Chapter Fifty-Seven: Gratitude Cannot Fill the Belly, but Money Can-Don't Talk About Love When You're Lonely(A petty scholar bound by rigid interpretations)

Money, money, money—she felt a surge of irritation. In his eyes, it seemed as though every action she took could only have this single purpose. Unable to hold back, she retorted sharply, “I hardly need a deserter to teach me what courage means.”

She had told herself a thousand times: since he chose to leave, she would pretend nothing had ever happened. Yet now, meeting him again, she was still so, so eager to uncover the truth.

But he only smiled—falsely, coldly, mockingly, scornfully.

A chill swept through her heart. She had set aside her pride to say those words, only to receive vague and ambiguous responses in return. Now, facing him, she found herself unable to reach higher, yet also unable to truly walk away.

“Xiaoxiao, I’ve been looking everywhere for you!” He Li panted breathlessly. “Over there—” She suddenly noticed Lin Shuo was present as well and quickly stopped herself, forcing a smile. “Sorry to interrupt, Mr. Lin. May I borrow Xiaoxiao for a moment?”

Lin Shuo gave a courteous nod. After Xiaoxiao had been pulled a few steps away, he called her back. “Do you want to know?”

“Know what?” The sun had left her a bit dazed, but she quickly understood his meaning.

“Call me after the event.” With that instruction, he walked away on his own.

She drew in a sharp breath, an inexplicable unease nagging at her. He Li patted her chest. “Thank goodness, I nearly spilled everything just now.”

“You look so flustered—did you see a ghost?”

He Li led her to a secluded corner of the park where the administrator was arguing with a man and a woman, insisting they pay compensation for damaging a newly cultivated flowerbed. Xiaoxiao recognized both as clients of their company—no doubt, they'd hit it off at the event and gotten carried away. No wonder He Li had hesitated to speak in front of Lin Shuo; if their sponsor found out about this mishap, there might be no future cooperation.

“It’s all right, the company will handle it. The most important thing is not to upset the clients,” Xiaoxiao stepped in to mediate, sending He Li and the clients back to the event. He Li grumbled under her breath, “Manager Huang will chew you out for this; no matter how much you do, he’ll never remember your good deeds.”

Xiaoxiao replied calmly, “It’s fine if the clients don’t remember me for my failures.”

After negotiating a compensation plan with the park staff, Xiaoxiao braced herself for a scolding from Manager Huang, ready to defend herself. To her surprise, Manager Huang agreed readily. As she was processing this, she noticed Nina, their top account manager, energetically pitching the company’s proposal to Zeng Ziyu—never one to let an opportunity slip by.

“Xiaoxiao, I’m not sure whether I should say this,” Manager Huang began with feigned concern, trying to appear democratic.

“Please, go ahead,” she replied.

He took a step closer, his sudden warmth making her uneasy, and adopted a sincere tone. “It’s not an order, just some advice from a senior to a junior. You’re still young, and there will be plenty of chances for promotion. It’s not enough to simply rely on seniority—what matters is your ability. The company is bound to keep expanding, but you know our scale; to achieve great things, you need friends with money and influence. You’ve done very well this time, and I hope you’ll keep it up. After all, everyone has a family to support, don’t they?”

She wanted to ask if Manager Huang expected her to trade herself to Lin Shuo for the money to feed his whole family. When the Nie family was being hounded by the hospital for unpaid medical bills, where had Manager Huang’s concern been?

But in the end, she swallowed her words and asked, “Is this President Tu’s idea?”

Manager Huang pursed his lips. “Xiaoxiao, that’s not a very sensible thing to say.”

“I understand. I’ll do my best.” Clearly, it was President Tu’s directive; otherwise, Manager Huang—proud as ever—would never stoop to this so-called heart-to-heart talk.

Taking credit while pretending to be humble was Manager Huang’s usual style. Even as he finished his lecture, he remembered to offer some encouragement. “The company has your best interests at heart. Even I’m moved on your behalf.”

She took the lesson to heart: sentiment can’t fill your stomach, but money can.

Lonely Moments, Never Speak of Love, Chapter 57—Sentiment Can’t Fill Your Stomach, But Money Can—complete!