A Peach Wood Comb

However, there was still a hint of probing in his words: “Hmph, don’t say such things. People like you wouldn’t marry someone like her.” Ouyang was momentarily speechless when she retorted like that, but he was also afraid Cheng Lan might suspect him, so he quickly fabricated, “Who says I wouldn’t? Yu Qian even divorced for Lai Hui. He now considers Nanling his home. I bet it won’t be long before he marries her.” This sentence was enough to make Cheng Lan die of jealousy. She suddenly began to hate Lai Hui, who was supposed to be a good friend. Lai Hui always acted superior in front of her, telling her not to harbor any delusions and repeatedly urging her to leave Ouyang. And what about herself? Not only was she entangled with her ex-boyfriend, but she also didn’t miss out on her sugar daddy, bewitching people everywhere. And Cheng Lan? She was just hopelessly in love with Ouyang alone. Lai Hui even maliciously encouraged her to leave Ouyang. The more she thought about it, the more she hated, her knuckles turning white as she gripped her water cup: “You, Lai Hui, if it weren’t for you, Ouyang and I wouldn’t have come to this.” After that day, Ouyang never contacted Cheng Lan again. He had just felt a whim to have an “open and honest” chat with Cheng Lan about the past, but Cheng Lan didn’t see it that way. She had locked a beast in her heart, and if she didn’t let it out to bite others, it would bite her. So, when Li Yueqin came to her, whether intentionally or not, she revealed where Lai Hui’s father was. After Cheng Lan spoke, she held Lai Hui’s hand and said, “I was confused back then, really, look, I’ve lost everything now, and I haven’t returned to Ouyang’s side. Lai Hui, can you forgive me?” Lai Hui pulled her hand away, looked up at the deep, dark sky, and sneered, “Just because you’ve lost everything, does that mean you can be forgiven for hurting others?” She laughed, her voice tinged with a chilly desolation: “You don’t need my forgiveness; you’re just afraid Yu Qian will seek revenge on you. Don’t worry, he won’t, because you’re not worth it!” With that, she pushed Cheng Lan away, took several large steps out of the parking lot. Jiayi was anxiously looking around at the entrance, and upon seeing Lai Hui emerge from the shadows, he hurried down the steps to her, asking with concern, “Are you okay?” Lai Hui shook her head, her expression weary. “I’m fine!” Out of the corner of her eye, she saw Cheng Lan walking heavily into the restaurant. She said blankly to Jiayi, “My mom’s death, no one was to blame, right? Everyone was just looking out for themselves. At the root of it, fate shouldn’t have afflicted my mom with that illness, and Yu Qian, you, my dad, Li Yueqin, Cheng Lan, Ouyang, we all just pushed a little when it was convenient, until we pushed my mom to another world!” She covered her mouth with her hand, ran to the corner, and leaned against the wall, her stomach and lungs churning, an acidic, bitter taste rising to her throat. She tried to vomit but could only heave dryly, wave after wave of nausea. No one was to blame; it was just that fate, the all-powerful god, was too playful, manipulating everyone’s selfish desires, letting them display their ugly psychology to their heart’s content. Her mother was merely a victim of fate’s games. But what about those who survived? Who got anything out of it? Their fates were all different. Lai Hui cried as she retched, suddenly wanting to laugh, to bloom a smile that could proudly defy fate, but her current disheveled state made laughing impossible; one laugh, and she’d be the madwoman in everyone’s eyes — who could outplay fate? She didn’t want to ask those who played tricks and schemes; in the end, no one escapes death! Just as Yu Qian said, everything eventually becomes nothing — so, what’s the point of all those schemes? That morning, after watering the plants on her desk, Lai Hui turned to see the bright window. She held her teacup in one hand, the other shading her eyes from the harsh light. The sun had risen high, a bright yellow orb. She glanced at it briefly before turning away, the office now appearing dim with the lights on. She checked the documents she had organized the previous night, confirmed they were correct, and took the folder out of the office to send to Xie Jiayi for review. Xie Jiayi wasn’t in his office; only Secretary Li was there, looking anxious and pacing at the door. Lai Hui placed the folder on her desk, patted her shoulder, and whispered, “Li, what are you so anxious about?” Secretary Li turned around, pushed her glasses up her nose, her eyes narrowing behind the lenses, and her lips, painted with lip gloss, pouted in displeasure, as if Lai Hui was deliberately causing trouble. She whispered back, “Oh, it’s you. Mr. Xie has gone downstairs to meet some guests. Just leave the documents here, and I’ll pass them on to him later!” Lai Hui pointed to the folder on the desk and smiled, “I’ve already put it on your desk. You seem so anxious; is there anything I can help with?” Secretary Li pushed her glasses again, showing a professional smile of infinite charm to the newcomer, then said, “We have guests from two different companies today. One is a major client we’ve scheduled, and the other is a supplier who just showed up unexpectedly. They’re both downstairs now. Mr. Xie and I can only handle one at a time, so I need to figure out a solution. It’s quite troublesome!” “Isn’t it simple? Mr. Xie should naturally meet with the scheduled client first, and you can explain to the supplier, right?” Lai Hui said as if it were obvious, usually prioritizing the client. “If only it were that simple. The supplier isn’t just some regular business manager; it’s their big boss.” Secretary Li pushed her glasses again, looking puzzled. “It’s strange that Chairman Zhou would personally come here.” “Huh?” Lai Hui’s eyes widened; she hadn’t misheard, the name was Zhou. Secretary Li’s Mandarin was very clear. “Well, this is indeed a tricky situation. I’ve left the documents on your desk, Li. Don’t push yourself too hard. I’ll go back to work!” Saying this, she turned around silently. Whether or not it was “her” Zhou, she’d better escape back to her office first. She was still a rookie, clumsy and awkward; if Zhou Yuqian saw her, it would be embarrassing. She decided to hide in her office like an ostrich for a while, cultivate her skills, and then volunteer. Just as she stepped away, her shirt was grabbed from behind. She turned around helplessly to see Secretary Li smiling seductively, with a hint of malice. “Little Hui, what’s the first duty of an executive assistant?” “To coordinate and manage the daily affairs of the general manager.” “Well, by the way, this seems to be your job, doesn’t it? Even though Mr. Xie said you’re new and we should be more lenient, but now it’s time to step up. Isn’t it time for you to take responsibility?” Secretary Li handed her an A4 sheet with a friendly smile, “We don’t have much time. All of Chairman Zhou’s preferences are noted here. Take a quick look, and ask me if you don’t understand anything. As long as you can keep him occupied for half an hour, Mr. Xie can finish with the clients!” Lai Hui took the paper reluctantly, glanced at it, and then averted her eyes. She wondered who had collected the information; none of it seemed to match what Zhou Yuqian truly liked. She rubbed her hair, thinking this was indeed her job. Secretary Li had helped her so much in the past, and at such a time, it would be inappropriate to refuse. Besides, having served Zhou Yuqian for so long, she had no reason not to handle this. At worst, she could just act more professional. She nodded to Secretary Li, “I’ll give it a try and do my best not to mess it up!” With that, she headed towards the pantry, planning to make Zhou Yuqian’s favorite Longjing tea first. As she walked down the hallway, she encountered a group of people coming her way. In the center, surrounded by others, was none other than Zhou Yuqian. Lai Hui glanced at him briefly, her face flushing. This was their first encounter since their breakup; she wondered if she was too naive to think she could treat him with professional detachment now. Zhou Yuqian also looked up and saw her, his gaze as calm as a still pond. The deputy general manager beside him said something, and Zhou turned to engage in light conversation, his demeanor as if he hadn’t seen Lai Hui at all. However, Lai Hui was certain he had noticed her, but he didn’t linger even for a second. She felt a sudden sense of loss, her face paling as she quickly lowered her head to hide her emotions, then slipped into the pantry.