CHAPTER 170: CHAPTER 170: SONG YUN AND XU YUELAN

Next Day

Xu Yuelan sat before her vanity mirror, the early morning light streaming through the silk curtains and bathing the room in a soft golden glow.

Her movements were graceful, elegant and unhurried as she clasped a jade earring onto her ear. The pale green stone shimmered faintly against her smooth skin.

Her lips curled into a faint smile as she admired her reflection in the mirror. The woman staring back at her was calm, poised and practiced.

Today was the second day of her marriage, and according to her family’s traditions, she was to return to her ancestral home with her new husband.

The thought should have brought warmth to her heart, yet all she felt was numbness. After all, this wasn’t a marriage borne out of love—but a calculated plan.

She smoothed the folds of her red silk hanfu, her eyes momentarily lingering on her reflection. In her eyes, there was a flicker of distance which lingered, like a shadow no one else could see.

The door creaked open behind her.

Song Kai stepped in without knocking, the faint scent of sandalwood clinging to him. His gaze swept lazily over her from head to toe, and a smirk tugged at the corner of his lips.

Xu Yuelan turned slightly, her expression calm, composed. Her face betrayed no trace of the irritation that flashed briefly in her eyes.

"You are dressed already," he remarked, his tone laced with casual arrogance, as though he were amused by her perfection.

"I’ve always been punctual," she replied calmly, turning back to the mirror.

Her voice was soft but it had a sharp edge towards it that made his smirk falter for a moment.

He watched her for a beat longer, his eyes dark with something unreadable. "Good," he murmured, stepping closer. "Let’s not keep your family waiting."

The two decided to have a light breakfast before heading to the Xu Residence.

When they entered the dining room, the aroma of steamed buns and jasmine tea filled the air. Song Yun was already seated at the table, eating lazily, one leg crossed over the other.

When he saw the couple approaching, he rolled his eyes and leaned back in his chair. He didn’t greet them, and didn’t even pause his eating.

Xu Yuelan’s brows twitched at his obvious disrespect. She took her seat beside Song Kai but couldn’t keep silent for long.

"Do you lack manners?" she asked coldly, settling in her seat.

Song Yun raised his gaze, feigning surprise. "Are you talking to me?" He pointed to himself as if confused.

"If not you, who do you think I was referring to?" she replied, her eyes sharp with disdain. "Your brother?"

Song Yun let out a dry chuckle. "Brother, you didn’t tell your wife about me, did you?"

Song Kai sighed softly, picking up his cup of water and taking a slow sip. When he put it down, his voice was calm but firm. "She’s your sister-in-law. You will show her respect."

Song Yun snorted. "Respect? You wish! Don’t expect me to bow to every woman you bring home."

"Watch your words," Song Kai warned, his voice low.

"Why? Because she’s a Xu?" Song Yun shot back, his tone laced with sarcasm. "Do you even remember who helped Father build this company? Or have you been blinded by her family’s name?"

Xu Yuelan’s lips curved slightly, though her eyes remained cold. "It seems your brother failed to teach you basic respect. I can forgive immaturity, but insolence is another matter."

Song Yun turned to her with a mocking grin. "And what are you going to do about it, Sister-in-law? Will you complain to my brother? He always protects his little trophies."

"Yun!" Song Kai’s voice rose this time, echoing sharply in the quiet dining hall. "Enough."

But Song Yun wasn’t finished. He slammed his chopsticks down. "No, I won’t shut up. You think you can control me just because Father left you in charge?"

"You think bringing home a woman from the Xu family makes you more capable? Wake up, Brother! You’re just their pawn."

The tension thickened. The servants froze, unsure if they should keep serving.

Xu Yuelan straightened in her chair, her tone now calm and cold. "Funny. You talk about pawns as if you’re not one yourself. From what I see, you’re nothing but a spoiled boy living under your brother’s roof."

Song Yun’s face darkened. "You—!"

"Yun!" Song Kai’s voice thundered this time, slamming his palm against the table. The plates rattled from the impact.

"One more word out of your mouth, and you’ll be packing your things and returning to Father. I’m done tolerating your attitude."

For a moment, the younger man looked ready to argue back, but the sharp glint in Song Kai’s eyes made him hesitate. He clenched his fists, glared at Xu Yuelan once more, and stood abruptly.

"Enjoy your breakfast, Brother," he spat bitterly before storming out of the room.

Silence followed, thick and heavy. Xu Yuelan reached for her cup of tea, sipping it slowly. "He’s charming," she said dryly.

Song Kai exhaled, rubbing his temples. "He’s reckless, that’s what he is. I’ll handle him later. Don’t let his words bother you."

She gave him a faint, knowing smile. "I’m not bothered. But if he speaks to me like that again..." Her tone dropped, her eyes gleaming coldly. "I won’t be as polite."

Song Kai’s lips twitched, a hint of amusement breaking through his frustration. "I almost feel sorry for him already."

Xu Yuelan glanced toward the doorway where Song Yun had disappeared. "Don’t," she murmured. "He deserves what’s coming."

Outside the Dining Hall

Song Yun stormed out of the dining room, his steps heavy and uneven. The echo of his brother’s voice still rang in his ears, making his chest tighten.

He hated that feeling. He hated the feeling of being scolded like a child.

He ran a hand through his hair, jaw clenched. "Respect her? As if she deserves it," he muttered under his breath.

The morning breeze swept through the open corridor, but it did nothing to cool his frustration. He kicked at a flower pot near the wall, grimacing as it wobbled dangerously.

"She just got here and already she’s acting like she owns the place."

But even as he said it, a flicker of guilt crossed his face. He knew he’d gone too far. Xu Yuelan hadn’t really done anything wrong.

She just had that way of looking at people with her calm and superior eyes, as if she could see right through them. It rubbed him the wrong way and he despised people who acted in such a way.

He leaned against a pillar, exhaling shakily. "Brother always takes their side... no matter what."

For as long as he could remember, Song Kai had been the perfect son. He was the one who did everything right, the one their father had trusted completely. Song Yun, on the other hand, was still in university, and he was constantly compared to him.

"You should learn from your brother," his father’s voice echoed in his head. "Be steady like him."

He scowled, shaking the memory away. "I’m not him." He growled.

A voice pulled him out of his thoughts.

"Still sulking, Young Master?"

Song Yun turned to see Aunt Zhao, one of the long-time servants, carrying a tray of tea. Her tone was half-teasing, half-sympathetic.

He sighed. "They all think I’m a joke, don’t they?"

Aunt Zhao set the tray down and smiled gently. "No one thinks that. But, maybe you should be kinder to your brother’s wife. It’s only been two days since the wedding."

"Exactly," he muttered, crossing his arms. "Two days and she already acts like she’s running things."

"She doesn’t," the woman said softly. "But she will, eventually. You’ll have to learn to get along, young master."

Song Yun looked away, frowning. "You sound just like him."

Aunt Zhao chuckled. "Maybe, because sometimes, he’s usually right."

He glared at her for a moment, then sighed again, rubbing the back of his neck. "I wasn’t trying to cause trouble. I just... hate how he looks at me, like I’m still that fifteen-year-old kid."

Her expression softened. "Then prove to him that you’re not."

"I can assure you... your brother loves you more than you think."

Song Yun snorted. "I am not sure about that."

"Just give him a chance. Improve your relationship with him." Aunt Zhao placed a hand on his shoulder, patting him.

Song Yun was silent for a while. Could he do what Aunt Zhao requested of him?

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Meanwhile, in the car.

Song Kai was the first to break the silence. "You were rather harsh on Yun this morning," he said, voice low, indifferent.

Xu Yuelan turned her gaze from the window. "He was rude."

"He’s young," Song Kai replied, tone cool and clipped. "Immaturity isn’t a crime."

"I don’t hold it against him," she said. "But I don’t tolerate disrespect either. If he wants to be treated like an adult, he should act like one."

For a moment, Song Kai’s lips quirked into a faint, ironic smile. "You sound just like Father," he murmured.

"That’s a compliment, I hope."

"It depends," he said, his eyes glinting faintly before he looked away.