Song Ren told Su Feng the news about her father"s approval, and he was ecstatic.
But to be formal, Su Feng visited Song Rui to ask for his permission.
Throughout the meeting, Song Rui kept his fact tight and firm, intimidating, but the undertone of his voice held some warmth. Truthfully, Song Rui trusted the judgment of Song Ren—as he always had—but that didn"t mean he would show it.
"What do you have to offer my daughter?" Song Rui asked Su Feng.
Before it used to be what Song Ren could offer him, since Su Feng"s company surpa.s.sed Song Corporation for years, but the tables have flipped. After months of working on projects, connecting with smaller industries, and collaborating with different teams—Song Pharmaceuticals is now the number #1 company for modern medicine due to Song Ren"s efforts.
Su Feng"s face was soft with a warm expression, like a type of longing engraved in the depths of his summer-blue eyes. "I offered her a chance to have some control of the company since the beginning. Decisions we make will be together — every collaboration, done with equal efforts. Not many women in the medical field are CEO"s; therefore, she will be the face next to me in executive meetings; nothing gets done without her." Su Feng paused to smile. "And if we have children, should she make that choice, as I won"t force her since she loves her work. Then both companies will go to the eldest child, and both legacies will merge into one that is formidable."
Song Rui leaned back in his chair, his fingertips touching, forming a triangle. He nodded for approval without saying much of a word, as typical of Song Ren"s father. "Lastly, I will make her happier than she could ever think she would be," Su Feng said as his last words before leaving.
Su Feng knew Song Ren better than anyone else. She was someone who would put her duty before her happiness, feeling like she never deserved it; feeling as if she never needed it. But since they had first seen each other at the mid-autumn festival years ago when he was in his school uniform, and she was too, with her youthful yet reserved expression; he knew that she was someone he needed to know, grasp, whether friend or foe.
But in the end, they were lovers, which was more than he could ever hope for.
After the meeting, Su Feng went home, returning to a slightly nervous Song Ren who also appeared to be unafraid. She was someone that never allowed herself to show some anxiety or fear, but as soon as she saw him, she smiled broadly, which was also something she rarely showed to anyone else.
Weeks pa.s.sed.
Song Ren showed Su Feng the USB drive she had received from her father. They both worked for days and night, going home together, working and eating while also preparing for their engagement party in between their busy schedules. For her last semester in school, Song Ren switched to online cla.s.ses due to her hefty workload.
Qian Meigui continued to study for the new semester while Song Sheng worked harder in his company. He worked long hours, coming home late. She would either sneak out of her home, not hiding from Song Rui, but Yang Rei and the twins. Most of the time, they never noticed any suspicions as there was a pattern. She would come home late and wake up early for "School."
They tried to see each other despite their exhaustive days. But they looked forward to every day because they were together.
Despite her anxiety, Qian Meigui felt calm when she was with him. There was no word or news from Yu Qingge. She felt some relief as time went by; she only focused on the two of them.
It was the engagement party of Su Feng and Song Ren. Family members, those that counted, arrived at the party, followed by friends and colleagues. Everyone was dressed down for the event, and the mood was uplifting.
Qian Meigui and Song Sheng arrived separately, meeting at the table a.s.signed to them for seating.
Qian Meigui wore a black off-shoulder strap, mermaid dress. Song Sheng picked it out, but she beamed when he chose it. She wasn"t one to wear black, afraid that it would wash out her skin, but it suited her figure, and it would match his clothes. Song Sheng wore all black with his dark s.h.i.+rt underneath his jacket, and black trousers, and like always it took her breath away.
She looked at him, but not too long. He wasn"t looking at her, maintaining his nonchalant expression, but he would occasionally give her a side-eyed glance that was smooth and piercing, but quick, only for half a moment before he returned to whatever else was going about in the room as if there was no secret held between them.
As they seated, Song Jinyi observed her dress. "You and Sheng are matching," she said innocently, not overthinking about it. Qian Meigui smiled, agreeing, and pretending that it was a mere coincidence. Afterwards, they waited for the party to begin.
Song Ren and Su Feng held a public banquet. Their engagement was not only for love, but it was also a statement for other competing companies. Once they combine resources, it would become something nothing that most people had ever seen.
As the reception went on, there was music and live entertainment, provided by courtesy of the CEO of Song Entertainment.
There were a few words and toasts.
Qian Meigui had been working on a pre-wedding gift for them for weeks. It took some time and digging, but she provided a slide show of the two of them from their early years in school. She was a year below Song Ren, but she remembered how the two blatantly hated each other, competing in everything. There were school photos of the two of them with their faces prepared to face each other in compet.i.tions; it made them laugh.
At some point, Song Sheng grasps her hand underneath the table cloth without looking at her, paying attention to the slideshow. He ran his thumb over her palm with soothing strokes for no reason, other than to hold her. Qian Meigui smiled.
The night went on, food, laughs, conversations and all.
The lights dimmed to near darkness, where the light only shone at Su Feng and Song Ren partic.i.p.ating in their first dance. Qian Meigui was happy for them. Song Ren"s face was soft and genuine; she showed everyone that she was delighted to be with him.
Not long after, everyone else joined them to dance. Song Jinyi rose, taking Song Jun"s hand. They both went to the floor where Song Jinyi began to dance in front of enthusiastically, whereas Song Jun kept his hands in his pockets, moving awkwardly. But it encouraged Song Sheng.
Song Sheng stood with one of his hands in his pants, the other extending for Qian Meigui"s hand. Qian Meigui glanced up at him, unbelieving and at everyone else. But family members were dancing with other family members; it was common if you didn"t come with a partner, that way anyone can partic.i.p.ate.
So, Qian Meigui took his hand without being shy or reserved. He held it until they went to the dance floor, the lights dimmed to the lowest setting. He let go so that they danced in front of each other as the upbeat music, laughing and enjoy themselves. But as the night mellowed, as well as the music, people approached each other carefully with a respectable distance. But Song Sheng and Qian Meigui weren"t being respectful, they invaded each other"s s.p.a.ce, blending in with colleagues and friends. They held each other tightly; their faces were so close and daring that they felt compelled to gaze at each other, but not doing anything more as they moved and swayed.
No one watched; no one noticed, at least that is what they thought.