The CEO's Courtship Diary

Nightmare 2

In her dream, Yinqi Qing witnessed her ethereal mother slowly approaching the window, her lithe figure pausing abruptly. With a deliberate motion, her slender form pivoted, revealing a countenance as pallid as paper, devoid of the slightest hint of color. She lowered herself slowly, her voice trembling as she reached out to the seven-year-old Yinqi Qing, saying, "Qing'er, forgive me. In the days to come, I shall not be by your side. You must take care of yourself." White Yun choked back tears, her gaze suddenly turning to the doorway, where a sense of bitterness pervaded her lost expression. Clutching Yinqi Qing's shoulder tightly, she uttered with force, "Qing'er, remember, do not place your trust in the honeyed words of men, nor in the illusions of love. Remember the words your mother has spoken! My poor child! Farewell!" With her speech concluded, White Yun pushed Yinqi Qing to the ground and leapt out of the window herself. Seven-year-old Yinqi Qing stared vacantly at the scene, hearing only a deafening crash as she peered anxiously downward, witnessing nothing but crimson blood staining the ground alongside her mother's lifeless body...

"No..." Yinqi Qing awoke in terror, sitting up in bed, clutching her nightclothes tightly to her chest. Beads of cold sweat dripped from her forehead, falling with a hollow "plink" onto the blanket. She gasped for breath, unable to fathom the contents of her dream. Glancing at the clock on the bedside table, she noted that it was almost seven o'clock.

Yinqi Qing, rising from her bed, stood by the window, her form leaning against the wall. She watched as the dawn's light began to break through the veil of darkness, heralding the arrival of a new day. In the early morning of autumn, a gentle breeze whispered through the air, causing Yinqi Qing to tremble involuntarily. She turned and made her way to the bathroom, determined to visit the children at the orphanage.

The phone on the table continued to ring incessantly, but Leng Haoyu cast a cold glance at it before burying his head beneath the pillow, covering his ears.

"Erm... Haoyu, what are you up to? Refusing to answer the phone?! Could it be... heh, heh, are you avoiding it? If you won't answer, then I'll just keep calling until you do!" Pei Yun stared at the phone, a hint of cunning flashing in his eyes as his lips curled slowly upward.

"Ring, ring..." The phone persisted in its ringing, prompting Leng Haoyu to sit up abruptly, casting the pillow aside with determination. Picking up the phone, he uttered through gritted teeth, "Hello, Pei... Yun, you'd better have something important to say, or else..." The words practically squeezed out from between his teeth.

Pei Yun had anticipated his response. "So, what's the verdict? Shall we settle it like we did in our childhood, with a brawl? Ha... It's already this late, and with your temperament, you should have been awake by now. Why are you still in bed, I wonder...?"

"What's the implication? Kid, did you call just to ask that? Get to the point, or else, I won't go easy on you, this solitary figure of mine!" Leng Haoyu felt as though several crows had flown over his head—was this the consequence of befriending the wrong sort?

"It's all for your benefit, my friend. The crux of the matter is this: you mentioned meeting my girlfriend, did you not? Therefore, you shall join me for dinner at my place tonight. I'll introduce you to a girlfriend, just to assuage your envy! Very well, see you tonight, farewell!" Hearing the phrase "solitary figure," Pei Yun became wary, swiftly changing tack. Otherwise, with Leng Haoyu's penchant for mischief, he would surely bid adieu to him on behalf of Song Zhiqiao.

"You scoundrel, are you hanging up so swiftly? Do I still need your introduction? With just that utterance of yours, you're already leaving me in the lurch. Tonight, I assure you, you won't get off lightly!" Leng Haoyu muttered to himself, a sinister smile creeping onto his gloomy face.

"Heh, who's cursing me?" Pei Yun shrugged, watching Song Zhiqiao bustling about, a smile of contentment playing on his lips.

"Hey, Pei Yun, come and lend a hand, it's all because of you that I'm so busy! I solemnly caution you, do not broach the subject of introducing a boyfriend to Qing'er in front of her. Should you dare, beware, I shall sever ties with you!" Song Zhiqiao stood solemnly before Pei Yun, slender fingers pointing toward her beloved.

"I was merely jesting, but do I not entertain such thoughts? Why should it be f*******n? Qing'er hasn't even found a boyfriend yet. If she remains single, when will she marry? And if you insist on waiting until she does, then when shall I have the opportunity

to marry you?" Pei Yun confidently grasped Song Zhiqiao's delicate and tender hand, speaking forthrightly, though he failed to notice her expression.

"If I ask you not to mention it, then don't. Yun, there are matters concerning Qing'er that are private and not for me to disclose. I understand your desire to marry, but our relationship is still in its infancy. I am also concerned about Qing'er; it hasn't been long since we began our courtship, and I am apprehensive about her being on her own. Please, do not pressure me! If your family pressures you into marriage, and you decide to break up with me, I won't hold it against you!" Song Zhiqiao, irritated, looked Pei Yun squarely in the eye as she spoke calmly.

"Qiao qiao, in my life, in my heart, there is only you, forever and always. If you do not wish to marry, I respect your decision! I know you care deeply about Qing'er and are anxious about anything concerning her. Though there are matters of which I am unaware, I am willing to wait!" Pei Yun pointed to his heart with his slender fingers, his gaze filled with affection as he looked into Song Zhiqiao's eyes.

"Yun... meeting you in this lifetime is my good fortune. You are the only one for me!" Tears of emotion welled up in Song Zhiqiao's eyes as she mirrored Pei Yun's gesture, pointing to her heart. With that, she blushed and ran off.

"Heh, the only one... Qiao qiao, don't run away!" Pei Yun called out happily, grabbing the fleeing Song Zhiqiao and embracing her excitedly.

"Yun, I can't breathe, let go of me, I haven't called Qing'er yet!"

"Qiao qiao, are you alright?" Pei Yun looked at the blushing Song Zhiqiao with concern.

"I'm fine, I'll call Qing'er first. You tidy up for dinner tonight!"

"Yes, madam!" Pei Yun dashed into the kitchen like a gust of wind.

Song Zhiqiao looked surprised at first, but then a cute smile spread across her face.

"Sister Qing'er, look at the clouds in the sky, they're so beautiful! Over there, they look like little sheep, and here, they resemble horses... hehe!" Xiaoxue pointed at the clear sky, giggling joyfully.

"Yes, but Sister Qing'er loves seeing Xiaoxue smile the most!" Yinqi Qing played with the sickly Xiaoxue in the grass, because Aunt Chen said that it's good for sick people to walk more.

"I knew Sister Qing'er is the best to me, always knows how to make Xiaoxue happy!" Xiaoxue happily pinched Yinqi Qing's cheek!

Yinqi Qing looked affectionately at Xiaoxue, pinching her pale face thoughtfully. "Xiaoxue, shall we go back now? Sister Qing'er still has things to do!"

"Yes, okay, Sister Qing'er, remember to come and accompany Xiaoxue more often!" Yinqi Qing nodded.

After Yinqi Qing dropped Xiaoxue off at the orphanage, she went to the small hill behind the orphanage. She remembered that she used to love playing here with Qiao qiao when she was young. Only here could she forget all her unhappiness!