Chapter 12: Supporting Her Waist, Harsh Words.

When Song Tingchuan arrived home and saw the servants exchanging glances, he knew something was off.

Sure enough, Mrs. Song was waiting for him.

He put on a cheeky grin, “Mom, you’re still up this late? If you get wrinkles tomorrow, you won’t look as good.”

Mrs. Song ordered someone to bring sobering tea.

“You’re staying home tomorrow, nowhere else. Dress properly and look sharp. Don’t act all sloppy and embarrass me.”

Song Tingchuan didn’t care: “Oh, it’s about the engagement, right? I already said before, if you want to break it off, just break it off. Wouldn’t it be better to find a local daughter-in-law for you?”

“Looking at it now, it’s really not good enough.”

Mrs. Song handed over her phone.

“I finally found a high-definition photo. You’ll like her once you see it.”

Song Tingchuan pouted, but couldn’t get out of it. He was forced to look—and his eyes lit up.

The photo’s background was the white coat ceremony at Port Chinese Medical University, dated last October.

The girl wore a white lab coat open over a shirt and a black skirt, her face looking obedient and her eyes bright and clear.

He recognized her immediately.

She was the girl he’d seen outside Tang Shuang’s house a few days ago.

At the time, her little tag-along even claimed not to know him.

Later, he’d used his connections but couldn’t find her, and Chen Jun had mocked him for it.

The people helping him stopped after Lin Zhijun’s Elder Brother said something.

Lately, even his cards had spending limits.

So she was in Port City.

No wonder.

Now he didn’t have to look anymore.

“What was her name again? Pearl?”

Song Tingchuan racked his brains, but after all these years, he just couldn’t remember.

“Miss Xu Nanyin, nickname Zhuzhu, not ‘Pearl.’ Just tell me, do you like her or not?”

Mrs. Song rolled her eyes, but she could tell her son was interested.

Song Tingchuan replied, “She doesn’t like me. She’s about to break off the engagement.”

Mrs. Song said, “Whether it’s broken off or not isn’t something a few words can change. Your brother’s home tonight, I’ll have him come tomorrow night too. With him there, the Xu Family will definitely change their mind.”

Song Tingchuan saw how confident she was and wondered if Lin Zhijun’s Elder Brother would really help, but he held on to a bit of hope.

At worst, he’d just beg more when the time came.

***

Before leaving, Miss Xu Nanyin went to fetch the custom watch.

The dial was made with their family’s own technology, platinum handcrafted, with engraved patterns and inlaid gold wire, deep blue background, elegant and vintage.

Xu Father’s full name was Xu Tianshi, known outside as the Watch King.

Privately, some people even called him Watch Stone, so naturally, Miss Xu Nanyin understood watches well.

She thought about it, but didn’t set the time, deciding to let Mr. Song Huaixu adjust it himself as he liked.

This model had a calendar and would chime softly at midnight.

When she got back, Miss Xu Mother asked, “I heard you customized a watch?”

Miss Xu Nanyin didn’t hide it.

“Mr. Song also helped me, so I prepared this as a thank-you gift for him.”

Miss Xu Mother didn’t think much of it, feeling relieved her daughter understood etiquette.

Xu Father, on the other hand, felt jealous—he’d never received a custom watch from his daughter.

But since it was for Mr. Song Huaixu, he didn’t dare say much, afraid his wife would scold him again.

Miss Xu Nanyin saw his expression.

“Daddy, do you lack for watches? If you really want one, I promise I’ll design one for you this year.”

Xu Father immediately nodded.

“Great, great!”

Earlier in the morning, someone had told them that Mr. Song Huaixu’s private jet was still parked at Port City Airport, and they should take it.

The three of them didn’t stand on ceremony, but once on board, they realized Mr. Song Huaixu was truly generous in this regard.

“So wealthy and extravagant,” Xu Father said, deeply moved.

“His father and I are the same generation, but the son is more impressive. Young and capable—while we’re getting old.”

“Your judgment back then wasn’t so great,” Miss Xu Mother said.

“If we’d set the engagement with Song Sheng earlier, you might already be married by now.”

Miss Xu Nanyin: “……”

Xu Father said, “Wasn’t he the same age as Tingchuan? At the time, Zhuzhu was still in middle school and Song Sheng was already working at the company—how was that suitable? Besides, Zhuzhu was willing herself. Who knew his character would turn out so bad these years?”

Throughout Zhuzhu’s years of study, the family hadn’t thought about the engagement.

Only after graduation did they consider if it was still suitable.

Miss Xu Nanyin didn’t remember why she’d agreed in the first place—maybe because he’d saved her once, so she’d mentioned it casually and thought it was fine?

After all, family alliances were common.

But later, the family settled in Port City and lost all contact with Ning City.

Times changed, and people changed too.

The plane landed in Ning City in the afternoon.

Although the Song Family had arranged accommodations, since the two families were breaking off the engagement, Miss Xu Mother didn’t accept any of it and had someone arrange things in advance.

The old house had been sold by Xu Father and couldn’t be bought back now, nor would they come back here again, so there was no need to buy a new one just for this.

Miss Xu Nanyin remembered that Song Tingchuan had tried to chat her up the other day.

If he saw her tonight, he’d probably make a fuss.

Miss Xu Mother patted her daughter’s cheek.

“Get some good rest, have something delicious later. Daddy and Mommy are here tonight.”

***

“Tingchuan really needs to settle down.”

After hearing his wife talk about Miss Xu Nanyin, Song Father also thought she was the perfect daughter-in-law—a dignified woman, just what a wealthy family needed.

He changed his clothes.

“Let’s have a proper talk. Tingchuan isn’t bad-looking, and there are plenty of playboys in Port City. As long as he doesn’t act like that after marriage, it’ll be fine.”

Mrs. Song said, “Last time Huai Xu went over, I don’t know what he said. The Xu Family didn’t notify us, and the Port City media all reported that the Xu Family’s engagement was off.”

Song Father gave her a look.

“Let Huai Xu handle things. Don’t interfere.”

Mrs. Song straightened his clothes for him.

“How can I interfere? He’s barely spoken to me in all these years. I think, deep down, he’s never forgiven me…”

Song Tingchuan got in the car with his parents, deliberately wearing a suit and tie, having heard that people in Port City cared a lot about appearances.

The meeting wasn’t at the Xu Family’s place.

Miss Xu Nanyin and her parents didn’t want to be late—finish early, go home early.

When they went in, they didn’t expect someone to already be there.

Mr. Song Huaixu stood up.

“Uncle, Aunt.”

Xu Father covered his awkwardness with a smile.

“Song Sheng, long time no see.”

Compared to him, Miss Xu Mother’s smile was much bigger.

After all, he’d helped their family and was a successful young man.

She admired people like that.

“Please have a seat.”

Mr. Song Huaixu’s gaze swept over the silent Miss Xu Nanyin.

“Would you like some tea?”

He was at ease, poised, showing none of the coldness he’d had when rejecting Xu Father’s request for help.

As his gaze touched her, Miss Xu Nanyin lowered her eyes.

He wore a watch on his wrist—she’d heard of it before, a Global Custom Edition, unique in the world, worth tens of millions of dollars.

Thinking of this, she felt like she’d chosen the wrong gift.

When the Song Family came in and saw this scene, Mrs. Song breathed a sigh of relief.

She’d been worried he wouldn’t show up today.

Mrs. Song quietly sized up Miss Xu Nanyin, finding her just as gentle and obedient as the news had described.

She was even more satisfied.

After some tea and talk of business and politics, they finally brought up the nearly forgotten engagement.

Mrs. Song had already decided how to say it.

“Tingchuan was young back then and thought the engagement was off once you moved to Port City. He’s already decided to cut ties with others, so don’t worry.”

Miss Xu Mother smiled slightly.

“Let’s just let it be. These days, people marry for love. The engagement is a bit outdated.”

She’d already publicly announced the engagement was off—there was no way she’d go back on it.

Besides, she’d looked into Song Tingchuan’s character recently—he was no different from the other playboys in Port City.

If that was the case, she’d rather stay in Port City, where at least her daughter wouldn’t be bullied.

Song Tingchuan promised, “Uncle, Auntie, I was immature before. Ever since I saw Zhuzhu last time, I’ve regretted it. Can you give me a chance?”

Hearing the name “Zhuzhu” gave Miss Xu Nanyin goosebumps.

In Port City, plenty of playboys had called her that flirtatiously, but she’d never liked it, especially from him.

What did he take her for?

He saw her face and wanted to take back his words?

Anyway, Daddy and Mommy would handle things for her.

All she had to do tonight was eat and drink well and let things take their course.

She’d already noticed that tonight, only she and Mr. Song Huaixu seemed truly relaxed.

The man across from her sipped his wine slowly, chin slightly raised, his Adam’s apple especially eye-catching.

Suddenly, Miss Xu Nanyin met his gaze and her earlobes flushed red as she looked away.

Miss Xu Mother had already eliminated Song Tingchuan from consideration.

Let alone the fact that his mature and steady elder brother was also here—it was impossible not to compare, and the difference was stark.

Besides, she’d heard Song Tingchuan was very obedient to Mrs. Song.

If her daughter married in, she’d have a difficult, domineering mother-in-law to deal with.

“Tingchuan is a good kid,” Xu Father said casually.

“But I’d like to keep Zhuzhu with us a bit longer. Let’s just end the engagement here.”

Song Father frowned slightly.

It seemed the two families were determined to call it off.

“If that’s the case, let’s leave it. Our families are just not meant to be.”

The Song Family was thriving now, but the Xu Family’s business was all in Port City, and they had nothing to fear.

The industries didn’t overlap.

Forcing the engagement would just make enemies for no reason.

Miss Xu Mother brought up the gifts.

“We’ve already brought them over. We’ll have someone return them tomorrow.”

The Song Family politely declined, saying gifts were gifts.

Miss Xu Mother didn’t listen.

Since they’d decided to cut ties, it wouldn’t be right to keep anything that could later be traced back to its source.

Song Tingchuan hadn’t expected it to end before it even started.

He looked at his parents, then at his older brother, who was leisurely drinking tea, and whispered, “Big Brother, help me!”

Mr. Song Huaixu looked at him, sneered inwardly, and asked carelessly, “Help you? What can you give me?”

Song Tingchuan said, “Big Brother, do you only care about profit?”

All the power in the family was in his brother’s hands.

He had nothing to offer.

This was just to humiliate him.

Mr. Song Huaixu was unmoved by the accusation, cold and indifferent.

“If you’re not capable, don’t ask.”

He’d never intended to help.

He preferred to stir things up—and make the other party even more desperate.

***

The verbal engagement ended with a few words.

As they left the private room, Xu Father and Song Father were still discussing politics, a topic Miss Xu Mother had no interest in, nor could she chat with Mrs. Song.

Miss Xu Nanyin lagged a step behind and whispered, “Mommy, I’m going to get the gift for Mr. Song.”

Miss Xu Mother nodded.

She and her husband didn’t want anyone else to know about this embarrassing matter.

“Tonight’s the engagement break-off. Mrs. Song is in a bad mood, and Song Sheng is her son. Give the gift and come right back, don’t say too much.”

She reminded her.

“I know.”

Miss Xu Nanyin picked up her bag and walked back.

When she reached the courtyard gate, she heard Song Tingchuan’s voice: “The engagement’s over. Can’t I chase her myself now? Just now I even asked my big brother for help—do you know what he said? He asked what I could give him…”

The rest of his words faded away.

Miss Xu Nanyin stood quietly for a moment, then stepped back—and bumped into a wall.

A large hand supported her waist from behind, the heat seeping through her dress and making her shiver like she’d been shocked.

“Forgot something?” Mr. Song Huaixu looked down and asked.

Miss Xu Nanyin took a deep breath, steadying the longing surging in her heart.

She turned around, the scent of ebony and agarwood enveloping her nose, and looked up at a familiar handsome face, dressed sharply and looking both dazzling and composed.

Thinking of what she’d just heard, annoyance rose in Miss Xu Nanyin’s heart—she didn’t want to speak to him.

The man narrowed his eyes slightly.

Her mood had changed so obviously—her attitude cold, so unlike her previous warmth.

“I’ll walk you out,” Mr. Song Huaixu said, fixing his gaze on her.

Miss Xu Nanyin ignored him and walked past, but after a few steps, she realized the oppressive presence beside her hadn’t faded.

The man’s gaze swept over the box in her hand.

“When will you come to Ning City next?” he asked slowly.

“Song Huaixu.”

Miss Xu Nanyin shoved the box with the watch into his arms, putting on her most obedient face to deliver a harsh line.

“I’ll never come again.”