Lin Ling trembled with excitement upon hearing Song Qiao's suggestion.
After a moment of consideration, she spoke with some hesitation, "Can I, can I really do it?"
"You know I've never had any professional training..."
Song Qiao smiled gently and encouraged Lin Ling, "Art is something that relies more on talent. You've loved it since you were little, I don't think you'll have any problems."
Hearing Song Qiao's encouragement, Lin Ling already felt a flicker of confidence.
"Then I'll give it a try. I believe in your judgment."
Song Qiao shrugged noncommittally. Seeing that the matter was resolved, he took the opportunity to take his leave.
Just as he was about to leave, Lin Ling suddenly rushed forward from behind, wrapping her arms around his waist.
"Can you not go? Stay with me a little longer, please?"
Song Qiao shook his head helplessly and gently pried Lin Ling's wrists away.
"Lin Ling, I'm sorry, but I'm already married and have a lovely daughter."
"And I only regard you as an ordinary classmate."
After speaking, Song Qiao didn't wait for Lin Ling to say anything more. He opened the door and left her home directly.
Seeing that it was getting late, Song Qiao didn't want to return to the factory. He drove straight home, wanting to spend time with his daughter and wife.
No matter how important work was, it couldn't compare to his family.
As soon as he entered the house, he found Xia Yuqing busy in the kitchen. Song Qiao put down his briefcase and was about to go in to help his wife.
Unexpectedly, as he approached his wife, Xia Yuqing frowned and sniffed the air, as if she smelled something.
"Where have you been just now?"
Xia Yuqing asked calmly.
"I've been at the company all along." Song Qiao naturally wouldn't tell his wife about Lin Ling's matter, as it would be impossible to explain. Thus, he subconsciously started to lie.
"Lying! How come there's the scent of a woman's perfume on you?"
Seeing that Song Qiao wasn't telling her the truth, Xia Yuqing's expression immediately turned cold.
Song Qiao was startled. Caught in his lie by his wife, he blushed and opened his mouth to explain, but he didn't know how to begin.
Xia Yuqing had initially only been suspicious, but seeing Song Qiao's reaction, she seemed to understand something.
After a moment of silence, she forcefully took off her apron and went back into the house.
This left Song Qiao standing awkwardly in the kitchen.
It's over. Now his wife has truly misunderstood him.
If he had known this would happen, he shouldn't have met Lin Ling in the first place.
Now, even though he hadn't done anything, he was still branded as a philanderer.
The entire evening, Song Qiao tried his best to explain to his wife, but Xia Yuqing rebuffed him with cold words.
Faced with this situation, even Song Qiao, with his glib tongue, was helpless.
After trying multiple times without success, Song Qiao had no choice but to give up for the time being, hoping to find an opportunity to explain when his wife calmed down.
The next morning, Xia Yuqing didn't acknowledge Song Qiao at all. She got up and went straight to the factory.
Song Qiao was helpless, but as there were still matters at the factory, he had to go to the processing plant first.
Since agreeing to cooperate with Shu Tao, the factory's finances had become tight again. Song Qiao had to solve this problem in the shortest possible time.
"Boss, the headline in today's newspaper is about the flood disaster in Yu Province."
Qin Ya brewed a pot of tea for Song Qiao after he arrived and then reported the day's news and schedule.
"How is the disaster situation?"
Song Qiao rubbed his forehead, interrupting Qin Ya's report.
"According to news reports, the casualties are not severe. The most serious are the economic losses. Yu Province is a major grain-producing province, and with this flood, many people may not have a harvest this year."
Qin Ya replied.
"Alright, you go and contact the Red Cross for me. I want to donate a batch of supplies in the name of our company."
Song Qiao considered for a moment and then said to Qin Ya in a low voice.
"Donate?"
Qin Ya was clearly a little confused about Song Qiao's intentions.
"Not a donation, but a contribution of supplies."
Song Qiao smiled and corrected her.
"But Boss, our factory is not a big company yet. We can't afford such high donations."
Qin Ya couldn't help but remind him.
Song Qiao waved his hand, his attitude firm.
"Do as I say. I have my own arrangements."
Seeing this, Qin Ya didn't say anything more and reluctantly went to contact the Red Cross.
When Song Qiao heard about the flood in Yu Province, an idea immediately came to his mind.
A certain domestic sports shoe brand in his previous life had stepped forward during a national crisis and won an excellent reputation.
Countless consumers supported it, leading to a qualitative leap for the brand.
Moreover, China is his motherland. In his previous life, he had experienced ups and downs in the business world, and the country had provided him with considerable policy support.
Now that he had some strength, he could contribute to the country and improve his brand's reputation at the same time. If he couldn't seize such a win-win marketing opportunity, it would be unforgivable.
Although his motive for donating might not be purely to repay the country, it was good to be able to help the country in some way with this opportunity.
The Red Cross had only been officially established in China not long ago, and with disasters occurring all over the country, the department was in dire need of funds.
Upon hearing that a boss wanted to donate, they were overjoyed and immediately sent people to Song Qiao's processing plant to meet this generous boss.
Before their arrival, Song Qiao had already made preparations, as this money would only be truly worthwhile for the company if marketed properly.
"Boss Song, may I ask within what timeframe you plan to donate all these supplies?"
After a brief exchange of pleasantries, the reporter sent by the Red Cross directly asked the question.
Song Qiao pretended to ponder for a moment and then slowly said, "The production speed at the factory is a bit slow right now. I've decided to donate fifty thousand units of existing stock first. The rest will be replenished within a month, in the hope that the affected people in Yu Province can receive help in a short period of time."
Upon hearing this, even the Red Cross reporter was moved by this noble spirit.
Even though his factory's production capacity was strained, he was willing to donate five million yuan worth of goods regardless of personal cost for the sake of the disaster victims.
With this admiration, the reporter's report on Song Qiao was imbued with his subjective emotions, portraying Song Qiao as a responsible and committed people's entrepreneur.
For a time, the names Xiang Piaopiao and Song Qiao reappeared in the public eye. People offered their support, and another wave of panic buying erupted.