After the Lunar New Year, the fundraising project officially commenced.
With President Jia’s involvement, the entire process proceeded very smoothly.
At a dinner, the several presidents engaged in casual conversation.
President Jia and President Liu were old acquaintances. President Jia had heard a little about Liu Sisi’s situation previously. Recalling his own daughter Ling Ling's kidnapping, he felt a lingering fear and couldn't help but ask a few more questions.
President Liu said, "This is all thanks to President Lou and Miss Song."
Upon hearing the words "Miss Song," a flicker of emotion appeared in the expression of the distinguished and refined man seated by the side.
Lou Yuming slightly raised his teacup and humbly replied, "It was just a small favor."
"I've been busy lately and forgot to ask about your injuries. Are you feeling better? I have a box of superior ginseng here. Take it to recuperate."
Lou Yuming did not refuse, and Yao Yifan smilingly took it from President Liu's assistant.
"Miss Song?" President Jia asked, "Is it Song Xi?"
President Liu replied, "Yes, it's that young lady. If it weren't for her this time, Sisi would still be completely in the dark."
President Jia's eyes lit up, "I didn't expect it to be the same person. This Xiao Song really has some talent."
President Liu asked curiously, "I wonder if she has a boyfriend? I know one..."
"Isn't her boyfriend President Lou?" President Jia suddenly interjected.
President Liu's eyes widened, and even Lou Yuming himself was taken aback.
President Jia said, "Yes, the last time Xiao Song came to persuade me, she chattered on and on. I jokingly asked her if she was so invested because President Lou was her boyfriend, and I didn't expect that little girl to actually nod and say yes."
President Jia looked at Lou Yuming for confirmation, "What is it, President Lou? Is it true or not?"
President Liu said, "Whether it's true or not, it's too late for you to back out now." He then teased Lou Yuming, "No wonder you took a knife for Xiao Song last time. So that's the connection. You should have said so earlier."
While Lou Yuming appeared outwardly calm, his heart was a tempest. He subtly tightened his grip on the teacup.
After the dinner concluded, Lou Yuming immediately called Song Xi, but the call didn't connect.
The busy signal from the other end of the phone gradually eroded his patience.
He felt like a ship adrift in the deep sea, swaying and turbulent.
Never mind.
He ended the call.
Since he had promised her a week, he might as well wait a little longer.
He could afford this much patience.
However, after hearing President Jia's words, his heart felt as if a little cat was scratching it, an itching sensation.
Lou Yuming loosened his tie and lit a cigarette in the car.
A moment later, Yao Yifan knocked on the car window.
The window was lowered slightly, and a wisp of smoke drifted out.
Yao Yifan paused, unsure whether to deliver the news. After all, the boss smoking meant he was in an extremely bad mood.
Lou Yuming noticed his hesitation, his narrow, cold eyes narrowed slightly, and he said coldly, "Speak."
Yao Yifan tremblingly handed over his phone, "Miss Song... is trending."
The hashtag #SongXiHouHaoOnSceneBickering# ranked fifth on the trending list, and the heat was still rising.
Lou Yuming's expression darkened as he clicked on it, "Who is Hou Hao?"
"Not a very popular..." Yao Yifan glanced down, seeing the faint blue veins on Lou Yuming's hand, and swallowed nervously.
In several GIFs, Hou Hao caught Song Xi as she was about to fall. After Song Xi steadied herself, she playfully hit him with her hand, and then the two, ignoring their surroundings, pretended to fight, with one making a move to strike and the other busy dodging.
The atmosphere was intimate; even through the screen, one could see pink bubbles floating.
Lou Yuming stared at Song Xi's beaming smile, his eyes deep and cold.
"Sir..."
He opened the comments section.
【OMG, how did I suddenly start shipping them!!】
【So sweet, so sweet, so sweet!】
【Honestly, Sister Song is too driven. She's recording a variety show in the morning, filming a drama at noon, and then going to another variety show in the afternoon. Her schedule is so packed every day, yet her skin is still in such great condition! I recommend our home's essence skincare. Whoever uses it knows. Add my WeChat...】
Lou Yuming: "..."