Xu Zhihan paused for a moment, then burst into laughter, while Song Qing looked at him in confusion.
"Xiaoqing, why do I feel that getting married has suddenly become such a lovely thing?" Xu Zhihan implied that they were discussing marriage in this way.
Song Qing then laughed out loud. Yes, indeed, why is it like this?
She must have hurt him, but every time, he would considerately smooth things over, making sure she wasn't embarrassed at all.
"Xiaoqing, that's not important. Like you, I also hope that the teacher recovers and can rest assured."
Her eyes reddened, her heart aching at his tenderness and understanding. She couldn't help but grasp his hand again, lower her head, and in the dim light and darkness, a single tear slid down her cheek.
Chapter Twenty-Six: Suffocating Old Love
"Stop pretending. He's on such a good relationship with you, why wouldn't he give you the project? This whole charade is just a ploy to squeeze the Xu family out of Weisheng, leaving us with no chance of recovery!"
Xu Kai
Bill didn't bother her again for three days, nor did he make a single phone call. Song Qing sat alone in her large office, looking around, and suddenly felt an overwhelming sense of cold silence. Since returning from England, she had been in a state of busy tension and excitement, but at this crucial moment, when everything was ready, she inexplicably felt panic and fear.
The spacious room only made her feel that a cold wind was seeping in from all directions, and that there was darkness and confusion everywhere.
Perhaps it was the depression that came with approaching the end; she shook her head, trying to comfort herself, the closer she got to the moment the results were revealed, the more manic she became.
For the past three days, the sharp drop in Weisheng's stock price and the withdrawal of shareholders' investment have become the focus of Linchuan. The missed opportunity in the cooperation with Fuhua not long ago has inevitably been brought up again, drawing sighs from the industry and even being regarded as Yan Xunan's biggest misjudgment in recent years.
These weren't the main things affecting her, Song Qing said irritably, waving the newspaper aside and trying to calm herself down.
Bill.
Bill was currently fighting hard at Haotian, with Wu Peng closely following him. He wiped his sweat and saw Song Qing's call, feeling overjoyed.
"Oh, Little Lotus Heart, I was just about to call you. I wanted to tell you that I finally know what it's like to be nagged all the time." He raised an eyebrow at Wu Peng, who looked serious. If it weren't for Song Qing calling, he definitely wouldn't have let Bill answer.
Song Qing pursed her lips and smiled, the only smile she'd shown in three days.
"Bill, take me swimming."
"Now?!" Bill was surprised, but he immediately sensed the strangeness of the call and the heavy atmosphere.
"OK!" He paused for a moment, then replied immediately.
"I'll come pick you up." Song Qing quickly hung up the phone and fled the drafty office.
There were actually more people out at night than one might imagine; in fact, there were more outings at night than during the morning.
The large swimming pool appeared even bluer and clearer at night. Occasionally, the sound of someone entering the water could be heard, like someone drowning and nearing death. She smiled helplessly; judging from Bill's expression, such splashes were likely joyful, carrying a warm invitation and allure.
"Little Lotus Heart, you really understand my feelings. Right now, I desperately need it to save me." Bill was eager to try. He stood by the pool, constantly relaxing his muscles. Several screams had already come from inside the pool.
"Oh, is it really that scary?" She raised an eyebrow in disbelief.
"Lianxin, you truly embody the traditional qualities of a Chinese woman: hardworking, resilient, and persevering."
"Haha, Bill, your Chinese has improved so much."
Bill shrugged dismissively and shook his head, saying, "But you have too many things you can't let go of. In fact, life is a continuous process of growth and progress. Every step brings new responsibilities. We should let go of things as we go, and that's how we'll feel at ease."
The implication was very strong. Song Qing turned her face away, looking at the water, her tightly pursed lips making her expression even more solemn. Her brows were furrowed; clearly, she didn't like hearing these seemingly philosophical words. Her entire being exuded an aura of resistance and rejection, seemingly blending into the cold, clear blue water.
No, she couldn't let go. It wasn't that she didn't want to, but that she was powerless to do so! She had tried countless times, but no matter what, some things were like roots planted in her memory, impossible to erase.
Bill's face darkened, he shook his head, and jumped into the water with a splash, some of it landing on her. He swam away defiantly, and soon reached the other side. The two looked at each other across the water, their faces no longer discernible.
Ten years have passed, and she's still the same. Bill slammed his fist on the water.
Even if they couldn't be together, he couldn't bear to see Song Qing continue like this. He once tried to save her, but it was too late.
Song Qing sighed and, gripping the railing, entered the water. As soon as she touched the surface, she sank steadily. She did nothing, simply shutting down all her bodily functions, remaining quietly in the water. The water slowly lifted her body, suspending her in mid-air. She suffocated, as if trying to give up on her own life, and her clear, fine tears, so fragile and powerless in the surrounding water, seemed to be a matter of pure feeling—what a profound sorrow!
It wasn't that she didn't want to let go, didn't want to forget; those memories, like resilient green vines, seemed delicate and powerless, yet they stubbornly clung to her strong heart, stretching upwards relentlessly. They wouldn't fade; instead, they grew taller and wider, invading her heart, her mind, everything about her. And yet, in the midst of constant resistance, they had slowly, gradually, covered her entire body.
We are destined to live and die together; this is the final outcome.
How powerless and helpless she felt! Who says she didn't fight back?
Her tightly bitten lips stubbornly oozed blood, which slowly seeped out like flower petals.
Bill swam over frantically, grabbed her hair, pulled her up, and yelled, "Do you want to die?! Do you want to die?!"
Song Qing slightly opened her eyes, her flushed face turning deathly pale as soon as she emerged from the water. Her expression was so calm and indifferent, devoid of any emotion, as if she were detached from her soul. The pain in her head did not even make her frown.
The bitten lip bled continuously, creating a bizarre scene.
"Is he that important that you'd even give up on yourself?" Bill's roar was not without reason; her actions were enough to drive anyone mad.
His shout startled the entire swimming pool, and people pointed and whispered among themselves. Soon after, the coach on the shore came to the poolside and asked what was going on.
Song Qing was jolted by the cold air and finally came to her senses. She wiped away the fishy smell, scooped up a handful of water, and washed the saltiness off her face. Bill also took the opportunity to hug her, but the constant rise and fall of his chest told her that he was indeed frightened by her.
"Bill, I'm fine." Song Qing smiled to the side, turned around, and nodded to the coach on the shore to express her gratitude.
"I just wanted to see my body's limits," she explained.
Bill released her, spread her body apart, and stared intently at her face, his expression full of worry.
"Xiaoqing, I'm worried that one day you'll explode because of this... or be annihilated."
She playfully punched him, giggled, and then swam to the other side.