"Actually, young mistress, you are truly blessed. It is because of the old lady's matter that the master is now very open-minded and also very worried about you and the young master."
Song Qing smiled wryly and said, "Sister Zhou, since there's already such a precedent, why does Dad still want me to come in? I'm afraid I won't meet his requirements."
"As for you, I'm not worried at all. Before dinner, I even advised the master that you are actually quite soft-hearted, quite different from the old lady. Besides, the young master is truly wonderful to you, never forcing you; I also think highly of you two. After all, you are a good match, and there's still a long road ahead."
Song Qing nodded in agreement and said nothing more. Her relationship with Yi Zhengwei was already set in stone, and they were determined to continue down this path no matter what.
She parked her car downstairs at the bank and asked Aunt Zhou to wait for her, as she had some things to discuss with Yi Zhengwei.
Yi Zhengwei was still in the meeting, and Lily busied herself attending to her. She was already quite adept at the process, and met with Manager Chen, the former manager of the Shibing Building, at the mall management office on the 25th floor. Shen Yang happened to be there as well. After she finished her business and left, Shen Yang, carrying a stack of documents, walked alongside her. Shen Yang coldly remarked, "Mrs. Yi, are you here today to carry out what you said last time?"
Song Qing was slightly taken aback, then smiled and said, "You still remember so clearly."
Shen Yang stopped in his tracks. "What do you mean by that? Were you just trying to appease me?"
Song Qing shrugged. "What do you want me to do?"
"Just do as you say! Don't go back on your word, my sister doesn't need your pity!" She snorted coldly, turned away, and strode off. How could she possibly admit that she wished Song Qing were more ruthless, so her sister could see the truth and stop her from crying at home every day? Even if they loved each other, Yi Zhengwei's marriage was a fact. Judging from the current situation, the two seemed to have discussed it well and knew what to do. Only her sister couldn't see the truth and thought Yi Zhengwei would still give her a complete love.
When her phone rang, Song Qing saw it was Yi Zhengwei calling and hurried up to the thirtieth floor, where Yi Zhengwei was waiting for her at the elevator entrance.
Why didn't you call beforehand?
"I just happened to be passing by and stopped by. It's nothing urgent. If you happen to be free, let's chat."
After Song Qing sat down in Yi Zhengwei's office, he first handed him the document for the transfer of five percent of Fuhua's shares, saying, "Take a look at it first. I've been wanting to talk to you about this for a while."
Yi Zhengwei didn't answer, crossed his arms and looked at her coldly, "What does this mean?"
Song Qing took a breath, stood up and looked directly at him, and said sincerely, "Zhengwei, you should accept this gift. Not to mention that we are already husband and wife, just from a business perspective, you have helped Fuhua so much. Fuhua's current stable situation is all thanks to you. Besides, Dad is so good to me too."
Yi Zhengwei turned back to the table, lit a cigarette, took a few deep drags, looked out the window, and after a long while said, "The Shibing Building was decided by my father, so you don't need to thank me. As for my helping Fuhua, it's also for our cooperative project."
Song Qing said urgently, "But the project hasn't benefited you at all."
"Song Qing, I believe in Fuhua, and I believe in you too. Once the new project is fully launched, we all know the profits involved." He has always been clear about separating public and private matters. From beginning to end, all he wanted was Fuhua's new project. He had been planning for a long time, and although things weren't going smoothly at the moment, he was optimistic about the future. He was the one who proposed the marriage, so he had no reason to want Fuhua's shares.
Song Qing insisted on handing him the share certificate, saying, "Zhengwei, this is my personal decision."
Yi Zhengwei stared at her intently for a few seconds, then said in a deep voice, "President Song, is there only one direction you've always taken? I know you want to settle accounts with me and don't want to owe me any favors, but have you considered another point? Once I take control of Fuhua's shares, we'll only become more entangled. What will you do then?"
Song Qing didn't answer. Yi Zhengwei stood up, walked around the table, put his arm around her shoulders, and whispered, "It's only natural for the Yi family to give you shares; but on the other hand, if I take Fuhua's shares, outsiders will say that the Yi family has finally revealed its true colors and wants to devour Fuhua."
Song Qing opened her mouth, as if she wanted to say something.
"OK, I know what you're going to say, but Xiao Qing, this is Linchuan, not England. My meaning is very clear: I won't take this share. Apart from the new project, I won't participate in Fuhua's decision-making or shareholder meetings. I guess you don't want too much trouble either," Yi Zhengwei said before Song Qing could speak.
Song Qing stared blankly as he carefully put the documents away and handed them back to her. As she turned away, she felt a faint sense of loss and emptiness. Yes, she was afraid of trouble, and she had always been on guard. But in fact, Yi Zhengwei had seen through her intentions perfectly well. Her visit this time was merely a one-sided affair.
She originally wanted to have a proper talk with Yi Zhengwei. She wanted to discuss with him how to handle their relationship and what would be best for both of them.
But besides shares, she didn't know what else she could offer the Yi family. If she wanted to be a good daughter-in-law, given their current situation, it would only be a facade. But if things just ended like this, she always felt something was stuck in her heart, something she couldn't move.
How could Yi Zhengwei not be troubled? He had no idea how to cross this line in their relationship. Song Qing had witnessed Fuhua's rise and fall, and although it had stabilized now, she was still very sensitive. He could understand her coming to him to discuss this topic, but he couldn't accept it. Besides, he really didn't feel that Song Qing owed him anything. With Shen Xing in the middle, both he and she understood all too well that they were each only keeping to their own roles.
But tonight's blow to Song Qing wasn't just about this incident.
At the Leng family's banquet, Song Qing was the most dazzling star of the night, with all the guests casting curious and envious glances at her. She had no experience dealing with such ladies and young women, and after a few rounds, she found it even more difficult than business socializing. Fortunately, Aunt Zhou was very skilled in this area, not only with precise manners and etiquette, but also by shielding her from a lot of drinks. Sometimes, when she couldn't answer a question, Aunt Zhou would take over.
He Min introduced her to the host of tonight's banquet, Leng Feng's wife, Xia Jieru.
Song Qing was there specifically for her, so he was on high alert to deal with her.
Xia Jieru is known in social circles for her ever-present smile. She treated every female guest present with courtesy and arranged the banquet meticulously. When she saw Song Qing, she greeted her with a graceful smile and a gentle handshake. However, she was overly polite to He Min, unlike a close friend. He Min is straightforward, capable, and single-handedly built up Kailu. Even though Leng Feng now runs the Leng family business, these two sisters-in-law are not giving way to each other.
After exchanging pleasantries with her, Song Qing asked about Leng Feng. He Min interjected, "President Song, my eldest brother manages everything in the company. My sister-in-law is too busy organizing banquets and managing family affairs to spare any time. Even the Xia family's business is handled by my eldest brother. Sigh, I'm not so lucky."
Xia Jieru blushed and paled at He Min's inappropriate remarks, but still managed a forced smile as she said to Song Qing, "She's just blaming my father-in-law for keeping my second brother so busy."
He Min laughed and said, "It's good to be busy, but I'm afraid that in the end, all that work will be for nothing."
Song Qing quickly smoothed things over, "How could that be? In the business world, if you do your best, you'll always reap the rewards."
Maintaining her demeanor as the matriarch, Xia Jieru chatted with Song Qing for a few more minutes before going off to attend to the guests.
Song Qing gave He Min a slightly reproachful look, "Why did you start a conflict right there?"
He Min waved her hand dismissively and said, "It's nothing. I'll have a little argument with her as soon as I get back, but I won't get really angry."
Song Qing smiled and said, "Why isn't there a cold breeze?"
"He's probably out dating some celebrity again. His life is so exciting. Do you think everyone is like you and me, working like an old ox?"
Song Qing patted her shoulder with emotion and looked in Xia Jieru's direction, saying, "Don't you think everyone believes that we should be like her, that's the ultimate path?"
I think so, otherwise Yi Mantian wouldn't have gone to such lengths to have her come.
He Min and she walked to a corner and silently began to drink.
"What else can we do? Xiaoqing, you and I are different. My family and my husband's family have complicated relationships. I have no choice but to fight hard. But why do you have to do this too? I wanted to ask you this question the first time you called me."
Seeing that she was already seven-tenths drunk, Song Qing said, "Fuhua can only belong to the Song family."
He Min opened her eyes wide upon hearing this, then put her arm around her shoulder and burst into laughter, laughing so hard that tears were streaming down her face. After a while, she finally stopped and said, "You're really thinking too simply. Even if you make Fuhua the number one company in the world, can you keep it for the rest of your life?"
"He Min, it's not that I haven't thought about this."
He Min laughed even harder, "Xiao Qing, you're not trying to tell me that your future children will have the surname Song, not Yi, are you?"