CHAPTER 66: CHAPTER 66: ONE OVERSIGHT IN A HUNDRED CAUTIONS 4_1

"Xixi, Tongtong and I just aren’t a good fit. We’ve broken up. By the way, Tongtong is Zhou Xiaoxuan’s cousin, and it was Zhou Xiaoxuan who introduced us..."

"Xixi, I went on a blind date today. She was pretty good and attractive too. My mom was really pleased. As long as they’re a civil servant, Mom is satisfied. I think she’s been infected with the ’civil servant daughter-in-law enthusiast’ virus her whole life. I don’t understand why she thinks civil servants are so amazing???"

"Xixi, I had another blind date today. This one is a doctor at a major hospital, very intellectual. My mom is also pleased. She said having a doctor is good, as it’ll be convenient for medical needs in the future... Haha... My mom really plans far ahead, even trying to claim the ’benefits’ of getting sick..."

"Xixi, today’s date works at the tax bureau. She’s very pretty and petite, with a lively personality. Both my mom and I are very satisfied. Of all my blind dates, this is the one I’m most satisfied with. What pleased my mom even more is that her family owns a villa in the southern suburbs with picturesque views. I’m tired of these blind dates too, and it’s rare for someone to actually like me, so this is pretty good. We might get married next year. Her family is willing to gift us that small villa as our marital home. My mom is extremely satisfied. By the way, how are you doing? Xixi, is everything alright with you? As long as you’re healthy, nothing else really matters..."

...

Yan Xixi noted the timestamp on the messages. They were from three months ago. After that, the messages stopped entirely. There had been no further word from Huang Xiaojue.

He was exhausted too, worn down by such a long period of bitter despair.

It seemed he was genuinely content with the beautiful tax officer who came with a small villa as her dowry.

Time flew by so fast.

In the blink of an eye, they hadn’t seen each other for almost an entire year.

Yan Xixi hugged her knees, staring out the window at the heavy, swirling snow. The wind howled, cold and biting. She vaguely remembered someone whispering in her ear, "Xixi, I’ll give you five thousand a month from now on. Your and your mom’s living expenses will be covered. As for other things, we’ll figure them out slowly. At worst, we’ll have no savings for a couple of years and won’t buy a house. A little hardship is nothing. We’re still young. There’s nothing we can’t earn, right?"

She suddenly covered her ears, pressing down hard.

Yan Xixi, apart from Huang Xiaojue, no one in this world will ever treat you this well!

She knew that perfectly well! She had never doubted it for a moment.

But why, in the end, did we always choose such divergent paths? Yan Xixi, do you regret it? Do you regret the choice you made that day?

She shook her head, vehemently.

No, I absolutely do not regret it. I will not regret it for my entire life. If I stayed with Huang Xiaojue, I would never have had the chance to finish university. Even if he loved me and cherished me, I would have inevitably remained inferior in his mother’s eyes, forever denied the chance to change my destiny. In this world, some people might become successful without a university education. Many from grassroots backgrounds achieve success, and every field has its masters—but they are not us! Does everyone have that kind of luck? Can you be certain you’re that one-in-ten-thousand lucky soul??

Yan Xixi had never harbored such illusions. Ever since her father’s car accident, misfortune had clung to her like a shadow. She had struggled bitterly for so many years, yet the more she struggled, the deeper she sank.

Therefore, I chose a shortcut. And I’m thankful I had the opportunity to take that shortcut. Xiaojue, I am a selfish, mercenary, and shameless woman. From now on, don’t think of me anymore.

She closed her account and, from beginning to end, never replied a single word to Huang Xiaojue.