187: Bad intentions

Old Lady needed to catch up on sleep and adjust to the time difference in the afternoon, so after dinner, she took her driver and returned to her own residence.

Song Heng and Tao Yulian had come all this way, and Song Yuan wanted them to stay for a night before leaving, as there were enough guest rooms at home.

Tao Yulian politely declined,

"Mom came in a hurry this time and didn't bring her usual medicine. We'll stay with you for a little longer, then we'll go back. We don't want to disturb Shiyu's rest!"

Gu Shiyu also sincerely wanted them to stay,

"Dad, Mom, please stay until tomorrow. If you need anything, I'll have the driver get it. It's not often you come, and Song Yuan really misses you!"

Tao Yulian and Song Heng exchanged glances and finally decided to stay for a night.

Song Yuan and Gu Shiyu took them on a tour of the villa, from the inside to the yard.

Tao Yulian also loved flowers, and seeing the yard full of roses made her feel extremely happy.

Her son and daughter-in-law had a good relationship, their careers were smooth, and now they had the crystallization of their love. As a mother, she was happier than anything else, wishing she could hold two big grandsons right now.

After dinner, Gu Shiyu felt a bit tired and went back to her room to rest first. Song Yuan took the elderly couple for a walk nearby to aid digestion.

The ginkgo avenue outside the gate was lush and green, and the family of three strolled along this road.

Tao Yulian had many worries,

"Song Yuan, will we really not disturb the two of you by staying here?"

Song Yuan couldn't help but chuckle,

"Mom, you don't need to be so cautious. Don't you understand Shiyu's personality? She genuinely likes you, and you won't be disturbing anyone."

Only then did Tao Yulian relax,

"Shiyu is working hard with the baby, so take good care of her. If there's anything you need our help with, just ask!"

"I know, Mom. You just need to take good care of yourself. You don't need to worry about us here."

Unbeknownst to them, the three walked to Number 13 Courtyard, where they happened to encounter Madam Ji and her servants coming out of the gate. The two groups met face to face.

Madam Ji considered Song Yuan a friend, so it was inevitable to greet him when they met on the road.

"Song Yuan, why don't I see your wife?"

Song Yuan smiled and said,

"My wife is resting at home. I brought my parents out for a walk. Are you out for a stroll?"

"Just out for a walk after dinner. In a few days, during the Qingming Festival, I'll be hosting a calligraphy salon at home. I've invited some calligraphers and many calligraphy enthusiasts.

Song Yuan, come along then. I'll have someone send you an invitation later."

Song Yuan did not respond directly,

"I'll see what the company schedule is like. If I have time, I'll definitely go."

Madam Ji regarded Song Yuan as a close friend despite their age difference,

"If you don't come, my calligraphy salon will be dull and uninteresting. You must come and support me!"

"I'll try!"

Madam Ji nodded at Song Yuan's parents as a sign of politeness, exchanged a few pleasantries, and then walked with her servants towards the park.

After they had walked away, Song Heng was still frowning and staring blankly in the direction of the Ji family villa. It took Tao Yulian calling his name a few times for him to come back to his senses,

"Old Song, what are you looking at?"

Song Heng whispered,

"Why did I feel like the person who went in had a strange look in his eyes? He seemed to have a guilty, sneaky feeling when he saw us. Song Yuan, do you have any dealings with him?"

Song Yuan looked in the direction his father was looking and saw a back clad in dark gray clothing,

"Dad, that person is the Ji family's butler. I'm not familiar with him and have no dealings with him."

Song Heng corrected himself,

"Then perhaps I was being small-minded. It's good that you have no dealings with him. I thought that person's face looked a bit sinister, and his demeanor gave off a very uncomfortable feeling. Stay away from him!"

Tao Yulian found her husband long-winded and nagged him,

"When did you learn to read faces? Our son isn't a child; are you afraid he'll be kidnapped by a bad person or something?"

Song Heng was usually a man of few words, mostly silent, but today he couldn't help but argue a bit,

"I just felt that person was a bit strange. Didn't you notice him just now? Normal people don't look at others with that kind of gaze. I think he has ill intentions, and our son is kind-hearted, so it's better to be careful and not be deceived by bad people."

"You stubborn old man, why are you a bit superstitious now? Can a face really tell if a person is good or bad?"

The two started bickering again, one after another.

Song Yuan interjected,

"Being careful doesn't hurt. I have had a little contact with this Ji family butler, but there won't be any further dealings. I will watch out for him."

Song Heng nodded,

"Our son is right. Being careful doesn't hurt. Trust Dad's intuition; that person doesn't seem like a good person."

This topic was quickly dropped.

When they returned home that evening, Song Yuan asked the maid to help tidy up a spacious guest room. After settling his parents, he went downstairs to pour a cup of coffee. The auntie came in from outside, holding a gilded invitation.

It was for the calligraphy salon Madam Ji was hosting at the Ji family villa three days later, on the Qingming Festival.

When Song Yuan returned to the bedroom, Gu Shiyu was on the phone.

Song Yuan went to take a shower first. When he came out of the bathroom, he saw Gu Shiyu looking solemn.

"What's wrong, Shiyu?"

Gu Shiyu was a bit puzzled,

"Just now, my assistant called and said that Meng Xuelin got the money. I'm a bit curious who lent him the money. It's a bit impossible in Beijing, so maybe it's not from the Beijing Circle?"

What Gu Shiyu couldn't figure out, Song Yuan, who had just entered the circle, understood even less.

"Heaven really is blind; it didn't cut off that old man's path."

Gu Shiyu said after a long pause,

"Never mind. Tomorrow I'll find someone to inquire about where that Meng fellow got the money. If it's from an illegitimate source, we'll just report him."

As she spoke, she saw the invitation lying on the table,

"Who's getting married?"

Song Yuan handed her the invitation,

"Madam Ji is hosting a calligraphy salon and invited me."

Gu Shiyu casually flipped through it,

"Do you want to go?"

Song Yuan was silent for a few seconds,

"Actually, Madam Ji and I get along quite well, but after encountering the Ji family's internal conflicts a few times, I'm a bit reluctant to interact with her. I'm quite disgusted by her old-fashioned, patriarchal thinking.

But if I don't go, I don't know if I'll offend her. We'll see then."

Gu Shiyu shared his view,

"I'm disgusted too. I even feel a bit of sympathy for President Ji's family. It's one thing for the Old Madam to be biased, but she even helps another grandson fight for property. If I were Ji Qingxue, I would mercilessly cut ties!"

Song Yuan smiled. His and her views were always in sync, as if they had discussed them beforehand.

"I would too. If it's the Old Madam's things, she can give them to whoever she wants. As a junior, I have no say. But if she tries to take things from my family and give them to others, then such a Old Lady is not worth having."

"Let's not talk about others. It's President Ji's family matter anyway. We just need to maintain a good relationship with President Ji. As for the Old Madam, we've agreed to go on a spring outing together. Will the times clash?"

When the team-building was mentioned, Song Yuan asked for her opinion,

"Can we move the spring outing to the day before the holiday? Because many colleagues go home for the Qingming Festival, an earlier time might be difficult to arrange. It'll be like giving them an extra day off to relax!"