Chapter 280: 280: Please Treat Her Very Well
Chapter 280: 280: Please Treat Her Very Well
In Song Shan’s office, Song Shan asked his daughter gravely.
“Mhmm.” Song Zhizhi said, “I believe it is very necessary.”
She initially did not intend to go, thinking that what Ye Taiting likes is to lure people away before dealing with them secretly.
But she had her own considerations.
Firstly.
If she refused this trip, she would be tagged as someone not fully committed to her work. Although she doesn’t care much, it could directly impact her father’s reputation. Lately, she felt that any slight wave could potentially give Ye Taiting a handle to leverage, hence she could not afford to make any mistakes at her work.
Secondly.
To be blunt, although they already knew the true colors of Ye Taiting, outwardly, they were still under Ye Taiting’s “control”. If they refuse his arrangement, they could arouse Ye Taiting’s suspicion. For them right now, such suspicion might not necessarily be a good thing! At least when Ye Taiting is unclear about their true intentions, he would choose to observe, and would not take extreme measures. But now, she didn’t believe it was the perfect time to openly confront Ye Taiting. Behind Ye Taiting, there are powers she and Ji Baijian have not completely investigated, particularly the existence of the Corpse Organization.
Thirdly.
This trip poses a threat to her, and in fact, Yi Wenhan is also in danger. Without thinking too much, she knew that Ye Taiting must be trying to protect Yi Wenhan, as Yi Wenhan’s hiding for many years is merely for the sake of preserving his own life. However, if Ye Taiting makes any concealed decisions during this trip, she will definitely use Yi Wenhan as a shield.
Having considered these factors.
She has made all the decisions.
Song Shan stayed silent, looking straight at his daughter, and didn’t say anything for a long while.
Song Zhidao suggested, “Maybe I should go with you.”
When he couldn’t alter his sister’s decision, Song Zhidao proposed.
Song Zhizhi said, “You following won’t be justified.”
“I can’t let you go alone.”
“Of course, I’m not so foolish to go on my own. I will definitely bring Luo Xiaolang, and not just Luo Xiaolang, dad. I’d also like to take Brother Ziming with me. But I worry about your side…” Song Zhizhi looked at her father, unsure of what to decide.
“Don’t worry, Ye wouldn’t dare to make a move on me at Commercial Management. The authorities are watching him closely. Being old and cunning, he would not risk acting rashly. If any traces are found, it would be him stepping on his own foot. Take Ziming with you worry-free.”
“Alright.” Song Zhizhi nodded.
“By the way, how’s it going with Qin Wenguo?” Song Shan asked.
It had been quite some time, and there had been no news from his daughter.
Song Zhizhi answered, “I have already won over Qin Jingxiang. We are now waiting for her to work on her father.”
“Good.” Song Shan nodded, “Tell me if you need me to do anything regarding this matter. We three chief executives must unite. I absolutely won’t let Ye plot against us!”
“Mhmm.”
Song Zhizhi chatted with her father and younger brother a little longer before she left her father’s office.
Upon returning to her own office, she was still lost in thought.
The trip to Jinghe certainly wouldn’t be easy.
If indeed Ye Taiting had started to orchestrate crimes within Yanshang Country through the Corpse Organization, it means that Ye Taiting is getting anxious. He wants to clear the obstacles for Yi Wenhan, and is eager for Yi Wenhan to take the helm.
This urgency would inevitably trigger an unavoidable war.
In the evening.
Song Zhizhi went out for dinner with her team.
Having been in Commercial Management for so long, apart from attending many grand banquets, she had not really had such casual gatherings. It seems Commercial Management doesn’t like to organize such small-team building activities.
There were 10 people from the Planning Department going to Jinghe. Zhan Song hosted a dinner just for them.
Eleven people sat around a big table.
Before the meal began, Zhang Song took the initiative to raise his glass, “Come, I’ll toast you all first.”
Everyone raised their glasses.
Zhan Song started, “This trip to Jinghe, being far away and located in the south of Yanshang Country, Nanyun, although the air there is very good, the journey is tough, and there are many mountain roads, which will certainly be burdensome. However, everyone can rest assured that I will make sure you are fully compensated for travel allowances and I will also apply for a group award for financial subsidies when we return. So, I appreciate everyone’s hard work for this trip.”
“It’s our duty, Director Zhan.”
“We will dedicate ourselves to our work and fulfill our tasks.”
At the tables, naturally, there were many sycophantic voices.
Song Zhizhi just mingled in with the crowd, she at least didn’t stick out like a sore thumb.
The first round of drinks was over.
Everyone started eating, then continued drinking.
The initially reserved crowd, due to the effects of alcohol, instantly brightened the atmosphere, ranging from initial timidity to ultimate abandon, with most people starting to look for liquor.
Song Zhizhi also drank a little, not too much.
So she observed everyone clearly throughout the meal as they drank wildly.
They have a flight at 7 am tomorrow.
She was not sure if this group could even get up in time.
She glanced over and saw that Chu Qin didn’t drink much either, occasionally obliged a few toasts, all the while maintaining her haughty disposition. She absolutely didn’t mingle with the lower-ranked employees.
But she wasn’t sure if she saw it right.
She seemed to notice several times that Chu Qin looked at Yi Wenhan.
Every time Yi Wenhan started drinking with someone else, Chu Qin would unconsciously frown.
Chu Qin always looked down on people, especially subordinates.
This behavior prompted some thought in her.
Song Zhizhi didn’t put much thought to it for now. She knew Chu Qin’s character very well. Regardless of her marital status, she would never commit adultery. But Yi Wenhan is a different story, he doesn’t care about someone’s status, he only considers whether this person is helpful to him or not.
Obviously.
Chu Qin’s status is beneficial to him.
Song Zhizhi stood up, preparing to get some fresh air outside.
The room was filled with people drinking, a bit smoky and suffocating.
“Manager Song, where are you going? We’re all having fun!” Li Sheng, slightly tipsy, called out to her.
Song Zhizhi responded, “I’m going to the restroom, I’ll also get some fresh air.”
“You can’t leave. We haven’t drunk together yet. Although you’re the most successful among us who entered together, don’t forget our camaraderie, burp… yes, camaraderie.” Li Sheng hiccuped, looking quite intoxicated.
Song Zhizhi chuckled, “Okay, I’ll join you when I get back.”
She then left the private room.
She figured that with the way things were going tonight, it wasn’t likely that the gathering would end anytime soon.
She decided to stick around for another half hour. If these people still showed no sign of leaving, she’d leave first. In the end, no one would blame her. It’s a legitimate excuse, she had to leave early because of travel plans for tomorrow.
With these thoughts, Song Zhizhi went to the restroom, and when she returned, she glimpsed Yin Qin.
She barely had time to call out to Yin Qin before she saw him enter a private room.
As she followed him with her eyes, she saw the door to the private room closing and thought she saw Li Wenjun inside.
What on earth was Yin Qin up to?!
Song Zhizhi thought for a moment, and had an idea of the answer.
Sometimes, she really did find Yin Qin to be single-minded and simple, even foolish. But honestly, there was something valuable about his character. He never plotted against others and would go to hell and back for those he held dear, like Ji Baijian, like Ji Baixin.
It seemed like Yin Qin had fallen for the brother and sister in this lifetime.
Song Zhizhi turned to leave.
In the private room.
Yin Qin was sitting across from Li Wenjun.
Li Wenjun had taken the initiative to call him, inviting him to dinner.
Yin Qin was not willing internally, but he found he couldn’t control his own legs, and thus, he arrived.
Li Wenjun looked at Yin Qin, ecstatic to see him, “I thought you wouldn’t come.”
“Why wouldn’t I come?” Yin Qin appeared not to care.
Li Wenjun looked very gentlemanly, he invited Yin Qin to sit.
Once Yin Qin sat down, Li Wenjun took the seat beside him.
The environment here is excellent, and the meals aren’t cheap either.
If you make a reservation in advance, the staff will arrange a dining table according to the number of diners. So, just like how the private room next door can accommodate over 10 people at Song Zhizhi’s round table, a small square table for two can also be arranged here.
Many delicious dishes have already been placed on the square table.
Li Wenjun said, “I don’t know what you like to eat, so I ordered various dishes. You can choose whatever you want, and I’ll order again.”
“I’ve never been picky about food.” Yin Qin picked up his chopsticks and started eating.
Li Wenjun chuckled, “That’s good.”
Then, he also started eating with his chopsticks.
While eating, he said, “Last time I invited you to a street food stall, and afterwards, I felt that such places didn’t befit your status. This time, I spent a long time choosing a place. I’m not sure if you like the food here.”
“As I said, I’m not picky. If you invite me to a street food stall again, I’ll come.”
“But I would feel bad.” Li Wenjun seemed extremely friendly.
Yin Qin didn’t want to continue the pointless formalities.
He couldn’t do that.
He utterly detested Li Wenjun, so why should he pretend to be amiable to him?
The fact that he came was due to his foolishness.
“Yin Qin.” Li Wenjun poured himself a drink, and then poured one for Yin Qin, “A toast to you.”
Yin Qin looked at the drink in front of him, took it without clinking glasses with Li Wenjun, and downed it all in one gulp.
Li Wenjun didn’t feel awkward, and he calmly finished his drink.
He said, “I heard from Baixin that you’ve called off your engagement.”
“So, you plan to come and show off?” Yin Qin replied calmly while chewing his food.
“Not at all.” Li Wenjun hastily shook his head, “I just want to thank you. Baixin and I have been going out for so many years, yet we’ve never gained the approval of her parents. Today, Baixin told me that her parents have allowed us to date.”
“Then cherish it.” Yin Qin didn’t seem to care.
However, his mind was full of images of Ji Baixin, of her laughter and joy in Li Wenjun’s presence.
He poured himself a drink and started drinking on his own.
Watching his actions, Li Wenjun didn’t interfere.
He said, “Yin Qin, I know that you actually like Baixin a lot. I am really grateful that you actively rescinded the engagement this time. The purpose of inviting you to dinner tonight is to express my sincerest gratitude. There’s no other reason. You don’t need to avoid anything, and there’s no need to hide anything either. I fully understand – if you hadn’t willingly let go, your engagement with Baixin wouldn’t have been called off so easily, and Baixin and I also wouldn’t have received her parents’ approval. This drink is once again dedicated to you!”
Yin Qin picked up his drink.
Li Wenjun took the initiative to clink glasses.
Yin Qin slipped away and avoided it.
Li Wenjun didn’t feel awkward and instead, drank to honor him first.
Yin Qin was observing his actions.
He about it, and he realized that even if Li Wenjun were an unfaithful man, even if he had come back to deceive Ji Baixin’s feelings, and even if he didn’t actually like Ji Baixin and was only pursuing her for her family’s wealth, it didn’t matter. Because even then, Ji Baixin still wouldn’t have loved him.
So, it was better to just send them off with his blessings.
He finished his drink and placed his cup heavily on the table.
His expression seemed a little pained. He wasn’t very good with baijiu, so after a few drinks, he began to feel the effects of the alcohol. He thought he must really be drunk to start saying what he was about to say next.
He said, “Li Wenjun, I really like Baixin a lot.”
Li Wenjun nodded, “I know. Because we like the same person, I can feel it that your love for her is definitely not less than mine.”
“No, it’s more. No one in this world likes her more than I do. I’ve liked her for so long. From the moment I can remember, I’ve liked her. I’ve always liked her – I’ve kept my feelings in my heart, and it’s surfaced on my face. But no matter what I do, Ji Baixin just doesn’t like me!”
Li Wenjun pressed his lips together, “I’m sorry, maybe if I didn’t exist, you might’ve…”
“It’s not your fault.” Yin Qin continued to pour his own drinks, and kept drinking one glass after another.
Li Wenjun tried to stop him a few times.
Yin Qin ignored him, leaving Li Wenjun helpless.
Yin Qin said, “You have no idea how happy I was when you two suddenly broke up. I thought spring had finally come for this old tree of mine, and that I had a chance to get close to Ji Baixin. Who would’ve known that you two would do this! Ji Baixin told me that you two didn’t actually break up, and that you were just waiting. I really wanted to kill you at that time.”
Li Wenjun didn’t know what to say.
He accompanied Yin Qin in drinking.
Yin Qin said, “Li Wenjun, I guess I’ve accepted my fate.”
“Your fate is pretty good, so accepting it is not bad,” Li Wenjun joked.
“Good fate? You probably think my family background is good, right! You’re mistaken. Every family has its own burdens to bear. My family also has many aspects that I’m not pleased with. But that’s not the point. The point is—the woman I’ve loved so much in my life—is really with you now.”
Li Wenjun gave a helpless shrug.
He didn’t know how to comfort Yin Qin.
Action.
“Li Wenjun, I do not wish to clink glasses with you because I do not wish for reconciliation. And I would like to hold onto my grudge against you and Ji Baixin forever. But now…”
Yin Qin gripped his glass tighly.
Li Wenjun lifted his drink.
“I want to genuinely wish you and Ji Baixin well,” Yin Qin was very sincere.
Except in the case of talking to Ji Baixin, his words to others were always sincere.
li Wenjun said, “Thank you.”
“Next up, I will truly withdraw from the world of you and Ji Baixin. I will really get further and further from Ji Baixin. So, I hope you can take good care of her, since she likes you so much. I hope you won’t let her down. I hope you can protect her and take care of her for the rest of her life, and also keep her happy and joyful…” Yin Qin’s eyes became a little red.
What was he saying?
What was he saying?
Why could he ask his love rival to be good to the woman he liked?
He should be cursing them for having a miserable ending.
Suppressing his feelings, he said, “From now on, I will have no more chances to take care of her, so… please be very good to her.”
“I will.”li Wenjun assured him.
Yin Qin nodded.
He nodded.
He continued to pour drinks and drink them.
Li Wenjun accompanied him.
Yin Qin soon became drunk.
Who wouldn’t get drunk from drinking like this?
Yin Qin lay down on the table.
Li Wenjun called out to him.
Yin Qin was slurring his words.
Li Wenjun said, “I’ll take you home.”
“Don’t touch me!” Yin Qin raised his voice.
Li Wenjun looked at him.
“Call Xiaolang to pick me up, Xiaolang!”
Li Wenjun was perplexed.
Who was Xiaolang?!
He said, “I’ll take you home.”
“I won’t go. Let Xiaolang come and pick me up. Let Xiaolang come and pick me up!” He incessantly murmured.
Who on earth was Xiaolang?!
He didn’t know him, so how could he ask him to pick him up?
Thinking about it…
Is Xiaolang a woman?