Zhong Ruanxing originally intended to send Song JinXing to the airport, but felt that would seem too obvious. So she feigned composure and said, "I'll go to the hotel to find Director He and the others. Have a safe trip!"
When Song JinXing had come, he didn't bring anything with him. And now when he left, his hands were also empty. The sudden switch had caught him unprepared. Rushing to Suzhou, he also had to hurry back to Beijing where piles of work awaited him. So without further delay, he told her, "Remember to tell me if anything comes up."
Zhong Ruanxing nodded and waved, "Bye bye!"
Song JinXing walked to the door then turned back again, calling out to stop her as she was about to go take a shower, "Zhong Ruanxing." His gaze at her was deep, "We're still the same as before."
For a moment Zhong Ruanxing was puzzled, "What do you mean?"
He didn't expect her to ask back and had no immediate answer.
What did he mean? Like before they were intimate and familiar, talking about everything, contacting each other every day, saying good night every evening, becoming special and unique existences to each other.
But after the switch, those were things only couples would do. Yet their relationship now was still far from that of a couple's. So after a brief silence, he simply said, "No matter what happens, you must tell me first thing."
Zhong Ruanxing thought he was still worried about the incident with Wei Ya, and gave an OK gesture, "Got it."
He finally left, closing the door.
The smile on Zhong Ruanxing's face gradually faded. She stood there for a while, sighing wistfully, then slapped both hands on her cheeks and mumbled to herself, "Switched back, switched back, act well, act well!"
After chanting it twice, the light reignited in her eyes and she happily went to take a shower.
Because she had called Song JinXing every night before, Zhong Ruanxing was well informed of the crew's situation. So when she met everyone at the hotel, she didn't give anything away. Other than finding Zhong Ruanxing more affable after her fall, no one noticed anything off.
Both sides were very satisfied!
After dinner and a day's rest, Zhong Ruanxing officially joined the crew the next day.
After trying out a scene as Cang Lingxue, He Jing and Lin Fuchao were extremely pleasantly surprised.
Zhong Ruanxing's portrayal of Cang Lingxue was even more nuanced than Yao Qiansi! Despite sharing the same face, she was like two different people compared to the cold and ruthless Yao Qiansi, perfectly achieving the twin sisters effect that He Jing wanted.
Zhong Ruanxing accepted everyone's praise of her acting skills with an unfazed expression.
Humph.
On the other side, Song JinXing who had returned to the company began resuming leadership of the company's affairs. Although Zhong Ruanxing had submitted daily work reports to him before, distance still made a difference. Many projects still required him to handle personally to achieve the best results.
The great devil began asserting his might again, and the entire Song Corporation building was enveloped in a tense, solemn atmosphere as work pressure sharply increased.
Both of their lives seemed to have returned to their original tracks, yet something was silently changing.
That day after work, Song JinXing went back to the old house with gifts he had bought for his grandparents.
This was the first time he had returned on a day other than for family banquets.
He hadn't given advance notice, so Granny Song was clearly very pleasantly surprised when he entered. Not having seen him for months, Granny Song looked much more spirited as she eagerly led him to see the ornamental fish Zhong Ruanxing had brought last time she was here.
She tossed some fish food in and the colorful fish immediately swarmed up with their beautiful tails swaying in the pond.
Granny Song sounded rather proud, "Doesn't Granny raise them well? I'm much better at raising fish than your grandfather! I told him he had killed who knows how many fish already. I said leave the fish to Granny and you can rest assured."
Grandpa Song beside them let out a loud humph.
Although Granny Song had always doted on him before, she wouldn't have been so intimate with him. When he was silent, Granny Song would also remain silent out of guilt, and they would have no more interaction. But now she was pulling his hand so naturally, still chattering away even if he just silently nodded.
There were many times in the past when he had wanted to tell Granny Song that he didn't blame her.
But he had long lost the ability to express himself.
When one was silent for too long, everyone assumed that he disliked talking and stopped disturbing him.
Zhong Ruanxing's appearance had reshaped his relationships with his family. Even if he remained silent now, they would no longer ignore him.
After feeding the fish with Granny Song for a while and chatting, Grandpa Song beside the pond knocked his pipe on a rock and stood up, "Come with me to the study."
Song JinXing acknowledged.
When they entered, Grandpa Song had already sat down. On the table before him was a pile of documents about Song JinXing's recent actions against Shi Rong Corporation.
The old master hadn't completely let go of his power yet. If he wanted, he could still take Song Corporation entirely from Song JinXing's hands.
Song JinXing's expression was blank as he quietly stood there. Grandpa Song glanced at him, then started flipping through the documents on the table. After a long pause, he finally spoke, "You plan to make a move against the Cheng family?"
Song JinXing's voice was cold. "Yes."
Grandpa Song laughed twice, then leaned back and suddenly asked him, "Do you still remember what I told you when you first returned to the country and were standing in this same spot?"
Song JinXing said, "Avoid rash action, and advance steadily."
Grandpa Song took out a folder from the drawer and threw it on top of the pile of documents on the table. "Remember it well. It's good for young people to have ideas, but don't be reckless. Business is like war. If you can't guarantee a lethal strike, then patiently wait for the right opportunity. Don't startle the snake in the grass and give your opponent a chance to react."
Song JinXing stepped closer and picked up the folder to look through it. It actually contained intelligence about the Cheng family that he hadn't investigated yet. Not only was Grandpa Song not blocking him from making a move against the Chengs, but was even proactively helping him. Song JinXing was a little surprised.
Seeing his expression, Grandpa Song snorted. "What, are you worried I'll interfere and stop you from acting?"
Song JinXing didn't reply.
Grandpa Song looked at him deeply for a while, then slowly said, "I've said that once Song Corporation is in your hands, I won't meddle anymore." He paused. "Set a date to sign the equity transfer agreement."
He was planning to completely hand over power and formally give Song Corporation to Song JinXing.
Song JinXing was stunned for a moment. "Grandfather..."
Grandpa Song cut him off. "I heard you started dating? When will you bring the girl home to meet us? Your granny has asked many times. We're halfway in the grave. If we can see you get married before we go, we'll have no regrets."
Song JinXing was dumbfounded. After a while he said in a low voice, "She isn't my girlfriend yet."
Grandpa Song instantly exploded in anger. "You brat, courting a girl is this difficult for you too? Don't keep silent as a mute in front of the girl, say what needs to be said! Do what needs to be done!" He glared at his grandson in utter contempt. "Needing your grandfather to teach you how to pursue a girl, you really embarrass our Song family!"