Song Qingyang paused for a moment, then lowered her head and said, "It’s nothing, I was just cooped up in the room for too long, so I came out to get some fresh air."

Song Yansheng responded with a faint "Hmm," seemingly unwilling to say more, and turned to leave.

Song Qingyang’s eyes fluttered, and she quickly called out, "Second Uncle..."

Song Yansheng’s steps paused slightly, and he turned back to look at her, his gaze calm, and his expression equally calm.

Yet even so, in Song Qingyang’s heart, it felt like a storm was raging, unable to find peace.

Her heart raced, a trace of sorrow was hard to conceal in her expression as she took a few steps toward him.

Her pace was slow, but every step felt as if her feet were weighed down with a thousand pounds.

This man, who had left traces in her heart since childhood, how could she willingly let go so easily?

When she got about five meters away, she stopped, her beautiful eyes looking at him, her lips moved slightly and she gently asked, "Second Uncle, do you think I... should marry Yu Dou?"

In Song Qingyang’s heart, marrying Yu Dou seemed like her best choice right now, with more benefits than drawbacks, whether for her father or herself.

But really, if only Song Yansheng said one word, telling her not to marry, not to marry Yu Dou!

No matter what the reason, she could immediately tell her father and Yu Dou that she would not marry!

Even if it meant losing the shares her father promised her, even if Yu Dou, who knew too many of her secrets, would ruin her future...

As long as he said not to, she could truly forsake everything and not marry!

However, Song Yansheng did not speak; the man stood there, his expression unchanged, his gaze dark, just as calm and quiet.

He spoke in a usual manner, saying, "Since the wedding date is set, what you should do now is be a happy and beautiful bride, don’t overthink other matters!"

Song Qingyang felt a stabbing pain in her heart, her fingers tightened at the joints; she had actually anticipated this outcome.

Yet even so, she asked unwillingly, "But Yu Dou... is he worth marrying? Didn’t Second Uncle say he isn’t a simple person? Wouldn’t you be worried if I married him?"

Song Yansheng curled his lips into a slight smile, stood a little straighter, and met Song Qingyang’s gaze, then calmly said, "Qingyang, you’re not a child anymore!"

Song Qingyang was taken aback, as if something was kneaded into her heart, causing intense pain.

Yes, she was not a child anymore; she was twenty-six, an adult.

The path she should take in the future, including the choice of who to spend it with, she could make for herself.

Even if her father forced her, even if she had no better options, if she was resolute, who could really do anything to her?

After saying this, Song Yansheng didn’t say anything further, he just glanced at his watch and said, "You continue to get some air, I’ll head back inside first."

After finishing, he didn’t wait for her response and was already walking toward the main house.

Song Qingyang stood there, watching the man’s figure recede into the distance, her eyes gradually welling up with tears.

That was eight years ago, she had just turned eighteen that year.

At eighteen, she was youthful and radiant, as beautiful as a fairy, and the object of many men’s pursuit.

And it was also that year when Song Yansheng returned from abroad, and upon knowing this, she put on her prettiest dress, defying her father’s objections, insisted on going to the Song Family Mansion.