"Zhengwei, can I trust you?" In fact, she had already believed him in her heart, but she was still unwilling to give up and wanted to hear his promise in person.
"I swear on our son!"
Song Qing was startled and quickly covered his lips, scolding and angry, "You're not allowed to say that!"
Yi Zhengwei kissed her palm tenderly, "Silly girl, I will make sure our son is healthy and chubby. I will not allow him to have any mishaps."
Song Qing swallowed back her tears, then strained to see him clearly, so close to her. The more she looked, the deeper her longing grew. She cared for this man, so much so that she was willing to give him everything she could never give up, just hoping he wouldn't disappoint her.
Please don't let me down.
Yi Zhengwei thought she was still bothered by his relationship with Shen Xing, so he smiled and carefully helped her lie down.
Song Qing grabbed his hand and repeated it again.
Yi Zhengwei sighed helplessly and said earnestly, "It's all in the past, Qing'er. I've never liked making promises, especially not to you. I thought you were so intelligent that you would see and feel what I did." But how could he explain his promise to Shen Xing? Did it mean he made it out of necessity, just to persuade him, to persuade Shen Xing? Did he already foresee back then that he would be controlled by this woman in front of him in the future?
Song Qing smiled and shook her head, a hint of determination in her eyes.
Let's wait and see, until she's sorted everything out. She'll make the arrangements so that Yi Zhengwei can take over more efficiently.
She did a lot for him, but she didn't like to make promises. So, would the intelligent Yi Zhengwei have sensed everything she did?
*
She and Yi Zhengwei never said the word "love" to each other.
Perhaps they are all rational and composed people who carry too much on their shoulders and find it difficult to express it.
The Yi family finally weathered the Cold War and were all living happily together. Aunt Zhou said, "I've been so worried about the young master. Now that things are finally settled, I want to burn incense and pray to Buddha. Amitabha."
Yi Mantian chimed in, "Yes, yes, we still have to believe in the Bodhisattva. If you say you'll do something, then do it. Go and burn the offerings quickly."
Song Qing chuckled.
Yi Zhengwei stretched and came downstairs. Seeing the family laughing heartily, he couldn't help but feel relieved. "What are you talking about that's making you so happy?"
Song Qing took his hand and smiled, "I'm sorry for making everyone worry. I wonder if the baby will blame me for making it suffer after it's born?"
“Thinking about it, that makes sense. My son must be climbing trees every day.” Yi Zhengwei put his arm around her and led her to the sofa, then turned on the TV.
"Why?" Song Qing asked, puzzled.
Yi Zhengwei lightly pecked her cheek and laughed, "Because the tree is always running and moving, it keeps falling down, so he has to hold on tightly to climb up."
Yi Mantian spat on the other end: "Indecent!"
Aunt Zhou laughed so hard she bent over backwards.
Song Qing had already imagined the scene and found it extremely cute, so she couldn't help but laugh and snuggle into his arms.
Yi Zhengwei touched his cheek, somewhat puzzled. "Is it that funny?" He rarely tells jokes, no, he simply doesn't know how to tell jokes.
"No, Zhengwei, I can't look at you. Get away from me. The child is protesting inside." Song Qing pushed him away forcefully, but she couldn't stop laughing when she saw his serious expression.
"How strange." Yi Zhengwei muttered to himself as everyone urged him to continue upstairs to handle official business.
Yi Mantian breathed a sigh of relief. The decision he made that day should have been the right one.
Actually, wouldn't this be great? If both of them give in, wouldn't the family be more harmonious?
If he and Chen Zinan had done things the way they did back then, he wouldn't be living a lonely old age now. Perhaps he could be traveling around like his mother-in-law, taking it all in. But it's too late for regrets now.
Zhengwei, you must never be like your father.
He walked to the altar, respectfully burned incense, and chanted incantations.
Don't let me down
"Tomorrow, at Fuhua's shareholders' meeting, all you need to do is sign this authorization letter, and you will be able to legitimately take charge of Hongshang's work. I'm not joking."
-Song Qing
Xu Zhihan arrived as promised and first went to Yangmingshan to see Song Jingmo. Song Qing had been with him for the past few days, announcing that he would be reinstated as the chief engineer of Zhenhua Research Institute and that all personnel would be deployed. The research on Hongshang was basically in place and ready.
"Chairman Song, I will definitely not make any mistakes in this research." He made this statement to Song Qing in front of all his colleagues in the research institute, which was actually an admission to everyone in the institute that Power One was his mistake.
"Alright, let's not bring up the past anymore. I've always believed in you all. Just do your best, and Mr. Yi will discuss the specific details with you."
Seeing everyone eager to get started, Song Qingxiao was no longer worried. With Xu Zhihan around, she felt much more relaxed.
After the meeting, Song Qing sincerely shook his hand and said, "Zhihan, it's so good that you're back. I've been really tired these past six months. Come to headquarters tomorrow. I've arranged an emergency shareholders' meeting, and you will be the second largest shareholder of Fuhua."
"No, Xiaoqing, I just got back. Let's talk about this later."
“This is Dad’s idea. I’m determined to do this. Look at me, it’s not easy for me to come out these days. I’m all capable of doing this, so please cooperate,” Song Qing joked.
Xu Zhihan sighed and helped her sit down. "You're always like this, worrying too much. Don't worry, Fuhua is the result of your hard work. I've watched it all from its inception until now, and I know how difficult it has been. I will definitely protect it for you. We all have one thing in common: we're too trusting and too sentimental. It was because I couldn't separate public and private matters that things got so bad..."
Song Qing glanced at him with feigned displeasure and interrupted, "If you bring this up again, I'll really get angry."
"Okay, okay, I won't say it." Xu Zhihan raised his hands to beg for mercy.
Song Qing smiled with narrowed eyes, "If Dad knew this from beyond the grave, he would be very happy to see us like this now, working together again."
*
Upon arriving at Fuhua's headquarters, Song Qing held a warm welcome party for Xu Zhihan. At the shareholders' meeting, Xu Zhihan became the second largest shareholder, second only to Song Qing, and was appointed as the vice general manager. Everyone knew that Xu Zhihan's return had brought a new look to Fuhua, and this time, the research on Hongshang was once again being carried out with high profile.
After the meeting, she and Xu Zhihan went to see Dong Haifeng of Hanlong. She knew that Dong Haifeng had been longing for her for a long time.
"What a rare guest! My dear niece, you finally remembered me." Dong Haifeng was indeed beaming with joy, and he welcomed Xu Zhihan with even greater enthusiasm. "Oh, Engineer Xu, you're finally back! You've had enough rest this past year, haven't you?"
Song Qing and Xu Zhihan exchanged a smile.
“Uncle Dong, you’re too kind. I’ve been busy with internal restructuring these past few days. Zhihan is now the deputy general manager of Fuhua and will be fully responsible for the research on Hongshang. I don’t think there’s a rush. You cooperated well on the Power One project last year, and I’m sure you won’t disappoint me this time either,” Song Qing said.
"It is my honor to cooperate with President Xu again, my dear niece. The three of us working together again will definitely do better than Power One."
Song Qing didn't deny it on the spot. The three of them chatted about other things to lighten the mood before she said, "I mentioned to you last time that Zhengwei will replace me and take charge of all the work."
"Hehe, that's true. You're not feeling well right now, and Mr. Yi is worried about you, so I understand." He smiled like a sly old fox.
Song Qing nodded. "Tomorrow at headquarters, I will convene a meeting with all of Hongshang's partners to confirm the new cooperation intentions. At that time, I will formally hand over the leadership of Hongshang. I hope everyone can cooperate with Zhengwei's work."
Dong Haifeng already knew Song Qing's purpose in coming today; it was clear that Yi Zhengwei had fully gained Song Qing's trust. After the incident involving Song Ning and Yan Xunan at Fuhua, Yi Zhengwei's ability to rise to the top was indeed remarkable. It seemed Song Qing hadn't heeded his previous advice.
He had poured so much energy into the Power One project, only to be betrayed by Weisheng on his deathbed, leaving him deeply resentful. Now, with Yi Zhengwei appearing, he naturally took notice. Based on his understanding of the banking sector, even before Song Qinggang returned to China and even before the Power One project was officially confirmed, Yi Mantian and Yi Zhengwei had already intended to get involved. He had naturally received news of such a significant development in the business world. Yi Zhengwei was young, promising, and ambitious, and later, through a marriage alliance with the Song family, based on his years of business experience, he was definitely after the Power One project. Now that Hongshang's technology was even stronger, it was impossible that he was only involved out of love for his wife, as he now suspected.
He glanced at Xu Zhihan and saw him frowning, staring intently at the oil painting on the wall. He already had an idea in mind: to prevent Hongshang from having any more accidents, the two of them had to "cooperate" well.
"Alright, my dear niece, don't worry. Just focus on your pregnancy and give birth to a healthy baby boy. With Old Song's capable disciple and me, Hongshang can just enjoy the show. This time, we're going to catch Weisheng completely off guard!"
Xu Zhihan smiled confidently, stood up, and shook hands with him tightly. That old fox Dong Haifeng, with just the name "Weisheng," had already advanced their relationship a step further.
Song Qing sighed inwardly, but what could she say at this moment? It was rare for everyone to have such confidence and determination, and she would definitely support them.
However, she still felt a little reluctant towards Yan Xunan. Even if she didn't consider their past relationship, they were still relatives, and Madam Song was still alive. It was really hard for her to justify such infighting.
As long as Song Qing can maintain a technological lead and firmly hold the top position in the power industry, that's enough for him. There's no need to force Weisheng into a corner.
With everything arranged, she was going to have a good talk with Yi Zhengwei tonight.
Lately, they have been wary of each other, and neither of them has mentioned Hongshang. They have finally made up, and neither of them wants to start another argument.
It was late at night, and Yi Zhengwei was still handling official business. Taking over new projects and factory matters had made him even busier, but he believed that things would be much easier once everything was sorted out. Fortunately, Song Jingmo and Song Qing had always had a good eye for talent, and Guo Sheng and Xia Xiaodong were very helpful. If they could get along better in the future, things would be even more efficient.
It was almost September, and the night was still a bit chilly. Song Qing took a coat and put it on Yi Zhengwei. Seeing that he was dealing with factory matters, she said, "Zhengwei, aren't you too tired? There's a lot of work at the factory, and you've added a lot of social engagements for no reason."
Yi Zhengwei smiled and pulled her to sit in his lap. "It's alright, it's just a little complicated right now, but it'll be fine once it's sorted out."
"Why aren't you asleep yet tonight? The kids are going to protest."
"I rested all day today and I feel good now, Zhengwei, I have something to tell you."
Yi Zhengwei quickly signed several documents, replying casually, "Okay, go ahead."
Song Qing snatched the pen from him, closed the document, and said seriously, "Zhengwei, I've thought it over. Fuhua can't stop because of my current physical condition. I've arranged everything for Hongshang these past few days."
Yi Zhengwei frowned. "Xiao Qing, your father has some reservations about how busy you've been lately."
"Yes, so you have to help me, Zhengwei."
Yi Zhengwei thought she was joking. "Okay, let's not talk about this. Sweetie, go to sleep first. I'll be right there."
Song Qing was both amused and exasperated. She returned to her desk, took out the authorization letter, and handed it to him. "Tomorrow, at Fuhua's shareholders' meeting, you only need to sign this authorization letter, and you can legitimately take charge of Hongshang's work. I'm not joking."
Yi Zhengwei took it and looked at it; sure enough, it was so. He looked down at it.
Song Qing said from the side, "I have arranged the basic work for Hongshang. The personnel are in place. Zhihan is back, as you know, so there won't be any technical problems. I have also met with Hongshang's partners in the past few days and reached an agreement. Everyone has no objection to you taking over. We are just waiting for this process to be completed. The rest is up to you."
"Qing'er, have you been busy with these things lately?"
"Yes, this matter involves too many aspects, and I will inevitably have to leave these necessary personnel relationships. Zhengwei, I'll have to trouble you from now on."
Yi Zhengwei stood up and hugged her tightly, stopping her from saying anything more. After a long while, he said, "Qing'er, it's all worth it for you. You agree with me and believe in me. There is nothing more important than that."
“Yes, Zhengwei. I’ve always neglected you, but you are my husband and the father of our children. You have the right to help us through our troubles. I shouldn’t have left you out all this time.”
"None of that matters anymore; the past is the past."
Song Qing smiled with relief, suddenly feeling a great weight lifted from her shoulders and a sense of lightness over her entire being.
“Zhengwei, I thought this step would be difficult to decide, but once I actually did it, it wasn’t hard at all. I believe Dad will understand me. Before he passed away, he told us to stay together, not to separate, not to get divorced, and not to abandon our child. Zhengwei, I’ve done all of that. We’re going to spend our lives together. If I don’t trust you, who can I trust?”
"Qing'er, now that you say that, I suddenly don't know what to do. You've really surprised me." Yi Zhengwei kissed her, picked her up, and carried her back to the bedroom.
"You won't let me down, will you?"
Yi Zhengwei finally understood why she insisted on asking him that question that day; she had long ago decided to place all her trust in him.
"Do you still want me to swear on the child?"
"No, you'll scare him." Song Qing was still startled and quickly covered her stomach.
Yi Zhengwei pinched her cheek and teased, "Qing'er, you're such a slow-witted wife and a slow-witted mother."
Yes, she was really slow to realize that her husband and children were very important. She couldn't even tell whether Fuhua was number one or they were number one.