Chapter 16：Encounter (1/2)

Realizing what he felt for Song Ren, Su Feng felt at a loss for words.

He was in love with her...

Su Feng stumbled, startled by his thoughts. He quickly left the room. Gently, Su Feng closed the door behind him, hoping that he was not too noisy. He approached the guest room, climbing onto the bed, and shut his eyes. His mind is circling thoughts of his past.

Meanwhile, Song Ren felt as if her heart was about to burst. She woke as soon as she felt him lift her, but Song Ren did not want him to know that, so she pretended to sleep. But after he settled her into the bed, Song Ren wondered why he stayed for a long moment after. She had to still her breathing and close her eyes to convince him that she was asleep.

Song Ren stirred to the other side and tried to shut him out of her head for the rest of the night.

---

The next morning, Qian Meigui woke up feeling restless. She stayed up reflecting about the conversation she had with Song Sheng the evening before and she felt heavy.

She shifted out of bed and placed on casual clothing before descending the stairs.

Qian Meigui's steps halted when she caught sight of the tall silhouette of her brother, ”Song Sheng,” she breathed quietly.

He wore a suit with a long sand-coloured trench coat. His dark hair tousled to one side.

She took slow steps and saw him speaking to Song Jun in a hushed whisper. From her view, she could not hear what they were saying, but she witnessed Song Sheng ruffling his brother's hair as they stepped into the main living room.

Qian Meigui fully descended the stairs and approached the pair of brothers. She then gently said, ”Hello,” to both of them.

Song Sheng's expression was neutral; she could not tell what he wanted or what he was thinking. He nodded politely without saying another word.

Qian Meigui sat on an ivory leather chair close to the two of them when Song Ren walked in with Su Feng.

Song Ren appeared to be shocked. She had not seen her brother since they settled her inheritance and responsibilities, and she did not expect to see him today. Song Ren had always admired Song Sheng since she was a child, so when he disinherited himself, she felt enraged; how could he give up? However, now, she was not entirely sure how she felt.

When she attended work yesterday, the employees treated her differently. They've always treated her with respect, but the difference was that they listened to her orders more attentively, and they catered to what she wanted. Of course, Song Ren addressed them, saying that she did not need extra special treatment and to treat her as they always had.

Also, her father promoted her to gradually ease her in as the future CEO of the company, which made her feel more accomplished. She now entirely takes care of the business while her father travels.

Song Ren sat on a couch, opposite of Song Sheng and Song Jun. Su Feng joined next to her, but he barely uttered to her since he woke.

Regardless, she looked towards her older brother, the boy she admired, the man who could have been her twin if their age gap wasn't five years. What did he want?

Song Ren waited. She was not going to say anything first despite the awkward tension. Su Feng shifted, leaning forward, settling his forearms on his thigs, eyes on Song Sheng like an eagle. At that moment, Su Feng appeared to be protective of her. Song Ren wondered what overcame him, but she supposed it was because he felt that backing his future wife, even though their relationship was complicated.