Making their marriage public...
Song Xinya thought that Qin Yuhe must have overheard her phone call with Li Cuirou just now.
As the top prestigious family in the capital circle, the Qin family was massive, with numerous branch families and power spanning across the political, business, and military spheres. As the head of the Qin family, Qin Yuhe's status was self-evidently illustrious.
For such a noble person to be called a "greenhorn" by an unpresentable woman who had climbed her way up as a mistress—it was clear how insulting that was.
Even an ordinary person like Song Xinya couldn't stand such humiliation.
She understood Qin Yuhe's desire to go public and said, "Okay, let's make it public. That way, Li Cuirou won't dare to speak disrespectfully to Mr. Qin anymore, and she'll never say those horrible things to you again."
Qin Yuhe looked at her and said, "Song Xinya, I want to make it public not for my sake, but because I believe that someone as wonderful as you—who works hard, loves life, and is resilient and brave—should not have to endure anyone's mockery and slander."
Song Xinya's heart gave a violent jolt, struck hard by a gentle force.
So he wanted to go public because of her.
She had entered society at an early age. Back in high school, while her classmates all had living expenses provided by their parents, she had nothing. Her mother had died, her father didn't care, her stepmother was a hypocrite, and her stepsister was mean.
Every day after school, she worked part-time jobs—tutoring, setting up street stalls, waiting tables, working as a cashier, and delivering takeout.
She earned money to support herself, as well as her younger brother.
She also bore the medical expenses for her mentally ill grandmother.
This made her independent very early on and made her taste all the fickleness of human nature.
A child without an umbrella must run hard in the rain.
Having nothing is the very reason to fight hard.
All these years, Song Xinya had been busy just surviving and making a living.
Because there was no one behind her. Even when she suffered grievances, she had no father to stand up for her, no mother to comfort her with soft words.
She was used to being as tough as wild grass, being her own safe haven.
When a person's life is always sweet, a single taste of bitterness feels unbearably bitter. But if a person's life has always been bitter, the bitterness no longer feels so bad.
Just as Song Xinya had gotten used to having no one to back her up, no way out, no one to rely on, and no one to help her, she met Qin Yuhe.
He said she was wonderful, that she shouldn't have to endure anyone's mockery and slander.
Song Xinya saw a beam of light in the darkness.
She was surprised, delighted, yet a bit uncertain. In the eyes of someone as outstanding as him, "Am I really that good?"
Qin Yuhe's deep voice told her firmly, "Song Xinya, everyone who lives life earnestly deserves respect. Not stealing, not robbing, not cheating, not deceiving, relying on your own hands to work hard and make money so that you and your family can have a better life—this is worthy of everyone's admiration."
"You clearly have the ability to crush others, yet you have no sense of superiority. You are firm and opinionated at work, approachable and humble when interacting with others. Not only are you outstanding yourself, but you also make the people around you feel comfortable. Song Xinya, you are more than just good; you are a treasure."
He usually didn't talk much, and she rarely heard him say so much at once.
Moreover, they were sincere, genuine words of praise for her.
Song Xinya felt joy, happiness, and a touch of shyness at being praised.
He didn't want her to be mocked and slandered, and she didn't want him to endure that either.
"Mr. Qin, I am willing to make our relationship public."
Qin Yuhe: "I will notify everyone in the Qin clan, as well as everyone in the capital's high society, to announce our marriage."
Song Xinya asked, "What do I need to do?"
Qin Yuhe: "Dress up and attend."
That meant she didn't need to do anything. He would arrange everything; she just needed to show up.
Song Xinya's heart fluttered with joy.
Qin Yuhe was a man of great execution. He strode toward the study. "I'm going to prepare for the public announcement now."
As he passed by Song Xinya, he patted her head.
The moment his warm, dry palm landed on the top of her head, her heartbeat quickened.
Sitting to the side, Song Tingye listened to Qin Yuhe praising Song Xinya, and his heart was also touched.
His brother-in-law really knew how to praise people.
Every sentence touched the heart; his words were so beautiful to hear.
Song Tingye also wanted to taste what it was like to be praised by Qin Yuhe.
He ran after him with a thump-thump-thump, his eyes full of expectation. "Brother-in-law, praise me a little too, please."
Qin Yuhe glanced at him and said, "You... have a good appetite."
Song Tingye: Ծ‸Ծ
Was having a good appetite his only good trait?
Was having a good appetite his only good trait?!
Was this the only good thing about him?!
・ࡇ・ (Oh?)
...
At the Song family home, Li Cuirou, clutching her phone, came crying to Song Xuanli's side.
Looking like she had suffered a massive grievance, it was hard for anyone not to notice her.
Song Xuanli asked, "What happened?"
Li Cuirou opened her mouth, then closed it, hesitating to speak. She looked as if she were swallowing all her bitterness, refusing to let him know even if she had suffered a tremendous wrong. "It's nothing."
After the older "green tea" finished playing the good cop, the younger "green tea" quickly stepped up to play the bad cop.
Zhang Yingying spoke up, "Dad, Mom has worked her heart out for our family's business. It's one thing if someone refuses to help, but they even cursed at Mom."
Song Xuanli asked, "Who is this person?"
Zhang Yingying: "Song Xin..."
Li Cuirou reached out and covered Zhang Yingying's mouth. "Yingying, don't say it. Family harmony is better than anything. It doesn't matter if she scolds me a few times. Although I feel very sad, I won't take it to heart."
Zhang Yingying effortlessly pulled Li Cuirou's hand away. "Mom, you're just too kind. You think too much about this family, which is why Song Xinya walks all over you."
Li Cuirou put on a very reproachful expression. "Yingying, didn't I tell you not to mention Song Xinya? Why did you still say her name?"
She turned to look at Song Xuanli, appearing tolerant, generous, kind, and merciful. "Master, don't blame Xinxin. Even if I was scolded, and even if she isn't willing to help our family business, I think she might have her own difficulties."
The thing Song Xuanli cared about most was the Song family business. The mother-daughter duo of Li Cuirou and Zhang Yingying echoed each other perfectly, instantly stoking his anger.
He slammed his hand heavily on the table with a bang. "This Song Xinya is really getting more and more unruly! Helping the Song family business is something she ought to do. But look at her, she doesn't want to fulfill her responsibilities at all!"
Li Cuirou continuously rubbed Song Xuanli's back with her hand. "Master, don't get angry. Please calm down."
Zhang Yingying: "Dad, Song Xinya got married."
Song Xuanli's fury flared up even higher. "She got married?! She actually got married without my permission!"
Zhang Yingying: "Mom kindly introduced her to two business partners. She either complained that the guy was a divorced second-time groom with two kids, or complained that a seventy-year-old was too old. She rejected both of them."
Song Xuanli: "With her image, eating herself up to 180 pounds, what kind of good man could she possibly marry? What outstanding man would be willing to marry her?!"
Zhang Yingying: "Exactly. Mom and I advised her the same way. We told her not to be so arrogant and to be more realistic, to stop dreaming of being Cinderella marrying a prince every day. But she just wouldn't listen, and even scolded us for being nosy."
Li Cuirou: It is fine, it is nothing. It is normal for young people to be confident.
Song Xuanli: Is that confidence? She is just arrogant!
Zhang Yingying: If you ask me, whether a girl is happy in her marriage is not the most important thing. What matters is that she must be beneficial to the family. In the future, I will definitely marry a man who can help the Song family's business.
These words struck right at Song Xuanli's heart.
Song Xuanli: I am truly blessed for a lifetime to have such a good daughter like Yingying.
Zhang Yingying: Having a good father like you is also the luck of a lifetime.
Comparing the two in his heart, Song Xuanli became even more furious: Song Xinya is really too insensible!
Li Cuirou: I am worried that Xinxin is not doing well. She has not told us who her husband is.
Zhang Yingying: I heard he is just some punk.
Li Cuirou: We have not met her husband yet. Maybe he is a powerful young master from a prominent family. Let us not talk about her like that.
Song Xuanli: What powerful young master would ever look at her? With her figure and image, weighing 180 pounds, so fat, any man would be embarrassed to take her out!
Zhang Yingying smiled mockingly: Song Xinya has been keeping her husband a secret because he is unpresentable. She is afraid of losing face if people find out who he is.
Li Cuirou's phone rang. She glanced at the caller ID: It is Xinxin calling.
Song Xuanli put on the majestic and indisputable air of a father: Answer it!
Li Cuirou answered the phone and put it on speaker.
Song Xuanli spoke to the phone: You just refused to help our Song family's business, and now you still have the nerve to call.
Song Xinya: You have the nerve to not raise me, so why shouldn't I have the nerve to call?
Song Xuanli's fatherly majesty began to crack: Outrageous! An unfilial daughter like you will face the wrath of heaven!
Song Xinya: Your mouth is so toxic the moment you open it. Long time no see, Dad, did you get uremia?
Li Cuirou: Xinxin, he is your father. You cannot speak to him like that. Filial piety is the most important of all virtues. No matter what your father does to you, you must respect him, be filial to him, and love him.
Song Xinya: The King of Hell must have dozed off and let you steal a human skin to pretend to be a person, right? Do not think I will not recognize you just because you put on a vest. Do not think you are a human just because you act like one. Some people are alive, like you, but they are already dead!
Zhang Yingying: Song Xinya, what nonsense are you sprouting? My mother is perfectly fine, stop cursing her.
Song Xinya: I am not only cursing your mother, I am cursing you too. Say one more word and you will die too, jinxed to death by your mother!
Song Xuanli grabbed the water cup on the table and smashed it toward the door. With a loud crash, the ceramic cup shattered into pieces, and boiling water spilled all over the floor.
Song Xuanli: Song Xinya, did you call today just to curse at us?
Song Xinya: Actually, no. I called to invite you to my wedding celebration banquet.
Zhang Yingying pouted and said sarcastically: Marrying some punk and you are still holding a banquet. Aren't you afraid of making a fool of yourself?
Song Xinya knew Zhang Yingying too well; she could imagine her expression right now even through the screen: The way you pout makes me think of an ugly guinea pig.
Li Cuirou: Since you do not mind, we have nothing to avoid. When is your wedding celebration banquet?
Song Xinya: In a week.
Zhang Yingying: What kind of banquet takes a week to prepare? Isn't it just booking a hotel hall?
Song Xinya: You come from a low background, so you do not understand high society matters. A wealthy and prominent family like my husband's strives for perfection in everything they do. Gathering all the upper-class figures in the capital is not something that can be done in a day or two.
Zhang Yingying: Oh, wow, here you go bragging again.
Song Xinya: Oh, wow, here you go looking down on people again.
Song Xinya: You all must come when the time arrives. Otherwise, I am worried the slap to your faces will not be loud enough.
.........
In the afternoon, Song Xinya received a call from her mother-in-law, Jiang Yaoxue.
Jiang Yaoxue: Yaya, I am back from Europe.
Song Xinya: Mother, are you at the airport? I will go pick you up.
Jiang Yaoxue sat in the car, glanced at the person sitting next to her, and smiled: No need, your Uncle Shen has already picked me up.
Uncle Shen was Jiang Yaoxue's current lover.
Song Xinya: Mother, international flights are long. You must be tired, go back and get some good rest.
Jiang Yaoxue looked exhausted but shook her head: Yaya, I am planning to go see Yanyan and give her a belated birthday present.
If she just wanted to give a birthday present to Qin Yuyan, Jiang Yaoxue could have contacted her directly. Song Xinya roughly guessed the purpose of Jiang Yaoxue's call.
Song Xinya: Mother, I will go with you to see Yanyan.
Jiang Yaoxue asked: Is it convenient for you right now? If you are busy with work, I can go by myself.
Song Xinya: It is convenient, Mother. Personally, Yanyan is my family; professionally, Yanyan is my client. It couldn't be more appropriate for me to go see her.
Jiang Yaoxue asked in astonishment: Are you Yanyan's tutor now?
Song Xinya: Yes.
Jiang Yaoxue's heart instantly leaped into her throat, feeling very worried.
Jiang Yaoxue knew about Qin Yuyan's track record of tormenting her tutors until they cried bitterly and even fled in terror.
Jiang Yaoxue: Yaya, has Yanyan done anything bad to you?
Song Xinya smiled and said: No, Yanyan is very good.
Good?
Jiang Yaoxue had never heard any tutor use this word to describe Qin Yuyan.
Jiang Yaoxue: Yaya, are you sure it is Yanyan you are teaching?
The little devil's reputation preceded her; even her own mother didn't dare call her good.
Song Xinya: Yes, it is definitely Yanyan. Yanyan is not a little devil; Yanyan is a little angel who loves her mother.
Jiang Yaoxue felt a surge of joy in her heart, yet she couldn't quite believe it: Did Yanyan say she loves her mother?
Not being able to stay by her children's side was the greatest regret of Jiang Yaoxue's life.
She felt guilty, helpless, and didn't dare to hope for her children's love.
Song Xinya: Yes, Mother, Yanyan said it herself.
Hot tears instantly welled up in Jiang Yaoxue's eyes.
The elegant and handsome man sitting beside her saw her crying. Aching for her, he pulled her into his embrace and gently wiped away her tears.
Song Xinya: Mother, Mr. Qin is in the study. Do you want to say a word to him?
Jiang Yaoxue looked expectant but hesitant: Will it disturb his work?
Song Xinya: I will go to the study and ask him.
Holding her phone, she didn't hang up. While still on the call, she knocked on the study door: Mr. Qin?
Qin Yuhe's voice came from inside: Come in.
Song Xinya pushed the door open, walked in, and stood beside him. Just as she opened her mouth to speak, his hot, large hand covered her buttocks and gently stroked them.
Smack— he ambiguously and forcefully slapped her round and perky bottom.
Song Xinya's whole body tensed: Don't...
Qin Yuhe: Why?
Song Xinya: I am on the phone with your mother.
