Chapter Forty-Five: Beyond Interests
She was simply not cut out to be a gambler. He, on the other hand, was a born gambler, a born businessman and investor.
- Yi Zhengwei
Song Qing was somewhat surprised. After replying to Hua, she found herself with some free time today, so she called Madam Song.
Mrs. Song spoke softly on the phone, but when Song Qing asked about Xiao Huainian, she hesitated and couldn't give a reasonable explanation.
Song Jingmo protected his wife too well, never letting her get involved in official business. This fostered a habit in Mrs. Song that she would turn to her husband whenever she had a problem, and ask her daughter when her husband was not around. She had almost no opinions of her own.
"Mom, I don't know what's going on between you and Uncle Xiao, but I can't offer any advice on this. Uncle Xiao hasn't gotten married because of you, and Dad and we all know that."
Madam Song paused for a moment without replying, but then began to recount in detail how her life was in the Yi family. Song Qing simply said it was good, and in the blink of an eye, the two of them had nothing more to say to each other.
Finally, Madam Song hesitated and said, "Your father just passed away. How can I face him? We are all getting old, especially Huai Nian."
Song Qing understood Madam Song's meaning and simply said, "You can only stay at Xiao Ning's place temporarily. If you don't like it, you should go home. We can talk about this after the New Year."
"Xiaoqing, you don't need to worry about me. I'm more worried about Xiaoning. Sigh, Xunan has been leaving early and coming home late these days. He's so busy when he gets back that he doesn't have time to talk to her. Luckily, I'm here to keep an eye on her, otherwise we might have started arguing."
"Okay, that's enough, Mom. I have something to do."
After hanging up the phone, she felt a bit irritable again, wondering if she should call Yan Xunan to persuade him that since they were married, he should treat Song Ning better, otherwise it would be troublesome if she had another relapse.
But now, she is trying her best to avoid suspicion. Song Ning has been suspicious since childhood, and it might not be appropriate for her to advise Yan Xunan from her own perspective. After all, there are still some things to avoid between former lovers.
Just after eight o'clock, Yi Mantian, worried that Song Qing might forget, called again after a while, making Song Qing both amused and exasperated. After finishing her meal, she checked her emails and found that she had received the required materials. She skimmed through them, knowing that reading them all would take a while, so she put them aside for the time being. She checked her watch and left at 8:30, leisurely strolling around Linchuan City before getting on the airport expressway.
Inside the car, she played soothing music, slightly opened the window, and saw few cars on the highway. The trees on both sides rustled in the evening breeze, creating a tranquil scene.
She arrived at the airport just after nine o'clock, still early and enjoying a rare moment of leisure. She parked her car on the overpass in front of the airport entrance and stood there gazing at the dazzling night view. She recalled returning to Linchuan more than six months ago, back in the summer. At that time, she thought she was just a passerby, never imagining she would become so deeply involved. Looking up, she saw night planes flying overhead, gazing upwards until her neck ached.
After standing there for a moment, she bent down and took out a pack of cigarettes from the carriage. She took a few puffs and her mind flashed back to the first time she learned to smoke. She and Yan Xunan laughed like they had won the lottery. Her eyes were red from the smoke, but she forgot that she had originally gone to persuade Yan Xunan.
Her dull childhood would have been utterly desolate without Yan Xunan.
Why think about these things? She threw the cigarette butt into the air and watched it slowly fall.
Shen Xing also learned today that Yi Zhengwei had returned to China. After resting for half a month, she finally couldn't bear the longing in her heart and secretly ran away from home, driving to the airport alone. She arrived early and coincidentally, she and Song Qing both thought of waiting on the overpass to get some fresh air. Halfway there, in the bright lights of the airport, she saw Song Qing leaning against the car, lost in thought, looking like she had been there for quite a while.
A pang of pain shot through her heart, and tears welled up in her eyes. Only then did she realize her impulsiveness and foolishness. He was now someone else's husband, and his wife had come to pick him up. What right did she have to come? Her old lover?
During her six months in Cambridge, she would spend every day looking at the text message on her phone: "Remember what I said to you on my birthday, the wish I made."
The phrase "supreme and unchanging love" had been echoing in her ears. Her past with Yi Zhengwei was as vivid as watching a movie. It was with this thought in mind that she came today.
Song Qing suddenly turned around and looked around. Startled, she lowered her head and slumped over the steering wheel until a blinding beam of light shone in and then sped away. She wiped her forehead and found a thin layer of sweat. She opened the window, wanting to breathe some fresh air, but the cold winter wind made her cough.
Shen Yang's criticism of her was absolutely correct. She was indecisive and cowardly. At best, she could only be considered a girl from a modest family. How could she compare to Song Qing's brilliance?
Yi Zhengwei's flight was about to land. The airport announcer's sweet voice was as always. She thought for a moment, then added Yi Zhengwei's number back to the whitelist and sent a text message.
Song Qing glanced at her watch while keeping a close eye on the airport's large screen. Feeling a little nervous, she slowly stepped back and joined the queue at the back of the crowd. Shen Xing covered half her face with a scarf and stood on the side amidst the hustle and bustle.
Gradually, the crowd dispersed, leaving only a few people craning their necks to look around and making phone calls. There were only five or six people between Song Qing and Shen Xing.
Yi Zhengwei finally appeared, looking down as he opened his phone. He was dressed casually, with a British-style scarf around his neck, and carrying a small travel bag. He was as composed and handsome as ever. Song Qing spotted him almost immediately; he was so striking, one hand in his pocket, his eyes looking straight ahead as if nothing was happening, completely nonchalant.
Shen Xing gripped the railing tightly in front of her, the coldness seeping into her bones. She realized her longing for him had seeped into her very being. She watched him slowly approach, a thin mist welling in her eyes, wishing she could fly to him. Seeing him suddenly look around, she knew he must have received her message, and her heart pounded.
Song Qing and Yi Zhengwei were face to face. She waved slightly at him, but he ignored her. Just as they were about to pass each other by the crowd, she quickly squeezed in and called out loudly, "Zhengwei, I'm here."
As Yi Zhengwei came to his senses, a slender arm gently wrapped around his. Just then, he met Shen Xing's gaze, glanced at Song Qing who was nestled in his arms, seemingly unaware of his presence, paused slightly, then took out his phone and gestured for Shen Xing to go back first, saying he would contact her later.
Shen Xing finally couldn't hold back her tears and let them fall. Looking at their backs as they walked away side by side, she felt so useless. Maybe she should have bravely rushed over first, but after thinking it over, she ultimately gave the initiative to Yi Zhengwei.
"Dad said you came back today. I think you haven't been away from home for this long since you returned to China. He misses you very much."
Yi Zhengwei placed the travel bag on the back seat, pulled Song Qing to stand by the car, and carefully examined her. She had been alone for the past two weeks, and seemed to have recovered quite well; her complexion was rosy, and she looked much more energetic.
If he knew that Song Qing had stood in the wind on the overpass for more than half an hour while waiting for him, he probably wouldn't think that way.
Song Qing smiled and looked down. "What's wrong? Let's go back early. Dad must be waiting for us."
The car entered the highway, but he didn't fall asleep. He kept glancing at the rearview mirror. It was dark behind him, and he thought Song Qing would seize the opportunity to talk to him about work again.
"Did you go out and explore after the survey? While I was waiting for you, I kept thinking about Preston," Song Qing said with a smile.
It seems like it's been a long time since I've heard her laugh.
He gave a low "hmm," crossed his hands behind his neck, opened the window halfway, and turned his head to look at the night view along the way.
"It feels a bit like driving on a road in a small English town now," he suddenly said.
"Yes, that's what I thought when I first came back."
Seeing that he looked tired and his eyes were closed, Song Qing didn't know whether he was awake or asleep, so she closed the window for him and said nothing more.
On the way back, she drove very slowly, and it was almost eleven o'clock when she entered Linchuan. Seeing the brightly lit streets, bustling with people and cars, she sighed inwardly, "I'm back again."
Hongnan District in Linchuan is the most prosperous commercial center, centered around entertainment. She had only been there once before, when she went to pick up Yan Xunan from a bar. The car slowly glided along the congested road, and as soon as she opened the window, deafening music filled the air, making it extremely noisy.
"Linchuan has such a vibrant nightlife."
Seeing Song Qing's surprise, Yi Zhengwei smiled slightly and said, "You've been back for more than half a year, and you've been working overtime in the office all the time. You should go out more."
Song Qing thought that even if she didn't come out anymore, it wouldn't work, so she pulled the car over to the side of the road and said, "Zhengwei, if you're not tired, come for a walk with me."