Chapter 10: Who Can't Put on an Act
Damn it!
A wave of stifling anger constricted Song Jun's chest, his face flushing crimson then turning pale. His carefully composed, extraordinary aura vanished completely.
If he could, Song Jun would have cursed Shen Jiannan out. No, he wanted to smash that hateful, smiling face of his.
He had seen shameless people before, but never anyone *this* shameless. The man was shameless to the extreme.
But just then, Shen Jiannan spoke again.
"Mr. Song—Uncle Song—you aren't angry, are you?"
Song Jun could only curse internally.
"Actually, I was just joking with you."
Joking, my ass.
There was nothing joking about the tone Shen Jiannan had used to demand money.
Now, Song Jun really wanted to hit someone.
Shen Jiannan had a reputation for being a scoundrel, and it was a well-deserved one; he was shameless to the core. Seeing Song Jun so thoroughly annoyed and upset brought him a deep sense of satisfaction.
He had been infuriated by how Song Jun had shown up to throw his weight around, and even more so by the man's pretense of indifference while doing it.
Putting on airs... who couldn't do that?
Seeing that Song Jun was about to explode, Shen Jiannan took a hasty step back.
"Uncle Song—oh, Mr. Song—are you really going to hit me?"
Song Jun's mind filled with curses.
*I'll beat you to death.*
With flames of rage in his eyes, Song Jun clenched his fists and ground his teeth.
But ultimately, Song Jun managed to suppress his anger. In that moment of clarity, he suddenly realized that Shen Jiannan was provoking him—deliberately so. But that wasn't the only reason he reined himself in. He also understood that Shen Jiannan had seized control of the conversation's rhythm. Worse, he couldn't pinpoint the exact moment his own words and actions had started being influenced.
Song Jun was loath to admit it, but the facts were undeniable. If Shen Jiannan hadn't gotten under his skin, how could someone of his stature be so enraged by an ordinary young man?
It had to be said that the version of Song Jun who could suppress such anger was truly extraordinary. The invisible aura he now exuded would make anyone believe he was a man of immense self-control and refinement.
Shen Jiannan's eyebrows rose, a flicker of displeasure in his eyes.
He despised the aggressive temperament that lay just beneath Song Jun's sophisticated veneer. That was why he'd deliberately provoked him—to shatter that refined demeanor. The man was clearly here to cause trouble, yet he acted so deliberately nonchalant. It was the epitome of pretentiousness.
But it was useless now. A man like Song Jun, having figured out his intentions, would never give him another opening to crack that facade.
"Uncle Song, don't be angry. In fact, I already know why you're here."
"Don't worry. Even without the twenty yuan, I won't pester Xiaodan anymore."
"But if you insist on giving it, I suppose I could force myself to accept..."
Shen Jiannan was telling the truth.
If Song Jun had actually offered him twenty yuan, he would have taken it in a heartbeat. As for his promise not to pester Song Xiaodan? That wouldn't be worth a damn.
Dignity?
You can't eat dignity.
These words grated on Song Jun's ears. Since when was his daughter a bargaining chip worth a mere twenty yuan?
Song Jun stared at Shen Jiannan, his eyes radiating a murderous intent so palpable one could barely meet his gaze.
Shen Jiannan was taken aback. He might be shameless, but he wasn't stupid. He knew that if you push someone too far, they're bound to snap.
He hastily changed his words.
"Just kidding, just kidding."
Song Jun was silent, his fury contained.
"Also, don't worry," Shen Jiannan added. "I won't tell Xiaodan about this."
...
Silence.
Shen Jiannan had said all he could say, and for a moment, Song Jun didn't know how to respond. His goal had been achieved, so why did he feel none of the expected satisfaction?
Taking one last, deep look at the smiling young man, Song Jun turned and left. Since his objective was complete, there was no reason to stay. He couldn't stand the sight of that infuriating, punchable smile a moment longer.
The engine of the still-running car roared to life as he stomped on the gas.
Perhaps still worried, Song Jun rolled down the window after getting into the car.
"A man is as good as his word. I hope you remember what you said today."
"Of course, I'll remember."
Shen Jiannan said, raising an eyebrow. Then, he added.
"Mr. Song, I wonder if you've ever heard a certain saying?"
"What?"
"You may scorn me now, but you won't be able to in the future!"
...
Song Jun felt an inexplicable urge to laugh.
It was only natural for someone of his status to look down on others; what was unbelievable was that someone would dare tell him he wouldn't be able to.
Ignorance or childishness?
"Didn't Dandan tell you what I do?"
This was Song Jun's unspoken message: *I am powerful, and you will never surpass me.*
Shen Jiannan certainly understood.
But it made no difference.
None at all.
Not even if Song Jun were the richest man in the world, not even if his power was second to only one man and above all others.
...
....
The heavy snow began to fall even harder. Less than five minutes after Song Jun's car departed, a white Fiat taxi pulled up quietly to the main entrance of Huahai University.
A minute later, the taxi drove away, leaving Song Xiaodan, wrapped in a dark red coat, standing in the snow.
"You're here."
Shen Jiannan, his own body dusted with snow, walked up to her.
"I'm sorry," she said, "my mother was helping me pack, and I couldn't find a chance to slip away..."
Shen Jiannan's gaze flickered as he looked at Song Xiaodan, her pretty face flushed, though whether from anxiety or the biting cold, he couldn't tell.
There was a cynical saying he would come to know well later in life: when you're poor, you can only appreciate a woman's sweetness from afar; when you're rich, you get to taste her saltiness. His own experiences would eventually prove this true.
But right now, he had nothing. All his worldly possessions weren't worth even a hundred yuan.
A series of emotions crossed his face before his eyes finally softened with tenderness. He couldn't help but drape his yellow coat over her shoulders and say.
"Is there any need for 'sorry' between us?"
Song Xiaodan lowered her head, embarrassed.
"Come on, let's go to my dorm and talk."
"Oh."
Song Xiaodan, her head now covered, gave a little squeak of surprise.
Suddenly, Shen Jiannan laughed.
Her quiet murmur, soft as a mosquito's buzz, was perfectly clear to him.
Stepping through the ankle-deep snow, the two leaned into each other, walking together through the swirling snowflakes, huddled under the yellow coat.
Perhaps because of their imminent parting, Song Xiaodan asked suddenly.
"When I'm gone, will you miss me?"
"I will."
"How much will you miss me?"
"So much that I won't be able to think during the day or sleep at night."
"Smooth-talker."
"Smooth-talking or not, wouldn't you know?"
"Rogue..."
If she was going to call him a rogue, it would be a shame not to act the part.
Outside, the winter wind howled and the snow fell, but inside Shen Jiannan's dormitory, Song Xiaodan quickly learned exactly what he meant by "smooth-talking."
"No, it's broad daylight!"
"Mmph..."
...
A light taste, a careful savor, a gentle embrace.
Outside the window, snowflakes danced in the howling north wind, but inside the room, the world had unknowingly filled with the colors of spring.
...
...
No matter how violent the snowstorm, there is always a time when it calms.
After the wind and snow subsided, Shen Jiannan lay alone on his bed, staring blankly at the ceiling.
Song Xiaodan was gone. She had left as soon as the blizzard stopped. All that remained was the faint, fragrant warmth of her body and the money she had left behind.
A full one yuan.