The hardest thing to bear was a beautiful woman’s kindness.

Xia Dajun and Xiaoyu had never crossed that unspoken boundary before, as he still harbored hopes of reconciling with Liu Fen.

But now, comparing the two situations – Liu Fen getting involved with others right after her divorce, while Xiaoyu waited faithfully for him at their old place without any formal commitment.

The comparison naturally moved Xia Dajun’s heart in Xiaoyu’s favor.

Being touched, Xia Dajun didn’t hide his feelings. After learning how Xiaoyu had spent these months alone in Shenzhen and repeatedly explaining his circumstances, he spoke frankly:

“I’ll be honest with you – I’ve been divorced before. We’re from the same hometown, and it’s not easy to meet like this away from home. You have nowhere to return to, and I’m alone here in Shenzhen. If you agree, we could… could live together… Don’t worry, I’ll treat you well in the future. Don’t be scared about my wheelchair – it’s temporary. I’m not permanently disabled and won’t be a burden.”

Xia Dajun spoke with genuine sincerity.

Xiaoyu was more than ten years younger, pretty, and youthful. If she could accept him, Xia Dajun would naturally treat her well.

He felt Xiaoyu had feelings for him – even the most obtuse man could sense it.

Why else would she take his hand so boldly?

Xiaoyu’s cheeks flushed red as she quickly released his hand, standing properly.

“Brother Dajun, I’m not that kind of woman…”

Xia Dajun panicked immediately. “I don’t think you’re that kind of woman! When I say live together, I mean getting a marriage certificate, living as husband and wife.”

Xiaoyu, previously bold, now turned demure. “Brother Dajun, you’re a good man, but this is so sudden. Can I think about it?”

Xia Dajun felt somewhat disappointed.

He had thought she would agree immediately.

Yet to his disappointment, he found himself approving of her response.

Only frivolous women would agree to go with a man so casually. Xiaoyu asking for time to consider showed she was proper.

Xia Dajun pulled out an envelope from his pocket and forcefully handed it to Xiaoyu:

“Take this first. I’ll come see you again in a few days.”

Xiaoyu appeared shy and coy as Xia Dajun hurriedly wheeled himself away. After he was gone, she slammed the door shut. The envelope contained 500 yuan. She had thought this connection with Xia Dajun was lost, yet he suddenly appeared and proposed marriage.

Behind closed doors, Xiaoyu’s shy demeanor vanished.

A man lay on the bed wearing only shorts, looking casual and relaxed.

“You’ve got some skill, keeping Xia Dajun on the hook after so long. The boss has good judgment.”

Xiaoyu threw herself into the man’s arms. “What exactly does the boss want? Keeping me waiting in Shenzhen all this time – does he want me to marry Xia Dajun?”

The time of Xia Dajun’s disappearance coincided with Liu Tianquan’s.

Overnight, Xia Dajun vanished, and Liu Tianquan’s people all withdrew from Shenzhen. Xiaoyu wanted to make her way but didn’t dare betray Liu Tianquan, so she could only wait in the apartment Xia Dajun had rented.

She wasn’t really waiting for Xia Dajun – she simply didn’t want to work hard. She looked down on temporary jobs, thought factory work was too tiring, and while she wanted to find her own path by catching a man, Liu Tianquan still held leverage over her. After the New Year, Liu Tianquan’s people contacted her, telling her to continue with the original plan.

Xiaoyu put considerable effort into winning over Liu Tianquan’s men, finally learning why he had suddenly disappeared.

It turned out Liu Tianquan had earned Chairman Du’s trust and now managed many of the Du family businesses. He wouldn’t return to Shenzhen anytime soon. Xiaoyu had been planted as a chess piece for several months, and since she hadn’t been exposed, the plan would certainly continue.

“Whether you marry him is up to you, as long as you can dig up useful information for the boss. You know the boss’s temper – don’t get any other ideas. Even Du Zhaohui is nearly defeated by the boss. If you dare betray us-“

Xiaoyu shuddered.

She might not know if Liu Tianquan could defeat Du Zhaohui, but he could certainly deal with a small figure like her.

She couldn’t escape Liu Tianquan’s control.

Perhaps she should just marry Xia Dajun?

He was generous with her.

Plus he was easy to fool and quick to give money. Xiaoyu dared not think too far ahead – right now, she needed to grasp at any straw she could!

…

On Tuesday afternoon, Xia Xiaolan went with Ning Xue to see Ning Yanfan.

Ning Xue was the type who could remain silent if others didn’t speak.

In her view, small talk was meaningless.

Xia Xiaolan wanted to talk, but remembering Ning Xue’s mother’s attitude, she lost interest. Xia Xiaolan had her pride – others were already pointing fingers saying she befriended Ning Xue with ulterior motives. If she got too close to Ning Xue, wouldn’t she seem shameless?

They rode their bicycles in complete silence.

At the Ning residence, Ning Yanfan was still working, locked in his studio with several students, so Xia Xiaolan had to wait. Ning Xue asked her: “What would you like to drink? Is plain water okay?”

Xia Xiaolan nodded: “That’s fine, thank you, Classmate Ning Xue.”

Xia Xiaolan held her water cup in the living room, each sitting in separate chairs, neither speaking.

Zhen Wenxiu returned from grocery shopping with the housekeeper and encountered them.

Seeing Xia Xiaolan, Zhen Wenxiu’s expression subtly changed, but she quickly composed herself: “Student Xia is here? I was just asking Xue the other day why we hadn’t seen you for so long. You must stay for dinner today. I’ll have the housekeeper prepare extra dishes!”

Zhen Wenxiu’s enthusiasm gave Xia Xiaolan goosebumps.

“Auntie, please don’t trouble yourself. I’m here to see Teacher Ning with a question. I’ll leave after asking him. I have evening self-study at school. I appreciate your kindness.”

Zhen Wenxiu was exasperated by Xia Xiaolan’s thick skin. Someone from a family that sold clothes dared to associate with her daughter.

She had been told to leave before, yet here she was again so soon!

Ning Yanfan’s student came out, “Xia Xiaolan? The teacher is calling for you.”

Xia Xiaolan fled faster than a rabbit to escape Zhen Wenxiu’s false warmth.

After she left, Zhen Wenxiu probed her daughter, “What’s your grandfather thinking, really wanting to take an undergraduate student?”

Ning Xue shook her head, “She doesn’t seem to have that intention. Why do you ask?”

Ning Xue’s clear, pure eyes seemed able to perceive truth, making Zhen Wenxiu feel guilty. She thought Xia Xiaolan had told Ning Xue about their previous conversation. Whoever tried to drive a wedge between her and her daughter would not be forgiven!

“Xue, Mother is just worried for you. If you get too close to Xia Xiaolan, your Aunt Ji will certainly object.”

Zhen Wenxiu changed her approach to be more tactful, but Ning Xue frowned:

“Do you know about Aunt Ji writing a child support bill for Ji Jiangyuan?”

Zhen Wenxiu nodded, “That’s because Ji Jiangyuan was disobedient. Your Aunt Ji is waiting for him to submit!”

Is that so?

Ning Xue disagreed. There were many ways to discipline children – this kind of psychological harm wasn’t worth advocating.

Ning Xue had initially liked Ji Ya, but close contact revealed her intolerable flaws. Xia Xiaolan was her classmate – how could they not speak? If Ji Ya had objections, Ning Xue would rather keep her distance from Ji Ya…