Meanwhile, the bamboo grove downstairs and the entire courtyard of the bamboo garden suddenly became bustling with activity. A series of birthday celebrations finally began as they blew out the last candle. Most of the doctors and nurses from the Liubin Hospital came to witness this romantic moment, and the whole scene was exceptionally lively thanks to their efforts.
At this moment, Bill and Song Qing's casual conversation was interrupted by the noise. Bill raised his eyebrows excitedly.
"Lianxin, it seems that the tranquility you were hoping for deep in the bamboo forest tonight is impossible to achieve."
Song Qing looked at the brightly lit, elaborately decorated bamboo forest that Bill was pointing to and nodded regretfully.
She suddenly felt bored.
"Oh, Lianxin, I'd like to meet the new owner of this unique restaurant. Unlike you, I like the lively atmosphere here." Bill shrugged dismissively, his eagerness evident.
"Bill, did you bring a gift? Chinese people are very particular about etiquette," Song Qing couldn't help but dampen his enthusiasm.
Bill suddenly remembered something, clapped his hands and laughed, "What's so difficult about that? Lianxin, you must have prepared a gift for me to welcome me, right?"
Song Qing gave a reproachful smile, then readily pulled out a ceramic item. A delicate string held two adorable little figures; the man, upon closer inspection, was Bill, while the woman, though Chinese, did not resemble Song Qing, but was nonetheless quite charming. Why give Bill this gift? It was because when Song Qing first arrived in England, Bill discovered her glass bottle and demanded that she make one for him. Song Qing had promised that it could only be made in China and by her own hand, a promise that Bill waited ten years for. Therefore, this time when he came to China, she took time out to go to Yue Ming's ceramic shop and specially crafted one as a gift for him.
Bill cheered and happily accepted it, but suddenly frowned.
"Lianxin, why isn't she you?"
"Bill, there will only ever be one of me." Song Qing took a deep breath, took out his car keys, and a crisp ringtone immediately rang out.
Yi Zhengwei was startled, and the two lifelike but heartbreaking porcelain dolls immediately appeared in his mind.
"This isn't fair!" Bill yelled, turning around to throw the porcelain doll away.
"I will never do any more of those things, Bill," Song Qing said calmly but with an unquestionable tone. Some principles, for her, were unbreakable for a lifetime.
The stubborn yet pitiful expression on her face made Bill unable to bear it. He withdrew his hand, thought for a moment, and decided to keep the man safe. As for the woman, he already had the best solution.
"Lotus Heart, I will wait, and so will it!" Bill shook the small ceramic bottle, and immediately, water-blue ripples appeared in the small glass bottle, showing her painstaking efforts.
※
"Mr. Yi, a friend of Miss Song said she has a gift for Miss Shen." Zhu Yongxin dialed Yi Zhengwei's number.
Yi Zhengwei looked up at the ceiling light and remained silent for a long time.
"Mr. Yi?"
Turn off the lights.
"Well?"
"Let him come next door. We don't want to be disturbed for too long."
"Yes, I know." Zhu Yongxin hung up the phone and immediately confirmed with Song Qing.
Bill smiled at Song Qing and stood up.
"Lianxin, aren't you coming along?"
Song Qing shook her head. She had never been fond of gossip, nor was she curious about such trivial matters.
Bill was surprised by the darkness of the room as soon as he entered. Did Chinese people like to celebrate their birthdays in the dark?
He rubbed his eyes and tried calling out.
A small figure walked up to him; clearly, she was better able to adapt than he was.
"Hello, are you the guest who wants to give me a birthday present?" Shen Xing asked politely, glancing nervously at Yi Zhengwei in the darkness.
"Oh, yes, beautiful lady. Although I can't see you, your voice and your figure are exactly like the Chinese princess I imagined." Bill remained true to his glib style, causing Yi Zhengwei to frown inwardly. Song Qing's taste was indeed unique; and the fact that he could sit here so calmly meant that Bill must have come alone. She always had her own principles and pride, like the green bamboo she described—aloof and somewhat self-admiring.
"Thank you for your compliment," Shen Xing said calmly, bowing politely to him.
Bill pursed his lips. He always enjoyed lively atmospheres, but this place was dark from the moment he entered, which had already annoyed him. At that moment, he immediately pulled out his gift.
"This is a small clay figurine that a friend of mine made by hand. I'm giving it to you as a gift. Happy birthday, and may you always be beautiful, my princess." He gentlemanly took her hand, gave it a polite kiss, and casually turned around to close the door for them.
Shen Xing took the little porcelain figure, turned around and smiled at Yi Zhengwei, "He really is very cute."
Unable to bear the loneliness any longer, Bill dragged Song Qing to the bamboo grove to join the fun. Everyone was already dancing, and by the time they arrived, the frenzy had ended, and the elegant melody of the second half had begun.
Bill shrugged and bent down at a ninety-degree angle to extend his hand to Song Qing.
Song Qing found it amusing, but still offered him her hand, dancing a medieval European dance. She thought it would be even more beautiful with the costumes. The crowd was captivated by their synchronized movements, and even more so by Bill's athletic physique and handsome appearance. Bill remained relaxed, occasionally glancing at a group of girls to interact with them; Song Qing, however, kept her eyes fixed straight ahead on Bill's shoulders and neck. Her indifferent and aloof gaze, amidst the lively atmosphere, was not overshadowed, but rather shone with her unique brilliance.
Yi Zhengwei and Shen Xing's windows faced the bamboo forest, giving them a clear view of the outside world. This was clearly a small, unexpected surprise for them.
What is Song Qing's relationship with him? He has been working with her for a while and has never seen her so carefree. She mentioned that a new person would be joining the planning team tomorrow. Could it be him?
"Zhengwei, they're a perfect match, aren't they?" Shen Xing praised.
He watched the two dancing wildly, frowning and remaining silent. This battle seemed to have become even more complicated.
Yi Zhengwei and Shen Xing were both people who disliked crowds, and their evening was already halfway over. He glanced at his watch; it was time to enjoy some time alone, undisturbed by outsiders. He raised an eyebrow at Shen Xing, who picked up her bag, shyly lowered her head, and nestled into his arm.
Yi Zhengwei glanced at Song Qing's blue wing, then drove away at breakneck speed, disappearing in an instant as if he had come to the bamboo garden like a ghost.
What did the commotion behind him have to do with him? If it weren't for dispelling the speculation about Shen Xing by Liubin Hospital and making up for his guilt towards Shen Xing, he should be working overtime at the bank with Song Qing.
Chapter Twenty-Five: Yan Xunan's Crisis
"With the largest shareholder, Xu's Construction, withdrawing its investment, Weisheng is in grave danger!"