Song Qing forced a smile. She could already see Leng Feng, so she raised her glass to him from afar and smiled, then quickly walked closer, saying to Yan Xunan, "Now that the project has progressed this far, it's time to repay him."
“That’s true, he did contribute money and effort,” Yan Xunan said wistfully.
Song Qing and Leng Feng got along very well because Yan Xunan was present. During their conversation, Song Qing learned that Leng Feng had always liked Song Ning and was considered a fan. He and Yan Xunan were already quite familiar with each other, so their relationship naturally became even closer.
"Qing'er, you talk to President Leng first, I'll step away for a moment."
Song Qing nodded and invited Leng Feng to sit down in a private booth. Leng Feng looked Song Qing up and down, then leaned back on the sofa with a relaxed air, saying somewhat nonchalantly, "Entering a new market isn't easy. President Song has the technology and the strength now, why bother with all this trouble?"
Song Qing knew he was referring to the bank, so he smiled and said, "Fuhua has a large factory in Cambridge, which is only a quarter of the time currently being used. It has the capability and strength to continue developing a quick and easy capital recovery market. This is based on Fuhua's overall development strategy."
Leng Feng paused for a moment, a wistful smile playing on his lips. "Miss Song has a long-term vision and is indeed a good leader, but isn't this too tiring? This project alone is enough to keep you busy. Besides, how do you know that the Leng family wants a strong competitor like you?"
Song Qing felt a little embarrassed. Faced with Leng Feng's laughter, she didn't know what to say in response.
"Miss Song, don't overthink it. I'm speaking purely from a personal, friend's perspective. The last part was a joke. If our Leng family doesn't even have this confidence, we wouldn't be qualified to occupy a leading and dominant position in this field. We each have our own areas of expertise, just like you don't mind letting Xu Nan share a piece of your market. We still have many opportunities to cooperate. We've reached a peak in this market, and I personally am very interested in developing in other areas, like Xu Nan and your husband, diversifying our investments, right?" Leng Feng crossed his legs, smiled relaxedly, and the years of luxurious living had left faint traces on his face. His skin was slightly loose, but it couldn't hide his inner ambition.
Song Qing immediately understood the meaning behind his words. A businessman would never push himself to the brink. She relaxed her tension and smiled slightly, "President Leng is truly admirable. Cheers!"
Leng Feng smiled with satisfaction. The two exchanged a glance, understanding each other perfectly, and then exchanged business cards. Seeing that things were about to settle down, Yan Xunan also walked over with a smile, sat down next to Leng Feng, put his hand on Leng Feng's shoulder, and said familiarly, "Well, Qing'er didn't disappoint you, did she?"
Leng Feng laughed heartily and said admiringly, "Xu Nan, aren't you afraid that in a few years, all of us will have to look up to her?"
Song Qing smiled and lowered her head, turning the wine glass on the corner of the table slightly. She remained silent, but in her heart, she was planning when to have another real encounter with Leng Feng.
"I was prepared for this," Yan Xunan replied with a nonchalant smile.
"I don't think you're mentally prepared enough. You've just snatched half of Fuhua's promising market share. Do you think President Song will let you off so easily?"
Leng Feng hadn't meant to say it that way; he didn't know much about the details. It was just a joke, but Song Qing and Yan Xunan both took it to heart. Yan Xunan's smile faded slightly as he glanced at Song Qing, who still had her head slightly lowered. As if she knew what he was thinking, she raised her glass and smiled, saying, "Alright, Xunan, we're going to go on stage to speak now."
Leng Feng glanced at his watch, stood up, and said, "Alright, the main event for today is over. I think I should go now. Miss Song, we'll keep in touch later. I've made a reservation at Fu Gui Men tonight, want to come together?"
"Okay, see you tonight." Song Qing quickly stood up and said with a smile.
The three shook hands and said goodbye. Leng Feng added, "Xu Nan, don't forget to bring Madam Song with you. I haven't seen her in a long time."
Yan Xunan readily agreed, and Song Qing breathed a sigh of relief, feeling her tense nerves suddenly relax.
"Qing'er, you don't need to be too reserved with Leng Feng. He has already reached his current position and won't be petty about everything. You can work with him with peace of mind."
"I know, this time I really owe it to you and Ning'er."
"He's actually been very curious about you, and I just went along with it and did him a favor. But if you take the initiative to contact him, it will indeed take a little longer. In the future, many things are not as difficult to solve as you think."
Song Qing nodded. "Xu Nan, do you really think that my undertaking of this project is unnecessary?"
“I know what you’re thinking, I’m just worried you’ll be too tired. Fuhua has always been known for its technology, and its sales channels and network are stable. If you don’t get involved in this market, things will be much easier for you. It’s not that I’m being chauvinistic, but there will be a lot of these kinds of social engagements in the future, and with your personality, I’m worried you won’t be able to handle it,” Yan Xunan said with concern, his opinion coinciding with Gao Hua’s.
With He Min as a cautionary tale, she naturally knew this as well.
But who can understand the bitterness in her heart? She was unwilling to rely on Yi Zhengwei no matter what, since their relationship was originally one of equal cooperation.
Liao Fan from the new project team at the bank had arrived early, but Song Qing was with Yan Xunan as soon as she entered, making it impossible for Liao Fan to get close or join the conversation. Seeing Song Qing constantly busy with everyone, without a moment's respite, Liao Fan simply gave up and went off to chat with other people she knew. The rumors about Song Qing and Yan Xunan's pre-marital relationship were nothing new, but seeing them together so openly today was a first. Fuhua and Weisheng were the main focus of the event, with reporters and flashbulbs mostly surrounding them. Liao Fan worried that these intimate photos would be on the front page of the newspapers by tomorrow morning.
After giving their speeches, the two accepted congratulations from the crowd and chatted warmly with the organizers before touring the exhibits at various booths. They frequently exchanged ideas and discussed their conversation, clearly enjoying themselves and leaving everyone else far behind. After the farewell party, the two drove off together. Liao Fan chased after them, watching the two cars speed away in the same direction. He stood at the door with his phone, unsure whether to make a call.
Yi Mantian was still ill, but after thinking about it, she still called Yi Zhengwei. "That's the situation today. They are currently working on the same project and there are many issues to discuss, but if an outsider writes it down or says it out loud, there might be some discrepancies. Should we report this to the chairman first?"
Yi Zhengwei put down his work, rubbed his temples, and said coldly, "No need. You should check with the organizers to see which newspapers and TV stations are coming tonight, report it to the public relations department, and let them handle it. From now on, this is how it should be done. Don't ask me for my opinion anymore."
"Yes, General Manager."
"This is a perfectly normal public relations tactic. It needs to be handled discreetly, understand?"
"Yes, I understand." Liao Fan nodded and hung up the phone, already understanding Yi Zhengwei's last words. Song Qing and Yan Xunan had a purely professional relationship; he trusted her, and his actions weren't a cover-up, but rather a way to set the record straight.
The two sisters' first meeting after their marriage was in this unexpected setting. Neither of them had anticipated it. Song Ning's thoughts weren't complicated; she was simply focused on what she wanted. She wasn't nearly as thoughtful or comprehensive as Song Qing. Therefore, since this occasion was for Fuhua's benefit, she naturally did her best to facilitate the reunion. Her public relations skills were far superior to Song Qing's. Having navigated the entertainment industry for so many years, she had earned Song Qing's respect. Leng Feng genuinely admired and liked Song Ning. She was sweet-looking, poised, and possessed the elegance of a well-bred lady. Furthermore, she was tactful, intelligent, and knew how to navigate business matters appropriately, making it impossible for men to be wary of her. With her by his side, Yan Xunan's career naturally flourished. A smart and beautiful woman without ambition or conflicting interests is indeed hard for men to resist.
"Sister, this wine won't make you drunk. Shall we sisters drink this one down and forget about the past?"
Yan Xunan also said, "Yes, Xiao Qing, if we can get drunk and forget our grudges, I would rather get drunk and die a hundred times over."
Leng Feng saw through the situation and said with a smile, "Xu Nan, Xiao Ning, what do you mean by this? You're using me to do a big favor, this isn't a family dinner today."
Song Qing glanced at the three people opposite him and chuckled, "They're joking. Family members don't hold grudges overnight. Any unpleasantness is long gone. Come on, President Leng, let's drink."
That night, Song Qing drank a lot. The more she drank, the clearer her mind became, and the clearer her eyes grew. Song Ning and Leng Feng, on the other hand, were drunk and confused, sitting together playing drinking games, having a great time. Yan Xunan suddenly reached under the table and grasped Song Qing's hand. The coldness of her palm startled him, and he sobered up considerably. This woman, his childhood sweetheart, made him feel that he was drifting further and further away from her heart. Song Qing didn't pull her hand away; a smile still lingered on her lips. She thought of Dong Haifeng's words, and then of the red key she had buried beside Song Jingmo's grave. She also thought of the vow she had made at the grave, and the sorrow and heartache of that day. She pulled her hand away, poured herself half a glass of red wine, tilted her head back, and gulped it down, swallowing it along with the tears in her eyes.
The effects of the alcohol began to kick in, and in her hazy state, a fleeting image flashed through her mind: Yi Zhengwei and Shen Xing whispering to each other behind the Christmas tree. She closed her eyes tightly, exhaled a long breath of alcohol, and suddenly felt the urge to do something, so she bent down and rummaged through her coat. Yan Xunan offered her a cigarette, which she accepted without hesitation.
The two smoked silently until one cigarette burned out. Song Ning and Leng Feng were also tired of playing, so the four of them started drinking and chatting until midnight.
"President Leng, could you please take my sister home?" Song Ning said coquettishly.
Leng Feng snapped his fingers and said readily, "It's my responsibility to take this beautiful lady home. Don't worry, I'll definitely complete your task!" His earnest demeanor amused Song Ning, who laughed heartily, her arm linked with Yan Xunan's. Yan Xunan nodded to them and drove away with Song Ning.
Leng Feng, driving Song Qing's Blue Wing, was extremely fond of the car's performance and began speeding along the empty road. Song Qing smiled knowingly, and when they arrived at the Yi residence, he handed Leng Feng a white envelope from the back seat. Leng Feng shook it, heard the sound of keys, and quipped, "The house?"
"I thought men would like cars more."
The cold wind, however, accepted it without any pretense.
"There's only one of its kind in the entire Linchuan. If there's any problem with the battery, Fuhua will provide a full warranty. You can drive it all the way to the Chinese border. It's four-wheel drive, powerful, and even more advanced than the Power One exhibited today," Song Qing said with a smile.
Leng Feng, a man accustomed to grand occasions, was still taken aback. Even the Power One, a complete vehicle currently on the market, was priced higher than imported luxury sedans, not to mention its powerful performance. A car enthusiast, he was naturally overjoyed, especially after his journey driving the Blue Wing, which had left him wanting more. Receiving this valuable gift at this moment was perfectly timed.
Song Qing covered her head and groaned softly, "I drank too much today, Mr. Leng. Thank you for bringing me back."