Song Qing gestured to the waiter to bring a light blanket, then gently and carefully covered her father with it before sitting down next to him in the chair.
"Ning'er has been trying to gain your approval all these years, and it's clear she's worked hard." Song Qing didn't give a direct answer, but stated the facts objectively.
"Your paths will not be the same." Song Jingmo still stubbornly believed that the way she raised and focused on her daughter back then was not wrong. However, as she grew older, she felt that she owed her youngest daughter something emotionally.
"Moreover, she is successful in matters of the heart."
"Dad, it wasn't her fault!" Song Qing closed her eyes in anguish; it was a memory she never wanted to face in her life.
Song Jingmo shook his head regretfully. This daughter was just like that; her heart couldn't tolerate even the slightest imperfection, remaining crystal clear—this was what worried him most. Ning'er, on the other hand, knew what she wanted and would pay the price for it; right or wrong, that was another matter.
What can Dad do for you?
He also decided to be selfish for once, or rather, to be completely selfish this time. If she remained as persistent as before, he decided that he would do whatever it took to help her and Yan Xunan get together.
Song Qing was taken aback, her heart trembling slightly. She squatted down and lay on her father's lap, and after a long while, she said, "Dad, I want to face a new life."
The past conflicts and contradictions have left her scarred. Although the wounds cannot be healed, she is unwilling to return to the pain of the past. Her father is about to leave her, and she cannot bear the grief of losing a loved one.
After this ordeal, she may never be able to love again, or may find it difficult to fall in love again. One such experience in a lifetime is enough.
"Qing'er, the things I held dear in my life, I have now completely let go of. But if I were to make the same decisions for you as I did back then..."
Song Qing now fully understood what her father was thinking and what he was worried about. Did she really not completely let go? No, she couldn't.
"Dad, please don't worry, I will be fine and won't let you down."
"Like your aunt?" Song Jingmo froze, his tone hardening, as if it were the harbinger of their impending war. Part of the reason for Song Keren's cold relationship with him was that she had lived a life of widowhood and unmarriedness, a tradition he found unacceptable; in his view, it was an abandonment of life and irresponsibility.
"Dad!" she whispered helplessly, suppressing the intense desire in her heart. There were some things she truly hadn't considered, not even a little bit. She thought that as long as she worked diligently...
But her father clearly didn't think so, and he wouldn't give her time to consider or adapt to it.
Song Jingmo had made up his mind. He shouldn't have manipulated his daughter in this life, but he couldn't let this go unchecked. Since she had decided to give up the past, he had to take a two-pronged approach to help her completely cut off any possible path back. His daughter shouldn't waste her time and emotions on hesitation; she didn't have another decade to waste.
"Dad..." Song Qing stared intently at her father, her helpless resistance slowly turning into fragile sobs, a breakdown of too many emotions.
On this peaceful morning, she could no longer hold back and burst into tears in her father's arms.
But rational as she was, in the end, she could only side with her father.
For that one sentence: "I want to face a new life."
Some words, once spoken, will inevitably come at a price.
Chapter Fourteen: The Unresolved Feelings Remain
She wasn't unmoved; however, after years of experience in the business world, she was no longer the naive little sister of the Song family who could be easily manipulated by him.
-Song Qing
Yan Yaping, who has been retired for many years, has been living a leisurely life with his wife. His son is doing well and has taken on many responsibilities, so he no longer needs to worry about him. Most importantly, he is easygoing and willing to let go.
Song Jingmo, on the other hand, took charge of everything and did everything herself. Actually, this couldn't be blamed on him; girls' personalities tend to mature later and are easily influenced by the outside world, so he had to guide them more.
The Yan and Song families had been close friends for many years. When Song Jingmo's business was just starting out and she encountered numerous difficulties, she was greatly helped by Yan Yaping. In a way, Yan Yaping's family was quite wealthy, and his entrepreneurial path was much smoother than Song Jingmo's.
Before Song Qing went abroad, the two families were very close, and Song's two daughters were very much liked by Xu Yayue. She kept complaining about why she hadn't given birth to a son.
Back then, she always believed that Song Qing would undoubtedly marry into the Yan family. Moreover, she could clearly see that Song Jingmo had placed too much hope in this daughter, and as a businesswoman herself, she was naturally happy to see that.
Unexpectedly, after Song Qing went abroad, Song Ning became a frequent visitor, and it seemed the two of them had become a couple, which left her with a great deal of regret. However, she had watched both of Song's daughters grow up, so it was easier for her to accept them than for outsiders. Besides, Song Qing had been gone for ten years without any news, and it was still unknown who would take over Fuhua in the future.
But ever since that year, my son, who had always been indifferent to everything and carefree, suddenly became motivated, and his face always had a hazy, inscrutable expression.
However, after Song Qing went abroad, the Song and Yan families gradually drifted apart until the last two years when Yan Xunan and Song Ning got married, which brought them closer again.
Seeing that Song Qing had been back for over a month and had appeared in various media outlets and magazines, Xu Yayue had her doubts and couldn't help but call Mrs. Song.
"Hanyan, it's been so long since we last contacted each other."
Madam Song was somewhat surprised. Because of her eldest daughter's situation, she never knew how to face the Yan family. But Song Ning was about to marry into the Yan family, and no matter what, she couldn't harbor any resentment. In the end, she was closer to her youngest daughter. Song Qing was always difficult to get close to. She felt respect and reliance on her, just like she felt for her husband. Besides, ten years had passed.
"Yes, where did you and Yaping go on vacation again?" She glanced at her husband, then got up to answer the call elsewhere.
"Where is she? Right here in Linchuan. I'm too old to walk anymore. I heard Xiaoqing is back?"
Madam Song gave an awkward smile. "Indeed, who in the entire Linchuan doesn't know?"
"Whenever she comes back, she's busy with work, and Lao Song's health isn't good."
Xu Yayue nodded.
"Qing'er, I miss her terribly. I'll have her come over for a visit when she has time. Old Yan has been mentioning her a few times lately."
Mrs. Song agreed, exchanged a few more pleasantries with her, and then hung up the phone.
As she returned to her room, pondering how to tell her daughter about it, Song Jingmo approached her and asked, "The Yan family?"
"Yes. It's nothing, Ya Yue just asked a few questions casually," Madam Song quickly replied.
"When Xunan and Ning'er have some free time, I'll make an appointment with them."
Mrs. Song looked bewildered, unable to understand what her husband was thinking. Over the years, hadn't he tried his best to avoid contact with the Yan family?
"Jingmo, haven't you realized it's time to take care of Ning'er's affairs?"
She carefully helped her husband sit down and stood beside him, massaging his back.