Wang Ma had already prepared clothes and daily necessities and arrived at the hospital. Seeing Song Qing still sitting there blankly, motionless, she shook her head with heartache, arranged the items, and helped her up.
"Miss, the master is fine now. You stayed up all night, how can your body take it? Besides, the company can't function without you."
Song Qing nodded blankly. Yes, there were still things to do at the company. At this moment, there was no one who could help. Dad, all these years, you've endured this alone. Even now, in this state of illness, you've never softened your heart and called me. If, if you could let go of your stubbornness... But, but, would I really, really listen to you and come back?
"Qing'er, I knew you were still here." Yan Xunan entered the room carrying a lunchbox. He was tall and slender, with the appearance of a noble prince, but he was carrying an awkward lunchbox. If it were any other time, she would definitely burst out laughing.
As she was thinking this, a sense of resistance suddenly swept through her heart. If it weren't for me, if it weren't for him, then today, would there be no such regret? She hated herself, and along with that naive feeling, she also became the culprit.
Thinking about it this way, the long river between them seemed to grow ever wider.
She glanced at her father one last time, then brushed past him indifferently.
"Qing'er!" Yan Xunan hurriedly followed her out. He had disregarded his status to deliver things so early in the morning. How did he offend her again?
"Xunan! It's all over! Do you really want to force me to be abandoned by everyone and regret it for the rest of my life?" She stopped in her tracks, turned around, and her face was already streaked with tears. Her face was full of resentment, which made Yan Xunan suddenly stop. His narrow eyes were fixed on her for a long time. He seemed to be moved by her sorrowful face, like a defeated warrior who lost the right to move forward.
With tears streaming down her face, Song Qing ran out of the hospital without looking back. She had said that for the past ten years, she had constantly told herself that she couldn't go on like this, she could never go on like this again. She wanted to start over, she wanted to forget everything. She had never been an indecisive person, but this was the only thing that had made her hesitate for ten long years.
Dad was right. She didn't have another decade to waste. She had told her father she wanted a new life, and she wanted him to see that she truly could do it. She was Song Jingmo's daughter, his most cherished, most beloved, and most devoted daughter. How could she let her father down?
She had said that she could no longer shed tears for him. In her entire life, she had never shed tears for anyone. Her father's illness was the second time she had shed tears.
Her phone kept ringing, and she finally got tired of running.
"Hello."
"Xiaoqing, it's me. Uncle Xu said the teacher is sick, how is he?" Xu Zhihan asked anxiously. He was preparing to leave tomorrow and was now considering whether to go back to the hospital.
Song Qing looked up to shield his eyes from the dazzling sun and said hoarsely, "We're out of danger. Where are you?"
"Yes, I'm with Hanlong."
"Wait for me, I'm coming to find you," Song Qing said, hanging up the phone first. She had promised to see him off, and with such an important matter, the reporters were probably already there; she had no way to avoid it.
After running around for a while, she realized that Lan Yi's car keys were with Yi Zhengwei, who had driven her to the hospital last night.
"Qing'er!" Yan Xunan had been following her in his car for a while when he saw her standing in the middle of the road, looking lost and helpless. He quickly waved to her.
She couldn't think too much at that moment, and once she got in the car, she said, "Please take me to Hanlong Manufacturing!"
Yan Xunan nodded, driving nimbly, glancing occasionally at Song Qing, who was sitting upright. Could her body still handle such a blow last night?
Sure enough, as soon as they entered the Hanlong Hotel, a large number of reporters and media surrounded the entrance. After finally squeezing in, Xu Zhihan was standing on the stage. Upon seeing Song Qing, he immediately put down his microphone and greeted Song Qing.
She forced a smile as she faced the media. Xu Zhihan briefly described the trip, the number of vehicles driven, the mileage traveled, and the goals to be achieved, then handed her the microphone.
"Fuhua has invested nearly ten years of research and nearly 800 million yuan in this project. I believe that with Fuhua's hard work, sincerity, and innovative spirit over the years, this project will surely be a success and open a new chapter in the power industry!"
This was her father's grand vision. Tears welled in her eyes, and filled with passion, she declared to the crowd her unwavering confidence in Fuhua's success. The audience erupted in enthusiastic applause, admiring her sincere, moving, and powerful words. For a moment, the flashbulbs were so bright she could barely open her eyes.
Xu Zhihan applauded her performance, unaware that she hadn't slept a wink all night and was now entirely supported by Yan Xunan.
Yan Xunan's gaze remained fixed on her from beginning to end. Her face was ever-changing, full of contradictions, as if she were struggling with an immense decision, yet unable to find a suitable way to resolve it.
※
Meanwhile, Song Qing was busy with work, and the test drive opening ceremony had come to a successful conclusion, with news about her everywhere. Yan Xunan, in his image as a devoted protector of a flower, suddenly became the talk of the town, with everyone declaring that his days as a playboy, lingering among women, were likely to disappear.
Meanwhile, while people were still speculating about the future of Song Ning and Yan Xunan's relationship, Song Ning herself was being hyped up for taking on the role in the dark film "Black Alliance," which was full of violence and intrigue, and her popularity immediately overshadowed Song Qing's.
Song Ning has always been arrogant and domineering in the entertainment industry these past few years. Because of her wealthy family background, she doesn't need to earn money through acting, and she carefully selects all roles. It's surprising that she's suddenly been revealed to be starring in such a dark film. The media immediately began speculating whether she was threatened or coerced by the underworld. For a time, rumors swirled.
With the marriage between the Song and Yan families fast approaching, Madam Song was frantic, completely at a loss. Her husband was currently unable to manage affairs, and even if he could, she feared this matter would further upset him. Having no other option, she grabbed her bag and ran to Fuhua; only her eldest daughter could hold the family together now.
The two Song sisters, one in the spotlight and the other in the shadows, one praising and the other suppressing, have created a flurry of gossip, giving everyone something to talk about in their spare time.
"Qing'er." Madam Song's eyes reddened as soon as she saw her daughter.
"Mom, what brings you here?" Song Qing was engrossed in her work, wishing she had four hands.
Seeing her daughter's exhausted face, which was so dark from all the work, Madam Song felt guilty for having to trouble her with even such a small matter. However, she couldn't ignore Song Ning's important life event.
"Qing'er, have you been reading the newspaper lately?"
"Mom, when do I have time? I don't even have time to sleep now." Song Qing spread her hands and smiled bitterly. Being a "flying person" perfectly describes her current situation.
"Oh, Qing'er, you must think of a way to help Ning'er," Madam Song said, wiping away her tears.
Madam Song told her everything that had happened, worried that the Yan family might break off the engagement because of it.
"Does Xu Nan know?" Song Qing found it unbelievable that her sister would...
"How could I dare to ask? I wish I could cover my eyes and ears; it would be too embarrassing."
Where is Ning'er?
"I haven't seen you for several days. None of you sisters have come back. I feel uneasy staying at home, and your father is like that..."
"Mom, what can I do?" Song Qing sighed softly.
"Qing'er, you know Ning'er only became a celebrity to prove your father wrong, and now the company is all in your hands. Why don't you let Ning'er come back? Otherwise, it's not good for her to stay idle at home," Madam Song hurriedly suggested.
"You mean you want Ning'er to come work at the company?" Song Qing was taken aback, feeling that this was too troublesome.
"Yes, if we don't do this, who knows how badly Ning'er will end up? You know your father's health. Fuhua will always belong to you sisters. You must be of one mind." Madam Song said with great sadness. How come other people's children are so close to each other, while her two daughters can't even exchange a few words?
"Mom, let me think about it." It wasn't that she hadn't thought about it, but her father had never said anything, and she didn't dare to make a decision on her own.