Chapter 23: The Poisoned Soup Part 1

Song Mian’s forehead was covered in black lines. Facing Lin Zhi, who had lifted his head again with a face full of worry, Song Mian said nothing and pulled out his phone.

Lin Zhi said anxiously, “Is this the time to play on your phone?”

Song Mian’s tone was calm. “Contacting the psychologist.”

Lin Zhi instantly knew who had made that appointment. He grabbed Song Mian’s wrist as he tried to tap the phone, saying solemnly, “Don’t!”

Song Mian wasn’t actually going to contact them. He speechless turned off the phone.

“So what are you trying to say?”

Lin Zhi withdrew his hand and rubbed it. “Song Feng… does he have some ideas about you?”

Song Mian was too lazy to beat around the bush with this idiot. “What exactly are you trying to say?”

Lin Zhi sighed even more heavily. When he lifted his eyelids to look at Song Mian, his eyes were full of reluctance, but he quickly lowered them again, looking quite pained.

Song Mian: ?

Song Mian reached out and pinched Lin Zhi’s cheek, threatening, “Spit it out.”

Lin Zhi yelped “Ow ow” twice, and Song Mian let go.

Lin Zhi clutched his innocent cheek and sadly revealed a very cruel reality to Song Mian. “Song Feng… he wants to drug you and have his way with you!”

Song Mian: “……”

The Romance Survival System was shocked. [Host, the male lead is definitely a top! Don’t slander the male lead’s innocence like this!]

Lin Zhi ignored it. He watched Song Mian’s expression closely, ready to offer concern if anything seemed off.

Song Mian showed no expression. “Where’d you hear that wild gossip?”

It wasn’t wild gossip!

How was he supposed to explain it to Song Mian?

Lin Zhi pondered for ten seconds—Song Mian was already preparing to leave the gas station, giving him only that much time. Lin Zhi hurriedly said, “I had a precognitive dream! I dreamed Song Feng served you a bowl of chicken soup at the family banquet, but you wouldn’t drink it and forced me to. I got drugged. I’m the type who doesn’t like troubling you, so I endured the heat myself. But the drug was too potent—I couldn’t hold out and died!”

The Romance Survival System was stunned. [Host! You’re lying!!!]

Lin Zhi ignored it!

Song Mian was indeed drawn in. He turned to look at Lin Zhi, his dark eyes flickering. “Did it hurt?”

Lin Zhi, who had been about to swear it was true but didn’t dare, was dumbfounded. “What?”

Song Mian repeated, “The death in the dream.”

Lin Zhi stared blankly. “N-No, it didn’t hurt.”

Song Mian’s taut nerves relaxed. He summed up coolly, “So it’s made up.”

“Wait till we get home and see if he brings you chicken soup. Then you’ll know if I made it up.” Lin Zhi wasn’t going to prove it himself. He patted Song Mian’s shoulder earnestly. “I’ve told you about this ability of mine so you’ll stay on guard against that illegitimate son. I glimpsed the future this time—what about next? Anyway, the illegitimate son wants to…”

Under Song Mian’s threatening gaze, Lin Zhi swallowed the unsavory word. Sincerely, he added, “If one plan fails, there’ll be a second. Don’t lose your innocence!”

Lin Zhi was seriously warning Song Mian. With the system, he wouldn’t die for now. If he didn’t die, Song Mian wouldn’t seize power and become the head of the Song Family, and Song Feng wouldn’t go to jail. Song Mian was talented in business, but emotionally, he was a blank slate—very pure, likely to fall for schemes!

The Romance Survival System couldn’t help but sigh in its electronic voice. [Lin Zhi, you really have no clear idea about the male lead! But since you’re protecting him, this system will give you a compliment.]

Lin Zhi thought, Hmph.

Though it sounded ridiculous, Song Mian asked, “You care that much about me losing my innocence?”

Lin Zhi nodded matter-of-factly. “Of course! I’m a straight guy and your bro—I have to guard your innocence!”

Straight guy.

Song Mian’s gaze swept over Lin Zhi. Out of the blue, he asked, “How long do you plan to stay a straight guy?”

Lin Zhi pushed up his nonexistent detective glasses. “A lifetime.”

Song Mian scoffed. “Sure about that?”

Lin Zhi sensed danger. “Requesting silence.”

Song Mian gave a playful look. Lin Zhi caught a whiff of peril but steered back to the main topic, more concerned for Song Mian. “Did you hear my warning? The illegitimate son is dangerous—you need to watch out for him.”

Song Mian didn’t take Song Feng seriously. “I’ve dealt with worse. Anything else?”

Lin Zhi frowned. Song Mian was this nonchalant?

Lin Zhi had learned about plenty of wealthy family scandals from TV—especially dirty ones. After getting to know Song Mian, he thought Song Mian was different from those people. Song Mian had none of the vices of the elite; his only flaw might be smoking, probably from too much stress.

His sharp tongue wasn’t even a flaw in Lin Zhi’s eyes.

Lin Zhi’s face scrunched up like a seal’s.

Song Mian took one look at his expression and knew it wasn’t good. “Spit it out, or I’m leaving.”

Lin Zhi unbuckled his seatbelt.

Before Song Mian could react, Lin Zhi lunged over and hugged him tightly.

Song Mian grunted from the sudden impact. Lin Zhi looked up, hands pressing Song Mian’s shoulders, facing him eye-to-eye with heartache in his gaze. They were just a fist’s distance apart—Lin Zhi almost seemed about to lean in for a kiss. Song Mian’s muscles tensed, his Adam’s apple bobbing hard. What was Lin Zhi…

Lin Zhi suddenly declared in a deep voice, “Song Mian, you’re the best baby!”

The ambiguous atmosphere vanished instantly.

Song Mian: “……”

“Get off.” Song Mian’s voice was utterly calm—calm to the point of death.

–

Lin Zhi slunk after Song Mian to the Song Family estate. At the gate, Sun Butler hurried over with intel upon seeing Song Mian. “Young Master, the gentleman is badmouthing you to Old Master right now! Why’d you have to arrive right at dinnertime?”

Song Mian told Sun Butler not to worry.

Lin Zhi didn’t dare meet Sun Butler’s eyes—but wherever he looked away, Sun Butler followed.

Sun Butler was wary. “It’s a family banquet today. What are you doing here?”

Lin Zhi whispered, “Uncle Sun, I don’t want to upset you.”

That made Sun Butler suddenly understand—and even angrier. Glancing at Lin Zhi’s expensive watch, he trembled with rage. It must be a gift from the Young Master! The Young Master really likes men and brought one home! Sun Butler glared fiercely at Lin Zhi and muttered harshly beside him, “You’re just temporary!”

Lin Zhi turned his head seriously. “Uncle Sun, I’m sorry to make you uncomfortable. But I really like you.”

Sun Butler was stunned by the sudden confession, at a loss for more harsh words.

Lin Zhi added, “Can we add each other on WeChat again?”

Sun Butler was about to soften when Song Mian interjected, “He’s adding you to harass you for gossip.”

Sun Butler instantly turned cold.

Lin Zhi pouted, bumped Song Mian in dissatisfaction, and heard Song Mian’s mocking chuckle. Now it was Lin Zhi’s turn to be annoyed!

Song Mian had timed it perfectly for dinner. By the time they reached the main dining room, Song Jiancheng and Song Feng, whom Lin Zhi had met before, were already seated. At the head sat an elderly man with white hair but an impressive demeanor.

Playing Song Mian’s boyfriend, Lin Zhi felt a bit nervous.

The moment Song Mian appeared, Song Jiancheng sniped sarcastically, “Didn’t know you thought you were the elder here, making us all wait.”

Old Master Song gripped his cane and thumped it heavily on the floor, exuding authority without anger. Song Jiancheng shut up.

Facing Song Mian, Old Master Song smiled kindly, like any ordinary grandpa. “Little Mian, come sit by me.”

He seemed to completely ignore Lin Zhi.

Song Mian grabbed Lin Zhi’s hand beside him. Lin Zhi’s palm heated up; he wanted to pull away but remembered Song Mian’s instruction for “intimate contact” and nervously gripped back.

Song Mian introduced proactively, “Lin Zhi, my boyfriend.”

Old Master Song had to pay Lin Zhi some attention. Lin Zhi was ultra-polite. “Hello, Grandpa.”

Old Master Song’s smile stiffened. “Come sit.”

Song Mian leaned toward Lin Zhi. “Sit by me.”

Lin Zhi obediently sat.

Song Feng stared darkly at Lin Zhi. Old Master Song sized him up too. Lin Zhi could only focus on the family banquet dishes.

“Little Mian, I’ll give you more time to think.” Old Master Song hinted.

Song Mian met Old Master Song’s eyes directly. “No need. It’s him.”

Chosen so firmly by his good bro, Lin Zhi actually felt a bit shy and lowered his head to sniff the food.

That pleased Song Jiancheng. Song Mian liking men and bringing one home meant he’d lost the right to inherit the Song Family. A centuries-old house wouldn’t let a gay man take charge. Even if Old Master agreed, the other old fogeys wouldn’t.

Old Master Song’s gaze returned to Lin Zhi. Those doe eyes screamed untouched by society’s dye vat—pure at best, stupid at worst.

Old Master Song disdained him inwardly but showed nothing. He said, “Let’s eat.”

Lin Zhi had been drooling, especially over the radish stew. After Song Mian started, Lin Zhi demurely picked at the salmon in front of him. Song Mian took Lin Zhi’s bowl, ladled radish soup into it, and—reminded by Lin Zhi tugging his pants—added several chunks of radish.

Lin Zhi sniffed the fragrant radish soup, took a small sip, and ate greedily.

Old Master Song disdained him more—a glutton too!

As Lin Zhi immersed himself in the radish soup, Song Feng brought a bowl of chicken soup right to him. Lin Zhi blinked up, pointing at himself. “For me?”

Song Feng smiled. “Yes. It’s your first time visiting as a guest. As host, we have to treat you well.”

Lin Zhi tremblingly took the bowl.

Song Feng watched his movements. “Why not drink? Looking down on it because I served it?”

Old Master Song’s brows furrowed slightly.

Lin Zhi didn’t dare drink!

“System, this isn’t how you said it’d go!”

The Romance Survival System replied like an encyclopedia. [That’s because the plot I provided assumes no external interference! Host, do you know about the butterfly effect?]

Lin Zhi analyzed, “So maybe this chicken soup isn’t drugged?”

The Romance Survival System was wicked. [Taste it and find out!]

Lin Zhi turned and handed the chicken soup to Song Mian with sincere eyes. “Try it.”

Song Mian: “……”

Song Feng watched them intently.

Song Mian called Sun Butler. Lin Zhi whispered to stop him, “Uncle Sun’s too old for this stress!”

Sun Butler took the chicken soup and glared at Lin Zhi.

Song Feng panicked but stayed calm. “That was for Brother Lin Zhi. If you don’t like it, Brother Lin Zhi, just give it back.”

Song Mian’s expression was cold. “Test it.”

Song Feng paled. “Bro, what are you doing?”

Song Jiancheng didn’t know his idiot son had drugged the soup but guessed from his reaction. His fool of a son was always stupidly provoking Song Mian.

Song Jiancheng usually enjoyed it, but now he hated how dumb his son was! Daring little tricks under everyone’s eyes.

Song Jiancheng had to cover for Song Feng. “Song Mian, if the person you brought won’t drink it, just dump it. No need to embarrass Little Feng.”

Sun Butler was torn.

Old Master Song set down his chopsticks, the clink against the porcelain bowl sharp and clear. Song Jiancheng and Song Feng behaved. Old Master Song rubbed his brow. “This noise is giving me a headache.”

“If no one’s drinking it, dump it.”

With Old Master Song’s word, Sun Butler hurried off. In the kitchen, he didn’t dump it all but had a trusted aide send it for testing.

Song Feng sat down in a daze.

Lin Zhi frowned. He could see Old Master Song was just papering over the peace.

Poor Song Mian baby!

Lin Zhi truly pitied his bro. Ignoring the wealthy setting, he kept piling food onto Song Mian’s plate—everything he liked.

Song Mian looked at his mountain of food, glancing complexly at Lin Zhi, who gave a loving expression.

Song Mian: “……”

By the end of the dinner, Old Master Song had left early. Song Feng seemed to want to say something to Song Mian but was dragged off by Song Jiancheng.