System Only Gives Me Useless Gifts

The following day, the Song and Li gathered at the restaurant. The purpose of the dinner was the wedding plans for the two kids. Although Song Gaode and Song Ki An were both scientists without children of their own, they wanted to use Rouxi's wedding as an opportunity to live out some of their alternate reality of being regular parents.

When Song Gaode traveled to Australia for his test, he met Ki An at a local high school. Afterward, he married her while they were both studying in college. They had agreed early on that they didn’t want children. They were generally uninterested about anything other than their research. They never had a wedding reception after they registered their marriage. Nevertheless, the idea of planning for their child’s marriage was something they were both thrilled about.

“This is my adopted guardian, Song Gaode and Song Ki An,” Rouxi introduced. She had picked them up from the airport and drove them to the restaurant.

“It’s really an honor to finally meet you!” Song Gaode cheerfully greeted the Lu Suyin, Li Fan, and the two grandparents who stood up from their seat and greeted the couple at the entrance. 

Song Ki An was more mild with her greetings. She barely spoke, but listened attentively to everyone as they spoke. Li Yun, the one who booked the the private room in the restaurant, had not arrived.

“He’s still researching, but he should be on time,,” said Rouxi. 

“You think he would want to come early for his own wedding plan,” asked Lu Suyin. She was constantly concerned with Li Yun constantly working all the time.

“It’s all right, Meilin is the same way,” said Song Gaode trying to appease Lu Suyin. He understood Li Yun's position and knew that Rouxi could be in her own world when researching for her show and business.

Li Yun arrived the same as Song Taiji with Secretary Liang. Li Yun’s relatives all acted as though a celebrity had just entered the room. The first moment of awe eventually turned into warm comradery. Li Yun had to hand it to Song Taiji for knowing how to deal with people. It was scary how likable the guy was.

Li Yun turned to Rouxi sitting on his right and eyed her reaction. She was trying really hard not to roll her eyes.

“Meilin, are you all right with the wine and tea exchange in the morning and then reception in the afternoon?” asked Lu Suyin. “All the aunties would like to be involved with the exchange.”

Rouxi nodded. She remembered when they all chipped in to help with Fatty Fang and Mu Lian’s wedding. “A simple wedding is fine. It doesn’t have to be too elaborate.”

Rouxi and Li Yun weren't lacking money to pay for a wedding planner, but the neighbors in the apartment all enjoyed the planning process.

“The Song family will need around 250 seats,” said Song Taiji. 

“That’s a lot,” said Lu Suyin. Lu Suyin thought her family was large, but the Song likely had a lot of branches everywhere.

“There are a lot of family elders and members interested in attending,” said Son Taiji.

“I bet,” said Rouxi in a sweet tone, but tainted with slight sarcasm. “I’m sure people like secretary Liang are all attending as well?”

Secretary Liang changed his last name to Song when he started working for the Song family. Servants and maids often changed their last names to the household they served. The tradition continued, but only for trusted servants.

“We will probably need to book a bigger venue,” said Li Fan. He may not be the most opinionated, but he had the most common sense. “Do you think a 600-seat venue will work?”

Li Yun and Rouxi both agreed. The number they reserved for their own friends were less than family members, but it was typical of weddings; it was more for the parents than themselves.

“Are the young male cousins coming?” Asked Rouxi.

“Are you talking about Ahi and Mugen?” asked Song Gaode. “Probably not.”

“About that, are they really shipped off to boarding school in the foreign countries?” Rouxi asked. She met a lot of the relatives, but never the male adolescent cousins, not even from the branch family.

“Well, it’s sort of like a family tradition,” Song Gaode never told Rouxi about the test. “You don’t need to worry about it.”

“Really? I saw news about Ahi the other day,” said Rouxi. “But he’s using a different name, Ames.”

Song Gaode was surprised. “He’s using the celebrity route?”

“Oh? So is this some sort of family training?” asked Rouxi. She followed idol groups as a hobby, and came across rumors of a new group debuting from the neighboring country.

“It’s a family test to see who inherits the family,” Song Taiji interjected.

“There’s really a test?” Rouxi had heard a bit of rumors from the servants, but they never elaborated since they weren’t sure of the details.

Secretary Liang looked surprised that Song Taiji was willing to speak out in public about the test. His master typically didn’t explain much about the test to outsiders. However, it seemed that he had taken in Li Yun’s family.

Every male member had used similar business tactics, but Ahi was the first to try being a celebrity. It wasn’t uncommon for families to use such tactics. The Chen’s family stronghold in entertainment was well-known. However, the Song wasn’t well known in the entertainment industry, except for Rouxi. Even then, she was considered a minor influencer.

****

After the family meetup dinner, Li Yun met with Song Taiji privately to discuss other matters. It was the second time they met privately but this time Rouxi was aware of his meeting. She took his parents and grandfathers back to their apartment.

“You’ve done some impressive work within a year,” said Song Taiji. “I don’t think even with my ability I could start something completely from scratch.”

“You have overestimated me,” said Li Yun. “You said yourself that Rouxi has done better and at a younger age.”

“She is quite something, isn’t she?” asked Song Taiji. “The first time I met you, it was only to prepare you for what is to come if you want to marry her.”

Li Yun knew there were likely other reasons why Song Taiji had pushed him to improve his personal wealth, but it was unclear the purpose.

“I mentioned there is a test to find the heir,” said Song Taiji. “However, it looks like Meilin has the best qualifications to take it. However, there has never been a female heir. There will be elders who will be against her ascension.”

Li Yun was surprised Song Taiji had such thoughts. “Have you mentioned it to her?”

“Eventually.”

“What if she doesn’t want to take over the family line?”

“She’ll need to inherit it whether she likes it or not,” said Song Taiji. “If it is fated to be, it will be.”

Li Yun hated that word, but according to Song Taiji, whoever inherited the third eye was destined to carry on the Song family for eternity. The Song family was able to maintain their prestige for centuries because they had followed the guideline.

“The elders are concerned about their fates if you select the wrong heir?”

“That is their main concern,” Song Taiji admitted. If Meng Shi hadn’t warned him about her other fate interfering, he would have had an easier time announcing her as an heir. He could push for her based on her ability as it was the key indicator of the path that the Song ancestor had indicated. Veering away from their guidelines would mean the end of the Song Family. “However, her ability is enough to trump their concern. But, there’s also one more thing that will convince them to let her take over.”

“You want our children to take the name of the Song?” Li Yun asked. He had assumed Song Taiji wanted to meet with him about continuing the Song family line. If the elders were concerned about continuing the family line, then it wasn’t completely about her being female, but about their children taking on his name.

Song Taiji smiled. “You will probably want to discuss this with Meilin. I’ll wait for your answer.”

Li Yun nodded. Conversations between two people who knew their purpose and goals were often short. They didn’t need to speak to know each other’s intentions.

“I have other issues to discuss with you,” said Li Yun. “Regarding Zhao Mengfu’s calligraphy.”

chocomug