Unforgettable Love: The CEO 's Golden Cage

Chapter 9: His Firm Command to Stay

He didn't answer. Instead, Tang Ze, who had walked in behind him, offered a faint smile: "After all, it is Old Mrs. Jiang's funeral; the Master is also grieving in his heart."

Jiang Fanbi looked at Song Xiao, her eyes turning slightly red.

A middle-aged noblewoman with graying hair sitting at the table chimed in: "Xiao Xiao, out of all the children in the family, your grandmother loved you the most. You must stay for this dinner tonight to see her off properly."

Kaiyin looked up. He was standing inches away from her—a distance so close they could catch the unique scent of one another. Regardless of who the other person was, he remained unruffled, his expression calm and steady.

However, the middle-aged woman failed to read the room. She continued to nag, believing her words were virtuous: "Xiao Xiao, Fanbi is your mother after all. How long are you going to keep hating her?"

Jiang Fanbi was struck with shock, her face turning deathly pale. She immediately cut the woman off to change the subject: "Aunt Yun, quickly prepare a place setting for CEO Song."

As she spoke to Song Xiao, every word trembled with a noticeable quiver. Kaiyin, with a news reporter's sharp intuition, secretly observed Jiang Fanbi’s strained and pale expression; there was clearly a deep, hidden secret within the Jiang family.

Just as the Jiang family expected Song Xiao to be enraged by the previous remark, his cold eyes, like ripples stirred in clear water, shifted toward Kaiyin’s pupils.

"And you are?" he asked.

Recognizing her, Kaiyin replied: "I am a reporter from the TV station's news channel. Hello, CEO Song."

Song Xiao gave a slight nod. He didn't smile; his gaze drifted casually, as if landing on nothing in particular. "Stay and have dinner."

"..." Kaiyin, of course, did not want to stay.

His elegant brows knitted together as he narrowed his eyes at her. "The promotion for the hot spring resort still needs to be handled by the TV station. If you have nothing else to do, stay for the meal."

It was a firm command. The room fell silent as everyone watched him. Only Tang Ze secretly observed Kaiyin while she looked at Song Xiao, but the moment her gaze shifted, he quickly looked away, acting as if nothing had happened.

"Yes, please stay for dinner," Jiang Fanbi said, overjoyed. This rare moment of family togetherness meant she would do anything to please Song Xiao. "Ms. Xiao, it’s the perfect time to discuss our work projects."

What was her standing at someone else’s family gathering? Yet, ironically, they were inviting her with such grand hospitality.

"Sister, please stay," Wei Yizhi said, standing by the sideboard with a tall glass in her hand, offering a friendly smile.

Under the glazed lights, he spoke to her while looking directly into her eyes for the first time.

"Okay?" His gaze seemed to ripple and expand, soft and ethereal.

Given the significant height difference, she had to look up into his steel-grey pupils. She could no longer find a way to refuse. After she agreed, Song Xiao offered a small smile before returning to his usual cold demeanor, walking past her with a chilling aura.

"Take a seat."

This time it was Ms. Shu who guided her by the shoulder to the dining table as the guests began to take their seats in order. Kaiyin was seated to the right of Jiang Fanbi, the head of the table. Fortunately, Wei Yizhi took the seat next to her, otherwise she would have felt even more out of place.

The earlier cold atmosphere vanished instantly, replaced by a scene of family harmony as servants brought out fine dishes and the hosts began to drink and chat. Only that tall, dark figure stood up from the sofa. He picked up a crystal ashtray, seemingly intending to bring it to the table, but his sharp eyes cooled when he saw Wei Yizhi occupying the seat next to Kaiyin. His brow furrowed slightly in a hidden frustration.

From a distance, Tang Ze witnessed this scene. His own brow twitched as he saw Wei Yizhi sitting in that particular spot.