However, she also disagrees with getting married for the sake of getting married, which she considers a tragedy.
"you're right."
Xiaoling also felt that she didn't want to compromise. Her family wasn't poor, so why should she make herself suffer?
"We really do have the same idea. You have no idea, when I talked to other people about this, all they told me was to just marry whoever I could find..."
"Oh my, these conditions are not bad, Xiaoling can't be picky anymore."
"As long as the conditions are roughly right, that's how most people get married these days..."
Xiaoling mimicked what those people said, and Xia Lan couldn't help but laugh.
"That sounds pretty sour."
"The people you despise are highly sought after by them."
“Right! I also feel really sour when I hear these words!” Xiaoling agreed.
"That's why I don't like hanging out with them. Their conversations are always about gay men—which gay man is good, what kind of gay man they want to marry, or they're discussing dowries..."
Xia Lan patted Xiao Ling.
"It feels so much better to talk to you about what's on my mind. Thank you so much, Xia." Xiaoling said happily, holding Xia Lan's hand.
"Next time you're unhappy, you can come and talk to me. Don't keep it to yourself," Xia Lan encouraged Xiao Ling.
"Mmm." Xiaoling looked at Xia Lan with gratitude.
"Xiaoling!" Minister Yang called from his office.
"Hey, I'm here." Xiaoling quickly ran into the office and came out again a moment later.
"Come on, I'll take you to the deli counter." Xiaoling smiled as she approached Xia Lan, took Xia Lan's hand, and led her outside.
The two had only taken two steps when someone blocked Xia Lan's way.
"You're Xia Lan? You're not that good-looking, are you?"
The visitor was clearly hostile; he immediately gave Xia Lan a disdainful look and then sneered.
Xia Lan looked at Zhao Li in front of her and smiled.
"Well, I'm just average-looking, not particularly good-looking!"
Xia Lan nodded in agreement without hesitation.
Xiaoling and Zhao Li were both stunned. It was the first time someone had been said to like that and actually accepted it calmly.
Most people would get angry or argue back.
Xia Lan's actions left Zhao Li completely bewildered, unsure of how to proceed.
In the past, Xia Lan would have retorted, but after seeing Lin Xiuxiu's face, Xia Lan felt that this was a true beauty. Her face was both alluring and seductive, and she loved it.
Now she feels that her face is only good-looking, like that of a girl next door.
"You're quite self-aware, knowing you're not good-looking," Zhao Li glanced at Xia Lan and scoffed.
"Well, I'm quite self-aware, but I don't know if you are!" Xia Lan grinned, clearly ready to cause trouble, and she wasn't afraid.
"You hate me, don't you! Because I took your counter as soon as I arrived, but even if you hate me, it's no use." Zhao Li raised her head triumphantly, like a proud peacock.
"...Does she have something wrong with her head?" Xia Lan glanced at Zhao Li with a puzzled look, then looked at Xiao Ling beside her. Xiao Ling had the same expression as Xia Lan, wondering if Zhao Li was suddenly trying to get some attention.
"Comrade Zhao Li, it's okay if your head is empty, but don't let water get into your brain..." Xia Lan said to Zhao Li.
"Why are you suddenly trying to assert your presence in front of me? Do you think it's an honor to have my counter? Or are you here specifically to show off that you have connections?"
"I know I took your counter, and you hate me for it, but if you said anything you shouldn't have to Minister Yang, don't blame me for being so polite." Zhao Li glanced at Xia Lan, and seeing that she had spent so much time with Minister Yang in the office, Zhao Li figured Xia Lan must have complained to Minister Yang!
Otherwise, it would have taken so long for them to come out.
"Aren't you Minister Yang's... you know? My brother-in-law already told me." Zhao Li glanced at Xia Lan with disdain, her eyes filled with disgust and loathing, as if she were looking at something filthy.
"Please explain yourself clearly. What am I to Minister Yang?" Xia Lan's face turned cold. This was a blatant attempt to smear her!
"Hmph, what else could it be? A woman who relies on a man, what else could she be? You did something disgusting, so don't be afraid of what people say about you! Otherwise, why would Minister Yang hire you?" Zhao Li had already concluded that Xia Lan had an improper relationship with Minister Yang.
Otherwise, how could Xia Lan have started working before her? You have to understand that she is Director Liu's sister-in-law. Even with such a connection, it still took her so many days to get into the company.
Xia Lan actually joined the company earlier than her. Isn't that just using connections? Moreover, she had heard about Minister Yang and Xia Lan's affair more than once. If they weren't having an affair, why would Minister Yang help Xia Lan so much?
She was in charge of preparing all the events, which was clearly creating opportunities for her to shine, while pretending that it was all her idea and giving her credit.
"Comrade Zhao Li, what evidence do you have, or did you see it with your own eyes? How can you say such things?" Xiao Ling frowned and said coldly. If these words were to get out, how would Xia Lan and her brother-in-law face anyone afterward?
It was just her guess; how could she make such a nonsensical statement without distinguishing right from wrong?
"Do you know that there are some things you shouldn't say carelessly?"
Xiaoling's anger elicited a dismissive snort from Zhao Li.
"She and Minister Yang have been in the office for so long. If nothing happened, what were they doing in there?"
"She's a rural woman who's never even been to school. How could she possibly discuss national affairs with Minister Yang? It's laughable."
Zhao Li was convinced that Xia Lan and Minister Yang had a secret affair, and her voice grew louder and louder, attracting the attention of many people.
Xia Lan glanced at Zhao Li and, seeing that she didn't hold back at all and even deliberately raised her voice, she stepped forward and slapped Zhao Li hard across the face.
"Smack!"
The loud slap drew everyone's attention, and many people immediately walked towards Xia Lan.
"What happened? How did they start fighting?"
"If there's any misunderstanding, just say it out loud. Why did you have to resort to violence?"
"Why are you doing this? What happened?"
Everyone asked with concern.
"She hit me! All I did was talk about her and Minister Yang, and she hit me..." Zhao Li gathered everyone over and complained to them.
"Xia Xia and Minister Yang? That can't be right."
Xia Lan and Zhao Li are both newcomers, but Xia Lan arrived at the unit before Zhao Li, and everyone knows that Xia Lan is already married. Moreover, everyone has met Qin Yu, so how could Xia Lan possibly have an affair with Minister Yang?
"If you can't speak properly, then you might as well not have a mouth at all! It's full of filth." Xia Lan said coldly.
“Everyone knows I’m married, and everyone knows my husband and I have a very good relationship. You come up here accusing me of having an affair with Minister Yang. Do you have any evidence? Have you ever seen us hugging and cuddling together?”
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