However, this voice previously used to call her older sister.

Lin Chu stopped in her tracks as she already knew who it was.

After raising her head and turning around, she saw Xu Jiaojiao get up from the sofa that was located near the doorway and hastily run toward her direction.

She had not even taken two steps before she suddenly slowed down, as if she had just come up with some unknown thought. Thus, she gradually walked toward her.

Although Lin Chu did not feel anxious, she could not help finding Xu Jiaojiao's sudden change strange.

Nevertheless, she walked toward Xu Jiaojiao and faced her.

Xu Jiaojiao was slightly stunned, as if she had not expected Lin Chu to take the initiative to come over. Her face darkened soon after and she said with gnas.h.i.+ng teeth, "Lin Chu, what exactly did you tell my mom?"

Lin Chu raised her eyebrows. She saw that she did not even call her sister. "What did I say?"

"Don't you know what you said? You're the one who told her about me and…" Xu Jiaojiao paused for a moment, as she ultimately did not dare say Cheng Ziming's name in public, "You're the one who told my mom about the matter between me and him!"

"I was the one who told her." Lin Chu said faintly.

"For what reason? Who are you to control me? When I previously looked for you, you didn't acknowledge me no matter what. You were not even willing to help me find a job. I've found a good job now by myself, but you told my mom nonsense. What are you trying to do?" Xu Jiaojiao exclaimed in a rage.

Lin Chu took a look around their surroundings and said calmly, "Let's find a place to talk slowly."

"I don't want to!" Xu Jiaojiao waved her hand vigorously. "Let's talk here instead! Why? Are you scared of being shamed? You have the nerve to do it but you're still afraid of losing face!"

Lin Chu looked at her coldly before she bit her lips and said, "I'm afraid of being shamed? I'm not the one who needs to feel ashamed about this matter. Be my guest, if you're willing to make a loud fuss about having an affair and fooling around with a married man. The one who's acting disgracefully isn't me, yet I'm afraid of being shamed? What am I afraid of? When I found out about the affair between you and Cheng Ziming, I ignored it. The affair between you two is mutually consensual. You don't know how to be mindful of your actions and love yourself so even if I say anything, it won't do any good. You, on the contrary, will grumble that I'm a busybody, just because I can't bear seeing your mother who has a loving heart be humiliated by you.

"I also know that she's someone who doesn't have wicked thought. Rather, she is a conscientious person. Although I did hesitate on whether I should have revealed the truth to her, what she said that day stirred me up. So, I decided to tell her about you two. If she feels that it is acceptable and lets you two do what you want, then I'd have nothing else to say. I've already said what's supposed to be said anyway; she would weigh everything herself. Your mother can't bear seeing you end up as a loser later without taking action - did you forget that she had a similar encounter when she was young? Now, you think that you're getting along pretty good, yet do you really think that Cheng Ziming is someone who's worthy of being entrusted to? Or do you just want to fish some more from him while you're seeing him now? Do a one-time transaction?"

"I am not!" Xu Jiaojiao said angrily. She could not control herself as she clenched both of her fists and s.h.i.+vered. "Don't you dare speak so confidently! You simply can't stand seeing others having a good life. You hated my mom all along for abandoning you, which is why you can't bear seeing us getting by well. You'll only be happy once you see us staying poor for a lifetime!"

Lin Chu sneered. "Firstly, I'm not that free. Secondly, do you truly think that following Cheng Ziming is great? Since you've seen the news about me, then you probably know about my relations.h.i.+p with Cheng Ziming in the past. He dumped me and looked to Lin Yuwen for money; I only knew about this matter once they got engaged. Even now, he's betraying Lin Yuwen and messing around with you. Do you think that this kind of man is trustworthy? Did he make a promise to you that he will get a divorce with Lin Yuwen and marry you?"

"Yes! He did tell me such things!" Xu Jiaojiao said while straightening her neck.

Lin Chu broke into laughter. "I call you simple-minded, but you still stubbornly think that you're very smart. Do you believe what he said? Everything he has now has all been given to him by the Lin family. Did he also tell you that he'll gradually nibble away at the Lin family and make Lin Mao his. At the point at which the Lin family can no longer restrict from doing anything, he'll get a divorce with Lin Yuwen so he can openly be with you and make you the wife of the chairman? Xu Jiaojiao, why don't you give some thought to the fact that he doesn't even have even the slightest bit of foundation, yet he can so boldly claim that he can take over Lin Mao without difficulty?"

Xu Jiaojiao sneered. "Lin Mao isn't the same as before. It's not so impossible that Cheng Ziming wants to seize it!"

"Yes, Lin Mao isn't as big as before, but Lin Zhenghe isn't a fool either. The reason why Lin Mao's vigor had been harmed is because Yan Beicheng wanted to vent my frustrations. This doesn't relate to Lin Zhenghe and his methods of running the business. Now that Beicheng no longer pays attention to Lin Mao, Lin Mao will develop smoothly, even if it isn't the same as it once was. Now you tell me, who is Cheng Ziming to seize Lin Mou? Even if he manages to do so, is this something that can be done in a year or two?" Lin Chu retorted in a haughty manner.

Xu Jiaojiao's expression showed that she was shaken. Even her gaze changed.

"A few years later, he really becomes the chairman of Lin Mao and returns to life as a bachelor, raising his status while your precious time as a youth slowly wastes away. There will be plenty of pretty and shameless young women who are willing to giving him money instead of receiving it. What sort of advantage do you think you'll still have over them? Cheng Ziming could get married to Lin Yuwen at the time because of his prospects, yet you'll have nothing. How do you have the confidence that you won't be the second me? I managed to come across Yan Beicheng, but can you? Can you guarantee that Cheng Ziming won't abandon you when the time comes and continue looking for a daughter from a more powerful family to carry on his bloodline?

"He's greedy, and a greedy person will never be content. Even if he doesn't connect with families through marriage, he can still find someone who's younger and prettier. Why would he stay with you? He's very clear with why you're with him. Do you think that he's a fool? If this is the case, how can you guarantee that he's sincere with you, rather than just fooling around?"

Xu Jiaojiao had originally been unconfident, but she suddenly gave an arrogant smile, as if she had just realized something. She looked at Lin Chu mockingly. "Good, you said all this in such a systematic, logical and knowledgable manner, but you're still jealous of me! In reality, Cheng Ziming is still in your heart, right? You're not pleased that he dumped you in the past so you can't bear seeing me being together with him and him treating me well. You don't want both of us to have a good relations.h.i.+p!"

Lin Chu laughed out of anger. "I really haven't heard such ridiculous statement in a very long time. I have Beicheng with me, so would I be insane or foolish to still be concerned about that sc.u.mbag? I'm not you, who's absolutely clueless!"

"Who are you calling clueless!" Xu Jiaojiao immediately became enraged and shoved Lin Chu away.

Lin Chu was pushed so hard that she took two steps back.

Lin Chu stepped forward and did not fight back. It would look bad for her to shove her like a shrew in public with numerous people around them.

She was not alone anymore. If she was single and someone treated her like this, she would not be so polite with the counterpart, but she was Yan Beicheng's wife now. She ought to consider the reputation of Yan Beicheng and the Yan family.

Lin Chu's mouth, however, did not spare her. "I am calling you clueless. You can go as far as to compare Yan Beicheng with Cheng Ziming. What part of Cheng Ziming can be compared with Beicheng? You putting both of them together is simply insulting to Beicheng. Those who have eyes all know that Beicheng is better than him in G.o.d knows how many ways. Even if you like Cheng Ziming, you have to admit that Cheng Ziming cannot compare with Beicheng in this lifetime. Did you really say that I already have someone great like Beicheng, and yet I still think about Cheng Ziming? Don't you find that funny?"

Xu Jiaojiao could not find a word to reply her even if she wanted to retort. She could not even lie even though she wanted to.

It was true that nothing about Cheng Ziming could match Yan Beicheng.

In terms of family background, social status, personality, loyalty to the family, manner, and presence, he had nothing that could even come close. This would remain the case even if more factors were introduced.

Lin Chu instantly pulled open her bag as she fished out a small mirror that she always carrjed with her and pressed it into Xu Jiaojiao's palm.

When her palm touched the cold object, Xu Jiaojiao looked at Lin Chu in confusion.

Lin Chu released her tightly pursed lips and said in a cold voice, "Take a look at yourself in the mirror. Do you have G.o.ddess-like beauty or an extraordinary family background that can make Cheng Ziming give up on those women who are fair-skinned, rich, and beautiful, and stay by your side for life? Xu Jiaojiao, say it with your conscience. Do you really think that you're beautiful enough that you can make the pampered sons of the wealthy families look at your face without caring about your family background? To be honest, you just look pretty and elegant. Who are you to think that you can keep a hold on a man and make him treat you wholeheartedly? You're seeing Cheng Ziming for the money, yet you hope that he has feelings for you.

"If he's a reliable man, he would have lived his life in a steadfast manner. Otherwise, why would he step on me like a stepping-stone to meet Lin Yuwen? I had told Lin Yuwen about this back then. The fact that he could treat me like that at that time meant that he could treat Lin Yuwen the same way in the future. It's best to steer clear from this kind of man or you will surely come to regret trusting him. Lin Yuwen is now facing the same betrayal. It has already happened twice; you don't think there will a third time? Now you're questioning me and resenting your mother for that man. Do you think it's worth it?"

"But how will I know without giving it a try?" Xu Jiaojiao said stubbornly, "He treated you and Lin Yuwen like that but that doesn't mean he'll treat me the same way. Besides, how attractive do you think you look? You're merely pretty and elegant as well but Yan Beicheng still fell for you. What Yan Beicheng has for you can be true love so why can't it be the same for Cheng Ziming and I? To put it plainly, you're jealous of me. My situation is more or less equivalent to yours at the time, but the timing when you were together with him was wrong, and he dumped you. However, he has the capability now; he doesn't have to do such a thing anymore and can just be with me."

Lin Chu truly had not heard such ridiculous logic in a very long time. She looked at Xu Jiaojiao with a stupefied expression.

Nevertheless, Xu Jiaojiao regarded Lin Chu's expression as proof of her hitting the nail on the head. She became more pleased upon seeing that Lin Chu could not retort.

"Lin Chu, what do you have that lets you find true love, be loved and pampered by Yan Beicheng, get married to the rich and powerful, and have a good life, but I don't? I'm not that different from you; I'm even better than you! You're still an orphan when you met Yan Beicheng whereas my parents are at least present, and my family background is clean. Who are you to look down on me! Yan Beicheng found you out of true love but Cheng Ziming is toying with me? I'm not more inferior to you; you can have a good life and so can I! You think that you have a higher status now and you feel pretty proud about it, which is why you can't stand seeing me being lucky like you, no?" The more Xu Jiaojiao spoke, the more confident she became.

Meanwhile, seeing that what Xu Jiaojiao said was not making any sense, Lin Chu did not want to waste her time preaching to deaf ears.

Lin Chu coldly shook her head. "Think however you want. The reason why I had previously known about Cheng Ziming's character but didn't tell you is because I knew you would react like this. You're well aware of Cheng Ziming's character yet you still choose to have an extramarital affair with him. It is pointless for me to reason with you with facts. You're willing to weave this kind of beautiful but unrealistic fantasy for yourself, so I hope that you can live inside your fantasy for the rest of your life and won't feel bitter about it. I will no longer talk about this issue from now on. Do whatever you want; whether it's good or bad. If you get by well, I'll give you my blessings, and I'll apologize to you personally as I've embarra.s.sed myself."

After she fnished talking, Lin Chu wanted to leave, but her arm was firmly held by Xu Jiaojiao.

"No! You have to explain clearly to my parents. You'll tell them that I'm doing great with Cheng Ziming and make them stop opposing me!" Xu Jiaojiao thought about the original aim of her visit.

When she got off work that day, Dai Huimin called her. She had said that she wanted to work overtime, yet Xu Dongguo scolded her and made her return home immediately.

That was when she felt that something was off; she got the nervous feeling that her parents knew about her relations.h.i.+p with Cheng Ziming.

Sure enough, the mood at home was stifling when she got back. Xu Dongguo's face was livid, and even the face of Dai Huimin who was always spoiling her darkened. They did not utter a single word.

"Your mom originally wanted to look for you when she went to your company today, but she ended up overhearing the conversation of your colleagues. Is it true that you're seeing the general manager of your company!" Xu Dongguo questioned in a furious tone.

Xu Jiaojiao saw that she could no longer keep them in the dark so she admitted bluntly, "Yes, I'm seeing him. The things that I brought home were gifts from him to show respect to the two of you."

Once Xu Dongguo heard what she said, both of his eyes reddened with anger as he turned to Dai Huimin and said, "You need to quickly fetch those things and give them to her to let her return it! We don't want those things!"

Dai Huimin nodded. Both of them had not actually consumed much of it; instead, they saved it and wanted to give it to Xu Jiaojiao so that she could benefit from them. The items were all kept inside the cabinet so it was easy for them to take everything out at once.

"Dad, what are you doing? We sincerely love each other!" Xu Jiaojiao cried.

Xu Dongguo raised his hand. He was so angry that he almost hit her, but at the end of the daya she was still his daughter who he loved dearly and raised since young. Thus, he restrained himself, unwilling to lay a finger on her.

He merely said with his reddened eyes, "There are so many men out there. You can look for anyone, yet you want to look for married men! You are destroying someone else's family. Are you still being reasonable?"

"So what? Dad, can you not apply your old-school thinking and notion in the modern day? No one pays attention to this anymore now! He and his wife originally didn't have feelings for each other; and they want to get a divorce sooner or later. Even if they don't and I find someone else, why can't I be with him?" Xu Jiaojiao said with her veins poking out and saliva spraying.

"Other people are other people; you are you! I don't care about what others are doing but my daughter can't be a shameless mistress! You think you can freely lie to us because your mom and I have no knowledge or clue about how modern people think? Even if you put this sort of matter forth hundreds of years later, it'll still be a shameless and immoral matter, let alone now! If you think no one cares about such thing, you go downstairs now and shout at the top of your lungs that you're a mistress and you're fooling around with a married man. See whether anyone will scold you or not! Your mom already told me that that man married his wife for money! He was originally a n.o.body, so it was his wife who turned him into a wealthy man and made him into a general manager. Once he has the capability, he comes out fooling around with women? Even if his wife doesn't do well, he's someone who's married. He's received the good side of his wife so he has to tolerate the bad as well! Do you think that such a selfish man can treat you genuinely? You'll be finished by the time you're old enough to find out!" Xu Dongguo said emotionally.

"It won't happen!" Xu Jiaojiao was about to retort but she was suddenly stunned as she caught sight of Xu Dongguo and Dai Huimin who had returned while carrying things.

Dai Huimin placed the items by Xu Jiaojiao's feet, "You'll return all these, or else we'll throw them away. We don't want the things given by that man anyway."

"How do you know about the matter with Cheng Ziming anyway?" asked Xu Jiaojiao.

Because they owned a small restaurant, Xu Dongguo and Dai Huimin were normally kept preoccupied. The newspaper and media would not report such gossipy news, but would expose it by posting it online instead.

However, both of them would usually go on WeChat and look at their Moments*. (TN: Moments in WeChat enables the friends of the WeChat user to view their post on WeChat.) What they usually posted were all rumors, dangerous habits and lifestyles, or harmful foods; they would have no clue about the issue with Cheng Ziming.

Dai Huimin opened her mouth but held back. Although Xu Dongguo had never met Lin Chu, he was well aware that what his wife was the mother to that child. He replied, "That is none of your business!"

"It was Lin Chu who told you two, right" Xu Jiaojiao glared as she asked eerily.

"Why do you care who told us! What you are doing is wrong!" Xu Dongguo said in a rage. "You'll break up with him immediately and are not to contact him again! Huimin, you'll go to her company tomorrow to help her resign! If there's an opportunity, you can explain to him in no unclear terms that our daughter will not be a mistress! She won't have the slightest relation or connection with him in the future!"

Dai Huimin nodded, "I'll go tomorrow."

Xu Jiaojiao was angry and anxious at the same time as she immediately stomped her foot. "No, you can't do this! Do you want me to lose face? Besides, you two don't know anything, no one can just quit a job because they want to! If I want to resign, I'll have to pa.s.s on an application of resignation and give the company some time to look for someone to replace me. How can I be so irresponsible and resign just because I want to! Also, Cheng Ziming and I are fine. Why do you want me to break up with him! Why do you want to find him!"

"Because we're your parents!" Xu Dongguo said with a loud voice; he was so angry that his veins bulged.

He always thought that Xu Jiaojiao was sensible and had self-love, so he did not expect her to have such a distorted mindset. She did not want to listen regardless of what he said!

What he told her were obviously sound reasons but they fell on deaf ears. She was too full of erroneous beliefs!

Therefore, Xu Dongguo did not say anymore and immediately asked Dai Huimin to look after her not allow her to leave the house. Then, Xu Dongguo went to open the restaurant by himself.

Although he was not very cultured, he was a responsible person. After this, he personally went to Lin Mao as he wanted to inform that his daughter would not be coming to work for the time being. He could not let them think that Xu Jiaojiao had suddenly dissapeared. What if they made a huge scene and called the police?

Then, Xu Dongguo decided to go and find Xu Jiaojiao's superior. He did not b.u.mp into Cheng Ziming, so he told Xu Jiaojiao's superior that he wanted her to resign and stop working.

Nevertheless, a verbal resignation meant nothing. He had to let Xu Jiaojiao write a resignation letter and sign it, then he would need the leader of each department sign it as well.

Hence, the superior could not rashly promise him anything He suggested that he would first give Xu Jiaojiao a holiday for some time and let Xu Dongguo go back and discuss things with Xu Jiaojiao. They would decide what to do once they finished discussing.

If they could not advise Xu Jiaojiao to take the initiative to resign and the Xu family still obstructed Xu Jiaojiao from coming to work, then the company would be left with no choice. They could not let the position remain vacant so they would probably be forced to dismiss Xu Jiaojiao when the time came.

Since there was a clear difference between an employee resigning and getting fired, it would be troublesome for her when she went out and looked for a job in the future.

Hence, he asked Xu Dongguo to return and try his best to convince Xu Jiaojiao to take the initiative to resign.

The superior did not ask any other questions. Judging from Xu Dongguo's words, he could guess that Xu Jiaojiao did not want to resign voluntarily. Everyone in the company knew about the matter between Xu Jiaojiao and Cheng Ziming but no one disclosed it to the higher-ups.

This was why the superior could tell that Xu Dongguo almost certainly knew about the matter between Xu Jiaojiao and Cheng Ziminig as well. This probably explained why he had locked Xu Jiaojiao up in the house and why it was not Xu Jiaojiao's original idea to resign.

In truth, the superior felt that although Xu Jiaojiao had no sense of shame, her father was quite conscientious.

Once Xu Dongguo found out that resigning was not really a simple matter, he returned to the restaurant. He would think of ways to advise Xu Jiaojiao over the next few days and see how it went as it was his highest priority to make her resign. In the meantime, Dai Huimin would look after Xu Jiaojiao at home.

Xu Jiaojiao had no choice but to pretend to give in and promise that she would resign. Despite this, Dai Huimin was not so naive as to believe her. Hence, she insisted on accompanying her.