When Xia Xueqing realized her sister was not at home, and recalling her sister’s behavior that afternoon, she immediately panicked.
Her mother-in-law was also pacing restlessly at home, afraid her elder daughter would do something foolish.
"Where could this brat Song be at this time? I don't think he cares about this family anymore."
Her mind was in a turmoil, and coupled with Song Qiao’s impulsive handling of the matter, she blamed Song Qiao for everything.
"Mom, we're back."
Just as Xia Xueqing and her mother were in distress, Song Qiao returned home with Xia Yuqing, who had just recovered.
"Where have you been? You still know to come back?"
Upon seeing Song Qiao, her mother-in-law flew into a rage and began to scold him.
"Yuqing, how are you? Has the matter been resolved?"
After scolding Song Qiao, her mother-in-law turned to her daughter.
"Mom, don't worry, I've already resolved it. There will be news clarification tonight."
Song Qiao said with a slight smile, comforting his mother-in-law from the side.
"Resolved so easily?"
Her mother-in-law’s face brightened first, then she asked with some suspicion.
She couldn't believe that the Supervisor Feng, who had been so hostile that morning, had let their family go that afternoon.
Just as she was about to press for details, a knock on the door and Zhang Chuan's voice were suddenly heard from outside.
He entered the room with an excited expression and said to Xia Yuqing, "Yuqing, I've already resolved it. I believe the TV station will have a clarifying report soon."
"That supervisor surnamed Feng has also been kicked out of the company."
As Zhang Chuan spoke, he glanced triumphantly at Song Qiao.
He hadn’t expected that the connections he had sought out had told him this matter would be very difficult to resolve, but then in the afternoon, they informed him that it was done.
This filled him with unexpected joy, and he rushed to Xia Yuqing's home to deliver the good news.
Seeing Song Qiao standing silently beside them, he felt a surge of satisfaction, believing he had once again gained an advantage.
Xia Yuqing heard Zhang Chuan's explanation and suddenly understood.
She had been somewhat skeptical about how the matter was resolved so quickly, but now she realized Zhang Chuan's connections had played a role.
It made sense; although Song Qiao’s business was quite large, he probably didn't have connections at the level of the Bureau Chief of Industry and Commerce.
After all, when Zheng Xiong arrived earlier, he kept mentioning Director Sang's instructions and requirements.
If Song Qiao truly knew Director Sang, he wouldn't have needed to waste words with Feng Yuan and could have had him fired directly.
What happened in the ward earlier was merely a stroke of luck.
"Thank you, Zhang Chuan, for helping our family so much."
Xia Yuqing politely invited Zhang Chuan inside and said.
"Oh, it's nothing. I just happen to have a few friends there I can talk to."
Zhang Chuan waved his hand in feigned modesty, but a hint of intense pride flickered in his eyes.
"That's still much better than some people who only know how to drink and socialize outside."
Her mother-in-law couldn't help but make a sarcastic remark to Song Qiao.
Song Qiao hadn't been home when the incident occurred that morning, which had completely angered his mother-in-law, and she still harbored resentment towards him.
Song Qiao just sat on the sofa and gave an awkward smile, saying nothing more.
Zhang Chuan was a vain person who wanted to save face, and Song Qiao couldn't be bothered to expose him.
"Give when you can afford to forgive." Regardless, Zhang Chuan had meant well in helping.
"Brother Song, we meet again."
Upon seeing Song Qiao, Zhang Chuan greeted him with feigned politeness.
"Yes, we meet again."
Song Qiao smiled awkwardly but politely, took out a cigarette from his pocket, and offered it to him.
A guest is a guest. No matter what, Song Qiao still had some basic etiquette.
"No, no, I'm not used to these cigarettes."
Zhang Chuan waved his hand and refused, then took out a pack of 'Huazi' from his pocket and offered Song Qiao a cigarette.
Song Qiao shook his head helplessly, calmly took the cigarette, and felt even more contempt for Zhang Chuan.
This inexplicable sense of competitiveness was something Song Qiao despised the most.
"Don't you see we have a guest? Go out and buy some groceries quickly. Don't be an eyesore in front of me."
"I want to cook a few dishes tonight to entertain young Zhang properly, as a token of our family's gratitude."
Seeing that Song Qiao wasn't saying many polite words, his mother-in-law became impatient and coldly ordered her son-in-law.
"Oh, okay."
In front of an outsider, Song Qiao naturally gave his mother-in-law face. He picked up the car keys from the table and prepared to leave.
"Young Zhang, what do you do for a living? You're so capable at such a young age. I wonder which girl is lucky enough to have you."
After reprimanding Song Qiao, his mother-in-law put on a smiling face and continued to chat casually with Zhang Chuan.
"Auntie, you praise me too much. I'm still single."
"I'm not doing any big business. It's nothing compared to Brother Song's stinky tofu. I just do some simple investments."
Zhang Chuan said he was embarrassed, but his expression was always one of arrogant superiority.
Whether intentionally or not, when he mentioned being single, his gaze kept darting towards Xia Yuqing, who was sitting beside them.
This made Xia Xueqing, who had been watching silently, frown.
She knew Zhang Chuan had always harbored feelings for her sister, and now that he was successful, he likely had ulterior motives.
Thinking of this, she glanced at Song Qiao, only to find him looking exceptionally calm, as if he hadn't noticed anything.
"Young Zhang, you're just too modest. With your abilities, finding any girl should be easy."
Her mother-in-law said with a chuckle.
Because she was grateful to Zhang Chuan, she hadn't noticed his unusual behavior.
"It's just that I haven't met the right person yet."
Zhang Chuan said, then secretly glanced at Xia Yuqing again.
Even Xia Yuqing felt something was amiss and quickly found an excuse to change the subject.
"Brother-in-law, I'll go with you to buy groceries. I haven't been to the market in a long time."
As soon as Song Qiao stepped out the door, Xia Xueqing suddenly followed him from behind.
Ever since she saw Song Qiao shaking hands intimately with the secretary, she had been deeply suspicious of Song Qiao's current identity.
Therefore, when Zhang Chuan claimed to have resolved the issue, Xia Xueqing was the first to doubt him, but she had no proof and couldn't expose him face-to-face.
This time, she deliberately followed Song Qiao out, intending to test him and see what hidden identity he possessed.