Financial Workplace Survival Guide – CH 047

Chapter 47 ☆, There’s Nothing Inherently Wrong in the World; It’s Only The Foolish Who Trouble Themselves.

Xin Xin was getting increasingly frustrated by Zheng Zaochuan’s constant probing. Sometimes she even thought about just confronting him directly and asking him what he really meant.

If he wasn’t planning on starting a relationship, he shouldn’t flirt with her. If he were planning on starting a relationship, he had to accept the constraints between them.

In the end, Xin Xin backed down. Whether Zheng Zaochuan would be able to commit to her, or even whether she wanted to start a relationship with him, was uncertain.

The unknown could indeed be painful at times, but knowing the tragic outcome and then having the courage to start a relationship was even more painful.

As they said, there was nothing inherently wrong in the world; it was only the foolish who created trouble for themselves.

Recently, it was not just Xin Xin who’d enjoyed the privilege of being picked up and dropped off by Zheng Zaochuan; Mary also suffered from the pain of being fought over by two men to be driven around.

Han Canghai had almost never been to Hengyang before, but recently the whole company had seen him waiting for Mary at the entrance.

Xin Xin thought back to how they were almost getting married, and now this had happened. In this relationship, apart from Zhang Qiao, who was temporarily taken advantage of and suffered great hurt, the other two were exchanging glances and seriously talking about their passionate love.

It was terrifying that a passionate love story only became precious when innocent people were sacrificed for it.

Xin Xin was worried about Zhang Qiao but dared not express her concerns. She could only strike up a conversation about work to observe his condition.

“A few days ago, I submitted a suspicious report to the regulator; could you keep an eye on its status for me?”

Zhang Qiao nodded, remaining responsible, serious, and meticulous in his work.

Xin Xin couldn’t tell if he was still sad because of Mary, but the next day after work, as soon as her car turned a corner, she suddenly saw a very familiar figure from behind.

Neither of them had changed out of their work attire. The man stood ramrod straight, while the woman wore a black knee-length skirt, her hair casually tied up, and walked gracefully beside him.

Xin Xin quickly pulled Zheng Zaochuan along, “Hurry, hurry, keep up.”

Zheng Zaochuan was confused, but he obediently changed direction and passed by the two people. In that instant, Xin Xin saw the two people clearly.

It was Zhang Qiao and Yang Manman. They were talking about something, and both of them looked very serious.

Xin Xin’s gossip-loving nature was satisfied, and she couldn’t help but chat with Zheng Zaochuan, “I’ve never heard of them having any connection.”

Zheng Zaochuan gossiped with her, “What’s going on? Who is that?”

Xin Xin recounted the love-hate relationship between Mary, Han Canghai, and Zhang Qiao, and then told Zheng Zaochuan how Yang Manman had a falling out with him and how she was poached by Fu Meng.

Finally, Xin Xin speculated, “Did Zhang Qiao suffer a setback with Mary, suddenly change his personality, and decide to seek comfort from other women? What kind of substitute literature is this?”

Zheng Zaochuan smiled and said, “You watch too many TV dramas. Where do you get so many stand-ins? Only children like this today and that tomorrow. People’s preferences become fixed as they get older. Those exes who all look the same are most likely just people who like that type.”

Xin Xin thought about it and agreed. She glanced back in the rearview mirror and saw that the two figures were gradually disappearing into the crowd.

Zheng Zaochuan dropped Xin Xin off at her doorstep and then drove to the company. It was said that Su Chengjie’s Fengchun Group had recently run into some trouble, so the acquisition of Hanhai was temporarily suspended. This gave Zheng Zaochuan some more time to continue being a diligent CEO.

Initially, the discovery that Su Chengjie was investigating her, along with the case of Zheng Zaochuan’s secretary, filled Xin Xin with some fear. But after some time, everything seemed calm, and Xin Xin relaxed again. She waved Zheng Zaochuan away and called to see what Mary was up to.

Mary had nothing to do today, so the two of them hit it off and decided to have hot pot together.

Xin Xin was very interested in the progress between Mary and Han Canghai. “You two got back together?”

Mary shrugged. “No. And I’ve been seriously considering whether or not I should get married.”

Immediately after graduation, Mary made a detailed plan for her life, including, but not limited to, meeting true love at twenty-four, having her first child at twenty-six, and having a small yard and two children at thirty.

In short, more than half of her dreams revolved around a happy family. Even when she wanted to marry Han Canghai, she harbored the fantasy of having a wonderful family.

In just a few days, Xin Xin couldn’t understand what was wrong with her.

“You don’t like Han Canghai anymore?”

Mary ate her meal with a blank expression. “No, I still like him. It’s just that I suddenly feel that someone like me might like him today but not tomorrow. If we really get married, and one day I stop loving him, but I’m bound by family responsibilities and have to live like this, wouldn’t that be too painful?”

Xin Xin had only two words to describe her unpredictable views on relationships: “divine gold.”

Mary’s biggest fear about family was that she would no longer love it but still had to maintain a peaceful life.

But Xin Xin’s biggest fear about family was that she would become more and more dependent on her partner, only for him to go on to pursue true love.

It was evident that people who pursued novelty and passion and those who pursued stability and security were inherently two rays that would lead them to diverge and become strangers.

Perhaps in the moment of falling in love, both of them thought it would last forever, but after that point of intersection, all that remained would be a future that gradually drifted further and further apart.

That was terrifying.

Xin Xin put herself in that situation and couldn’t help but shudder.

“What about Zhang Qiao? Have you given him an explanation?”

Mary clearly didn’t take the relationship seriously. “I’ve moved out, and we’re still friends. Don’t worry, Zhang Qiao is good-looking, has a good job, and comes from a respectable family. A man like that won’t even be on the market long before he’s snatched up.”

Xin Xin had originally planned to discuss Zhang Qiao and Yang Manman with Mary but ultimately kept quiet.

Indeed, not saying anything was the right thing to do.

Soon, Xin Xin realized that her speculations about Zhang Qiao and Yang Manman might have gone completely astray.

Because just two days later, as soon as she started work, someone knocked on her office door.

Yang Manman peeked in cautiously.

Xin Xin was a little surprised. After Yang Manman was transferred, the two of them were on the same floor, but they had little business dealings and had almost never run into each other.

“Ms. Xin, are you free right now?”

Xin Xin let her in. “Come in and tell me what’s wrong?”

Yang Manman forced a smile, checked the door several times to make sure it was locked, and then came in and sat down opposite Xin Xin.

“Ms. Xin, I know I made some mistakes in the past, and I’m really sorry to come to you now. But I have no other choice; I’m desperate. Only you can save me.”

She suddenly dropped a bombshell, leaving Xin Xin completely stunned.

When Yang Manman left, she was so full of vigor and confidence. Now she’s so timid and pathetic.

Xin Xin replied cautiously, “Manman, I’m not the head of your department. If you have any questions, you should talk to Ms. Fu first.”

Upon hearing this, Yang Manman suddenly raised her head, tears welling up in her eyes, and said, “Ms. Xin, if I had any other way, I wouldn’t have asked you for help. I’ve truly cherished this opportunity since I joined the investment banking department. It’s not easy for a woman to get into investment banking; you know that as someone who has worked there.”

Xin Xin knew, of course, that it was a kind of overt and covert competition and disdain.

Even though male employees sometimes took leaves due to family matters, many people would say that it was wrong to hire women whenever a woman took leaves.

Even though male employees sometimes could not keep up and stayed up late, whenever a woman complained, people would say that women just could not endure hardship.

Even though many male employees also stayed in single rooms when they travelled for work and was just as tired, if it was a woman, even if it took a minute longer, they would openly or secretly say bad things about her.

But if a woman did something well, some people would show a completely different face.

Some would say this woman was too assertive and not liked a real woman and that she was unhappy without a family. Others would say she rose to power through her looks and was entirely dependent on men.

Xin Xin knew it wasn’t easy, but it was somewhat ironic for someone who had spoken ill of her behind her back and spread rumors about her to talk about how difficult it was.

“Manman, it’s precisely because I know it’s not easy that I think if you encounter any problems at work, you should go to Ms. Fu first. Ms. Fu is a woman, and she will definitely understand if you have any difficulties in speaking out.”

Before she could finish speaking, Yang Manman interrupted her, her eyes blazing with hatred.

“Ms. Xin, let’s be frank. Everyone knows what kind of person Fu Meng is. When I first started working here, I didn’t know you well and was framed, so I started saying bad things about you. Fu Meng got to the top by selling herself, and now she wants me to sell myself too. She’s forcing me, and if I don’t compromise, I won’t be able to stay in the investment banking department.”

Yang Manman’s words were blunt, and her accusations against Fu Meng were also very sharp and biting.

But Xin Xin could see clearly that Yang Manman had sought refuge with Fu Meng when she was down on her luck, and now she might seek a better job elsewhere when Fu Meng was down on her luck.

As they said, when a wall fell, everyone would push it down. When Fu Meng came to Haining, it was Xin Xin who was kicked out of the investment banking department.

Everyone knew Fu Meng had powerful backers, and they flocked to her, hoping to become her confidants. Then, Lin Chong’an had not even left, but the tea had already gone cold.

Fu Meng herself was in dire straits, and her subordinates were also restless.

“Manman, your accusations are very serious to any leader. These things require evidence. Besides, we are all adults. Fu Meng can’t force you to do something you don’t want to do.”

For a moment, Xin Xin was filled with doubts and didn’t know how to respond to this matter most appropriately.

Yang Manman burst into tears, looking even more pitiful. “I swear, if what I’m saying is false, may I die a horrible death. But I have no choice. I’ve already asked Ms. Chen about this situation, but no one can help me. I can only turn to you.”

Xin Xin secretly groaned, thinking to herself, “If even Ms. Chen can’t solve this, what can I do to help?” Moreover, based on her understanding of Yang Manman, she knew that Yang Manman was no pushover, and it was hard to tell how much of what she said was true and how much was false.

Unfortunately, Xin Xin also had a natural sense of righteous indignation and a touch of compassion. What if there really was some unfortunate secret?

“Please tell me the whole story from beginning to end. I can’t guarantee I can help you, but can I hear the details first?”