The first dance was with a designated partner. As soon as it ended, Yan Xunan calmly walked towards Song Qing, gentlemanly leaned forward and extended his hand, then turned his head politely to Xu Zhihan and said, "Shall we exchange partners?"
Xu Zhihan was a smart man. Although the three of them tried their best to hide it, he could still see the turbulent undercurrents. He asked Song Qing in a low voice, "Are you tired? Do you want to rest for a while?"
Before Song Qing could answer, an untimely voice interrupted, "Why don't you let me have this dance, Miss Song?" As he spoke, he took her hand.
Song Qing looked at the man who had just been chatting happily with his father with considerable surprise. His face was somewhat stiff, clearly indicating that he was not good at talking and laughing for many years, but this did not affect his handsomeness. He exuded a strong sense of pressure and captivating charm.
She glanced around at everyone, pursed her lips, and said happily, "Alright, Ning'er, then you take President Yan to see Dad first."
※
"Miss Song just returned from England?"
The cold voice tightened Song Qing's grip. She raised her head slightly and smiled, "Yes. And you are?"
"Ms. Song is used to accepting dance invitations from strangers? I am truly honored tonight."
"If they are guests invited to the family dinner by my father, how could they be strangers?"
"My surname is Yi. I have some business dealings with your father." He then introduced himself, pulled her aside, and took out a business card from his pocket. It only had his name and personal mobile phone number on it, without any other information.
She took it with a slight pause, knowing it was a very personal business card.
What industry does Mr. Yi work in?
Yi Zhengwei raised an eyebrow, looked down at her scrutinizingly, and chuckled, "Miss Song is indeed living abroad."
Her face flushed, and she gave him an apologetic smile. Clearly, this Mr. Yi was a very influential figure in Linchuan, and her father had just treated him with great respect.
"Miss Song, you're too kind. Don't worry, we'll see each other many more times in the future." Yi Zhengwei smiled nonchalantly, his smile carrying a deeper meaning.
Song Qing smiled indifferently. He was afraid that Linchuan would be irrelevant to his life in a few days, especially since it was just a business friend of his father whom he had only met once.
"Xiao Qing, your teacher wants you to come over. Some of your elders want to see you." Xu Zhihan politely interrupted their conversation.
Yi Zhengwei smiled at Song Qing's apologetic yet polite expression and said first, "Ms. Song, I have other matters to attend to at my company. Please tell your father that I must return now. I believe we will meet again soon. Goodbye."
Song Qing smiled and nodded in the direction of her father from afar, then glanced at Mr. Yi, whose only remaining figure was his broad, straight back. After scanning the entire scene, she suddenly felt a little dazed.
Chapter Six: Cinderella? Lover?
Life is like walking on colorful clouds; it's beautiful and the scenery is wonderful, but you never know when you might suddenly step into the void.
-Shen Xing
Two years ago, Yi Zhengwei completed his training at the UK branch of the banking group. Coupled with Yi Mantian's health issues, he was transferred back to the Linchuan headquarters of the banking group to assist him. The board members of the banking group were all brothers who had started their business with Yi Mantian from scratch. Each of them was quite capable. Although their old friendship remained, there was only one way for Yi Zhengwei to win over these veterans: through the word "interests."
Yi Zhengwei didn't inherit his father's style; he relied on ability in everything. Compared to Yi Mantian, he was definitely superior, and his long-standing British work ethic—rigorous, meticulous, decisive yet cautious—further enhanced his abilities.
Yi Mantian, meanwhile, skillfully navigated the complexities of the situation, rallying his former associates and paving the way for his son's future. Yi Zhengwei, on the other hand, implemented sweeping reforms, expanding into several industries. The rapid development of Linchuan's real estate market in the past two years can certainly be attributed in part to his efforts.
Yi Zhengwei is a typical workaholic, but even a strong person is human and will naturally get sick, and when he does, it's not a minor illness, such as acute gastric ulcer.
That's when I met Shen Xing.
Tian Yunlong, the director of Liubin Private Hospital, and Yi Zhengwei were classmates, and the Yi and Tian families were considered prominent families. Tian Yunlong was one of Yi Zhengwei's few good friends. The hospital and the Yinkong Group's two buildings were only two streets apart. If it weren't for the rapid development of real estate in Linchuan in recent years, the two of them would still be able to see each other from afar and wave to each other.
Shen Xing was the nurse Tian Yunlong had specially assigned to Yi Zhengwei. She had delicate eyebrows and small eyes, white teeth and bright eyes, skin like solidified cream, and a delicate fragrance. Although she wasn't as stunningly beautiful as Song Ning, she was still a top-notch girl from a modest family. Like a white lotus, even her scent was faint and unpleasant, which was precisely why Yi Zhengwei loved her so much and cherished her.
His deceased mother, Chen Zinan, was a career-driven woman who had been competing with Yi Mantian for a generation and had been stronger for a lifetime. The influence of the previous generation's marriage had long been deeply ingrained in Yi Zhengwei's bones. When he met Shen Xing, his heart was settled. Therefore, he was very resistant to Yi Mantian's arrangement for him to have a future with Song Qing. Moreover, Shen Xing had gotten along well with him for the past two years without any discomfort. He really couldn't find a reason to let go. If it weren't for Yi Mantian's strong opposition and concern that his heart was not good and he could not be stimulated, he would have married Shen Xing long ago.
To express his feelings, he reserved an advertising space on the top floor of the Shibing Building, specially hung a sign with Shen Xingzhi's name, and kept it with fresh roses. The cold war between father and son made Yi Zhengwei do such a childish thing that was inconsistent with his status and personality.
"Xiaoxing, you're looking at that sign again. Don't worry, I saw workers carrying roses up this morning. They won't wither," her colleague Xu Rong teased with a smile.
Shen Xing squinted and turned around, playfully punching her lightly before bending down to arrange the medicine again, her face flushed.
However, his hand movements were noticeably lighter and quicker.
Over the past two years, Yi Zhengwei's actions have been enough to reassure her. However, lately, she has always felt uneasy, as if something is about to happen, but she can't quite see any clues.
People who are naturally delicate and sensitive often have a kind of intuition, but this intuition is probably better left unused. Once it comes, it can't be avoided. Such people are destined to be exceptionally persistent, and once they invest their true feelings, they will find it difficult to protect themselves.
"Zhengwei." She took the initiative to call him. She looked at the gold-plated business card in her hand. Although she carried it with her every day, she rarely called him. In the past two years, she would never have called him more than ten times.
He answered the phone with his hearty laughter, the kind he only showed when he was with her. "Xing, what's up?"
She smiled, her heart immediately settling down. "It's nothing, I just suddenly wanted to hear your voice. Have you been very busy lately?"
"Yes, a little bit. However, the driver will pick you up at Zhuyuan tonight, so you can leave work a little later." Yi Zhengwei rubbed his temples, seemingly troubled by something. After hesitating for a moment, he picked up his pen and crossed out the dinner with President Dai of Yike.
"Yes. I thought something had happened to you these past few days..." Her eyes suddenly reddened, and her voice trembled slightly.
Yi Zhengwei grinned, "Fool."
The doting affection was unspoken, and anyone who heard that magnetic and indulgent voice would be captivated, or even, like Shen Xing, shed a few large tears.
Reluctantly hanging up the phone, Shen Xing was still immersed in joy.
A piercing phone rang again. She steeled herself and immediately picked it up. "Hello, is this Zhengwei?"
"Xing'er".
"Oh, Mom." Shen Xing smiled happily.
"Were you waiting for Zhengwei's call? When are you bringing him back to Cambridge?" Mother Shen was clearly infected by her daughter's joy.
"mom……"