Chapter 144: She Prefers a Daughter

"Good." Song Chengyi looked at her with a doting smile.

In truth, everyone had asked him why he chose to study medicine, and even Song Chengyi himself wasn't entirely certain why. But only Luo Yixia felt that Song Chengyi was simply meant to study medicine; it was as if it were destiny. She supported all his choices, and she believed in them with unwavering conviction.

After breakfast, they hurried back to the hospital. Luo Hongtao was standing by the windowsill, talking on the phone. Seeing the two enter, he quickly hung up. "Dad, why are you out of bed?"

"It's just the old problem with my high blood pressure; it's nothing to worry about," Luo Hongtao said with a sheepish smile as he returned to his bed.

"Dad, have your breakfast first," Song Chengyi said, handing him the food.

"I feel like I'm fine now. I'll go discharge myself in a bit and go home. I can't stand staying in this hospital anymore," Luo Hongtao said vaguely.

"Is there something urgent at the company?" Luo Yixia bit her lip, her expression serious.

"Huh? No... nothing at all." Luo Hongtao hesitated for a split second. But Luo Yixia had already seen through him and knew the answer.

"I think Dad is fine now. Why don't we let him go home to recuperate?" Song Chengyi said, trying to ease the atmosphere.

Luo Hongtao quickly chimed in, "Exactly. The smell of medicine in this hospital makes me uncomfortable. It's better to recover at home."

The room fell silent for a minute.

"Fine. I'll let Mom know not to come over," Luo Yixia finally conceded.

Song Chengyi went to handle the discharge paperwork, while Luo Yixia began packing their things.

"Dad, is the company... in trouble?" Luo Yixia asked tentatively.

"What are you talking about? The company is doing just fine. Once I rest for a couple of days, I'll go back and keep earning money to save up for your dowry."

Luo Yixia bit her lip, her heart aching and her nose stinging. She couldn't find the words to respond. Even though Luo Hongtao spoke so lightly, how could it be fine? She had already heard from Song Chengyi in the car about the reason he had fainted, and she had heard their conversation the previous night. She didn't care whether the company was doing well or if it was going bankrupt; she only wanted her parents to be healthy.

Luo Yixia steadied her emotions. "Dad, Song Chengyi doesn't need that dowry from me. And you know what his parents are like, don't you?"

"Hmph, I know the Song family doesn't need our money, but Dad is saving up some private funds for you," Luo Hongtao grumbled.

"Pfft!" Luo Yixia was thoroughly amused. "Dad, I can earn my own private funds. Besides, Song Chengyi said that when we're together, I'll be the one in charge of the household; his money will be managed by me. He's the only one who needs private funds."

She felt quite guilty saying this. If Song Chengyi had heard her, he probably would have exposed her lie in public. Fortunately, he wasn't there. If her father saw how she usually acted like a sycophant around Song Chengyi, he would surely think it was embarrassing.

"Oh? Is this really my daughter?" Luo Hongtao looked at her in disbelief.

"Really! Song Chengyi listens to me. If I tell him to go east, he wouldn't dare go west." (He would just ignore me...)

"My daughter has grown up," Luo Hongtao said, giving her a thumbs-up.

Luo Yixia smiled sheepishly. *Dad, your standards are really low, but unfortunately, your daughter can't even meet those.*

Song Chengyi returned with a stack of paperwork and found the room full of laughter. Seeing him enter, Luo Yixia stood up quickly, perhaps out of a guilty conscience.

"Are... are you done?" she stuttered.

"Yes, it's all handled. We can head back now," Song Chengyi nodded.

***

By the time Luo Hongtao changed out of his hospital clothes, Song Chengyi had gathered their belongings, and the three of them left the hospital. It was already noon by the time they were discharged.

Yu Wenjing and Zhou Yun were waiting at home. Seeing the car arrive, they hurried out to greet them—though Zhou Yun was primarily there to welcome her "daughter."

"Having a daughter is truly heartwarming. When I heard you were in the hospital last night, Xiaxia didn't even eat dinner before rushing out. Her eyes were red the moment she heard," Zhou Yun said, full of envy.

"It's all thanks to Chengyi. He was running errands for us and even brought me back," Luo Hongtao said, now praising Song Chengyi with great ease. He had previously been dissatisfied with Song Chengyi, feeling that he was giving his daughter away to someone else and finding the young man too cold and aloof. He had worried his daughter would be mistreated. But after these few interactions, and the heartfelt conversation from the previous night, he had fully accepted Song Chengyi. It was truly a case of a father-in-law finding his son-in-law more and more pleasing the longer he looked.

Song Shaohui also hurried back at noon, and the two men talked for a long time, though Luo Yixia couldn't understand much of it. Judging by the situation, it seemed the company was not in an ideal state.

In the afternoon, as her father rested at home, Luo Yixia hesitated, wanting to go check on the company. Even though she knew nothing, she wanted to help if she could.

"Are you wanting to go check on the company?" Song Chengyi noticed her restlessness.

She looked at him in surprise, her eyes sparkling, but then she dimmed. "Forget it. I don't know anything and can't help at all. I'd just be in the way."

"I'll go with you," Song Chengyi said, standing up and tilting his head with a gentle smile.

Luo Yixia was lost in that smile again, nodding blankly. *Oh my god, he’s too charming. Nosebleed... I'm going to have a nosebleed.*

The two of them left without telling anyone. Luo Yixia was nervous the whole way; she really couldn't get involved in company affairs. What did she know about her father's real estate dealings?

When they got out of the car, Luo Yixia grabbed Song Chengyi's arm. "I don't think I need to go in."

"Let's go inside and take a look," Song Chengyi said, reaching out to ruffle her hair.

At the front desk, the receptionist didn't even look up. "I'm sorry, our President is currently away. Please come back next time."

Luo Yixia spoke up. "Excuse me, could you call Secretary Li for me?"

The receptionist finally looked up. "Oh, you are—"

"Sorry to trouble you," she added with a smile.

"Secretary Li is away on a business trip," the receptionist said, looking a bit embarrassed.

"Can we go up and take a look?" Song Chengyi asked.

"Of course," the receptionist nodded with a smile.

Luo Yixia noticed that while they were talking, both receptionists kept glancing at Song Chengyi. She pouted. *Having a good-looking face really makes a difference... even the treatment at my own family's company is different.*

Inside, everything looked much the same as before, only it seemed busier. They went to the top floor, but the President's office was locked, and with Secretary Li away, they couldn't get in. Luo Yixia didn't know anyone else in the company besides Secretary Li, so she had no way to find out what was happening. Everyone seemed incredibly busy; as she walked past the offices, she heard constant phone ringing and saw everyone working with serious, hurried expressions.

"You should feel happy," Song Chengyi said quietly.

"Why?" Luo Yixia tilted her head to ask.

"Because if a company were truly about to go bankrupt, everyone would be in a panic, with no energy to continue working. But look, everything is running smoothly—even busier than the last time we were here. Perhaps... this is a good sign."

Luo Yixia nodded. She knew the company had lost a plot of land and paid a penalty, but surely it wasn't enough to go bankrupt. She had her own selfish concerns—even though she had told her father that Song Chengyi didn't care about her family's assets, if they lost everything, perhaps Song Chengyi would... stop wanting her. Although her family's small company was tiny compared to the century-old Song Group, it still brought in tens of millions annually. If the company really went under, she would definitely work hard to support her parents and never let Song Chengyi spend a dime on them. She was just terrified that he would leave her.

Luo Yixia swallowed hard, calming her heart and casting those wild thoughts aside. *Whatever happens, happens.*

After wandering around, they returned home. Luo Yixia remembered the dragon fruit they had bought, sliced it up, and brought it into the room. Her father was watching the news.

"I just got a call from the company. Did you and Chengyi go over there?" Luo Hongtao took a piece of dragon fruit and ate it with a toothpick. It was very sweet, almost cloyingly so.

"Yes, I wanted to see how things were, but Secretary Li wasn't there, so we came back," Luo Yixia said truthfully.

"It's fine. Don't worry your head about the company. Just focus on your studies and stay happy with Chengyi. After you graduate, you'll be a steady doctor."

"Okay." Luo Yixia agreed, but her heart still ached. They had planned everything for her, and she felt useless—unable to do anything right.

"When I can't work anymore, I'll just close the company and wait at home for your mom to hold a grandchild," her father said with a smile.

That comment made Luo Yixia blush. "It's still too early," she muttered.

"It's not too early. You're twenty. After you graduate, have the wedding, and then give us a grandchild," Luo Hongtao laughed.

"Give you what?" Song Chengyi walked in just then. He hadn't heard the whole thing, only the part about "giving."

Luo Yixia covered her face. *Why does my idol have to be so nosy?*

"You're just in time. I was looking for you. Once Xiaxia graduates, you two should have the wedding and give us a grandchild."

*Well, he’s definitely my own father; he doesn't hold back at all when it comes to throwing his daughter under the bus.*

"Alright. Though, Xiaxia should like a daughter," Song Chengyi said, giving a rare, heart-melting smile.

Luo Yixia was mesmerized again. Song Chengyi walked over and rested his hand on her head, ruffling her hair. Luo Hongtao looked on, feeling more and more satisfied. The two of them were such a perfect match; he felt that Zhou Yun and Yu Wenjing's decision had been spot on. It was truly rare to see his daughter, usually so carefree, act so bashful in front of Song Chengyi.

"Dad!" Luo Yixia grumbled indignantly.