She arrived at Haotian at exactly seven o'clock. Little did she know, Bill's big mouth had already spread the word. At this moment, the conference room was brightly lit, and all the employees with positions were sitting upright and waiting for her arrival.
She originally only planned to pick up Bill and head to Bamboo Garden, since it would take an hour to get there. Tomorrow would be Bill's first day of work, and she didn't want him to be too tired.
She looked down at her casual attire, which made her stand out from the crowd, and couldn't help but raise an eyebrow reproachfully at Bill, who sat there nonchalantly with his arms crossed.
The hotel has very strict and rigorous requirements for the behavior of its staff. This is the foundation for Song Qing's thoughtfulness and ability to appropriately display her elegance and maturity after staying at Haotian for many years. Everything has a process of refinement.
Led by Wu Peng, everyone first gave a round of enthusiastic applause.
She had to change her relaxed style at Fuhua and revert to her old ways.
"Everyone, I'm very sorry, but I'm not here to officially meet you all, so..." She smiled, shrugged, and looked down at her clothes.
Everyone smiled and nodded in understanding.
"Manager Wu, all of Fuhua's celebratory banquets will be held at Haotian, and we will have many opportunities."
"Bill." She tilted her head and smiled.
Bill reluctantly got up and went to the head seat to stand next to her.
"I believe Manager Wu has already told everyone that Bill will be taking over my work and will be interning at Linchuan Haotian for a while. I regret that I couldn't work with everyone because of my family matters, but I believe that Bill will do a better job for me in the future." She gently took Bill's arm, smiled at him trustingly, and then looked at the group of people with a smile in her eyes.
Everyone quickly accepted this approachable young leader. Her clean-cut face radiated immense trust, instantly transforming the originally serious and tense reception into a harmonious one. Everyone stood and clapped intermittently. At Song Qing's prompting, Bill gratefully shook hands with them and exchanged pleasantries.
Song Qingchao and Wu Peng winked at each other and went to the side to call him over, saying, "Manager Wu, Bill has rarely taken on Haotian's affairs at the school in the past two years. In the next few days, you need to get him familiar with things as soon as possible. You know, it's impossible for me to get involved in Haotian anymore."
Wu Peng could see the deep sorrow in her eyes, just like the occasional media shots of her looking lost and helpless—it was so real, right in front of him.
"Don't worry, Mr. Song, Haotian won't let you have any worries. I haven't had a chance to tell you until now, but Chairman Song called me shortly after you took over Fuhua, asking me to fully cooperate with you. If you need anything, please let me know," he said righteously.
She smiled, a glimmer of light in her eyes. She sincerely reached out and shook his hand, their hands firmly intertwined. No more words were needed. Life may be full of setbacks and helplessness, but there are always things that can move and fill her heart from time to time.
※
"Bill, Haotian has always developed steadily, so I believe it won't be difficult for you to get involved." Song Qing drove carefully at night, glancing occasionally at him as he fidgeted and played with an electronic toy.
Bill cursed, tossed the unknown small screen to the back seat, crossed his arms behind his head, and stared intently at Song Qing's profile.
"Lianxin, I think you're too nervous."
Song Qing smiled awkwardly, "Really?"
"Hmm, that will affect your judgment. You should relax, relax, you know?" Bill pulled out one hand to gesture, his thick wrist moving as nimbly as a snake.
Song Qing chuckled.
"Alright, alright, let's have a nice meal today and forget about work. I promise you, after this meal, you'll feel refreshed and all your fatigue will be gone."
After coming here once with Yi Zhengwei, she would sometimes drive here on her own when she was too tired. With Yi Zhengwei's help, she could always reserve a table at Junzige, no matter how early or late it was. It seemed that the small private room was always empty, just waiting for her.
"Oh, there's such a place?" Bill sat up straight, leaned forward, and stared intently at the windshield.
"Bamboo forest breeze... Bamboo forest breeze..." Song Qing hummed softly, imagining the pleasant feeling of that night.
When they arrived, they found the usually quiet bamboo grove brightly lit and bustling with activity. She glanced at Bill with a hint of disappointment and shrugged.
"Oh, Lianxin, I like lively places." Bill didn't mind and pulled her inside.
"Excuse me," the waiter said, stopping them.
"I'm sorry, sir, madam, all guests who come in tonight must be checked."
"Check what?" Song Qing was taken aback.
"Today is a very private event to celebrate our new boss's birthday. If you are journalists, please come another day." The waiter bowed, very politely.
"It's alright, please check it." Song Qing waved his hand dismissively, but he was still very disappointed, wondering if the style of the place would still be the same after the new boss.
Bill stared intently at the waitress's movements; if she were a man, he would probably have punched her to the heavens long ago.
Song Qing patted herself down and watched as the waiter turned around and, his face flushed, inspected Bill. She shook her head; if she were the owner here, even if she really didn't want reporters to come in, she wouldn't dare send someone like that to check at the entrance.
Bill shook himself off and, looking displeased, pulled Song Qing inside. They were already incredibly nervous before even starting the meal, so how could he be feeling refreshed?
"Oh, Bill, believe me," Song Qing said with a smile.
When she arrived at the front desk, the receptionist already knew her very well and quickly came to greet her.
"Ms. Song, I'm very sorry, but our new owner has already booked Junzi Pavilion. We apologize."
"It's alright, respect the birthday person, then please book the room next door for us."
"Okay, thank you, Ms. Song. By the way, Ms. Song, after dinner, we have a dance party in the bamboo forest. We hope you can join us. Also, everything today is on the house. Enjoy your meal."
Chapter Twenty-Four: Song Qing = Qingzhu + Lianxin
"Xing'er, if you had two wishes, one was to have the highest and most unchanging love, and the other was to have a lifelong, respectful marriage, but God only allowed you to have one wish, what would you choose?"
- Yi Zhengwei
Tonight, the Gentleman's Pavilion is warm and romantic. Although the space is not large, large stars and moons hang from the bamboo beams, accompanied by colorful butterflies. The black threads hanging down are the faint, greenish fireflies. All the lights are off, leaving only two large red candles standing in the center of the table, shedding enormous tears of joy.
The window was slightly ajar, letting in a gentle breeze through the bamboo grove. The space was designed to be pure, simple, lovely, innocent, and romantic. Shen Xing, her eyes brimming with tears, gazed at everything in this small space. The enormous stars twinkled with a distant, mysterious light. It seemed the designer had put considerable thought into it. Today, she wore a white dress, her long, flowing hair tied in a white ribbon, cascading gracefully down her back. She was like a pure white fairy in the night, appearing both real and dreamlike in this silent space, almost completely isolated from reality and the outside world.
Even though the bamboo garden was bought and given to her by Yi Zhengwei at great expense, it couldn't compare to the romance and uniqueness of this room.
"Jung-wei, thank you." Afraid of touching or breaking this beautiful feeling, she whispered her gratitude in the soft firelight.