Chapter 167 Happiness Can Be Found by Yourself
"Be careful not to frighten Zeng Ziyu. Just recently you were acting like your life depended on him, and now you are completely indifferent. Watch out or he will think your emotional trauma is too severe; going too far is as bad as falling short."
Hua Mei dismissed her astonished assistant, then draped an arm over Xiaoxiao's shoulder and said earnestly, "Being hesitant and messy in the past doesn't mean I can't be decisive in the future. Since it's over, make a clean break. I don't want him to think I still haven't let go and therefore feel any sense of obligation toward me. The Zeng family gave me a generous alimony settlement; frankly speaking, this divorce was not a bad deal for me. Happiness doesn't need to be built upon someone else. Instead of constantly chasing after someone and begging for their charity, it's better to go out and find it yourself."
Her words were extremely reasonable. The person who used to be utterly impervious to any advice or reasoning was now actually preaching the philosophy of life to others. Xiaoxiao was even more astonished than Hua Mei's assistant.
"Even though Zeng Ziyu rejected me today, if not for this, how would I know how many people still want to date me?" Hua Mei said, signaling Xiaoxiao with her eyes to glance at the gentlemen present. Sure enough, several of them were gazing at Hua Mei from afar, and one or two were even exchanging flirtatious glances with her from time to time. Hua Mei maintained a perfect balance of poise and reservation, keeping her attitude tantalizingly elusive, leaving them completely hooked. Seeing this scene, Xiaoxiao could not help but marvel at how formidable the human capacity for emotional recovery truly is.
"What are your plans then? Try them out one by one?"
Hua Mei covered her mouth and laughed, "How could that be? What difference would that make between me and that promiscuous Zeng Ziyu?" She pointed to a gentleman across the table and said, "That one is the financial director of my father's company." Then she pointed to another man: "That one is the HR manager, and that one over there," she gestured toward another spot, "has two collaborative projects with us. And all those others—they are all business associates. Which of them can I afford to offend? Of course, I need to figure out how to get on good terms with them. Did you really think I was just out looking for a man?"
Xiaoxiao came to her senses and laughed at her own overactive imagination, only for Hua Mei to add, "However, if there really is someone who clicks well, I wouldn't mind considering it."
"Seeing you like this sets my mind at ease."
Before she could finish her sigh of relief, a gentleman made the first move and invited Hua Mei to dance. Hua Mei showed no coyness; as the music began, the pairing of such a talented man and beautiful woman left even Xiaoxiao in awe.
Lin Shuo also brushed off his friends and walked over, wrapping his arm around her waist to ask if she wanted to dance. It seemed they had indeed never danced together before. Knowing full well that her dancing was quite clumsy, she seized the rare opportunity and immediately linked her arm with Lin Shuo's, gliding into the center of the floor.
With them taking the lead, quite a few others followed, swirling gracefully to the music. Xiaoxiao focused entirely on Lin Shuo, gently resting her hand on his shoulder. A smile hung on his face, and his eyes held only her. Gradually, she leaned her head against Lin Shuo's shoulder, thoroughly enjoying this intimate moment.
"Do you mind exchanging dance partners with me?" A sudden inquiry disrupted Xiaoxiao's steps. Flustered, she broke away from Lin Shuo's embrace. Emerging from behind Lin Shuo with an inscrutable smile was someone who made Xiaoxiao gasp in astonishment, "Cai Yirou!"