"Wang Ma will send you the dress. It should arrive soon, Qing'er. Your mother has finally waited for this day." Madam Song wiped away her tears as she took the phone, deeply moved.
"Yes, today the Song family will have three happy events, and it's also the foundation ceremony for your family and career. Xiao Qing, your life will be the most successful!" Song Jingmo snatched the phone and said boldly. After speaking, he laughed, but unexpectedly, he coughed violently. Madam Song quickly pulled him to sit down, which made Song Qing's heart jump into his throat.
"Okay, Dad, I'll call him now." She hung up absentmindedly, then, thinking of her father's appearance and his behavior on the phone, she finally pressed the number. Each press was like a drumbeat, pounding fiercely.
As soon as Xu Zhihan returned to the research lab, he angrily criticized the other researchers who remained behind. The desk was a mess, with scraps of paper flying everywhere. His face was ashen, and beneath his anger lay deep worry.
"You've really disappointed me. What did I tell you before I left? We set up the research lab here firstly to comply with the Environmental Protection Bureau's requirements, and secondly what?! Tell me!"
He slammed his hand on the table.
"To keep it a secret..." the group murmured, looking down at him.
"But, Mr. Xu, she was sent here by Mr. Song, and she's also the chairman's daughter." Although one person admitted his mistake, he still felt that his actions were understandable.
"Yes, Mr. Xu, before you left you told us to follow Mr. Song's arrangements in everything," another chimed in.
"You bunch of bastards! You made a mistake and then blamed it on others! Do you think President Song has to teach you about the importance of this place?!" Xu Zhihan grabbed his phone and threw it at the person who had just spoken without thinking, shattering the phone into pieces.
"Do you think that Miss Song, the second young lady of the Song family, needs to enter our confidential room? Does she need to see our vault?" Xu Zhihan pointed to the screen in the confidential room, which displayed the number of times she had entered and the time.
No one here would go in unless absolutely necessary, and he hadn't needed their technical data during his three months of driving. However, he couldn't leave the keys with them just in case; he had to ensure the success of the driving test, which was the culmination of years of research he and his teacher had done.
Everyone lowered their heads in shame. They had been captivated by Song Ning's beauty and status. This was understandable, as most researchers in the remote research lab lacked extensive social experience.
"Of course, even if the second young lady of the Song family sees it, there may not be any danger. She doesn't understand the technology; she's just watching, so it won't have much of an impact." Xu Zhihan slumped down dejectedly, not knowing whether he was comforting himself or giving the crowd, whom he had already thoroughly criticized, an excuse and a way out.
"President Xu, should we report this to the Chairman?" the others reminded them. They seemed to realize the seriousness of the matter as well. They felt guilty, and after Xu Zhihan's scolding, they recalled the scene when Song Ning tried to enter the confidential room, which seemed too deliberate.
They looked at each other, but dared not recount what had happened.
Xu Zhihan lowered his head in thought when the office phone suddenly rang.
"Hey." He was still angry.
"Oh, Brother Xu, why is your phone off?" I didn't expect it to be Song Ning. Speak of the devil and he appears.
"Miss Song, I..."
"Listen to me first, Brother Xu, I really want to congratulate you. I have some good news. Do you want to hear it?" she said sweetly, interrupting Xu Zhihan without hesitation.
"What is it?" His tone remained indifferent.
"Oh, how clueless you are! Let me tell you, tonight's celebration banquet will announce your marriage to your sister. Is that good news for you? I'm just giving you a heads-up so you won't be scared."
Xu Zhihan was taken aback, but his expression softened, and he quickly signaled to the others to put his phone away.
"You know what to do, right? Okay, I won't keep you any longer. I'm sure my sister will call you soon, brother-in-law." Song Ning called softly and hung up the phone quickly.
Immediately, the sweet expression on her face vanished, replaced by a chilling and crazed aura.
"Song Qing, you should taste what it's like to be betrayed by all men."
Xu Zhihan quickly grabbed someone else's phone, inserted his own SIM card, and sure enough, Song Qing called. "Zhihan, I tried calling your cell phone earlier, but it wouldn't go through. I was just about to call your landline." Song Qing breathed a sigh of relief on the other end. She had thought something had happened; was she running away from her wedding? she wondered.
"Sorry, the phone is broken."
"It's three o'clock now. Settle the work in the research lab, and I'll come pick you up right away. Today's schedule is pretty packed, so be prepared." Song Qing smiled slightly, her words carrying a hidden meaning.
Xu Zhihan's mood immediately brightened, and he happily hung up the phone.
Everyone breathed a sigh of relief and immediately began to reorganize.
He was clinging to a sliver of hope; the impact of this news, once it spread, would be immeasurable. The supposed triple celebration tonight and his teacher's health would both suffer greatly as a result. Moreover, he didn't really believe Song Ning would betray the Song family, even though he had never liked this second young lady of the Song family.
After much deliberation, he decided to keep it a secret to avoid causing greater panic. Both the teacher and Xiaoqing were very cautious people, and it was possible that they would stop everything because of this. The entire Fuhua community had been waiting for this day for far too long.
But he was also a cautious person. Although he thought this way, he was still uneasy and felt very conflicted while waiting for Song Qing.
He didn't speak up, and no one dared to mention it, so the matter was suppressed.
Next, Song Qing picked him up, helped him try on formal attire, and discussed the progress. First was the launch reception for the new project, which Xu Zhihan had to handle. Reporters and industry insiders would ask many technical questions, as well as a summary of the three months of test driving.
Next, the marketing department will make plans and forecasts. At that time, two very powerful companies, Hanlong and Yinkong, will announce their full support to ensure the foundation for the progress of the Fuhua project.
The main event is Fuhua's listing. All the groundwork laid now has one important purpose: to lay the foundation and give a boost to Fuhua's listing. At that time, the city's most influential media will be present, and Fuhua's listing will be a resounding success, with the stock expected to be a huge hit as soon as it goes public.
Finally, Song Jingmo requested an additional engagement ceremony. He wanted to designate a marriage partner for Song Qing at the most important moment for Fuhua. I believe that tomorrow's newspapers, the financial section, the front page, and the entertainment section will all be filled with news about Fuhua.
This grand event attracted the attention of the entire city.
Retreat at this point is impossible.
Chapter Twenty-Eight: Fighting Alone
Song Qing could never return to Haotian, nor could he ever return to England, and he could never truly give up everything in England for Song Qing.
-Bill
"Zhengwei, Lao Song is going to announce Song Qing's marriage tonight."
Yi Mantian sighed. Seeing Song Jingmo looking refreshed and Song Qing looking noble and elegant tonight, he felt powerless to change anything.
Yi Zhengwei wasn't entirely unnerved, but with years of experience in the business world, this little commotion wouldn't throw him off balance. He was certain that all the hard work he'd put into Fuhua these past few days wouldn't be in vain. He scanned the room but didn't see Yan Xunan or Song Ning.
"Dad, no need to rush," Yi Zhengwei said calmly. Just then, Xu Zhihan finished his technical summary, and the entire audience erupted in enthusiastic applause. On stage, Song Qing gently raised her glass to Yi Zhengwei, her eyes half-closed and a faint smile on her face, like a beam of light suddenly shining down on a dark stage, a spotlight that shone only on him.
He smiled, raised his glass in return, and drank it down in one gulp.