SBHA Chapter 27

Chapter 27. Three-In-One (3 chapters in 1)

Song Yan hadn’t expected that Yu Ze would ask such a question at such a time.

“I don’t know,” he very honestly replied.

Yu Ze looked at him, then caught the hair that’d been slipping over his temple for him, thinking in his heart that, despite it being the same body, Song Second still looked different from him.

“You’ve never thought about why?” Yu Ze’s voice was soft.

Why yet to mark an Omega?

“I might’ve always been waiting, searching,” Song Yan said, “For the person who suits me best, who only belongs to me…that one…….”

“True love?” Yu Ze helped him finish.

He burst out laughing right after he said it; a laugh just as if he’d heard a comic sketch.

Song Yan was right then indignant. He grabbed Yu Ze’s hand and held it tight, “What do you mean? Ever since just before, what’d you mean by an ‘Alpha like me should’ve marked an Omega before’? That I cannot wait for true love before I mark?”

Yu Ze laughed as he apologized, “I’m sorry….but, it really is somewhat funny.”

“I thought you wouldn’t believe in true love,” He added.

“Why?” Song Yan asked in return.

Yu Ze didn’t reply. For one split second, Song Ruo Zuo’s shadow again overlapped his vision. That Song Ruo Zuo then told him, “You are my son; you should understand what type of people can be played with and what type of people can be married.”

Perhaps each generation has each generation’s own way of thinking.

“Not many adults still believe in true love,” Yu Ze said with a smile.

“Then what about you?” Song Yan asked, “You’ve never been marked before – is that ’cause there’s no suitable person or ’cause you don’t believe in true love?”

“Both,” Yu Ze replied, “Too many divorce in the entertainment circle; getting divorced after being marked would affect my work very much. This question is too realistic, and so, before even considering true love, I must first have complete trust in the person’s character.”

He seemed a little disappointed, a little frustrated.

Song Yan didn’t like seeing Yu Ze with this type of an expression. He said, “Then, from a different perspective, if you completely trust a person – trust him enough to be marked by him – he can be considered your true love.”

Yu Ze laughed, “Perhaps.”

Both of them were well aware they were each being ambiguous with the other; if no one broke them off, perhaps they would’ve stayed next to the other like this for the entire night. But the phone rang from time to time, thus interrupting their chat.

Song Yan finally forced himself up from the sofa.

“Today was really…one wondrous day,” he said, “When I was up on the stage, everyone below all seemed to be your fans. And all the lights, all the sounds; the atmosphere was all so thrilling.”

He wanted to say that he understood Yu Ze, that he understood why he was infatuated with the stage. Because that type of ardent fervor could indeed wrap a person up and make them feel just about to soar into the air.

“I really do hope you can hurry back to the stage. Are the rehearsals for your play going well?”

Once Yu Ze heard the mention of the theater, a particular sort of light began to radiate from his face and small flames of fire seemed to flicker in his eyes.

“I kept a VIP seat for you. You’ll know it on the day of the premiere – when you come see it.”

After Song Yan left, Yu Ze finally took his bath. But right when he was preparing for bed, Song Yan sent over a link for a website.

Yu Ze clicked it open; there was an article of gossip inside. He couldn’t help but laugh – so Second Young Master Song was still also very concerned about the gossip of the entertainment circle. What was even more amusing was that the starring lead of this article was Qiao Ruo Ming. It was precisely the hot off the press photos of the evening – there was Qiao Ruo Ming giving “Yu Ze” the side-eye, and also Qiao Ruo Ming rolling his eyes at “Yu Ze”. The “Yu Ze” in these photos was always talking or laughing with others, seemingly in a very good mood. Only Qiao Ruo Ming, alone, was scrunching his face, just as if he’d a whole lot of grievances but yet didn’t dare take it out on the other.

One of the pictures was of “Yu Ze” unconsciously facing the direction of Qiao Ruo Ming, but he looked as if the weather was still bright, sunny and good* – just as if he’d no feelings for Qiao Ruo Ming.

* 云淡風輕 – idiom; literally “faint clouds, light wind”; to describe the weather being bright, sunny and good

Yu Ze laughed, then sent a line of assessment back to Song Yan, “I have underestimated you. You too can become a good actor.”

At least Song Yan could very accurately grasp the feeling of “Whoever might you be, I don’t care.”

Neither Yu Ze nor Song Yan intended to respond to any news of gossip concerning Qiao Ruo Ming.

Ever since “Second Young Master Song” had announced he was now single again, Qiao Ruo Ming’s situation had become quite awkward. Because this was akin to Second Young Master Song one-sidedly breaking up with him – Qiao Ruo Ming himself most certainly hadn’t given his consent. Just after the breakup, Qiao Ruo Ming had even went on camera* to say that Second Young Master Song had sent him a sports car, but the results hadn’t been good – Second Young Master Song himself had already said he was single, it only made others jeer at him for clinging onto the Song Family.

* 炒作 – really just a publicity stunt; something to make the news more sensational etc….camera isn’t specially mentioned, but wasn’t quite sure how fit that in, will edit later

If Qiao Ruo Ming were to say whether or not he hated Song Yan, it’d most surely be that he hated him – him being so fond of the new and tired of the old* had made him lose so much face. And also, even up til now, he’d yet to understand why Song Yan’s fondness for him seemed to have just evaporated in an instant, just as if it’d followed that earthquake away.

* 喜新厭舊 – idiom; to like the new and hate the old; to treat new things better than the old things

However, Qiao Ruo Ming hated Yu Ze more than he hated Song Yan. He knew very well that it was everyone’s darling “Teacher Yu” who had snatched Song Yan away.

If Qiao Ruo Ming even just so happened to see “Yu Ze”, he’d want to gnash his teeth in anger. If it wasn’t that Yu Ze’s position in the industry would steamroller him, he‘d have long let it be known who the other man* was.

* 小三 – the mistress; the other woman/man

While Qiao Ruo didn’t dare rip on Yu Ze out in the open, he could still still hint at all sorts of things! And so, despite knowing he was on camera, he still gave Yu Ze quite a few exaggerated eye-rolls, and would even rub his nose every now and then, looking as if his tears were on the brink of overflowing.

This was plenty enough for the entertainment reporters to draw up articles; it was also enough for the gossipmongers to help him say out the words unspoken in the charade.

The eager masses at last began to sort out the timeline of these three people. From when Qiao Ruo Ming first got acquainted with Song Second, when Yu Ze and Song Second first met, the last time Qiao Ruo Ming had been snapped with Song Second, and then when Yu Ze had first been photographed. On this timeline being thus tidied up, it was sure enough all a mystery – Second Young Master Song had seamlessly went from one to the other, with not a moment of rest in between.

In the end, it all boiled down to Qiao Ruo Ming not having the guts to publicly offend Song Yan and Yu Ze. Throughout the wave of lively gossip on the Internet, Qiao Ruo Ming didn’t come out to say a word. He’d his own calculations – if he really did step out to say something, then Song Second’s side would most likely shed all pretense of cordiality. His hate was still merely only hate; he still had a thread of fantasy left.

What was more, Yu Ze was the darling of the industry. The directors liked him, the producers were fond of him, and the advertising companies loved him. Qiao Ruo Ming had given it some thought; as there wasn’t any hope of marriage for the time being, he could only continue mixing in the circle as it was still important to make money.

Those on the Internet were all curious, waiting to see a good show. Quite a few people had noticed that Grandfather* Song’s birthday was approaching; Second Young Master Song had also been doing some kinda theater thing lately, reportedly he’d even go onstage to perform.

* more literally “grandfather of the song family” -> a bit too wordy; am shortening it for the rest of the series, unless i think of something better

Was this not enough to let the imaginations roam!?

The hideous jumble of gossip on the Internet had also increased.

The “Neighbor of Yu Ze’s Manager’s Older Brother” solemnly vowed that: “After Song Yan’s grandpa’s birthday, these two would announce news of their engagement! Those who don’t believe can come necro*.”

* 挖墳 – in this case, used to mean “necroing a thread”; as in making an old, inactive thread active again

There were quite a few who believed it though. Because Second Young Master Song and Teacher Yu had recently been in close contact; they’d been seen many times already. Some entertainment reporters had even tacitly admitted that the Song Family had previously suppressed mentions of the two’s comings and goings.

Many were surprised. Yu Ze and Second Young Master Song were two whose circles didn’t even overlap*; Yu Ze was even older than Second Young Master Song by four years! ‘fraid even Eldest Young Master Song, Song Qi, would look more compatible with Teacher Yu!

* 八竿子打不著 – idiom; literally “cannot hit (even) with the length of eight bamboo poles”, metaphor for “not in the least related”

Yu Ze’s antis directly sneered: ” So it seems even Yu Beauty was unable to resist the attack of money ah!”

Although many of Yu Ze’s fans supported him no matter what he did, they were still very concerned about Song Yan. The fans all knew that Yu Ze was a very serious person; so many years had passed with barely any rumored love affairs, some of which had even been groundless accusations that had ended so-very-quickly. And so they naturally wished Yu Ze could have a long-term relationship with someone worthy of looking after, and taking care of, him.

Song Second didn’t lack in looks, nor in status or money – but precisely as it was so, could he really be serious?

Soon, there were all sorts of people saying all sorts of things on the Internet. Half of them said it seemed like Song Yan and Yu Ze would get married on the morrow, the other half said that Song Yan would discard Yu Ze right after he used him.

But amidst all these gossips, there was also a self-proclaimed fortune-telling witch who said: ” Yu Ze had picked Song Yan entirely because of the pheromones! As Yu Ze is an Omega, Song Yan used his pheromones to seduce him.”

This scoop naturally received a string of “hahahahahahahaha” beneath it, before it sank to the bottom along with the other nonsensical gossip. Because there were too many of these types of fabricated stories – that so-and-so handsome male celebrity was an Omega, that so-and-so delicate female star was an Alpha – everyone was already sick of reading such scenarios.

And, as to the matter of “Second Young Master Song” going onstage to perform in a stage play, the masses didn’t take it seriously. They even thought it a form of the Song Family’s exaggerated propaganda – for example, something like going onstage for a few words just prior to the performance or just for some filler scene.

As Old Master Song’s birthday got closer, the members of the Song Family all got busier and busier.

The relatives also began to rush back, one after the other, preparing to make it one grand family gathering. The old and the young of the Song Family – most especially Song Ruo Zuo, being the eldest son – required every arrangement to be as good as it gets.

Song Yan’s grandfather only really retired when he was eighty years of age, but everyone still looked up to him and he’d especially a lot of old friends. For the Song Family, this was much more important than money. So therefore, Grandfather’s eighty-eighth birthday wasn’t just an ordinary celebration, but instead more of a demonstration of the status, the connections and the wealth of Grandfather Song, while being a venue for all sorts of relatives and friends to express their regards.

These relatives and friends had already began to take turns to call on Grandfather Song; Yu Ze sometimes went over to help with the social niceties. While the date of his performance was also fast approaching, he still tried his best to squeeze out time to go over.

It was just under such a circumstance that he again ran into Zhou Meng Ye.

Zhou Meng Ye had also come to visit Grandpa Song. That day was quite coincidental; many of the younger relatives had all arrived – there were older female cousins, younger male cousins and, along with the Song Yan represented by Yu Ze, there were also two of Song Yan’s close friends. They all again gathered in the garden, and the atmosphere had been relaxed as they drank and chatted there.

But then, everyone quickly and tactfully dispersed. And only Zhou Meng Ye was left at Yu Ze’s side. The two of them sat together on the garden steps as they talked.

There was a set of rings on Zhou Meng Ye’s fingers; the one on the middle finger had an inlay of small diamonds forming a letter “O”, which stood for “Omega”. He didn’t mind exhibiting his own attribute at all.

Zhou Meng Ye noticed Yu Ze’s gaze. He smiled and gave a few waves of his hand, “What you think? I designed the jewelry myself. Not bad, right?”

Yu Ze gently smiled.

“It’s beautiful, the design is really good,” he said, “It’s a pity I can’t wear it out.”

His words were true and sincere. He couldn’t be like Zhou Meng Ye and wear a ring that displayed his Omega attribute in front of everyone.

“Of course I’ve also designed a version for Alphas,” Zhou Meng Ye immediately said, “The shape is an inverted ‘A’…” He turned on his phone, clicked on a picture, and handed it over to Yu Ze for a look.

“I’ll give it to you. It’ll definitely look handsome on you,” Zhou Meng Ye said; his voice was soft, gentle and carried with it an imperceptibly nasal lilt.

Yu Ze all of the sudden understood why Song Ruo Zuo wished his son to pick Zhou Meng Ye. Born of a matching background, grew up in an environment generous to the point of being called extravagant, was carefree and without worries, he did whatever he wanted to do – jewelry design, volunteered for environmental protection – his temperament was gentle and amiable and comfortable. And ’cause he’d been doted on since birth, he would continue to be doted on in the future.

Yu Ze smiled at Zhou Meng Ye, then shook his head, “It really does look good, but it’s not proper for me to wear ornaments that are too eye-catching.”

A trace of disappointment flashed through Zhou Meng Ye’s eyes, but he was quick to laugh and say, “It’s me who didn’t consider that. After all, you’re Chief Song! You indeed shouldn’t wear this sort of gaudy designs.”

He pondered as he again said, “Or, I can design a style especially for you!”

Yu Ze looked at him, then drew in a deep breath, unsure how to tell Zhou Meng Ye. He wasn’t at all that person Zhou Meng Ye awaited for; Zhou Meng Ye had no need to be this diligent towards him.

He had yet to open his mouth, before Zhou Meng Ye rushed to speak first, “Is it true you’re going to act in a stage play?”

Yu Ze nodded, “Yes.”

Actually, Zhou Meng Ye could see it. He’d sensed that “Big Brother Song Yan” had been about to say something just before, something that wouldn’t have made him happy, that wouldn’t have met his expectations. And so he didn’t want Song Yan to say it out so quickly.

Zhou Meng Ye laughed, “Really, really? Other than playing house when we were younger, I really had no idea you knew how to act!”

“I know how to now,” Yu Ze replied.

“Then I must see! I want to see how your acting skills really are; if it’s on the level of a Film Emperor…” he suddenly paused and didn’t talk anymore.

Yu Ze knew. It was unlikely Zhou Meng Ye hadn’t seen that rumored love affair causing quite a stir on the Internet. There was gossip about Second Young Master Song and Yu Ze everywhere.

Yu Ze felt complicated. It seemed like he had accidentally hurt a soul who should’ve been happy – but this moral responsibility was one he would like to push away.

He didn’t think more of it; he got up from the steps, brushed his pants off and said, “I should get back. There’s never enough time lately.”

Zhou Meng Ye also stood up with him. He gazed at Yu Ze and said, “We’re always running into each other these days, how nice it is! It’s almost like when we were young.”

Yu Ze could somewhat understand the hearts of those fickle* Alphas, because when a cute Omega looked at you like this, rejecting him seemed too cruel.

* 三心兩意 – idiom; double-minded; unpeaceful/unstable/restless of heart; not single-minded

But as he wasn’t really an Alpha, he had no choice but to cruelly let Zhou Meng Ye down, “Look, it has been too long since we were children; the changes have been too great. I even can’t remember what happened when we were children.”

Zhou Meng Ye didn’t persist anymore; he only nodded his head obediently, “I understand, but I remember all of it. A memory that’s too good, perhaps that’s my disadvantage!”

Yu Ze took two steps back. “How’s that so? That’s quite good,” he said, then turned and left in a hurry.

Two days later, the new play Yu Ze arranged was staged. As the renovations over at the place he’d brought hadn’t been finished yet, he rented the venue of an old theater, arranged for only two nights and had long sold-out the tickets. Quite a number of tickets had also been given out – Yu Ze had especially invited several drama critics to come watch.

On the day of the performance, Yu Ze arrived at the theater early to prepare. This time, he was – for the most part – working with young actors and actresses whom he had personally selected.

Yu Ze had a dressing room to himself, and right when he was resting there, Song Yan arrived.

Even though Song Yan had came in through the back door, he still brought flowers.

“There may be some cousins from the Song Family coming today,” Yu Ze told him, “I gave them some tickets. Along with a few of your friends – though I feel they probably just want to see what in the world ‘Song Yan’ is up to.”

“I will avoid them,” Song Yan said.

He would not sit together with them.

“Why?” Yu Ze asked, “I thought you would want to see them.”

“Not right now,” Song Yan replied, “I just want to properly enjoy your performance today. Sitting with them would distract me.”

He then added on an explanation, “When I was Song Second, they treated me like this, but now that I am you, they treat me like this…” He used his hands to gesture, indicating an uneven difference in treatment.

He’d already felt that sort of drop in elevation back when he’d gone to one of his friend’s party with Yu Ze. And so, he didn’t want to experience it again – if it wasn’t that it was his grandpa’s birthday, he wouldn’t even want to go back.

When it was almost time for the play to start, Song Yan quietly slipped into his own box; the seat was relatively hidden and wouldn’t easily be seen by others.

Song Yan absentmindedly swept his eyes over his surrounding, before he suddenly froze – stunned.

Several relatives of the Song Family, as well as Song Yan’s friends, had sure enough came, but they had also brought alone one more person with them – Zhou Meng Ye.

“Too nosy*,” Song Yan grumbled.

* 多管閒事 – idiom; meddling in other people’s business

He knew that while Yu Ze hadn’t invited Zhou Meng Ye, if Zhou Meng Ye wanted to come, he could have easily gotten his hands on a ticket.

But, Zhou Meng Ye didn’t see Song Yan. He sat down with the other friends, every now and then talking and laughing, looking to be in a good mood.

After a while, the lights dimmed, the bell sounded out, and the good show had officially begun.

None of the audience had any expectations for the play. Because the main lead wasn’t even an expert in this field and was thus just like an amateur actor* or a stage play hobbyist*. The friends and family had only come to show their support and to also make the scene lively with noise and excitement.

* Terms here are for chinese opera. A “票友” (piao you) should just be something similar to an amateur actor, while a “玩票” (wan piao) should be the amateur actor actually singing/acting. But I just wrote the latter in as an hobbyist ><. But, the meaning is probably something similar to: “an amateur or an amateur playing at the real thing”.

Nevertheless, these young actors and actresses, along with the addition of Second Young Master Song, were all rather good looking. Watching this group of young, handsome men and pretty women performing on the stage, it also wasn’t bad if the eyes could be satisfied* – or so most of the crowd thought. That, along with some curiosity.

* 眼癮 – literally “addiction of the eye”; as in seeing something pretty/beautiful/something that you love makes you really happy/satisfied ~~~~

The dialogue between the two supporting characters that first came on was all on point – be it the tone or the motions, none were out of place. The audience was immediately caught by the development* of the sequence.

* 懸念 – when a reader/audience becomes concerned about the unfolding of a plot and the uncertain fate of the characters (dictionary says it’s “suspense”; but it’s not really “suspense” imo????) (so i tweaked it ><)

And then the lights changed, and the protagonist stepped out.

Yu Ze forgot everything that’d happened over these few months as he again stood on the stage. This was already enough. He completely immersed himself in the role.

He walked to the center of the stage, looked at the female lead standing opposite of him, then opened his mouth to say his first line: “I’ll be setting out for Yuncheng tomorrow; you should come with me.”

And then – just as if all the air had been filtered away – the originally very quiet audience became even more quiet. One audience member coughed, but he hurriedly swallowed back down the sound.

No one wanted to miss a single one of “Second Young Master Song’s” lines. It was only when the scene was changed that there were soft gasps of surprise from the audience.

Song Yan sat there, but all he could see was Yu Ze. He’d never thought that his own body was able to make this type of sound, that his own body could express such rich emotions. This, all of this, was Yu Ze performing – it was as if he’d discovered the light within the body, and so thus, was able to burn this brightly.

The protagonist on the stage had already endured many hardships; the joys and the sorrows of the partings and the meetings – they all became concentrated within the passage of time. But in the end, he was still able to face the bright, round moon and amidst regretting – and not regretting – this life, there was a soul-stirring* satisfaction.

* 蕩氣迴腸 – very touching; agitated in mind; pathetic; soul-stirring; heart-reading, literally “angrily shaking (or shaking the very hard) the ileum” (decided to only explain this idiom b/c image ~ XD)

After the last line; came thunderous applause. The actors took several curtain calls, then it was Yu Ze who was called back some times by the audience. His face was radiant with smiles, but yet his eyes slowly began to look in the direction of Song Yan.

Song Yan suddenly felt that his palms were sweaty. He was already twenty five years old, but yet never had he ever been this nervous before – that merely just looking at another person’s facial expression* could make his palms all sweaty like this.

* 一顰一笑 – idiom; change in expression from sad to happy or vice-versa

Yu Ze returned to the back of the stage. The staff and the other supporting actors and actresses clapped profusely as they congratulated him on the successful performance.

Fang Yuan had already rushed over to tell him the press wanted an interview. But although she was still doing her job, her expression when looking at Yu Ze was just as if she was looking at a monster. Because this development was far beyond her expectations; never had she expected her boss would be such a natural actor.

Yu Ze sighed, “Whatever the matter be, let’s talk about it tomorrow.” Right now, he only wanted to soak it all in.

People kept coming backstage to talk with “Second Young Master Song”. Yu Ze made the bodyguard keep watch outside, while Fang Yuan and another assistant went to deal with these people.

Yu Ze’s room only opened for Song Yan to come in.

But at such a time, Song Yan was instead lost for words. He could only simply say, “Congratulations, the show was a success.”

Yu Ze smiled, “This is also yours. If it wasn’t for your body, the results would not have been like this.”

Song Yan watched him wipe at his sweat with a towel. He walked over, opened a thermos for Yu Ze, poured a glass of water and handed it over to him.

“You mean that, everyone’s expectations were rather low because it was me?”

While he could sort of understand what Yu Ze meant, he couldn’t help but want to tease him a bit in passing.

“Yes,” Yu Ze replied, “Because it was you, I didn’t have any pressure at all. This is probably the least mentally stressing performance I have ever had. Didn’t even need to think about anything.”

Song Yan burst out loud laughing. They drank the tea as they chatted, preparing to go out later with the other performers for a midnight snack.

Until someone knocked on the door and someone asked from outside, “Song Yan, are you there?”

Yu Ze and Song Yan looked at each other.

“It’s Zhou Meng Ye,” Yu Ze whispered.

He then looked at Song Yan, “I’ll leave this to you.”

The door to the room opened, and just as Zhou Meng Ye was about to happily go in, he saw that it was “Yu Ze” who stood in front of him.

Zhou Meng Ye’s expression immediately turned cold. He politely asked, “May I come in?”

“My apologies,” Song Yan said.

While he said he was apologetic, his tone wasn’t apologetic at all.

“Song Yan is tired now and needs to rest, please go back,” the words were said in a resolute and decisive manner.

Zhou Meng Ye didn’t expect “Yu Ze” to be this unyielding – he was, for one moment, embarrassed. Due to his status, the people that surrounded him had always been very gentle towards him

Song Yan thought, ‘Zhou Meng Ye most certainly wouldn’t expect who exactly it was that’d really rejected him.’

He again spoke up, “Please go back. He isn’t able to chat with anymore guests today.”

He shut the door as soon as he finished speaking.

Zhou Meng Ye could only leave in silence.

Both performances both days were both very successful. The critics were unstinting in their praise, most especially towards the lead actor, “Song Yan’s” performance – how outstanding he was, how skillful and bold he was – just as if he’d trained for years! And how full of his own understanding of his role he was, that he’d actually convinced his audience!

At first, some people wondered if the critics had received money from the Song Family. But soon, the audience that’d been there that day began to come out, one after the other, to verify that Second Young Master Song’s performance had truly been amazing. An officially taken three minute video had also been released. The “Song Yan” in the clip was indeed very brilliant, in just the span of the few short and quick minutes, he had captured eyeballs and made it so people wanted to see more!

And thus it was the gossip crowd’s – most especially the fans of Yu Ze – who were shocked.

What was this? Was this the power of love!?

And so everyone all began to wait to see when they would make it public.

The weather wasn’t very good on the day of Grandpa Song Zheng Ping’s birthday. Some of the activities that were originally scheduled to be outdoors were moved indoors. Fortunately, as the Song Family was rich in experience they didn’t panic. But it still made Song Ruo Zuo somewhat regretful that he was unable to control the weather, or to control whether it would thunder or rain.

But the old Song Family residence was really enough for guests to just walk about and amuse themselves.

Song Ruo Zuo had all along been busy socializing. He appeared with Shen Xi Jia at his side today. Shen Xi Jia had agreed to accompany Song Ruo Zuo for the social niceties, with just one prerequisite – that none of his mistresses were allowed to come, otherwise she would leave on the spot.

Song Ruo Zuo agreed; he didn’t let that painter lower of his over. Although this occasion was a good opportunity to network with others, but compared to the needs of his lover, he needed Shen Xi Jia to stand at his side more.

He didn’t wish for his father, Song Zheng Ping, to know that he and Shen Xi Jia were playing about with divorce. He also didn’t wish for his siblings – let alone the stockholders – to find out.

Shen Xi Jia was wearing a brand-name haute couture gown today, along with a set of jade jewelry; fully displaying the luxury of the Lady of the Song Family. She welcomed each guest with a smile and, without even stopping, directed the arrangements and interacted with the guests.

When she went to the lounge to repair her makeup, and to take a breather, Song Ruo Zuo followed in after her.

With a wine glass in his hand, he said, “Thank you for today. I’m very happy.”

The words came out stiff.

“You’ve no need to force it,” Shen Xi Jia lightly replied, “I’m not doing this for you.”

Song Ruo Zuo was helpless. “Must we always fight?”

Around them, the waiters preparing the refreshments, as well as the makeup artist freshening up Shen Xi Jia’s makeup – not one of them dared to make a sound. There was only the sounds of the two of them talking to the other.

On seeing his wife unmoved, Song Ruo Zuo could only ask, “Have you seen Song Yan?”

Shen Xi Jia had actually just saw them; Song Yan together with Yu Ze. The two of them had taken advantage of the crowd and slipped off to who-knows-where. But she didn’t say that; she only said, “I don’t know. Probably over in the study.”

Song Ruo Zuo again spoke up, “These two sons, you should also tell them off. Yu Ze’s whatever, at least he’s still a Film Emperor and still has his uses to Song Yan’s career. And as for that Lu Qiu Yi, I just can’t understand how Song Qi took a fancy to him.”

Shen Xi Jia gave a laugh, “Perhaps due to inheriting your taste.”

Song Ruo Zuo was silent for a moment, before he said, “Xi Jia, it’s not like we weren’t happy before. Why do you always have to….why can’t we just ease up a little?”

Shen Xi Jia picked up a brush and swept it over her own face as she said, “Song Qi and Song Yan’s private affairs, let them handle it themselves. They’re already this old, if they can’t even take care of their own relationships, then what else can they be expected to do?”

Song Ruo Zuo felt that while her words were mocking him, they were also laughing at herself. He thought for a bit, but was still unable to form a response. And thus, at the faint sound of thunder in the sky, Song Ruo Zuo went back out to socialize.

The thunder was getting louder and louder. Song Yan had brought Yu Ze over to the glass greenhouse. Because an entire garden and some rooms separated this place away from the party, very few guests would come here.

As Song Yan was very familiar with the old residence, he had brought Yu Ze there with ease*.

* 輕車熟路 – idiom, more literally a metaphor for “getting on a familiar road with a light car”; or a car that isn’t packed full with stuff (putting this here b/c the imagery is cute eh ~)

As Yu Ze wasn’t familiar with the Song Family’s enormous family tree, he had wanted to hide for a bit. Song Yan, on the hand, had been reminiscing a bit about this place.

They were rambling on as they chatted. The greenhouse was inevitably hot and stuffy in summer, but after the door was opened, a breeze soon began to pour into the room.

“That previous stage play…are you going to continue putting it on?” Song Yan asked, “It’ll definitely sell out quick.”

“If you don’t object,” Yu Ze replied.

Song Yan laughed, “Why would I object?”

They had both removed their jackets and wore only their shirts. When the wind blew in, it puffed their shirts up and made them a bit more unfettered and willful.

“Because this is your body and your reputation,” Yu Ze replied.

“But it’s your brain that’s supplying it right now,” Song Yan said, “Just take it and use it as you wish. I don’t think you need to feel guilty for enjoying the use of my body.”

He’d been all along making jokes* about the “body”.

* jokes – > 享(想)用我的身體 –> both are pronounced “xiǎng” (both 享 and 想) —> the former means “enjoying the use/taking pleasure in”, the latter means “want” (so this is “wanting to use my body” -> “enjoying the use of my body” =.=

The distance between where they stood had been getting shorter and shorter. Yu Ze finally said, “Have you seen what was said about us on the Internet.”

“How’d they say it? Is there anything new?” Song Yan asked.

“No,” Yu Ze replied, “they are all just asking when we would go public.”

“Are you alright with that?” Song Yan asked.

He was full of anticipation.

Yu Ze lowered his eyes, “I don’t know.”

The success of the performance had made him exhilarated, but affections were yet a different matter. He had laughed at Song Yan for waiting for true love – ’cause he wasn’t like that. When facing another person, no matter how happy you are, you still can’t be sure if he’s the right person or not.

Song Yan stretched out a hand and stroked his face.

“Close your eyes.”

Yu Ze looked at him, then closed his eyes.

A soft touch – on the lips – ever so soft. They slowly began to kiss each other.

Then the sky exploded with thunder. Yu Ze was startled, and then a burst – his sky spun, his ground turned – someone grabbed onto him and together, they fell to the ground.

Yu Ze opened his eyes. Song Yan was cushioned right beneath his body.

Song Yan was looking at him.

Not someone else, not his own face, but it was the real Song Yan who was looking at him.

“Are you alright?” Song Yan anxiously asked. He stood up, then helped Yu Ze up as well.

Then Song Yan’s movements suddenly paused.

They stared at the other.

Yu Ze suddenly laughed, “We’re back.”

Song Yan almost leapt into the air. He patted at his own body, “It’s real!”

He grasped Yu Ze’s hand, “Teacher Yu, we’ve changed back!”

Yu Ze felt that whatever that happened just before wasn’t important at all. What was important was that they were finally back in their own bodies, back in their own places.

He smiled, “Go see your family, using your own appearance.”

With that, he prepared to turn around and leave.

But as soon as he turned around, he was tugged to a halt by Song Yan – Song Yan gripped his hand and dragged him against his own chest.

“Teacher Yu, how can you be this calm?” Song Yan whispered, “Have you forgotten what we were doing just a minute ago?”

Yu Ze’s tone was helpless. “I thought that as we managed to switch back with great difficult…what if….what if we change back again?”

He meant that it was the kiss that had caused them to switch back.

Song Yan froze, then he reached out, cupped Yu Ze’s face and – without the slightest bit of hesitation – kissed him.

Translator has something to say: Kyaaaaaaa! Progress!!!!!
(sry for the wait guys, only one chapter this time, but it’s 3 chapters worth of content ~!)

Chapter 26

Chapter 28