Shen Xingmian didn't think too much about it. He had no impression of Bai Xiaolian at all. Even though he had met her once at the wedding banquet, he hadn't paid much attention to her.
Bai Xiaolian glanced at Shen Xingmian fearfully, but in the end, she still took small, hesitant steps and slowly moved to the doorway.
Just as I was about to open the door, I heard someone upstairs say:
"Cousin, where are you going?"
Bai Xiaolian couldn't hold back her tears.
She didn't turn around, but her trembling shoulders betrayed her emotions.
Nan Zhi was puzzled. She looked at Shen Xingmian standing downstairs, drying her hair, and said:
When did you get back?
Shen Xingmian: "...Just now."
Nan Zhi nodded, walked down the stairs, and without even glancing at Shen Xingmian, went straight to the door and grabbed Bai Xiaolian, who was about to open it. "Cousin, what's going on?"
Bai Xiaolian felt wronged. Her parents were already a source of shame for her, and now they were being driven away by Shen Xingmian. Clearly, she couldn't say anything at this moment. She raised her other hand, wiped away the tears from the corner of her eyes, turned her head, and smiled at Nan Zhi, saying:
"It's nothing, I just wanted to go for a walk in the yard and get some fresh air."
Nan Zhi didn't doubt what she heard, but she did notice Bai Xiaolian's slightly red eyes. She just assumed that Shen Xingmian's attitude wasn't friendly enough, which made Bai Xiaolian feel uncomfortable, and didn't think of anything else.
Turning around, she glanced in Shen Xingmian's direction and saw that he was also looking this way, so Nanzhi glared at him fiercely.
Shen Xingmian: "......."
It's not his fault; this woman didn't say a word, so he misunderstood her, and she didn't even bother to explain.
Moreover, regarding Nanzhi's relatives, he only had impressions of those from Yuecheng and the Xu family; the others had never appeared.
Nan Zhi pulled Bai Xiaolian back, then looked at Shen Xingmian and introduced:
"This is my cousin, Bai Xiaolian. She'll be staying at our house for a while."
Shen Xingmian's first reaction was rejection; wouldn't this mean he and his wife wouldn't have much private space in the future?
Seeing Nan Zhi's confident expression, he didn't say anything, but nodded lightly to Bai Xiaolian.
Bai Xiaolian was still a little afraid of Shen Xingmian. This was the first time she had ever met a man like him. However, the way he looked at Nanzhi was very different from how he looked at her. It was gentle and full of love.
I felt a little envious of Nanzhi for having such a love.
Bai Xiaolian had prepared dinner in advance. She had only sat down to watch TV a short while ago, and had already started preparing before Nan Zhi took a shower.
It was just a table full of home-style dishes, but it smelled quite delicious.
"Cousin, all of this looks delicious."
Nanzhi smiled as she stared at the dishes on the table, and couldn't help but sigh.
Being praised by others naturally made Bai Xiaolian a little happier. She looked at Nan Zhi and said:
"I often make this at home; it's a very ordinary flavor, so I hope you won't mind."
Nanzhi picked up her chopsticks, took a bite, and nodded:
"tasty."
Bai Xiaolian was overjoyed and looked at Nanzhi, "I'm relieved that it's delicious."
Shen Xingmian watched the interaction between the two and felt very unhappy, feeling that Bai Xiaolian had stolen Nanzhi's attention from him.
Nan Zhi didn't care about Shen Xingmian's inner thoughts. She just tried her best not to make Bai Xiaolian feel awkward and kept trying to find topics to talk about with her.
And so, Bai Xiaolian stayed at Nanzhi's house. During the day, she would go out to look for work and refused Nanzhi's help.
She was an average student and graduated from an average school. She had a bad job in her hometown, but after coming to Beijing, she felt that things might be better here.
Unexpectedly, her parents agreed, especially her mother. In fact, she knew that her mother only wanted her to find a rich husband.
But her goal was simply to escape her parents and the suffocating home she lived in.
Bai Xiaolian ultimately underestimated the survival-of-the-fittest mentality in the capital city; a job was hard to find there.
Finding a job that suits her taste is incredibly difficult for her.
After running around for several days, Bai Xiaolian became more and more depressed. The greater her initial expectations, the greater her subsequent disappointment.
Nan Zhi was also quite busy. The president of the Clothing Association contacted her, and she was already quite helpless about the president of the Clothing Association.
Right after winning the award, the president approached her, claiming that she was the best candidate to succeed him, but she declined on the grounds of getting married.
Who knew that just a few days later, the president and vice president came to visit them directly.
At that time, neither Bai Xiaolian nor Shen Xingmian were present.
When Nanzhi saw the president's smiling face, she was momentarily stunned.
Out of politeness, we invited them in.
Appealing to their emotions and reasoning with them, the two talked for a full two hours. They even cried to Nan Zhi, saying that he was getting old, couldn't find a successor, couldn't retire, and that an accident might happen one day, causing chaos in the association.
After all, even if Nam Gyi doesn't take the position, there are still people who want to sit in it. Most importantly, no one will complain or have any grievances if Nam Gyi takes office. Her strength is undeniable, and no one can help but admire her.
After repeated persuasion from the president and vice president, Nan Zhi finally nodded helplessly.
"I can agree to that, but everything must be kept low-key and simple."
She was terrified that another succession ceremony would be staged, leaving her to be watched like a monkey by the crowd.
The president was overjoyed and nodded hurriedly:
"Of course, we can just get to know the core members of the association then. What do you think?"
Nan Zhi: "......Okay then."
There probably aren't many core members. Many of the staff members who belong to the association aren't actually in the association; they work normally elsewhere and are basically just figureheads.
Being a member of the association is an honor.
With Nan Zhi's consent, the president and vice president took their leave immediately, as if afraid that Nan Zhi might change her mind. They would inform them of the specific time for her to take over.
The Lian family sent out an invitation, which Lian Chuchu sent to her.
Nan Zhi was stunned for a long time, completely unaware of what was going on, so she directly called Qin Xi'er to ask.
Qin Xi'er said:
"I don't know either. I heard that Lian Chuchu asked my uncle to host this banquet. It seems that he wanted to explain something, and he also invited other families."
Nanzhi tossed the invitation aside; she didn't want to go.
But even Chu Chu wouldn't give up and called her.
When Nanzhi received the call, she was speechless. Even Chuchu was really persistent.
"Nan, have you received the invitation yet?"
Nan Zhi: "What exactly do you want?"
Lian Chuchu chuckled, a mocking smile curving her lips. "Nanzhi, you absolutely have to come this time. You'll regret it if you don't."
"Lian Chuchu, how much do you think of yourself? You think I'd regret it? I think I'll regret it after I go."
Nan Zhi rolled her eyes. She had no interest in a lunatic like Lian Chuchu.
"Don't you want to know the relationship between Shen Xingmian and Xi Yue?"
Nan Zhi was stunned for a moment, then her expression stiffened. She gripped the phone to her ear without making a sound, and remained silent for a long time.
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