translator: Eve

editor: kara

Xiao Yuanmu nodded slightly and said, Its a pleasure to have you here, Auntie Song.

Li Nianan nodded. Congratulations on finding your birth parents. Im also so happy that your companys been so successful. Xuanhes happy for you as well. Allow me to congratulate you on his behalf.

Thank you. Xiao Yuanmus voice warmed up quite a bit upon hearing Li Nianan mention Song Xuanhe. How is he doing?

Li Nianan smiled. He told you, didnt he? Hes been making a fuss about quitting the company, but the rest of the family doesnt agree. So, theyre treating it like hes just taking a vacation. That childs still young. He wants to go out into the world and do things. He makes the people around him worry. When youre together, keep an eye on him. It must be a pain to be with him.

Xiao Yuanmu showed no expression on his face, but his voice was calm and certain. Ive never found it to be a bother.

Li Nianan was slightly taken aback. It wasnt until her younger sister, who was beside her, chuckled that she came back to herself. She also laughed. Thats good.

However Li Nianan looked up, her smile fading as she asked, Why did you suddenly decide to come to America? Are you two still together or not?

Xiao Yuanmus expression changed slightly. What did Xuanhe say?

Him? Li Nianan shook her head. He said that you two broke up. In the beginning, we believed him. But then, I found out that you two still keep in touch. There was also that interview of yours. So, just whats going on between you two?

Xiao Yuanmus eyelids lowered slightly, and his voice became quiet. The decision to come to America was rushed. He was angry with me when I told him. Thats why he wanted to break up.

Li Nianan looked like she finally understood what was going on. That explains why he changed so dramatically, almost like he has become an entirely different person.

Xiao Yuanmu looked up, light flickering through his eyes.

When Li Nianan saw Xiao Yuanmus expression, she smiled. I get it now. Hes stubborn as a mule, that one. He refuses to yield. He probably didnt want to come today because hes still busy throwing a fit. Dont take it to heart.

There were many eyes on Xiao Yuanmu today, because he was the star of tonights banquet. Some of them had seen his sudden change in direction upon seeing the two women. They had also seen the way he had stopped to chat with them for some time. One of the guests couldnt help but ask the person next to him, Anderson, do you know who that is next to Young Mr. Xiao?

Which Young Mr. Xiao? Anderson followed the others gaze. Ah, the star of todays banquet. I recognize one of the women with him. Thats George Jamess wife.

Is she the one whos currently speaking with Young Mr. Xiao?

No, Anderson observed the scene for a moment before admitting in a puzzled tone, I dont recognize the woman next to Mrs. James. Shes completely unfamiliar to me. Ive never seen her before. Who is she?

The person who had raised the question was also befuddled. Ive never seen her before either. Is she part of a new family?

As if. Anderson shook his head while laughing. Not just anyone can attend todays banquet. Besides, she must be quite the figure to make Young Mr. Xiao personally head over to her.

Many of the guests were having similar conversations throughout the hall. They all were wondering who this person was. Song Guochao, who had just returned after warning Song Guohua outside, had just so happened to listen in on this particular conversation. He hadnt even had time yet to bask in his delight of being surrounded by these finance world big shots.

Excuse me. Song Guochao flashed a gentlemanly and kind smile. I couldnt help but overhear your conversation. I know who she is.

The two people who had been in the middle of a conversation turned to look at Song Guochao. Once again, they did not recognize him. They exchanged glances. The tall, lean, blond-haired man then asked, You know who she is?

Yes. Song Guochao took a half-step closer to the two people. Allow me to introduce myself. My name is Song Guochao. Im one of the vice presidents of Chinas Song Group. The woman who is currently speaking to Young Mr. Xiao is my wife.

Chinas Song Group?

Theyd never heard of this company before. However, when they thought of Xiao Yuanmus interview, a faint conjecture welled up in their minds.

The tall and lean Caucasian man who had spoken smiled faintly. Mr. Song, my name is Anderson. Its a pleasure to meet you.

The Asian man beside him also introduced himself. Im Han. Nice to meet you.

The pleasure is mine, Mr. Anderson, Mr. Han. Pride welled up in Song Guochaos heart upon being able to get acquainted with these legendary figures who he had only ever heard of before this. Even so, he did his best to maintain his refined and reserved smile.

Han smiled back at him. Young Mr. Xiao has been busy since the start of the banquet. We havent had a chance to speak to him yet. If you dont mind, would you be willing to introduce us to him?

The smile on Song Guochaos face froze. He turned to look at the grinning Li Nianan and thought, even if unpleasant things had occurred between them in the past, Xiao Yuanmu probably wouldnt embarrass him in public because of his feelings for Song Xuanhe. Furthermore, Li Nianan was also present. This was also Xiao Yuanmus first banquet since returning to the Xiao Family. He probably wouldnt do anything that would cause people to gossip about him.

With all that in mind, Song Guochao led the two men over to Xiao Yuanmu with his heart at ease.

Sorry to interrupt.

Li Nianan was interrupted halfway through her sentence. Her gaze flitted over Xiao Yuanmu and landed on Song Guochao behind him. She frowned.

Xiao Yuanmu also turned around. His gaze flickered over Song Guochao and the two people behind him. He nodded. Mr. Song, Mr. Han, Mr. Anderson.

Anderson and Han were surprised that Xiao Yuanmu had recognized them and even knew them by name. Han asked, You know us?

Of course. Xiao Yuanmus expression was calm, and he didnt gloss over this half-heartedly. I had learned a lot from Mr. Hans revolutionary article on investment in Finance. I had also learned about Mr. Andersons legendary acquisitionhow the market value of the MFD technology you had purchased had increased a hundred-fold in a mere five years. My professors frequently spoken of you both as exceptional models.

Anderson and Han exchanged glances. They could see both admiration and a bit of fear in each others eyes.

The things he had mentioned were not what outsiders would consider their greatest accomplishments. However, they were what they themselves were most proud of. Firstly, Xiao Yuanmu had been able to match their faces to their names. He was then able to praise them for what they cared about the most with a normal tone of voice. They couldnt help but develop a sense of goodwill towards him.

Anderson and Han both sighed over Xiao Yuanmus exceptional memory and outstanding ability to read people. His future would be bright considering his impressive status and young age.

They both thought that, although the Xiao Familys Xiao Baicong was also an excellent young man, he was nothing compared to the long-lost eldest son, Xiao Yuanmu.

Youre incredible, Han said with sincerity, I had been curious about you ever since I saw you appear in Fortune. My company had also been researching new energy sources, but no matter how we analyzed it, the results always suggested that we would need to discover a new element. My research team had told me that there was practically no chance of that new element appearing in this world and that we would not be able to create it artificially with our current resources. I had never expected that RE would be able to achieve what we had thought to be impossible. I had wanted to meet you ever since then. Now that Ive seen you, I understand why you were able to do it.

Anderson smiled and added, Hans right. I had also been curious about you. Thats why, when Mr. Song said he knew you, I had asked him to introduce us to you. I hope we didnt interrupt anything.

Xiao Yuanmu said, Of course not. We were just finishing. I need to head over to my mother now. Its been my honour to speak with Mr. Anderson and Mr. Han.

When Song Guochao saw that Xiao Yuanmu had ignored him this whole time, he couldnt help but interject: Yuanmu, Uncle and Auntie are both very grateful for your invitation. Congratulations on finding your family.

Xiao Yuanmu paused. His gaze fell onto Song Guochaos smiling face. His tone was cold, Thank you, Mr. Song.

When Song Guochao saw that Xiao Yuanmu wasnt treating him any different, he sighed in relief inwardly. The smile on his face became relaxed. Ive wanted to speak to you all this time. If youre free, come speak to your Aunt and myself. We can talk about the partnership between our companies.

As he spoke, he stuck out his hand, wanting to pat Xiao Yuanmu on the shoulder in an intimate manner.

Xiao Yuanmu evaded his touch. His pitch-black eyes zoned in on Song Guochao. There were no emotions in his eyes, but there was a slight chill in his voice. Mr. Song, I dont remember ever mentioning partnering with the Song Group.

Song Guochaos grin froze. Anderson and Han exchanged glances, and their expressions changed slightly. Only Mrs. James frowned in confusion. She looked at Li Nianan with concern, but Li Nianan only squeezed her hand in reassurance. She then glanced at Song Guochao, a silent smile on her lips.

Suddenly, everything went silent. Song Guochao felt like everyones gaze was on him. He felt like everyone must be laughing at him, ridiculing him for trying to use the Xiao Family to climb up the social ladder. But, he knew that he couldnt let this continue. Otherwise, he would end up as a laughingstock in these circles. He would lose all dignity.

Hahaha, Song Guochao laughed dryly, Uncle was only joking with you. Theres no need to talk about that today. We can talk about working together another time.

Xiao Yuanmu turned to look Song Guochao in the eye. Mr. Song, if the Song Group wishes to partner up with RE or the Xiao Group, you may present us with a proposal as per standard regulations. This is my assistants business card. If the proposal goes through, he will contact you. At that time, we can talk.

Auntie, Mrs. James, Mr. Anderson, Mr. Han, I will be taking my leave.

Anderson and Han exchanged glances again upon hearing the distinct differences between how Xiao Yuanmu addressed the people he was close to versus the people he was unfamiliar with. They then looked at Song Guochao, the smile in their eyes fading.

Eve: Take that shitty Father Song.

Kara: Heck yeah, read it and weep, Song Guochao, you dirty piece of )

xiin: in case you guys missed it in the last chapter, lilian explained the chapter titles:

Its a reference to a Chinese nursery rhyme/song:

Looking looking looking for a friend/

Found a good friend/

Take a salute, shake hands/

Laugh happily, nod head/

You are my good friend

The version that I know is four lines (line 1, 2, 3, 5) instead of five lines.

The author is just following this 5 lines x 7 characters format from the first chapter to the last chapter of this novel.

If you want, you can sing all the chapter titles from beginning to end!