After a major overhaul, Ding Sheng Group, under Shen Chi Yan's leadership, took another significant step forward.
In addition to domestic projects, overseas ventures were also proceeding at full steam.
Shen Chi Yan flew around the world, extremely busy.
He did not fear hardship or exhaustion, but he dreaded being separated from Song Qi Nian.
He regretted letting Song Qi Nian leave Ding Sheng Group back then. If he had known, he would have kept her by his side as his secretary forever, following him wherever he went.
But now that Song Qi Nian had achieved some success in her field, seeing the smile on her face when her publications were adapted into movies made her appear incredibly captivating.
When Shen Ke Qin learned that Shen Chi Yan was often on business trips, she grabbed Song Qi Nian's arm and complained, "Sister-in-law, how long is my brother going to Country Y? Will he be back for my birthday?"
Song Qi Nian smiled and patted her head, "Don't worry, he said he'll make it back."
"Heh heh… That's good. But it's okay if he really can't make it, as long as the gift arrives."
"Your brother will be heartbroken to hear that."
Shen Ke Qin pouted and chuckled. After buying clothes for Zan Zan, the two went to eat at a restaurant in the mall, where they unexpectedly encountered Guan Ming Xu on a blind date.
The girl opposite Guan Ming Xu was quite pretty, but Guan Ming Xu clearly had no interest, constantly looking at his phone.
The girl felt ignored and offended. She picked up the water on the table and splashed it forcefully onto Guan Ming Xu's face, "Young Master Guan, if you don't want to go on a blind date, you don't have to come. What are you doing looking like this if you're here?"
After speaking, the girl angrily grabbed her bag and left.
Shen Ke Qin covered her mouth and laughed, "Wonderful! I didn't expect to see such a scene today."
Guan Ming Xu picked up the paper towels on the table and slowly wiped the water from his face, then made a phone call.
"Mom! Don't arrange any more blind dates for me. If you like being a matchmaker so much, go find my second brother. He's not married, so I'll never get married!"
Unsure what the person on the other end said, she exclaimed in surprise, "What did you say? Second brother is getting engaged soon? With whom? How come I didn't know?"
"Sheng Jiao Jiao? The one who visited my second brother every month while he was in prison?"
Song Qi Nian didn't want to eavesdrop, but Shen Ke Qin wasn't leaving and was pulling her along to watch the drama. After a moment of hesitation, she heard such explosive news.
Guan Yang was going to get engaged to someone named Sheng Jiao Jiao?
What about Yu Xin?
As Song Qi Nian was thinking, Shen Ke Qin suddenly ran out, "Yo, Guan Zi, long time no see. You're already dating and getting married? That was quick!"
When Guan Ming Xu saw the two of them, his face showed some embarrassment. Why did he have to run into them when he was in such a disheveled state?
Guan Ming Xu coughed lightly, greeted Song Qi Nian first, and then said helplessly, "It's all my mom. I don't know what she's in such a hurry about. I'm only twenty-five and she's making me go on blind dates. I'm almost driven crazy by her."
Shen Ke Qin spoke with the air of someone experienced, "What else could she be in a hurry for? Of course, she's eager to hold her grandson. Since your eldest brother is gay and your second brother is a playboy, the responsibility of continuing the family line has fallen on you. Speaking of which, Guan Zi, if you get married and have kids, you better have a lot! Then you can recognize me as godmother, and I'll take them for a spin."
Seeing Shen Ke Qin's smug tone, Guan Ming Xu snorted with pride, "Heh heh… My second brother is getting engaged soon. Once he's married, my mom won't pressure me anymore."
As he spoke, he seemed to recall something and cautiously glanced at Song Qi Nian.
At this moment, Shen Ke Qin also realized the crux of the issue. She frowned and asked, "Your second brother is getting engaged? What about Mu Yu Xin?"
Mu Yu Xin was Song Qi Nian's best friend. Guan Ming Xu didn't want the matter between Guan Yang and Mu Yu Xin to create a rift between him and Song Qi Nian. He mumbled helplessly, "How would I know?"
Actually, it was easy to guess. Guan Yang hated Mu Yu Xin so much, how could he possibly marry her?
Even if Guan Yang had feelings for Mu Yu Xin when they were in school, the feelings he harbored after spending so many years in prison because of her had long since turned into intense hatred.
Song Qi Nian said nothing. After leaving the mall, she called Mu Yu Xin, only to find that Mu Yu Xin's phone was switched off.
She had been able to contact her before, so why couldn't she now?
Had Yu Xin encountered danger?
Song Qi Nian called Nini at the dessert shop and learned that the dessert shop was gone.
Song Qi Nian's unease grew, "The dessert shop had problems, why didn't you find me?"
"I wanted to, but you were too busy at the time, and the boss told me not to bother you, saying she would handle it herself. Then, the boss also disappeared."
It was obvious without thinking that the dessert shop incident was Guan Yang's doing. He had said he would make Yu Xin lose everything, and he certainly wouldn't be joking.
What exactly happened between those two?
Guan Yang had destroyed Yu Xin's most cherished career!
After much thought, Song Qi Nian still felt she had to see Mu Yu Xin. She couldn't bring herself to find Guan Ming Xu again, so she asked Shen Chi Yan to investigate Yu Xin's location.
Afterward, she drove to the villa where Mu Yu Xin was staying.
Seeing the bodyguards in black standing outside, Song Qi Nian's brows furrowed deeply. Guan Yang was truly afraid Yu Xin would run away, so he hired bodyguards to watch her.
As she got out of the car and approached the villa, she was stopped by two people, "Who?"
"I'm Mu Yu Xin's friend."
"Go away! Without the boss's permission, no one can enter!"
"I have Guan Yang's permission to be here, let me through!"
Just as the bodyguards were about to forcefully remove her, their phones suddenly rang. It was Guan Yang calling.
"Let her in. After half an hour, tell her to leave!"
Guan Yang's tone was unpleasant. If Shen Chi Yan hadn't called him personally, he wouldn't have wanted Song Qi Nian and Mu Yu Xin to meet.
Upon receiving Guan Yang's call, the bodyguards respectfully ushered Song Qi Nian into the villa.
Mu Yu Xin was being held in the villa by Guan Yang, like a caged canary. She could only see her immediate surroundings; she couldn't leave, and no one except Guan Yang could enter.
And each time Guan Yang came, his purpose was only one: to vent.
No matter how unwilling or in pain she was, as long as he desired it, she had to lie down and let him vent.
Resisting only brought her more pain with no benefit.
Occasionally, Guan Yang would let her out, but it was always to accompany him for drinks or to humiliate her in front of his acquaintances.
She used to believe that no matter how difficult life was, there would always be a glimmer of hope. Now, her vision was shrouded in gray, and she couldn't see even a sliver of light.