Chapter 142 Song Yan is different this time

Chapter 142 Song Yan is different this time

Song Yan wanted to explain that he had drunk too much at the time, to beg her forgiveness, and to ask her not to hate him...

His first instinct was to find an excuse, to show that none of this was his fault...

But Si Yuan's words woke him up.

Yes, whatever the reason or purpose, it has now implicated Si Yuan and put her in the spotlight.

It instantly transported her back to the situation she was in back then.

Si Yuan's voice softened; it had been a long time since Song Yan had spoken so calmly.

"Song Yan, I don't even dare to open my phone now."

"Because I know how nasty those netizens will be."

"Because whenever something like this happens, the first people netizens criticize are the women."

“I dare not look, because I do not know if I can withstand even worse suspicion than before.”

With each word he spoke, Song Yan's heart sank a little further.

His intended defense was stuck in his throat, like swallowing a burning red-hot coal, causing him pain.

Xiao Yuan, who hadn't done anything wrong, still had to pay the price for his absurdity.

Song Yan spoke with difficulty: "I'm sorry."

"I know saying sorry is useless..."

The call has already ended.

Si Yuan had seen him apologize countless times for such things, only to then make the decision to abandon her and absolve himself of all responsibility.

Si Yuan waited for Song Yan to back down once again.

But Song Yan... was very scared this time.

I'm afraid Si Yuan will be saddened by those things again and fall back into that illness.

She finally got through it.

——

As soon as Si Yuan opened the door, she saw Jiang Wang.

He must have rushed back as fast as he could, his expression was somewhat unsteady, especially when he saw Si Yuan, a look of worry appeared in his eyes.

The first thing he said was, "Don't look at the news online."

Si Yuan forced a smile: "I've already seen it."

Si Yuan's eyes reddened almost instantly after she finished speaking, revealing a hint of bitterness.

Jiang Wang frowned, unable to bear it any longer, and pulled her into his arms, saying, "I will protect you."

Si Yuan nodded, but said nothing.

She had insomnia again tonight.

Jiang Wang put a sleeping pill in her water, and she didn't fall asleep until 2 a.m.

Therefore, no matter how much resources and power one has, it is impossible to completely control public opinion.

——

The next day, when Si Yuan woke up, she smelled the aroma of porridge.

She opened her eyes, the lingering effects of the sleeping pills still present, and Si Yuan felt dizzy and lightheaded.

She propped herself up and sat up, then walked to the living room.

Jiang Wang was indeed busy in the kitchen.

Seeing Si Yuan wake up, Jiang Wang poked his head out: "Awake?"

"Um."

Jiang Wang smiled indulgently: "Breakfast will be ready soon. I'll stay with you all day. You can do whatever you want."

Si Yuan smiled gently back at Jiang Wang.

She didn't want to look at her phone; who knew what kind of weird stuff she might see?

She sat down on the sofa and turned on the TV.

The screen lit up just as it switched to a live broadcast on the financial channel.

This is the scene of a press conference held by the Song Group.

Standing at the podium was Song Yan.

He was wearing a sharp black suit, but his face was frighteningly pale, and his eyes were dark and bluish-black, clearly indicating that he had not slept all night.

Reporters surrounded the microphone stand in front of him, and the flashes of cameras were almost blinding.

"Mr. Song, is the recording circulating online authentic? Do you really have feelings for Ms. Si Yuan that go beyond those of foster siblings?"

The first reporter who asked the question was merciless, practically shoving the microphone right up to Song Yan's mouth.

A staff member nearby reminded them, "Please do not ask questions that are unrelated to the financial affairs of the Song Group!"

Reporters countered, "If company executives are embroiled in negative rumors that affect the stock price, don't we, the public, have the right to know?"

The staff member hesitated, unsure how to explain.

Only Song Yan remained silent.

His fingers tightened around the microphone, his knuckles turning white.

The next second, Song Yan suddenly looked at the camera and said in a hoarse voice, "Yes, the recording is true."

The scene erupted in commotion, and more camera shutters clicked.

Do you think your personal relationships are affecting the company's operations?

"The Song Group's stock price has fallen as a result. How do you plan to explain this to the shareholders?"

Another reporter followed up with a question, his tone clearly confrontational.

Song Yan's Adam's apple bobbed, offering no excuse: "All the responsibility lies with me. I was confused for a moment, confusing family ties with personal desires, causing great distress to Miss Si Yuan and bringing negative impact to the Song Group. Miss Si Yuan has never responded to me; it was all wishful thinking on my part from beginning to end. I am willing to bear all the consequences and apologize to everyone affected."

He bowed slightly to the crowd.

"Will you resign as an apology?"

"There are rumors that Miss Si Yuan has married into a top wealthy family in Beijing. Is there a competitive relationship between the two families?"

"Is this a tactic used by the Song family to undermine their competitors?"

"Is there any other conflict between you and Ms. Lin Shuangyu regarding her revelation of this matter?"

Trickling questions came one after another, like a barrage of arrows aimed at Song Yan.

He didn't answer any of them.

Song Yan simply straightened up, his eyes scanning the entire room blankly, then put down the microphone and turned to leave.

The incident caused a great stir, and the reporters were all anxious, but Song Yan did not turn around.

The television screen quickly switched back to a normal news broadcast.

Si Yuan's hand holding the remote control felt a little stiff.

She never expected that this time, Song Yan would take all the blame upon himself.

Jiang Wang walked over, sat down next to her, and picked up the remote to turn off the TV: "Stop watching, let's eat."

Si Yuan smelled the porridge and recognized its flavor as her favorite.

She smiled, it was unclear whether she was smiling at Song Yan or happy that she could have her favorite porridge first thing in the morning.

She nodded and stood up with Jiang Wang.

——

In the president's office on the top floor of the Song Group building.

"Smack—"

A crisp slap rang out.

Song Yan was knocked to the side, and a clear finger mark instantly appeared on his left cheek.

He didn't fight back or turn around; he simply remained in that position, motionless.

Standing before him, Song Guotao trembled with rage, pointing his finger at him, his voice hoarse with anger: "Tell me! Do you know the consequences of what you've done?!"

Song Yan slowly turned his head, his pale face marked with red marks, but a tired, almost self-deprecating smile appeared on his lips.

He raised an eyebrow and replied, "I know."

The stock price plummeted, the board of directors exerted pressure, and the Song family's reputation was severely damaged.

And the Jiang family, they might soon retaliate.

He might even be kicked out of the Song family and end up with nothing.

He knew.

But he has to... he has to do something for Si Yuan, right?

He had already lost her once.

Should I disappoint her again?

Si Yuan must not get involved any further.

I can no longer endure those unbearable rumors and gossip because of him, and I can no longer return to that desperate situation.

Even if this is the only way to give her peace and quiet, it's the most foolish and tragic method we can use.

He accepted these consequences.

Seeing his son's reckless and self-destructive behavior, Song's father was so angry that he felt dizzy and couldn't utter a word for a long time.

He slammed the door shut and left.

Song Yan was the only one left in the office.

If he had walked up to Si Yuan with that umbrella and taken her away back then, would things have turned out differently?