Exclusively for You: Chapter 10
Chapter 10: I don't want to continue anymore
✧༝┉˚*❋ ❋*˚┉༝✧
At that time, there was only one thought in Song Li's mind.
If Sheng Mu Ci doesn't leave the hospital soon, she'll eventually be driven to great resentment.
Carrying this deep grudge, Song Li walked out of the hospital room. As she looked out of the window at the end of the hallway, she suddenly realized that the past few days had been continuous rain.
But on this day in Nan Yi, there was no wind, and it was sunny.
Good weather could bring a sense of ease, and Song Li finally didn't feel as down as before.
However, when she saw her quiet WeChat messages at the top, her emotions would still uncontrollably fluctuate.
Anyone could see that Song Li had a heavy heart, and her colleagues would occasionally offer words of concern, except for Wan Yao, who always wore a smug expression.
Whenever someone asked, Wan Yao would pretend to be nonchalant and say, "What else could it be? She must be having a hard time with Mr. Sheng. He's a big shot and wouldn't pay attention to our small hospital. It'd be strange if Song Song didn't feel humiliated."
Song Li just smiled and didn't say much.
She was a patient and easygoing girl, always following the principle of avoiding trouble, believing that enduring a little could make everything pass.
Except when it came to love, it couldn't be muddled.
That evening, Song Li unexpectedly received a WeChat message from "Eating Children Alive."
It was an infographic.
The infographic explained the "Festinger Effect" in psychology, meaning that 10% of events in life are uncontrollable, while the remaining 90% are determined by your mindset.
He had taken the initiative to counsel her; at least he had some humanity.
Song Li lay on her pillow and replied, "To deal with unhappy things, should you try to be more open-minded? Don't let this mere 10% ruin the other 90% of your good mood, is that the idea?"
Eating Children Alive: "No."
Song Li: "..."
Song Li: "Supporting chin.jpg"
She listened attentively.
Half a minute later.
Eating Children Alive: "It means, when dealing with someone with a bad temper, should you be more stubborn than them?"
"..." He was rough with words but not without reason.
For some reason, Song Li found herself wanting to laugh.
Afterward, she began to think. Why did Jin Shiwen continue to be cold to her when he could resolve the issue with a few words? It felt like she had committed a huge mistake and was locked in an ice cellar.
She didn't like this at all.
However, this situation would end on the night before taking wedding photos.
-
On this night, Song Li stayed late in the hospital, practicing stitching and knots with a model in the office. It was almost 9:30 PM when she prepared to catch the subway home. As she packed her things, she received a phone call.
It was a call from Jin Shiwen's mother.
"Li Li, have you been tired from work lately?"
"It's been a while since we've seen you. How about coming over with Shiwen when you're free? Auntie will make your favorite sweet and sour fish."
"By the way, you're taking wedding photos tomorrow. Auntie and the others have already made arrangements. You can go there in the morning."
"Shiwen is just like his dad. When he's busy with work, he loses track of everything. You must remind him, it's an important event, don't let him forget."
"Ah, Li Li, when Shiwen was just born, your mom used to say that she wanted to have a daughter and marry her off to Shiwen. So, you and Shiwen being together fulfilled your mom's wish... And your grandma, she must be very happy..."
(T/E: The gaslighting...🙄)
In the face of someone who raised her despite not being related, Song Li couldn't be firm. She felt grateful, so the higher Jin's mother's expectations, the harder it was for her to speak about her disagreements with Jin Shiwen.
Moreover, Jin's mother mentioned her mom and grandma.
Song Li remained silent, then softly said, "Understood, Aunt Jin."
This phone call seemed to label their relationship with filial piety. How heartless must you be to disregard your birth mother's wishes and the expectations of the elderly, and to break up with Jin Shiwen?
The thought of breaking up that Song Li had just contemplated was abruptly cut off.
After getting home and freshening up, Song Li huddled on the small sofa in her bedroom, staring at her phone screen, wrestling with her thoughts for a long time.
The conflicts that had arisen had planted deep-seated grievances in Song Li's heart. She often questioned whether this relationship had reached the point of marriage, but could it truly blossom?
No one knew how it would end.
This relationship began in their student days, born from what they called "secret love." The innocence of youth allowed them to remember every bit of each other's goodness.
After graduation, what she thought was once secret love had gradually faded without her realizing it.
At this point, Song Li was somewhat hesitant.
But Jin's mother's words had pushed her with a mixture of gentleness and thorns. After careful consideration, Song Li took a deep breath and dialed Jin Shiwen's number.
Having not seen each other for over a week, what should be the first thing she said?
Should she address the events of that night first?
Before Song Li could decide, the call connected, and a faint "Hello" came from the other side.
Hearing his voice, Song Li nervously fell silent.
She didn't want to be in a subservient or controlled position, but she had been dependent on others for years and found it hard to stand her ground.
"It's me," Song Li meekly replied.
She braced herself for his coldness.
"I know, it shows on the caller ID. Why are you calling this late?" Jin Shiwen's tone was casual. "You should be sleeping."
Honestly, Song Li felt relieved at that moment.
She thought they could finally have a calm conversation.
However, Jin Shiwen's next words instantly shattered her hopes, leaving her feeling even worse.
"What do you want?" he asked nonchalantly.
Song Li choked on the words that had just come to her throat. The emotions she had immersed herself in for the past few days shattered in an instant.
It was an indescribable feeling of discomfort.
It turned out she was the only one who had been carrying the weight of their dispute for days, and he had long forgotten it.
Song Li suddenly realized how foolish she had been to brood unilaterally for so many days, staring at her phone absentmindedly.
"Oh, it's nothing," Song Li repressed what she intended to say, trying to keep her tone from sounding too harsh. "Tomorrow... we have a wedding photoshoot. Auntie wanted me to remind you."
"Yeah, I know. I'll pick you up tomorrow morning."
"Okay." Song Li fiddled with her phone's keys, hesitated, and then struggled to speak. "About that night..."
She wanted to bring up that evening's events, but before she could say anything, Jin Shiwen interrupted her, "I have a business meeting that day. Be well and get some rest."
Song Li was momentarily stunned.
It seemed like he hadn't given it much thought.
"...Alright, goodnight," she said.
"Goodnight."
The floor lamp quietly casts a dim, yellowish halo. Song Li sat alone on the sofa, placing her phone down without a word.
This matter seemed to be brushed aside, yet not quite.
Song Li still felt a sense of discomfort, like a small thorn stuck in her nail gap. It wasn't painful, and Jin Shiwen had chosen to ignore it, but it was still there, unremoved.
She thought about it for a long time.
Before going to sleep, Song Li messaged her grandmother on WeChat, "Grandma, how have you been lately? Tomorrow, Shiwen and I are going to take wedding photos. The hospital has been busy this month, but as soon as I have time, I'll come to see you."
After sending the message, Song Li lay down on the bed.
Song Li frequently sent short messages to her grandmother, mainly words of comfort and updates on daily life. If you scrolled through the message history, you would find it was mostly one-sided.
She has received very few replies.
After a night of contemplation, Song Li was still torn about whether to forget about this unpleasant incident. To her surprise, things took an unfavorable turn.
Early the next morning, his assistant was the one to pick her up at Lu Zhi Garden.
Jin Shiwen was not there.
"The partners from this morning just arrived in Nan Yi, and CEO Jin can't leave right now. I'll take you for makeup and hair first," the young male assistant explained to her.
Song Li remained silent for a moment and then asked, "Is this a very important person?"
"Yes, very important."
The assistant, aware of the bride's soft temperament, felt a bit uneasy and added, "It's the head of the Sheng Group."
Sheng? What could the Jin family have to do with Sheng?
It was sudden and strange. However, Song Li didn't ask further. Her voice carried a suppressed calmness as she replied briefly and then sat quietly in the back seat.
Truth be told, Song Li had mixed feelings about today's wedding photoshoot, especially with Jin Shiwen's absence.
The photo studio that Jin's mother had booked was among the top in the country, and the makeup artist assigned to Song Li was undoubtedly one of the best in the industry.
Hair and makeup took nearly two hours.
With the curtain of the fitting room drawn aside, the bride inside looked elegant, with a white off-shoulder gown and a sparkling crystal-studded train. Her long hair was half-tied and half-undone, adorned with a delicate pearl tiara, and the hair ends were curled into gentle waves.
She appeared like a noble heiress from a novel, stunning the entire photo crew.
Amid the praises, Song Li merely smiled with indifference.
She had once heard that a good man would shed tears three times in his life: at birth, at the moment he saw his beloved wearing a wedding dress, and in grief after his parents passed away.
Jin Shiwen is currently experiencing the second one, but he wasn't here.
So, who was she wearing this splendid wedding gown for?
"Mrs. Jin, shall we go to the garden downstairs for a few solo photos first? That way, when your husband arrives, we can proceed faster," the chief photographer came over to communicate, interrupting her thoughts.
Despite her reluctance, Song Li agreed. Even though the sun was shining, it was still cold outside due to the autumn breeze.
At a little past eleven in the afternoon, after finally finishing several sets of individual photos, Song Li's nose had turned red from the cold, and her fingers were almost numb. Just as she was about to go back upstairs to wait, she met the assistant in a hurry.
"Miss Song..."
Song Li couldn't help but shiver in the cold. She had been waiting in the cold wind for so long, and even the best temper would have its limits.
"Is he still busy?" She emphasized the word "still."
The assistant seemed hesitant to speak: "Director Chen invited CEO Jin for a last-minute dinner. You know, it's the Sheng family, and it's hard to refuse..."
Song Li frowned lightly.
"Director Jin suggests that you change into regular clothes, and he'll take you there. We'll reschedule the wedding photos for another time."
The assistant's tone was gentle, but it couldn't ease the sadness this situation brought to Song Li.
The wind pierced through her skin, chilling her to the core.
Suddenly, Song Li felt a drop in her blood sugar, her vision darkened for a moment, and she closed her eyes, hugging herself as she slowly crouched down.
The wedding dress had a voluminous train, and she felt trapped in the middle, like a fallen flower unable to hold on, feeling tired, hopeless, and lacking the strength to fight.
All the grievances that had built up until this moment burst like an uncontrollable floodgate, washing away Song Li's usual understanding and patient demeanor.
Song Li was perplexed.
Why did she only feel a sense of despair in this relationship, over and over again?
Perhaps she and Jin Shiwen were just two wrong puzzle pieces, and no matter how much she compromised, they couldn't fit together.
At this moment, Song Li felt an unprecedented exhaustion.
A strong thought resurfaced in her mind – she didn't want to continue anymore.
...
It was also during this afternoon.
A military green off-road vehicle was speeding through the crowded city streets, heading straight to its destination.
"Why did you have to come in person? Is your back still okay?" In the passenger seat, Cheng Gui wore a stern expression.
Xu Yan, skillfully handling the steering wheel, answered for Sheng Mu Ci, "That guy Sheng Yanxiao is waiting for Third Brother to be preoccupied. He's taking the opportunity to conspire with the Jin family. If Third Brother doesn't go, they'll have a field day!"
"If Third Brother doesn't agree to the Second Hospital's acquisition, can the resolution still pass?"
"Old Cheng, you don't understand. The headquarters won't agree, so Sheng Yanxiao probably wants to go in his personal capacity. That's why he needs to partner with the Jin family."
"So, are they going to play rough? Trying to send your Third Brother away?" Cheng was more concerned about someone's well-being than business matters.
Xu Yan coughed awkwardly and asked the person in the back seat, "Third Brother, are you holding up alright?"
Sheng Mu Ci closed his eyes, leaning back in his seat, supporting his lower back under pressure. He was dressed in all black, and with his right arm in a sling, his dark suit jacket hung over his shoulders.
This formal suit, on him, didn't exude even a hint of gentlemanly charm; instead, it accentuated his intense and fierce aura.
Like an untouchable underworld boss.
"Drive."
Sheng Mu Ci's voice was cold, short, and sharp.
Thirty minutes ago, they received news that Chen Geng, the project director of the Sheng Corporation, had secretly arrived in Nan Yi to negotiate a joint venture with the Jin Corporation regarding the acquisition of the Second Hospital.
Chen Geng was Sheng Yanxiao's henchman.
Sheng Mu Ci had deep knowledge of what kind of person his half-brother, with the same father but different mother, was. Dignified in appearance, but despicable on the inside; his character could be summarized in eight words.
Sheng Yanxiao aimed to gain controlling shares of the Second Hospital in Nan Yi to expand the market for his pharmaceutical companies and secure valuable resources.
Profit was the driving force, disregarding the problems of restructuring and the high drug prices faced by the public.
Sheng Mu Ci couldn't claim to be noble himself, perhaps he was equally dark, but since he chose to leave the military academy, it was time for Sheng Yanxiao's era of monopolizing the business world to end.
Regardless of his mindset, he had made up his mind.
Leaning on the windowsill with his left elbow, Sheng Mu Ci glanced at his wristwatch.
Half-past eleven.
After a moment of silence, he suddenly said, "Tell Dr. Song not to come for lunch."
Outside the window, the evergreen camphor trees on both sides of the sidewalk rapidly retreated, passing like shadows. In passing, his peripheral vision caught a European-style building, hidden behind the countless olive greens.
The logo on the outer wall was quite eye-catching.
Deja vu Premium Custom Wedding Photography.
As the vehicle continued forward, not far across the sidewalk, a familiar figure happened to enter his field of vision, caught in an instant.
Sheng Mu Ci froze for a moment, his gaze focused.
The car window rolled down, making the colors in his sight clearer.
A thin white wedding dress, like silk from the Jiangnan region, was screen-red bananas, green plums not yet fallen. Bathed in the sunlight, it carried a touch of gentleness.
'deja-vu,' roughly meaning a feeling of déjà vu, a sense of familiarity in a situation.
Just like her squatting there at this moment.
His memory followed her lonely figure, going back more than ten years to that night when he returned on a bicycle to the courtyard, seeing a little girl in a white dress, crouching under an orange light...
"Dr. Song happened to take a day off today, saying she has personal matters."
At the same time, Sheng Mu Ci heard Xu Yan's words.
A red traffic light at the intersection lit up, giving the vehicles a moment of pause.
Xu Yan was anxious and irritable, tapping the steering wheel, looking left and right. Suddenly, he exclaimed, "Isn't that Dr. Song over there?"
He pressed his face against the window, "It really is!"
The situation was self-evident, and Xu Yan's mind immediately became clear, muttering in regret, "Damn, so Dr. Song is already taken..."
'"Did you ever have a chance?" Cheng Gui glanced at him.
"I didn't," Xu Yan stubbornly pointed outside, "Look at Dr. Song, doesn't she look like she's running away from the groom?'
Cheng Gui calmly said, "I don't know if she's running away, but the light is about to turn green."
'...'
As the car started again, it passed her in just two seconds.
However, Sheng Mu Ci's gaze continued to follow, and her white figure, along with the receding camphor trees, disappeared completely.
Suddenly, he heard his own voice.
"Turn around."
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