Wen Nian withdrew his gaze, watching Song Lili’s slender figure disappear from view, a faint smile tugging at the corners of his lips.
"Is everything ready?"
Wen Nian put away that hint of a smile and turned around, "Let’s go."
"Yes, your excellency."
After following Wen Liangyu into the house, Old Mr. Wen just rambled on with him about this and that.
Some questions even touched on the Xilin Military Region. Lu Ziqing didn’t understand why an Old President, who had retired from public life, was still so concerned about military affairs. Was it possible he still harbored thoughts of standing in an election at his age?
"If there’s nothing else, Grandpa Wen, I’ll take my leave now."
Lu Ziqing disliked the insincere niceties of officialdom. As a military man, he always trusted his instincts.
This Old President had pulled him away from Song Lili’s side, yet had nothing important to discuss.
Others might regard the Old President’s face as more important than the sky itself, but Lu Ziqing was not one to play along with that.
Wen Liangyu raised an eyebrow, "You’ve just sat down for a few minutes and you’re already impatient?"
Lu Ziqing stood up, "Grandpa Wen, to be frank, I’m only here at your birthday banquet because I managed to squeeze in the time. And now, I need to catch the evening flight back to Xilin. After all, it wouldn’t be appropriate to use military resources for personal matters."
"Lu Ziqing, what are your thoughts about the Song Family’s girl?"
"Grandpa Wen, why would you ask that..."
Lu Ziqing drew in a deep breath, "Grandpa Wen, please don’t interfere with the younger generation’s affairs. Whether I like her or not, with all due respect, you’re overstepping."
"Lu Ziqing, do you realize the tone you’re using with me!"
"Today is your birthday, Grandpa Wen, so it’s best to remain calm. I’m too impatient by nature and won’t stay much longer."
Having said that, Lu Ziqing left the room without concern for whether the Old President was offended.
He thought to himself, he had already offended the current President, so why would he be afraid of offending an Old President nearing eighty?
When he came out of the house, Song Lili had left not long before. Lu Ziqing got into his car and went after her.
He couldn’t shake the feeling that there was something inexplicably harmonious about this birthday banquet. From the moment he arrived until the end, it seemed as though something was missing... something that unsettled him to the core.
The one who drove Song Lili home was the Wen Family’s old driver, Driver Qian. Song Lili recognized him too.
However, this was the first time Driver Qian had seen Song Lili.
With a square face that could only belong to a trustworthy man, Driver Qian, to Song Lili’s memory, had always been dutiful and responsible.
"Miss Song, you live in the Rui Li Garden in Area A, right?"
"I also live in a neighborhood nearby, but... it’s of a much lower class, hehe."
Driver Qian gave a simple, honest laugh.
"You’ve been driving for the Old President for many years now, haven’t you?"
"Yes, the Old President has always been good to me. Over the years, as the Old President has aged, my job has become even more leisurely."
"Driver Qian, you have a son and a daughter at home, right?"
Driver Qian wore a look of surprise.
When Song Lili saw that Driver Qian was the one driving the car, she felt somewhat relieved.
The banquet had been quite oppressive, so she decided to tease Driver Qian,
"Miss Song, you really are different. I’ve driven for the Old President and taken many famous young nobles for rides, but you’re the first one to be so kind to someone like me."