Chapter 125: Such People Aren't Worth My Complaints

Her father’s condition kept worsening and improving by turns, and Xiaoxiao had also considered Lin Shuo’s suggestion, wondering whether they really ought to transfer him to another hospital. She tentatively mentioned the idea to her mother, who seemed even more worried than she was. The elderly could not withstand the slightest upheaval and yearned all the more for peace and quiet. Her mother felt that things were not so bad as they were.

Yet the matter of the land was urgent. Xiaoxiao deliberately met Brother Han twice, making sure to avoid both him and Lin Shuo. Brother Han admitted frankly that they had indeed run into difficulties. Although their offer was higher than Shenghua’s, for some reason many of the flower growers were resistant.

“That’s the affection flower lovers feel for their flowers, and also fear—the fear that something they’ve tended all their lives might change beyond recognition overnight. Anyone would feel uneasy.”

“Could a few flowers really be more appealing than money?” Brother Han was utterly perplexed.

Xiaoxiao offered an example. “Between Ying and money, which side would you choose?” Lately she seemed fond of making people answer such questions. Perhaps it was because a person had only two feet and could not walk two roads at once.

“Don’t say things like that,” Brother Han protested. He was superstitious about such matters.

She nodded in satisfaction. “A flower nursery is the same. It carries on the lives of several generations. The happiness money can offer is nothing compared with what the nursery gives them. How could they simply let it go?”

After meeting Brother Han, she arrived just in time for the afternoon shift. The moment she stepped out of the elevator, she heard the sound of things being smashed inside Manager Huang’s office. The little secretary, who normally spent her days happily browsing online shops, was hunched over her desk and did not dare so much as glance in that direction.

He Li hurried over and pulled Xiaoxiao away. “Come on, let’s go. Everyone else is keeping as far away as possible. Be careful—a cup might come flying out and hit you.”

Only after they had retreated to safety did Xiaoxiao notice that no one had any heart for work. Everyone had their ears pricked up, listening to Manager Huang’s string of curses—calling someone ungrateful, saying that even a dog had more conscience. Every word was foul.

“Who is he cursing?”

“Probably Nina,” He Li whispered.

“Hm?” Xiaoxiao was astonished. How could Manager Huang possibly be cursing his most capable subordinate?

“Nina went in there a little while ago. After she came out, the Weasel turned into this.”

Not to mention that the two of them had once made a fine double act, Nina now had Zeng Ziyu backing her. Xiaoxiao asked, “Do you know why?”

He Li spread her hands.

Before long, Xiaoxiao ran into Nina in the restroom. She had just stepped out of a stall when she saw Nina leaning against the wall, absorbed in smoking, her eyes misty and unfocused. She looked devastatingly sensual.

“Ask whatever you want.” Nina spoke first, breaking the stalemate that had lasted between them for days.

“Did the Weasel do anything to you?” Xiaoxiao asked, concern in her voice.

Nina opened her eyes, and a spark of light flashed in them. Plenty of people wanted to profit from her, but few truly cared about her interests—one might even say there was only one. Once upon a time, Xiaoxiao herself had been moved by the words Nina used to come to her rescue.

“Never mind. Let’s not talk about it.” Nina stubbed out her cigarette and put on a playful expression. “That sort of person isn’t worth complaining about.”

Xiaoxiao had more or less guessed what had happened. The Weasel had once pressured her to entertain clients as well, and apparently he had done the same to Nina. But she wanted to know why Nina had refused.

“Because of Zeng Ziyu?”

“Yes and no.” Nina showed not the slightest trace of panic. She spoke with the composure of someone summing up a hard-earned lesson. “I used to live by flattering everyone around me. Looking back, what was the point? Shouldn’t the person I ought to flatter and please most be myself? Seeing the way I used to trail after Zeng Ziyu, you can tell how pathetic I looked back then.” Nina smiled. “I used to be young and playful, and I thought being surrounded by people felt wonderful. Now it’s only a performance for the occasion. Once I’ve had enough, I leave.”