However, this was just a small interlude.
Li Qiyu placed the flowers in her hand in front of the tomb. On the tombstone was engraved a photo of Song Yi'an's mother when she was alive. It was obvious that this photo must have been taken in the hospital ward. One could tell from her pale face that she was ill, but her beauty still shone through.
Beauty lies in the bone, not the skin.
Li Qiyu could tell that when this woman was young, she must have been an extremely charming beauty.
Song Yi'an looked at his mother's photo, holding Li Qiyu's hand, and said, "Mom, last time when I came here, I told you that I wanted to bring a girl to meet you. Now I've brought her here."
Li Qiyu couldn't help but mutter to herself, "Last time? When was last time? It seems that Song Yi'an had set his eyes on me long ago."
Humph, I'll spare you for now in front of the elders.
Thinking so, Li Qiyu bowed towards Zhang Lili's tomb.
"Hello, Auntie."
Probably because she had learned from Li Xiyu's diary that Li Xiyu and Song Yi'an were most likely not blood - related, Li Qiyu felt a bit more at ease.
Song Yi'an stepped forward to clear the weeds growing out of the stone crevices around the tombstone for his mother. Li Qiyu watched Song Yi'an who was busy with his head down, and whispered to the woman on the tombstone, "Auntie, don't worry. I'll take good care of him."
After hearing about his mother from Song Yi'an in the past few days, Li Qiyu had a strong sense of admiration for this woman who had fought against fate alone.
She just admired such a tough - minded woman!
She knew that what Zhang Lili was most worried about must be Song Yi'an, so she said this.
While pulling the weeds, Song Yi'an looked up and saw Li Qiyu muttering to herself. He wondered, "What are you talking to my mom about?"
"I'm speaking ill of you." Li Qiyu stood up straight and smoothed things over.
"My mom is very partial to me. She won't believe you."
"That's not necessarily true. I think I get along well with Auntie. She will surely like me more."
Song Yi'an shook his head noncommittally.
But he knew in his heart that if his mother were still alive, she would definitely like Li Qiyu so much that she wouldn't want to let go.
His mother always doted on him. As long as it was something he liked, his mother would cherish it very much.
When he was a child, even a small toy he liked, she would tidy it up for him and wipe it clean. Even when they had to move from place to place, it was never lost.
Not to mention a girl he liked.
...
After the two finished paying their respects and were walking back, Li Qiyu asked, "Now that you've regained your identity and taken over the Song family's affairs, why don't you restore Auntie's identity as well?"
Song Yi'an shook his head and said, "This was my mom's last wish. She lived these years peacefully with the name Zhang Lili, and she really liked this name."
Actually, Song Yi'an understood what his mother meant. It was just to tell him that one should be kind - hearted and not forget one's benefactors when they are no longer needed.
Jiang Yongfeng no longer needed the name Zhang Lili, but Zhang Lili still needed Jiang Yongfeng's identity.
However, Song Yi'an didn't plan to explain these things to Li Qiyu.
Because Song Yi'an knew that Li Qiyu didn't like Jiang Yongfeng. Moreover, before this, Li Xichi and Jiang Yongfeng had indeed framed her.
He didn't force Li Qiyu to think about Jiang Yongfeng as he did. It would be too difficult for her.
It is the parents' obligation to teach their children how to conduct themselves in society.
It is the husband's responsibility to take care of his wife's emotions.
As the two were discussing and walking back, they didn't know that behind them, a vague male figure emerged from the bushes. He stared firmly in the direction where they left and didn't withdraw his gaze for a long time.
The man walked to the tombstone, looking at the two bunches of chrysanthemums placed side by side. His eyes were red.
"A Feng, that child has grown up."
...
Li Qiyu and Song Yi'an were about to drive back. As if it was predestined, just as she got into the passenger seat, her phone showed a new message.
It was from the detective who had been out of touch for a while. Li Qiyu even thought he was going to renege on their deal.
The message was simply a folder, asking Li Qiyu to review it by herself.
But different from before, this time he didn't say a single word. You know, the first two times, he rambled on and on, just to get her to continue buying information from him.
Li Qiyu just thought the detective was in a bad mood and didn't think much about it. She clicked on the folder.
This detective had cooperated with her more than once. Knowing that she had difficulty understanding text, he, as usual, provided hand - drawn simple comic pictures. After Li Qiyu looked at the pictures, her face changed greatly.
She thought the detective had drawn the pictures wrong, so she quickly clicked on the text - filled folder that gave her a headache just to look at, and read it word by word.
Song Yi'an noticed that Li Qiyu's mood suddenly became tense. He asked with concern, "What's wrong? Did you encounter any difficulties?"
At that moment, Li Qiyu was reading about the past between Li Xiangping and Jiang Yongfeng. Song Yi'an's sudden voice gave her a start. She subconsciously hid her phone to prevent Song Yi'an from seeing the content on the screen.
Li Qiyu's furtive behavior made Song Yi'an full of doubts.
However, he didn't have time to get to the bottom of it.
Because soon, he also received a phone call.
It was from the Song Corporation. He had to answer it first.
Song Yi'an pulled the car over to the side of the road - Li Qiyu was in his car, and he didn't want anything to happen to her.
He didn't want to hide anything from Li Qiyu, so he put the phone on mute.
"Mr. Song, it's bad. All the employees below are on strike."
"On strike?"
"Yes! They are dissatisfied with the terms you set and even said they would sue you. Now this matter has spread on the Internet, and the impact is very bad."
Song Yi'an frowned. He really couldn't figure out how the Song Corporation, with so many high - ranking executives who were just taking up positions without doing their jobs, had managed to survive until now.
"Okay, I'll come back right away to deal with it."
Only after Song Yi'an hung up the phone did Li Qiyu dare to ask cautiously, "Are you leaving?"
Song Yi'an nodded, saying apologetically, "I'm sorry. Your father's birthday is just a couple of days away. I shouldn't leave at this time."
Actually, if Song Yi'an hadn't mentioned it, Li Qiyu wouldn't have known about this at all.
She quickly said, "Work comes first. My dad will understand."
While calling his secretary, Song Yi'an explained to Li Qiyu, "I'll try my best to make it to your father's birthday party."
Li Qiyu was about to persuade him, but at this time Song Yi'an's phone rang. He was busy asking his secretary to book a ticket for him. Seeing this, Li Qiyu didn't want to interrupt him while he was on the phone.