Chapter 5, The Hidden Loss

The person who came to open the door was Lu Shaofeng. He Zhen sat on the bed with a cold expression, but her face softened a little upon seeing him. Xin Yitian glanced at the culprit—the induction cooker thrown on the floor—and said with a smile, "There’s an induction cooker, that’s great! We won’t have to worry about hot pot in the future, right?" She turned her head to look at He Zhen and blinked.

Wei first reminded her, "Isn't He Zhen a teacher at Shangda?"

She hesitated again, "Let me think about it some more"

However, the troubles of the poor are not as painful, yet they are profoundly sad. Just like the impoverished couple, He Zhen and Lu Shaofeng. After Xin Yitian finished dinner and sent Dong Quan away, she had nothing to do at the hotel, feeling quite bored on the weekend. Thus, she turned to find He Zhen. When she reached the entrance of the faculty dormitory and was about to knock on the door, she heard the sound of an argument coming from inside, so she hurriedly withdrew.

Eating hot pot in an air-conditioned room during summer, accompanied by cold beer and a few old friends with whom one can converse easily, is truly one of life's great pleasures. Lu Shaofeng continuously picked up fatty beef and meatballs for He Zhen, urging her to eat more, concerned that she might tire herself out, and took the initiative to wash the dishes after the meal. Watching this, Xin Yitian couldn't help but feel envious. That evening, she called Wei Xian, but he was still working overtime. She didn't want to disturb him too much, so after a few hurried words, she hung up.

Can he compare with Wei? Wei has a house, a car, and a career.

It has been several years. When I was with Mr. Xie, the old gentleman's health was already poor

However, sending a cake is a personal matter; isn't this boss a bit unclear about the distinction between public and private affairs?

She moved into a hotel near Shangda with a large suitcase of clothes, opened her computer, connected to the internet, and began her busy enrollment work

"What is this small matter? Mr. Xie is very good to us." Dong Quan spoke highly of Xie, "Last time I made a mistake that upset Mr. Xie, and he said he would deduct a month's salary from me. At the end of the month, my salary was indeed deducted, but I received an extra month's bonus. Mr. Xie is very generous to his employees, while he himself lives quite frugally. He used a mobile phone for many years, and a few days ago it broke. He asked me to take it for repair, but it wasn't fixed, so he finally replaced it with a new one." At the end of the month, my salary was indeed deducted, but I received an extra month's bonus. Mr. Xie is very generous to his employees, while he himself lives quite frugally. He used a mobile phone for many years, and a few days ago it broke. He asked me to take it for repair, but it wasn't fixed, so he finally replaced it with a new one.

Dong Quan sighed and continued, "Fortunately, Mr. Xie is capable, managing both major and minor affairs in the company with great efficiency. No one believes he is only in his early twenties this year. However, there are many who have plotted against him and tried to undermine him from behind, but fortunately, he has endured it all."

This matter has been finalized

The next day, upon waking, she was plagued by a severe headache. She was originally scheduled to meet with several students, but He Zhen, noticing her discomfort, canceled the appointments on her behalf. She remained in bed until noon, though she did not actually sleep; she merely lay there, tossing and turning, indecisive.

"Chen Ji Noodle House" is hidden in a winding and deep alley behind a hotel. The storefront is quite unremarkable, but once you step inside, it is bustling with voices. Xin Yitian skillfully squeezed into two seats, not even glancing at the menu, and ordered two bowls of noodles and a few side dishes, smiling as he said: "It gets like this during meal times, so you have to be quick."

What about his mother? How could she have a mental breakdown?

Dong Quan chuckled, "Since it is so delicious, I must go and have a taste"

Xin Yitian stared at him blankly, "Is his father ill? When did this happen?"

It is of no use to be anxious; life goes on day by day, step by step. Which boy does not spend money extravagantly? Last time, Wei Xian, in a moment of impulse, spent over 1,000 on a pair of headphones, which broke within a few days. It is already quite commendable that Lu Shaofeng is thinking of buying an induction cooker for his family

Oh, no wonder, Sichuan produces beautiful women

Before leaving, Xin Yitian gloomily said to Wei Xian while holding his arm: "From now on, we will be living in different places."

There were too many people in the hall, and she could not find Xie De for a moment, which relieved her. Perhaps it was the psychology of being timid upon returning home that made her feel it was better to face him a moment later. In a hurry, she found an inconspicuous corner to sit down and rest. After a while, the music began to play, and Xie De appeared under the dazzling mercury lamp, holding the hand of the girl named Tang Yi whom she had seen last time, gracefully gliding into the dance floor

She told herself not to regard him as a child any longer, for he is more cunning than any adult; otherwise, he would not have succeeded in having numerous prominent figures from Lin City come to celebrate the birthday of a twenty-two-year-old.

Didn’t find anything appealing? Shopping without buying anything brings no sense of accomplishment at all

You are here again! One should not compare oneself to others; it is enough to be content with oneself. Moreover, what does he have in terms of a house, a car, or a career? The house belongs to the family, the car is from the company, and his career is just beginning.

Did you come early in the morning? You haven't had breakfast yet, have you? Would you like to go together? I know a very good noodle shop nearby, a time-honored brand, so delicious that you will definitely come back next time.

Then would I not have to reside in Shanglin permanently

"Just come back after recruiting students during these two months of summer vacation"

She woke up to find it was nearly noon. She jumped out of bed barefoot and swiftly pulled open the curtains. Sunlight danced in the dust, bright, splendid, and omnipresent. After freshening up, she went downstairs for breakfast. At the door, someone called out to her, "Miss Xin!" She turned around and saw Dong Quan getting out of the car, holding a paper box. A flower was tied to the box with a silk ribbon. She was quite surprised, "Brother Dong, what are you doing here?" Her eyes searched around for Xie De's figure.

Time swiftly approached the end of the month. One day, she noticed the invitation card wedged in her notebook as a bookmark, and it reminded her that Xie De's birthday was coming up. Initially, she had no intention of acknowledging it, considering the distance from Beijing. However, now that she was in Shanglin, it would be rather impolite not to attend. If Xie De found out, it would be difficult for her to save face. Reflecting on his ambiguous attitude, she hesitated again, secretly pondering whether it would be acceptable to send a gift without attending in person. Yet, now that she was in Shanglin, it would still be quite rude not to go. If Xie De found out, it would be difficult for her to save face. Thinking of his ambiguous attitude, she hesitated again, secretly contemplating whether it would be acceptable to send a gift without attending in person.

Aren't you from Shanglin?" Xin Yitian asked

Mr. Xie is the boss. Whatever the boss instructs to do, no matter how small, is still a significant matter

One cannot say it this way; as long as she has student resources, that is sufficient. How much commission do you earn for recruiting a student? 15%? You can give her 5%. When two people work together, their combined efforts can yield great results. As long as she is willing to cooperate, isn't the recruitment work a piece of cake? There should be quite a few students at the university who wish to study abroad

Xin Yitian listened to the continuous clicking of the tongue and said, "Dong Ge, you really know how to get things done, you have the potential to be a detective, haha, even coming up with a method like impersonating a student's parent. However, isn't Xie a bit too strict with his subordinates? It's just a piece of cake, whether it gets delivered or not is not that important, you didn't need to be in such a hurry, waiting downstairs so early in the morning."

"Did you make a special trip for this? Have you been waiting down there for a long time?" She seemed quite anxious

However, among the people she knew, no one received an invitation from Xie De. She could not find anyone to take the gift for her, not even Wang Yishi. Wang Yishi frequently traveled between Beijing and Shanglin, claiming to have some property issues to deal with. The day before Xie De's birthday, she invited Xin Yitian to go shopping and have a meal. Xin Yitian, needing to choose a gift for Xie De, decided to go regardless of whether she would attend or not, and thus went.

I? I haven't received an invitation, how can I go? I can't just show up uninvited. Since he doesn't want to see me, I should be perceptive. One must know how to be considerate in social situations, she said self-deprecatingly

Typical pregnancy syndrome, it is fine to go out for a walk more often

Wang Yishi is both quick and precise when it comes to picking things up. She stands in the middle of a women's clothing store, quickly browsing through the items before pointing to a particular piece and asking the staff to take it down. She measures it against the mirror without trying it on, then has it packaged, pays with her card, and leaves. The only exception is with shoes; she reluctantly tries them on, taking a few steps to ensure they are comfortable, and ends up buying three pairs, all of which are this year's most fashionable new high-heeled shoes

Alright, I will eat on time, go to bed early and rise early, ensure that I do not misbehave or cause trouble, and be a good child

Lu Shaofeng was eager to find a job. After graduation, he entered a national research institution upon the recommendation of his mentor, primarily focusing on the synthesis of new drugs. However, due to his limited experience and lack of connections, he has not yet been confirmed in his position and is still receiving an intern's salary

After returning, she mentioned this matter to Wei Xian, complaining: "I wasn't included in the overseas inspection, yet I am the one stuck with the arduous task of recruitment. Moreover, even if I am a senior staff member, I do not know any leaders from the schools, I have no connections at all, how am I supposed to recruit?"

In Beijing, we are also living apart, aren't we? Wei smiled at her and said

She handed the carefully selected gift to a waiter, asking him to pass it on to Xie De, and left with a heavy heart. Her steps were much heavier than when she arrived, as if burdened by a thousand pounds, making it almost impossible for her to lift her feet. A taxi happened to drive by and stopped at the entrance. She waited for the person inside to get out, then quickly climbed in, collapsing into the seat as if all her strength had been exhausted

"Well then, in order not to keep the leaders waiting, I will call ten seconds earlier every day," Wei said, saluting as he spoke.

Upon hearing this, Xin Yitian's face turned pale, and she remained silent

In recent years, the development of Shanglin has been very rapid, and many students aspire to study abroad. As a resident of Shanglin, you should be well-equipped to effectively manage the company's enrollment plans

I am also unclear. The situation seems to have been getting worse over the past two years. Mr. Xie occasionally returns home, and not to mention those who care for him, sometimes he doesn't even have a meal to eat, and he still needs me to call for takeout. I often think that if he had a sibling to share some of the burden, he wouldn't be so exhausted now! I have vaguely heard that Mr. Xie seems to have a brother, but I have never seen him and do not know if it is true.

Xin Yitian was amused by him and reminded, "While I am away, you must behave yourself alone"

She probably heard too many compliments, smiled faintly, showed no reaction, and suddenly said: "This commercial building is owned by the Xie Group, do you know that?"

Lu Shaofeng was probably irritated by her scolding and said loudly: "Is the induction cooker a useless item? Why are you getting so worked up? Isn't it just a matter of a few hundred yuan?"

This scene seems familiar. That year, she and he spent a hot, tranquil summer together. Memories came rushing back, making her sentimental and tender. Closing her eyes, she seemed to still smell the essence of that summer, the long afternoons, the fragrance of lotus leaves carried by the wind, and the dandelions scattered all around. They were so young.

Life has its own triumphs and setbacks for everyone

Mr. Xie is also in a difficult position. His father is gravely ill, his mother is mentally unstable, and he has no siblings to support him. With such a large company, someone must manage it

She had not slept soundly all night. Although she had clearly decided not to go, as time passed second by second, her inner struggle intensified. A voice quietly emerged, saying, "It wouldn't hurt to go; it's just a birthday party, after all. In front of so many guests, would he really do anything to her?" Not attending after receiving the invitation, especially since it was personally delivered, would be too disrespectful. Another voice warned her, "Be careful; if you hesitate, you may bring trouble upon yourself. Xie is not an ordinary person; his actions are often unpredictable, and she would not be able to withstand his methods." Not attending after receiving the invitation, especially since it was personally delivered, would be too disrespectful. Another voice warned her, "Be careful; if you hesitate, you may bring trouble upon yourself. Xie is not an ordinary person; his actions are often unpredictable, and she would not be able to withstand his methods."

Are you very wealthy? How much is your monthly salary? Do you know how much it costs to have a child? Not to mention raising one! A few hundred yuan, a few hundred yuan, how many few hundred yuan do you have...

What is the use of those pots, bowls, and pans? Does the home not have any?

Xin Yitian is completely different from her. For the sake of comfort, most of her shoes are flat-soled, and her clothes are predominantly in cool colors such as blue, gray, and black, characterized by simple, elegant, and understated styles, with a few favored brands. In less than two hours, Wang Yishi has already acquired a pile of spoils, while she is left empty-handed. The two are sitting in a dessert shop, enjoying cake and coffee.

It is not the same. In Beijing, I want you to come see me; you can come at any time, even in the dead of night. But here in Shanglin, with such a distance between us, the mountains are high and the waters are long, even making a phone call requires waiting several extra seconds.

He buys what he should buy, and he also buys what he shouldn't. He has a gas stove and a rice cooker; what does he need an induction cooker for? You know that my dormitory is hardly bigger than a block of tofu, and there's no space to put all these things. What frustrates me is that he has a family and a wife now, yet he spends money just as recklessly as before, without any consideration. With the baby about to be born, the things for the child are expensive, and I am anxious

Wang Yishi nodded in agreement, "I remember when I first came to university, this shopping mall didn't even exist yet. However, shopping in Hong Kong is still the most exciting."

It could not continue like this; she decided to watch a movie to distract herself. After the movie, when she came out, it was already 5 PM, and the heat of summer had yet to dissipate on the streets. She stood on the bustling street, with crowds brushing past her one after another, seemingly close at hand, yet in reality, far away. The scorching and bright summer sun shone down on her head, making her black hair feel scalding, and leaving her feeling dizzy and disoriented.

Xin Yitian originally intended to leave, but as their argument grew louder, it escalated to the point where He Zhen's voice was tinged with tears. He anxiously shouted through the door: "After knocking on the door for so long, why is there no response?"

She hurried back to the hotel to do her makeup and change her clothes, but still ended up being late. She was not accustomed to being late, and began to resent her own indecisiveness. Pretending to have just returned from the restroom, she took a deep breath and walked into the lobby with poise and naturalness, so no one noticed her. The scale of the banquet exceeded her expectations; everyone was dressed in splendid attire, exuding nobility and elegance. There were even reporters and photographers inside, with flashes going off from time to time. The grandeur of the banquet surpassed her imagination; everyone was dressed in splendid attire, exuding nobility and elegance. There were even reporters and photographers inside, with flashes going off from time to time. It seemed that many of the guests were local celebrities, attracting the attention of the news media.

Xin Yitian quietly finished his meal and said softly: "The wealthy have their own troubles, and the poor have theirs; it is merely the level of troubles that differs. The wealthier one is, the more their troubles cannot be solved with money, thus the pain becomes even more intense."

Xin Yitian could clearly sense that she still had lingering feelings for Xie Deyu. However, for some unknown reason, Xie De's attitude towards her was quite poor, as evidenced by the incident regarding the birthday invitation. She recalled what He Zhen had said about Xie De hitting her; could it really be true? The situation had escalated to an uncontrollable extent, and Xie De's reputation was damaged, which led him to harbor resentment towards her

Xin Yitian works at a large study abroad agency in Beijing, primarily responsible for the French-speaking regions. The work is tedious and complex, lacking in technicality, and while the salary is decent, she does not particularly enjoy it. The reason she stayed in Beijing after returning to the country was largely due to Wei Xian. Despite her lack of enthusiasm for this job, she handles tasks very professionally. Therefore, the department head mentioned that the company plans to expand its business and asked if she would be willing to take charge of recruitment in other regions. She inquired about the locations involved.

Lu Shaofeng explained: "The supermarket is having a sale, and I thought we didn't have one at home, so it was just right to buy one, especially since they are giving away so many additional items"

As the dish was served, Dong Quan took a bite and gave a thumbs up in praise. The two chatted while eating. Xin Yitian asked, "Brother Dong, how did you know I live here?" She had not informed Xie De about her work in Shanglin.

Xin Yitian was very shocked, for the first time having a relatively clear concept of the wealth possessed by Xie De. With such a realization, he became increasingly unattainable for her. Therefore, when Wang Yishi asked her whether she would attend Xie De's birthday banquet, she shook her head, "I won't go, I have work tomorrow. After all, it's just a birthday, it comes every year, I can go next time just the same"

Xin Yitian thought for a moment and found it indeed reasonable. She ran to make a phone call to discuss with He Zhen. Upon learning that she would receive a 5% commission, He Zhen readily agreed and mentioned that she was acquainted with students from almost all the universities in the upper district.

He Zhen let out a "humph" and said nothing. She then suggested, "Let's have hot pot for dinner tonight; I'll go buy the ingredients. Lu Shaofeng, you stay behind and clean up, no slacking off allowed." After saying this, she pulled He Zhen out and advised her, "It's not a big deal, why get so angry? Be careful not to upset the pregnancy."

Oh dear, this story is quite lengthy. Mr. Xie specifically saved a piece of cake for me to deliver to you last night, but he did not tell me where you live, presumably he forgot. I called your phone but it was turned off, which made me quite anxious. Later, I thought that Teacher He Zhen might know, but I was afraid she would inquire about my identity, and I couldn't explain it clearly in just a few words, so I pretended to be a student's parent looking for Teacher Xin—I had heard that you were involved in the admissions at Shanghai University. When I told Teacher He Zhen that your phone was unreachable, she provided me with the phone number of the hotel where you are staying. I checked the number and found out where you are. However, since it was late at night, I was worried about disturbing your rest, so I only delivered it this morning

She is unable to describe her feelings. Even in her disappointment, she feels unworthy. She believes that her struggles over the past day and night were entirely unnecessary. She has overestimated the severity of the problem, which makes her seem somewhat ridiculous. With Xie De's unparalleled intelligence in the business world, could he possibly be unaware of the concerns that trouble him? Could he not see the obstacles that lie in between? Could he be less intelligent than her, less capable of making choices?

Xin Yitian returned to the hotel, still pondering why she and Xie De had broken up

Then why does he spend all day flying here and there, earning so much money? It doesn't seem like he is living that well.

I am from Sichuan

As she stirred her coffee with a spoon, she said: "Xie De's birthday is not something that is celebrated every year. I have known him for so long, and only this year did he make a big fuss about it. I thought he would celebrate it in the office like before. However, in the past, you weren't in the country either." After speaking, she looked up at her, carefully observing the changes in her facial expression.

He Zhen's voice sounded very angry, "Why did you buy these useless things? Don't you care about money?"

She decided to attend the banquet

Mr. Xie asked me to give this to you, saying that you left in a hurry last night and didn't even get to eat the birthday cake. This was specially made by a foreign chef invited from Beijing

Xin Yitian patted his head in approval, "Hmm, not bad! Remember to come see me during the holidays"

What use is she as a mere lecturer

Xin Yitian lowered her eyes and stared at the white porcelain cup, remaining silent for a moment before asking, "What about you? Are you going?"

Exhausted, she returned to the hotel and told herself to filter out those negative emotions that were either lost or hidden, just like a water purification system. Hypnotizing herself in this way, she gradually fell asleep

Not at all. This shopping trip made me feel that the development of the local area is really rapid; all the international brands that have entered the domestic market are present here

After listening to her words, Wang Yishi slightly pursed her lips, revealing a rather subtle smile, the meaning of which made Xin Yitian feel somewhat uneasy

Dong Quan looked around and smiled, saying, "The fragrance of wine is not afraid of deep alleys"

He Zhen sighed and said, "Ah, I don't know why, but recently I often feel a sense of heaviness in my heart."

Anyway, I have nothing to do today. Mr. Xie went to Beijing early in the morning to sign a major contract. He doesn't mind it at all