"Thank you," Meng Qi said as she stood up. "Then it's settled, tonight it is. I'll send you the location later. I won't disturb you any further, goodbye."
Tianyi escorted her to the office door and had his secretary send her to the elevator.
After she left, Tianyi contacted Susu and told her about the dinner with Meng Qi and Meng Yao that evening.
Susu happily agreed, seeing it as an opportunity to ask Meng Qi for advice on charity fundraising.
...
After work, Tianyi went to the studio to pick up Susu, and they went together to the restaurant Meng Qi had booked.
It was a high-end restaurant with a private club atmosphere. Meng Qi, Yao Feili, and Meng Yao had already arrived.
Upon seeing Tianyi and his wife arrive, they all stood up to greet them.
Tianyi had discussed the International Financial Port project with Meng Qi a few times at official banquets, but this was their first private dinner not related to business.
Now that their two groups had a major project cooperation, they had publicly reconciled and were no longer rivals in the business world.
The news reported it as a powerful alliance, and the Huangfu Group's internal chaos and external questioning had stabilized due to their cooperation with Tianyi's group.
From Tianyi's perspective, this cooperation seemed to be a win-win situation.
After everyone sat down and exchanged pleasantries, the waiter began serving the dishes.
Susu looked at Meng Yao and asked with concern, "Is Doctor Song feeling better? Who is taking care of him when you're not in the ward?"
Meng Yao had actually been dragged to dinner by Meng Qi. The moment she left Song Jiaping's ward, she felt as uneasy as if a cat's claws were scratching at her heart.
"I'll go back to the ward in a bit..."
Meng Qi patted her shoulder and said, "Don't worry, there are caregivers, and security guards at the ward entrance. No one can easily enter the ward to harm Song Jiaping anymore."
Meng Yao nodded reluctantly and looked at the dishes just served on the table, wishing she could start eating immediately.
Susu saw that Meng Yao was becoming somewhat neurotic with anxiety and thought that Song Jiaping really should have surgery soon. Only when Song Jiaping woke up and recovered would Meng Yao stop being in this state.
"Everyone, stop talking and start eating," Yao Feili said, gesturing for Tianyi and Susu to begin.
Tianyi picked up his chopsticks, placed a piece of food onto Susu's plate, and Susu smiled at him before taking a bite.
The others also picked up their chopsticks, eating and chatting.
Tianyi, seeing that Meng Qi had mentioned the expert she hired also recommended surgery, asked, "Meng Yao, have you contacted the expert I introduced? Have you compared them to see which surgical plan is best?"
"I have compared them. The risk of surgery with the foreign expert is smaller," Meng Yao said, clutching her hands tightly.
Tianyi said, "In that case, I'll ask that expert about his schedule and see if he can come to Lancheng as soon as possible to perform surgery on Song Jiaping."
Meng Yao hesitated, "This... please don't..."
"Don't hesitate anymore," Meng Qi said. "Let President Qin arrange for that expert to perform surgery on Song Jiaping as soon as possible. The surgery will be successful."
Meng Yao put down her chopsticks, her heart in turmoil, not wanting her decision to cost Jiaping his life.
Susu advised her, "Meng Yao, the surgery cannot be delayed any longer. The longer we wait, the greater the risk. I understand how you feel, but I believe Doctor Song won't blame you for whatever decision you make. However, without surgery, he has no hope of waking up. This is surely not what he would want."
Meng Yao slowly lifted her bowed head, her gaze no longer hesitant. She finally made a decision and said, "President Qin, please help me contact that expert. I also want Jiaping to have surgery as soon as possible."
Hearing her say this, they all breathed a sigh of relief.
Tianyi nodded and said, "Alright, I will help you arrange it as soon as possible."
"This meal was originally to thank President Qin. We'll toast President Qin and his wife," Yao Feili said, raising his wine glass first.
Meng Qi and Meng Yao also raised their glasses. Tianyi and Susu no longer declined and drank a glass with them.
After drinking, Meng Qi said she needed to go to the restroom. A short while later, Susu found an excuse and also went to the restroom.
As Susu walked in, she saw Meng Qi reapplying her makeup at the washbasin. She smiled at Meng Qi and walked to the washbasin to wash her hands.
Meng Qi smiled and spoke first, "Mrs. Qin, I heard you are a fashion designer and own your own studio."
"Yes, because I love fashion design, I've been sticking with it."
"It's wonderful to be able to persist in doing what you love. If I have the chance, I'd like to visit your studio. Can you design a few gowns for me?" Meng Qi asked.
"Of course," Susu said happily. "It is I who should thank you for your care."
Meng Qi smiled and said, "You are too modest. Your studio is so famous, why would you need anyone's care?"
"I often see you doing charity work as well, Miss Meng Qi. You are truly capable and kind-hearted," Susu praised her.
Meng Qi finished reapplying her makeup and washed her hands. She glanced at Susu and said, "It's nothing, I just enjoy participating in charity events. Is there something you need from me?"
It seemed that Meng Qi's ability to become the heir of the Huangfu Group was indeed strong; she could see through her intentions at a glance.
Susu got straight to the point and said, "Actually, I grew up in an orphanage and have always paid attention to the orphanage where I used to stay. Currently, that orphanage is facing a shortage of funds to treat the children's illnesses. I want to organize a charity fundraiser or establish a charity fund."
Meng Qi listened but did not respond immediately.
Susu continued, "Most of the children taken in by orphanages have congenital diseases or disabilities. If it weren't for congenital issues, parents would generally not abandon these children. Therefore, the lack of funds in orphanages in this regard is a long-term problem. My husband and I have been supporting the orphanage annually, but it's just a drop in the bucket."
"I understand. You want to establish a long-term fund so that the orphanage no longer has to worry about paying for the children's medical treatments."
Susu nodded and said, "But I haven't participated in many charity events in recent years, and I don't know many celebrities who enjoy doing charity. I'm not sure how to go about establishing a charity fund. Can you tell me?"
Meng Qi knew she wanted to do good deeds and said, "It's simple. There's a charity gala tomorrow night. You can come with me, and I'll introduce you to those people. Chat with them more, and you'll know how to go about fundraising and establishing a fund."
"Okay, thank you so much," Susu said.
Meng Qi looked at her and smiled, "You might not know this, but you rarely appear at various events. Everyone says you are very mysterious, and they are very curious about you, Mrs. Qin."
Susu smiled in surprise and said, "A few years ago, I had twins, and I also had my studio to manage. I was too busy to attend those events..."
"I think you just don't like socializing," Meng Qi said helplessly. "Actually, I don't really like always wearing a fake mask to socialize, but I have to manage the entire group, so I can only socialize more and find useful things from it. This is what they call 'networking'."
"I understand," Susu felt that she was still far from being as capable as women like her and that she should learn more from her.