The Bitterness Within My Heart

Unless absolutely necessary, Xiao Yao truly didn't want to meet Miss Xin, with her air of pride, lest the encounter turn awkward for everyone.

“Dad, didn’t you originally want to invite your colleagues to our home for a meal? Why did you change it to a hotel?” Xiao Yao asked casually.

“Our family’s situation has changed so drastically. Just driving a car worth more than two million and wearing a watch worth over a million has already provoked sour remarks from my colleagues. If they saw us living in a mansion worth hundreds of millions, who knows how jealous they would become,” Xiao Zhenshan sighed. “Today, I only invited a few close colleagues. They may envy our changes, but at least they won’t harbor resentment.”

“Dad, why not switch jobs? Different circles bring different friends. Our family’s transformation is nothing short of earth-shattering. Once you have a new social circle, you’ll gradually adapt,” Xiao Yao suggested.

“I’ve worked in municipal administration for twenty years. I’m used to my current job; honestly, I find it hard to let go,” Xiao Zhenshan hesitated, lacking his former resolve.

“When I first joined Huahui Bank, I felt the same way. But after some time, getting familiar with colleagues and settling into the job, I naturally adapted,” Bai Yuzhen, understanding her husband deeply, knew that after the initial joy and surprise of recent days, he had grown impatient with the constant flattery and probing from others. She herself agreed with his resignation.

“I’ll think about it. If things remain troublesome after a while, I’ll consider quitting,” he said. After more than twenty years in municipal work, both his attachment to the job and to the people made resignation a difficult choice for Xiao Zhenshan.

His resolve to stay had been firm, but the past month’s experiences had shaken him.

His colleagues only knew his son had inherited a huge sum, not its exact amount. They were already jealous of his luxury car and designer watch. Whether out of concern, envy, or jealousy, the endless praise and probing from the various people had become tiresome to Xiao Zhenshan.

He had thought this was just a phase, that things would settle down once everyone got used to it.

Yet with his occasional display of exclusive cigarettes and liquor, along with rare, high-grade teas, the probing from all sides did not diminish—it only intensified.

He knew these exclusive cigarettes, liquors, and premium teas drew too much attention, but his house was piled high with them, all gifts from his son, meant for his enjoyment. He couldn't simply stop using them because of outside opinions.

Besides, these luxuries were only the tip of the iceberg regarding his family’s transformation. If the whole truth were exposed, he could hardly imagine how his colleagues would react.

He now had to admit a simple truth: people belong in circles that suit them; otherwise, peace is elusive.

Even if he could remain true to himself, there was no guarantee others wouldn’t become opportunistic. When self-interest takes over, friendships inevitably lose their sincerity.

While Xiao Zhenshan’s family was deep in conversation, Xin Chengyou and his wife were earnestly advising their daughter.

“Xiao Di, you’re twenty-four now, your job is stable, and it’s time to think about your future. Xiao Yao grew up under our eyes, always close to you. Your mother and I have always regarded him as half a son. If you two came together, we’d have nothing left to worry about,” Xin Chengyou spoke gently, knowing his daughter’s stubborn temperament. “You used to complain he lacked ambition, but Xiao Yao isn’t the same anymore. Your Uncle Xiao is reserved with others but candid with me; he told me Xiao Yao inherited a huge fortune from his mentor. Just the courtyard house in the capital is said to be worth over a billion. Even if his abilities are lacking, that inheritance ensures you’ll never have to fret about your future.”

“You two used to be close. These past two years, school has made you drift apart, but you should spend more time together. Work is important, but you can’t only focus on your job; you must consider your personal life too,” Yu Shan interjected.

“Xiao Yao has such fortune?” Xin Di was astonished. “It’s true what they say—lazy people have lucky lives. No wonder he’ll never have to work hard.”

She felt genuinely happy for Xiao Yao, but had no intention of letting her parents play matchmaker.

“Dad, even if our family isn’t super rich, we have assets worth at least ten million, right? We’ll never starve. There’s no need to envy anyone, let alone rush to hand over your precious daughter just because someone has money. I have confidence in myself. Sooner or later, you’ll have a billionaire daughter. Just wait for your days of leisure,” she declared, brimming with confidence despite sounding boastful.

“What are you saying?” Yu Shan was displeased with her daughter’s attitude and scolded her. “Your father and I aren’t the kind to sell our daughter! Xiao Yao grew up with us, and our families are so close. If you marry him, it’ll feel just like home, and you won’t have to worry about anything. Besides, didn’t you used to like him a lot? If I hadn’t known that, your father and I wouldn’t even be concerned.”

“I did like him before, but that was just youthful ignorance. Once I went to university and matured, I stopped valuing looks alone,” Xin Di admitted, a little embarrassed to discuss her past feelings. “If you like someone, you like them; if you don’t, you don’t. You can’t force it. I’m not a gold-digger—there’s no way I’d marry Xiao Yao just because he suddenly got rich.”

Yu Shan sighed. “Xiao Yao is a wonderful child—handsome, good-natured, and very considerate. Even if he’s a bit lazy, I think that’s fine; it means he’ll have more time for family. You’re a workaholic. If you find a boyfriend who’s equally career-driven, how will you manage a happy home?”

“You see Xiao Yao as half a son, so you think he’s perfect. Naturally, you ignore or downplay his flaws. He just graduated from university this year. As far as I know, he’s had at least four girlfriends—not exactly loyal in relationships. That alone makes him unattractive to me. Besides, he’s never liked me. Forced love isn’t sweet, and I have my dignity, after all,” Xin Di said, a trace of bitterness in her heart.