This is a woman with an incredibly resilient spirit, who prefers to keep herself hidden away, like Chang'e in the moon palace, seeking warmth with a rabbit. Even if you gaze up at her every night, you will only see a cold, lonely silhouette.
He has been doing research for many years, so much so that when he meets a woman like Song Qing, he can't help but ponder her carefully.
This woman, just like her name, is serene and gentle. Even though we are far apart, she is not unpleasant. Are you sure you want to hate the clear moon on that cool summer night?
Song Qing smiled faintly, letting him look at her without making a sound.
"Cough cough..."
Xu Zhihan blinked, came to his senses, and gave Song Jingmo and Song Qing an apologetic smile, but not to the point of embarrassment; he struck a very good balance.
"Qing'er, the banquet is about to begin. Let me first introduce you to the most outstanding disciple in the research lab. He will be your dance partner tonight."
Song Qing smiled and nodded obediently, replying, "Dad, I remember that before I went abroad, Mr. Xu tutored me at home a few times."
Xu Zhihan raised his eyebrows in surprise, the light on his glasses softening considerably. He echoed, "Teacher, I do remember now. Miss Song has a good memory. When I came to study under you, our research lab was located in your villa in the northern suburbs."
"Yes, my tutor happened to be sick at the time, and Mr. Xu substituted for him a few times."
Song Jingmo smiled broadly, looking at the young couple, finding them more and more pleasing to the eye.
"Haha, I'm getting old and don't remember these things. That's good. Zhihan, please take good care of Qing'er at the dinner later. She hasn't been back to China for many years and may be a little rusty. She doesn't know any of the new family friends she's made in recent years."
Xu Zhihan nodded happily, even though he usually spent most of his time in the research lab and didn't know much about business matters.
During the conversation, the colorful lights in the living room and garden downstairs had already turned on, and the noise gradually reached her ears. Night fell without her realizing it. Song Qing stared at everything outside and suddenly felt that this day had been so long. Or perhaps, after so many years of calm, busy, and simple work, suddenly facing so many people and things made her feel very unfamiliar and uncomfortable.
The car horns blared incessantly, and the guests had gradually arrived. Song Qing rose to bid farewell to her father, then turned to Xu Zhihan and said, "Mr. Xu, I'm going to change my clothes," indicating that they should meet there.
"Miss Song, if you don't mind, you can call me Zhihan." This time, he took the initiative, approached her with a gentle smile, and reached out to shake her hand.
"Xiao Qing." She smiled sweetly and generously extended her hand again.
Chapter Five: What is Innocence?
"My surname is Yi. I have some business dealings with your father."
- Yi Zhengwei
"Young lady, you look really good in this outfit."
Old Mrs. Wang was too old to offer many adjectives. However, this silver-white evening gown, in both its cut and its overall style, blended perfectly with Song Qing, creating an indescribable harmony. It was as if this dress had always been on her, never having been taken off.
She gave Wang Ma a bright smile, then applied even more makeup. For an evening banquet, heavier makeup was definitely better.
Wang Ma went out with a sense of relief and happily closed the door for her.
The woman with red lips and dark eyebrows in the mirror made her feel dazed for a moment. In the end, she shed a layer of illusion. Since she had decided to come back, she should put on this layer herself.
Tonight's guests are all long-time acquaintances or business partners with whom he has had extensive dealings. It's quite a coincidence that Yi Zhengwei received an invitation, since the Song family happens to be looking to borrow money from a bank under his name.
He was the first to arrive at the banquet tonight, which was quite unusual. The guests were scattered about, chatting quietly. As soon as Song Jingmo went downstairs, she saw Yi Zhengwei sitting on a swing in the corner of the garden, holding a red bottle and looking up at the second floor of the villa. Behind the blue curtains, a graceful woman stood quietly, motionless.
"President Yi, you are a rare guest."
"Oh, Chairman Song." Yi Zhengwei withdrew his gaze without any embarrassment and calmly handed the red wine to the waiter standing to the side.
Both men were seasoned business veterans, and each had their own needs, so the conversation was naturally pleasant, punctuated by frequent bursts of laughter. Clearly, Song Jingmo greatly admired this young businessman, and she proactively took the two glasses of red wine from the bartender, toasting each other.
Just then, Song Qing drew back the curtains, hoping to catch a glimpse of the banquet, but saw her father downing half a glass of red wine, and looked quite worried. As if sensing her gaze, Yi Zhengwei turned his head and saw a beautiful picture of a woman under the moonlight.
The silvery moonlight and the neon lights blended and reflected each other, creating a beautiful scene that was both dreamlike and real. Her straight, black hair cascaded down her shoulders, and a hair clip on her forehead shone brightly. It complemented her fitted, ivory-white V-neck dress, highlighting her gentle and caring face. Like a princess who had suddenly turned around in a beautiful castle in a remote mountain forest, she seemed to have stumbled upon a princess who had lost her memory.
Unaware of his presence, Song Qingmo suddenly patted his shoulder and pulled him towards the door. He snapped out of his daze, grinning. It turned out to be Yan Xunan and Song Ning from Weisheng Industry. They truly were a perfect couple, immediately attracting everyone's attention.
Amidst the merriment of the crowd, he glanced at the windowsill with amusement. At the same moment, as if pulled by a tether, the blue curtains suddenly slammed shut, and a figure vanished behind the window in a flash, leaving only ripples on the surface, like the azure sea, stirred by the gentle breeze.
By this time, the room was filled with the clinking of glasses and a lively, bustling atmosphere. Madam Song was surrounded by a group of elegant ladies, while Song Jingmo was constantly toasting with his old friends and family acquaintances. After all, at his age, there was still a distance between him and these younger people.
"President Yan," Yi Zhengwei greeted him.
Yan Xunan was slightly taken aback, then looked down and patted Song Ning, who was holding his arm, signaling her to go upstairs.
"Mr. Yi, I've heard so much about you, but I've never had the chance to meet you. You've never liked these kinds of banquets, have you?" Yan Xunan extended his hand like a host to shake his.
"No, I think it's well worth the trip for this kind of family dinner."
As they exchanged pleasantries, the lights suddenly dimmed slightly. They both looked up at the second-floor window, only to find it completely dark and deserted.
The two exchanged a knowing yet tense glance.
The housekeeper called everyone back to the living room. Song Jingmo gave everyone some instructions and went in first.
The spiral staircase was filled with the sound of high heels descending, but no one was yet in sight. Everyone eagerly awaited the arrival of the daughter of the city's most renowned tycoon in the power industry.
Yi Zhengwei found a quiet spot to sit down, where his view would not be disturbed.
He not only paid attention to this mysterious successor of the Song family, but also didn't miss a single expression on Yan Xunan and Song Ning's faces. The three of them were quite amused. Yan Xunan, who had always been known as the smiling prince in the business world, could be seen to be a little nervous, while Song Ning had a faint unease between her smiles.
Song Qing, however, surprised him. At first glance, he thought this woman was almost identical to Shen Xing. Their expressions and demeanor were similar, which made him feel a sense of goodwill towards her. Now, it wouldn't be surprising if he thought she was someone else entirely. She was too composed, her manners too impeccable; every smile, every gesture, every movement seemed to have been well-trained in high society. Her nod, her slight lean, her handshake—she was the epitome of a flawless female business elite.
He suddenly felt a little bored, and gently swirled the red wine in his hand, looking at her beautiful figure through the glass.
It seemed that neither he nor Yan Xunan would get her first dance today. Yi Zhengwei put down his wine glass, leaned back in his chair with a slight weariness, and glanced at the two eye-catching couples on the dance floor.
The man dancing with Song Qing was none other than Xu Zhihan, and every man present felt a pang of envy towards him. He steadily twirled Song Qing, and several times, as they brushed past Yan Xunan, Song Qing visibly lost her balance, her legs trembling slightly. He whispered something in her ear, then smiled gently at her. Song Qing nodded and smiled back with gratitude, their understanding unwavering. Song Jingmo, beaming, exchanged a glance with Madam Song, then sat down with a group of old friends, chatting softly and occasionally nodding and commenting on the young people dancing joyfully on stage—that was a completely different world altogether.