Chapter 11: Protecting My Sister-in-law—We're Like Family, Aren't We?

When they arrived at the headquarters of Haitian Corporation, Song Kai told the driver to wait, then hurried toward Xu Ling’s office.

Xu Ling was organizing a stack of documents.

“Give me twenty yuan first,” Song Kai said to her.

“What’s wrong?” Xu Ling looked up. After the last incident—a veritable feast with hidden motives—at least now she no longer disliked this little man.

Scratching his head, Song Kai explained, “The driver’s still waiting at the door for his fare.”

Xu Ling was speechless. She’d seen people who were poor, but never anyone quite this destitute!

She tossed him a hundred yuan.

After paying the fare, Song Kai slipped the remaining eighty-three yuan into his pocket with a clear conscience.

Xu Ling checked her watch. “It’s almost time. Song Kai, just say you’re my secretary in a bit. Accompany me to meet the other party and sign the contract. I’m not particularly fond of him.”

With that, Xu Ling stood up, contract in hand, and strode out.

She wore a pale white business dress that perfectly outlined her figure. Though she seemed a little young, the straight, shapely legs and graceful curves of her back made her look all the more alluring.

Song Kai licked his lips lightly, then hurried after her. This wife of his might be cold and sharp-tongued, but she was beautiful, smart, and kind-hearted—a perfect match!

“Wife, dear, let’s—”

“Shut up! Call me ‘wife’ one more time and I’ll shove you under the car!” Xu Ling shot him a glare.

Song Kai shrank his neck. “Well, then, dear, do you want me to drive?”

Xu Ling, exasperated, smacked him on the shoulder with her folder.

Song Kai chuckled. Even when she was angry, Xu Ling was stunning.

“Drive!” Xu Ling tossed him the keys. “And stop bothering me, you idiot, or I won’t give you any more money!”

That threat worked wonders. Song Kai immediately fell silent, then smoothly got into the car and drove them swiftly toward the Springwater Club in Tengyun City.

Fifteen minutes later, the car stopped. Song Kai turned to Xu Ling and asked, “Is it because the boss has a thing for you and wants to take advantage of you that you’re bringing me along?”

Xu Ling waved her documents. “I’m the acting general manager now. This is a big contract, so I’ll put up with it for now. Once it’s signed, I won’t have to see him again.”

Song Kai nodded. “Alright, dear, I’ll stick by your side the whole time. If anyone tries to take advantage of my wife, I’ll smash his head and crush his eggs!”

“Mind your language!” Xu Ling shot him a fierce glare.

After locking the car, Song Kai followed Xu Ling into the club.

Springwater Club was one of Tengyun City’s most exclusive spots, operating on a membership basis. The annual fee was three hundred thousand yuan, the only way to gain entry.

Xu Ling wasn’t a member, but the staff had clearly been informed ahead of time. As soon as one of the tall, elegant hostesses in a cheongsam saw her, she bowed and said, “President Xu? President Zhang has been waiting for you.”

Xu Ling nodded.

The hostess led Xu Ling inside. On the second floor, she knocked on the door of a private room. “President Zhang, President Xu has arrived.”

The door creaked open. “Xu Ling, you’re here!” A delighted young man greeted her—it was Zhang Gang.

Xu Ling nodded. “Sorry, President Zhang, I’m a bit late.”

“Not at all. And this is—wait, what the—Song Kai!” Zhang Gang looked up and was startled to see Song Kai standing behind Xu Ling.

Song Kai immediately understood the situation. This bastard Zhang Gang had tried to put him on a plane yesterday, and now today had invited Xu Ling under the pretext of a contract signing. It was obvious he wasn’t interested in the contract—he just wanted a chance to get close to Xu Ling!

This scheming scoundrel—last time at the hotel, he’d deliberately tried to stir up a scandal to get Xu Ling to divorce Song Kai, but failed. This time, he’d tried to send Song Kai away and move in on Xu Ling.

Understanding all this, Song Kai’s face remained unchanged. He greeted Zhang Gang, “Ah, so it’s you, Brother Gang. What a coincidence!”

Zhang Gang stared, swallowing hard. Wasn’t this guy put on a flight yesterday? How had he turned up again? Was he dreaming?

“Song Kai, didn’t you… didn’t you get on the plane yesterday?” Zhang Gang stammered.

Song Kai put on a regretful expression. “Don’t mention it, Brother Gang. Just as I was about to board, the flight attendant said I reeked of alcohol and was a public safety risk, so she took me to sober up in the lounge. By the time I came round, the plane had already taken off. Sigh!”

Zhang Gang glared at Song Kai, seething inside. He’d put up with two slaps yesterday, even let Luo Feng take abuse, all just to get Song Kai out of the picture. Who could have guessed the bastard hadn’t left?

And now, just when he’d planned to use the contract as an excuse to spend some time alone with Xu Ling, Song Kai had shown up again.

Xu Ling, a bit puzzled, said, “What’s going on, Song Kai? You were leaving yesterday? Where to?”

Song Kai was about to answer, but Zhang Gang hastily cut in, “Oh, it’s nothing, President Xu. Please, come in. Song Kai, why don’t you wait outside? After all, you’re just a high school student…”

“Come on, Brother Gang, don’t be so distant.” Song Kai said, pushing Zhang Gang into the room before following and closing the door behind them.

He said warmly, “I can’t tell just anyone, but you and I are like brothers, you know. Xu Ling is my wife. I’m here to help her with the contract—why shouldn’t I come in?”

Zhang Gang’s face turned a liverish shade. He glanced at Xu Ling, who simply sat on the sofa, showing no particular anger.

Seeing her reaction only deepened Zhang Gang’s resentment toward Song Kai. This fool actually dared call Xu Ling his wife? How could a washed-up second-generation rich boy like him win the heart of such a stunning beauty?

Still, whatever he felt inside, he had to maintain a friendly façade for the sake of his relationship with Xu Ling—Song Kai was the bridge between them.

Zhang Gang forced a laugh. “Right, right, we’re all friends here. Let’s chat a bit. At noon, I’ll take you both to a great lunch.”

Song Kai waved a hand. “Sure—oh, but let’s take care of business first. Xu Ling, you brought the contract, right? Let Brother Gang sign it. Come on, we’re all friends here, why complicate things?”

With that, he took the contract from Xu Ling and handed it to Zhang Gang.

Zhang Gang glanced at it, his mouth twitching. To be honest, he was only signing this to get closer to Xu Ling. The deal looked like a win-win, but it really benefitted Xu Ling more. Haitian Corporation was a cosmetics supplier, while his own backer was the Feixiang Group. The contract was crucial for Xu Ling, but held little significance for him.

He cleared his throat. “Well, about the contract…”

Song Kai immediately interrupted, “What, Brother Gang, you’re not backing out, are you?”

“No, no, of course not! Ling and I already worked out the details in our emails. I just thought, since it’s such an important contract, maybe we should sign it at another time.”

Zhang Gang was reluctant to agree so easily. The contract was a huge concession to Xu Ling’s company. If he signed now, he’d lose his leverage to get close to her.

But Song Kai saw right through him and deliberately said, “You’re right, Brother Gang. We can eat first. Oh, and Luo Feng, your girl—”

Zhang Gang quickly covered Song Kai’s mouth. “Kai, I think we should just sign the contract now and leave other matters aside, okay?”

“Oh, right. Let’s get the contract signed,” Song Kai said with a grin at Zhang Gang.