Chapter 65 - Surprise Party (2) (1/2)
Qian Meigui walked into a grand room with Zhong Liu by her side. The light dimmed, decorations were pulled up, and everyone was standing, waiting for her. Everyone came, Su Feng, friends from her office, Song Ren, the twins, and most regrettably, Song Sheng.
Song Jinyi approached them first, holding a glass of wine. Her bobbed-hair swayed as she walked, her face flushed, and her golden-brown eyes peaked at Zhong Liu beside Qian Meigui. Song Jinyi raised a brow and gave her a knowing smile. Qian Meigui glared at her to not say anything embarrassing, knowing Jinyi very well. ”Hello,” she said to Zhong Liu. Zhong Liu gave her a polite curd nod and with a smooth tone said, ”Hello Jinyi. Nice to see you again.”
Song Jinyi walked away as she found something else that piqued her interest, without saying much of a word. Right after, Song Ren and Su Feng approached them. Su Feng was holding Song Ren by her waist and together they were affectionately walking towards them. Qian Meigui only hoped that nothing would come between the happiness of these two. It would be cruel if their relationship were torn.
Song Ren went to grab Qian Meigui hands, smiling as gentle as she could muster. Song Ren was not the one to show emotions; her reservation made her challenging and unpredictable. But that's what also made her so unique, and though Su Feng was the polar opposite, he suited her most.
”You didn't tell me that you got into school or that you were attending classes,” Song Ren said to her wearily. Qian Meigui smile subtly, ”You were so busy; I didn't want to bother you.”
Song Ren's lips parted in dismay. ”Xiao Mei,” she began genuinely, ”You'll never be a bother to me. We're sisters, remember?” Qian Meigui nodded, ”Sisters,” she echoed Song Ren's words, smiling grimly.
Song Ren turned to face Zhong Liu, ”No hard feelings from the recent case, my friend?” she said to him. Zhong Liu smirked at her, ”No hard feelings. On the contrary, it was Mei who beat me on the case, and she hasn't made it clear if we made peace from our recent battle.” Qian Meigui nudged him playfully as she smiled at him. Zhong Liu gazed at her so deeply that it nearly pierced through her. Song Ren cleared her throat and said, ”Have fun you two.” She then grabbed Su Feng by the hand, dragging him to find somewhere to sit. Su Feng waved at them politely as he walked away with Song Ren.
Zhong Liu made a gesture to walk ahead of him as they entered the room even further. Song Sheng approached them slowly, and Qian Meigui tried not to waver any emotion, keeping her head held up high. Shong Sheng appeared to be calm without a flicker of resentment or jealousy, it felt like a straight-up blade through Qian Meigui's chest, but she maintained her composure.
Song Sheng wore all black. He wore a black buttoned-up collared shirt, black jeans, and a leather jacket. Qian Meigui cursed him in her head. Song Sheng always looked best in black, it complimented his personality and his hair, bringing out the gold in his eyes. Though all the Song children had gold-flecked eyes, Song Sheng's eyes always shone the brightest out of the four. His eyes resembled the crackling embers of a bonfire or the eyes of wild wolves from distant mountains. It was challenging to look at him, but she took a deep silent breath and waited for what he was going to say.
Song Sheng shook Zhong Liu's hand with a reserved expression, but Zhong Liu looked happy, he was smiling like a child. ”Hello, Dr. Song,” he said. Song Sheng placed his hands in his pockets, sizing him up, ”I'm no longer a doctor. I quit science and medicine,” he casually said.
Zhong Liu looked shocked momentarily, but he quickly said, ”May I ask what you do now?” Song Sheng nodded, ”I have an executive position with Song Entertainment.”
Zhong Liu nodded, ”Ah,” he said. Qian Meigui felt like the air was getting awkward. To relieve the tension, she said, ”Let's go sit down with the others.” Zhong Liu nodded in agreement. Song Sheng gave her a side-eye glance, acknowledging her words. Although it was just a glance, his eyes were deep and penetrating; she tried not to shiver. Qian Meigui looked away, grabbing Zhong Liu by his hand, guiding him to the table.
Song Sheng watched Qian Meigui take Zhong Liu by the hand; though he should be happy for her, he wasn't.
They began to eat light snacks since dinner had passed, and bottles of wine rotated around the table. Song Sheng kept quiet nearly the entire time, while Qian Meigui was speaking to Song Ren intensely. Su Feng held Song Ren by the waist while Zhong Liu didn't touch Qian Meigui at all, but he still sat very close. She was grateful, though, since they only went on one date, and she couldn't fathom being close to him when they haven't established anything yet.
As the night went on, Yang Minzhe came from the side after flirting with some of the office girls. He hiccuped as he mumbled and everyone laughed at him, especially Song Jinyi who was just as drunk as him.
He poured two glasses of bourbon and said to Song Sheng, ”Sheng, let's compete on drinking” Song Sheng raised an eyebrow.
”Aren't you already drunk?” Song Ren asked Yang Minzhe. Yang Minzhe shook his head, determined, ”I can never pass an opportunity to drink against Sheng. It's always been a tradition between us men.”
Song Ren rolled her eyes. As Yang Minzhe poured the glasses, he said, ”Su Feng, join us since you are going to be a part of the family.”
”Family?” Su Feng questioned. Song Ren smiled at him, ”Yang Minzhe is my cousin. He is a distant relative from my mother's side.” Su Feng's mouth gaped. Everything makes sense now! He recalled that Song Ren's mother was Yang Rei.
Su Feng rose from his seat to join Yang Minzhe and Song Sheng. Then Yang Minzhe asked Zhong Liu to join as well. Zhong Liu was hesitant, wanting to reject the offer, but he felt like he should try to get close to Qian Meigui's family because maybe one day, their relationship will advance.
Yang Minzhe poured more glasses of amber-looking alcohol, Qian Meigui was not sure which brand it was. The men played a round of shots, and soon, Song Ren participated. ”You men are boys, not gentlemen,” she said as she downed a round of whiskey. Su Feng looked at her with admiration, as if he would ravish her later when there is a winner of the game. Song Ren blushed in response, and Qian Meigui had to peel her gaze away from their lovey-dovey moment.