Chapter 53

 

“… If you look at me like that, I’ll get shy.”

—

So, she was shy?

Replacing the wicked itches with a sincere flutter of the heart.

The face before him made Liang Jiancheng feel, for the first time, a longing as warm and bright as early summer sun.

His gaze paused for half a second. Liang Jiancheng’s throat rolled lightly as he politely lifted his eyes higher, reaching out to brush away a strand of white spider web clinging to Ming Xi’s hair—

“There’s a spider web on your head—

“Look.”

Liang Jiancheng showed the white spider web to the person inside the bookshelf.

If Liang Jiancheng was the one exercising restraint in that instant, then it was Ming Xi who suddenly felt guilty. Guilt, however, made her bolder. Softening her voice, with a hint of nervousness, she asked, “Is there a spider on it?”

If Cai Ni heard her say that, she would probably be shocked. Cockroaches would occasionally crawl up the drain in the dorm bathroom, and each time, amidst Cai Ni’s screams, Ming Xi would stomp them flat without flinching.

What was there to be afraid of about spiders? They were kind of cute, really.

Her thoughts were already so tangled, she might as well turn into a spider spirit herself.

“There aren’t any on your head, but there should be some on the ceiling,” Liang Jiancheng said, his gaze seemingly glancing worriedly at her head.

Ming Xi: …

Then why did he even trick her into going in?

Liang Jiancheng smiled, suddenly reaching out and gently rotating the bookshelf about thirty degrees. The previously narrow space widened slightly, magically opening up a palm-sized space beside her.

Like a secret passage—one only he knew about.

Ming Xi shot him a sideways glance, too lazy to argue with her benefactor, but then noticed the mischievous glint in Liang Jiancheng’s eyes.

The reason the space widened when the shelf rotated was simple: the bookshelf wasn’t circular—it was elliptical. This had once been Liang Jiancheng’s childhood hideout. During the years when his parents’ relationship was at its worst, he’d been sent to live with his grandparents. When bored, he’d crouch inside and read.

There was also a kind of psychological hide-and-seek involved; he had also longed to be found by his parents.

He was fully grown now, yet those childhood memories had awakened a trace of childishness in him. With Ming Xi, he felt he was being just a little childish again.

Laughable, perhaps.

But being able to look at her just a moment longer made him utterly content.

—

Liang Jiancheng had to rush to Ning City. The contract had been signed, the keys handed over, and all precautions explained—there wasn’t time to linger.

The apartment wasn’t far from Longmao dormitory, only two bus stops away.

Before leaving, he told her, “If you have any problems living here, just contact me.”

Ming Xi smiled and joked in a light and friendly tone, “For six hundred yuan rent, does Boss Liang provide personal service anytime?”

Liang Jiancheng chuckled softly, looking at her with effortless charm. Then, slipping naturally into the role of both landlord and businessman, he replied, “Miss Ming, in this day and age, the most important thing in doing business is integrity. Making big money requires attitude, and making small money requires grace. Don’t you agree?”

No wonder he was a boss.

Her own level was still too low—she had much to learn.

Ming Xi thanked Liang Jiancheng one last time, “Thank you, Mr. Liang. I’ll remember both you and the professor’s help.”

“No need to remember, just be happy with your stay.”

With such a good apartment, if she kept refusing and still lived unhappily, not only it would be ungrateful but also pretentious.

“Goodbye, Mr. Liang.”

“Goodbye, Ming Xi.”

Liang Jiancheng went downstairs briskly and gracefully.

—

After Liang Jiancheng left, the cleaning aunt also arrived.

Ming Xi called Cai Ni and told her exactly where the professor’s apartment was.

Cai Ni wasn’t yet familiar with the buildings within a three-kilometer radius of Longmao Parkway. When she heard it was a Western-style apartment, she was genuinely shocked.

“The professor treats you like his own daughter!”

Ming Xi had grown up lacking familial affection. Hearing that made her heart soften instantly. Like a well-behaved daughter, she thought: When I make it big one day, I’ll be sure to take good care of the professor.

Cai Ni was on the morning shift. After work, she came to see the apartment herself. Slipping off her shoes, she rubbed her feet across the spotless floor, barely able to contain her amazement. Three hundred yuan per person to live in a place like this—it was like winning the lottery. Seeing how fully furnished it was, Cai Ni decided on the spot to move in immediately.

Ming Xi didn’t want to stay in the dorms either. She hired a handcart, and after two trips with Cai Ni, they moved everything over.

Cai Ni asked her why she hadn’t asked Ding Xiao to help.

Finally, Ming Xi had the chance to explain. After taking a sip of water, she said, “Cai Ni, this is a place we’re renting, but in truth, it’s also borrowed. Rents in this area are high—if the professor wanted to, he could rent it out for much more. The six hundred yuan rent is what the professor charges so we can feel at ease. Since he’s taking such good care of us, we can’t cause him trouble.”

After working in sales, Cai Ni had learned to think more carefully. Hearing this, she immediately understood.

In this world, things that were completely aboveboard could be twisted into something ugly.

Just like the rumors that spread before Ming Xi left Longmao.

Thinking of those rumors made Cai Ni seethe with anger.

Yes.

Opportunities like this were too extraordinary. Even she herself found it unbelievable—let alone former colleagues who were little more than acquaintances. They would surely embellish the story. Ming Xi wasn’t afraid of that, but the professor was different.

And Liang Jiancheng was different too.

Of all the gossip, the one she feared most was Longmao people running their mouths spreading stories about him keeping a mistress in a lavish house.

Truly noble or aloof people didn’t fear such talk.

Unfortunately, she was neither.

Cai Ni completely understood Ming Xi’s concerns: “I know my biggest flaw is talking too fast. After you reminded me last time, I haven’t mentioned our private matters at all at Longmao. Ming Xi, I promise.”

Ming Xi responded with a quiet “Mm.”

Cai Ni was pretty and quick-tongued—exactly the kind of person most easily targeted in the workplace. That was why, before Cai Ni officially started work, Ming Xi had given her a strict warning, which Cai Ni had taken to heart.

After making the bed, Ming Xi changed into clean clothes and lay down. She felt as though her entire body was being gently wrapped in softness and cleanliness. The phone beside her suddenly buzzed—it was a message from Liang Jiancheng.

“The old house carries good fortune. Wishing Miss Ming that every day after moving in is filled with good luck.”

Six hundred yuan and a blessing text message, Liang Jiancheng was incredibly generous.

“Thank you, Mr. Liang. Wishing you good luck every day as well.”

—

The contract was signed quickly, and the rent hadn’t been paid yet.

Ming Xi had originally planned to pay Liang Jiancheng this month’s rent first, but after some thought, she decided against it. Even if the professor knew Cai Ni, she should still take Cai Ni to the professor’s house.

The person Cai Ni feared most was Professor Liang. But morally speaking, since they were living together in the professor’s apartment, how could she let Ming Xi shoulder the favor alone?

The two of them took a taxi to the professor’s home. Ming Xi brought along both the deposit and the rent. After discussing it together, she and Cai Ni pooled three thousand yuan as the deposit.

Professor Liang was just about to head downstairs to eat at the university cafeteria when he saw Ming Xi again—along with Jiang Cai Ni standing behind her.

Jiang Cai Ni shrank her neck a little and greeted him shyly and nervously, “Professor… do you still remember me?”

“Yes, the one who loves to eat in class,” Professor Liang said, glancing at her.

Jiang Cai Ni’s hard-won courage vanished instantly.

Ming Xi cleared her throat lightly and explained their purpose to the professor, then handed over the deposit and the first month’s rent.

When Ming Xi mentioned that she planned to come once a month to deliver the rent, annoyance immediately appeared on Professor Liang’s face. He refused outright. “No need to come every month. I’ll give you an account—just transfer it regularly.”

Ming Xi smiled brightly and said it wasn’t appropriate. “Bank transfers have handling fees, Professor. Let me save some money.”

Professor Liang glared at her: “And taking a taxi here every time doesn’t cost money?”

“No, because every time I come, you treat me to a meal. That’s even it out.”

Professor Liang: “…”

Cai Ni, standing beside them, silently gave Ming Xi a thumbs up.

So this was how Ming Xi and the professor get along…

It looked easy, but clearly wasn’t. Just now, when the professor shot her a glance, her tongue had nearly tied itself in knots. Cai Ni could tell—Professor Liang genuinely liked Ming Xi, which was why he was willing to rent the apartment to her so cheaply. It had nothing to do with Mr. Liang at all.

Professor Liang brought the two girls to the staff canteen for lunch.

“Why didn’t Liang Jiancheng ask you for the money?” After sitting down, the professor asked Ming Xi.

Ming Xi didn’t hide anything. Smiling as she said, “Mr. Liang personally told me to make sure I deliver the rent to you every month—so you wouldn’t misunderstand and think he’d pocketed it.”

“Hmph. As if he’d care about that little money,” Professor Liang snorted. He didn’t believe it at all—but hearing it still made him happy.

Moving his lips slightly, Professor Liang looked at the two girls in front of him, both in the prime of youth, and said to Ming Xi, “Don’t learn from Liang Jiancheng. And don’t think that just because he has a bit of money, he’s impressive. He looks humble, but in truth, he’s arrogant to the core. People who are too arrogant tend to live without clarity. If he truly understood things, he wouldn’t have made that kind of mistake. You two girls came here from out of town—you don’t have much room to make mistakes. Think clearly before you act, but don’t belittle yourselves either. As long as you’re good enough, no one will look down on you.”

Ming Xi’s heart sank slightly.

Professor Liang continued: “Take external things lightly, and the road ahead will be easier.”

This was how Liang Yuzhi had once taught Liang Jiancheng—and now he was teaching Ming Xi the same way. Seeing that Ming Xi had taken it to heart, the professor smiled with satisfaction and reminded her to eat more.

Ming Xi immediately lowered her head and focused on the food.

Then, Professor Liang looked at the other girl… Jiang Cai Ni.

People truly differed in innate aptitude. The same words were said to both—one clearly absorbed them, while the other clearly just wanted to eat her fill…

After saying goodbye to Professor Liang, Ming Xi and Cai Ni took the subway back.

The wind whistled through the subway car.

Cai Ni asked Ming Xi curiously, “What exactly did Mr. Liang do wrong?”

This…

Ming Xi didn’t want to lie to Cai Ni, but she couldn’t reveal the truth either. She looked at Cai Ni for a moment and said, “Liang Jiancheng… show off his wealth.”

What? Cai Ni grinned, “How is Mr. Liang showing off?”

Ming Xi coughed, “My laptop originally cost 15,000 yuan, but I bought it for 10,000 yuan. Liang Jiancheng’s laptop cost over 30,000 yuan! When the professor found out, he criticized him. And look at what he wears—everything’s this season’s new releases from Longmao. Don’t be fooled by how calm and detached he looks—materially, he’s never wronged himself.”

What on earth was she even saying…?

And yet Cai Ni believed it completely. Clicking her tongue twice, she said, “What’s wrong with that? The professor’s standards are way too high. If that counts as showing off, when I’m rich, I’ll show off like that too. I’ll use the best of everything—wear the best clothes, the best shoes, even use the best solution for perming my hair. I’ll buy the best handbags and walk proudly down the street, letting everyone see what a beautiful, charming, wealthy woman I am.”

After saying that, Cai Ni’s entire head bobbed smugly.

Ming Xi couldn’t help laughing, burying her head as she stifled it.

“Ming Xi, don’t you think that way too?”

Ming Xi wasn’t noble; she thought the same thing.

But beyond these material things—

She was even more greedy.

That kind of inner greed wasn’t something she could say out loud. It needed to stay quietly remembered in her heart. That, too, was part of Professor Liang’s advice.

—

Once the move was done, work still went on as usual.

Early in the morning, packed into the elevator like sardines in a can, Ming Xi suddenly realized something: wearing high heels, her eye level was now above average.

Not just among female colleagues—she was solidly above the middle. Sometimes, she was almost level with average-height male colleagues. She’d once stood next to Zhao Yang, and her gaze reached straight to his forehead.

Had she grown taller in the past six months?

Indeed, Cai Ni thought so too.

Back in Yicheng, Cai Ni had felt that Ming Xi was slightly shorter than her. Recently, though, she noticed Ming Xi was completely the same height. When she first realized it, Cai Ni instinctively looked down, thinking Ming Xi was wearing heels—but she wasn’t.

This morning, Ming Xi stepped out in soft black leather high heels, a white shirt tucked into dark blue suit pants, and carrying a light-colored leather women’s briefcase—the epitome of a young, elite woman.

Cai Ni glanced at her and blurted out, “Ming Xi, I think you’ve grown up.”

Ming Xi glanced at Cai Ni, concerned, and said, “No, my bra size hasn’t changed…”

Cai Ni laughed so hard she almost spat out her soy milk: “I mean your whole look—you’ve blossomed!”

Ming Xi: …

Cai Ni covered her mouth, her gaze playfully and contentedly landing on Ming Xi’s chest, nodding in approval: “Of course, it’s grown quite a bit too.”

What a rascal.

Could drinking milk really work?

Cai Ni smacked her lips. Compared to her own favorite breakfast of soy milk and fried dough sticks, Ming Xi, since starting work in the office building, had begun carefully planning her daily nutrition to improve her stamina, including at least a glass of milk every day.

Because work was like going to war, and the most important thing in war was ammunition.

And health and energy were her ammunition.

Through riding the elevator every day, Ming Xi gradually sensed the difference between Xinghai and Haiou, the two foreign trade companies.

She could tell employees apart by their clothing styles.

For example, Haiou’s two bosses—He Yuan and Boss Huang—were almost always in formal shirts and suits. Liang Jiancheng’s daily work style, on the other hand, was more American. Even when formally meeting clients, he only leaned toward an elite British look.

Employees have to figure out their bosses’ preferences and follow their lead.

Ming Xi didn’t like dressing too formally, but Haiou didn’t allow casual attire. Shirts had to be tucked into pants or skirts—written explicitly into company policy.

At Haiou, every sales rep had their own clients—and their own body types.

Fortunately, Ming Xi had a good figure. With a slim waist, this style of dressing made her look straight-backed and slender-waisted.

Today, Ming Xi deliberately dressed up. She, who never wore jewelry, even borrowed a pair of pearl earrings from Cai Ni.

Cai Ni said pearls suited her and even told her about Australian white pearls—calling them the most beautiful pearls in the world—and said Ming Xi should buy some to wear once she was rich.

Ming Xi didn’t know how much Australian white pearls cost. For now, she felt Zhuji pearls looked just fine.

A girl was already dazzling with just a little makeup, let alone someone with naturally beautiful features.

When Ming Xi arrived at her desk that morning, Zhao Yang and Sister CC, who sat beside her, both looked up. Zhao Yang still looked like a malfunctioning robot—expression flat, gaze cold.

Sister CC, however, exclaimed dramatically—”Xiao Xi, are you meeting a client today?”

“Yes.”

Ming Xi nodded. After staking things out for so long, she was finally about to meet her very first overseas client.

A French man with a classic French name:

Pierre.

He was the chief procurement officer for the Asia-Pacific region of a well-known French supermarket chain, working in the Hong Kong office and frequently visiting Haigang each year. In a recent email exchange, Pierre had mentioned that he was about to be promoted and would soon take full charge of North American appliance procurement.

His trip to Haigang was precisely to look for appliance partners.

Pierre was Ming Xi’s biggest potential client, and she had diligently maintained the relationship since they first established contact.

Of course, she also knew that Haiou was merely one of Pierre’s backups. This meeting was something she’d worked hard to secure.

From inquiries, she also knew Pierre had brought procurement contracts with him this time.

The products were mini refrigerators and capsule coffee machines—far more complex than simple appliances like fans or hair dryers.

That reduced the number of competing companies—and narrowed her competition.

In the end, only Haiou and Xinghai remained.

Both were foreign trade companies with different agency focuses. They competed only in small appliances. Xinghai mainly represented Shuangyang’s products—Shuangyang had mature production lines and reliable delivery schedules.

That was Xinghai’s advantage in the appliance sector.

Small appliances were a new business for Haiou this year.

Haiou’s two bosses had different backgrounds—He Yuan came from within the system, while Boss Huang had strong connections in Hong Kong and Taiwan. Each had their own resources. Haiou’s OEM partner was a local Haigang factory called Tianming, an old appliance manufacturer.

Its production capacity couldn’t compare to Shuangyang, but assembling small appliances was no problem for them.

Since joining Haiou, Ming Xi split her time between the office building and the factory, interacting frequently with Factory Director Li of Tianming.

Factory Director Li was a diligent and capable factory head, with excellent business and technical skills. However, Ming Xi noticed a problem—

When someone is good at everything, age can become the biggest issue. Thinking and concepts lag behind the times—and so does aesthetics. The most serious problem showed up in product design.

It was too old-fashioned.

“Xiao Xi, you dressed up so beautifully today, you’re bound to completely bewitch that French guy,”

Sister CC teases her as she prepares to leave.

Zhao Yang glanced up and snorted: “Hmph.”

Ming Xi: …

Ever since she started keeping an eye on Pierre, she had been reporting to Zhao Yang every day. But not only did Zhao Yang offer her no help, he actively discouraged her.

“This client will definitely be secured by Xinghai, don’t waste your energy.”

Ming Xi hated this kind of definitive, coffin-lid-closing attitude. Running into a team leader like this was practically the greatest misfortune of her professional life.

In comparison, Sister CC’s overt suppression of her was only because she was young, not because she was a woman.

Zhao Yang himself lacked ability and yet looked down on female sales rep. To work under him, you had to be like Sister CC—fawning, acting cute, desperately trying to please him. Only then might he show mercy and give a little support. After dealing with him for a while, Ming Xi finally understood why Sister CC adopted that sweet, coquettish attitude toward Zhao Yang. In the workplace, people often had no choice.

For now, Ming Xi dealt with Zhao Yang head-on.

And Zhao Yang responded in kind—almost to the point of outright contempt.

Ming Xi walked straight out from her desk, turned her head back, flashed Sister CC a bright smile, flicked her hair, picked up her bag, and left.

For today’s client meeting, to appear more mature, Cai Ni had even used a straightener to give her temporary curls.

The curls effortlessly boosted her confidence.

Ming Xi had arranged to meet Pierre at 4 PM, but arrived at Longmao Parkway at 2:30 PM.

She had arranged to meet Ding Xiao beforehand to buy some clothes. After she resigned, Ding Xiao was transferred from menswear to womenswear.

Ming Xi tried on clothes in the fitting room while Ding Xiao helped adjust them and complained, “Those people are so disgusting. Staying there made me feel like I’d suffocate—every day a group of cockroaches farting poison.”

Ding Xiao’s words were as sharp as ever.

Ming Xi chuckled softly.

Manager Li still favored Ding Xiao; currently, womenswear performance was easier to build than menswear.

“Do you know who reported you?” Ding Xiao leaned close and whispered.

Ming Xi said nothing, just shook her head.

On the day she resigned, Manager Li wanted to do her a favor, asking if she wanted to know who wrote the report.

She refused to know.

Since she didn’t plan to pursue it, there was no need to plant a seed of suspicion in her heart.

Ding Xiao clenched her teeth and whispered the name into Ming Xi’s ear.

“What a vile bastard. When Sister Lingna was around, he was jealous of her. When you came, he was jealous of you. Instead of envying others, he can’t even straighten his own backbone. You know what’s the most disgusting part? He used my name when writing the report. Later, Manager Li investigated and fired him. And I ended up benefiting from the mess—got transferred from menswear to womenswear.”

Ming Xi was completely stunned. She had had no idea about any of this.

Ding Xiao continued, “That day you wore Longmao clothes to the exam site—one of his friends saw you.”

She hadn’t expected that her small promotion would lead to so much open and covert struggle. Ming Xi began to reflect:

Relying on youth, looks, and personality, she had always found interpersonal relationships relatively easy. She never imagined that in places she didn’t even notice, people were watching her—and when interests clashed, someone would try to pull her down.

The workplace had always multifaceted. She had once believed that “live openly, act boldly” would earn the leader’s appreciation. But on the other hand, it naturally earned her the hatred and jealousy of her colleagues.

“Ding Xiao, thank you.”

“I should be thanking you—for never doubting me.”

What could she say? She hadn’t been perceptive enough to see through everything either. When she decided to leave Longmao, she’d already made up her mind.

She couldn’t afford to spend her energy entangled in petty conflicts with sales staff, wasting her spirit and energy.

It was precisely this mindset that prevented her from losing Ding Xiao as a friend.

After trying on several outfits, Ming Xi chose an off-white suit. Just as she was about to pay, Ding Xiao pulled her into the fitting room, grabbed her hand, and said, “Ming Xi, I know you’re in foreign trade now. You can’t possibly buy branded clothes every time. Even Maggie, who comes from a well-off family, can’t afford new clothes every week. It just so happens I’m in womenswear now. If you don’t have suitable clothes for meeting clients, just pick any set you like, wear it, leave the tag on, and I’ll give you a refund.”

Ming Xi laughed, then decisively tore off the tag.

“Ding Xiao, thank you. I’ll definitely work hard to earn money and boost your sales figures, guaranteeing you’ll be the top salesperson every month.”

“… You really know how to talk.” Ding Xiao said, rubbing her temples. She used to like taking advantage of Ming Xi, but now she genuinely wanted to help her save money.

Ming Xi shook her head. Since she was in foreign trade, she wasn’t aiming to save money—she was aiming to earn it. If she nitpicked over small gains now, how could she show clients her confidence and presence?

She glanced at her watch—it was almost time for her appointment with Pierre.

Ming Xi walked out of the Longmao imported section as a customer, wearing high heels, a high-fashion suit, wavy hair, and faintly visible pearl earrings. She had transformed into the sophisticated career woman she once admired on the streets when she first arrived in Haigang.

Carrying a briefcase containing her laptop, Ming Xi entered the coffee shop where she had arranged to meet Pierre—five minutes early.

Fate had been on her side regarding Ding Xiao’s situation, so she hoped that today—she would still have that good luck.

She hadn’t waited long when a black sedan pulled up on the street.

Why did this car look familiar?

At this moment, Ming Xi didn’t really want to see this familiar car.

However, everything was exactly as her bad premonition had predicted.

A tall, robust, blond-haired foreign man stepped out of the black sedan. She guessed this was Pierre.

Pierre was dressed casually—polo shirt, casual trousers—carrying a thick briefcase with ease. He looked approachable, shrewd, and seasoned with confidence.

It was Ming Xi’s first time meeting a foreign client, and she felt a surge of nervousness—her heart curling up like her hair.

The next second, she naturally spotted a familiar face.

It seemed she not only had no good luck today—things were downright awful. Pierre had gotten out of Liang Jiancheng’s car.

That meant the factory Pierre had inspected earlier must have been Liang Jiancheng’s. While she was eagerly awaiting Pierre at Haiou, Liang Jiancheng had already discussed business intentions with him.

The reason Pierre agreed to meet her might simply have been curiosity—wanting to meet her, not to choose her.

Liang Jiancheng personally driving Pierre over now couldn’t possibly be because he was bored and wanted to flaunt his competitive edge in front of her.

It meant he already had the contract.

If a client wanted to meet her, his backup option, Liang Jiancheng would naturally oblige, doing a small favor after securing the deal.

After analyzing it all, Ming Xi didn’t feel discouraged. Instead, a stubborn, resilient determination surged up.

If this deal was gone, wasn’t there always the next one?

Was Liang Jiancheng really that confident—so confident that she, as a competitor, wasn’t worth worrying about? Did he truly believe she couldn’t persuade the client to choose her in the future?

Ming Xi slowly stood up, her gaze passing through the slightly reflective glass window of the coffee shop, her silhouette vaguely reflected on the glass.

Outside, Liang Jiancheng stood calmly and confidently beside Pierre. Even though Pierre was tall and imposing, Liang Jiancheng didn’t lose an ounce of presence or poise.

She saw him from inside the coffee shop.

He naturally saw her too.

From afar, the look Liang Jiancheng cast her way carried surprise at her transformed image and aura, the composure of someone unshaken by circumstances—and a trace of apology that didn’t quite come from the heart.

Sorry, Ming Xi.

I personally stepped in and secured this contract.

You were one step too late.

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Translator’s note:

Happy New Year!!! May 2026 be the best year for you…