Lei Zhengyang braced for a scolding, but instead, Xu Miaoli patted his head, beaming with relief. "Good, good! My daughter-in-law's finally secured. Tomorrow, Mom will propose for you. If Yingfei's pregnant, even better—the Songs won't dare refuse."
Lei Zhengyang was speechless, utterly defeated.
At the Song residence, Song Yunhe's days had grown bleak. Since his retirement, the Song family's influence had waned daily. His eldest son, Song Xiyan, a ministerial official, barely registered in the capital's elite circles. His second son, a deputy governor in a southern province, showed mediocre promise, with little hope of advancing further.
Though he had grandsons, they still relied on family support. Their rise to prominence would take years. His only solace was his granddaughter, Song Yingfei, famed as a capital beauty. A year ago, Lei Zhengyang's scandal had tarnished her name, but she'd since weathered the storm, her reputation restored.
Last month, the Lin family had hinted at a marriage alliance. Their heir, Lin Zhouwei, even visited once. Song Yunhe hadn't agreed but didn't refuse, suggesting young people should decide their own fate. Privately, he favored the match—a Lin alliance would bolster the Songs, far surpassing the failed Yang family tie.
But within days, Lin Zhouwei backed out, infuriating Song Yunhe. My granddaughter's a peerless beauty. Who's that Lin punk to snub her? Who's unworthy of whom? Still, love required mutual consent. He couldn't force the Lins, nor would he stoop to such a humiliating act.
"Dad, don't sit here brooding. Take a walk, or call Yingfei to keep you company," Song Xiyan said, emerging to find his father moping in the courtyard all morning.
Song Yunhe sighed. "Ugh, not one of you measures up. If I'm gone, can the Songs survive?"
Song Xiyan thought the old man was overreacting but wouldn't argue now. "Dad, don't worry. Things will work out," he soothed.
A figure darted past. Song Yunhe barked, "Stop! Come here!"
A young man approached, handsome but with a carefree, roguish air, reluctantly stepping forward. Behind him, a middle-aged woman appeared, shielding him. "Dad, dinner's ready. Wenbin, help Grandpa to the dining room."
"Sure thing, Grandpa, let me help," Song Wenbin said, feigning devotion, prompted by his mother's pointed glances.
Song Yunhe snapped, "Three days gone! Where were you? The Songs are crumbling, and you're still slacking. Will you only regret it when everything's lost?"
"Dad, Wenbin's starting a company with friends," his mother, Song Xiyan's wife, interjected. "They've rented a floor in Capital Tower for an import-export business. Don't worry, Wenbin's working hard."
Song Yunhe's fury erupted. "A company? Again? All I hear is excuses! He just mooches off Yingfei, squandering money, never progressing. Shut it down now! Without my approval, he's not stepping out. And you—stop giving him cash. If he's got skills, let him make it on his own, not leech off the family."
Already in a foul mood, seeing his grandson's uselessness pushed him over the edge.
"Grandpa, I just had bad luck, lost a few times," Song Wenbin whined. "This time, I'll profit, I swear. I'm just arranging deals—no capital needed, and I get dividends monthly."
Song Yunhe, a seasoned veteran, saw through it instantly. His face darkened, and he slapped Wenbin, nearly fainting with rage. No capital, yet dividends? Using the family name for shady deals? Such schemes were strictly forbidden among the elite. If exposed, the Songs would be doomed.
"Dad, stop! Wenbin knows he's wrong," his mother cried, tears falling as she saw her son's reddened cheek. Like Xu Miaoli with Lei Zhengyang, her maternal love was boundless, a common trait among parents spoiling the capital's playboys.
Song Yunhe's anger flared, but the butler interrupted, reporting respectfully, "Chief, Madam Lei and Third Young Master Lei are here to visit."
Song Xiyan frowned. "Xu Miaoli and Lei Zhengyang? What do they want, Dad?"
Song Yunhe glared at Wenbin. "Get inside! Run off again, and I'll break your legs."
Wenbin opened his mouth, but his mother dragged him away, sensing the old man's foul mood. Defiance now risked severe punishment.
In the main hall, Lei Zhengyang and Xu Miaoli sat quietly, a carefully chosen gift on the table. Xu Miaoli, visiting the Song residence for the first time, scanned the modest, unpretentious decor.
"Zhengyang, I told Grandpa yesterday," she whispered. "He's too busy to care, so it's all on me. Follow my lead, don't speak out of turn and ruin the Songs' impression of you, got it?"
Lei Zhengyang stifled a laugh. Last time here, he'd enraged Song Yingfei's grandfather to the point of spitting blood—what impression was left? Not being chased out was courtesy enough. Still, he nodded at his mother's orders, uninterested in talking today. Proposing was a formality—success or failure didn't matter. Song Yingfei's consent made her his, and that was enough.
Footsteps approached. Song Yunhe entered first, looking spry, followed by Song Xiyan, whose scholarly face flickered with anger. He barely glanced at Lei Zhengyang, his resentment from last year still raw.
Xu Miaoli sensed the hostility but stood confidently, greeting Song Yunhe. "Elder Song, sorry for the unannounced visit. On behalf of our patriarch, I'm here to discuss a joyous matter."
Song Yunhe paused. Joyous matter? What joy does the Song family have now?
"Xiaoli, no need for formalities," he said. "Old Leopard's words carry weight with me." Though peers in age, Lei Yunbao wielded core national power, while Song, retired from a vice-state role, saw his influence fade. Even without Lei Yunbao himself, respect was due—it was basic decorum.
Song Xiyan scoffed, "Madam Lei must be mistaken. The Songs have had nothing but bad luck lately. What joyous matter?"
Xu Miaoli, unfazed by his bitterness, smiled. "Elder Song, it's this: my Zhengyang has admired Yingfei for ages. Last time was a misunderstanding. Now, he's turned over a new leaf, determined to be better. Our patriarch approved, so I'm here to propose, hoping to unite these two destined lovers."
"What? Propose for Yingfei to marry your Lei Zhengyang? No way!" Song Xiyan exploded, glaring at Lei, barely restrained from cursing. Song Yunhe's icy stare silenced him.
Song Yunhe weighed the marriage's pros and cons. After a moment, he smiled faintly. "Zhengyang, do you truly care for our Yingfei?"
Lei didn't speak, just nodded, then grinned at the fuming Song Xiyan. If he knew I'd defiled his daughter, he'd probably pass out.
"Young people's affairs depend on their consent," Song Yunhe said. "We elders won't interfere, but we must ask Yingfei's opinion." The proposal was sudden—he wanted a few days to consider.
But Xu Miaoli gave no quarter. "Of course, it's their choice. We spoke to Yingfei beforehand, and she agreed. That's why we're here. Elder Song, surely the Leis are worthy of the Songs?"
Song Yunhe was cornered, unable to respond. Worthy? With the Leis' rising power and the Songs' decline, the disparity was obvious.
Back when the scandal was dropped, Song Yunhe had acted swiftly to shield the family, knowing they couldn't afford to provoke the Leis. Defiance then would've been disastrous.
"No such thing," he said. "If both parties consent, I won't break up a fated pair. Please tell Old Leopard the Songs accept."
It wasn't a bad deal—resolving old grudges and boosting the Songs' standing. Why refuse?