Song Jiaping took her to a crowded open-air barbecue stall in the night market and found an empty seat.
He ordered many skewers and several bottles of drinks, saying, "Miss, just consider this a taste of ordinary life before your wedding."
Meng Qi glanced at the greasy tabletop and smiled, "Were you really a doctor before? You can accept this kind of dining environment."
"Not all doctors are germaphobes," Song Jiaping said. "If you can't handle eating supper here, we can find another place."
"I'm not that delicate. When I first joined the group, I worked as a teller at a financial branch. After finishing my evening shifts, I'd have supper with my colleagues at places like this." Meng Qi skillfully used her chopsticks to pry open a bottle of drink and handed it to him.
Song Jiaping couldn't help but look at her with new admiration. "You're not quite like the wealthy heiresses I imagined."
Meng Qi smiled. To outsiders, it seemed incredibly fortunate to be born into such a wealthy family, but only she knew how difficult it was to live.
"By the way, Mengyao actually has the easiest life in our family. Our parents don't have very high expectations for her, nor do they intend to use her marriage for any transactions. They don't control her much, so she's quite free."
"I know," Song Jiaping said, drinking his soda.
"You know? Do you really know everything?" Meng Qi asked. "I still think you care for and like her. Why don't you tell her clearly and get together properly?"
"Perhaps it's because I'm a rational person. If I'm not worthy of her, I'm not worthy. Why should it be like Huangfu Shaohua and Daisy, where being together against all odds leads to more pain after separation?" Song Jiaping said, picking up a skewer.
Meng Qi took a deep breath and said, "Yes, you're right. Since the outcome is known, it's better to stay away."
Song Jiaping hummed in agreement.
"Next week, Yao Feili and I will be holding a wedding here. You're welcome to attend."
"So soon." Song Jiaping looked at her. "But you don't look like a bride at all."
"What do I need to look like? I don't have to prepare anything, just show up." Meng Qi laughed. "Anyway, it's already decided. Marriage is marriage, whether it's sooner or later."
"That's true, you think very clearly." Song Jiaping raised his soda in a toast.
Meng Qi drank half a bottle of soda in one go and looked at him, suddenly asking, "Song Jiaping, you're not a corporate spy, are you?"
Caught off guard, Song Jiaping choked on his soda, coughing a few times before managing to squeeze out, "No."
"Then you have a grudge against me?" Meng Qi posed her second question.
"No. What grudge could I possibly have with you?" After saying that, he drank more water to soothe his throat.
Seeing that he still wouldn't admit it, Meng Qi didn't press further. She merely warned him, "Tonight is the last time I'll be sitting here drinking and confiding in you. If I ever find out you've betrayed the group again, I won't show any mercy!"
"Miss, I have no idea what you're talking about..."
"You'd better truly not understand," Meng Qi said. "After the wedding here next week, Yao Feili and I will also hold a wedding abroad, and we'll be staying overseas for a while. Don't do anything that disappoints me again, or I won't let you stay in the group."
Song Jiaping offered no further explanation and calmly continued eating his barbecue.
It seemed that this time, because of Meng Qi and Yao Feili's upcoming marriage, he must have learned something from Yao Feili and had become suspicious of his actions. He would have to be more careful in the future.
...
Daisy returned to her residence and packed away everything related to Huangfu Shaohua, as if it were all just a dream.
At least they had loved each other deeply, and that was enough.
Her phone had been ringing incessantly. She had no mood to look at it or answer it, so she simply turned it off. She collapsed onto the bed, closed her eyes, and truly wished that when she woke up the next morning, she could go back to the past, back to a time when she didn't know Huangfu Shaohua.
...
In the evening, Tianyi and Susu were playing with the children at home. However, Susu kept checking her phone and frequently went aside to make calls.
Tianyi noticed this. He asked Xiao Mei and the nanny to keep an eye on the children, then walked over to Susu and asked, "What's wrong? Is something the matter?"
"Daisy isn't answering my calls, and her phone is off. I hope nothing's wrong," Susu said, very worried.
"It'll be fine. She's not that fragile..."
"No, I have to go see her." As she spoke, she started to head for the door.
Tianyi stopped her. "Don't disturb her. Give her some time to heal on her own. Trust me, she'll be alright."
"She'll be okay?" Susu felt that what Tianyi said was also reasonable. Perhaps Daisy just wanted some time alone.
"She will be." Tianyi hugged her and brought her back to the children. "We promised to play games with them. Come on, it's no fun without you."
"Okay, okay. I'll be the eagle this time, and you all have to hide well." Susu smiled, spread her arms, and pretended to chase them.
Tiantian, Hengheng, and Tangtang laughed and squealed as they hid behind Tianyi. Tianyi turned to them and said, "With me, the mother hen here, I won't let you get caught by the eagle."
"Here I come!" Susu laughed, opening her mouth wide, trying to rush past Tianyi to catch the three little ones.
The entire villa was filled with their happy laughter...
...
The next day, Wu Xiufang was still anxiously searching everywhere for Huangfu Shaohua.
The Sheng family had encountered trouble, and Huangfu Sisong had also learned that Zhong Lu was arrested for instigating people to bully Daisy. He had also seen the videos and photos, and was so angry he almost had a heart attack.
As soon as he returned, he yelled at Wu Xiufang, "Didn't you say you could handle the Sheng family's affairs? How can their family be falling apart and dragging us down with them! Where will we show our faces if people find out!"
Wu Xiufang quickly asked someone to bring tea and soothed him, "Calm down first. Zhong Lu has already been arrested and will surely go to jail. Sheng Haoguang's factory abroad had an incident, and he absconded with funds. The international police are looking for him. What does that have to do with our family? Why are you so angry?"
"That kid even got a marriage certificate with Daisy. Daisy was photographed in that kind of situation. If anyone finds out about her relationship with Shaohua, how can we clear our names!" Huangfu Sisong said, smashing the cup in his hand.
Wu Xiufang was startled and quickly asked the servants to clean up. "It won't happen, it won't happen. Those photos won't spread."
"If they won't spread, then how did my people find those photos online?" Huangfu Sisong questioned.
This time, Wu Xiufang was also taken aback. She had asked Zhong Lu, and Zhong Lu had said the photos hadn't been sent out.
Huangfu Sisong angrily demanded, "Where is that brat Shaohua? Find him for me! We can't ignore this now. If he's unwilling, drag him back by force and lock him up at home. He's not allowed to be with that woman anymore!"