"Tomorrow? So soon?"
Gao Meng was both shocked and confused.
In fact, setting aside the inconvenience of daily life, the fresh air of the countryside and the absence of dealing with so many people had made her feel much more relaxed after a few days. Gao Meng had thought she would be able to stay for a while longer.
"Could our training be over?"
Recalling the strenuous training of the past two days, and the mountain climbing before that, Ding Kaidong shuddered with lingering fear. If there was a next time, he definitely wouldn't come to the countryside with Song Qiao and the others.
"That would be great, I've been wanting to go back quickly."
However, seeing Song Qiao's expression, Ding Kaidong quickly swallowed the rest of his words.
"No, we still have things to do, and we can't stay here cultivating forever." Song Qiao explained to the two of them. Then, he took Gao Meng's hand and teased, "Besides, it's not very comfortable here. Back home, we have the villa, the warm big bed, and it's convenient for us to do those things."
Hearing this, Gao Meng's face turned red. She lightly chided, "I knew you'd deliberately tease me, you're never satisfied, are you? I'm not like Li Bingqing, who would want to do those things with you."
Seeing this, Song Qiao said with apparent regret, "Is that so? I recall certain people being quite welcoming to me." As he spoke, he looked at the snow-white expanse in front of Gao Meng. He clicked his tongue and said with some anticipation, "So tempting."
Noticing Song Qiao's burning gaze fixed on a certain part of her, Gao Meng snorted and crossed her arms. "What are you looking at, you big pervert."
"What's wrong with looking? It won't cost me a pound of flesh." Song Qiao said casually, resting his hands behind his neck. However, his eyes did not leave her. He even deliberately moved closer.
"Hurry up and leave, there are still people here," Gao Meng said playfully.
However, Ding Kaidong beside them added fuel to the fire, "You and Master really have a good relationship. Maybe in a while, I'll have to call you Mistress."
"There's no way!" Hearing this, Gao Meng's heart pounded wildly. Although she didn't seem to want to reject Song Qiao, there was still a barrier between them. Neither of them wanted to break this unspoken understanding. More importantly, her best friend, Xia Xueqing, was caught in the middle. If they really crossed the line, it would feel like they were letting her down!
Thinking of this, Gao Meng subconsciously got up and moved to the other side of the table.
Song Qiao reached out, tapped Ding Kaidong's head, and laughed, "You're so nosy."
The group bantered, and the atmosphere was exceptionally harmonious. Looking at this scene, Song Qiao felt a wave of emotion. This kind of small warmth was precisely what he most wanted to protect after his rebirth.
"At least now, everything is developing in the best possible direction," Song Qiao sighed deeply. He looked up at his ringing phone. The message was from Xia Xueqing. "Happy New Year!" the message read, just four simple words.
Picking up his phone, Song Qiao was silent for a long time. Then, he replied with a smile, "Happy New Year, don't miss me too much at home." He could already imagine Xia Xueqing's adorable, pouting expression on the other end of the phone.
"It's okay, I'll be able to see her when I get back," Song Qiao thought to himself, resolving to dote on her properly then. As he thought this, he turned his head again, looking at the two of them bickering, and couldn't help but sigh, "It's a good thing it's the New Year, I can have a moment of peace."
The sound of firecrackers outside rang out, seemingly heralding the new storms that would come after the New Year!
On New Year's Eve, during the watch night.
The next morning, both Gao Meng and Ding Kaidong had dark circles under their eyes. They glared at each other, clearly not admitting defeat.
"Hmph, if it weren't for you, I wouldn't be like this now?" Gao Meng pouted in front of the mirror, "This is great, even makeup can't hide it."
"What are you afraid of? You're a martial artist, are you going to be like other women?" Ding Kaidong retorted without politeness. After all, Gao Meng wasn't his Mistress yet.
"Alright, stop fooling around, we're almost there." Song Qiao said as he looked out at the city, his expression unreadable. No one knew what he was truly thinking.
Soon, the plane landed. Outside the airport, Ye Zhiwei, dressed in a khaki business suit, looked heroic and spirited. She was in better shape than ever.
"I've been waiting for you," she said slowly, checking her watch, her expression calm. "You promised me you'd spend the New Year with me."
"Here I am, back," Song Qiao spread his hands. Returning during Spring Festival didn't seem too late, did it?
"Alright, let's not dwell on this for now." Hearing this, Ye Zhiwei frowned, but then her expression returned to calm. She hadn't come here to argue about these things with Song Qiao.
Beside them, Xia Xueqing took Gao Meng's hand and quietly asked if she had been bullied, appearing not entirely trusting of Song Qiao's situation. Hearing this, Gao Meng's face flushed slightly. She glanced at Song Qiao, who remained placid. Seeing that he didn't react, she finally breathed a sigh of relief and quietly explained that everything was fine.
"This guy... he's still reasonable," Xia Xueqing mumbled softly. It seemed that, at least in this regard, she had some doubts about Song Qiao's character. "If he ever tries to bully you in the future, tell me immediately, and I'll sort him out!"
"Mhm, mhm!" Gao Meng nodded hastily, seemingly trying to cover something up.
"Do you remember the pharmaceutical company I mentioned last time?" Ye Zhiwei stood beside Song Qiao and reminded him.
"I have an impression... What, are you still working on it?" Song Qiao nodded, then asked in confusion.
"Yes, I've already registered this pharmaceutical company and am currently expanding the market," Ye Zhiwei nodded. She had just defeated the Li family of the capital, and her influence was at its peak. Many previously hostile major companies were now forced to avoid her sharp edge. For Ye Zhiwei, if not now, then when to seize the opportunity for expansion?
Hearing this, Song Qiao frowned, his expression tinged with worry. "Aren't you expanding too quickly?" The two of them clashed in opinion again. Song Qiao, usually assertive, was now taking a more cautious stance.
"I don't think so," Ye Zhiwei frowned. "And with your help, these aren't problems. I've already established our reputation and even secured the first client."
"The first client? That quickly..." Song Qiao rested his chin on his hand, deep in thought for a moment. After a long pause, he finally said slowly, "Tell me about it."
"It's the Municipal First People's Hospital." Ye Zhiwei seemed to have been prepared for this. She immediately took out the relevant documents for Song Qiao to review. "The preliminary plans are already made. What I hope now is that you can personally step in to compete for the business with the First People's Hospital, to give the company a strong start."
Have Song Qiao negotiate business? It seemed like a waste of his talents no matter how you looked at it.