Chapter 278: Cheating Self

Translator: Tim Editor: Fish Creek

Beijing, Song family.

Contrary to Song Yuanyi and Song Qiming’s expectations, several months after the incident at Wuliang Mountain, Ye Mo still came to the Song family to cause trouble. Had they been wrong? If Ye Mo truly didn't dare to come to the Song family, should they have brought the Song family members back to Beijing?

Perhaps Ye Mo didn't know the identities of Song Hai and the others. The Song family lacked the power to confront Ye Mo directly, so they could only resist for now.

The Song family mansion was far less busy and populated than before. Besides Song Yuanyi and Song Qiming, only Song Qishen remained. Several third-generation members had lived there, but after Song Hai disappeared, Song Qiming sent them away.

...

Tang Jing felt incredibly fortunate recently. Although Song Qiming had wronged her, he never forgot her. Before she died, he found her, giving her the warmth and love she had longed for.

Although she had harbored hatred for Song Qiming, seeing him kneel and beg for forgiveness, her heart forgave him. It didn't matter that she had suffered; at least Qiming had returned. Though Beiwei didn't want to come to Beijing with her, Qiming assured her Beiwei would be safe, a promise Tang Jing believed.

Although she still hadn't had surgery, her health was gradually improving. Her face even looked healthier. Knowing Song Qiming was with her every day filled her with deep joy. Years of longing and hope had finally found resolution. She didn't care about Song Qiming's wealth or power; she only wanted to be with him.

Sometimes, Qiming would sit with her all night, simply being there, as he had in the past.

Tang Jing knew Qiming wouldn't be home that day; he had said he would be working late. She prepared lotus soup, hoping to ease his workload. She also had a surprise for him: she could walk again.

Song Qiming's office was usually off-limits, but he'd told her that didn't apply to her. No one could replace her in his heart. He had missed her for twenty years and didn't want to spend the rest of his life regretting it. Therefore, Tang Jing didn't mind the office's exclusivity, especially since few people remained at the Song family mansion.

To Tang Jing's disappointment, the second-floor lights were off when she arrived at Song Qiming's office, meaning he hadn't returned.

The rumble of a car approaching broke the silence. It didn't stop at the outer garden but drove straight in. Tang Jing knew Song Qiming had arrived. Her heart leaped with joy, and she started to take the lotus soup to him, but then she saw two people exiting the car and froze.

Song Qiming emerged, accompanied by a young woman. They seemed intimate; she held his arm.

Hadn't he told her he was divorced? Even if not, this woman was barely older than Beiwei. Tang Jing's hands trembled. She wouldn't mind him bringing a girl home, but she cared that he had lied to her.

Song Qiming and the woman walked toward the office and embraced. Sounds of passion and moans followed. This wasn't the Song Qiming who had stayed with her every night.

She was deeply disappointed but didn't hate him. Perhaps her illness prevented her from being with him, causing his behavior.

"Let's go upstairs," Song Qiming finally gasped, squeezing the girl's breasts.

"Mmm, is that old woman still in the house? She's so annoying," the woman complained petulantly.

Song Qiming sighed, "I have no choice. Ye Mo is threatening our family. She's Tang Beiwei's mother. I kept her only to appease Ye Mo. I thought he might spare the Song family because of Tang Beiwei's mother, but we overestimated him. He's alone and wouldn't dare attack the Song family, no matter how strong he is. As for Tang Jing, let her be. Our family can afford to support a useless person."

The woman chuckled, "Treating your old lover like a dog."

"Old lover? Don't be absurd. I might have been interested twenty years ago, but now…every night with her is torture. Don't worry about her. I didn't expect her daughter to be Ye Mo's sister. She's lucky. Otherwise, why would I care about her?" Song Qiming frowned, seemingly remembering Tang Jing's appearance.

The woman laughed, "I heard Tang Beiwei is a beauty. You must be interested in her. Why don't you sound interested?"

Song Qiming smiled, "Too bad, she's Ye Mo's sister. The Song family shouldn't mess with him."

"Be gentle…I know you're interested in that girl. You even dare to…" The woman's voice was cut off. After a pause, she gasped, "Of course, I don't care about Tang Jing. I care about that tigress in your family. To be honest, I have to thank Ye Mo. If it weren't for him, how could you have gotten rid of that tigress? How dare we do this here…"

Her words trailed off.

At the corner, Tang Jing felt icy cold. The lotus soup spilled onto the grass, unnoticed. The man who had begged for her forgiveness was this kind of person. She felt her strength draining away.

Ye Mo sighed. He'd come to kill the Song family, but this scene filled him with sadness for Tang Beiwei's mother, who had fallen for such a man. Did she really not know Song Qiming's true nature? Did she truly believe him? Ye Mo doubted it. Tang Jing was deceiving herself.

Perhaps, knowing her time was short, she wanted to die happily, not in despair.

Love sometimes has no logic. Ye Mo thought of Luo Ying. Would his love for her ever change? He believed Luo Ying wouldn't betray him, but what if she did?

He realized he would still love her, just as he loved Ning Qingxue. Ning Qingxue was indifferent, but he didn't blame or resent her. He simply cherished that untouched love.

That was perhaps how Tang Jing felt about Song Qiming. Even knowing his deception, she preferred self-deception, but now, that was no longer possible. Ye Mo believed she regretted witnessing this scene and hearing those words.

Ye Mo watched Song Qiming carry the woman upstairs. After a long time, Tang Jing spat out blood and slowly stood. She gazed wistfully at Song Qiming before leaving.

Seeing Tang Jing's frail body, like a leaf in a harsh wind, Ye Mo felt a pang of sympathy. Why did she love such a man? He couldn't help her, knowing that killing Song Qiming would only cause her further sorrow.

Nevertheless, he would kill Song Qiming. He would no longer be soft on his enemies. But afterward, he would take Tang Jing to live with Tang Beiwei.

...

The bedroom light illuminated Song Qiming and the woman entwined. Her clothes were torn, revealing her breasts. Song Qiming's hands caressed and squeezed them; he also began to undress. The woman seemed more eager than he was, repeatedly mounting him.

Ye Mo admired Song Qiming's stamina. A man in his fifties or sixties still possessed such energy.

Ye Mo raised his hand, and a gust of wind knocked the woman unconscious. Song Qiming didn't notice until she stopped moving.

"Xiao Yue…" Song Qiming called out worriedly.

"No need. She's unconscious," Ye Mo's cold voice echoed.

Song Qiming trembled, turning around. In the dim light, Ye Mo stood in the doorway.

Cold sweat covered Song Qiming. After a long pause, he asked, "Who…who are you?"