Chapter 16: Seduction

The bodyguard lay beaten on the ground, silent, and after a long moment, he got up and shielded the woman with his arm. “Master, it has nothing to do with Madam. I was the one who seduced her. Please don’t blame her.”

Song Qingyou was stunned into silence. Even at a time like this, he was still protecting Mrs. Zhang. Unexpectedly, he seemed to be a man truly devoted.

Zhang Song, livid, let out a cold laugh. “What now? Are you putting on a show of undying love for me at a time like this?”

Mrs. Zhang cared only for her own safety. She pushed away the bodyguard’s arm, crawled to Zhang Song’s feet, and clung to his leg, sobbing, “Husband, please forgive me this once. I won’t go anywhere again. I’ll stay home and serve you.”

She turned and glared maliciously at the bodyguard. “He’s the one who tempted me! I… I only made the mistake all women do. I was forced! Please believe me!”

The bodyguard frowned, enduring it all. He looked at Mrs. Zhang, who, though over forty, still retained her charm. Her words, however, were venomous. Still, he could only submit. “Master, punish me as you wish.”

Downstairs, chaos reigned. Ruan Yutang, who had rushed over, never expected someone would be carrying on an affair right here in his own villa, and with Zhang Song’s bodyguard and wife, no less.

Ruan Yutang didn’t allow the servants to approach; after all, this was Zhang Song’s family affair. He didn’t wish to interfere, but tonight was the Ruan family’s event, and with so many reporters outside, any further scene would ruin the charity gala.

Just as he was about to step forward and try to mediate, one of Zhang Song’s trusted men brought over an anonymous letter. Zhang Song opened it with a cold face. As soon as he finished reading, his body trembled, his legs nearly giving way.

His hands shook uncontrollably as he gripped the letter, his gaze at Mrs. Zhang so fierce he looked as if he wanted to tear her apart. She was startled, swallowing hard and releasing her grip on his legs.

Suddenly, Zhang Song burst into wild laughter, bent down, and seized her by the throat, his eyes terrifying.

Fearing disaster, Ruan Yutang quickly stepped forward and grabbed Zhang Song. “Don’t let this end in death.”

Zhang Song abruptly let go. Mrs. Zhang collapsed to the floor, gasping for breath, sobbing too hard to speak.

Zhang Song retained some sanity—after all, this was not his home but the Ruan family’s. Any further commotion would only disgrace himself.

He crushed the letter into a ball and commanded, “Take them both back to the Zhang house. And drag Zhang Yinan back from the hospital!”

His subordinate was startled. “But the young master's injury—”

“Bring him back!”

The bodyguard paled with panic, realizing that Zhang Song must have discovered the truth. His legs nearly gave out.

Mrs. Zhang was even more terrified. She tried to beg for mercy, but Zhang family members seized her and dragged her away. As the two main actors vanished, silence returned to the villa.

Suppressing his fury, Zhang Song turned to Ruan Yutang. “My apologies. I have family matters to attend to. I must take my leave.”

Ruan Yutang had someone escort him out the back door, finally bringing the farce to an end.

In the long corridor of the villa, several figures hid in the darkness.

Gu Bai, eyes wide, exclaimed, “This is too explosive. That’s quite the green hat Zhang Song’s wearing.”

Xu Zezhan asked, “Why does that bodyguard look so familiar? Wasn’t he the one following Zhang Song at the hospital the other day?”

Fu Jinhang’s long, narrow eyes held a faint, cryptic smile; he seemed to be in high spirits. The reason he’d been told to attend this event a few days ago was now clear.

Seeing his radiant expression, Gu Bai couldn’t help but say, “Sure, Zhang Song got his just deserts, but do you really have to look that pleased?”

Fu Jinhang turned, sneered, and walked off with a platter of lychees.

Gu Bai looked to Xu Zezhan, complaining, “What was that look? Is he disgusted with me?”

Xu Zezhan brushed Gu Bai’s hand off his shoulder. “This didn’t seem accidental. I’d bet Zhang Song was set up, deliberately humiliated in front of everyone. There are no secrets in this world; by tomorrow, the rumors will be everywhere.”

Jiang Zhiyuan glanced toward the east wing, where the empty balcony was swept by the night breeze. “There are many in the capital who bear grudges against Zhang Song, but few dare confront him so openly. If it’s not Fu Wenzhou, then who could it be?”

Gu Bai looked blank. “What are you all talking about?”

In the rear garden, Song Qingyou lowered her head as she walked toward the banquet hall, replying to Yan Shaoqin’s message from three hours earlier—“Hesheng Tower’s approval came through.”—with a simple “Okay.”

Yan Shaoqin immediately replied, “Took you three hours to answer. Is the charity gala that entertaining?”

Song Qingyou glanced at her phone, put it away, and ignored the WeChat notifications that followed.

There were many influential guests at tonight’s gala, so Zhang Song’s departure made little difference. After all the commotion, the hall was still filled with people quietly enjoying the evening.

Song Qingyou returned to her seat. She wasn’t well regarded in the Song family, and since her recent divorce from the only powerful supporter she had—Fu Tingchen—no one at the table, apart from Yan Miao, took the initiative to speak to her. Song Qingyou, however, found this perfectly comfortable.

Yet there was always someone who couldn’t mind their own business.

Song Qingyou lowered her eyes to see a plate of peeled lychees piled high before her. Her eyelid twitched.

Fu Wenzhou, ever the maverick, was never concerned about others’ opinions. Besides, he was in a good mood tonight, so he’d peeled more than usual.

He said nothing, merely placed the plate down and left.

Facing a table of curious looks, Song Qingyou tugged at the corner of her mouth. “He’s just very filial.”

Yan Miao couldn’t help but snicker. She leaned in and whispered, “Can’t you come up with a less ridiculous excuse next time?”

Song Qingyou nodded. “Alright.”

Someone sneered, “Estranged from your husband but acting like lovers with his nephew. Who knew Miss Song could be so wild even while sick?”

Now that someone had started, others chimed in immediately. “Exactly, the lychees are even pitted—so attentive! Why don’t I have such a considerate nephew? Maybe you could teach us how to seduce a nephew, Miss Song?”

“What nonsense are you spouting?” Yan Miao retorted angrily. “Qingyou is divorced; she has nothing to do with the Fu family anymore! Li Qingqing, just because you fancy Fu Wenzhou and he’s not interested, you’re taking it out on Qingyou? If you’ve got the nerve, why don’t you get him to peel you a plate of lychees? Hilarious! Sour grapes, that’s all.”

Li Qingqing’s tone was sharp. “At least I’m not fooling around with my husband’s nephew.”

“No, you’re not with your husband’s nephew. You just sleep with your best friend’s husband,” Song Qingyou’s cool voice drifted across the table, as calm as a stone dropped into a still lake, sending ripples through the crowd.

Li Qingqing’s eyes darted away, panic flitting across her face as she lowered her voice. “Song Qingyou, what nonsense are you talking?”

Yang Jiao, who had defended her earlier, snorted coldly. “Stop slinging mud. Li Qingqing spends all her time with me—whose husband could she possibly be with?”

With slender fingers, Song Qingyou picked up a lychee, bit in, and let the sweet juice fill her mouth. “Yours.”

Yang Jiao fell silent.