Among the younger generation of the Song family, there were only three girls.
The first was Song Jiawei, the daughter of Song Xinwen, the eldest uncle of the Song family. Song Jingwu, the second uncle of the Song family, had only one son, Song Lecheng.
Song Shuling was the second girl in the Song family, and behind her was Song Wenyin, the daughter of Song Siru, the fourth aunt of the Song family.
Song Wenyin was two years younger than Song Shuling. When she was an ignorant little brat, Song Wenyin was just a little toddler. Song Shuling didn't like to play with her before.
Probably because she felt sorry that Song Shuling lost her parents at such a young age, Grandma Song and the fourth aunt Song Siru were very indulgent towards her. Song Siru would be strict with her own daughter Song Wenyin, uncompromising with her, but she would never say a harsh word to Song Shuling.
If she didn't want to practice the piano, then she wouldn't have to. If she thought dancing was too tiring, then she wouldn't have to dance. She didn't like calligraphy or painting either, so she didn't have to learn those things.
Anyway, the Song family could afford to raise her. For the two descendants that the third son left in this world, one went far away overseas, and only this one was left. They only hoped that she would be happy and healthy, even if she spent her whole life as a happy little waste.
They only wanted her to be happy, but forgot that a child's happiness is different from an adult's.
And so Song Shuling grew up aimlessly and unrestrainedly. She lacked nothing, but she gradually became aware of how she was different from other wealthy young ladies.
Her grades were average, her education was average, and she was not skilled in any musical instrument, chess, calligraphy or painting. Every high-society gathering of wealthy daughters that Song Jiawei took her to only crushed her self-confidence again and again.
Everyone else was outstanding, everyone else shone brilliantly, only she, wearing the identity of a wealthy young lady, had accomplished nothing, with an empty head.
How nice it would have been if she was willing to be a happy little waste. But instead she developed a competitive and vain mentality.
Because of what others maliciously said, she even became estranged from the family of her fourth aunt:
- As expected, she's not a blood relative. Song Wenyin has been cultivated to be so excellent, while Song Shuling falls far short, like a gilded poppy lacking substance.
Especially when the boy she had a secret crush on told his friends that being liked by such a vapid rich poppy made him feel ashamed, Song Shuling's self-loathing reached its peak.
During her most decadent period, only Song Jiawei was willing to take her out to have fun. In the eyes of outsiders, Song Jiawei was the young miss of the Song family, brilliant and dazzling. When the dusty her followed in Song Jiawei's shadow, it was as if she also basked in that brilliance, making herself seem less ordinary.
In recent years, she had gotten closer to Song Jiawei, and also to the family of Uncle Song Xinwen.
Many of her current friends and social circles were introduced to her by Song Jiawei.
If Zhong Ruanxing had not forcefully entered her life, Song Shuling would still be
the little follower who obediently tagged along behind Song Jiawei, following her every command.
Song Jiawei had trained Song Shuling like a dog for many years. Suddenly, when she bit back one day, Song Jiawei was naturally furious and surprised.
Only then did she recall that recently, Song Shuling had not taken the initiative to look for her. In the past, she was afraid that Song Jiawei wouldn't take her to those gatherings of wealthy daughters, and would hover around her every day. But now it seemed like she didn't care at all?
What on earth did Zhong Ruanxing say to her? Song Jiawei was completely puzzled.
On the other side, Grandma Song was also talking about Song Shuling: "Why did you come with Shuling today?"
Zhong Ruanxing said, "I went to pick her up."
"That's more like it!" Grandma Song was very happy, "You two siblings should be closer. You two are blood siblings, there is no one closer in this world than you two."
She beckoned to Song Shuling, "Shuling, come here."
Song Shuling obediently walked over. Grandma Song grasped the hands of the two siblings together, "You two siblings need to be closer, go out together more often, you understand?"
She had noticed the estrangement between the two siblings over the past half year, and it made her anxious yet helpless. Today, seeing them walk in together, she was incredibly delighted.
Song Shuling obediently nodded, "I understand, Grandma."
Zhong Ruanxing also nodded, "Don't worry Grandma, I will take good care of Shuling."
"That's how it should be, that's very good," Grandma Song said as she wiped away tears. "Seeing you two like this now, your parents would be at ease too."
"Oh Mother, why mention those things for no reason, making the children sad!" Song Siru walked over with a fruit platter, and immediately noticed Song Shuling's jade bracelet, using it to change the topic, "Shuling, this jade bracelet is so beautiful!"
Song Shuling softly said, "Brother bought it for me."
"Ah Xing has great taste and aesthetic sense, not like your fourth uncle. He buys me a birthday gift, and it's so ugly. People nowadays say what, straight man...aesthetic? That's right! It's straight man aesthetic!"
Song Siru's speech and conduct had the bearing and flair typical of the Song family. Impetuous and efficient.
Zhong Ruanxing recalled that at the last family banquet, the one who spoke up to help her was also this fourth aunt of the Song family. She had always been generous in reciprocating goodwill from those who extended it to her. She smiled and said, "If fourth aunt likes it, I'll buy one for you next time too."
Song Siru was somewhat surprised. After all, she was used to this nephew's taciturnity, and had never expected a response when making conversation.
The Zhong Ruanxing today seemed to have changed somewhat, and was more like one of the family.
Song Siru was very happy about his change, and generously said, "Sure! But my wrists are thicker than Shuling's, and not as fair either. You'll have to carefully pick a style."
Zhong Ruanxing smiled and nodded, "Don't worry, I will."
With Song Siru around, the conversation would never go cold.
The Song family was truly too large, and Zhong Ruanxing was in no hurry to make breakthroughs. For those like Song Siru who showed clear goodwill, she would smile and chat a few sentences. For those like Song Jiawei who harbored obvious malice, of course she would not give them any more attention.
Apart from Song Jiawei, the rest of Uncle Song Xinwen's family were quite amiable to her. Uncle Song Xinwen himself had the reserved temperament of a middle-aged scholar. His wife got along very well with Sister-in-law Song Siru.
Song Xinwen's eldest son, Song Jiawei's brother Song Jiaci, got married last year. This year his wife gave birth to a son, and they held the hundredth day celebration not long ago. With four generations together, Elder Master Song laughed with delight holding his great-grandson, and the family chatted and laughed together, the atmosphere extremely harmonious.
In the past, the aloof Song Jingwu was separate from such scenes, barely seen outside of mealtimes.
But today, he sat by Elder Master Song's side with a gentle smile, already fully assuming the bearing of the successor of the Song family.
Second Uncle Song Jingwu's expression was somewhat ugly.
Previously, he could still use Song Jingwu's estrangement from the Song family and ignoring of familial affections to shake his position in Elder Master Song's heart. But now that he had completely reversed his attitude, from which angle could he find fault?
If things kept going like this, would Elder Master Song have a lapse of judgement and sign over all the shares to him?!
The key was that the enemy had already quietly advanced, while his useless son was regressing instead of progressing. And he still wasn't here at this time!
Song Jingwu truly wished he could immediately drag his useless trash of a son over and give him a beating.
As if summoned, the drunken alcoholic stumbling in through the door could be none other than Song Lecheng?
Damn it! How could this living king of hell be here at this time? Wasn't he only present before meals previously?!
How could he still put on this wretched show in front of him!
Song Jingwu's face was dark as iron, about to preemptively walk over to rebuke him. But Song Lecheng seemed to have planned this long ago, and as soon as he entered the room he miserably rushed towards Elder Master Song, wailing, "Grandpa, you have to uphold justice for your grandson! Third brother is trying to beat me to death, Grandpa!"
As he was wailing, he suddenly noticed the somewhat familiar person next to Grandpa.
Taking a closer look, meeting that pair of cold, mocking eyes, Song Lecheng felt a chill down his neck and froze on the spot.
Damn! How could this living king of hell be here at this time? Wasn't he only present before meals previously?!
How could he still dramatically act out this wretched plot in front of him!