CHAPTER 181: 180: BREAKING THROUGH (4TH UPDATE)

Ye He Ping knew his wife’s complaints about him, but he still didn’t give in. Fortunately, Bai Hehua also returned, halting the couple’s conversation at that point. Bai Xue understood that continuing the discussion would have no meaning and might even create discord between the couple, while Ye He Ping simply didn’t want to talk anymore, so he wouldn’t bring it up proactively.

"Why did you come back so quickly?" Bai Xue glanced back, not seeing Shen Bin, and asked her niece.

Bai Hehua shook her head, "Shen Bin said he had to work, so he found a junior staff member to take me around the factory a bit, and then I came back."

"He didn’t accompany you?" Bai Xue frowned. Thinking of Shen Bin’s character, her doubts receded, "That’s just his character. If you really end up together in the future, you’d have to get used to such a life. However, there are benefits to marriage, like everyone being busy with their work on regular days and coming to you first when there’s an issue. Being intimate means being family."

Seeing her niece nodding, Bai Xue, not in a good mood herself, didn’t say more. At lunchtime, in the cafeteria, she saw Shen Bin. Many people knew about Shen Bin’s blind date at the company, so Shen Bin was arranged to sit at the table with Bai Xue and them.

Shen Bin was as usual, giving a polite greeting and then starting to eat quickly. Men eat fast; Bai Xue wanted to say a few words to Shen Bin, hoping it would lead to him understanding her niece a bit, but seeing Shen Bin eating mouthful after mouthful without pausing, she had just taken a few bites, and Shen Bin already finished and left with a goodbye. Bai Xue felt like hitting cotton with a fist, unable to exert any effort.

Bai Hehua felt unhappy when she noticed Shen Bin’s indifferent attitude towards her, not speaking to her proactively. Although she agreed to the match under pressure, Shen Bin’s attitude hurt her feelings. People have this flaw: when you don’t want something forced upon you, you feel wronged, but then when it’s not wanted by you, you still feel aggrieved. Seeing Shen Bin’s indifference, Bai Hehua knew she should be glad, but she felt full of disappointment, then angered, insisting that Shen Bin must give in to her.

When it was time to leave, Bai Hehua took the initiative to say she wanted to meet Shen Bin and talk for a bit. Bai Xue was delighted, asking her husband to find someone to accompany her niece. Meanwhile, she took the opportunity to persuade her husband again, and Bai Hehua, following the junior staff, found Shen Bin doing laundry.

"Minister Shen, I want to make you a pair of shoes. I don’t know what size you wear." Bai Hehua lowered her head slightly, watching Shen Bin cautiously.

Her hands unconsciously grabbed the hem of her clothes, deliberately showing a delicate demeanor. She remembered that when she was at the unit, the young men always said her delicate demeanor was like Lin Daiyu’s.

Bai Hehua hadn’t read "Dream of the Red Chamber," but she knew Lin Daiyu was an ancient beauty. Therefore, knowing they praised her this way, she reasoned that her appearance must be beautiful and secretly remembered it.

Shen Bin stopped his work, his sharp eyes scanning Bai Hehua, "I spend most of my time at the company, rarely wearing cloth shoes."

He didn’t like Bai Hehua’s demeanor at all, clearly the same as the eldest daughter from the Ye Family, but acting so provincial and inexperienced, afraid even to speak, yet agreeing to the match despite not being interested in him. Shen Bin couldn’t understand why, but he wouldn’t waste time on it.

"Bai Hehua, if you’re agreeing to this because of your aunt’s wishes, you don’t need to worry, I’ll propose to end it. You just wait for the news during this time." Shen Bin gazed at her, not overlooking the panic in her eyes.

"I... I... My aunt didn’t force me, Commander Shen is quite steady." Bai Hehua lowered her head.

"I’m a straightforward person, won’t beat around the bush. Yes means yes, no means no. You don’t even dare to look at me directly; we can’t get along at all, so it’s not suitable. This should have been made clear the day we met, but because leadership directly decided on this matter, I didn’t have time to say anything. Today, I’ll make it clear so you can be at ease. I’m older than you, have been divorced, and my family’s conditions aren’t good. You’re a good girl, shouldn’t suffer with me." Shen Bin seriously expressed his thoughts, looking directly at Bai Hehua, "Though speaking directly may make everyone feel embarrassed, it’s better than wasting your time. You can blame me, but it’s enough if you accept what I say."

Bai Hehua’s face almost turned red enough to drip blood, "Minister Shen, I understand, I’ll tell my aunt it’s over between us."

Having never experienced rejection, Bai Hehua felt humiliated when it was said straight to her face. Holding back tears, her steps felt like they weighed a thousand pounds, and she forgot to walk, standing stupidly in place.

"Bai Hehua, you’re a good comrade, I’ll address this first since it’s my fault." Shen Bin readily took the blame.

Bai Hehua shook her head vigorously, tears falling abundantly, "Minister Shen, can you wait before addressing this? My aunt very much wants to see me with someone. Knowing suddenly that it won’t work would certainly disappoint her. I want to tell her slowly so she can accept it."

Shen Bin, clueless about comforting women, found it troubling to watch her cry, "If that’s the case, then send me a message when you think it’s appropriate."

Bai Hehua thanked him, could no longer stay, and walked away hastily, tears blurring her vision. Shen Bin, brows furrowed tightly, couldn’t help but recall his first marriage. The thought of marriage again made him hesitant; his character wasn’t suited for comforting women or matters like these, so he felt quite at ease being alone.

Shen Bin wasn’t an eloquent person, knowing his words today were too blunt, likely embarrassing the young girl. But since she offered to make him shoes, he couldn’t continue pretending, which forced him to speak up.

Shen Bin, insightful with firm opinions, appreciated others with the same trait. Bai Hehua’s timidity and lack of initiative, even in major life decisions, left him unimpressed.

Bai Hehua ran back, wiping away tears while recalling Shen Bin’s questioning tone. She was so embarrassed she wished she could disappear. Just as she thought about conquering the man and making him yield, she got rejected without even trying, as if slapped hard in the face. Ultimately, she spun a lie to avoid her aunt’s anger, feeling like she never wanted to see Shen Bin again.

Bai Xue, unable to persuade her husband, saw her niece return with her head lowered, not noticing her tear-red eyes, thinking her niece was just shy. So she called for them to head home. (To be continued. If you like this work, you’re welcome to vote for recommendations and monthly tickets on Qidian (qidian.com). Your support is my greatest motivation. Mobile users, please visit m.qidian.com to read.)