The Billionaire's Hidden Affection-Chapter 222: Not Pitying You, But Must Pity the Money5_1

Xu Xiaoya’s expression changed, and she said in a deep voice, "Little Xuanyuan, you can say whatever you want about me, but please, don’t mention Xixi in front of me again. Xixi also earns her money entirely through her own hard work."

"HEH HEH, through her own hard work? Only a fool would believe that. Without Huang Xiaojue, what is she? From Wan Donglin to Huang Xiaojue, which step of the way hasn’t she relied on a man?"

Xu Xiaoya suddenly became wary. "Zhou Xiaoxuan, stop stirring up trouble. If you cause any more problems, I’ll definitely sever all ties with you."

Zhou Xiaoxuan just snorted coldly. Looking around the boutique again, her anger swelled the more she looked. It wasn’t just that the decor was grand and luxurious; the business was also astonishingly good. Xu Xiaoya alone could buy a house outright with just six months’ earnings. How much money must Yan Xixi be making?

Yan Xixi had been so audacious on the phone that day. Afterward, the more Zhou Xiaoxuan thought about it, the angrier she became. That swindler! Who knows how many men she’s fooled? Why should she be so lucky? And especially when I think of Huang Xiaojue, I get so jealous it feels like my heart is bleeding! Why should such an amazing man lower himself for a woman like Yan Xixi?

Yan Xixi received a call from Xu Xiaoya. "Xixi, Zhou Xiaoxuan came to the store today. Somehow, she found out you’re working at Huang Xiaojue’s company. I’m afraid she might try to harm you."

Yan Xixi quickly realized. It must have been because Xiaojue and I ran into Zhou Xiaoxuan’s cousin when we were house-hunting last time. That’s not surprising.

"I’m afraid she might spread rumors about you to Huang Xiaojue..."

Yan Xixi laughed. "I’m not afraid. Xiaojue knows everything about me, inside and out. If he really wants to listen to rumors, that’s his decision. I can’t control it."

"Huang Xiaojue certainly wouldn’t listen to her troublemaking gossip, but what about his parents?"

Yan Xixi paused for a moment. "His parents also know about my past!"

Xu Xiaoya breathed a sigh of relief. "Right, I completely forgot to ask you. Last time you went to Huang Xiaojue’s house, did his parents give you a red envelope?"

"They did. They gave me 9,999 yuan."

Xu Xiaoya was overjoyed. "Wow! Giving that amount means they must really approve of you. Now I can finally rest easy."

Another call came in. Yan Xixi lowered her voice, "I have to go, Xiaojue is calling."

"Okay, okay, you two talk."

Huang Xiaojue’s voice came through the phone. "Xixi, my flight is tomorrow afternoon. I should be out of the airport around 5:30. My parents want to invite you over for dinner. Should I pick you up from your company...?"

"No need. It’ll be late by then, so you go straight home. I’ll wait for you at the entrance to your residential complex after I get off work."

"Alright."

He chuckled. "Xixi, you should mentally prepare yourself..."

Yan Xixi’s heart began to pound. "For what?"

"My parents might bring up marriage. My mom wants me to get married soon so she can have a grandchild..."

Yan Xixi didn’t dare to say anything. Thankfully, since they were on the phone, Huang Xiaojue couldn’t see the embarrassment on her face.

「That night.」

She couldn’t sleep. She sent a message to the stranger: "Tell me, why are unmarried women given the derogatory label ’leftover woman’?"

After a while, he replied, "It’s a conspiracy. Within 10 to 20 years, our country will see a massive increase in the bachelor population, estimated to be between 40 and 60 million. The authorities are deeply concerned about this, fearing that such a large group of single men could cause social unrest. So, they’ve painstakingly promoted the concept of the ’leftover woman’ to push women to marry quickly—even if it means settling for a less-than-ideal partner. Every woman who marries is one less contributor to a potential social crisis..."

Yan Xixi, her mind full of worries, nonetheless let out a chuckle.

"What’s wrong? Miss, are you really afraid of becoming a ’leftover woman’? Don’t worry, if no one else wants you, I’ll consider it."