Financial Workplace Survival Guide – CH 095

Chapter 95 ☆, You Don’t Need to Buy My Love.

Life went on peacefully, day after day.

Xin Xin adapted to Jiangcheng very quickly. When she was in the Haining branch, there were only a few people, and they were constantly scheming against each other and undermining each other, which was very serious.

The root cause was actually that the cake wasn’t big enough and the position wasn’t high enough.

Upon arriving in Jiangcheng, it appeared as if she had entered a massive system with increased projects and complex affairs. But ironically, it was in this environment that interpersonal relationships became incredibly simple.

The conflict with Zhang Wentian was quickly resolved, and Xin Xin’s work in Jiangcheng returned to normal.

Zhao Xi admired Xin Xin, and this admiration bordered on blatant favoritism. Xin Xin, wanting to wear the crown, had to bear the weight of the responsibility; to avoid giving anyone cause for criticism, she had to work even harder.

For several days, Zheng Zaochuan was working overtime. In the past, he could go home whenever he wanted or not go home whenever he did not want to.

Now, whenever Xin Xin didn’t go home on time, he’d come to the company to wait for her.

He used to dislike being restrained, but now he was like a stray dog, desperately needing comfort.

He thought he would always be the hunter, but little did he know that by trying to maintain his advantageous position of being unfettered, he had already put himself at a disadvantage.

Xin Xin was both amused and exasperated, but she accepted his occasional visits to the set.

So when she received the call from the front desk, she subconsciously assumed that the person who came was Zheng Zaochuan.

After hesitating for a while, the receptionist added, “Ms. Xin, a lady’s looking for you, but she didn’t make an appointment.”

Xin Xin was a little puzzled. “What kind of lady? Did you ask her what she wanted?”

The receptionist seemed a little hesitant. “She’s a very beautiful lady. She said you will be meeting her.”

Xin Xin’s curiosity reached its peak. “Let her in.”

The moment this legendary, incredibly beautiful woman walked into Xin Xin’s office, she knew who she was.

Genetics was a magical thing; you couldn’t quite put your finger on how similar you were, but you just looked very alike.

The woman appeared to be in her early forties, wearing a simple black dress, pearl earrings, and a small handbag. Surprisingly, she didn’t resemble a flawlessly made-up socialite; she wore only light makeup, yet possessed an almost breathtaking beauty.

Beautiful, truly very beautiful.

Xin Xin smiled and politely poured a glass of water. “Hello, Auntie.”

As Zheng Zaochuan’s mother, she looked much younger than her actual age.

“Do you know who I am?” The woman tilted her head, her eyes filled with clear curiosity.

This appearance was exactly the same as Zheng Zaochuan’s.

Incongruously, Xin Xin suddenly thought of Zheng Zaochuan’s father; he was probably not ugly, but certainly not as beautiful as her mother. Zheng Zaochuan was good-looking and looked very young, and his temperament and demeanor resembled his mother’s.

“You must be Zheng Zaochuan’s mother.”

The woman smiled, seemingly quite pleased with herself, and said, “Hello, I’m Zheng Xinran. People say I don’t look like his mother, so I don’t like being called ‘Auntie.'”

Xin Xin was stunned. This woman’s appearance was completely different from the image Zheng Zaochuan had described. The confidence and innocence she exuded in every gesture made it hard to believe she was over fifty. Especially considering her complicated past, she seemed like a spoiled little girl, without a trace of hardship.

“Yes, you look alike, but you don’t seem to be that old.”

The woman looked at Xin Xin again, seemingly curious. “Aren’t you going to ask me why I looked for you?”

Xin Xin smiled, “Why did you look for me?”

“That little girl just called you ‘Ms. Xin.’ You work in such a prestigious place, so you must have a good education and a good family background. Why would a woman like you be with someone like Zaochuan?” She seemed to say…

It was like an innocent little girl asking a question she did not understand at all.

Xin Xin hadn’t considered this scenario; she had considered many possibilities, including, but not limited to, Zheng Zaochuan’s mother being possessive of him or Zheng Zaochuan’s mother wanting Xibei to be with him.

But she never considered that she genuinely believed her son did not deserve to be loved.

Xin Xin felt a pang of sorrow for Zheng Zaochuan in an instant and replied without hesitation, “Because I love him very much. We’ve known each other for a long time. We met when he was still a nobody, and I’ve watched him struggle to get to where he is today. His abilities and talents are dazzling enough.”

The woman looked intently at Xin Xin, seemingly trying to determine the truthfulness of her words.

“If it weren’t for his money, who would want to be with him? You don’t need to play games with me; I just want to know, how much money would it take for you to leave him?”

Xin Xin got angry. “Even if he were penniless, I would still support him. I think it’s very irresponsible of you to talk about your son like that.”

The woman laughed, a hint of teenage malice inadvertently appearing in her voice. “You don’t know what kind of person he is to love him. Women are all like that; when love takes hold, they believe everything about the other person is good. He’s terrifying. The smartest thing for you to do is take his money and leave.”

Xin Xin couldn’t believe that there were people in this world who didn’t love their own children at all and even went so far as to use the most vicious language to describe them.

“He’s always been like this since he was a child, always so gloomy; you never know what he’s thinking. Back then, he even made a mistake… no, I can’t tell you that. Anyway, you should know, he’s terrifying. If you were with him, you might be in mortal danger.”

Anger surged within her, and Xin Xin’s fingers trembled, but her attitude remained calm and resolute.

“I know everything about Zheng Zaochuan, and I trust my judgment. You don’t need to interfere. I’ve already given Zheng Zaochuan some advice, and he will give you and Xibei a sum of money, which will be distributed to you regularly through a foundation. As for interfering in our lives, don’t even think about it. And in the future, you don’t need to come to me anymore. If one day you can respect Zheng Zaochuan, then we can reconcile. Otherwise, you will forever remain a stranger to me.”

It seemed they didn’t expect Xin Xin to be so resolute.

Zheng Xinran’s natural and casual attitude cracked slightly, and an unspeakable malice seeped out.

“You will regret it if you don’t listen to me.”

Xin Xin sneered, “Mrs. Zheng, if you continue to treat Zheng Zaochuan this way, I will consider suing you for defamation. I mean what I say. don’t think that being a mother is a get-out-of-jail-free card for you.”

Perhaps because she had never been treated like this before, Zheng Xinran was unable to cope and, like a child, angrily cursed, “You will not have a good ending! I even feel pain for having such a son. He has dirty blood flowing in his veins, and that’s an unchangeable fact.”

Xin Xin was too lazy to argue any longer, so she got up to see the guest out. As soon as she opened the door, she saw Zheng Zaochuan standing outside with a pale face, carrying a lunchbox.

Xin Xin glanced at her watch; it was already past her workday.

Zheng Zaochuan may have been standing outside for quite a while, or he may have just arrived. His face, which bore a striking resemblance to Zheng Xinran’s, wore an expression that could almost be described as despair.

Startled by his expression, Xin Xin took the lunchbox from his hand and asked with a casual smile, “How long have you been here?”

Zheng Xinran stepped out from behind Xin Xin and seemed surprised to see Zheng Zaochuan. But she quickly switched to a pitiful look. “Zaochuan, why didn’t you answer my calls?”

Xin Xin was shocked by her acting skills and could hardly understand how someone who could just now slander her son in front of a stranger could now be acting like a loving mother.

Zheng Zaochuan asked her, enunciating each word clearly, “What are you doing here?”

Xin Xin couldn’t hide her disgust, but a few people were still at their workstations outside, casting curious glances in their direction. Not wanting to be laughed at, Xin Xin changed the subject, saying, “Let’s talk about it when we get home.”

Zheng Zaochuan’s eyes grew increasingly gloomy as he asked in a deep voice, “How far are you going to hurt me?”

Zheng Xinran looked aggrieved and spoke softly and sweetly, “Zaochuan, is this how you treat your mother?”

Xin Xin’s eyes almost popped out of their sockets. No wonder she was a theatrical actress; life was a stage for her.

These were the most terrifying people; they kill with a subtle, insidious method, and their skill was exceptional.

If you’d confront her, she would feign innocence and blame you for being inconsiderate and lacking empathy. If you’d tolerate her, she would take advantage of you and gradually encroach on your life.

Xin Xin suddenly felt a surge of courage and stood in front of Zheng Zaochuan. “Auntie, Zheng Zaochuan’s mine now. Parents need to learn to let go at the right time.”

She spoke with conviction, taking Zheng Zaochuan’s hand in hers. His fingers were icy cold, but his palms were damp with a thin layer of sweat.

But Xin Xin’s hands were soft and warm; at that moment, Zheng Zaochuan felt as if he had been reborn.

Even long afterward, when Zheng Zaochuan recalled that moment, he still remembered that feeling. In his heart, there was a snow-capped mountain, frozen for thousands of miles in a long, cold chill.

But the moment Xin Xin said, “He’s mine,” all the ice and snow melted into spring water.

In that instant, Zheng Zaochuan believed in eternal and stable love.

That day, Xin Xin and Zheng Zaochuan sat in the company’s break room eating the dinner he had brought.

Zheng Zaochuan appeared to care about everything, but in the end, he still asked the question, “What did she say to you?”

Xin Xin smiled and said, “she didn’t say anything.”

Zheng Zaochuan didn’t believe it. “She must have said a lot of bad things about me.”

Xin Xin sighed, “If you already know, why are you still asking?”

Zheng Zaochuan carefully observed Xin Xin’s expression. “I can give you all my money. If I change in the future, or if I do something to hurt you…” Before he could finish speaking, Xin Xin took him by surprise and kissed him hard.

Love was fickle, no, or rather, not all feelings were so stable.

But all love must be about giving, not taking.

Xin Xin looked at Zheng Zaochuan earnestly, “Zheng Zaochuan, just like I told your mother, even if you don’t have money, you’re smart, talented, and have the courage to never give up. These are already reasons why I love you. Money can’t buy feelings, can’t buy love, and can’t buy family.”

So many years had passed, and in Zheng Zaochuan’s world, the only way to obtain any emotion was through purchasing.

But Xin Xin didn’t need Zheng Zaochuan to buy her love.