Financial Workplace Survival Guide – CH 017

Chapter 17 ☆, Love Doesn’t Wait.

Xin Xin didn’t know whether she should see Zhao Xi at this sensitive moment.

Her silence misunderstood Zhao Xi. “Xin Xin, you won’t forgive me?”

Xin Xin was a bit confused, stumbling over her words, “No… really, I’m not mad at you.”

In reality, leaders at all levels often use promotions, salary increases, official positions, and promises to keep their subordinates working well. More experienced leaders might resort to emotional manipulation.

A good leader was one who considered finding a good future for his subordinates when they were about to be promoted.

In fact, Xin Xin now understood that reaching her position was the result of a multifaceted game of chess. Zhao Xi was a genius, and therefore everyone’s expectations of him were too high, including hers.

Everyone assumed he was shrewd, calculating, and omnipotent.

Today, Xin Xin finally understood that even Zhao Xi was just an ordinary person, trapped in the situation and worried about his fate.

“Xin Xin, please see me.” Zhao Xi, normally a gentle man, now practically begged. “Even if a prisoner is sentenced to death, they shouldn’t even be given a chance to defend themselves, right?”

Xin Xin relented and made an appointment at a small coffee shop in an alley.

Zhao Xi arrived, dusty and tired, still wearing his daytime shirt.

In the past, when Zhao Xi worked late, Xin Xin had seen him take his time, rolling up his shirt sleeves one by one. Even when he was in a state of extreme distress, he was always meticulous, always wearing a well-ironed shirt and a perfectly tailored suit.

He was incredibly gentle and polite to others; even when he was harshly scolding, he always smiled.

But in Xin Xin’s opinion, Zhao Xi was quite demanding of himself. From clothing to food, he always had an invisible standard.

He wouldn’t say what that standard was, but he always held himself to it.

But today, his fatigue was frankly evident, and his face was filled with anguish.

“Xin Xin, I didn’t explain clearly when I left. It’s my fault, but I couldn’t care less at the time.”

Xin Xin didn’t want him to make the atmosphere so heavy, so she joked, “That’s true. After all, I’m considered your trusted subordinate. It’s fine you didn’t tell me when you were leaving, but you didn’t even let me treat you to a farewell dinner.”

Zhao Xi smiled. “It was sudden. If you want to treat me, I’ll come over every week.”

After all, they had known each other for many years, and a few words melted away the awkwardness.

“What’s wrong with Mr. Li?”

Zhao Xi smiled wryly. “He’s timid and can’t move much. A few of us friends pooled some money together to patch up his debt and try to get him a lighter sentence.”

Xin Xin was taken aback. “You want to save him?”

“Yes.” Zhao Xi didn’t smile this time. His eyes were calm and firm. “When I first started working, I was in the institutional client department. Something went terribly wrong, the kind that could have cost me my job. He took it upon himself and saved me.”

Xin Xin was somewhat impressed by Zhao Xi’s behavior. Perhaps it was because of his style that Xin Xin initially thought he was someone who prioritized self-preservation.

“With his high annual salary, why would he need to divert so little money?”

Zhao Xi glanced at her, hesitant to speak for a long time before saying, “His wife had an accident, and all the family’s money went to cover the financial loss. He had originally thought he could just make ends meet in a month or so, but as luck would have it, his wife broke up with her boyfriend. She’s very spoiled and treats people like monkeys, which really pushed him to the brink.”

Xin Xin couldn’t help but sigh. Otherwise, how could life be without shackles? Even someone like Mr. Li, who seemed pure and unselfish, was inevitably burdened by his family.

“What about you? Are you okay?”

Talking about his own situation, Zhao Xi seemed relieved. “I’m fine, but I did have a near-death experience.”

Xin Xin didn’t intend to ask further, but Zhao Xi simply laid it all out.

“Xin Xin, I already knew I was going to recommend Chen Lisha when I left. When I met with her, I can swear I recommended you. As for Fu Meng’s temporary transfer, it’s because she has connections, so she naturally rose to prominence. As for that person, he couldn’t tolerate me. We had a near-life-and-death struggle.”

Xin Xin no longer cared about the details of the incident. After all, she had gotten what she wanted in a different way.

Zhao Xi, however, was determined to be frank. “Besides, Fu Meng and I were already discussing breaking up at that time.” He glanced at Xin Xin quickly, as if making a profound decision. “No, it wasn’t just a breakup; we were preparing for a divorce.”

Xin Xin was taken aback again. “Why did you hide your marriage status?”

Zhao Xi smiled wryly. “We were already married before joining the company, but we didn’t have a wedding. We thought we’d get married once we settled down. Later, as our careers were both doing well, we went public with our relationship and had planned a wedding. But… we ultimately broke up. Xin Xin, I know this might seem like I’m shirking responsibility, but I haven’t done anything to wrong Fu Meng.”

Aside from the company’s senior management and a few people in the HR department, no one knew of their relationship.

He had just graduated and was job hunting with Fu Meng. As a local, he wasn’t born into a wealthy family, but he had some advantages. Fu Meng came from a rural family in the northwest. She had a cowardly and ignorant mother and a violent father. Fu Meng, in this family, was always the most outstanding child in the area. True to the stereotype, she also had an equally outstanding sister and a completely unsuccessful brother.

Zhao Xi first met Fu Meng at the freshman welcome party. He had a piano recital, and while waiting in the wings, he saw a thin, petite girl, gritting her teeth and struggling to move a table.

Xin Xin interrupted, “Is it Fu Meng?”

Zhao Xi nodded, his eyes soft as if they had pierced through the years as they rested on the frail girl.

“She was in very poor circumstances, always wearing cheap, ill-fitting clothes. But even so, she always topped the school in grades. I wanted to buy her clothes and shoes, but she refused. She would work part-time during the holidays and pay me back the same price for my birthday presents. But she could barely afford food, and I never gave her any expensive gifts again.”

Xin Xin had never imagined Fu Meng would have such a family background, nor had she imagined her like this. From the moment she first met her, her impression of her was that of a dodder flower.

The kind of delicate, fragile girl who always needed protection, who always inspired pity, and who struggled with independence.

“Surprising, right? I liked her very much. I’d never seen such uncompromising vitality in anyone. I wanted to marry her, but my parents disagreed. One day I asked her if she’d marry me. She agreed. We even cheated on our household registrations and registered our marriage together.”

Whatever happened later, Xin Xin felt that at that moment, they both believed each other to be the love of their lives. But even without Zhao Xi continuing, Xin Xin knew what had happened.

If Fu Meng hadn’t concealed her marital status, she wouldn’t have been able to join Zhao Xi’s company. She had to sacrifice something to get to where she was today.

Their marriage and love were sacrifices to their success.

Xin Xin felt a little heavy. “You’ve told me so much; aren’t you afraid I’ll use it against Fu Meng?”

Zhao Xi smiled. “You won’t.” Then, he said seriously, “Xin Xin, I’m not kidding. I really like you. Can we have a relationship beyond just colleagues?”

“No.”

Zhao Xi was surprised by Xin Xin’s blunt refusal, and a flicker of embarrassment crossed his face. “Can I ask for a reason?”

Xin Xin’s refusal was subconscious, as if an instinct in her body resisted even considering a relationship with Zhao Xi.

“Zhao Xi, I also value my career. You’ve already sacrificed one relationship for your career. Do you want to repeat that mistake and sacrifice another?”

“I can change jobs,” Zhao Xi answered quickly.

Xin Xin was actually a little touched by his quick reaction, but then she sobered up and firmly refused, “Zhao Xi, let’s be friends. I don’t like you.”

Zhao Xi looked at her, feeling both amused and annoyed. “You’re so heartless! Am I such a bad man that I’m not even worth using as a backup, deceiving me, taking advantage of me?”

Xin Xin smiled, but for some reason, the image of Zheng Zaochuan gnashing with hatred flashed before her eyes.

“If Zhao Xi and I aren’t even worthy of being considered men in your eyes, what kind of man do you like?”

Zhao Xi’s heart sank at the smile that flickered across her face. He asked, “Or, do you already have someone you like?”

Xin Xin, a person of few words, shook her head honestly. “Not really. I just remembered a friend.”

Zhao Xi felt a little jealous. “What friend? You’re constantly thinking about him?”

Xin Xin smiled and said, “You know Zheng Zaochuan. I’ve been thinking about how boring men are. They never miss any opportunity to be competitive. You’re allowed to flaunt your charm everywhere, but you can’t tolerate anyone not liking you.”

Zhao Xi looked at Xin Xin’s expression, wanting to ask what Zheng Zaochuan had said and how close their relationship really was.

Xin Xin was already checking her watch. She offered Zhao Xi a handshake and said goodbye. “Alright, let’s put aside our past grudges. Get some rest. We have work tomorrow.”

Zhao Xi swallowed his words.

Leaving the café, a refreshing floral fragrance filled his nose. Xin Xin thought, half-consciously, that summer was almost here.

Four months had already passed since Zhao Xi’s transfer.

Zhao Xi would never know the complex feelings of betrayal Xin Xin had felt when he left without saying goodbye and Fu Meng’s transfer order arrived.

That night, Xin Xin questioned herself: What if it were the past?

Could she guarantee that she had never fallen for Zhao Xi?

When she was visiting a client, it suddenly started raining. Zhao Xi, worried that her high heels wouldn’t make it to the subway station, drove two hours to pick her up. When she left the client’s house, Zhao Xi was waiting for her in the rain, holding an umbrella.

While she was working all night on a project plan, Zhao Xi went to buy coffee and leaned against her doorframe, watching her. When she looked up, he’d deliberately startle her.

The first time she was asked to drink, Zhao Xi calmly stood in front of her, helped her drink, and ended up drunk himself.

But sadly, there were no ifs. In all those moments, Zhao Xi belonged to Fu Meng. Those fleeting, vague feelings were like the faint fragrance of flowers, merely summer-only.