Zhiqing put down his bowl and chopsticks: “Is there something wrong with Mr. Xing?”
“Yeah.” I took a piece of green vegetables with chopsticks, “He found out that I helped He Ping’an pay off his debt, and spread rumors in front of grandpa, saying that I… like men.”
The bowl in He Pingan’s hand fell on the table with a clang, and the porridge spilled all over the floor. His face turned pale: “Mr. Song, it’s all my fault! I shouldn’t…”
“It has nothing to do with you.” I interrupted him, picked up a tissue and wiped the corners of my mouth, with a cold tone, “Mr.
Lin Zhiqing frowned: “The old man always pays attention to the family’s reputation. I’m afraid I won’t let you off easily this time. Do you want me to go back with you?”
“No need.” I stood up and picked up the coat on the back of the chair. “I will handle my own affairs myself.” I looked at He Pingan with firm eyes, “You stay here and get familiar with your work. Lin Zhiqing will help you. Remember, from the day you started working with me, no one can manipulate you at will, including the Xing family.”
He Ping’an’s eyes turned red and he nodded heavily: “Mr. Song, don’t worry, I won’t cause you any trouble!”
The late-night private plane landed in the city where my old house is located. As soon as I walked into the study, I bumped into the crutch swung by Mr. Song. It hit my shoulder with a “dong” sound, and a dull pain spread instantly.
“You traitor!” Mr. Song was trembling with anger, pointing at my nose and angrily yelling, “I asked you to go to the neighboring city to take charge of the branch, so that you can make contributions, not to spend money like water for a man! 100 million! Do you know how much hard work that is? The face of the Song family has been completely disgraced by you!”
I straightened my back and didn’t hide or defend. I just looked at him calmly: “Grandpa, I helped He Ping’an pay off his debts, not because of personal feelings, but because he has value.”
“Use value?” Mr. Song sneered, “What use value can a poor boy who has been abandoned by the Xing family have? Do you think I am an old fool? Mr. Xing has told me, but you keep him by your side and live with him!”
“Do you believe what Mr. Xing said?” I raised my eyes, my eyes sharp, “He hates me because of what happened to He Ping’an and deliberately spread rumors to smear me. Think about it, why did the Xing family marry? It was to form an alliance with the Song family and stabilize their status. Now he is deliberately trying to sow discord between our ancestors and grandson. Can’t you see it?”
I paused and continued: “He Pingan is a thorn in Mr. Xing’s side. I saved him just to slap the Xing family in the face and let him know that he can’t touch Song Qiusheng’s people. Moreover, He Pingan has been in the Xing family for many years and knows many secrets of the Xing family. To us, the Song family, these are the real value that cannot be bought with 100 million.”
Mr. Song’s anger calmed down a little, and his eyes became more scrutinized: “Are you telling the truth? Are you not lying?”
“My grandson dare not deceive grandpa.” I said in a sincere tone, “I know that the family’s reputation is important, and I also know that the interests of the Song family are top priority. My project in the neighboring city has already started to improve, and it will soon bring greater benefits to the Song family. As for He Ping’an, he is just my subordinate, nothing more.”
Silence fell in the study room. Mr. Song stared at me for a long time. It was not until the pain in his shoulders gradually numbed that he slowly spoke: “Okay, I believe you this time. But remember, the heir of the Song family cannot have any stain. That He Pingan, you’d better stay away from him, don’t let outsiders get hold of him.”
“My grandson understands.” I nodded slightly.
When I walked out of the study, the bruise on my shoulder was already aching, but I felt relieved.Mr. Xing’s provocation failed, but it made me even more certain that there were too many calculations behind this marriage.And I will never let them succeed.At the entrance of the duplex apartment, the door lock suddenly turned slightly. As soon as I came out of the study, I ran into a pair of eyes as heavy as a cold pool.Song Zhili was not wearing a suit, but was wearing black casual clothes, but he still had an intimidating aura. He didn’t know how he bypassed the security and came in.
“Song Qiusheng, are you crazy?” he asked, his voice as cold as ice, “Is it worth it for you to break up with the Xing family and make grandpa angry because of He Ping’an?”
I raised my eyebrows, leaned against the door frame and sneered: “Is it your turn to take care of my affairs?”
“What’s your matter?” Song Zhili took a step forward and approached me, “You spent 100 million to save He Ping’an, but Mr. Xing caught you and spread rumors. It not only embarrasses you, but also the Song family’s face! You think you are saving people, but you are actually pushing yourself into a pit of fire!”
“Mr. Song!” He Ping’an ran out of the room when he heard the noise and stood in front of me with firm eyes. “This matter has nothing to do with Mr. Song. It’s my own problem! If you want to blame, blame me!”
“Who do you think you are?” Song Zhili’s eyes were sharp and his tone was full of contempt, “A good-for-nothing who has been abandoned by the Xing family is worthy of speaking for him?”
“Song Zhili! Please speak politely!” I stretched out my hand to pull He Pingan behind me, “He is mine now, it is not your turn to teach him a lesson!”
“Your people?” Song Zhili seemed to have heard a big joke. His eyes glanced at He Ping’an and me with a strong sense of ridicule, “Just because of this, you spent 100 million to save him? Song Qiusheng, you are really becoming more and more useless!”
“I’m not!” He Pingan’s face flushed with anxiety and he stepped forward to explain, but was pushed away by Song Zhili.He staggered back, and his lower back hit the glass coffee table hard. With a “crash”, the coffee table shattered and glass shards splashed on the floor. He Ping’an curled up on the ground in pain, with cold sweat oozing from his forehead.
“Safe!” My heart tightened, and I was about to bend down to help him, but Song Zhili grabbed my wrist tightly.He was so strong that he almost crushed my bones, and he dragged me towards the bedroom.
“Song Zhili, let me go!” I struggled, but I couldn’t get rid of his hand.
With a “bang”, the bedroom door was slammed shut, and the sound of locking was particularly harsh in the silence.Song Zhili pressed me against the door panel, his chest pressed against mine, and his breath sprayed hotly on the side of my neck. There were complicated emotions in his eyes, including anger, unwillingness, and a trace of pain that I couldn’t understand.
“Why?” He hissed in a low voice, with a trembling voice, “Why can you risk everything for him? How am I inferior to him?”
He Ping’an’s anxious knocking on the door came from outside, mixed with his shouting: “Mr. Song! Song Zhili! Let go of Mr. Song! Tell me if you have something to say!” The banging on the door became louder and louder, making the door panel buzz, but the locked door could not be opened.
I looked at Song Zhili who was out of control in front of me and felt mixed emotions in my heart.His questioning and his anger were like a dull knife, cutting through the emotions I had deliberately suppressed.I pushed him away hard, took a step back, and said in a cold tone: “Song Zhili, don’t forget, you are the one who wants to marry Xing Qingru. My affairs and my people have nothing to do with you.”
He froze in place, his eyes dimming instantly, as if all his strength had been drained away.The banging on the door continued, but the air in the bedroom seemed to have solidified into ice.