After My Death, I Became a Heartless Madman - Chapter 52.1

Xiao Zhao’s seemingly casual remark left Feng Yu momentarily stunned. However, with her usual composure and experience in weathering storms, she managed to keep her expression perfectly natural despite her trembling fingers barely holding onto the flowerpot.

She placed the ceramic pot filled with white roses back on the table with a heavy thud. Feng Yu’s expression shifted slightly.

“Sorry, it’s quite heavy. I didn’t hold it steady.”

Song Shizhou chuckled.

“Sister Yu, I’ve noticed you’ve been apologizing a lot since we met this time.”

Truthfully, Shizhou had no issues with Feng Yu. Setting aside their tangled family history, Feng Yu had been a very responsible elder sister. As long as Feng Yu didn’t interfere too much in her affairs, Shizhou was genuinely grateful for her.

The key condition being as long as she didn’t overstep.

For some reason, this excessive meddling always reminded her of Madam Song, who often treated her the same way under the guise of acting in her best interest, yet all Shizhou ever received was suppression and disapproval.

Feng Yu seemed taken aback by her words and smiled as if struck by a realization.

“Shizhou, I’ve actually been meaning to ask, why didn’t you take up a position in the Council with Chairman Chen and instead chose to open a studio?”

“After all, she is your other mother.”

Song Shizhou replied, “Though Chairman Chen and I share a blood relation, we’ve only known each other for less than half a year. I, I’d like to spend more time with her first.”

“Besides, Chairman Chen’s status and reputation are her own. Glory granted by others can’t last forever. I have my own passions, why force myself into the Council?”

Song Fengyu smiled, seemingly pleased with her answer.

“Shizhou, you’re still the same…”

Her tone carried a hint of implication.

“Still so kind-hearted…”

Song Shizhou shook her head, her smile tinged with heaviness.

“No, Sister Yu. What I just said has nothing to do with kindness or lack thereof.”

“And I’m not as selfless as you think…”

“I just want to do something I enjoy.”

Song Fengyu nodded. She always saw Shizhou as her younger sister, so she automatically overlooked the shadows in her eyes.

As dusk settled, Feng Yu gazed out the window, hesitating for a long moment before speaking.

“Now that your studio is up and running, when will you go home to see Mom? She was really happy to hear about your porcelain studio, but… your last meeting didn’t go well. She’s been unsure whether to visit you.”

“And about Chairman Chen… Mom still doesn’t know she’s acknowledged you…”

At the mention of Madam Song Lanyi, Shizhou couldn’t help but sigh.

“Sister Yu, you know me. I really… don’t want to see her.”

There was no reason to, either.

“I’ve already cut ties with her.”

Feng Yu paused. “Shizhou, is there really no way to mend things with Mom? She was wrong, but…”

As if recalling Madam Song’s treatment of Shizhou over the years, Feng Yu found herself unable to continue.

Under Feng Yu’s hopeful gaze, Shizhou still couldn’t bring herself to shut the door completely.

“Let’s wait a while. The studio just opened and I still have many things to attend to. When I’m less busy, I’ll meet with Madam Song and properly discuss all these years’ matters…”

Song Shizhou’s tone was resolute,

“After all, our relationship termination documents will be issued soon. I should inform her in person.”

The opening ceremony remained lively for a long time. With Su Ziqing serving as the living advertisement among second-generation circles, Song Shizhou’s business was bound to flourish. Chen Ting couldn’t help much with porcelain matters, and not wanting Madam Song Lanyi to discover her reunion with Shizhou, she could only generously yet discreetly top up Shizhou’s startup funds.

This lavish gesture stunned everyone. Smiling radiantly, Song Shizhou sincerely called out “Mom” into the microphone.

Chairman Chen, preparing for a meeting in the distant Third District, was instantly moved to tears.

As dusk fell, Feng Yu didn’t linger long before leaving she was quite busy herself. Chen Ting’s appearance couldn’t be kept from Madam Song indefinitely.

The reason Song Lanyi had treated Song Shizhou so harshly all these years, harming her with seeming impunity, was precisely because she was confident Chen Ting would never learn of Shizhou’s existence. No matter how she treated her, she remained her only family.

Thus, she harmed without restraint or scruple.

After leaving the studio, Feng Yu got into her car where her assistant had been waiting.

“President Song, you’re running late. There’s an important meeting at headquarters in half an hour about renewing contracts with investors for the new quarter.”

Feng Yu shook her head,

“Then let’s go now.”

The assistant continued anxiously,

“The investor situation for Song Corporation this quarter is quite unstable. Several long-term partners are wavering because of Chairman Chen.”

“Because of her relationship with our Second Young Miss, they might terminate cooperation this quarter.”

“Perhaps… you could persuade Second Young Miss to return to Song Corporation?”

Feng Yu waved her hand dismissively,

“Don’t even think about it. Once Song Shizhou decides something, she won’t change her mind easily.”

“Recently I even tried to stop her from opening the porcelain studio, offering to give her Song Corporation’s porcelain division. But what good did that do? She still refused.”

The assistant hesitated.

“The Chairman doesn’t know about this yet, does she?”

Looking troubled, the assistant added, “Madam Song remains unaware, but walls have ears. She’ll find out eventually.”

Rubbing her temples, Song Fengyu said wearily,

“Then tell Mother in the coming days that Shizhou is willing to see her. Let her discover the truth for herself.”

The assistant nodded, then asked uncertainly,

“Has Second Young Miss agreed to meet the old madam?”

“No.”

Feng Yu’s expression darkened,

“But they’ll have to meet eventually.”

Night deepened as the celebratory crowd gradually dispersed. Perhaps tranquility after revelry is life’s true normalcy. Xiao Zhao was tidying flower baskets by the entrance when Song Shizhou came out to help. Su Ziqing, having procured numerous firecrackers from somewhere, called them over to play. But Song Shizhou, who bore both psychological scars and a physical burn mark from a childhood firecracker accident politely declined with a wave.

Pouting, Su Ziqing went off to play with Xiao Zhao instead.

The doorway was left strewn with dark red firecracker remnants, appearing somewhat desolate. Song Shizhou alone gathered up all the scattered paper.

As dusk gradually fell, large swathes of orange sunset bloomed heavily across the sky, its unusual hue causing Song Shizhou to glance upward. The orange sun seemed perilously close to the earth, as if it might come crashing down the next second both vexing and strangely alluring.

Su Ziqing’s firecrackers had finally finished their crackling chorus. Little Zhao felt a twinge of guilt watching her boss clean up while she had been setting them off, but Song Shizhou assured her it was fine and asked what she’d like for dinner to celebrate the opening her treat.

Scrolling through restaurant apps, Zhao suddenly pointed at Song’s lips and blurted out,
“Boss, what happened to your mouth? It looks injured.”

Song instinctively licked her lips.
“It’s nothing. Just accidentally bit myself.”

A damp, ambiguous sensation bloomed where her tongue touched, as if another’s lips still lingered there. A secret thrill crept into her chest, warming her cheeks after all, only she knew whether the mark was truly from biting, or how it had really gotten there.

Zhao let it slide with an “Ohhh,” then suggested,
“How about braised chicken tonight? There’s a new place in the alley with killer reviews.”
“Wait, can you even handle spicy food with that lip?”

Song chuckled. “It’s long healed. Spice won’t bother it.”

As Zhao waffled between hotpot and chicken, a sleek black sedan purred to a stop outside. Its expensive engine growled impatiently in the dim light before a woman in a gray suit emerged.

She carried herself like a mob boss from a noir novel, startling Zhao, who instinctively looked to her employer for cues.

To everyone’s surprise, the imposing figure took a few steps forward and gave Song Shizhou a respectful nod.

“Miss Song.”

Her deferential tone left Zhao gaping, her admiration for her boss skyrocketing.

Song herself seemed taken aback.

Bai Ruowei was away on business, Mia shouldn’t have been here.

“Mia, what brings you?”

With a smile, Mia approached as several assistants exited the car. They opened the trunk to reveal an avalanche of flowers white roses, to be precise. The blinding sea of blooms made Song’s head spin.

No sooner had she cleared one mess than another arrived. The heady fragrance enveloped them as Mia explained,

“Miss Song, congratulations on your grand opening.”

“These are Miss Bai’s regards. She asked me to extend her warmest wishes.”

Miss Bai.

The mention of those three words made Song Shizhou’s heart inexplicably pause. Her expression grew subtly unnatural, as if the kiss mark on her lips had suddenly come alive again.

Her discomfort was faint but noticeable. Little Zhao seemed to sense the strange atmosphere and slipped away to the studio to avoid the awkwardness. White roses seemed to be that person’s signature just the sight of them inevitably brought her to mind. After their last confrontation, Shizhou had assumed Miss Bai wouldn’t appear before her again anytime soon.

The rich fragrance of the flowers filled her nose, a delicate scent that, upon closer inspection, bore a faint resemblance to Bai Ruowei’s own,cool and understated, yet evoking the memory of that searing yet composed kiss.

“Miss Bai, isn’t in the Inner City right now?”

Mia nodded.

“That’s right. Miss Bai has been very busy with work lately. She’s away on a business trip and isn’t expected back until next month.”

Song Shizhou nodded and turned back to the studio.

She didn’t take long. When she returned, she was holding an exquisitely wrapped box.

“Thank you for making the trip today. Please give this to Miss Bai as my token of appreciation.”

Mia nodded. “You’re too kind, Miss Song.”

Still, she accepted it.

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