She gently withdrew her hand and took two steps back to maintain distance. She didn't want to suffer the pain of losing loved ones again in her life.
"Qing'er, let me help you."
Her eyes sparkled as she looked at Yan Xunan, whose expression was resolute. In his presence, she still seemed too naive; with just a single word from him, her long-held heart had so easily softened.
"Qing'er, believe me!" Yan Xunan hurriedly grabbed her hand again, his whole body seemingly about to explode, but in the end he still managed to control his urge to hug her tightly.
All of this was too shocking and unexpected. Overwhelmed with disappointment in himself, Song Qing fled for his life.
Meanwhile, Song Ning, in one corner, had already turned deathly pale. The fear that emanated from her heart made her heart so fragile that it was easily broken.
Sister, why did you even take what I had left in the end? For ten years, you've haunted me like a ghost, making it impossible for me to escape your shadow. Years ago, all I wanted was to escape all of this, but since fate didn't kill me, I have to take responsibility for myself this time.
"Xu."
She composed herself, put on a smile, and went to greet him.
"Ning'er? What brings you here?" Yan Xunan looked in the direction she came from, a hint of surprise flashing in his eyes.
"I just saw my sister there and was about to come over, but she's already gone. Did you upset her again?" She came closer and straightened his slightly crooked tie.
Yan Xunan smiled with narrowed eyes, then lowered his head and pulled down those absent-minded hands.
"Fool, are you overthinking again?"
Song Ning bit her red lips and looked at him in a daze.
"We're talking about work," he said, sounding completely at ease and matter-of-fact.
"Dad's new project?" Everyone's been talking about it lately, and besides, she's been paying attention to it.
"Xu, you want to too..."
"Of course, and... we're determined to have her!" He hugged her tightly and lowered his head to give her a deep kiss.
Now that her sister is in charge of this project, it's inevitable that they'll have a lot of contact in the future. How far is ten years of separation? She looked down at his hand that was wrapped around her waist, and how deep is ten years of reunion?
"Zhengwei, do you think it was worth the price you paid?"
Yi Mantian and Yi Zhengwei withdrew from the bustling crowd and went to a quiet place to talk.
The 600 million low-interest loan was already a loss, and there was no return yet. But he had always highly regarded his son's abilities, so this was not a word of blame.
Everyone who came today has the same purpose as them.
In fact, after several encounters, he had a very good impression of Song Qing. Besides, Song Jingmo had no son, so everything in Fuhua's future belonged to Song Qing. If he wanted to bring Fuhua under his control without expending any effort, there was only one way—marriage! No matter how strong or capable she was, she was still just a woman.
Yi Zhengwei didn't take it to heart, and just smiled faintly: "Didn't you see it?" He was referring to the ambiguous meeting between Song Qing and Yan Xunan just now. Anyone with eyes could see that the two of them hadn't let go of everything from the past.
"Zhengwei!"
He smiled knowingly and patted his father's shoulder reassuringly.
"Hmph, don't think that gives you an excuse to continue your reckless behavior! Unless you want to give up everything you have!"
"Dad! I don't have to sacrifice my happiness for a project." He also had a hint of anger in his voice.
"In fact, as you've seen, she's the woman who deserves you! I thought that after so many years of experience, you'd have the ability to think things through, but in this matter, you've disappointed me greatly!"
The father and son were clearly on the verge of exploding, neither willing to back down.
In the end, Yi Zhengwei calmed down. His brows furrowed deeply, and after a long while, he said to his furious father, "Dad, I won't give up on this project!"
"Zhengwei, that's how a man should be. Once you've settled things, Dad won't interfere anymore. I believe you won't let me down." Yi Mantian's ability to read people was already extremely high, and he knew he had reached his son's limit. He said something ambiguous to put Yi Zhengwei at ease. However, no matter how much he backed down, Shen Xing was destined to never be able to make a move.
He patted his son's shoulder and gave him a gentle but firm shove. Yi Zhengwei looked up and lightly clinked glasses with him. Father and son each tilted their heads back and drank, burying the hatchet with a smile.
Yi Mantian left satisfied, holding a glass of wine, and greeted Song Jingmo like a brother who had been close for many years, with bursts of laughter emanating from him from time to time.
The father and son have always worked together very well. Moreover, this marriage is truly a perfect match, a match made in heaven.
Chapter 12 Same boat
Those guys in the planning department must be jumping up and down in a panic right now, right? In the business world, a wolf-like greed and ambition are certainly necessary, but they clearly haven't mastered it yet.
- Yi Zhengwei
"Ning'er, it's been a long time since you came to our house. How's work lately?" Xu Yayue said gently on the phone.
"Oh, Auntie, it's been so long since I heard your voice. I miss you so much, but Xu and I have been very busy lately." Song Ning quickly gestured to the staff, and everyone immediately held their breath.
"Hehe, yeah, Xunan has been coming home really late lately, we hardly ever see him anymore. By the way, is Xiaoqing back? I think I saw her the other day."
Song Ning's expression changed, and she asked urgently, "Where is it!"
"At home, it seems like she brought Xunan back. I noticed she left in a hurry without saying goodbye, and at first I thought it was you."
"Xunan has been dealing with some official business lately and has been in contact with his sister."
"When you have time, why don't you invite her back for a meal? It's been so many years since we've seen her. That girl has been so busy, and she didn't even say hello when she came back. She's all so dramatic, it's making us really curious."
When Xu Yayue thought of Song Qing's hurried figure that morning, she laughed happily, her tone hardly one of reproach for not greeting them upon her return.
Song Ning's mood sank to rock bottom. She forced a smile and exchanged pleasantries with her future mother-in-law for a while before hanging up the phone.
That night, she couldn't reach him; clearly, they were together.
Xu, why did you do this? Was it for work, or for your feelings?