After the two women left the office, the hotel was already booked.
"Now we just wait for Song Qiao, this ATM, to foot the bill, hehe!"
Gao Meng looked at the dazzling array of dishes on the table and chuckled.
While waiting for Song Qiao, the two women confided in each other.
"Mengmeng, has Song Qiao gotten you?"
"The way you look at him isn't right; it's not how normal friends would look."
"It's clearly the gaze of a fangirl, with a hint of a neglected wife."
"You're the neglected wife!"
Gao Meng playfully scratched Xia Yuqing.
"We haven't officially crossed that line yet."
After their playful banter, a trace of loneliness flashed in Gao Meng's eyes.
"I don't know what to do now."
"It's okay, just let things happen naturally!"
Xia Yuqing herself didn't know how to face her feelings for Song Qiao, so she couldn't comfort Gao Meng.
"You two are really not polite, ordering so much at once?"
"Can you eat all of it?"
"I'll spank anyone who wastes food."
Song Qiao was a little stunned seeing the table full of food.
"You're still so improper."
"Do you think I'm joking?"
Song Qiao sat down right next to Xia Yuqing.
Xia Yuqing, thinking Song Qiao was serious, turned pale with fright.
"Alright, I was just teasing!"
"But you two must finish the food you ordered!"
"If your 'chrysanthemums' bloom later, don't blame me for not warning you!"
Song Qiao's words were always unpredictable, and neither woman dared to respond.
"Yuqing, you've been through a lot of hardship recently, haven't you?"
Hearing Song Qiao's words, Xia Yuqing's heart tightened.
"I have, a little."
A few tears traced down Xia Yuqing's cheeks.
At that moment, Xia Yuqing felt as if all her suffering had been worth it.
"You've changed more than just a little; your capable demeanor is different from Mo Ling's assertiveness."
"It's more like a stubborn refusal to yield."
Xia Yuqing was once again shocked by Song Qiao's words.
In the end, she realized that Song Qiao was the one who cared about her the most.
"Let's eat!"
"Let's not talk about sad things!"
Seeing the atmosphere becoming somber, Song Qiao quickly changed the subject.
During the meal, the two who hadn't seen each other in a long time talked a lot, and the atmosphere was very harmonious.
"Are you still reluctant to let Xia Yuqing go?"
Gao Meng watched Song Qiao's gaze follow Xia Yuqing and said softly.
"It looks like you're going to rekindle your old flame!"
"Why didn't you say anything earlier?"
"If you truly want to mend what's broken, I'll talk to Yuqing on your behalf later!"
"She's been through so much for you lately; I wouldn't believe it if there wasn't some affection there!"
Gao Meng's words hinted at some envy.
"So, I need to comfort Xia Yuqing!"
"Let's not talk about this for now."
"How's the first batch of medicine?"
"It's been sent to the health bureau for inspection."
Gao Meng worried:
"I'm afraid Yang Jiefeng, having suffered a loss at your hands last time, will take this opportunity for revenge?"
"What if it gets stalled again like last time, and they refuse to approve it?"
"We need a plan!"
Song Qiao had already anticipated Gao Meng's concerns.
"It's okay, don't worry."
"This time, I'll bypass him directly!"
"I'll have the medicine sent to the Imperial Capital for review!"
"There won't be any chance for Yang Jiefeng to cause trouble!"
"Later, regarding drug pricing, try to keep it affordable for the common people!"
"I want to start a price war!"
Gao Meng had expected Song Qiao to confront Yang Jiefeng directly, but she was surprised by this indirect approach.
At the health bureau, Yang Jiefeng was reviewing documents when he noticed Song Qiao's name listed prominently.
"Hmph!"
"Didn't it still fall into my hands?"
Yang Jiefeng said to a few deputy directors:
"From now on, regardless of the reason, Song Qiao's medicine!"
"Delay it all!"
"If you can't delay it, send it back!"
"In short, it must not be approved for Song Qiao!"
As Yang Jiefeng uttered Song Qiao's name, his teeth involuntarily twitched.
"Director Yang, what if Song Qiao gets pressure from the military?"
"Then we'll deal with them when they come to ask!"
"I refuse to believe that the military would willingly be used as a pawn for him!"
Yang Jiefeng sneered:
"I'm waiting for Song Qiao to come crawling to me for mercy!"
"Let's see who can hold out longer!"
After the meal, Song Qiao took Gao Meng directly to the Xia family's martial arts school.
Upon receiving Song Qiao's instructions, Xia Feng rushed to the martial arts school to handle the handover. He hadn't expected Song Qiao to visit so soon.
"Mr. Song, you're here so early?"
"Don't be nervous; I've just brought someone over to play."
"Find some people of similar skill, and let's have a sparring session."
Xia Feng found eight people, all of whom were black belts.
The eight men lined up on the stage.
"Gao Meng, do you have confidence?"
"No problem!"
After speaking, Gao Meng strode onto the stage amidst the astonished gazes of everyone present.
What was this woman doing?
This was the question on everyone's mind.
"All of you, come at me!"
The eight men exchanged glances and finally looked at Xia Feng.
"If Miss Gao asks you to go, then go!"
"All eight of you attacking her at once is for your own good!"
These guys were all black belts. When had they ever been looked down upon by a woman like this?
A young man with a lean face made the first move.
Gao Meng was not hesitant; she started by sparring slowly with the man to warm up.
"All of you, attack!"
Under Xia Feng's repeated urging, the other seven finally moved.
"Your punches should be feigned!"
"Only inject your breath when you hit the opponent!"
"..."
As Gao Meng sparred, Song Qiao continuously guided her from the audience.
By the end of the afternoon, Song Qiao's voice was hoarse.
When Gao Meng got off the stage, she was panting heavily.
"Song Qiao, I learned a lot from the practical combat this afternoon!"
"I'll digest it and reflect on it later!"
Gao Meng was extremely excited at this moment. With a slight jump, she lunged towards Song Qiao.
Song Qiao lost his balance, and they both ended up on the ground.
"Wuwuwu!"
Song Qiao suddenly felt a tightening in his groin.
Something had pressed down on him.
"Hiss!"
Song Qiao looked up and saw that Gao Meng's face had collided directly with his "little brothers."
"Gao Meng, that eager?"
"When we get back tonight, I'll let you explore thoroughly!"
Gao Meng noticed her posture and jumped up with a jolt.
"You pervert!"