EM Chapter 11. End

Although the tension between Shao Xiujie and the old man had only grown worse, the engagement ceremony proceeded as planned. That pale-faced, weak little assistant somehow managed to drag himself out of bed and appeared right on time at the Shao family estate. The carpet stretched from the garden all the way to the main house. Long tables were laid out with elegant drinks and delicacies, while the soft notes of a violin mingled with faint floral fragrance, creating a heady, dreamlike atmosphere.

“Xiao Feng,” a female cousin looked at him with concern. “Are you alright?”

Song Feng forced a smile. “I’m fine. Xiujie said he wouldn’t let me down. He told me to stay strong and watch.”

The cousin’s eyes shifted. What did that mean? Was Shao Xiujie planning to stir up drama in front of everyone? She hurried off to warn the others, but after just a few steps, she turned back. “If my cousin lies to you… what will you do?”

Song Feng thought, you got the message so go, why the hell are you coming back? He lowered his lashes slightly. “Then… I’ll wish him happiness.” He looked heartbreakingly beautiful like that, and the cousin, brain short-circuited, rushed back over to comfort him, telling him not to dwell on it and even suggesting he just go with her instead.

Xiao Mingxuan had arrived long ago. Standing nearby, he watched the whole thing. In the past two days, he’d more or less pieced together everyone’s relationships and had a general grasp of the situation. Seeing what was happening, he could only sigh. So this was all part of the act? Was it really necessary to get the girl so worked up? Did Song Feng get that good at seducing people from sheer experience?

Song Feng was going crazy inside but dealt with it as best he could. When the cousin finally got her head on straight and remembered her real mission, he teared up dramatically as she left. Afraid she’d loop back after delivering the message, he immediately started scanning the area. He’d meant to look for his boss, but the groom-to-be was obviously too busy to be found. Instead, from the corner of his eye, he spotted Xiao Mingxuan, and immediately rushed over, snatched the wineglass from his hand for a swig, and loosened his tie.

“Finally feel alive again.”

There weren’t many people around here, so they didn’t need to be too discreet. Xiao Mingxuan looked at him.

“What the hell did you say to her to get her that fired up?”

Song Feng looked like he was about to cry. “It wasn’t me, okay? Her brain’s just fried.”

Xiao Mingxuan studied him. The Song family were all freakishly good-looking, and their eyes in particular were stunning, enough to attract god knows how many people. And that was just their eyes. The rest of their features were far from ordinary, so it was no wonder people liked them.

Song Feng raised an eyebrow. “What are you staring at me for?”

Xiao Mingxuan snapped out of it and changed the subject. “Why are you still putting on this act?”

“Oh, the boss said he wanted them to behave until the engagement ceremony started. So I found a reason to mess with them a bit,” Song Feng shrugged. “Basically just tossing them a bit of false hope.”

Xiao Mingxuan nodded, walked a few steps forward, and came back with a fresh glass of wine. “Your assignment’s almost done, right? Where are you going after this?”

“Back to the company,” Song Feng said as he deftly swapped glasses with him. “What, you want me to go kill people with you?”

Xiao Mingxuan stared at the wineglass in his hand. This guy was seriously shameless. He paused for two seconds, then calmly took a sip.

“I was just asking.”

“Mm, even if you asked me, I wouldn’t go. That little lover of yours is too wild. I can’t handle that shit. Honestly, I’ve been wanting to settle the score over what happened last time, but I haven’t gotten around to it. Has he shown up yet?”

“Over there.”

Song Feng followed his gaze and spotted Fu Shanming almost instantly. The guy still had that head of blond hair, impossible to miss in a crowd. Song Feng eyed him for a moment.

“Not gonna lie, your little lover’s pretty good-looking. What’s it like sleeping with him?”

“Never tried.”

Song Feng looked utterly unconvinced. His face said plainly, Who the hell are you trying to fool.

“Truth is,” Xiao Mingxuan looked at him, “last time was the first time I ever met him.”

Song Feng stared at him, still not buying it.

“Boss Xiao, are you seriously telling me that guy drugged you the first time he met you just to get in your pants? And in that situation? Is he out of his goddamn mind?”

Xiao Mingxuan nodded. “Congratulations, you got it right. He’s mentally unstable. That day, he’d just done drugs.”

“…”

Song Feng slowly slid a step to the side.

Xiao Mingxuan watched him, voice laced with meaning. “Second Young Master Song, now do you understand what a nightmare that report was for me? Hmm?”

Song Feng twitched at the corner of his mouth. “So what? I had it pretty rough too, alright? You got off just fine. I was the one stuck in a hospital bed for days. Even the nurses thought I was gay. The girl I was chasing ran off.”

“…”

Xiao Mingxuan thought to himself that reasoning with someone this shameless was a mistake. No matter what, he’d lose.

“Honestly,” Song Feng considered it for a moment, then offered a sincere suggestion. “Why not… just try him? The guy’s pretty wild. Bet he’d be great in bed.”

“…”

“…What’s that look for?”

“I’ve been thinking it over,” Xiao Mingxuan said, staring at him unblinking, voice soft. “And I still think fucking you would feel better.”

Song Feng’s face froze instantly.

Xiao Mingxuan was quite satisfied. He was about to push it further when his gaze caught on something. He smiled and took a few steps forward.

“Boss Fu. Long time no see.”

Song Feng looked up. At some point, Fu Shanming had approached. He was now standing close, eyes fixed steadily on Xiao Mingxuan. For a moment, that deep gaze turned scorching hot before returning to normal. A slow smile spread across his lips.

“Ever since we parted last time, I haven’t been able to stop thinking about you, Boss Xiao. I kept planning to visit you in person someday. Never thought we’d run into each other like this.”

Xiao Mingxuan remained calm.

“I didn’t expect to see Boss Fu so soon either. What a coincidence.”

Fu Shanming smiled and nodded, then shifted his gaze.

“And this is?”

Song Feng was slowly edging into the crowd, doing his best to minimize his presence. Hearing that, he forced a smile and reluctantly turned around.

“I’m Mr. Shao’s assistant.”

“Oh, I’ve heard the rumors. You’re that Shao boy’s lover?”

Song Feng nodded. “Hello, Boss Fu.”

Fu Shanming gave a casual response and promptly lost interest, turning his full attention back to Xiao Mingxuan. His right hand was still wrapped in bandages, but he raised his left to clink glasses with him.

“Got any plans after this, Boss Xiao?”

“Haven’t decided yet.”

“Oh? Then why not stay in Malaysia a few days? I’d love the chance to play host and show you a good time. What do you say, Boss Xiao?”

That was all Song Feng needed to hear before he slipped away.

Young Master Xiao, may the heavens protect you. You’re on your own now.

The banquet soon began. The newly engaged couple walked down the carpet, smiling as they accepted the guests’ congratulations. Then came the ring exchange, marking the end of the engagement ceremony. Taking the opportunity, the Shao family patriarch publicly announced his retirement and handed over control to Shao Xiujie, calling on their connections in the underworld to support him.

The room instantly erupted. Even Song Feng hadn’t expected the old man to step down now. The shock hit the other Shao family members hardest. Some of them nearly lost control and tried to cause a scene on the spot, but the guards quickly dragged them away.

Song Feng moved up behind his boss to make sure he was safe.

“Boss, even a rabbit will bite if you push it hard enough. Aren’t you worried they’ll revolt and chop you to pieces?”

“Today’s my engagement party. Can’t you say something a little more auspicious?” Shao Xiujie glanced at him. “Relax. Grandpa left me a squad of loyal deathsworn long ago. Nothing’s going to happen.”

So that was why he’d dared to come back with only one bodyguard? Song Feng was surprised.

“Then why the whole act?”

“Like you said, even a rabbit will bite when it’s cornered. So I chose the easiest way. As long as they think there’s still hope, they won’t go all-out in a deathmatch.”

“And now?”

“Now the power’s been handed over, they don’t have to show Grandpa the same respect. In two days, he’ll head to a resort for a short stay. That’s when they’ll likely team up against me. Grandpa’s giving them that chance. If they stay quiet, then fine. But if they make a move, I’ll detain them on the spot. After that, your mission will be completely finished.”

Song Feng nodded. “Got it.” He looked around. Xiao Mingxuan and Fu Shanming were nowhere to be seen. Most likely, they’d already left.

The lively engagement banquet gradually came to a close. From this point on, Shao Xiujie officially took control of the Shao family and held true power. For the next two days, the Shao estate remained unusually calm. On the third morning, the old man set out early. Shao Xiujie personally saw him off, then headed to the office.

Song Feng followed diligently, pulling up a chair to sit beside him. While the boss reviewed documents, he flipped through a magazine.

Shao Xiujie turned his head. The man beside him was hunched over, and from this angle, the curve of his lashes looked especially pretty. He was focused on the pages, quiet and well-behaved. Sensing the gaze, Song Feng looked up.

“What?”

“Nothing. Just rare to see you so quiet.”

“Well, yeah. If I interrupted your work and you docked my pay, what then?”

“Relax. Your rate’s already set in the contract.”

“No, I meant the newly added clause. Last time I asked for a raise, you said it was negotiable.” Song Feng scooted closer. “You’re not going back on that, are you?”
His eyes sparkled with hope.

Shao Xiujie shook his head. “Of course not.”

Song Feng grinned and was about to return to his magazine, but paused to ask, “Any movement from them?”

“There is. All under control. Nothing big. Tonight it should all be wrapped up.”

Having just taken over the family, Shao Xiujie had his hands full with countless matters. He worked nonstop until deep into the night before finally returning home. The car rolled into the estate, the gate slowly closing behind them. All around was deathly silent. Song Feng raised an eyebrow.

“Where are your men?”

“Already in position. The moment they make a move, they’ll be wiped out.”

Song Feng nodded. He’d seen plenty of this kind of thing and instantly knew those people didn’t stand a chance. Sure enough, the fight ended in less than a minute. The moment it began, it was over.

Standing outside the main residence, Shao Xiujie looked at the Shao family members tied up on the open ground ahead. His tone was calm.

“Take them down. Post guards to keep a close eye on them.”

Then he turned and went inside. Song Feng stretched and followed behind. As he turned around, a flash of red streaked across the corner of his eye. In that instant, he didn’t have time to think. His body moved before his brain, and he rushed to knock Shao Xiujie down.

A sharp ding rang out by his ear. A hole instantly appeared in the floor where they’d just been standing, gravel scattering in all directions.

The guards were shocked and immediately formed a tight perimeter around them, then dispatched others to follow the bullet’s trajectory.

Shao Xiujie felt something splatter across his face. Two seconds later, the smell of blood hit him.

“Xiao Feng!”

They were rushed into the house. Shao Xiujie shoved everyone aside and crouched beside Song Feng, who was clutching his left shoulder, blood seeping through his fingers.

“You—”

“I’m fine. Just a scratch. The bullet grazed me.”

Shao Xiujie ordered the servants to call a doctor, then gave Song Feng a long, steady look.

“You really not going to consider staying with me? At least things would be more stable.”

Song Feng smiled. “Can’t help it. I’m used to this.”

Shao Xiujie looked at him again but didn’t say anything more.

With his assignment complete, Song Feng took his paycheck the next day, waved a paw, and left. Shao Xiujie had wanted him to stay and recover before sending him off properly, but Song Feng declined. He said he wanted to wander around a bit before heading back to the U.S.

Left with no choice, Shao Xiujie returned to the company. When he came back in the evening, Liu Yushuang, who had moved into the Shao family estate after the engagement was having tea.

Seeing him, she looked slightly surprised.
“You’re back earlier than yesterday.”

“Yeah, a bit tired.” Shao Xiujie sat down. Liu Yushuang poured him a cup of tea, and the two of them sat quietly in the garden, soaking in the lingering warmth of the setting sun.

“It’s too quiet,” he said suddenly.

“Hmm?”

“No, nothing.” Shao Xiujie got up and walked into the main house without looking back.

Song Feng had spent the day roaming. As night fell and the city lights began to glow, he was just about to find a pretty face to help kill the loneliness when his phone rang. He glanced at the screen, hesitated, then picked up.

“You’d better not be calling with bad news.”

On the other end, Wang Yizhong sounded helpless. “I wish I wasn’t, but I don’t have a choice. Are you still in Malaysia?”

“…Yeah.”