Chapter 21: The Ex Returns, the Current Lover in a Shura Field

As soon as Mother Song finished speaking, the room fell into a deathly silence.

Shen Jinxiao’s brow twitched violently; he truly had not expected the conversation to veer toward him. Seeing this legendary Regiment Commander, known for his aloofness toward women, the parents of the Meng family lowered their heads, not daring to make a sound. Who wouldn’t want to climb the social ladder and associate with such a prominent figure? But they knew their daughter was far from reaching such heights. Given his family background, status, and appearance, they wouldn’t even dare to mention their daughter’s name in the same breath as his, let alone suggest he become a stepfather to another man’s child.

Old Master Shen struck his cane against the floor, instantly shattering the awkward atmosphere. He looked toward his daughter, his presence radiating an effortless authority. “Shen Ting,” he demanded, “what is the surname of your sons? Answer me! How can you have the audacity to push your own brother forward to deal with this mess?”

Those two sentences left Father Song utterly humiliated. Years ago, Father Song had married into the Shen family. At the time, Mother Song, feeling sorry for her sons having to take the Shen surname, had negotiated with her father to transfer the engagement originally intended for her younger brother, Shen Jinxiao, to her own sons, thus gaining her father’s permission for them to carry the Song surname. Realizing her own blunder, Mother Song’s face flushed a deep, burning red.

Father Song took his wife’s hand, bowed to his father-in-law, and turned to the Meng couple, vowing solemnly, “Rest assured, if you have your hearts set on our second son, then so be it. The marriage is settled!”

Hearing this, the Meng parents finally relaxed, their expressions softening. They exchanged a glance, a heavy weight lifted from their hearts. Having seen all kinds of people in their time, they were good judges of character. The second Song son was clearly a steady, devoted man who lived a simple, honest life. They felt at ease entrusting their daughter to him.

Meanwhile, Shen Jinxiao sat stiffly in his chair, a complex swirl of emotions churning within him. He had just been wondering why the Meng couple hadn't pounced on him to take responsibility, as his sister had suggested. Was he not good enough?

But a second later, upon hearing that the Meng girl’s engagement had originally been meant for him, he felt an inexplicable sense of resentment, as if something had been snatched away from him. The parlor was filled with a boisterous clamor; Old Master Shen and Father Song were eagerly pulling the Meng parents into a discussion about the scale of the wedding feast, even looking further ahead and chatting happily about the upcoming banquet for a future grandchild.

Listening to all this, Shen Jinxiao felt as if he were sitting on pins and needles. A suffocating tightness gripped his chest, much like the feeling he had experienced over a year ago when he heard his eldest nephew was planning to take his fiancée to the countryside. Unable to bear it any longer, he rose and retreated upstairs.

Standing to the side like a ghost, Song Shiyu watched as his mother, who had previously been so quick to stand up for her sons, now stood there like a cowering quail, looking utterly defeated. He felt a chill run down his spine. The way his mother had discriminated against him—refusing to let his second brother take responsibility for the eldest brother's child, yet immediately pushing him to step in—had truly broken his heart. He didn't understand why, even though most parents doted on their youngest, he always seemed to be the one neglected by his father and unloved by his mother. The grievances he had suffered over the years were enough to fill a bowl with tears.

Even so, he couldn't help but worry about his poor second brother. He was in his twenties, had finally found a girl he liked, and now was about to be forcibly torn away from her. With his eyes fixed on the family, Song Shiyu crept toward the wall, tiptoeing like a cat as he inched his way out. Once he finally reached the doorway and vanished from their sight, he bolted toward the gate.

He had barely taken two steps when he collided with Song Shixuan, who was returning home. As usual, Song Shixuan’s head hung low, his expression filled with weariness and disappointment, clutching the unpresented collector’s edition of *A Compendium of Chinese Herbal Medicine*. For over a year, he had waited in vain for the girl who had captured his heart at first sight.

As he stepped into the courtyard, he saw Song Shiyu rushing toward him in a panic. “Shixuan, what happened?”

“Run, Second Brother! You’re about to be forced into being a surrogate father! If you don’t run now, your whole life will be ruined!” Without waiting for a question, Song Shiyu spilled the entire story in a frantic rush.

Song Shixuan froze, unable to believe that his own family had sold him out so easily. Seeing his second brother in a trance, Song Shiyu pulled out his wallet, pressed his entire month’s allowance of 200 yuan into his hand, and pushed him toward the gate. “Brother, run away! Don’t ever come back to this house. If Father can make you raise the eldest brother’s child today, he’ll make you raise the eldest brother himself tomorrow. The faster you leave, the better!”

As they struggled at the threshold, Song Shixuan clutched the money, moved to the point of hugging his younger brother. Just as he was about to say a sorrowful farewell, a figure suddenly appeared at the gate. His pupils dilated in shock, and he stumbled backward, still clutching Song Shiyu.

“E-Eldest Brother? Why are you back?” Song Shixuan then noticed Su Yanyan standing behind the suddenly appeared Song Shijing, and asked in confusion, “Didn’t you two elope? Why are you back?”

“Who eloped with whom? Whose nonsense are you listening to?” Song Shijing frowned, peering into the house with an impatient tone. “I just went to your sister-in-law’s clinic, and the apprentice said my in-laws were at home. Is your sister-in-law inside?”

Song Shixuan and Song Shiyu exchanged a look of sheer shock and bewilderment. “Eldest Brother, the sister-in-law you’re talking about... wouldn’t it be that girl from the Meng family?”

“Who else would it be?” Song Shijing replied, utterly speechless. He shot a look at the two brothers clinging to each other like cowards and pushed past them to head inside.

The house was still buzzing with lively discussion. Father Song was so excited he was already brainstorming names for the child, drafting several options for both boys and girls. Old Master Shen and the Meng parents sat nearby, beaming with joy and praising the choices. Only Mother Meng sat slumped in her chair, as if paralyzed, her expression entirely numb.

“Mother, I’m home!” Song Shijing shouted, stepping forward to embrace his mother, his eyes glistening with tears. “It’s been over a year; I’ve missed you so much!”

Mother Song’s frozen frame seemed to slowly thaw; she reached out to touch him, barely able to believe her eyes. Finally, the light of hope returned to her dull, vacant gaze. “Shijing, you’ve finally returned! I thought you’d never come back because of that harlot!”

As she spoke, she caught sight of Su Yanyan, who had just stepped through the door looking deathly pale. There was a moment of awkwardness, but she quickly turned away, burying her face in her son’s shoulder as she broke into loud, bitter sobs, pouring out all the grievances she had kept bottled inside.

The group that had been discussing the wedding and baby names was startled by the commotion, all turning to stare in astonishment at the sudden appearance of Song Shijing. The moment the Meng parents saw him, they looked as if they were facing a mortal enemy. Their sweet dream of having the promising young Song Shixuan as a son-in-law had been ruthlessly shattered by the sudden return of their former son-in-law.