Chapter 31
Song Jingmo’s brother remained stubbornly steadfast in his beliefs.
Upon entering, he skipped the pleasantries and got straight to the point: “I had the handwriting on Secretary Xu’s note analyzed. While there are some discrepancies, the form, sequence, and habits confirm it’s Momo’s handwriting.”
Even Xie Zhang was momentarily taken aback.
He hadn’t expected Song Chengyan to still be clinging to his materialistic worldview after witnessing… that.
Song Jingmo promptly kicked his brother.
Song Chengyan scooped up the airborne chibi shadow, saying casually: “Give it up. You’ve always been weak; only Xie Zhang lets you bully him.”
Song Jingmo, indignant, latched onto his brother’s sleeve with his teeth, refusing to let go.
You bastard!
Always picking on him, even now!
Xie Zhang, watching this, walked over and looked at the shadow dangling from Song Chengyan’s sleeve.
Song Chengyan lifted his arm, holding the shadow up for both of them to see, trying to discern his brother’s expression, but…
“It’s so dark I can’t even tell which way is up. How did you two even manage a relationship?”
Song Jingmo: “?”
Aaaaaah!!!
He launched a flurry of useless punches and kicks at his brother.
Song Chengyan, like all older brothers, found his younger brother’s frustrated outbursts, so unlike his usual polite demeanor, incredibly endearing.
And even more so now, as a shadow.
He stared at his shadow brother, then felt a gaze on him.
He turned to see Xie Zhang watching him.
Seeing his brother-in-law finally look at him, Xie Zhang’s gaze shifted to the agitated shadow on Song Chengyan’s wrist.
Song Chengyan: “…”
He looked at the shadow clinging to his sleeve, then held out his hand towards Xie Zhang.
Xie Zhang gently took Song-shadow, soothing him with his fingers.
Song Jingmo, ignoring his brother, nuzzled against Xie Zhang’s hand.
Song Chengyan: “Tsk.”
Now he knew which side was his brother’s back.
He placed Song Jingmo’s phone, which he’d finally retrieved, into the shadow’s arms, deliberately letting it crush the tiny figure beneath its weight.
Song Jingmo, having fought with his brother his entire life, saw through his petty act and retaliated with a giant shadow tendril.
Song Chengyan, startled, jumped aside.
Song Jingmo, triumphant, chased him around the room with the tendril.
Xie Zhang, watching them: “…”
He’d never known that the refined and elegant Momo and his aloof, serious brother had such a… dynamic… relationship.
He’d initially agreed to Song Jingmo’s “getting to know each other again” plan out of habit, always indulging him.
But seeing Song Jingmo’s interactions with Xu Yi and Song Chengyan, so different from his memories, he realized he really did need to get reacquainted with his lover.
But first, he needed to save his office.
Seizing the opportunity, he scooped Song-shadow into his arms.
Song Jingmo, tired of chasing his brother, who seemed unaffected by the exertion, huffed and settled in Xie Zhang’s embrace.
Song Chengyan patted Xie Zhang’s shoulder. “Thanks.”
Then he poured himself a glass of water and sat down on the sofa, his demeanor casual and familiar.
Xie Zhang, slightly stiff, nodded and sat down as well.
Song Chengyan checked his phone, frowning slightly, seemingly replying to a message.
Xie Zhang remained tense.
Song Jingmo looked up at him, a shadow tendril caressing his cheek.
What’s wrong?
Frozen again?
Switch to a human representative! he muttered repeatedly.
Xie Zhang, hearing the insistent whispers, looked down at him, amused.
Seeing that Xie Zhang was no longer frozen, Song Jingmo turned his attention back to his brother.
Song Chengyan, still typing, didn’t look up: “Stay away from me; I’m busy. Do you know how much work I have? Back then…”
Song Jingmo quickly covered his mouth.
Unlike his affectionate gestures towards Xie Zhang, he used multiple shadow tendrils, silencing his brother efficiently and forcefully.
Then he turned back to Xie Zhang, nuzzling his hand like a cute, cuddly shadow.
They’d agreed to share the family business responsibilities, since Song Chengyan had always wanted to pursue his own ventures.
Song Jingmo had agreed, then promptly abandoned him, going abroad to study music without a second thought.
Studying music was fine.
Song Chengyan hadn’t given up, urging him to at least learn some business skills, to prepare for managing the company.
Then Song Jingmo had come out, assuring him that his future partner would handle the family business, and Song Chengyan had believed him.
Then Song Jingmo had gone on a graduation trip and returned with Xie Zhang, a man even busier than he was, whose own company was thriving, making Song Chengyan envious.
In Song Chengyan’s mind, his brother was a lying little weasel.
It wasn’t that he wanted to force Song Jingmo into anything, but he knew his brother was capable, even intuitive, and a quick learner.
When he’d broken his leg bungee jumping a few years ago, Song Jingmo had taken over his fledgling company, managing everything smoothly, even exceeding his expectations in handling interpersonal relationships.
If it weren’t for that, Song Chengyan wouldn’t be so insistent.
Song Jingmo knew his brother hadn’t given up, but when you had money and freedom, why not prioritize love?
Being a pampered young master was much more appealing than working like a dog, like his brother and Xie Zhang.
He snuggled into Xie Zhang’s hand, even curling his fingers around him protectively.
Song Chengyan glanced at the shadow peeking out from Xie Zhang’s hand and smiled: “Don’t let his cuddly act fool you. He’s capable of anything, good or bad. He knows you’re too kind to refuse him.”
Xie Zhang cupped the shadow in his hand, a faint smile on his lips: “If he doesn’t want to do it, I’ll do it.”
Song Jingmo, hearing this, showered Xie Zhang’s fingers with kisses.
Xie Zhang’s smile widened.
He wasn’t surprised by this.
When he’d been under immense pressure, during the early days of his company, he’d often brought work home.
He’d sometimes fall asleep at his desk, only to wake up with a blanket draped over him, a cup of hot water beside him, and his files neatly organized, some even annotated.
With only the two of them and the occasional housekeeper in the villa, it was clear who had done it.
But Song Jingmo would act like nothing had happened, either disappearing into the music room or giggling at his tablet, so Xie Zhang hadn’t asked.
Song Jingmo helped him but avoided getting too involved in his work. They’d maintained this silent understanding until Xie Zhang’s company stabilized.
Song Chengyan, both amused and slightly exasperated by Xie Zhang’s doting behavior and his brother’s clinginess, sighed.
If it weren’t for the… complications… of the past, Xie Zhang would have been the perfect brother-in-law.
Remembering something, he pulled out an old photo from his jacket.
“Take a look at this.”
He’d come here not only to check on his brother but also to finally address some unresolved issues.
Xie Zhang took the photo.
Song Jingmo, clinging to his wrist, also looked at the well-preserved photo, its edges slightly frayed from years of handling.
It showed three girls, around eleven or twelve years old, smiling brightly at the camera.
After a moment of confusion, Song Jingmo recognized the girl on the left, with short hair, as his mother.
But his gaze was drawn to the girl in the middle, her smile the brightest.
He felt a stronger connection to her, a sense of familiarity. He knew who she was.
Xie Zhang silently recognized the girl on the right, with long hair, as his mother.
His memories of his parents were distant, fading.
But Song Chengyan had urged him to recall them, which was why he recognized his mother instantly.
Song Chengyan, unsure how to begin, took out a cigarette, asking Xie Zhang: “Do you mind?”
Xie Zhang shook his head.
After a moment of silent contemplation, Song Chengyan finally spoke: “The girl in the middle… was my uncle’s partner. She passed away twenty-eight years ago.”
“She was a renowned guqin player, very famous back then.”
The chibi shadow gently touched the photo, his round head resting against it.
“Momo, she was…”
Before Song Chengyan could finish, Xie Zhang heard Song Jingmo’s voice, soft and gentle.
“My mother.”
“…Your mother.”
Xie Zhang stared at him, stunned, seeing no surprise or distress in his expression.
Song Jingmo, seeing his brother’s cautious, hesitant expression, smiled, then, remembering his brother couldn’t see him, grabbed his phone, turned it on, and typed:
【Brother, I know.】
【I’ve known since I graduated high school.】
【Mom and Dad used to take me to visit her grave every year. Later, when I was older, I went alone.】
He scratched his head sheepishly.
【I just… didn’t know how to tell you. And then you kept trying to make me join the family business, so I ignored you.】
Song Chengyan, slightly hurt, composed himself, then, seeing Xie Zhang’s equally surprised expression, felt a bit better.
It was understandable that he hadn’t known, and it didn’t really matter. His brother was still the same little weasel.
Xie Zhang, his equally clueless lover, had it worse.
This thought comforted him.
Song Jingmo, reading his brother’s thoughts, hesitated, his shadow tendril hovering over the screen, then he slowly typed:
【A-Zhang and I… we actually met when I was visiting Mom’s grave.】
Xie Zhang’s eyebrow twitched.
Could that mountain be…?
The chibi shadow nodded.
Xie Zhang, back then a stranger, completely unaware of Song Jingmo’s family history, had accompanied the slightly timid young man, who hadn’t wanted to spend the night alone on the mountain, staying with him as he visited his mother’s grave, placing flowers, and watching the sunrise together.
This time, Song Chengyan’s silence was… different.
