Beibei whimpered, looking at Yue Qing with wronged eyes, struggling desperately in the man's arms, wanting to run to Yue Qing's side.
Seeing this, Yue Qing had to stroke its head.
"Beibei likes you a lot. It's just too mischievous, which is why it ran away from home. Then it got into a fight with other dogs and got bitten," the man said gently to Yue Qing.
Yue Qing nodded. "I like it a lot too, it's very cute. By the way, Mr. Zhou, I've treated Beibei's wounds, but it's best if you take it to a vet to have it re-bandaged."
After all, Yue Qing was not a professional pet doctor, so he had to explain.
"Okay, I'll take it to the doctor," the man agreed.
After a few more words, the man thanked Yue Qing again and left with the dog.
After the man left, Yue Qing learned the man's identity from Uncle Zhang. His name was Zhou Shengyang, the third young master of the Zhou family, one of the five great families in Yancheng.
Through his understanding of these prominent families in recent days, Yue Qing knew that there were five great families in Yancheng: the Song family, the Zhou family, the Zhao family, the Liu family, and the Wu family.
Old Master Zhou had been in politics in his early years but was well-known in Yancheng's business circles. He had two sons. The elder son chose politics, and the younger son went into business.
The elder son had two sons. One followed in his father's footsteps and also went into politics, while the second son joined the army.
The younger son had a son and a daughter. The son was ranked third and was known as the third young master, Zhou Shengyang, a business prodigy who had been expanding the Zhou family's business outside.
Recently, he had returned to Yancheng because it was Old Master Zhou's eightieth birthday.
Later, when Yue Qing went for runs in the neighborhood, he often encountered Zhou Shengyang. They would greet each other and chat a few times. After Beibei's leg recovered, it would also accompany Zhou Shengyang on runs.
Yue Qing and Zhou Shengyang gradually became familiar with each other. Zhou Shengyang, as expected of a business prodigy, always imparted valuable knowledge to Yue Qing when they discussed business matters.
He was also knowledgeable in other fields, making Yue Qing always enjoy their conversations.
The two gradually became good friends. Yue Qing would call him Brother Zhou, and he would affectionately call Yue Qing "Ranran."
Every time Zhou Shengyang called Yue Qing "Ranran," Yue Qing's face would feel hot, and he would feel a bit shy.
Sometimes, during their conversations, he would inadvertently glimpse Zhou Shengyang's handsome features and his bright, spirited eyes. Yue Qing felt a spark of attraction, his heart pounding.
Yue Qing quickly shook his head, pushing the image from his mind, chiding himself internally for developing feelings after only a few days of acquaintance.
Seeing this, Zhou Shengyang asked, "Ranran, what's wrong? Are you feeling unwell?"
Yue Qing became flustered instantly, a faint pink blush appearing on his fair face. "It's nothing, I just got lost in thought."
Zhou Shengyang looked at Yue Qing's embarrassed expression and said gently, "It's good that you're okay."
Yue Qing quickly said he had to go to class and then quickly turned and ran towards the Song family's direction.
Zhou Shengyang watched Yue Qing's retreating figure, a smile curving his lips, his mood becoming even more pleasant.
Two months after the engagement incident, at a business banquet, Father Song and Mother Song took Yue Qing. Yue Qing wore an exquisite dress and elegant makeup. Father Song introduced Yue Qing to everyone, and Yue Qing responded with a smile, handling herself with grace.
Everyone had a good impression of Yue Qing. Banquets were always good places to network, and the Song family had their connections. Yue Qing only needed to familiarize himself further.
Yue Qing met Shen Yian and Chen Yu at the banquet, as well as Shen Zhe Xiong and Gao Mei Ying.
This was Yue Qing's first time meeting the male and female leads of this world's plot. The male lead, Shen Yian, was tall and handsome, and the female lead, Chen Yu, was bright and beautiful.
Chen Yu linked arms with Shen Yian, and from afar, they indeed looked like a perfect match.
Since the engagement was called off, Yue Qing had not paid attention to Shen Yian. Only occasionally did Xiao Jiu inform him of Shen Yian and Chen Yu's situation.
And the situation of the Shen family. The Shen family had borrowed funds from several friendly companies to cover some of its financial gaps.
Today's banquet was an opportunity for the Shen family to forge new connections, seek cooperation with other companies, and help the Shen family overcome its crisis.
Shen Zhe Xiong saw Father Song and came over to greet him. Father Song responded with a somber expression and then turned to chat with someone else.
Shen Zhe Xiong felt embarrassed but maintained a smile on his face. He had intended to extend an olive branch to the Song family, but Father Song was not receptive.
Shen Yian also saw Father Song and Yue Qing. Yue Qing was very beautiful today, easily noticeable in the crowd, made even more radiant by the banquet attendees.
Yue Qing felt Shen Yian looking at her, so she looked up at him briefly before retracting her gaze and turning to follow Father Song.
Shen Yian felt that the current Song Jiaran seemed different from usual. She was no longer the gentle and sweet person from before, exuding an air of cold detachment.
Shen Yian and Song Jiaran had known each other since childhood. Every time they met, Song Jiaran loved to follow him around. As they grew older, Shen Yian realized Song Jiaran's feelings. Song Jiaran would often give him gifts, subtly expressing her affection.
However, Shen Yian did not like Song Jiaran. He only saw her as a neighbor's younger sister. He was attracted to mature and beautiful women like Chen Yu.
Now that Song Jiaran no longer ran up to greet him as she used to, he felt a sense of regret and loss.
Chen Yu had already seen Shen Yian staring at Yue Qing. She tugged at Shen Yian's arm, feeling angry but unable to show it. She could only smile and say to Shen Yian, "Your dad is calling us. Let's go over."
Shen Yian came back to his senses. "Okay, let's go."
Chen Yu gritted her teeth, her gaze towards Yue Qing's retreating back becoming venomous and resentful.
Song Jiaran had become a thorn in Chen Yu's side. Every time she saw her, she felt a sharp pang of pain. Especially when the two families were discussing the engagement, Shen Yian had secretly dated Song Jiaran a few times behind her back.
Yue Qing sat alone on a bench in the garden. Father Song was chatting with his friends, and Mother Song had her own social circle. After accompanying Father Song around the banquet, Yue Qing had come to the garden to rest, waiting for Father and Mother Song to go home together.
Yue Qing enjoyed a rare moment of quiet, but someone disrupted this tranquility.
Shen Yian saw Yue Qing sitting alone in the garden, with neither Father nor Mother Song present.
Before coming to the banquet, Shen Zhe Xiong had specifically instructed Shen Yian to try and reconcile with Song Jiaran, as Song Jiaran's attitude reflected the Song family's stance.
After the engagement was canceled, Shen Zhe Xiong had repeatedly asked Shen Yian to apologize to Song Jiaran, appease her, and reconcile. However, Shen Yian had been indifferent. The cancellation of the engagement had caused Shen Yian to lose face in Yancheng's high society, so he resented the Song family and Song Jiaran and had not contacted Song Jiaran.