CHAPTER 202: CHAPTER 202 BREAK THEM APART 5_1

What was said wasn’t entirely unreasonable. But Yan Xixi was utterly confused. Was the purpose of her completing university just to quit her job and stay at home to serve a man full-time? Normally, he would be flying all over the place. When he occasionally came home, his wife would serve him tea, pour him water, and bring his slippers, attending to his every need... Is this supposed to be a woman’s greatest aspiration and ultimate destiny?

Especially when Madame Huang, with an air of condescending magnanimity, said, "Yan Xixi, are you willing to quit your job? If you quit immediately, I will no longer oppose your marriage to Xiaojue."

Yan Xixi didn’t answer.

"Xiaojue doesn’t even mind your past. Can’t you make a small sacrifice for him?"

A surge of anger rushed to her head.

What past do I have for you to hold against me? Is it just because I was with Wan Donglin? Back then, Wan Donglin was unmarried, and so was I. At most, it was a failed relationship. Does that really make me guilty of a crime deserving death? And Huang Xiaojue? Can he guarantee I’m the only woman he’s ever been with in his entire life? Do his dozens of blind dates not count? Has he truly been a paragon of self-control all this time? Men do these things, and no one bats an eye. But because I’m a woman, I’m supposed to feel inferior and lack confidence? Besides, those beautiful women Huang Xiaojue went on blind dates with—can they all guarantee they’re virgins? What about that pampered young lady who visited the company? Can she guarantee she’s never had other boyfriends before? If you despise me so much, your son is free to find another ’virtuous’ woman. I don’t think there’s anything about me for your son to look down on...

Boundless anger welled up in her heart, but she kept her eyes tightly shut, refusing to let it erupt.

"Yan Xixi, think it over carefully. If you’re willing to quit your job, I’ll consent to your marriage. Otherwise, the problem won’t be mine, but yours."

"..."

"By the way, don’t tell Xiaojue about our conversation today. Don’t let him know I spoke with you..." Madame Huang said meaningfully. "Yan Xixi, I’m not here to pressure you. I just want to state my position. I’ll consent to your marriage with my son. However, I also hope you’ll show him 100% sincerity and consider his feelings more. I can’t claim my son is exceptionally good or outstanding, but he is, at the very least, the best man in the world for you!"

"Even if you really want to work, can’t you just find a job at another company?"

This was truly the greatest concession Madame Huang could make. Considering her usual temperament, this would have been utterly impossible in the past.

She didn’t know how Madame Huang left, nor did she see her off. She just felt utterly drained, slumping alone on the sofa in the reception room.

It wasn’t until the receptionist came in and asked, "Miss Yan, are you all right?"

She forced her eyes open, shook her head, and slowly got to her feet.

By the time she arrived home, it was already pitch-dark.

She neither ate nor drank, lying alone in the darkness. Suddenly, her phone pinged with a notification. Opening it, she saw a message from Zhou Xiaoxuan in their alumni group chat: it was a photo of Wan Donglin and Zhou Ting together—a talented man and a beautiful woman, a perfect match. Below the photo was Zhou Xiaoxuan’s caption: "Going to attend the Third Young Master’s wedding, so excited!"

She almost spat blood. It felt as if all the day’s misfortunes had descended upon her at once.

She instinctively looked for messages from the stranger she’d been confiding in, wanting to pour out her grievances. But after searching for a long time, she was shocked to find their chat gone—he had actually blocked her.

She tossed her phone aside, utterly dejected. Unbidden, tears streamed down her face.