Song Weiwei’s steps were hurried, and she kept glancing around. Song Qiaoan followed from a distance all the way to a remote state-owned restaurant.
Song Weiwei went straight up to a private room on the second floor as if she were very familiar with the place. She was alone the entire time the man never showed up, either because he was already waiting inside or hadn’t arrived yet.
Song Qiaoan frowned. If they were meeting in a private room, how was she supposed to take photos?
She found a waitress a young girl who had just graduated, quick-witted and full of youthful kindness and enthusiasm.
Song Qiaoan went up to her, adding embellishments as she tearfully told her story. After hearing about her “husband cheating during pregnancy” and her “mother-in-law making things difficult,” the girl was instantly filled with righteous anger and agreed to help without hesitation.
“If it’s inconvenient for you, forget it. I don’t want to put you in a difficult position,” Song Qiaoan said, wiping her tears.
“It’s no trouble at all. I’ll just go in to refill the tea it’s perfectly reasonable,” the girl said, holding her hand with a serious expression.
“Stay strong, sister. It’s not worth being sad over a scumbag!”
Moved, Song Qiaoan nodded. She hid the camera on a tray, covering it with a cloth so only the lens was exposed. A teapot and cups were placed in front, making it very discreet impossible to notice.
All they needed to do was press the shutter through the cloth.
The girl carried the tray to the private room and, being cautious, first leaned against the door to listen.
Inside came the ambiguous laughter and chatter of a man and a woman. Thinking of Song Qiaoan’s earlier story, she became furious.
The voices inside grew quieter, replaced by soft moans and the rustling of clothes.
Now.
She pushed the door open with the tray and rapidly pressed the shutter button with her thumb.
Song Weiwei was nestled in the man’s arms, her eyes seductive as they kissed passionately, their hands wandering.
“Ah! Who’s there?!”
The sudden opening of the door startled them. Song Weiwei jumped away as if electrocuted, hurriedly lowering her head to cover her face.
But no matter how fast she was, she couldn’t outrun the camera.
Both intimate shots and clear face photos were captured.
“This is a complimentary fruit platter from our restaurant. I’ve also refilled your tea. Do you need anything else?” the girl said calmly, lowering her head slightly as she placed the tray, as if she hadn’t seen anything.
Zhang Hao didn’t think much of it. Just a regular waitress who didn’t know him she was probably used to such things.
Still, being interrupted irritated him. He waved her off impatiently.
“No need. You don’t have to come in again.”
“Understood,” she replied and left.
This was a proper state-run restaurant, not a hotel. There was no rule that staff couldn’t enter. She was just doing her job no matter how unhappy they were, they couldn’t do anything about it.
Song Qiaoan took the camera and was very satisfied with the photos. She generously offered the girl a tip and said gratefully, “Thanks to you, otherwise I wouldn’t have been able to get this evidence alone. I really don’t know what I would’ve done.”
The girl refused the tip and smiled. “No need to be so polite, sister. It’s just a small favor. After your divorce, just take care of yourself and your child. You’re so beautiful there will be plenty of good men who cherish you!”
Hearing “good men,” Song Qiaoan couldn’t help but think of Fu Chen. He had treated her well before but only out of a husband’s duty. Now that they had fallen out, would he still be soft-hearted toward her?
After finishing this matter, she would go to the black market and stock up on the foods Fu Chen liked.
Song Qiaoan found a hidden seat in the restaurant, ordered a few dishes, and waited while eating for the couple upstairs to finish.
Sure enough, not long after she finished, Song Weiwei and Zhang Hao came downstairs.
Song Qiaoan lowered the brim of her hat and continued following them.
“Don’t go back tonight, okay?” The man wrapped his arm around Song Weiwei, his voice low and husky as he leaned against her cheek.
“Hmph, pervert… didn’t I just keep you company last night?” Song Weiwei blushed, though she couldn’t hide her smile.
“Not enough…” Zhang Hao rubbed against her neck.
“Stop it, we’re still on the street…”
They flirted and teased each other, completely unaware they were being followed like celebrities by paparazzi.
Song Qiaoan crouched behind some bushes and pressed the shutter repeatedly.
“You’ve been out all night every day doesn’t your fiancée suspect anything?” Song Weiwei asked.
“She doesn’t. She even feels sorry for me,” Zhang Hao scoffed, sounding smug.
Even though she brought it up herself, hearing him say that still made Song Weiwei uncomfortable. She frowned and pushed him away.
“When are you going to break up with her? I don’t want to keep sneaking around like this. I want to be with you openly.”
At this, the man’s face darkened and his mood soured. “Not yet. My promotion still depends on her father’s connections. If I cut ties now, wouldn’t all my efforts be wasted?”
Seeing her displeased expression, he softened his tone. “Don’t worry, it’ll be soon. Just give me a little more time.”
“I’ve let my baby suffer. I’ll make it up to you tonight,” he said, pulling her into his arms.
“Oh, shut up!” she said coyly, completely unable to resist him.
In the end, the two went to a hotel.
Song Qiaoan followed them to the entrance, took a photo of their backs as they walked in hand in hand, and stopped there.
This was enough. Anything beyond that would just be unpleasant to see.
Once she developed the photos, everything would be ready. She would wait for the day Song Weiwei started work and hand all this “evidence” to Zhang Qing.
Maybe it was the effect of the spirit spring water despite being pregnant and walking so much at night, she didn’t feel tired at all. She even felt energetic.
By the time she got home, it was already dark. As soon as she entered, she saw Song Jianren sitting on the sofa, clearly waiting for her.
“You’re back so late. Where did you go?”
Song Qiaoan frowned, having no desire to deal with him. She coldly threw out, “None of your business,” and headed toward her room.
“You! Stop right there! How dare you talk to me like that!” Song Jianren slammed the table, raising his voice.
“Oh dear, why are you arguing again?” Zhang Meilan came out of the kitchen, putting on a fake smile to mediate. “An’an, don’t blame your father. He just has a quick temper. He actually cares about you he’s been waiting for you all night.”
“Cares about me?” Song Qiaoan sneered. “Or is he afraid I’ll die outside and won’t be able to marry Wang Shichang?”
“What are you saying? He didn’t mean to lose his temper…” Zhang Meilan changed the topic, her face full of worry.
“Sigh, it’s all because of your useless brother. He didn’t do well on his exam and made your father so angry his heart almost gave out.”
Sensing something, Song Qiaoan narrowed her eyes slightly and glanced at her suspiciously. “With Song Jiabao’s intelligence, it’s probably genetic. No need to get angry.”
Zhang Meilan froze for a moment before realizing she was being indirectly insulted along with her son. Her face twitched with anger, but thinking of the plan, she forced a smile.
“I remember your grades were excellent back then top of the class, right? It’s a pity those years were chaotic and the college entrance exam was canceled. Otherwise, your future would’ve been limitless.”
“It is a pity. But my mother saved money for me to study abroad,” Song Qiaoan said coldly.
Her grandparents had been among the earliest intellectuals during the Republic era. During the turmoil, intellectuals were labeled negatively. Despite the pressure, they had secured her a government-sponsored overseas study opportunity only for Song Weiwei to snatch it away midway.
Song Weiwei took her funding and spot, went abroad for four years, and didn’t even earn a diploma.
So those four years abroad were basically just for fun.
Zhang Meilan’s expression stiffened slightly as she changed the subject. “Ah, Weiwei and Jiabao are both disappointing. Sometimes I think, if only they were half as smart as you.”
“If that were the case, you’d probably start wondering whether they’re really your children,” Song Qiaoan said sharply, each word like a knife.
Zhang Meilan clenched her fists, her fake smile finally breaking. What had gotten into this girl lately?
“Enough talking to her!” Song Jianren glared, putting on the authority of the head of the family. His tone was firm and unquestionable:
“Jiabao is about to take the college entrance exam. You’ll take it for him!”