This had, instead, made Shao Cheng flustered. "No one."
Song Xi didn't believe him. She vaguely felt that there was someone else, connected to Lou Yuming, whom they both knew, besides her.
Shao Cheng remained tight-lipped, and Song Xi didn't push it. She glanced back at the closed door, then asked, "Did you look into Liu Sisi's boyfriend like we discussed last time?"
A nurse called him. Shao Cheng checked the time. "I have to go. Regarding the boyfriend matter, both Ming and I agree with President Liu's approach. You should stay out of it for now."
His words were cryptic, leaving Song Xi a bit bewildered.
A moment later, she knocked on the door, signaling to the person inside.
This matter was becoming complicated, tangled with so-called interests. Song Xi no longer wanted to be involved.
However, she never expected Zhou Qiao to suddenly approach her.
"Miss Song, I'd like to talk to you. Do you have time?"
"I'm sorry, I'm busy right now. It's inconvenient."
"Miss Song." He called out to her. "I saw your advertisement."
Song Xi's body stiffened, and she stopped in her tracks.
Zhou Qiao led Song Xi to a coffee shop near the hospital.
To allay her concerns, he even thoughtfully said, "Don't worry, no one will recognize you with your mask on."
Song Xi glanced at her watch. "Five minutes."
Zhou Qiao blinked. "I didn't expect you to be much colder in person than you are online."
Song Xi was blunt. "If someone were threatening your identity, you'd probably be quite cold too."
"Miss Song, you misunderstand. I genuinely liked the advertisement you filmed."
Song Xi smiled coldly. "Just say what you want to say."
Zhou Qiao took a sip of his coffee, his gaze openly appraising her from head to toe.
She had a great figure, a slender waist, and a long neck. Even with only her eyes visible, one could imagine how exquisite and beautiful her features were.
She had long hair. Having seen Liu Sisi's short hair, Zhou Qiao suddenly felt that women with long hair could also be so sexy and charming. Even just sitting there, doing nothing, she was captivating.
He suddenly regretted it, wishing he hadn't let Liu Sisi cut her hair back then.
"Miss Song."
Zhou Qiao took a sip of his hot latte and began, "Sisi must have told you that her father disapproves of us being together, so he threatened me into breaking up with her. I spent a long time inquiring at the hospital last time, and it cost me quite a bit to find out Sisi was here. I was afraid Sisi would worry, so I lied. I apologize."
His words sounded sincere, and his reasons seemed plausible.
But Song Xi still found it strange, though she couldn't quite pinpoint why.
She asked, "Why does he disapprove?"
Zhou Qiao gave a self-deprecating laugh. "What else could it be? I'm broke. Her father thinks I can't give Sisi a happy life. But when I was with Sisi, I had no idea she was the daughter of OP Group! I know I'm not good enough for her, but no one in this world loves Sisi more than I do!"
"Miss Song, you are Sisi's friend. Look at Sisi now, do you think she's happy? Do you think she's content! If she continues like this, her father will eventually force her to death!"
Song Xi's brow furrowed slightly. "What do you want to do?"
"I want..." He gathered his courage. "I want you to help Sisi and me elope!"
Song Xi's expression froze.
Zhou Qiao continued, "Miss Song, I know this is difficult, but you are Sisi's friend. Can you really bear to see her like a zombie every day? She will only be happy and content with me! I promise you, I will treat her well."
He even raised his hand and swore an oath.
Song Xi looked at him for a few seconds, then slowly said, "You seem to be mistaken. First, Sisi and I are not friends. We've only known each other for less than two weeks."
"Second, whether Liu Sisi is happy or content with you has nothing to do with me. This is your business, so please allow me to refuse."
Zhou Qiao's face immediately fell.
He couldn't believe it. "Miss Song, how could you say such a thing... Are you really so heartless? Sisi said you were a good person, very kind, that's why I came to you for help."
"It seems she was mistaken too. My time is up." Song Xi stood up, preparing to leave.
"Miss Song."
Zhou Qiao didn't give up. "You are a good person. I hope you'll reconsider. Don't worry, I'll give you money after we succeed!"
Song Xi left resolutely.
Zhou Qiao sat on the sofa, watching the woman's receding back, and let out an impatient "tsk."
Not far away, in a Bentley parked across the road, a man's face was dark, his eyes as deep as a black abyss, now emanating a chilling coldness.
The air inside the car seemed to have frozen.
Yao Yifan trembled. "Sir..."
Lou Yuming's expression grew more somber, and a dangerous aura emanated from his entire body.
So it was another man that made her feel it was inappropriate. Song Xi, you're something else.
On the other side, Song Xi: "Achoo—"