Trafford's Trading Club

Chapter 939: Chapter 183: Breakfast at 3:30 AM

For what Bai Shuitang did to save Song Haoran by sacrificing himself, Song Ying was very sad, but fortunately, Bazel, this enemy, had been eliminated, which counted as revenge for Bai Shuitang.

Song Haoran’s words were said to Song Ying in the presence of Song Tianyou, so Song Ying had no doubt.

“I remember Uncle Si’s family seems to have a cousin also making a living on Zhonghua Street with him, whose name is Bai Zhan.” Song Ying sighed, “Grandfather, this time Uncle Si sacrificed his life to save my uncle; we shouldn’t treat them unfairly.”

Old Master Song nodded, “Don’t worry, your grandfather is a person who repays kindness and seeks revenge. I have some impression of this Bai Zhan you mentioned. A few years ago, it seems Bai Shuitang came to pay a New Year call with him. I won’t ‘treat him unfairly.’

After pausing, Song Tianyou patted Song Ying’s hand again and softly said, “Little Ying, you should stay and rest in the Han Residence for a few days. Don’t worry about other things, just have a good rest.”

“No way… there are still a lot of things at the Group that I haven’t arranged properly.” Song Ying shook her head, “I can’t leave at this time, after all, grandfather, you haven’t been back in the mainland for long, I have to handle it quickly.”

Song Tianyou, both heartbroken and guilty, spoke even softer, “You don’t need to worry too much about this, I will find someone to handle the matters of the Group.”

“Find someone?” Song Ying was stunned, furrowing her brows, “Who else?”

At this moment, Song Tianyou smiled slightly, lifted his head, and glanced at Song Haoran, who was standing especially quietly beside him, “What do you think? After all, this guy is also a director of the Group. Having let go for so long, it’s time to really get to work.”

“Uncle?” Song Ying looked at Song Haoran in astonishment.

She is well aware of Song Haoran’s character; many times, even if her father spoke, he might not necessarily listen.

Song Haoran shrugged at this moment, “Don’t have such an incredulous expression, girl. The Song Family’s industry is vast, and while I’m still here, you can’t possibly take it all on your own?”

Song Ying was full of suspicion… How come after she came back to her senses, her uncle Song Haoran seemed to have changed – previously, this guy did go to work for a few days, but since she graduated early and returned, it was all thrown to her. And he went around the world adventuring.

“How about it, if you feel bad for me working too hard, you can consider finding a husband soon to help me~”

“Get lost!”

Song Haoran returned to his usual carefree demeanor, but this time Old Master Song waved his hand, “You go out first, I have a few more words to say to Little Ying.”

“Alright then.” Song Haoran nodded, “I’ll go find a servant to get my work suit out… I’m leaving!”

After Song Haoran left, Song Tianyou looked at Song Ying and sighed, “Actually, your uncle is a lot like the younger version of me, not without responsibility, just more ambitious… In fact, one Song Family couldn’t possibly satisfy him.”

“Then my uncle this time…” Song Ying became somewhat puzzled.

“Even those with lofty ideals have to walk on land.” Song Tianyou shook his head and said, “If he has this thought, perhaps it’s a good thing. Let nature take its course, the burden on your shoulders isn’t ours to place but yours to bear. When it’s time to let go, just let go a bit.”

“Grandpa always feels you and uncle are acting a bit weird lately.” Song Ying shook her head.

“Maybe it’s because we have experienced too many things recently.” Song Tianyou sighed and suddenly said, “Also, about what I conveyed to you that night, after thinking it over, I realized it wasn’t quite right. So let it be, let’s pretend I never said it.”

“That night?” Song Ying was stunned.

Song Tianyou said, “I was talking about the matter between you and Luo Qiu… Forcing things isn’t sweet. So I think it’s better to let things take their natural course, perhaps you’ll find something more suitable… especially you. What’s wrong? Still worried I might bring it up again later, Little Ying?”

Song Ying didn’t know what she was thinking. At this moment, she hurriedly said, “Oh… I understand, thank you, grandpa! If it’s really like that, I will also breathe a sigh of relief.”

Song Tianyou laughed, “You, if there’s anything, don’t keep it in your heart. Your grandpa isn’t stubborn. The key thing is what you think. Honestly, I do hope to see you smiling happily, walking into the chapel.”

“Grandpa! Maybe I won’t marry anyone, and I’ll accompany you instead.” Song Ying coyly hugged Old Master Song.

“Hehehe.” Old Master Song gently patted the back of his only granddaughter.

Song Ying also smiled at this moment, but seemingly with something on her mind. She simply laid her head on Song Tianyou’s shoulder, looking out the window, not knowing what she was thinking.

…

…

Nightfall.

It was already past 1 a.m., but there were even more people patrolling inside the Han Residence—because the Song Family had been attacked twice recently, which made Uncle Wu, the butler, very angry. He had issued a stern order, saying that if a third incident occurred, he would replace everyone.

These bodyguards all came from the village, and many considered being responsible for security at the Han Residence as an honor—if they were sent back to be recycled, it would be the worst thing.

So each of them was full of energy, not letting any possible detail slip by!

“Who goes there!”

In the darkness, a cold voice shouted. Immediately, three bodyguards rushed out, blocking a figure in the corridor from front and back—one of the bodyguards even drew a gun.

“Are you courting death, you guys!”

Unexpectedly, the person caught was none other than one of their masters: Song Ying!

Song Ying was wearing nothing but a thin nightgown, glaring at the three bodyguards, who were drenched in cold sweat, thinking, in the middle of the night, what’s Ms. Ying doing out and about again, can’t she settle down for a while?

“Sorry, Ms. Ying, we thought there was an enemy.” One of the bodyguards immediately apologized.

“Alright, alright, get busy.” Song Ying waved her hand dismissively, “I just couldn’t sleep and wanted to walk around; you guys return to your posts.”

“Alright then.” The bodyguard said, “If there’s anything, please remember to shout right away; we’ll be here immediately.”

The Han Residence seemed like a fortress now, so there should be no problem. The three bodyguards soon left. Song Ying breathed a sigh of relief, walked down this corridor, and then stopped in front of a room’s door.

Song Ying hesitated for a long time before finally reaching out to knock on the door for a while.

Soon after, Luo Qiu opened the door. Upon seeing Song Ying knocking, he was taken aback and said, “Is something up? If it’s a car race, I think it’s best not to go this time.”

“When I come looking for you, is it only for car racing?” Song Ying glared at Luo Qiu.

Luo Qiu blinked, “The previous two times were for car racing.”

“Can’t you restrain from irritating me even once!” Song Ying clenched her fists, teeth tightly clenched, but soon deflated like a leaky balloon, folding her arms, “I’m hungry. Cook me some white porridge, I want to eat that!”

“Now?” Luo Qiu looked at the time.

Almost 2 a.m.

“Can’t… can’t you?” Song Ying’s tone weakened.

Luo Qiu shook his head, “Not at all, wait a bit, I’ll get a coat.”

Luo Qiu quickly put on a thin jacket and walked out.

…

…

“Be careful, Uncle Si doesn’t like people touching the kitchen supplies, especially his knife and spatula!” Song Ying was sitting at the kitchen workbench with her chin resting on her hand, watching Luo Qiu, reminding him ‘kindly’.

“Cooking porridge doesn’t really need a knife and spatula,” Luo Qiu chuckled and said, “Don’t worry, after you eat, I’ll clean everything up.”

Hmph.

Song Ying let out a soft hum and glanced elsewhere—only shortly after, she shifted her gaze back to Luo Qiu’s silhouette as he rinsed the rice.

Someone once told her that a man who can cook is particularly charming when he cooks, but at that time, Song Ying didn’t quite believe it.

If he had great skills but looked homely, wouldn’t that charm be an infinitely reversing Y-axis arrow?

“Well, maybe a teensy bit…” Song Ying tilted her head, muttering.

“Did you say something just now?” Luo Qiu turned his head at that moment.

“Who’s talking to you? Don’t flatter yourself! Hurry up, trying to starve me here!” Song Ying glared involuntarily.

Luo Qiu shook the water off his hands, casually asked, “What side dish would you like?”

“Fried dough sticks!” Song Ying said without thinking.

Unfortunately, Luo Qiu shook his head, saying, “I don’t know how to make fried dough sticks.”

Song Ying scoffed immediately, “What? Zero points! You can’t even make fried dough sticks!”

Luo Qiu laughed, “If you claim to make something you can’t, isn’t that worse… Here’s some pickles, probably made by Uncle Si, I’ll just prepare some for you.”

“Okay, okay, as long as it’s edible… How long will it take?”

Luo Qiu replied, “There’s an old-style stove in this kitchen, I found some lychee wood, so I’m planning to use it for flavor, but it’ll take a bit longer.”

Song Ying sighed, looking helpless. She casually grabbed a tomato from the nearby vegetable basket and took a bite.

Later on, Luo Qiu started breaking the lychee wood, placing pieces into the stove, then lighting a fire and observing the flames.

It seemed quite busy.

An amazing person… seems to know everything, yet somehow doesn’t… never seen him seeking the spotlight.

This kind of person… only after staying with him can you slowly uncover his…

Song Ying watched and became a bit sleepy, her eyelids grew heavy, and Luo Qiu’s silhouette blurred with the rhythmic crackling of burning wood.

When the firewood entered the smoldering stage, Luo Qiu stood up, stretched lazily.

By this time, Song Ying was already lying on the table, fallen asleep. Luo Qiu took off his jacket and covered her with it, then walked out to the courtyard adjoining the kitchen.

There’s a small vegetable garden here, meticulously tended by someone.

The night was cool as water. Luo Qiu entered the garden, picked some spinach and scallions, and began to busy himself again.

Time passed gradually.

Song Ying suddenly woke up; sleeping on a table like that couldn’t last long — upon awakening, she found a jacket draped over her.

She didn’t say anything, just folded the jacket and stuck out her tongue at Luo Qiu’s silhouette.

A clay pot was already placed in front of her, with a small dish of pickled radish beside it, drizzled with sesame oil, a fragrant sesame aroma wafting over.

“Awake now, just in time.”

“What time is it?” Song Ying yawned.

“Around three thirty in the morning,” Luo Qiu placed a dish in front of Song Ying, “Poached, not pan-fried, so I wouldn’t wake you. Besides, oily food is not suitable for midnight. The veggies are tender garden produce, easy to digest.”

Though simple, the boiled greens seemed to be simmered in stock, not just blanched in hot water.

Song Ying watched as Luo Qiu uncovered the clay pot, and a fragrant rice aroma wafted along with the curling white steam, revealing rice grains that had fully dissolved.

“Do you like scallions?”

“They’re okay…” Song Ying nodded slightly.

So Luo Qiu sprinkled some green scallion pieces onto the white porridge, then ladled a bowl and placed it in front of Song Ying.

Song Ying eagerly held the bowl up with both hands, but it was too hot, causing her to quickly pull back, and pinched her ears.

Realizing Luo Qiu had seen this, she nonchalantly resumed holding the bowl cautiously, turning her back to him—slowly sipping.

She then ate some pickles along with it. These were made by Uncle Si with great culinary skill, naturally delicious.

As for the stock-simmered spinach, Song Ying didn’t spare it either, finishing it completely—having hardly eaten since coming back, this meal brought a sense of fulfilled happiness.

When Song Ying put down her bowl, she realized she had eaten quite a lot, smirking at Luo Qiu and noticing he was already cleaning the stove.

“Hey, you said you have a girlfriend, what’s she like?” Song Ying suddenly asked.

“Um… how should I put it.” Luo Qiu pondered for a moment, “She’s probably a very quiet girl, and takes good care of people.”

Song Ying furrowed her eyebrows, “Then what do you like about her? Just because she’s good at taking care of people?”

Luo Qiu turned around, “There’s a little left in the pot, do you want more?”

“No, no, my stomach might burst if I eat more.” Song Ying shook her head quickly.

Luo Qiu chuckled and walked over to the table to tidy up the utensils. Song Ying watched him pitifully as her voice softened, “Hey, you still haven’t told me what you like about her?”

Luo Qiu paused, looking at Song Ying, “Have you ever seen a black tulip?”

Song Ying nodded.

Luo Qiu said softly, “She’s like a black tulip, mysterious and noble.”

￥￥￥￥￥￥￥

PS: (2/22)