"I have no choice but to do this, Bill. Even if it means giving him 50% of Fuhua's shares, I will still give it to him!"
"you……"
She shook her head bitterly, her eyes welling up with tears. "Bill, I envy Xiao Ning. She has such courage, such power, such freedom."
Bill's anger was completely extinguished by this clear spring, and in an instant, only pity and understanding remained.
"I have been given too much all along. Perhaps God is fair. He and I are destined not to be like a wall and vines. I have no choice but to stand opposite him, side by side, but never get close to him."
"Oh, Lianxin." Bill sighed sadly, holding her tightly in his arms. This frail little girl in his arms could bring him such great sorrow, even more so than his own background. He had never, and did not want to, complain about his father's abandonment of him, or his lonely childhood, but at this moment, he poured his immense grief onto her.
"Bill, I'm not strong enough. Ten years have passed, and I haven't done enough."
"No, no, Lianxin, I know, I've always seen your efforts."
"Bill, just this once, just this once, the last time." She murmured repeatedly, her eyes vacant, her heart filled with intense conflict.
I believe it.
He gently comforted her in her ear, "Lianxin, there really is only one chance. I truly believe that the deeper the love, the more heartbreak and despair it must endure to make up for it. Is this what you Chinese call 'fighting poison with poison'? There is no one around you who is your true love, and I am not even one of them. So, choose someone who has no ability to hurt you anymore."
※
As soon as Yi Zhengwei arrived at the entrance of Qingxi, he saw Lan Yi parked by the roadside.
"You look great today." Yi Zhengwei snapped his fingers, very satisfied with Song Qing's outfit.
Song Qing gathered her hair up high, creating a fluffy, rounded shape on her head. Only two strands of hair peeked out from her slender neck, perfectly curled to her chest to match her classic and elegant style.
She wore a fitted black dress, the silk flowing smoothly down, exuding understated elegance and an almost serene stillness.
"Hmm..." He approached, stroking his chin with one hand, and circled her twice, his gaze lingering on her mature V-neck.
Song Qing tugged at the fabric on her shoulder; it only reached his shoulder, and it was indeed somewhat indecent for him to look down at her like that.
"Okay, this one."
After the two left, Yi Zhengwei immediately invited Song Qing to get into the car, where he would be the driver.
Song Qing nodded in agreement. In this attire, it was indeed appropriate for him to sit in the back seat, wait for the gentleman to open the door, and then enter the banquet.
"President Yi, this is..." Song Qing stood up slightly. This road shouldn't lead to Haotian.
He turned around and smiled, then skillfully turned the steering wheel, the car making a beautiful arc before stopping at a rather impressive jewelry store.
Song Qing carefully lifted her skirt as she got out of the car, and took Yi Zhengwei's arm as they went up the steps.
"Does Mr. Yi need to buy something for his sweetheart?" she couldn't help but wonder.
"Come in and take a look."
He then declined the enthusiastic service of the young ladies and personally examined each counter carefully. The dazzling array of jewelry, reflected by the jewelry store's special lighting, was even more overwhelming. Song Qing, after looking at half of it, almost sat up straight and silently followed beside him.
Her gaze fell upon the opposite booth, filled with large, exquisite pieces of jewelry—various colors, styles, and designs. One piece was a priceless hair clip, prominently labeled "Soaring Clouds of Dawn" in large, artistic lettering. It was a vibrant, sparkling yellow, dazzlingly beautiful. Her eyes flickered; it was undeniably gorgeous. The slender, claw-like hair clip, reaching upwards, resembled a pair of enormous wings. Unlike typical designs that spread outwards like butterflies, this clip resembled hands gathering hair towards the head, growing larger towards the center and forming a delicate cross. Its yellow hue was tinged with blue, like the boundary between sunset and night, or the bluish hue of dawn and the rising sun—the interplay of two contrasting scenes, like pain and joy unfolding together, representing either daybreak or darkness.
Who designed it? So ingenious, or perhaps she was overthinking it? She had just smiled and shook her head slightly when suddenly a cool sensation touched her neck and V-neck. She couldn't help but tremble, and heard Yi Zhengwei's soft chuckle in her ear, "Hmm, it seems it really is quite good." He released his hand from behind her neck, turned to face her, and nodded appreciatively when he met her bewildered gaze.
Song Qing bent down and picked up the large, crystal-clear sapphire, the size of a pebble, that was hanging in front of her chest. She asked in surprise, "Is this for me?"
"Yes, I felt something was missing when I was in the store, and now it seems I was right, it suits you perfectly." He turned around and called out, took the receipt from the clerk, signed his name with a flourish, and gracefully took back his gold card.
Because she was distracted, she didn't even see the price clearly.
"Mr. Yi, I should pay!" After walking out of the store, she gently pulled Yi Zhengwei's arm, her eyes fixed on him.
"Don't feel like you owe me a favor." He shook his finger and then carefully led her down the steps. "We've been working together for so long and we get along very well. A small piece of jewelry is nothing."
"Mr. Yi, I cannot accept your kindness. Besides, I should be thanking you for today's social event."
He pulled down her hand as she was untying the necklace around her neck, his eyes darkening. "It's just a small token of my appreciation. In fact, it's perfectly normal for a man to give a woman something. If you insist on taking it back, I'll feel... like a complete failure."
Song Qing's hand didn't stop, but it was obviously stiff. She then lowered it dejectedly and said with her head down, "Let's go."
The arrival of Yi Zhengwei and Song Qing immediately enlivened the atmosphere of the social gathering. Yi Zhengwei truly lived up to his reputation as an excellent socialite; every move, every smile, every frown exuded elegance, making people feel very comfortable, yet also as if he were unfathomable. Those surrounding him all looked on with admiration.
Song Qing and his close friends clinked glasses and chatted quietly, which seemed to complement each other perfectly.
"Miss Song!"
She glanced at Yi Zhengwei with a warm smile, clinked glasses with her friend, then apologetically stepped back, gracefully approached him, and gently placed her hand in his wrist.
"Miss Song, let me introduce you. This is Director Li from the Municipal Logistics Department, and this is Mrs. Li," Yi Zhengwei introduced Song Qing, and then briefly introduced Song Qing as well.
"Hello, Director Li, Mrs. Li." She greeted them familiarly, neither humble nor arrogant, and quickly won the favor of Director Li and his wife.
Clearly, Yi Zhengwei was quite familiar with them. Director Li squinted his eyes, puffed out his round beer belly, and said with a smile, "Miss Song is a prominent figure in Linchuan. Her recent projects are doing very well. I didn't expect her to be so young. She is truly a force to be reckoned with. She is a force to be reckoned with."
"Director Li, you're too kind."
"Miss Song, your dress is so beautifully made. Where was it custom-made? Or was it imported from abroad?" Madam Li's eyes shone as she looked at Song Qing's exquisitely crafted dress.
"No, Mrs. Li, if you like, I'll have my secretary take you to have a few made."
Song Qing exchanged pleasantries with Madam Li. It was their first meeting, and the banquet was only small in scale. All she needed to do this time was to leave a good impression.
Madam Li then praised Song Qing's hair and jewelry, which Song Qing understood, and she and Yi Zhengwei exchanged a smile.
As it happened, Director Li ran into an acquaintance, and Yi Zhengwei took Song Qing to meet several important figures in the business and political circles. Although they might not be able to directly connect with Fuhua's business, Song Qing had already gotten a feel for the business environment in Linchuan. Nowhere else is there such a tightly connected and tightly intertwined chain of events as Linchuan, like a complex and intricate web, making these social engagements surprisingly meaningful and valuable.