Chapter 82: If President Huo finds this difficult, then just pretend I never said anything.

She reacted almost instantly.

—Shen Yanye had threatened Lawyer Wen with her safety!

That was why he had rushed over in the middle of the night yesterday!

Yet, instinctively, Song Mi still felt something didn’t quite add up. If Shen Yanye’s goal was blackmail, shouldn’t he have come straight to her? “Shen Yanye, did I hear you right? You extorted Lawyer Wen, only to turn around and demand money from me?”

“Fifty million?” She sneered coldly. “Is that enough to pay off the dozens of people you hired, and then rebuild Tang Lishi’s villa that’s been burned to just a shell?”

Song Mi was utterly unimpressed. “If I just write you an IOU in black and white, does that make the debt real?”

“Shen Yanye, even if you haven’t read much, you should at least know some basic legal common sense! Without any actual transfer of funds, you think you can pocket fifty million just by holding an IOU?”

Her words left Shen Yanye speechless, though of course he’d considered that. After all, there was such a thing as a debt collection agency!

Fifty million—if he was willing to give up a few points, plenty of people would line up to help him collect.

Besides, the Wen guy ran a law firm—if the monk can’t run, the temple’s still there, isn’t it?

With an IOU in hand, all written out, he couldn’t believe he’d have any trouble collecting.

“If the chairwoman isn’t planning to meddle in this, and since every grievance has its culprit, I’ll just go find Lawyer Wen!” Shen Yanye curled his lips into a smile. “I’ll bring a few buckets of red paint, some banners, and sit myself right in front of Wenyuan Law Office. No need for you to have people tail me to the club or drug my drink. If you want to find me in the future, just come to Wenyuan Law.”

“Oh, and I hear you and Lawyer Wen are already living together. Looks like I’ll need to hire a few more debt collectors to stage a protest right outside your apartment door!”

Song Mi’s brow twitched. What happened to Shen Yanye at the club two days ago had already been investigated by Ye Zhao’s people.

Since he brought it up himself, it suited her just fine. “Shen Yanye, it’s not just that you haven’t read enough—you’re slow in the head and can’t understand plain speech!”

“The scandal between you and Tang Lishi was not exposed by me, nor was I the one who set you up!” She curled her lips into a chilly smile. “Though, you’re right, with my people watching Tang Lishi, she never had a chance to tell you what she overheard!”

“When you targeted someone else’s sister, did it never occur to you that your own sister might betray you too?”

With that, she yanked out the name Lu Zhiyuan.

But as she expected, Shen Yanye wasn’t so easily convinced. “Song Mi, you’d better have some real evidence!”

“If you don’t believe the recording of my call with Miss Seven, you can check Wang Quan’s phone. The afternoon before last, he sent me a message.” Song Mi mocked him, “You don’t even know when your own people are bought off. Such limited skills, Third Young Master—yet you dare go up against both Lu Zhiyuan and me?”

“Tsk, tsk, tsk!”

After expressing her disdain for Shen Yanye without reservation, she decisively hung up.

At noon, she had arranged to meet Huo Qingjue, choosing Tianxiang Pavilion as their meeting spot.

It was to discuss the Yun City oilfield cooperation.

However, since Song Mi had no intention of setting foot in Yun City too soon, her demeanor remained rather distant.

Huo Qingjue, being exceptionally shrewd, quickly sensed her lack of enthusiasm.

Still, his instincts told him the matter wasn’t entirely off the table; otherwise, she could have simply declined outright.

In his view, Song Mi had a naturally decisive temperament—she’d never waste time fencing over something she truly had no interest in.

Unable to gauge her intentions for the moment, Huo Qingjue chose not to press her. After a sip of tea, he shifted the subject smoothly, “With your efficiency, Chairwoman Song, I expect you've already selected someone to replace Xu Yu?”

At this, Song Mi narrowed her eyes out of habit and smiled. “What, Huo, have you not received a transfer order yet, or are you simply wary of becoming the next me, and so you’re already keeping Xu Yu at arm’s length before even taking the post?”

The first half implied if he hadn’t received orders, then Xu Yu’s entry into Wanjia was out of his hands anyway.

The second half was even more direct—a clear caution that if Xu Yu could cross her today, he could do the same to Wanjia and Huo Qingjue tomorrow.

She was plainly cutting off Xu Yu’s path.

This woman, she tolerated not the slightest speck of sand in her eyes.

Huo Qingjue understood, and quickly asked, “It sounds as if you’d rather I not use Xu Yu?”

Song Mi’s lips curved, dimples blossoming in her cheeks, though the smile never reached her eyes. “What you do with your people, Huo, surely isn’t swayed by idle gossip.”

With that, her thick lashes lowered and lifted, signaling she was done speaking on the subject.

That was her stance.

What Huo Qingjue decided to do after understanding it, she neither cared nor felt responsible for.

There were countless ways to deal with Xu Yu.

But he really wasn’t worth the effort, so she could hardly be bothered to act.

On this side, Huo Qingjue knew perfectly well that Song Mi’s words were just the usual polite exchanges, yet to his ears, there was something more that couldn’t be so easily brushed aside.

Especially her final remark, “Surely isn’t swayed by idle gossip.”

For some reason, he wanted to respond, but every possible answer seemed wrong.

Too attentive—he’d seem frivolous.

Too formal—and it sounded like flattery.

It was an experience entirely new to him.

Though his position in the Huo family was unique, and he didn’t wield great power in Wanjia Group, he had always managed to handle every situation with ease.

To find himself, because of one person, one sentence—spoken casually yet heard with import—momentarily at a loss, was almost unprecedented.

While he quietly mulled it over, Song Mi took out her phone from her bag.

She was, indeed, checking her messages.

A message from a man, asking what she was doing and if she’d eaten yet.

At the top of the chat was “Boyfriend.”

Just earlier, Shen Yanye had started off on the phone with: “your boyfriend…”

Boyfriend.

Her gaze rested long on those words, as if she could see his face through them.

His looks were the kind that combined scholarly refinement with a touch of wildness—features deep-set and well-defined, brows slanting to the temples, though their color wasn’t too dark, keeping his expression from seeming too fierce.

His lips were full and well-shaped, a healthy shade of pink. Best of all were his eyes—not the typical narrow fox’s eyes, but set wider, with deeper sockets, black as obsidian, cold yet vast and fluid.

When he fixed his gaze on someone, it felt as though he would draw their very soul into his eyes.

His skin was pale, like pearls or jade. If not for his naturally cold demeanor and the rare smile, he would have been even more captivating.

He really was handsome.

A beautiful nose, mouth, eyes, and jaw.

Though it was hardly the time for such thoughts.

Yet she found herself thinking of him, sketching his face in her mind.

As if the person opposite her did not exist.

As if nothing around her existed.

As if even the man himself did not exist.

In that moment, Song Mi realized something new—just remembering him like this would suffice.

No need for anything more.

This was enough.

Opposite her, Huo Qingjue had no idea what was on her mind—only that the atmosphere around her seemed to shift.

There was a hint of loneliness in her now, a growing inscrutability.

She must be distracted.

What was she looking at? What was she thinking?

While Huo Qingjue felt safe to watch her a little more boldly, convinced she wouldn’t notice, Song Mi gradually gathered herself, quickly emerging from her reverie. She put down her phone. “I’d like to ask you a personal question, Mr. Huo.”

As she raised her gaze, Huo Qingjue instantly looked away. “Please, Chairwoman Song.”

It was a spontaneous idea, but she felt compelled to ask; otherwise, she couldn’t find a better excuse. “Mr. Huo, do you have a girlfriend?”

At this, Huo Qingjue’s heart skipped, and he replied honestly, “No.”

Song Mi smiled. “No one you’re interested in, or want to pursue?”

“No.”

“Any intended marriage prospects?”

For some reason, Huo Qingjue felt a sense of urgency. “No.”

After watching him for a moment, Song Mi spoke directly. “If there won’t be any complications, I’d like to discuss a private arrangement with you.”

She hesitated, avoiding the word “boyfriend” out of instinct. “I’d like you to be my nominal partner.”

Huo Qingjue had suspected as much, but hearing her say it still made his heart beat a little faster.

Yet he held back. “Your reason?”

A subtle ripple flickered in his amber peach blossom eyes, the corners tilting slightly as Song Mi smiled. “To deal with certain people, for instance.”

She considered, then decided to be specific. “Qiao Yudong, for one.”

“Lawyer Wen” was already on the tip of Huo Qingjue’s tongue, but she named Qiao Yudong first.

Suddenly, the words he’d meant to say stuck in his throat, and when they emerged, they changed: “Is Young Master Qiao causing you much trouble?”

Song Mi’s brow moved. “I wouldn’t call it trouble.”

At this, she met Huo Qingjue’s gaze. “If you’re uncomfortable with it, just pretend I never asked.”

An unflattering thing to say, since it implied he was afraid to offend Qiao Yudong.

“I just thought, since Young Master Qiao is married, it shouldn’t be too much of a problem for you.” Rarely, Huo Qingjue allowed a trace of emotion to show. “If you’re worried about the Qiao family, Chairwoman Song, you needn’t be.”

Just those few words, but they held a quiet strength and confidence.

Song Mi nodded in recognition. “I misspoke.”

“So, you agree?”

Huo Qingjue shifted his crossed legs, then pushed his glasses up his nose. “I have a slight objection.”

Song Mi: “?”

“To start a relationship outright is too sudden, and not very convincing.” Huo Qingjue smiled lightly. “Why not begin with me openly pursuing you?”

…

On their way out, they ran into Qiao Weiwei in the corridor.

She was the first to notice Song Mi. “Mi’er, are you here for lunch?”

She sounded weak, and as Song Mi turned, she saw Qiao Weiwei’s pale face; she seemed quite unwell. “Still feeling sick?”

“I just felt nauseous again.” Qiao Weiwei walked up to her. “I just came out of the restroom.”

Song Mi frowned instinctively. “You should get checked at the hospital.”

“Mm.” At that moment, Qiao Weiwei noticed Huo Qingjue beside Song Mi and greeted him. “Mr. Huo.”

He replied, “Miss Qiao.”

Just then, the door to a nearby private room opened, and out came Fu Sisi. “Weiwei.”

Qiao Weiwei glanced at her and quickly introduced, “Mi’er, this is my sister-in-law, Fu Sisi.”

“Sister-in-law, this is my close friend, Song Mi.”

Song Mi’s red lips parted, “Mrs. Qiao.”

Fu Sisi’s eyes brightened. “Miss Song.”

After their greeting, Qiao Weiwei went on, “And this is Mr. Huo.”

Fu Sisi’s gaze shifted naturally from Song Mi to Huo Qingjue. “Mr. Huo, it’s been a while.”

“Mrs. Qiao, it has indeed.” Huo Qingjue’s mind whirred with associations, but since Song Mi had said Qiao Yudong didn’t trouble her, he put those thoughts aside.

Still, the timing was almost too coincidental.

Qiao Yudong had landed in the hospital just two days ago after being stabbed, and here was Fu Sisi arriving in Jinzhou the very next day?

For a moment, all four harbored their own thoughts.

Song Mi felt nothing in particular toward Fu Sisi, but she knew she should at least check in on Qiao Yudong.

Qiao Weiwei, however, was anxious. She’d been with Fu Sisi since yesterday afternoon, and though Fu Sisi clearly knew Qiao Yudong was in Jinzhou, she hadn’t asked about him at all.

Now she was truly baffled—what on earth had brought Fu Sisi to Jinzhou?

As for Fu Sisi, her thoughts were all on Song Mi.

She had come to Jinzhou just to see Song Mi.

Or rather, to see what kind of woman could so captivate Qiao Yudong, make him risk his life for her, shedding blood in the street.

Now, seeing Song Mi in person, Fu Sisi had to admit, in terms of looks and presence, Song Mi was enough to make any man lose his heart.

To call her breathtaking was no exaggeration.

But what interested her more now was what Song Mi felt for Qiao Yudong.

Judging by the look in Song Mi’s eyes at their first meeting, her expression was no different from that for any stranger.

Even though Fu Sisi was her friend’s sister-in-law, Song Mi showed no particular warmth.

Clearly a cold and aloof nature.

Not just cold—proud, with an innate air of untouchable hauteur.

Fu Sisi also knew Song Mi was the chairwoman of Four Seas Group.

With such credentials and such a temperament, she was unlikely to give in easily to Qiao Yudong.

So, Qiao Yudong was probably still pursuing her in vain.

He’d taken a knife for her, stayed in Jinzhou, and now, as he lay in his hospital bed, he was probably worrying how to handle the old man’s upcoming birthday banquet!

Despite their private thoughts, outwardly it was just a polite exchange.

Since Huo Qingjue and Fu Sisi knew each other, their brief conversation kept the mood from turning awkward.

At the right moment, Qiao Weiwei interjected, “Sister-in-law, you haven’t finished eating, have you?”

“I’m still a bit hungry myself—let’s go back and eat a bit more.” She glanced at Song Mi. “Mi’er, you’re heading back to the office?”

“I’ll call you later.”

Fu Sisi gave Song Mi a glance. “Goodbye, Miss Song.”

Song Mi’s lips curled. “Goodbye.”

Then Huo Qingjue bid them both farewell.

Afterward, Song Mi and Huo Qingjue went downstairs, parted ways at the door of Tianxiang Pavilion, and left separately.

…

Song Mi had barely arrived at the hospital when Qiao Weiwei called. She didn’t know where Weiwei was, but her voice was low, “Mi’er, have you seen my brother yet?”

“I’m at the hospital—just got out of the car. Does your sister-in-law still not know your brother’s here?”

The question made Qiao Weiwei’s face crumple into a wad of discarded paper. “I don’t know how to say it!”

“Mi’er, this is really strange—since yesterday, my sister-in-law only mentioned once that my brother might also be in Jinzhou!” Qiao Weiwei frowned. “Then she never asked about him again.”

“Mi’er!” Qiao Weiwei tensed up, her voice even lower and conspiratorial. “I seriously suspect my sister-in-law already knows something!”

“But she won’t say it—almost like she’s waiting for me to bring it up!”

“Mi’er, what should I do?” Qiao Weiwei was truly anxious; this cat-and-mouse game of hints and guesses was maddening.

Song Mi listened for a long while before replying, “I’ll go up and ask your brother his opinion.”

She was about to hang up when Qiao Weiwei tried to say more, but Song Mi’s tone turned stern. “You really should have your stomach checked at the hospital.”

…

In the hospital room, as soon as Qiao Yudong heard the knock, his heart leaped to the door.

When he saw Song Mi walk in, an array of emotions surged within him.

He’d lived more than thirty years and had never pined for a woman like this, nor encountered one so utterly heartless!

He’d taken a knife for her, lay gravely injured, and yet she hadn’t come to see him—not even once in a whole day and night!

Worse, not only did she not visit, she’d been shamelessly cavorting with another man.

He didn’t mind their physical intimacy.

But he was jealous—jealous to the point of madness!

He missed her to the point of insanity!

No woman had ever made him feel this way—no one had ever made him feel so defeated!

He’d been ready to die for her, but couldn’t even get her to spare him a glance!

Yet still, he thought of her, longed for her, obsessed over her!

Song Mi saw the tangled, fervent look on Qiao Yudong’s face, but feigned indifference. “How are you feeling today, Mr. Qiao?”

“Mi’er, you finally deigned to visit me?” The moment he spoke, Qiao Yudong felt an overwhelming ache in his chest.

So damn bitter!