Song Jiaye swallowed hard. By the time Li Qiyu finished the candied haw on a stick in her hand, she pointed at the one in his and asked, "Are you going to eat this?"
Song Jiaye nodded blankly. Then, suddenly coming to his senses, he quickly shook his head and offered the candied haw on a stick to Li Qiyu.
"You eat it."
Li Qiyu happily took it and popped one candied haw into her mouth after another, looking anything but ladylike.
"I thought you didn't like sweet stuff. But you're gobbling up these candied haws." To stop his mind from wandering, Song Jiaye forced himself not to look at Li Qiyu's face.
While munching on the candied haw, Li Qiyu explained, "I didn't like this before. I had a little sidekick back then. He loved this stuff. Every time he made a mistake, he'd use candied haws to make up for it."
Thinking of Zhou Donglin, a smile appeared on Li Qiyu's lips. She said with a smile, "So I just ended up loving these candied haws, too."
Looking at Li Qiyu's smile, Song Jiaye suddenly felt a twinge of jealousy in his heart.
Li Qiyu had never smiled like this in front of him. Even when she did smile, it was always a faint one, tinged with a bit of aloofness.
Who on earth was this little sidekick she talked about? How could just the thought of him make her smile?
Song Jiaye and Li Qiyu strolled along as they ate. Before they knew it, they reached the entrance of the alley. A taxi was parked there. It was Li Xiangping coming back.
As soon as Li Xiangping saw Li Qiyu and Song Jiaye, he quickly asked,
"Is Old Master Song at home?"
"Yes, Dad. Do you need to talk to him about something?"
"We're about to head back. Naturally, we should say goodbye to Old Master Song."
"About to head back?" Li Qiyu asked instinctively, "Is Li Xichi better?"
But then, she thought her question was rather stupid. If Li Xichi was better, Old Master Song would surely want her to stay at his place. The fact that they were in such a hurry to leave probably meant they wanted to take Li Xichi back and treat her slowly before the Song family noticed anything wrong.
That was exactly what Li Xiangping was thinking. In fact, the doctor had informed them a few days ago that Li Xichi could be discharged and treated at home. But at that time, Li Xiangping was reluctant to leave. He was still hoping to wait a few more days to see if Li Xichi could return to normal.
After all, the chance to stay at the Song family's place didn't come often.
However, Li Xichi's condition not only didn't improve but got worse. Now, even the doctors and nurses in the hospital knew about this patient who always claimed to be the empress and gave orders as if she were living in ancient times.
If he delayed any longer, this would surely reach Old Master Song's ears.
So, Li Xiangping made this decision.
Song Jiaye had no objections. He couldn't wait to leave the capital and the Song family. He quickly asked, "Then I'll book our return tickets right away."
"Yeah, the sooner the better." Li Xiangping didn't stop walking. He still had to go and explain things to Old Master Song. He knew it would take a lot of talking. He just hoped Old Master Song wouldn't blame him.
The three of them returned to the Song Mansion. When Old Master Song heard that Li Xiangping was leaving, he glanced at Song Jiaye and showed a look of reluctance.
"Alas, such an opportunity is rare. I'd also like to stay in the capital for a few more days. But with Xichi... Alas, it's not convenient to take care of her here in the capital. It's better to go back earlier."
When Li Xichi was mentioned, Old Master Song didn't feel right about keeping them any longer. But he really didn't want to let them go.
Next time, even if he sent an eight - sedan chair to invite Song Jiaye, he probably wouldn't step into the Song family again.
Seeing Old Master Song's troubled expression, Li Xiangping came to his senses.
He said, "I see that Jiaye and Xiyu haven't had enough fun yet. How about I let them..."
Li Xiangping had just started when Song Jiaye interrupted him.
"The company is in a crucial period of going public. I can't be away for too long."
Old Master Song knew Song Jiaye would definitely refuse. He pinned his last hope on Li Qiyu.
Li Qiyu actually wanted to stay a bit longer. Recently, she had clearly felt that Jiang Yongfeng was struggling, which meant her plan was working.
A woman like Jiang Yongfeng could do well in her own comfort zone. She was indeed a tough opponent. But she also had a weakness, which was that she had little experience.
This kind of confidence came from a good family background and real - life experience. It couldn't be dealt with just by using tricks.
So, Li Qiyu had chosen the capital.
The capital, as the most prosperous place in the country, was the kind of place that would make someone like Jiang Yongfeng lose confidence and courage.
But obviously, this plan had to be abandoned now.
Li Xichi's accident was something she hadn't expected.
Moreover, it would be okay if she stayed in the hotel and slowly dealt with Jiang Yongfeng. But if she stayed at Old Master Song's place, she just wanted to refuse.
It wasn't that Old Master Song treated her badly. On the contrary, he treated her too well.
So well that she felt unworthy and couldn't handle it.
So, even though she saw Old Master Song's almost pleading look, Li Qiyu still simply shook her head and refused.
"Jiaye can't manage everything on his own. I have to help him."
Although she didn't even understand what going public meant and although most of the time she was just causing trouble.
Song Jiaye, this "useful tool", was very conscious. As soon as Li Qiyu said this, he quickly took over and cooperated with her.
"Yes, Xiyu is the biggest shareholder of the company. I can't do without her."
Since they both said so, what else could Old Master Song say? He could only order someone to pack their luggage and send them to the airport in the usual way.
Li Xiangping naturally wanted to refuse. If he let Old Master Song's people send them, he didn't know if they could still hide Li Xichi's condition. But he couldn't decline such kindness. In the end, he could only grit his teeth and agree.
He thought that if worse came to worst, he'd give Xichi some sleeping pills so that she'd fall asleep on the way and wouldn't reveal anything.
While the Li family was busy packing, Old Master Song called Song Yunsheng over.
"Go and see them off."
"See them off on the plane?"
"No, follow them and see what's going on."
"Adoptive father, do you suspect there's something fishy about the Li family's sudden decision to leave?"
Old Master Song nodded.
Old Master Song knew Li Xiangping's character well. Li Xiangping was eager to get on good terms with the Song family so that he could expand his business to the capital. Now that he had given him such a great opportunity, but Li Xiangping wanted to go back. This was no different from letting the meat that was already in his mouth slip away.
Li Xiangping was a calculating and profit - seeking businessman. He wouldn't do something that was obviously a loss.
"Most likely, it has something to do with Li Xichi's condition. Do you have the phone number of Li Xichi's attending doctor? Call the hospital and ask before you go."
In ancient times, Song Yunsheng was a powerful figure who could command his ministers. But at this moment, he could only obediently follow the order.
"Okay."
Song Yunsheng took the order. He also highly approved of Old Master Song's proposal to let him follow the Li family back.