After finishing the call, Yi Zhengwei busied himself for a while, then called Lili in to organize the documents. He took the opportunity to call Shen Xing.
"Zhengwei!" Shen Xing cried with joy, grabbed her phone and rushed to the window, not caring that the several buildings in front of her blocked her view of the bank's operations.
Why are you crying?
"It's nothing, it's just... it's just..." She felt a pang of bitterness when she saw in the news and newspapers that the man who usually scolded her was treating another woman even worse.
"Don't overthink it. Did you get checked today?"
"Ah." Shen Xing hurriedly looked at the Zhannan Commercial Building across the street. There seemed to be more roses than usual today, in all sorts of colors. Some of them were clearly not in season and had obviously been airlifted from elsewhere. Moreover, the signs all seemed to have been changed. She could hardly keep her eyes open.
"Okay, go to work. I'm quite busy lately, so take good care of yourself."
"If it's inconvenient for you to be alone, come to the villa in Tangquan. I've hired servants who can take care of you." In fact, the villa in Tangquan had already been arranged after the day he parted ways with Song Qingzhu Garden. He had already decided on Shen Xing's future. No matter what, even with the prospect of personal gain, he would never mistreat Shen Xing.
His frequent visits with Song Qing were not only due to work requirements, but also a buffer for him and Shen Xing.
He was confident that he could separate interests from love.
The reason he made this sudden decision was because he knew that Song Qing, like him, was devoted to her own feelings and would not have any emotional entanglements with him.
The scene of her embracing Yan Xunan at the hospital not only shocked Song Ning, but also him.
He believed that his marriage to Song Qing would be the perfect union of interests!
Besides, Yi Mantian had already hinted at his way out at the banquet that day, and all she needed to do was let Shen Xing feel that his love for her was still there, and that would be enough.
This may be a selfish thought, but in the business world, nothing is more intuitive and easier to weigh than interests.
He never considered himself someone who could die for love.
Just like Yan Xunan deeply loved Song Qing, he had no doubt about that, but what was the result? He still betrayed her. That's what businessmen are like.
Chapter Twenty-Two: The Mantis Stalks the Cicada, Unaware of the Oriole Behind
Fuhua's solid foundation, its promising future after listing, and Song Qing—all of this has become a piece of meat that is already in hand, irresistible, and within reach. In the face of this, personal feelings are so thin and fragile that one can easily discern their relative importance.
- Gentlemen
The work at Fuhua is intense but not chaotic, and everyone is full of energy and has a lively demeanor. Even the receptionists on the first floor do their mundane work in a colorful and exciting way. All of this stems from Fuhua's continuous growth, which ensures everyone has a bright future.
This is a promising company, one that is about to expand its brand and reputation overseas. As the company continues to develop, its employees must not be complacent or underestimate themselves.
Bill arrived in Linchuan without prior notice, and didn't even inform Wu Peng and Song Qing about the pick-up. Tall and muscular, he immediately attracted attention upon entering Fuhua. Back in school, he was a key member of the school's swimming team, standing at 1.9 meters tall with perfectly sculpted pectoral muscles—a standard athlete's physique—yet possessing a face comparable to Apollo. If it weren't during working hours, he would undoubtedly have caused a stir.
His nonchalant demeanor was even more striking behind his thick blue sunglasses. However, on this Monday morning, his athletic attire seemed somewhat out of place. With a backpack casually slung across his shoulder, he pulled down his sunglasses, revealing smiling eyes, and winked at the three receptionists. He approached them, exchanged a few words with them, and amidst their hesitant expressions, took the general manager's elevator straight to the twentieth floor.
Song Qing had just received a call from her aunt saying that Bill might have already left, but she hadn't received a call from him. So she hurriedly contacted Wu Peng, but he hadn't received any notification either. She frowned, a little worried. Bill had never been to China before, let alone Linchuan.
Before she could even speak, she looked up and saw Bill chewing gum, holding sunglasses in one hand and a gym bag hooked in the other, leaning casually against the door and smiling at her.
She opened her lips in surprise, a hint of reproach and anger showing on her face. The gentle sunlight streaming in from behind Bill, a light that was neither too bright nor too cold, bathed him in its warmth. Suddenly, she forgot what she was supposed to do or say, her eyes filled with confusion.
Bill wiped his forehead and sighed dejectedly. He hooked his long leg around the door and closed it, then shook his finger and said, "Oh, little Lianxin, you've mistaken me for someone else again."
A familiar voice came from behind her, and Song Qing giggled. She got up and went to greet him, giving him a big hug. She didn't say a word, just held him tightly and didn't let go for a long time.
Bill patted her back gently and laughed, "Looks like I came just in time. You're about to break down. How come this place is even more like hell than Haozheng? Poor little Lianxin."
She took a deep breath, smiled, punched his thick chest muscles, and left the embrace that felt so familiar to her.
"Oh, Bill, I'm so glad you're here."
Bill put down his things and pulled her to the window. Without even needing to look her up or down, his tall frame gave her a thorough once-over. He frowned, his expression displeased. "I told the chairman back then not to let you come back. Look at your face, all that effort you put into getting plump up, and it's back to being a tiny little face. Oh, and those dark circles under your eyes! And did you take the stomach medicine I brought you on time? Good heavens, you probably forgot to eat, let alone take your medicine. Damn it, I should have come, no, I should have come with you..."
Song Qing tiptoed and covered his lips with her hand, laughing, "Bill, it seems I'm going to have to endure your nanny-like nagging again. You'll be staying in Linchuan for a while, no need to rush. Now, go back to the hotel immediately and meet with Manager Wu. I'm sure there are many things you need to familiarize yourself with there. I'll treat you to a welcome dinner tonight."
"Little Lianxin, you don't have to treat me like this." As expected, Bill frowned when he heard Haotian's voice, turned around and pulled Song Qing to sit on the sofa, leaning to one side, not wanting to move at all.
Song Qing stood up, shook his head, and said, "Bill, I believe you know the current situation. My father is not in good health, and Fuhua is facing a major decision. I cannot relax for even a moment. I will give you three days to familiarize yourself with Haotian's affairs. After three days, bring the materials here and come to work with me."
Bill raised his eyebrows, feeling a bit cheated. But he seemed to be adapting well, shifting his position and putting his long legs across the other end of the sofa, taking up the entire space by himself. He tapped his hands behind his head, clearly weighing his options.
Song Qing knew he couldn't sit still, so she gave him a sympathetic look and returned to her desk to continue working.
"Little Lotus Heart, are you really not going back to England?"
Seeing his helpless and resigned expression, Song Qing covered her mouth and laughed.
After a moment, she said seriously, "Bill, my father's health is very poor, and I cannot leave. The longer I stay in Fuhua, the more I feel like I'm rooted to the spot."
"Actually, I should have been here all along."
He suddenly stood up, his hands gripping the edge of the table, his tall frame instantly looming over her. He leaned close to Song Qing and said urgently, "Oh, Lianxin, I think I should go and pay my respects to my future father-in-law. Oh, father-in-law, is that what he said, huh?"
Song Qing laughed at his words and leaned back in her chair. "I'm telling you, Bill, that was just a joke we made when we were kids. You don't have to take it seriously."
Bill sat up straight, shook his head seriously, and said, "No, I have never betrayed my promise."
"Little Lotus Heart, if it weren't for the doctrine that forbids premarital sex, I believe that according to your Chinese traditions, you would already be my wife," Bill continued.
Song Qing blushed, but felt quite helpless at his words. She couldn't help but blame her aunt for insisting on pairing Bill and her together. Bill was a Catholic and extremely loyal to his lover, while she had only taken it as a joke. After all, to Bill, just like her aunt and anyone else in the family, he was simply a relative.
Whenever the topic of faith came up, they would stop arguing, which was something Song Qing respected about him. As for matters of the heart, they could discuss them later; besides, now was not the time to talk about it.
"OK, Bill, I'll call Wu Peng right now and have him come pick you up."
She looked up at the wall clock. "I'll leave work early today, and I'll come pick you up at seven, okay?"