He lacks the spirit and courage to innovate and explore, and he is too cautious in doing things. He is suitable for following behind others, and there is absolutely no problem in handing over the management of Zhenhua to him.
But she really couldn't guarantee that he would lead a team to complete the research on Red Robe.
She was at her wit's end, with no other options. Even if she went to Zhenhua to take charge, it wouldn't make any difference.
She waited until the end of the workday before calling Yi Zhengwei to inquire about the situation at Kangqiao.
"I've asked Lily to keep a real-time record of the progress of the power project and the new project, and to compile a report for you every day after get off work."
Song Qing sighed on the phone and didn't say anything.
"Alright, Qing'er, take your time with Hongshang's matter, don't rush. By the way, Dad called and said you're not coming home for dinner tonight?"
"Yes, I made an appointment with my mother. I haven't been back for a long time and I want to go see her." Song Qing didn't say much more. She told Yi Zhengwei to take care of his health and then hung up the phone.
Yi Zhengwei frowned, put down his pen, opened his work schedule, and instructed Lily, "I'm working overtime tonight. If there are any unprocessed documents, organize them and bring them to me before you leave work."
Lily asked in surprise, "Madam is pregnant, don't you need to go back and be with her?" Yi Zhengwei has hardly worked overtime lately.
Yi Zhengwei glanced at her and said, "Go do your work."
As the end-of-get off work bell rang, Song Qing closed her documents and called Mrs. Song, "Mom, I'm coming home."
"Okay, okay, I'll have Wang Ma make the preparations," Madam Song said happily.
Song Qing hadn't returned for a long time, and she had a lot to talk about with Wang Ma and Madam Song. After dinner, Song Qing took a fruit platter to her father's study, where Madam Song made her a cup of honey flower tea and began to chatter about some matters related to pregnancy care.
Song Qing listened with a smile, nodding occasionally. It was precisely on these matters that Madam Song could offer Song Qing advice, which gave her a sense of maternal superiority. The relationship between mother and daughter was exceptionally good, and she frequently mentioned visiting Song Ning at the Yan family home.
Looking at Madam Song's excited face, Song Qing thought that her mother must be very lonely usually. Only Wang Ma and Xiao Hong kept her company at home. As the eldest daughter of the Song family, she had no time to chat with her mother, let alone have her around. Song Ning only had Yan Xunan in her heart. Now that she was married, she also had to serve her in-laws. How could she treat Madam Song like a daughter used to?
If it weren't for Fuhua's matter, which prompted her to specifically seek out her mother, she might not have discovered this problem.
"Mom, come and sit down," Song Qing interrupted her mother with a smile, patting the sofa next to her.
Madam Song smiled broadly, patted her daughter's cheek, and said softly, "What's wrong? You look strange today."
Song Qing leaned on her mother's shoulder and said softly, "Mom, I am your first child. When you were pregnant, you must have been filled with joy and contentment. When you first became a mother, Madam Song must have only had her in her heart. Why did you become distant from her after she grew up and became sensible?"
Madam Song sighed, "Isn't that right? Back then, I really went to great lengths for you, constantly worrying about this and that, even dreaming that you might fall, and I didn't dare to speak loudly."
"Mom, I've neglected you since Xiaoning and I got married. I'm so sorry," she said sincerely.
"Silly child! But I understand what you're saying. Once a woman has a child, she knows how hard it is to be a mother."
The two leaned against each other in silence for a while. Then, Song Qing sat up, took Madam Song's hand, and said solemnly, "Mom, I've been avoiding you about Uncle Xiao's matter, afraid that I wouldn't be able to get past Father. But then I thought about it, the three of you were such good friends when you were young. Uncle Xiao was widowed for you his whole life, living far away abroad, and living a life of hardship. This friendship is truly hard-won. In fact, we, as your children, should support you and not be so selfish."
Madam Song's eyes welled up with tears. She stared at Song Qing for a long time, unable to speak, only nodding repeatedly.
Song Qing smiled and said, "I've already contacted Uncle Xiao. He's free of any ties now, so I think he can do as you wish. You can go abroad if you want, or you can have him come back."
"This...this..." Madam Song looked around awkwardly.
Song Qing smiled inwardly, wrung her hands as she stood up, looked at Song Jingmo's photo, and sighed deeply.
"Qing'er, is there still something that's difficult to resolve?"
Song Qing nodded, "Yes, ever since Zhihan left, no one in the research institute has been able to step up and take charge."
"You want Huai Nian to come and help?" Madam Song saw through the scheme.
"Yes."
After thinking for a moment, Madam Song readily agreed, "Then I'll have Huai Nian return to China. He'll definitely be willing to help." Song Qing had always opposed her relationship with Xiao Huai Nian, so since he agreed today, she naturally wanted to help her daughter.
Song Qing said gratefully, "Thank you, Mom, but please don't let Xiao Ning and Xu Nan know about this. Just say he came back because of you, okay?"
"Okay, I understand."
Song Qing breathed a sigh of relief, went downstairs to tell Wang Ma to tidy up the house, and also mentioned this matter, asking them to support her decision.
Wang Ma still had some reservations, but upon reflection, she realized that Song Qing's words weren't entirely without merit. Madam Song had been accustomed to being cared for since birth, and now that she was old, she was indeed not doing very well.
“Wang Ma, please be more understanding. Look at me, I can’t even take care of myself now, and Xiao Ning is even worse off, she and Xunan are always arguing.”
"Yes, Miss." Wang Ma reluctantly agreed to take good care of Xiao Huainian.
That evening, Song Qing returned to the Yi family in high spirits. This idea was a win-win situation; with Xiao Huainian's help, the research institute's work would definitely be fine.
As soon as she went upstairs, she called out to Yi Zhengwei. Her steps were light and quick. Yi Zhengwei came out when he heard her voice. When he saw her like this, he quickly caught her and was startled: "You'd better be more careful."
Song Qing giggled and hugged Yi Zhengwei's neck, "It's okay, the doctor said the baby is very healthy."
Yi Zhengwei gently pinched her wrinkled little nose and said affectionately, "Are you so happy to come home? Do you want your mother to come and keep you company?"
Song Qing entered the room with a smile, shaking her head and saying, "Uncle Xiao will be back soon, how could she have time to spend with me?"
Yi Zhengwei leaned against the door, watching Song Qing happily change into her pajamas, and suddenly asked, "What is Xiao Huainian doing back in China?"
“I agree to his relationship with Mom,” Song Qing said with a wink and a smile.
Even if she agreed, there's no need to be this happy! Yi Zhengwei frowned slightly, thinking, when suddenly a thought struck him, and he looked thoughtfully at Song Qing's smiling face. He closed the door and went back to his study to look at the documents.
Because of Hongshang's research, Song Qing became someone he didn't know anymore.
She's become more flexible, more willing to compromise, and more capable of forcing a smile. But he still prefers the persistent, unwavering woman she once was.
But how could they have become husband and wife without her compromise?