"Then why..."
Song Qing smiled helplessly, "There's nothing we can do about it. Rather than letting him go into exile, it's better to let him come back, face his mistakes, and do his best."
"That's true. I guess this is the day he's been waiting for. What we're worried about is that Chairman Song, you still won't confront Weisheng directly, so there's no point in him coming back."
Song Qing nodded, no longer wanting to discuss the topic, and Gao Hua also sat up straight.
“You’ve been in contact with Hanlong and you’re also familiar with Dong Haifeng, so please pass on this message. There’s no need to say anything else,” Song Qing explained his purpose.
Gao Hua was somewhat puzzled. Wouldn't it be better for Song Qing to handle this matter? After all, it's a big deal.
Song Qing understood his meaning perfectly well. She explained, "Once Zhenhua's matter is settled, I will meet with him to discuss it in detail. There's no point in saying too much now. He relies on his long-standing friendship with Chairman Song to always leave people with nowhere to escape. I don't want to ruin my good mood right now."
The conversation later took on a somewhat joking tone. But Gao Hua understood that Dong Haifeng must have used Song Jingmo's death to make Song Qing feel quite resentful.
"I know what to do now," Gao Hua said, getting up with an expression of understanding.
*
When Yi Zhengwei heard that Song Qing had returned, he finally breathed a sigh of relief. He spent the whole morning hesitating whether to call her, but after thinking it over, he felt too embarrassed to do so. After procrastinating for a while, when he finally called back, her phone was already switched off.
He became anxious and quickly called back, but Yi Mantian and Aunt Zhou both said they didn't know. He didn't dare to ask any more questions for fear of causing panic.
Song Qing would never be so irresponsible as to turn off her phone; he never imagined that she had already left Linchuan.
He then searched frantically everywhere, even going to the Yangmingshan cemetery, but there was no trace of Song Qing anywhere.
When he arrived at the Song family home, only Wang Ma was cleaning the garden. Only then did he realize that his mother-in-law and Xiao Huainian had gone abroad for a short stay.
As he drove back to the company, he wondered how Song Qing, who valued Hong Shang so much, could let Xiao Huainian leave.
Did he misunderstand Song Qing?
I haven't seen her for a few days, but she's under so much pressure. Is she alright?
He seemed to suddenly realize something, understanding all this time how he had pressured and neglected Song Qing. Song Qing had already come to him to apologize, but he still wouldn't give in. Even though he knew she had gone to Yue Ming's place and was waiting for him there, he cruelly ignored her.
Although he had a million reasons to convince himself that it was nothing compared to Song Qing's indifference towards him, his heart ached terribly whenever he thought about the kind of life Song Qing had been living during this time.
Qing'er, I'm sorry, I'm so sorry.
He closed his eyes in anguish in the car, a thousand thoughts swirling within him. Qing'er, don't leave me. I just want to share your burdens. I'm just a little too much of a chauvinist; I can't let go of my pride, I'm even a little insecure, afraid you'll surpass me. I'm also petty, jealous, and I don't want you to have anything to do with Yan Xunan anymore, I don't want you to take over Hongshang, I don't want you to struggle. I'm also afraid. I'm afraid that if you focus too much on work and stay at Zhenhua for too long, you'll get the same illness as your father. I'm afraid of losing you.
He suddenly wanted to tell her, no matter what, that he longed for her understanding and forgiveness. But the call didn't go through, and he could only feel like a trapped beast, with nowhere to vent his frustration, his heart burning with anxiety.
Once he returned to the company and got busy, even though he still wanted to call Song Qing, he wasn't as excited as before. It was absolutely impossible for him to say what he had been thinking at the time.
He's not just a little bit chauvinistic, he's incredibly chauvinistic.
Perhaps Yi Mantian shouldn't have just said that Song Qing was too forceful; he should have also taught Yi Zhengwei not to let the desire to win or lose cause him to overlook the purest feelings between people.
Returning to the Mountain
Neither you nor I are people who lack a sense of crisis or are content with the status quo. I believe that for you, Zhenhua is already your mission and your responsibility, without anyone reminding you.
-Song Qing
Xu Zhihan has been traveling around the world for the past year and only returned to Fuyang last month. He then received an offer of employment from Fuyang University and is hesitating about whether to accept the professorship.
For the past year, he had been carefully reflecting on every moment since Song Qing returned to China, and each time he did, he was filled with remorse. He felt ashamed of failing his teacher's guidance and trust. At crucial moments, his cowardice and hesitation had repeatedly caused Song Qing immense suffering. From initially clinging to wishful thinking to later succumbing to the overwhelming pressure and running away, he had come to realize that he was not the right person to provide for Song Qing.
Given Song Qing's personality, she and Yi Zhengwei would never have gotten married if he hadn't unilaterally issued a statement announcing the annulment of the engagement.
I wonder how she is doing?
Although he had been keeping track of her news, he knew that this woman, even if something was wrong, wouldn't show it on her face, especially given her strong personality. What was the point of thinking like that? He hadn't been able to help her much before, let alone now.
He was deep in thought, flipping through school materials in a coffee shop at Fuyang University. He glanced at his watch and realized it was about time to go check out the school's laboratories.
Xu Zhihan felt a figure staggering towards him. He looked up and was a little incredulous. Standing there with a protruding belly and a smile, wasn't that Song Qing?
He sat there blankly, even forgetting to invite the seemingly tired Song Qing to sit down, while the latter generously pulled out a chair and sat down.
"Are you alright, Zhihan?" Her voice was calm yet tinged with joy.
"Xiao Qing." He grabbed her hand, his fingers trembling slightly, with a hint of excitement.
Song Qing gently squeezed his hand back, pursed her lips, and nodded at him. At this moment, all the past seemed to have vanished into thin air for them.
I ordered her a glass of orange juice. Song Qing was clearly very thirsty and drank most of the glass without stopping.
Xu Zhihan couldn't help but feel a little guilty. "Why did I have to come all this way in person? Couldn't I have just made a phone call? It's so hot; I could easily get heatstroke."
Song Qing smiled indifferently, her smile still as refreshing and pure as ever. "If I don't come, I won't feel at ease, afraid that you'll think I'm not sincere enough."
Xu Zhihan looked somewhat helpless, both amused and exasperated. "Stop mocking me. Are you upset that I didn't go to Linchuan to apologize to you?"
"If I can't wait for you, then I'll come instead. Zhihan, Fuhua always needs you more."
"Xiao Qing, it's been so long since we last met. Let's not talk about business, okay?" He already knew why she had come; there was no need to trouble her for a personal matter.
"Zhihan, are you really at ease with Zhenhua now that I'm like this?" Song Qing wouldn't let him run away any longer.
"As far as I know, the company is stable, and your management has always been good. What do I have to worry about?" He chuckled self-deprecatingly.
"No, neither you nor I are people who lack a sense of crisis or are content with the status quo. I believe that Zhenhua is your mission and your responsibility without anyone reminding you. In the beginning, the research lab consisted of just you and your father. It has developed into what it is today, becoming Fuhua's biggest asset. You can't just shirk your responsibilities by handing over a resignation letter."
Xu Zhihan smiled bitterly, "Xiao Qing, why do you still say these things to make me feel uneasy now? Even though Zhenhua is my responsibility, I failed it back then."
Song Qing said sincerely, "Whether we were right or wrong in the past, in my opinion, there is no need to delve into it now. Are you really willing to settle down in school? If your father were here, he would be very sad."
"Xiaoqing, why is our conversation still revolving around Fuhua and the teacher?"
Song Qing smiled inwardly, looked into his eyes earnestly, and said, "Zhihan, I need you. I think we both need a chance to make up for our past mistakes."
Xu Zhihan's eyes gleamed brightly, "You mean..."
"Red dress".
The two remained silent.
From the very beginning, Song Qing took the initiative in this conversation, and the outcome was firmly in her hands.
Xu Zhihan took her to the airport, saying he needed to think about it.
It was because Song Qing told him, "Zhengwei will take my place and take over Hongshang's research. I need you to cooperate with him."
At this point, Song Qing had no grounds to continue. After all, they had been rivals and love rivals in the past. For Xu Zhihan to submit to Yi Zhengwei and work under him, while also interacting and cooperating well, was indeed a considerable challenge.
Although Song Qing was quite confident, this was indeed an unstable factor. After a long journey, she returned to the Yi family home at 11 p.m. Her stomach felt slightly uncomfortable and swollen. As soon as she got back, she washed up briefly and went to bed.
She developed a high fever in the middle of the night, which worried Yi Mantian and Aunt Zhou greatly. Yi Zhengwei also hurriedly put down his work and rushed back.
Yi Zhengwei was bound to get a good scolding from Yi Mantian.
Song Qing felt groggy, but because she had handled a lot of things today, she was in a good mood. She also resigned herself to the fact that it seemed that handing over the work to Yi Zhengwei was the right thing to do; she had no right to gamble with her child's health.
Smelling Yi Zhengwei's familiar scent, she struggled to open her eyes, "Zhengwei..." her throat hoarse and uncomfortable.
"Don't talk," Yi Zhengwei said with heartache, all the words he wanted to ask her where she had been all day vanished.
Yi Mantian and Aunt Zhou sighed and simultaneously pulled the door open to leave. It was time for them to have a proper talk.
Yi Zhengwei was busy with his work, blowing on the white porridge. Song Qing had never known that the porridge smelled so good.
She took a few sips of porridge, but she was still too upset to open her eyes. Tears streamed down her face silently, but she felt no sadness. Yi Zhengwei quickly put down the bowl, wiped away her tears, took her hand in his, pressed it against his cheek, and gently called her name, "I'm sorry, Qing'er, I'm sorry."
"Zhengwei, don't leave me." Her tears flowed even more freely, as if they had been accumulating for too long and were finally released today, so turbulently.
This time it's for real, isn't it? It's for real, isn't it?
Yi Zhengwei felt relieved and touched, and leaned down to hug her tightly, "No, I will never leave you."