Chapter 7: The Desire to Protect

Song Chang and the others waited outside the door. When they saw Song Qingyou come out, she walked around to the back seat, opened the car door, and shielded her as she got in.

Seeing her face even paler than when she went in, they understood at once that she had just faced yet another round of difficulties at the Song family home.

In the circles of the capital’s wealthy elite, divorces after arranged marriages were hardly rare, but in every other family, the daughter would return and continue to be treated as a cherished young lady. Only in the Song family was she greeted with interrogation and blame.

Their daughter had divorced, yet they would not even let her stay for a meal.

Song Chang fumed, “They only dare to bully you because they think you have no one behind you!”

Song Qingyou drew her shawl tighter around her shoulders and said gently, “It’s all right, Uncle Chang. You’re getting on in years; don’t let yourself be upset by these things.”

“But the Song family was built up by your grandfather’s own hands. Not only did they seize everything for themselves, but now they want to drive you out as well. If it hadn’t been for that mistress coming to the door back then, how could Madam have possibly…” Song Chang broke off abruptly, worry and regret clouding his features. “Forgive me, miss, I shouldn’t have brought that up…”

Song Qingyou’s beautiful eyes grew dim, and after coughing a few times, she said, “It’s all right.”

Outside the car window, the scenery slipped past like scenes in a revolving lantern. Qingyou’s gaze was hollow, and the sorrow she usually concealed so well gradually surfaced in her eyes.

She had never seen her mother, for Song Ning had died in childbirth from massive bleeding. As a child, Qingyou thought everyone in the Song family disliked her because her birth had cost her mother’s life.

To win even a scrap of her father’s attention, she never fought or argued, was obedient and well-behaved, always ranked first in her studies, and even when ill, she kept silent, naively believing that if she were good enough, if only she never fell sick, her father would not reject her and might spare her a little love.

Later, Qingyou finally learned the truth: Song Ning’s fatal complication during childbirth was triggered when, eight months pregnant, Song Yuan’s mistress appeared on their doorstep with a child. The shock brought on premature labor, leading to the fatal hemorrhage.

Moreover, Song Yuan had tricked Song Ning into marriage. He already had two children with his first love in his hometown. As soon as Song Ning died, he brought those two children into the Song family to raise.

After tiring of his mistress, Song Yuan divorced her and married his current wife, Li Ruo.

Qingyou understood quite clearly—Song Yuan disliked her because her very existence constantly reminded him that he was a man who had married into the family for money and status, who lived off a woman, a man who attained everything he had by deceit, ungratefulness, and betrayal.

Song Qingyou lowered her eyes. The car was warm now, and her body gradually regained its warmth; the pounding in her head slowly eased. “Uncle Chang, let’s go to Yalin Court.”

Song Chang was surprised. “You want to see Young Master Fu?”

Song Qingyou almost laughed, her tone tinged with helplessness. “Yalin Court isn’t only home to Fu Wenzhou.”

Only then did Song Chang remember that the Yan family’s young master also lived there. “May I be so bold as to ask you something?”

“Hmm?” Qingyou raised her eyes.

Song Chang said, “If your company needs new investment, why not ask Young Master Fu instead of humbling yourself to seek out Yan Shaoqin?”

Qingyou leaned against the car window, covering her mouth as she coughed lightly. “Yan Shaoqin may be lacking in character, but he’s an excellent partner. Before returning to China, his work was in venture capital; he knows this field inside and out. All I need to do is invest a little, and I’ll gain a competent worker for free—what’s not to like?”

Of course, the main reason was that in this circle, only Yan Shaoqin and Fu Wenzhou were at odds. The rest were all Fu Wenzhou’s cronies. Qingyou had no wish to become entangled with Fu Wenzhou again; Yan Shaoqin was her sole option.

“But Young Master Fu…”

Qingyou’s eyelids fluttered, and she interrupted, “Uncle Chang, you are a member of the Song family.”

Song Chang fell silent at once, shame and apology clouding his gaze. “Miss, I won’t mention Fu Wenzhou again.”

Qingyou assured him it was of no consequence. She knew Song Chang had always hoped to bring her and Fu Wenzhou together, but given the reality of their relationship, unless she left the capital or cast aside all pride, there was no hope.

She had grown up accustomed to ridicule and scorn, so she cared little for these matters of propriety and reputation.

But she did not want Fu Wenzhou to be criticized on her account.

He had a fierce temper, the sort that, once provoked, cared nothing for kin or friend. She had already witnessed it once in her life, and had no wish ever to see it again.

Two years ago, when Fu Wenzhou learned of her true situation in the Fu family, he had been willing to offer up the business Old Master Fu had left him as a bargaining chip just to force Fu Tingshen to divorce her. In the end, it was Gu Bai who told her, and she managed to stop him in time and spoke harsh words to make him give up.

In her heart, Qingyou thought Fu Wenzhou must be somewhat mad—was a divorce worth handing over his entire inheritance?

After that, she accelerated her own plans, shortening the original five-year marriage agreement to three years.

Yalin Court was a renowned enclave for the wealthy in the capital, boasting a prime location in the city center, lake views, and tranquil surroundings.

Qingyou got out of the car. She had originally intended to visit Yan Shaoqin at the Yan Corporation, but Yan Miao had told her he was taking the day off. Seeing that it was still early, she came by Yalin Court instead.

She had already called ahead. Now she sat waiting for him in the teahouse of Yalin Court.

Yan Shaoqin arrived soon after receiving her call. Unlike his usual business attire, today he wore casual clothes, making him look less like a CEO and more like a handsome university student.

He spotted Song Qingyou at once in the window-side corner—not because his eyesight was particularly sharp, but because she was simply that stunning.

Delicate as a willow yet heartbreakingly lovely, she looked frail but captivating.

Yan Shaoqin had seen many beauties before, but of her particular type, this was his first encounter.

She could so easily arouse a man’s protective instincts.

She seemed like a delicate and exquisite piece of porcelain, meant to be cherished in a museum, carefully preserved for all to admire.

Yan Shaoqin raised his brow. Fortunately, he was not like Fu Wenzhou, who, faced with something he liked, would stop at nothing to possess it—snatching it up, hiding it away, and refusing to let anyone else even look.

When it came to beautiful women, Yan Shaoqin was always the gentleman.

He strolled over unhurriedly and sat down across from her. “Sorry to keep you waiting.”

Qingyou handed him the menu. “Would you like something to drink?”

He smiled faintly. “I’m not fussy; order whatever you like.”

Qingyou did not argue further. Having already asked Yan Miao about his preferences, she ordered a few dishes he liked, then got down to business. “Have you had a chance to look at the collaboration proposal I sent you? What do you think?”

Yan Shaoqin found it quite good, of course; otherwise he wouldn’t have agreed to this sudden meeting. For now, though, he kept his thoughts to himself.

He skirted the subject. “What’s made you suddenly want to start a company?”

Qingyou sipped her tea. “Just a whim. You know, I’m freshly divorced with plenty of free time—just looking for something to do.”

He didn’t believe her, naturally. What interested him more was, “You sold shares to come to me before, and now you’re starting a venture capital firm and coming to me again. Aren’t you afraid the Fu family will get jealous?”

Qingyou feigned ignorance. “You’re overthinking it. The marriage is over—what’s there to be jealous about? Besides, I’m here to talk business with you, not flirt.”

“But what I meant was…” Yan Shaoqin’s gaze drifted past her, a spark of interest lighting his eyes. “The one behind you.”