The two returned to the ward. Song Jingmo was already resting, while Madam Song was discussing something with Song Ning, looking anxious. Seeing Song Qing arrive, she quickly went over, "Qing'er, this is too rushed. As for Xiao Ning, preparations have been underway, and now we just need to discuss it with her mother-in-law, and we can get everything ready immediately. But you…"
Yi Zhengwei comforted her, saying, "Aunt Song, leave this matter to me. Since the Yan family has already made preparations, could you meet with my father tonight to discuss it in detail?"
Song Qingchao nodded. Madam Song was not familiar with Yi Zhengwei, but she was helpless; she had never been able to interfere in Song Qingchao's affairs.
"Okay. I will be there as promised. Please let your father know." After saying that, she looked him up and down without any politeness. Although Xu Zhihan had never been liked by her, at least she knew him well and he was a clean and simple person. This Yi Zhengwei was completely different. This marriage had just risen up out of nowhere, and she was extremely helpless. She could only wipe away her tears and sigh.
"Sister, congratulations!" Song Ning extended her hand in a friendly manner, she was indeed relieved. Everything had settled down.
"Thank you, you too." She shook hands with him, then withdrew her hand and shook hands with Yan Xunan, giving him a gentle shake.
※
Next came a long series of wedding preparations. Since they had to be completed within a week, she and Yi Zhengwei were basically busy like whirlwinds, even trying on wedding dresses and suits at different times.
The marriage between the Song and Yi families seemed to be something everyone expected, and naturally it was widely publicized. The parents met, and the wedding details were all answered by the bank's financial holding company. This lavish wedding attracted a lot of attention.
After finishing the basic work, the two of them took wedding photos together and then began to face reporters together, saying the same things every day, repeating them over and over.
Anyone with a discerning eye can see that what they're saying is merely a cover-up. Are they trying to convince themselves, or others? Perhaps neither. They, too, are just spectators, adept at handling the media, leaving no room for criticism. Perfect, yet devoid of any warmth.
Because of the wedding, they had actually grown somewhat distant. The days when Yi Zhengwei took care of Song Qing in the hospital seemed like a dream from yesterday. It was to be so; both sides had achieved their goals, and there was no need to put on an act in private. Or perhaps the scene changed too quickly, and neither of them had adjusted yet. At least in Song Qing's mind, at this moment, there was only Song Jingmo's illness and Fuhua's crisis.
They're not married yet, but they already treat each other with the utmost respect. What will this marriage be like? It's unnecessary to speculate.
She signed her name on the wedding invitation with a flourish, next to Yi Zhengwei's signature, equally free and easy. Side by side, they looked harmonious.
Secretary Liu happily took it out to be printed. After so long, Fuhua finally had something good to do to dispel the bad luck. As a result, all the employees were in high spirits and seemed to have seen hope again.
Isn't this exactly the result she expected? She called the hospital again and discussed the wedding with Song Jingmo. When it came to business, he refused again. By this time, he had completely gotten rid of her.
"Qing'er, now that you've made your choice, you must use your own efforts to change the situation you can't escape. Your happiness is what your father wants most."
She clutched the gold-embossed wedding invitation. "I will, Dad."
"After we get married, I have two requirements for you."
"Dad, you tell me."
"First, divorce is not allowed; this is a tradition of our Song family."
Song Qing felt the large red "double happiness" character in her hand suddenly become hot, making her feel hot all over.
After a long while, she finally found her voice, "Okay."
"Secondly, we can't not have children." That's what he was worried about. Song Keren made him feel disappointed but powerless. Song Qing had been with her for so long, so it was inevitable that he would be affected.
She released the post, clenched her fists tightly, and unconsciously resisted, saying, "Dad!" If he pushed her any further, there would only be an abyss ahead.
"Absolutely, Qing'er!" His tone left no room for refusal.
She felt dizzy; everything in the office seemed to be spinning. This was something she had never imagined—marriage could be so complicated. It was so different from what she had thought of as just a grand ceremony. Besides, they had never discussed Yi Zhengwei's mindset or how they should get along after marriage.
The next day, Song Keren arrived at the airport in Linchuan, where Song Qing and Bill picked her up. Bill's biological clock had been completely out of sync with Song Qing's lately. "Because I need to keep an eye on the stock market, there's a time difference," was his answer. Song Qing knew how cruel it was to leave him behind to face everything.
"Bill, I'm sorry."
"This isn't your problem, your dad won't accept me." He shrugged self-deprecatingly.
"No, it was my idea too, Bill. You're too perfect; you deserve better."
"You always have a set of reasons to convince yourself, and you don't care what other people are thinking at all. Whether it's fair or not, I should be the one to say."
"You're right, but if I can't even convince myself, how can I face others? Life isn't that simple."
"No, you're wrong because you're thinking too simply, and you think you're doing everything right." He and she ended up talking in circles on this long highway.
Song Qing chuckled and glanced at him sideways. "Bill, I still think that this way of getting along is more suitable for us."
Bill gave a noncommittal snort.
"You are really important to me. I can hardly imagine what I would do without you. Maybe I would suffocate in England." Song Qing said.
Bill sighed in utter bewilderment, "Lianxin, I really don't understand you. What are you worried about? I love you, that's for sure, and you need someone who can warm your heart."
"Bill, there is a weapon in China called a double-edged sword. It can hurt others and hurt yourself. If that's the case, it's better not to use it."
Bill waved his hand. "Don't tell me all that. In short, you're just stubborn to the end. You think Yi Zhengwei doesn't love you, and you won't love him either, so this marriage is a good sword that won't hurt anyone but yourself?"
Song Qing's face darkened as he said, "No, I still hurt someone."
Bill pointed to himself, and Song Qing smiled without answering, only increasing the engine speed of the car.
The long-awaited reunion with their aunt gave the three of them so much to talk about, and they chattered away the whole way. Song Keren watched the two of them happily, still laughing and joking as before, feeling extremely gratified. Because she was in a hurry to get to the hospital to see her older brother, she didn't even have time to regret that she had ultimately failed to bring the two of them together.
Seeing her sister whom she hadn't seen for many years, Song Jingmo struggled to her feet, but couldn't speak because she was still wearing a breathing mask. Song Keren's heart skipped a beat, and she went to greet her with sorrow. The two held hands tightly; they were people who had weathered many storms, and although the scene was heavy, it was very quiet. Song Qing patted Bill, and the two came out together.
"I thought they didn't get along," Bill said with a touch of melancholy, his hands in his pockets.
"Blood ties are a very strange thing." She smiled, her eyes still fixed on her slightly agitated father in the room.
"Is it like you spoil your sister?" He strongly disagreed with this. If it were him, he would definitely handle it strictly according to the law.
Song Qing did not offer any explanation, just then Yi Zhengwei called.
"Xiaoqing, Dad wants to hear your opinion on the renovation of our new house."
She thought for a moment and then said, "Okay, I'll go back as soon as I'm done here. Uncle Yi has been working very hard lately, so please don't let him get too tired."