Meng Qi finally calmed down, realizing she had been too impulsive earlier.
But the words were already out, and she couldn't take them back, nor would she go back and beg Qin Tianyi for cooperation.
"You're right. I'll look for other groups to partner with, and I won't be so impulsive during negotiations."
Yao Feili smiled and said, "That's your decision. If you ever decide to step down from managing the Huangfu Group, I'd like you to be a vice president in my group, helping me manage internal affairs..."
"That won't do. It's not good for us as a couple to work together; personal feelings can easily get involved. Once I can hand over the Huangfu Group to the right person, I won't want to be so tired. I'll just learn to be a full-time rich wife at home," Meng Qi joked.
"Even better. I don't want you to be too tired. Just stay home with peace of mind; I can still support you."
"Who needs you to support me? Even if I don't work, my own savings are enough for a lifetime," Meng Qi said dismissively.
Yao Feili chuckled and came to her side, saying, "So you're a rich woman too. That saves me a lot of money."
Meng Qi stopped joking and said seriously, "Help me see if there are any other groups I can talk to for cooperation."
Yao Feili wrote down two reasonably strong groups on a piece of white paper on the desk, analyzing the pros and cons of cooperating with other groups.
...
After Meng Yao's wound healed a bit, Song Jiaping took her out of the hospital and back to their own house, personally taking care of her.
They watched the sunrise and sunset on the balcony every day. It was peaceful and beautiful here, free from the aftermath of war.
But Song Jiaping knew this was only temporary. The conflict between the two factions in this country had not been truly resolved, and war could reignite at any moment.
Although he was accustomed to walking on the edge of life and death, he couldn't let Meng Yao live such a risky life with him forever.
Since Meng Yao was willing to be with him, he wanted to give her a peaceful and happy life.
Song Jiaping, carrying Meng Yao on his back, had spoken with his mercenaries. He intended to disband them, giving each of them a resettlement fee and urging them to go home and live a good life, not to pursue such a dangerous profession.
He planned to return to Lancheng with Meng Yao once her injuries were completely healed.
He needed to help Meng Yao resolve her divorce from Jiaxi. Jiaxi felt Meng Yao was easy to talk to and had been dragging out the divorce. This matter had to be settled.
Meng Yao couldn't be left in suspense about this any longer.
Once all this was resolved, he wanted to take Meng Yao to a beautiful and safe place and live out the rest of his life with her.
Meng Yao felt these days were too beautiful. Her shoulder wound still ached faintly, but she felt it wasn't serious. It was Song Jiaping who was still very nervous.
One day, Meng Yao felt her wound was fine. She went to the garden in front of the house, wanting to pick some fresh flowers to decorate the room.
She inadvertently noticed that the number of people guarding their house had decreased. Previously, several of Song Jiaping's men were around the house, but now she could only see one person no matter how she looked.
And this person was the most loyal to Song Jiaping, the mercenary who had informed her that Song Jiaping was injured and dying and brought her here.
She knew this person's name was Harry. She waved to him and asked through the fence, "Harry, why is there only one person today? Where are the others?"
"They've all gone home," Harry said. "Mr. Song gave us severance pay and told us to go back and reunite with our families."
"Jia Ping disbanded you all? How could this happen?" Meng Yao was surprised. Without these people's protection, how could they go to war-torn areas to treat the sick and save lives?
Harry shrugged and said, "I don't know. Isn't Mr. Song planning to go back with you?"
Meng Yao couldn't answer him and asked, "Then how will you go back to reunite with your family?"
"Mr. Song saved my life. I want to protect you here until you leave safely before I go," Harry said with a smile.
"Thank you," Meng Yao said, touched. "Remember to send my regards to your wife when you get back."
"Yes, Madam," Harry said, then continued to patrol around the house.
Meng Yao, holding a large bouquet of flowers, couldn't understand why Song Jiaping would do this.
If they weren't staying here, where would he take her?
After Meng Yao arranged the flowers in the room, she went to the balcony alone, gazing into the distance as the sun began to set.
Song Jiaping returned from outside and found her on the balcony. He embraced her from behind and whispered in her ear, "The flowers you arranged are so beautiful."
"What do you think about when you leave Lancheng and are not by my side?" Meng Yao suddenly asked.
Song Jiaping recalled his days of wandering alone. Whenever times were toughest, he thought of her, and he also thought of forgetting her.
"Back then, I wanted to forget you the most."
Meng Yao turned, looked up at him, cupped his face, and said, "I'm sorry. I was too stubborn. I didn't listen to you then, which is why I married Jia Xi mistakenly. I wish I could have been with you all along and never loved anyone else, but I love you the most."
"It's okay, as long as you are by my side now. I won't allow any more regrets."
"I won't regret it, never," Meng Yao told him firmly.
Song Jiaping rubbed her head and said in a low voice, "I want to hear you say it again."
"I don't regret it..."
"Not that, I mean the part about loving me the most," Song Jiaping smiled.
Meng Yao couldn't help but blush and say, "I love you the most. I love you."
Song Jiaping lowered his head and kissed her. The kiss was long and tender, making her helplessly intoxicated.
When he finally released her, she asked, "What are your plans next? Why did you disband your subordinates? You're not planning to go to war-torn areas anymore..."
"I've already bought plane tickets. I want to take you back to Lancheng," Song Jiaping said.
Meng Yao immediately pushed him away and took a step back, saying, "I'm not going back! We're doing well here. If we go back, we'll be separated again. I just want to stay in this house; this is our home."
"Yao, listen to me. It's not safe here. I've planned everything. We'll go back to Lancheng first..."
"But why didn't you discuss this with me when you were planning it? You didn't ask for my opinion. Your plans don't count!" Meng Yao didn't want to hear his explanation.
She had a feeling that every time they returned to Lancheng, their fate would be separated. Only when they stayed abroad could they be together!
Song Jiaping stepped forward and hugged her tightly, knowing what she was worried and afraid of. He said, "Listen to me. We're going back to Lancheng to resolve unfinished matters and face what we need to face. I promise you it will be different from before, and we won't stay in Lancheng forever. I'll still take you to better and more beautiful places. You can settle down wherever you like."
Meng Yao nestled in his arms, still hesitant to face it. "My sister won't agree to us being together, and what about Jia Xi..."