"It's alright, Haotian's situation is more optimistic than you think, so you don't need to worry."
"Bill, given the current situation, I'm bound to have to sell my shares."
"Lotus seeds, however many you throw, I will collect as many as you take," he wanted to say. But he knew that Song Qing did not want to hear such words.
"I know, it's inevitable. Don't worry, I'll keep an eye on it."
"By the way, Mr. Yi said you've been refusing his help. You two are business partners, isn't that a bad thing?" Bill suddenly asked.
"The first thing I did after selling this stock was to pay back the money I owed them. They helped me so much, and I felt very uneasy about it."
"Lianxin, there's no need to fight for pride now. He might not even care. Are you trying to distance yourself because of the press conference?" Bill said anxiously. Song Qing is now refusing all external funding, even from banks. This is too dangerous.
"No," she replied after a long pause.
"You should contact him when you have time, because his situation at the company is probably not very good because of this cooperation."
Song Qing was stunned for a moment, and asked in surprise, "Bill, you and him... when did you start speaking up for someone like this?"
Bill shrugged and said helplessly, "Lianxin, I'll only ask you one question: if I could help you salvage the current situation—no, I mean, both he and I could resolve this crisis for you—who would you choose?"
Song Qing remained silent.
"Okay, okay, I know. With your personality, you don't want anyone's help, but this is just a hypothetical situation. Can you answer me?" Bill added immediately, hoping for this last glimmer of hope.
"Bill, there are no ifs."
Bill tidied his disheveled hair and muttered a curse under his breath.
"I knew you wouldn't accept me after that nerdy incident, right? But Lianxin, after this, do you still have any hope for Yan Xunan? You should walk your own path and get rid of the shadows of the past!"
"Bill, don't push me. You know I have no way out," Song Qing said softly.
Bill hung up the phone in disappointment and inexplicably lashed out in anger. He wanted nothing more than to grab her shoulders and yell at her to wake her up. How could she be so stubborn after all this? She was just making everyone around her anxious and helpless.
"Bill, you should find a wife who is completely devoted to you, to be worthy of your faith. I am destined to abandon the past, and you should too. You deserve a perfect life," she murmured, looking at the phone.
She sped along the road towards Zhuyuan, and just as she was about to arrive, she received a call from Yan Xunan.
"Qing'er, we must meet!" His words brooked no refusal.
"I'm in the bamboo garden, come over here." she said calmly.
Yan Xunan was taken aback, not expecting her to answer so readily. He wanted to say something more, but the phone was already beeping. Without thinking, he grabbed his keys and rushed downstairs, his heart pounding. He had so much to say, so much to explain; his longing for her was stronger than ever before.
After getting off the car, she remembered that Bamboo Garden seemed to have changed owners. She hadn't been there for a while and thought the style would have changed. Unexpectedly, the old people and things were still the same. The hostess recognized her at a glance and led her directly into the Gentleman's Pavilion.
The bamboo door was gently pulled shut, and when the window was opened, the wind was still as fresh and pleasant as ever.
At this moment, Shen Yang was sitting at the cashier, staring blankly as Song Qing was led upstairs, her mouth agape. Shen Xing, wearing an apron and dressed like a virtuous wife, saw her like this and chuckled as she stepped forward to close her mouth.
"What are you doing? I called you here to help out, and you're already so distracted! Don't do this to Zhengwei either, it's embarrassing."
Shen Yang quickly grabbed her hand and said anxiously, "Sister! Am I seeing things? That Miss Song, does she often come here to eat?!"
Shen Xing nodded. "Yes, she used to be a regular here, but she rarely comes after I took over."
"Wow, sis, you're so magnanimous! You're not even jealous when you see her?"
"Silly girl, what are you saying? She didn't offend me."
"No way! She knows this place was a gift from your brother-in-law, yet she still comes here so often. Isn't that like bullying us on our doorstep?" Shen Yangteng stood up and was about to go upstairs.
"Don't be ridiculous, how would she know it was me?"
The two sisters tugged at each other for a moment, and then a welcoming voice came from the doorway. They quickly put their hands down, and Shen Xing shushed them.
"Which room is Miss Song in?"
"It's upstairs, please follow me."
The two stared blankly as Yan Xunan went upstairs. Shen Xing exclaimed in surprise, "So that's why you made an appointment with him."
"Sis, isn't this Yan Xunan from Weisheng? I know him. Aren't they sworn enemies? How come..."
"Yang, I can tell that this Miss Song likes him. Didn't you see his expression when he asked Miss Song which room she was in? He was so eager and happy, like a couple deeply in love." Shen Xing covered her lips and chuckled.
"No way, sis, I didn't notice?" Shen Yang looked around.
"Of course you wouldn't know, oh dear, I can't explain it to you. I'll go check the kitchen. Don't be careless and don't give the customers too little or too much change. Also, Zhengwei just called and said he's coming over, so you'd better do your best." Shen Xing gave these instructions and happily went to patrol the kitchen.
Shen Yang hurriedly called over a waiter to cover for her. She'd stumbled upon such a good opportunity; it would be a waste not to verify it. Luckily, the adjacent room was empty, and the bamboo garden wasn't soundproof. If it was really as her sister said, she could describe it to her brother-in-law when he arrived.
"Qing'er, you've lost so much weight lately." That was the first thing Yan Xunan said as he entered. Shen Yang covered his lips and chuckled, his shoulders trembling, his hands tightly covering his mouth, afraid of making a sound.
"President Yan, you've been in high spirits lately, which is quite enviable," Song Qing said indifferently.
"Qing'er, there are some things I need to explain to you, but you don't answer my calls or reply to my texts, sigh!"
"There's no need. You're here today on official business. The mistake has been made and can't be undone. I just want to see how far you intend to push Fuhua." She waved her hand in refusal, not accepting Yan Xunan's explanation.
The whole thing is crystal clear. He did remind her and warn her, and that was true. But the result is the result. Now, thinking back on it, trying to recall it would only make him seem hypocritical.
"Qing'er, I have my reasons. You know Weisheng's situation. This is a step I have to take."
"Yes, so Fuhua inevitably became your pawn." Song Qing coldly added the last sentence.
Yan Xunan irritably ran his fingers through his hair. "I didn't expect it to escalate this much. I never imagined you would choose to go public at that time!"