What kind of woman did Tang Hong’en find?

Rural household registration.

Middle-aged and divorced.

With a child in tow.

And a private business owner!

Having any one of these conditions would be considered unfavorable. When all of them converge on one woman, it’s not that no one would marry her, but she doesn’t match Tang Hong’en’s status.

Yet Tang Hong’en, who remained unmarried and rejected the young maiden who fell in love with him at first sight, chose such a woman.

Poor conditions but still favored by Tang Hong’en – she must have other tactics.

“Some women are very bewitching, gentle, and sweet, making men sympathize with them and seducing them in the process.”

This was the Second Sister-in-law Song’s assessment.

She was much older than her cousin, who was only a few years older than her daughter. Before marriage, she treated her cousin like her own child. When she married the second Song brother, they didn’t care about matching backgrounds. The working class was most honorable – as long as one had the right background and actively supported the organization, they could match any high-ranking official’s child.

The second Sister-in-law’s family was quite ordinary, but her relatives were beautiful.

By coincidence, she worked at the same unit as the second Song brother, and through a matchmaker at work, their marriage was arranged.

Only after marriage did she discover her father-in-law was such a powerful figure!

Old Song’s ups and downs greatly impacted his in-laws’ impression. When his influence was strong, the Second Sister-in-law’s family prospered. Originally an extremely ordinary family, their development over the past decade had become quite extraordinary.

Her family rose to prominence through their daughter’s good marriage, so they valued all their girls.

The second Sister-in-law’s cousin caught the right timing, often visiting the Song family as a child. She grew up beautiful and lovable, even earning Old Song’s praise.

When she grew up, she coincided with Old Song’s resurgence. The cousin studied abroad on public funding, drinking foreign ink for several years, naturally developing high standards.

Ordinary men couldn’t catch her eye, and when she finally took interest, it was in someone formidable. The second Sister-in-law’s cousin was surnamed Sheng, called Sheng Xuan.

Though beautiful, Sheng Xuan remained unmarried at 30. The organization tried several times to help arrange her marriage, but she directly refused, saying she had someone in mind but no immediate plans to marry.

After returning to China, she entered banking work. With her overseas education, she rose to middle management in just a few years.

Director Wu took half a lifetime, while Sheng Xuan needed only a few years – the world was just that unfair.

Hearing her cousin’s complaints, Sheng Xuan merely responded with noncommittal sounds, seemingly unconcerned.

The second Sister-in-law was furious, “You’re not listening to me. He brought her to Ji Ya’s wedding, and now everyone who knows Tang Hong’en is aware. Yet here you are, calm as ever. Are you waiting until they get their marriage certificate until you become the laughingstock of Beijing before you worry?”

At 30, Sheng Xuan remained strikingly beautiful.

True to her name, she was like a flower in full bloom.

She knew how to present her beauty – even bank uniforms couldn’t make her blend into the crowd.

“Cousin, why worry? People love to spread rumors. You’ve only heard talk, have you seen what she’s like yourself? Don’t judge without seeing. I don’t think it’s just simple seduction – she seems quite capable.”

When her cousin belittled Tang Hong’en’s female companion at the wedding, Sheng Xuan was quite unhappy.

If the woman was too terrible, wouldn’t that suggest Tang Hong’en had poor taste?

The man she favored couldn’t casually create gossip with women. Things were at least somewhat serious – Sheng Xuan had already investigated thoroughly. At least she was completely different from Tang Hong’en’s ex-wife. Ji Ya ran a personal studio in Wangfujing, which Sheng Xuan had personally visited.

As a woman herself, she acknowledged Ji Ya’s charm.

Being married to Ji Ya once proved her chosen man had good taste.

But Tang Hong’en wouldn’t be with Ji Ya again. People who were suitable in the past, after so many years and different experiences, what common ground could they have? Besides, Ji Ya initiated the divorce back then – if not kicking him while he was down, at least she couldn’t share hardships… How could Tang Hong’en remarry her? Was he waiting to be abandoned by Ji Ya again at a crucial moment?

Though Tang Hong’en appeared refined, men had their pride too!

These things, Sheng Xuan could see through with casual thought. If Ji Ya couldn’t see it herself and kept pushing Tang Hong’en, it was perfectly normal for him to shame her! Having a son wasn’t so remarkable, as if others couldn’t bear children. Sheng Xuan knew she had the advantage of age and originally wasn’t in a hurry.

Until Tang Hong’en completely let go of his past with Ji Ya, he couldn’t enter a new relationship.

Relying on her youth, Sheng Xuan was willing to wait patiently.

After all, everyone knew she would marry no one but Tang Hong’en.

Her cousin married the second Song brother, but she looked down on men like her cousin’s husband. The man she loved had to rise above others through his abilities, and Tang Hong’en perfectly fit this criterion.

Ji Ya indeed pushed Tang Hong’en further away, but suddenly another woman appeared by his side – how could Sheng Xuan remain calm?

Second Sister-in-law slowly digested her words, quite surprised:

“You’ve already met that woman?”

Sheng Xuan nodded, “She’s quite capable, different from Ji Ya, good-looking too, with a mature woman’s charm. If I were a man, I’d probably like her too.”

Second Sister-in-law poked her, “You’re just showing off, praising your rival like this.”

Sheng Xuan checked her watch, “Cousin, wait for me another half hour. After I get off work, I’ll take you to see her.”

The second Sister-in-law clicked her tongue.

Was such caution necessary? What difference would leaving work half an hour early make?

However, she was satisfied that Sheng Xuan had quietly investigated her rival thoroughly. Since Sheng Xuan wanted to keep the suspense, the Second Sister-in-law wasn’t in a hurry anymore and sat down to wait patiently.

Sheng Xuan worked at the main bank and had access to a car. After work, she drove her Second Sister-in-law to a clothing store near Gulou.

“You’re here to buy clothes?”

To dress more beautifully to compete with her rival?

The second Sister-in-law was confused but accompanied her cousin around the clothing store.

The clothes here were quite attractive, the store called ‘Blue Phoenix’ – it sounded familiar. The store owner appeared to be in her early thirties, dressed modestly but pleasantly appealing.

Sheng Xuan chatted with the owner, who seemed to recognize her as well, accompanying Sheng Xuan throughout her shopping and sending both of them off with warm smiles.

After buying clothes, Sheng Xuan drove back. Second Sister-in-law patted her arm: “Weren’t you going to take me to meet that woman?”

Sheng Xuan smiled slightly, “Cousin, haven’t you already met her?”

Second Sister-in-law looked back at the clothing store, incredulous:

“That store owner just now?”

Tang Hong’en must truly be crazy.

Sheng Xuan was young and beautiful, with impressive credentials, a prestigious job, and was unmarried.

Putting Sheng Xuan next to a private business owner running a clothing store, wouldn’t any normal man choose Sheng Xuan?

Whether Tang Hong’en was crazy or not aside, Sheng Xuan wasn’t normal either, actually going to meet that vixen. My second Sister-in-law had many questions: “Why associate with such people? Do you need to handle this personally? You’re just lowering your status!”