Sheng Yan still felt a bit nervous, but Feng Qing seemed as relaxed as if she were just going out for a casual meal. She didn't seem at all unhappy as Sheng Yan had expected.
Sheng Yan thought he couldn't fathom Feng Qing's thoughts, so he chose to stay silent, trying to make himself less noticeable. Maybe then Feng Qing wouldn't take her anger out on him.
Sheng Sibai's 29th birthday banquet was held as grandly as if it were his 30th. All the guests praised him for being young and promising at his age.
Feng Qing followed the crowd and flattered him insincerely. Some words were appropriate for others, but on Feng Qing, they felt a bit awkward.
For a moment, both Sheng Sibai and Sheng Yan felt as if they'd been slapped in the face. They looked at each other, unable to find the right words.
"Come on, I didn't mean anything. Stop over - thinking." After complaining, Feng Qing took Sheng Yan away.
After they left, Sheng Qingran walked up to Sheng Sibai.
"Why did you invite her?" He just couldn't stand Feng Qing and didn't want to see her at all. Every time he saw her face, his chest burned with anger.
The smile on Sheng Sibai's face faded quickly. His eyes were still on Feng Qing's back, not looking at Sheng Qingran.
"Of course, it's to establish the future mistress of the Sheng family."
"You...!" Sheng Qingran never expected Sheng Sibai to have such an idea.
He was about to lose his temper when Sheng Sibai finally glanced at him.
"Since Father is getting old, he shouldn't meddle in other people's business. I have my reasons for doing this."
Although Sheng Qingran still held the title of chairman, after Sheng Yan transferred all his shares to Sheng Sibai, Sheng Sibai's shareholding exceeded his. Now, it was Sheng Sibai who had the final say in the company.
The future of Shengshi might not include him, but Sheng Sibai could create a better future for the company.
Feng Qing didn't resist socializing. Basically, she could have a good conversation with anyone who came to talk to her.
But now she was just a general manager, while Sheng Yan was the chairman. For a moment, the situation at the banquet became a bit comical.
Her position was lower than Sheng Yan's, but because she was a beautiful woman, some people with ulterior motives preferred to talk to her.
Although Sheng Yan was the chairman, being young and handsome, he was easily suspected by older men. He was more popular among women, so there were almost always ladies around him.
Compared to Feng Qing's ease, Sheng Yan seemed much more anxious. He would look at Feng Qing from time to time. Firstly, to make sure she wasn't angry with him, and secondly, to ensure that no other man was too covetous of her.
After talking to a group of people for a long time, Feng Qing felt parched. She found a glass of water to drink, then quietly slipped out of the banquet to get some fresh air outside.
Since Sheng Yan joined the company, she rarely encountered such occasions. It was almost always Sheng Yan who handled the socializing. So, just now, she couldn't help but force a smile due to her rustiness.
She walked into the garden to breathe. Looking at the calm and serene lake, some bad images suddenly flashed through her mind.
Feng Qing unconsciously touched her lower abdomen. It was right here that she lost her first child.
She tried not to take her anger out on Sheng Yan because she knew that this consequence was due to her own misjudgment and the failure of her plan.
If Sheng Qingran was the one who actually hurt her, then even Sheng Yan shouldn't be implicated by Sheng Qingran. After all, he was Sheng Yan's father.
The bushes in the garden were very thick. People on two different paths might not notice each other if they weren't careful.
Feng Qing was still in a daze when she heard some rustling sounds behind her. Just as she was about to leave, she heard them mention her name.
"I really didn't expect Feng Qing to still be with Sheng Yan."
"Right! It's been so many years. I thought Feng Qing wouldn't reconcile with Sheng Yan after she went abroad."
"Maybe she doesn't want to, but she just can't find a better choice. Fengxing was quite decent when her father was in charge. But I really don't think much of it since she took over."
"But don't you think Sheng Yan is so unlucky? When Feng Qing went abroad back then, Sheng Yan was like a walking corpse for so long. Now that they're together, Feng Qing has been married twice, but Sheng Yan is still a first - timer. It's such a pity for him to be a step - father at such a young age."
"..."
"Hey!" After listening for a while, Feng Qing thought they were so engrossed that she almost suspected they were deliberately talking for her to hear.
"You've thought so comprehensively. Why don't you go and tell Sheng Yan? See if he has the same concerns. If he can't get over this hurdle, won't it be just what you want?"
As soon as she finished speaking, those girls immediately ran away, and the garden quickly became quiet again.
Feng Qing turned around and wanted to find a place to sit. When she looked back, she saw Sheng Yan standing not far away, looking at her.
He had heard everything they said.
It didn't matter if he heard. Anyway, she was just telling the truth.
Sheng Yan took her to a pavilion and sat down. She kept silent, and it was Sheng Yan who spoke first.
"Actually, even if you really married Lawrence for love and Kathy was really your daughter with him, I think I'd still want to be with you."
Feng Qing suddenly glanced at him but didn't say a word. Her eyes seemed to be asking, "Don't you feel aggrieved?"
"If it's you, many things are worth it. In many people's eyes, it seems that since you've been married and have a child, you shouldn't be with me anymore. But don't we know better? It's me who wants to be with you more."
"Your departure back then really hit me hard, but in the end, it wasn't your fault."
Feng Qing smiled and said, "But if we get married, everyone will say that I'm a second - time bride while you're a first - time groom. You'll be at a disadvantage."
"What others say isn't real. Your willingness to marry me and stay by my side is what I really want."
"Over the years, I've had very contradictory moments, and I've done some excessive things to you in a fit of anger. But the only thing that has never changed is that I love you."
The lights in the garden were dim. Most places were just shadows, and even in this pavilion, their expressions couldn't be seen clearly.
But Feng Qing saw Sheng Yan's bright eyes, full of determination and love, so intense that it seemed to overflow.
Feng Qing must have been crazy. She thought her persistence during this period was simply absurd.
Why did she have to force Sheng Yan?
"Sheng Yan."
"Hmm?"
"Which year is it that you've loved me?"
Sheng Yan smiled. He seemed to understand what she meant.
"Now is just a small period in the long years of my love for you. For the rest of my life, I'll love you infinitely."
Feng Qing stared at him blankly and didn't say a word. It was a while before the light in her eyes came back. She blinked, and her eyes sparkled like they had the Milky Way in them.
"Let's get married."