Song Hao felt uncomfortable under Qi Yannian's gaze. Seeing a box of cigars in an exquisite wooden box on the table in front of him, he wanted to smoke one to ease his tension and deliberately show off his unruly nature. So he reached out and took one, picked up a lighter from the table, and was about to light it.
Qi Yannian was taken aback by Song Hao's actions, but a smile flashed in his eyes. He handed over a box of finely packaged matches and said, "You need matches to smoke a cigar, otherwise it will lose its flavor."
Seeing this, Song Hao silently took the match, lit his cigar, and frowned as he began to smoke. The father and son then stopped talking and began to smoke their cigars together.
"This kid, you've wasted a thousand-yuan cigar like this, what a waste! You have no gentlemanly manners at all," Qi Dannian thought to himself, shaking his head.
"This cigar is nothing special! It's just for show, to put on airs." Song Hao took a big drag, as if he were eating ice cream.
"Qi Hao!" After a long while, Qi Yannian called out softly.
"My surname is Song, not Qi." Song Hao took another puff of his cigar, which made his eyes water. Finding it utterly uninteresting, he simply stubbed it out in the ashtray.
Qi Yannian frowned, then nodded and said, "Yes! Very well, Song Hao, I've explained the whole story to your grandfather and received his understanding. You probably understand why we did what we did, so I don't want to explain further. As for Song Gang's death..."
Song Hao raised his head, his sharp gaze fixed on Qi Yannian, causing Qi Yannian to shudder. He dared not meet Song Hao's eyes again and looked away.
"This was an accident," Qi Yannian sighed, feeling guilty. "For reasons you know, the Qi family never gave up searching for Song Jingchun's descendants. After many twists and turns, we finally found Song Zihe and his son in Baihe Town. Yes, the car accident was deliberately arranged by the Tianyi Sect, but not to kill Song Gang. The plan was to create a traffic accident, injure Song Gang, and then have the Tianyi Sect treat him, thus allowing them to come into contact with Song Zihe, make him grateful to us, and then choose a suitable disciple to become his apprentice, naturally learning the Song family's secret technique, the Nine Needles of Rejuvenation. However, this plan was thwarted. Due to the driver's improper operation, Song Gang's injuries were too severe, and he died on the spot. It was truly an unintentional mistake. We overcomplicated and overemphasized this matter back then, which led us to take such a risk. Looking back now, it was a pointless act."
"Despicable! Shameless! It was indeed your conspiracy! And you still dare to claim it was an unintentional mistake. You are the murderers who killed Uncle Song Gang!" Song Hao said angrily.
"Don't get agitated, let me finish. To ensure the safety of this plan, we selected a highly skilled driver and had the driver undergo countless simulation training sessions before implementing it. However, an accident still occurred, something we hadn't anticipated. Furthermore, the driver, overwhelmed with remorse for his mistake, committed suicide a few months later. Had we known this would happen, we wouldn't have carried out this plan," Qi Yannian sighed.
"He committed suicide! You killed him to cover it up," Song Hao sneered.
"Murder to silence them!?" For some reason, Qi Yannian was shocked, and a look of sudden realization and horror flashed in his eyes.
"Your words have reminded me!" Qi Yannian stood up, his face showing anger. He picked up his phone from the table, intending to make a call, but then put it down again, his face returning to calm.
Chapter Sixteen Insulation
"Song Hao, things have come to this point, and there's no way to undo the damage. Our Qi family owes the Song family, and we will do everything in our power to make amends to your grandfather in the future. It's best not to let your grandfather know about this, otherwise, he won't be able to bear this blow, and he might even develop hatred towards you. From now on, we will treat him like our own family, caring for him until his death. That's the whole story; I haven't hidden anything from you. Your parents dragged you into this matter, and now we've put you in a difficult position. We're truly sorry for you. No punishment is too much for us. But since it's already happened, let's try our best to make amends. Even if you can't change your surname and return to the Qi family, that's only right. We'll adopt you into the Song family, making you a descendant of the Song family. We just hope you can consider your mother and acknowledge us. And everything we're doing now is for your future. The Tianyi Group will be yours in the future," Qi Yannian said, quite emotionally.
"At least you're honest enough to tell me the truth. But stop trying to deceive me with sweet words. I don't have heartless parents like you, parents who are murderers. Your Tianyi Group has nothing to do with me. I will work hard for my own future. From now on, please stop disturbing my grandfather and me's normal life. For fifteen years, I've believed I was an orphan without parents, and I still am. Remember, heaven is fair. You will pay the price for your foolish actions. Not everything goes according to your will. You can't just do whatever you want. Your wealth and power can't change everything, otherwise, where is justice!" After saying this, Song Hao got up and left.
Qi Yannian sat there dejectedly, his face filled with sorrow, and closed his eyes in anguish.
A short while later, Gu Xiaofeng walked in.
"Brother Qi, it seems you still haven't been able to persuade the young master. I saw him leave in a very agitated state," Gu Xiaofeng said regretfully.
"Let it be for now. Brother Gu, I explained everything to you yesterday, but now there's been an unexpected change. Just now, that child's words reminded me that the driver from back then also died suspiciously. In my opinion, when this plan was first implemented, it had already fallen into another conspiracy," Qi Yannian said with a worried expression.
"Brother Qi, are you referring to Second Master's side..." Gu Xiaofeng was taken aback upon hearing this.
"That's right, who else could it be but him? Otherwise, how would Song Hao know so much? He actually managed to plan all this way. Alas! I never imagined his resentment towards me could run so deep. He used me to kill someone, leaving this hatred for Song Hao in the future." Qi Yannian shook his head and sighed.
"What do we do now?" Gu Xiaofeng asked.
"Many years have passed, and the driver is dead. There's no evidence to question him anymore, and he won't admit it anyway. It's my fault, really. How could I have acted so rashly and foolishly implemented that plan? Now it's too late for regrets! Two lives have already been lost, and I don't want any more accidents to happen. However, one thing is certain: if he takes any actions detrimental to Song Hao, I'll reiterate my point: immediate special handling. I've already wronged that child; I don't want him to suffer any more harm. As for him, I'll gradually reduce his authority until he dies on this island. As long as he behaves himself in the future." Qi Yannian's expression turned solemn as he sighed.
Song Hao stepped out of the mansion and saw Tang Yu standing outside waiting for him.
"Why did you come here too?" Song Hao asked.
"He came with Mr. Gu from the Gate of Life and Death," Tang Yu replied. "Did you see Aunt Du? Is she alright?"
"Don't talk about them anymore. Qi Yannian has already admitted to everything," Song Hao said, his face ashen.
Tang Yu asked in surprise, "He admitted it himself?" Song Hao nodded.
"Oh my god! How could this happen!" Tang Yu was stunned. She knew that Song Hao's relationship with his parents could never be repaired.
The two turned back. Tang Yu said, "Yours... the people of the Heavenly Medicine Sect are truly remarkable. They actually managed to bring the Life and Death Sect under their wing. In the old days, the Life and Death Sect punished evil and promoted good, and pursued souls and took lives, but they only appeared occasionally in the martial world. I didn't expect that this mysterious martial world sect still exists today."
"Just aiding and abetting evil!" Song Hao threw out a cold remark.
Back at the old house, Song Zihe was resting in his bedroom in the back courtyard. The two didn't want to disturb him, but Song Zihe had already heard the noise and knew that Song Hao and Tang Yu had returned. He spoke through the window, "Song Hao, a Taoist priest came while you were away. He said he was your senior brother and left a letter on the table. Please read it." After saying that, he lay down again.
Upon hearing this, Song Hao hurriedly picked up an envelope from the table, opened it, and read:
Junior Brother Song Hao:
How have you been?
I am on my master's orders to go to Jinan on business, and I took the opportunity to visit his home. I was delighted to hear that my junior brother has returned from his studies, which is very gratifying! Please come to the hotel for a while.
Senior brother's efforts were fruitless
Below is the address of a hotel.
"It's Senior Brother Wuguo!" Song Hao exclaimed in delight.
In a hotel, Song Hao met Wu Guo, who was dressed in layman's attire.
"Senior brother!"
"Junior brother!"
The two embraced each other in delight. Back in the Shangqing Temple, Song Hao and Wuguo had been the closest of friends, and after several months apart, they were both overjoyed.
"So, have you learned the true essence of Lin Fengyi's pulse technique?" Wuguo asked with a smile.
"I am truly grateful to Master for recommending such a remarkable person! Otherwise, I would not have known that there was another world within this lineage!" Song Hao said gratefully.
"Master's judgment of people is never wrong; this is your good fortune!" Wuguo laughed, then took out a UnionPay card from his pocket and handed it to Song Hao, saying, "Now that you have achieved so much, you should also make a difference. This is what your master asked me to give you. I originally intended to have it passed on to your grandfather, but since I heard you've returned, I'll give it to you personally. There are 2 million yuan in cash inside, which is your master's personal savings. Use it to establish a medical clinic to practice medicine and help the world."
"Master!" Song Hao was overwhelmed with emotion and bowed, weeping as he accepted the offer.