Chapter 126: Side Story 14
Cai Ying’s father had been working tirelessly on a new business proposal, a crucial bid for a government contract, the pressure and long hours taking a toll on his health, resulting in a sudden collapse.
Cai Ying had been visiting a factory with Zhou Qing when she received the news.
On their way to the hospital, Cai Ying sat in the back seat of the car, the window slightly ajar, the cool breeze a welcome distraction from the oppressive heat of her anxiety.
She stared out the window, lost in thought, her silence a heavy weight in the car.
After a while, she felt a warm hand on hers, and Zhou Qing’s voice, soft and soothing, said, “It’ll be okay.”
Tears welled up in Cai Ying’s eyes, her voice trembling slightly. “Senior, I’m scared. I know he’ll be fine, but I’m still scared,” she whispered.
Zhou Qing’s hand tightened around hers, and after a moment, she moved closer, her arm gently circling Cai Ying’s shoulders, pulling her into a hug.
Cai Ying’s tears fell, staining Zhou Qing’s crisp white shirt, the dark spots like ink blots on a canvas.
Zhou Qing gently wiped away her tears, her own cheeks flushed, her heart aching, her hand trembling slightly.
“Don’t be afraid. I’m here,” she whispered, her voice firm and reassuring.
Cai Ying leaned her head against Zhou Qing’s shoulder, her voice muffled. “He’s all I have left.”
“I know,” Zhou Qing murmured, her hand gently patting Cai Ying’s arm, then, after a moment, she said, her voice soft and soothing, “We’ll be at the hospital in five minutes. Dry your tears. Your father will be worried if he sees you like this.” She took a tissue from her bag and gently wiped Cai Ying’s cheeks, her touch light and tender.
Cai Ying sniffled, taking the tissue, her eyes glistening with tears. She glanced down at the damp stains on Zhou Qing’s shirt. “I’m sorry. I ruined your shirt,” she mumbled.
Zhou Qing smiled faintly. “It’s just a shirt. It’s meant to be worn, even stained.”
Cai Ying, her heart warming at her gentle words, her lips curving into a small smile, a flicker of warmth returning to her eyes, chuckled softly.
Zhou Qing, seeing her mood lighten, said, “Ying Ying.”
Cai Ying looked at her.
“Don’t worry. I’ll be here for you,” Zhou Qing said, her voice sincere, her gaze meeting Cai Ying’s.
Cai Ying’s eyelashes fluttered like butterfly wings, her lips trembling slightly, her tear-streaked face making her look strangely vulnerable. Zhou Qing gently wiped away another tear. “It’s okay,” she murmured.
At the hospital, after touching up her makeup to hide the puffiness around her eyes, Cai Ying entered her father’s room, her earlier composure crumbling at the sight of him lying in bed, his face pale, his eyes closed.
She rushed to his side. “Dad! What happened? Why didn’t you tell me you weren’t feeling well?”
He opened his eyes, his voice weak. “My dear girl, I’m fine. Just a little dizzy. Nothing serious. I’ll be discharged tomorrow.”
“Discharged? No way! I just talked to the doctor. You need to rest! Your heart…” Cai Ying said, her voice thick with emotion, fresh tears welling up in her eyes. “Don’t even think about leaving the hospital until the doctor says it’s okay! Or I’ll stay here and watch you!”
Her father’s heart ached, seeing her distress. “Why are you crying? I’m not dead yet. It’s okay, I’m fine,” he said, his voice soothing.
Cai Ying, unable to bear his words, slammed her hand against the bed, the impact jarring her hand, and she winced, pulling it back, her face flushed with pain.
The sudden pain made her cry even harder. “Don’t say that! You’re not going to die! You’ll live to be a hundred!”
Her father frowned, his heart aching at the sight of her tears, his hand gently covering hers. “Does it hurt? Okay, okay, I won’t say it again,” he said, his gaze shifting from Cai Ying to Zhou Qing, who had quietly approached, her face etched with concern. He understood. He held Cai Ying’s hand. “So clumsy. You’ll have a bruise tomorrow.”
“It’s your fault for saying such things,” Cai Ying retorted, her voice still slightly choked with sobs.
After a while, her tears subsided as her father reassured her, but when he mentioned being discharged tomorrow, insisting on attending the bid opening, she protested. “I can go!”
He hesitated. “But you’ve never handled something like this on your own…”
“I can do it! And besides, with Senior here, there’s nothing to worry about,” she said firmly. “You’re in no condition to work! I won’t let you go!”
Zhou Qing stepped forward, standing beside Cai Ying. “Mr. Cai, please rest. She can handle this,” she said, her voice gentle, her gaze lingering on Cai Ying’s bruised hand.
He finally relented.
“Alright, you’ve been doing well lately, taking on more responsibilities, and with Zhou Qing’s assistance, I’m not worried,” he said, taking a sip of water from the glass Zhou Qing offered him. “But the Han Corporation is also bidding on this project. Be careful. But don’t stress too much. Even if we don’t win, it’s not the end of the world,” he added, his gaze flickering towards Cai Ying, his words a subtle test.
He hadn’t wanted Cai Ying to be involved in this particular bid, her previous interactions with Han Wenling having been mostly social, this one a direct confrontation, a potential conflict, but he also knew she would have to face her eventually.
He was relieved to see Cai Ying’s calm reaction. “I know, Dad. Just focus on getting better,” she said, nodding.
Back in the car, Cai Ying immediately opened the bidding documents on her tablet.
“Ying Ying, let me see your hand,” Zhou Qing said, her voice soft, interrupting Cai Ying’s frantic reading.
Cai Ying looked at her, puzzled.
Zhou Qing was holding a small ice pack wrapped in a handkerchief.
She offered it to Cai Ying, gently taking her hand and placing the ice pack on her bruised knuckles.
Cai Ying, looking at her, her heart warming at her gentle touch, her concerned expression, her earlobes slightly pink, said, “I’m fine, Senior.”
“Just let me ice it for a bit,” Zhou Qing replied, her voice soothing.
Cai Ying bit her lip, a strange warmth spreading through her, a feeling she couldn’t quite define, and she didn’t say anything more.
She had grown accustomed to Zhou Qing’s presence, her quiet strength and unwavering support a comforting constant in her life.
Cai Ying, remembering her father’s mention of the Han Corporation’s involvement, suddenly felt a surge of anxiety. “Senior, do you think we can win?” she asked. The bid opening was a week away.
While she had sounded confident in front of her father, this was her first major project, and she couldn’t help but feel nervous.
“I think so,” Zhou Qing replied, her voice calm and reassuring.
“Just… ‘think so’?”
Zhou Qing smiled faintly. “Let’s not put too much pressure on ourselves. As long as we do our best, that’s all that matters, right?”
Cai Ying’s anxiety eased slightly at her words.
Even Xu Jinnan had said that success rarely came easily, and that failure wasn’t the end of the world.
There would always be another opportunity.
For the next few days, Cai Ying and Zhou Qing worked tirelessly with their team, preparing for the bid opening.
The day before the event, they took their team out for a celebratory lunch.
“The Han Corporation is our biggest competitor, right?” one of the team members commented.
“If it weren’t for them, we would definitely win this bid!” another added.
“Let’s just focus on doing our best,” Cai Ying said. “We’ll leave the rest to fate.”
“You’re right, Cai Zong. Let’s toast to our leader!”
They raised their glasses, and someone, noticing the juice in Zhou Qing’s glass, said, “Zhou Qing, it’s a special occasion. Have a drink with us!”
Before Zhou Qing could reply, Cai Ying said, “Leave her alone. She doesn’t drink.”
A chorus of groans followed. “Cai Zong is clearly biased,” one of them teased.
“Someone should play ‘Elope to the Moon’,” another suggested, referring to a popular love song.
As they continued their playful banter, Zhou Qing coughed slightly, poured a small amount of wine into her glass, and drank it without a word.
Cai Ying immediately grabbed her wrist. “Enough, you guys. Order your food before it’s too late,” she said, her voice slightly sharp.
“It’s fine. A little won’t hurt,” Zhou Qing said softly.
“No, it’s not,” Cai Ying replied firmly.
Zhou Qing’s heart warmed at her protectiveness.
The others, sensing the shift in atmosphere, quickly changed the subject.
“Han Wenling will be there herself, right? For such a big project?”
“Yes, I heard the Han Corporation is also quite busy lately,” someone replied. “Good thing the Xu Corporation isn’t involved. It would be even more competitive.”
Those who knew about the rumors between Cai Ying and Han Wenling quickly changed the subject again.
“Who cares about them? Our Cai Zong is the best!”
Zhou Qing glanced at Cai Ying, her expression unchanged.
They had encountered Han Wenling several times in the past few years, during business dealings, and Cai Ying had always been composed, professional.
Their last encounter had been two months ago, at a birthday party for a business associate, Zhou Qing accompanying Cai Ying.
Zhou Qing, her features delicate and elegant, her presence a calming contrast to Cai Ying’s vibrant energy, had been standing with Cai Ying when Han Wenling, emerging from the crowd, had walked towards them…
Han Wenling had paused, her eyes widening slightly, then she had approached them, her voice soft. “Long time no see,” she had said.
“Mr. Han,” Cai Ying had replied coldly.
Zhou Qing’s thoughts returned to the present, and she poured Cai Ying a glass of warm water, placing it beside her.
Lunch continued.
At the same time, Han Wenling’s secretary said, “Mr. Han, it’s lunchtime.”
Han Wenling, her gaze fixed on the document in front of her, didn’t look up.
It was a proposal for the upcoming bid, a strategy to counter Cai Ying’s company.
Her finger unconsciously traced the name of the CEO, a familiar name that made her heart ache.
Cai Ying.
