The light from inside the house shone through the floor-to-ceiling glass window, casting a glow on a familiar glasses chain. In the dim light, a person slowly approached. 

Dressed in a jade-colored long robe, with bamboo leaves embroidered in green across the chest, and long hair tied with a matching silk ribbon on the shoulder. 

“Brother?” Luo Yunqing stepped forward quickly, “He…” 

He glanced back at Teng Zaiye, who had long fallen silent. 

No matter how much he calculated, he never expected that this pink-haired guy was actually the young master of the Teng family. Didn’t that mean the incident at the auction last time was all exposed? 

He leaned close to Jiang Ziyu and whispered, “Did he come specifically to settle accounts with me?” 

“He wouldn’t dare.” Jiang Ziyu raised an eyebrow. 

The person opposite immediately dropped the hand that was on his waist. 

This situation, something’s not right. 

Luo Yunqing finally remembered the phrase “dog thing” that he had previously ignored. 

Even Liu Yaoqing and his group were respectful to this pink-haired guy, yet Brother Xiaoyu not only scolded him to his face, but the guy didn’t even get angry and seemed a bit afraid of his brother? 

As he looked back and forth between the two, Luo Yunqing suddenly understood. 

His posture straightened a bit. 

For the first time in days, he showed a bright and cheerful smile and turned to ask, “Brother, why are you here?” 

“I was worried about you.” Teng Zaiye moved closer without a change in expression, and before anyone could notice, he quickly stepped to Jiang Ziyu’s other side, secretly hooking his little finger, “Xiaoyu’s worries were not unfounded. You don’t know, if I hadn’t arrived in time just now, Fatty Liu’s hand would have reached… ow!” 

His foot was stomped on hard. 

Teng Zaiye grimaced in pain, pointing at him in accusation, “Luo Yunqing, do you have a heart! I even saved you.” 

“If you don’t speak, no one will think you’re mute!” Luo Yunqing glared at him fiercely but didn’t dare to look at Jiang Ziyu again, “Brother, I…” 

“Hey! I told you before, there are many issues in wealthy families.” Even if Teng Zaiye didn’t finish his sentence, Jiang Ziyu could more or less guess. 

These rich people, none of them aren’t calculating, and none would do a losing deal. 

Recognizing him back must be profitable. 

The wailing in his ears was annoying, Jiang Ziyu pulled him aside to ask, “What are your plans now? And about what you said last time about getting married, who is the Song family planning to give you to? Luo Luo, you’ve been smart since you were a kid, you should see clearly now, they’re just treating you as something they can give away at will, don’t, don’t let the so-called blood ties trap you.” 

The cold and stiff limbs gradually warmed up. 

Luo Yunqing raised his hand to touch the frown on his brother’s forehead, “Brother is still so worried. Don’t worry, I understand everything you said, and as for getting married, the person I marry will naturally be someone I like.” 

His pupils shrank slightly. Jiang Ziyu was far more shocked than when he heard him say he was getting married, “You have someone you like?” 

Luo Yunqing nodded heavily. 

“What, what are you two whispering about, let me hear too.” Teng Zaiye put his hand to his ear, shamelessly leaning over. 

Jiang Ziyu pushed him away in disgust. 

“Xiaoyu, don’t be so distant, we’re all family.” 

“Who is family with you?” 

After pushing him two or three times, Teng Zaiye directly used his hands, hugging him around the waist, resting his chin on his shoulder, calling him “Xiaoyu” and “Brother Yu.” 

Jiang Ziyu was so disgusted that he got goosebumps, pinching his pouting mouth with his long fingers, “Someone’s coming, behave.” 

It was the Song family’s maid who came. 

The banquet was about to start, and Lin Wenting sent someone to call him. 

Luo Yunqing should also be heading back. 

Before leaving, he gave Teng Zaiye a strange look, his gaze falling on the hand holding Jiang Ziyu, and suddenly said, “Don’t take the flight on October 17th… at ten in the morning.” 

Teng Zaiye: ??? 

… 

Back in the banquet hall. 

Just as he reached Lin Wenting’s side, the lights in the hall gradually dimmed, leaving only a beam shining at the entrance of the staircase on the second floor. 

Song Xuechen wasn’t wearing the suit specially tailored for him by the Song family, just a silk ruffled shirt, with two buttons undone at the neck, just enough to showcase the cornflower blue sapphire known as the “Tear of the Mermaid.” 

His slightly curly hair was specially dyed a light golden color, his cheeks were rosy, and his charming peach blossom eyes blinked, looking just like a pure and innocent little prince from a fairy tale castle. 

The little prince slowly descended the stairs, obediently coming to Song Jingguo and his wife’s side, sweetly calling “Mom and Dad,” not forgetting to give a proud glance at Luo Yunqing standing at the boundary of light and shadow behind Lin Wenting. 

So what if he’s their biological son? 

Mom and Dad still love him the most! 

He heard Song Jingguo’s opening remark: “Welcome everyone to my son Xiaoxue’s eighteenth birthday banquet.” 

Eighteen, coming of age, the weight of these words was self-evident. 

This one sentence made everyone present know that the Song family valued this son who had been raised by their side for many years. 

Lin Wenting seemed to just realize that this wasn’t seventeen, nor nineteen, but the crucial eighteen. 

Amidst the cheers, she turned her head, “Aqing… Mom will hold a party for you in a few days.” 

Song Xuechen’s birthday banquet had kept her so busy that she completely forgot how important eighteen was to a person. 

Luo Yunqing quietly looked at her, not saying a word. 

“Aqing!” Lin Wenting suddenly panicked. 

Just as she was about to reach out, Song Xuechen’s “Mom” stopped her in her tracks. 

“Mom, Xiaoxue accidentally hurt his hand upstairs just now.” Song Xuechen lowered his eyes, slightly raising his forearm to reveal the bruise on the back of his hand, and asked sweetly, “Can Xiaoqing replace me for the opening this year?” 

Song Xuechen had been learning piano since elementary school, and every year at his birthday banquet, he would perform a solo as the opening, this year was no exception, and the piano had been moved to the center of the banquet hall early on. 

No one expected that he would injure his hand at such a time. 

“How did you get hurt!” Lin Wenting was immediately worried, “Mom will call a doctor.” 

“No need, Mom, it’s just a small injury, but the piano…” Song Xuechen tilted his head, grinning at the person behind her, raising his voice, “Xiaoqing, replace me, okay!” 

His voice was already sharp, and when he raised it, it was like turning on a loudspeaker, immediately attracting countless attention. 

He himself seemed completely unaware of this. 

Seeing him not respond, he drooped his head, “Xiaoqing doesn’t want to? Ah! I forgot. Xiaoqing has always been in the welfare institute and hasn’t touched a piano, sorry, Xiaoqing.” 

“Tsk tsk tsk, what a green tea. He’s deliberately causing trouble for your brother.” Teng Zaiye, hidden in the crowd, crossed his arms and asked the person beside him, “What now? Should we just take your brother away?” 

“Why leave.” Jiang Ziyu leisurely walked to the dining table, picked up a glass of red wine, and glanced at the distance, “He underestimated Luo Luo.” 

“Your brother can play the piano too?” Teng Zaiye followed, hurriedly swapping the wine in his hand for juice. 

Before Jiang Ziyu could answer, Luo Yunqing stepped out of the darkness. 

He took off his coat, loosened the top button of his shirt, ran his fingers through his hair, and let out a barely audible laugh, “Since Brother Xiaoxue said so, then I, it’s better to accept than to decline. I’ll play a piece to wish Brother, year after year, like today.” 

His speech was slow, each word enunciated clearly enough for everyone in the room to hear. 

After speaking, he rolled up his sleeves and walked to the center of the banquet hall, gracefully sitting down after pulling out the chair. 

All eyes in the room followed his movements, and the stingy beam of light shifted from Song Xuechen, focusing all attention on the piano. 

Luo Yunqing first pressed a few keys to familiarize himself with the sound. 

Someone already noticed that this was no novice. 

Including Song Xuechen, who suddenly felt a huge sense of regret, wanting to stop him immediately. 

Why is everyone looking at Luo Yunqing? 

Today is his birthday! 

Why aren’t they looking at him!! 

“Stop, stop it…” 

The hand lightly resting on the black and white keys pressed down forcefully, like fireworks rapidly ascending into the sky, exploding one after another. 

The originally soft and joyful atmosphere of the banquet was instantly enveloped by this overwhelming killing intent, making souls tremble and shout, stirring up waves of excitement that couldn’t be stopped. 

“Symphony of Fate?” 

“Listen carefully, it seems a bit different, he added variations!” 

“Who plays this at a birthday banquet?” 

The crowd gathered around, some in admiration, others in discontent. 

Luo Yunqing turned a deaf ear, accelerating the tempo again and again, until only afterimages could be seen dancing rapidly on the keys. 

“I see why you’re so calm.” Teng Zaiye was dumbfounded for a while, then put away his inexperienced look, placing a hand on his shoulder, “Your brother’s piano is even better than yours.” 

Jiang Ziyu glanced at his shoulder indifferently, “The welfare institute has a music room, and the director teaches us when she has time.” 

Juice was brought to his lips, and he looked again at the slender boy under the spotlight. His black hair reached the back of his neck, parted by the protruding spine. 

The shirt material was slightly thin, and under the strong light, a slender waist was clearly visible, with the right arm wrapped in layers of bandages, seemingly tied with a dead knot for some reason. 

If he hadn’t taken off his suit, he wouldn’t have seen it, let alone known that the Song family had underestimated him to such an extent! 

“Zheng——” 

With a resounding long note, the performance ended. 

Someone started clapping first, and soon the banquet hall was filled with thunderous applause until the lights returned. 

The scene was full of praise. 

“So this is the son the Song family just found.” 

“I heard he grew up in a welfare institute, thought he wouldn’t know anything, but his piano playing is amazing.” 

“I feel like I could run five or six laps now.” 

“So inspiring.” 

The focus of the conversation completely shifted. 

Except for a few who usually got along well with Song Xuechen, the rest gathered around Luo Yunqing, not knowing who the real protagonist of this birthday banquet was. 

“Tch! What’s so great about it, he’s just riding on Xiaoxue’s coattails.” 

“Yeah, if Xiaoxue hadn’t hurt his hand, it wouldn’t have been his turn.” 

As the words fell, a cry of surprise came. 

Someone finally noticed the bandage on Luo Yunqing’s hand. 

“Oh my! You’re hurt!” 

“Oh! I remember now. Before he was recognized by the Song family, he took three stabs to save Madam Song.” 

“Just thinking about it is terrifying, it must have hurt a lot at the time.” 

“Why make you play with such a serious injury?” 

… 

Each word was like a slap to Song Xuechen’s face. 

Unable to hold back, he turned and ran out of the banquet hall. 

“Xiaoxue?” 

Song Moyan was following his father. 

Catching a glimpse of him leaving, he was about to chase after him. 

“Ayan.” 

“Father, Xiaoxue ran out crying, I should go check on him.” 

“Check what, you know his temperament, spoiled,” Song Jingguo was indifferent, pulling him along, continuing to chat and laugh with business partners. 

Lin Wenting was surrounded by various ladies, all praising her for having such a good son. 

Only a few chased after him. 

They chased all the way to the poolside. 

Song Xuechen lay on a lounge chair by the pool, crying loudly. 

“Xiaoxue, don’t cry.” 

“Today is your birthday, cheer up.” 

“All because of that Luo guy! He knew it was your birthday and still stole the spotlight, playing that kind of music.” 

“At a time like this, why didn’t Pei Hengzhi come? If he were here…” 

“I called him before the banquet started!” Song Xuechen sobbed, each cry louder than the last, “He didn’t answer!” 

“Why wouldn’t Pei Hengzhi answer? Maybe he got delayed on the way.” 

“How would I know!” 

Song Xuechen was both angry and upset. 

Clutching the gemstone necklace around his neck, biting his lip, he saw Luo Yunqing and two unfamiliar men coming out of the banquet hall. 

… 

“You did well, Luo Yunqing.” Teng Zaiye had noticed from the first meeting that this guy had strength and skills, “Your brother really worried for nothing, even came all this way… oof!” 

His stomach was suddenly hit. 

Jiang Ziyu calmly withdrew his hand, adjusted his glasses, and took out a savings card from his pocket, “Actually, before coming, I went back to the welfare institute, this is from Grandma, she insisted I give it to you.” 

Luo Yunqing didn’t take it. 

Jiang Ziyu explained, “It’s not the one you gave Grandma, it’s another one from her, congratulating you on your eighteenth birthday, and she asked me to tell you that everything is fine at the welfare institute.” 

“Grandma’s kind gesture, take it.” Jiang Ziyu grabbed his hand and stuffed it in, while retying the unsightly bandage on his arm, “If you ever need anything, come find me, I’ll do my best to help.” 

Luo Yunqing clutched the thin card, lowering his eyes, “Thank you, brother.” 

“Don’t say silly things.” Jiang Ziyu flicked his forehead, pulling Teng Zaiye along, “We’re leaving, take care of yourself, and… happy birthday.” 

Teng Zaiye was being dragged away, but didn’t forget to shout back, “Remember, there’s a share from me too, don’t say I came empty-handed… ow! Xiaoyu, are you trying to kill your husband?” 

“Shut up!” 

“I won’t shut up, I just won’t, not only won’t I shut up, I’ll even kiss… ow! It hurts, let go, my ear’s going to fall off.” 

“Better if it falls off.” 

… 

The two bickered all the way to the garage. 

Jiang Ziyu let go, ready to get in the car, when he saw a seven-seater Maybach drive into the Song family. 

Teng Zaiye tilted his head, “That car…” 

“What? You know it?” Jiang Ziyu followed his gaze. 

After the car stopped, a young man got out first, went straight to the trunk to take out a folding wheelchair. 

As he opened it, two bodyguards in matching black suits got out, each nearly two meters tall, with conspicuous white earpieces behind their ears. 

A foot stepped out of the car door, turning to help a boss with difficulty walking, moving him to the opened wheelchair. 

His legs were like that, yet he came to celebrate the Song family’s young master’s birthday? 

Could it be the young master’s reinforcements? 

Teng Zaiye: “Isn’t that Old Pei!” 

Jiang Ziyu was shocked, “You know him?” 

Teng Zaiye nodded, leading him over to greet, “Chen Zhao, Old Pei!” 

“Teng Shaoye.” Chen Zhao turned his head, first noticing the person beside him—it was the auctioneer from the day of the auction, eloquent on stage. 

“What are you doing here?” 

Teng Zaiye tilted his head to block his gaze. 

Chen Zhao immediately withdrew his scrutiny, “The boss came to break off the engagement.” 

“Break off the engagement!” 

Teng Zaiye’s eyes lit up. 

Today was really worth coming, he could witness all sorts of lively scenes. 

“How can I not join in on this excitement, hey, let’s go, let’s go.” 

“Teng… Young Master.” 

Just as he took a step, he was pulled back. 

Jiang Ziyu gritted his teeth, whispering, “They’re here to break off the engagement, why are you meddling, isn’t today chaotic enough?” 

“I’m not doing anything.” Teng Zaiye lowered his voice, whispering in his ear, “Don’t you want to see what other jokes the Song family can make today? Anyway, there’s no work tomorrow, just treat it like watching a movie, I have a feeling, it’ll be more exciting than a movie.” 

Jiang Ziyu wanted to say more, but his hand was grabbed, pulling him back the way they came. 

“By the way.” Chen Zhao pushed the wheelchair, walking forward while curiously asking, “What is Young Master Teng here for?” 

He didn’t have much connection with the Song family, no reason to come. 

“Accompanying my Xiaoyu… ouch!” His lower back was pinched hard, Teng Zaiye quickly stopped, lightly sucking in air, “To, to listen to a solo concert.” 

Chen Zhao: ??? 

“But you guys.” Teng Zaiye discreetly held the hand on his waist, taking the opportunity to pinch it twice, “Why are you so late, the birthday banquet started a long time ago.” 

Chen Zhao’s gaze drifted away. 

Jiang Ziyu finally heard the man in the wheelchair speak, first with a helpless sigh, “Just finished a check-up, the brain.” 

Teng Zaiye: “Brain? Didn’t you hurt your leg?” 

“You’ll have to ask Chen Zhao about that.” Pei Yanli chuckled shortly, also wanting to know, “Why, did he schedule me for neurology.” 

Chen Zhao laughed awkwardly. 

Seeing a few people gathered by the pool outside the banquet hall, he nodded his chin, changing the subject, “What’s going on over there.” 

Everyone’s gaze followed. 

Unexpectedly, at this moment, a black-haired boy in a shirt fell into the pool with a splash. 

“Xiao Luo!” 

Jiang Ziyu was shocked. 

He hurriedly pushed away Teng Zaiye blocking his way, stumbling as he ran over, about to jump in. 

“Are you crazy! Don’t you know you can’t swim!” Teng Zaiye grabbed him. 

Jiang Ziyu’s face was pale, “Xiao Luo can’t either.” 

“Chen Zhao.” 

“Yes, boss.” 

Chen Zhao locked the wheelchair’s safety, took out his phone, and jumped into the water, swimming towards the boy floundering in the pool. 

He hooked the boy’s chin, lifting him out of the water, “Breathe slowly, don’t rush. You’ll be on shore soon, don’t be afraid.” 

“Tha-thank you.” 

A stutterer? 

Chen Zhao didn’t think much, quickly bringing him to the shore. 

As he emerged from the water, Luo Yunqing reached out, accurately grabbing the wheelchair by the poolside, gasping for breath. 

His soaked shirt clung to his waist and abdomen, the bandage Jiang Ziyu had tied earlier somehow loosened again, black hair stuck to his face, dripping water, his cheeks pale without a trace of blood. 

His eyes were wet, red from the water, silently looking over.