Song Qiao had been quite the experienced driver in his previous life, though he hadn't obtained a license yet in this reborn one.
Pulling Xia Yuqing, who looked utterly bewildered, into the passenger seat, he skillfully started the car.
"Song Qiao, when did you learn to drive?" Xia Yuqing asked, confused.
In her memory, she had never seen Song Qiao drive, yet here he was, operating the vehicle with such proficiency.
"I quite like cars. I learned naturally by watching," Song Qiao offered a casual excuse.
"Do you think Director Li and Vice Factory Director Zhang will retaliate against us for what happened today?"
Seeing that Song Qiao was reluctant to elaborate, Xia Yuqing changed the subject.
Song Qiao pondered for a moment before replying, "Don't worry. With Qi Yun's reputation, unless they have a death wish, they won't dare to trouble us."
Xia Yuqing frowned, still harboring some unease.
"It's better to guard against a thief who's been identified than one who hasn't. Have you forgotten about Duan Kun kidnapping Qianqian?"
Song Qiao smiled slightly and reassured her, "Don't worry, wife. Those two are nothing like a desperate scoundrel like Duan Kun. They have to consider the consequences of their actions."
Although he spoke reassuringly, a sliver of caution arose in his heart.
Perhaps he could arrange for Ah Wei to have a couple of his men discreetly protect their daughter on her way home from school.
Even though he was confident Director Li wouldn't do anything, he couldn't risk his daughter's safety.
However, if the man surnamed Li dared to lay a hand on their daughter, he would truly be digging his own grave.
Xia Yuqing said nothing further. After a long period of thought, she spoke again, "Song Qiao, don't get too close to people like Qi Yun. They're all desperate characters like Duan Kun."
"I don't ask you to make a fortune, as long as our family is safe and sound."
Xia Yuqing, a woman with a good upbringing, felt a strong aversion to these underworld figures, even though Qi Yun had helped them today.
"Don't worry, wife. Qi Yun isn't like you think," Song Qiao replied dismissively.
"How is he different? Don't they all live by the sword?" Seeing that Song Qiao wasn't heeding her advice, Xia Yuqing grew somewhat angry.
"Are you determined to walk this path?"
Seeing Xia Yuqing about to get angry again, Song Qiao quickly explained, "Qi Yun, while he has a bit of a rough exterior, is very loyal. Not all gangsters are bad people; many are forced into it."
"You saw Qi Yun today. He helped us. Do you still think he's utterly wicked?"
While Song Qiao didn't intend to become deeply involved with these underworld figures, he didn't shun them as drastically as Xia Yuqing did.
Xia Yuqing was completely unable to listen at that moment. She let out a soft hmph, lowered her head, and remained silent.
Song Qiao sighed helplessly.
He didn't try to persuade her further, thinking to himself that he would find an opportunity to talk to Xia Yuqing about it later.
...
Upon returning home, his mother-in-law was anxiously waiting for her daughter.
That afternoon, when two of her daughter's colleagues from the factory had mentioned that she was meeting with clients, her heart had been filled with unease.
Seeing her daughter return safely, she let out a sigh of relief.
"Yuqing, weren't you meeting with clients? Why are you back with Xiao Song?" Her mother-in-law's voice held a note of confusion as she saw Song Qiao following behind.
Since the misunderstanding that day, Song Qiao hadn't visited their home.
"Mom, I happened to run into Yuqing on the way and gave her a ride home," Song Qiao chuckled, answering his mother-in-law before Xia Yuqing could.
Since the matter was over, there was no need to bring it up again and worry the family.
Turning to Xia Yuqing, he said, "You must not have eaten well tonight dealing with business. I'll go to the kitchen and cook you a bowl of noodles."
Xia Yuqing was about to refuse when a rumbling from her stomach made her blush with embarrassment.
Tonight, the moment she entered the restaurant, the forced drinking incident had occurred, and she hadn't touched a single dish on the table.
Now that she was settled, she finally felt the protest from her empty stomach.
Song Qiao smiled slightly, saying no more, and turned to enter the kitchen.
Xia Yuqing couldn't help but feel touched. Although Song Qiao could be stubborn about certain things, he clearly cared for her.
About ten minutes later, a steaming bowl of plain noodles was brought out.
Before Song Qiao could speak, his pager beeped.
Seeing that it was Ah Wei, Song Qiao immediately called him back using the home phone.
"Boss, Brother Kun contacted me," Ah Wei's somewhat subdued voice came through as soon as the call connected.
"Wait for me, I'll be there soon." Song Qiao hung up the phone. He didn't want to discuss such matters in front of Xia Yuqing, lest she worry again.
"What are you going out for so late? Don't tell me Qi Yun wants you to go drinking again?"
Seeing that Song Qiao seemed to be hiding something from her, Xia Yuqing couldn't help but frown.
"You're sometimes too impulsive. Stay far away from those people, don't make me and our daughter worry."
"You'd better return the car he lent you today as soon as possible. We already owe them enough favors."
Song Qiao scratched his head, a wry smile on his face as he explained, "Wife, what are you thinking? Ah Wei just told me there's something going on at the shop, and I need to rush over and handle it."
"Lying again. I clearly heard the words Duan Kun." Seeing that Song Qiao wouldn't tell her the truth, Xia Yuqing shouted angrily, utterly disappointed in him.
"Never mind your business. First, it was gambling, and now you're running with gangsters." She angrily put down her chopsticks and walked into her bedroom.
Song Qiao felt a surge of helplessness. He thought that his wife's hearing was too good. She hadn't heard anything else clearly, but she happened to catch the words Duan Kun.
This had backfired, and he would have to spend a lot of effort explaining himself in the future.
If he had known, he might as well have explained it to her upfront.
However, Xia Yuqing was clearly upset right now, and it was best not to provoke her further, especially since Ah Wei was waiting for him.
What Song Qiao didn't know was that Xia Yuqing's hearing wasn't particularly sharp; she was just extremely sensitive to the name Duan Kun.
For a long time after Duan Kun kidnapped Qianqian, that name had become the most terrifying nightmare in Xia Yuqing's dreams.
Now that Song Qiao had a car, his efficiency had improved significantly. In less than fifteen minutes, he arrived at the shop.
He effortlessly pulled out the car keys, a thought surfacing in his mind:
Once the factory stabilized, he would buy his own car and take his wife and daughter for a leisurely drive.