Fatal Desire

Chapter 75 A Passionate Career Mind
It's just a normal question.

So normal that neither Zhao Zongting nor Song Yunyu would have the slightest suspicion and continued their elegant meal.

Song Xi pulled herself back to reality, her long, curled eyelashes fluttering as she casually replied, "Thinking about work."

Zhao Yansen didn't expose him, and asked calmly, "What trouble have you run into?"

“It’s not a big problem, just ordinary market competition.” Song Xi paused for two seconds. “Starting a business is never smooth sailing, and it’s not unusual to encounter troubles.”

This prevented him from asking further questions.

Song Yunyu glanced at Zhao Yansen and said gently to Song Xi, "Xixi, don't bear things on your own. If you have any problems, come to your aunt anytime. If your aunt can't solve them, you can contact your brother."

No matter how much her niece grows up, in her aunt's eyes she will always be that lonely little girl who needs to be taken care of.

Before Zhao Chengyou was born, Song Yunyu was busy with work and handling the affairs of the Zhao family; after Zhao Chengyou was born, Song Yunyu had to take care of her young son, and she had less and less time to spend on Song Xi.

Song Xi was well-behaved and clever, and Zhao Yansen, as her older brother, took good care of her. In the past, Song Yunyu did not feel that she owed her niece anything.

It wasn't until recent years that Song Yunyu began to reflect on whether it was because she spent less time with Song Xi after marrying into the Zhao family that Song Xi felt disheartened and went abroad without hesitation.

Song Xi also felt guilty towards Song Yunyu, feeling that he had been too willful, doing things only according to his own pleasure without considering his aunt's feelings.

Therefore, whether in the past or present, Song Xi may refute Zhao Yansen, but she will never oppose Song Yunyu.

"Okay," Song Xi obediently agreed to her aunt, "I'll call for you if anything happens!"

The little girl's smile was so infectious that Song Yunyu couldn't help but smile back with a gentle smile.

"Mom, you're being unfair." Zhao Chengyou protested against Song Yunyu's double standards. "You told me to handle things myself and not to bother others, but why did you say something different to Sister Xi?"

“You’re like a tile-laying and eaves-carving craftsman; as soon as you put up a ladder, you’re up there in a flash.” Song Yunyu tapped her son’s forehead. “Do I need to tell you?”

"It's just favoritism." Zhao Chengyou turned his head away arrogantly and snorted.

Song Xi couldn't help but laugh and said to Zhao Chengyou, "Auntie doesn't care. If you have any problems, come to your sister and she'll solve them for you."

“Sister Xi is the best.” Zhao Chengyou gave Song Xi a praising look, and the latter raised an eyebrow, indicating that he was right.

Song Yunyu smiled, her tone indulgent: "You guys."

These three sons of the Zhao family are Zhao Zongting, who is gentle and dignified; Zhao Yansen, who is calm and aloof; and Zhao Chengyou, who is precocious and upright. Normally, they would all uphold excellent family education, not speaking while eating or sleeping. Only when Song Xi returned did the solemn courtyard become more lively.

Last night, Zhao Yansen was more intense than ever before, leaving behind many ambiguous traces.

Song Xi was initially worried that Song Yunyu would discover the flaw, but she observed her aunt's reaction and thought she had gotten away with it by observing her aunt's normal expression.

Unexpectedly, her closest family members failed to see through her scheme, but she had nowhere to hide from Qin Fanghao.

Since the filming location was near Chenxing, Song Xi asked Cheng Nian to send a support food truck in Qin Fanghao's name to treat the crew to afternoon tea, including cakes, sandwiches, fruit, and milk tea.

After a two-hour high-level meeting, Song Xi took some time to visit the film set. She did so quietly, only informing Qin Fanghao.

Inside the RV, Qin Fanghao was leaning back in her chair while the makeup artist touched up her makeup, but her foxy eyes were fixed on Song Xi, darting around.

"Alright." Qin Fanghao waved his hand, signaling the makeup artist to leave.

Song Xi lowered her eyes, scrolling through the profiles of well-known lawyers recommended by Song Yunyu on her phone. When she reached the third one, she heard Qin Fanghao ask bluntly, "Have you been having sex lately?" Song Xi almost dropped her phone. She steadied herself and looked up at Qin Fanghao: "Is it that obvious?"

—I really did it!!

Although Qin Fanghao had learned to manage her facial expressions several years ago, she still couldn't hide her surprise when Song Xi admitted it to her.
"It wasn't obvious, it was just my best friend's intuition."

Excellent acting skills stem from life. As an actress, Qin Fanghao enjoys studying the expressions and temperament of everyone. Song Xi was her first subject of study, which is why she was able to quickly capture Song Xi's subtle, almost imperceptible changes.

"Could it be Zuo Ci?" Qin Fanghao asked hesitantly.

Since filming began, Zuo Ci has been trying to get her attention and curry favor every now and then, intentionally or unintentionally asking her about Song Xi. Qin Fanghao could figure out why without even thinking.

“No.” Song Xi replied without hesitation.

"That's good." Qin Fang breathed a sigh of relief and didn't ask who the man was.

Although they have been best friends for many years, they rarely interfere with each other's decisions, and their relationship always follows three principles: respect, support, and protection.

Their tacit understanding remained unchanged. Qin Fanghao didn't ask, and Song Xi didn't say anything.

In the silence, Qin Fanghao stared at Song Xi, vaguely knowing who she had slept with.

It's not hard to guess. Song Xi is quite obsessive when it comes to relationships; apart from that one person, it's unlikely anyone else could catch her eye.

This was Qin Fanghao's first leading role in an idol drama. Regarding the romantic scenes, she referenced Song Xi's character, and the final result was unexpectedly good.

Generally speaking, the deep affection of the male lead in idol dramas is amplified infinitely. His every move, every look, and every change in expression is repeatedly savored by the audience, thus creating a popular male star.

However, in that drama, the female lead received far more attention than the male lead, and it was Qin Fanghao, the female lead, who became a breakout star.

After a long silence, Qin Fanghao took a sip of his Americano and suddenly asked, "Could it be that you came back this time just for him?"

Qin Fanghao didn't name names, but Song Xi understood perfectly and said calmly, "No. I did it for myself."

Qin Fanghao thought she was referring to work, and then suddenly realized.

A passionate career-minded person!

*
The successful development of a new drug, its clinical trials, and regulatory approval are just the beginning; subsequent steps include sales and distribution channels.

When Song Xi returned to the company, before he even entered his office, Cheng Nian, who was at his workstation, stood up and said, "President Song, President Shang has something urgent to discuss with you. It's related to a sales cooperation project."

"Where is he?" Song Xi asked.

"In the office, I'll call President Shang on the internal line right away."

“No need. I’ll go see him.” Song Xi tapped her phone screen with her fingertip. “Contact those lawyers and give me the results of your communication before you leave work.”

Cheng Nian replied with great enthusiasm, "Understood."

"Understand" can replace "I know," it's more concise, and it seems more energetic to read aloud.

Finally, Cheng Nian glanced down at the tasks to be completed on her notebook, then looked up again and said:
"Mr. Song, a lady named Fu Wenxin just called. She says she's an old friend of yours and Mr. Shang's and would like to invite you to dinner. Should we decline?"

(End of this chapter)