money player

Liao Kexin nodded.

“Talking about your personal matters is also business.”

Liao Kexin paused slightly, then asked in surprise, "What does my personal matter have to do with my work?"

“Of course there’s a connection, and a very significant one.” Xian Yaowen said calmly, “You entered the company as Ruoyun’s secretary, and then I clearly defined your position as special assistant and gave you a job description. A special assistant is an extension of senior management, an executor of strategy, a hub of information, and a buffer zone for power…”

He slowly and methodically explained the special features of the special assistant position, paused, and then looked at Liao Kexin's face before continuing, "You graduated from the University of Hong Kong, which is a good degree, but you have never worked a single day before joining the company. To be honest, if you didn't have the status of being someone's sister-in-law, you wouldn't have had the opportunity to sit in this position."

Of course, this isn't nepotism. If you don't perform well, I won't fire you, but I'll hire another competent assistant. You won't have to do anything important, and you'll just get a decent salary for free.

Liao Kexin's fingertips clenched slightly. When she lowered her eyes and then raised them again, her expression had become much more composed.

Her compensation package includes a base salary of HK$2000, a housing allowance of HK$800, a maid allowance of HK$300, a company car and driver, full reimbursement of car allowance, one month of paid annual leave starting from one month, which increases gradually according to service time, capped at three months, as well as bonuses, education allowances, and free medical care.

This compensation is very attractive. Compared to someone in the same position in Hong Kong who has served for twenty years, her starting point is what others have reached.

Although her family was well-off and she still had some dowry, a married daughter is like water spilled from a cup. If she and Zhou Xiaoyun were to divorce, she would need a place to live and a stable, substantial income.

She had never experienced poverty, was used to a good life, and lacked the ambition to endure hardship. For a divorced woman with no source of income, there was only one path before her—to grit her teeth and remarry a man inferior to Zhou Xiaoyun.

She was unwilling to accept it. How could she possibly accept it? Even though she had always known that Zhou Xiaoyun had other women outside, she had never truly cared. In wealthy families, which man doesn't have a constant stream of women around him? He doesn't care about his affairs outside, as long as he has only one wife in name, he is already considered to have a rare level of dignity.

She and Zhou Xiaoyun once shared a harmonious and tender period. Now that he's bringing wildflowers into their home, she can tolerate it; it's just a change of scenery for him.

But to her utter surprise, she not only received no favoritism, but also lacked even the most basic fairness.

She was completely neglected and utterly forgotten.

She still lived in her original bedroom, but the person who used to be her companion day and night, sharing her bed, never set foot there again.

She had reflected on her actions, cried secretly under the covers at night, and even made a hysterical scene in front of Zhou Xiaoyun, but no matter what she did, she couldn't win back the man's heart.

Zhou Xiaoyun went too far, so far that he wouldn't even give her a shred of dignity.

He neither mentioned divorce to her nor showed her any tenderness, leaving her like a ghost, guarding the empty room and a marriage that had long since died in name only, crushing even her last remaining hope little by little.

Over time, she finally came to her senses. Crying and making a scene wouldn't win back love, humility wouldn't keep someone's heart, marriages in wealthy families are inherently fragile, love has always been a luxury, only confidence and wealth can truly sustain one's life.

Therefore, she cherished her job as Assistant Jin and the high position and opportunities that Xian Yaowen had given her. She would not rely on her husband, her family, or anyone's charity or pity; she was determined to stand on her own two feet.

Even if she really breaks off all ties with Zhou Xiaoyun in the future, she will still have a decent life, a considerable income, and the means to make a living. She won't have to compromise, marry someone less than her means, or live at the mercy of others.

The vulnerability faded from her eyes, replaced by a clear-headed and resolute expression. "Yaowen, I understand your concerns. I won't rely on my status to get by, nor will I let personal matters interfere with official duties. This job is my backup plan, and I will never mess it up."

"Ruoyun is very smart, but she lacks experience and shrewdness. Appointing her as the general manager of Jinfugui Holdings was actually a risky move. Fortunately, the company's business is special, so she doesn't need to delve into professional technology or use sophisticated management skills. This gives her enough time to mature and grow."

Xian Yaowen gently placed his wine glass on the windowsill, gazing at the bustling Chinatown across the street, and said calmly, "My connection with the Zhou family began when my elder brother's men offended Peipei, and we became acquainted through a fight. Later, Zhou Xiaohuan stood against me, and my elder brother and I were on the same page, planning to join forces to kill Zhou Xiaohuan."

My father is a shrewd man. Before I could even make a move, he summoned me and arranged my marriage with Ruoyun.

Ruoyun and I met at the music store quite a while ago. At first, I didn't like her, but the marriage alliance with the Zhou family was beneficial to me, so I agreed to the engagement and tried my best to get along with Ruoyun.

Now, the wedding has been held, and she's pregnant. I still wouldn't say I'm particularly fond of her. There's probably a little love, but it's mostly a sense of responsibility—a husband's responsibility to his wife. I have an obligation to protect her and prevent her from suffering too much.

At this point, he chuckled self-deprecatingly, a hint of indifference and clarity in his eyes: "In terms of feelings, I'm not a good man. Ruoyun must be full of grievances. I'm amorous and lustful, and I'm not ashamed of it. There are thousands of women in the world, and I want to experience different scenery."

He slowly exhaled a breath of stale air, picked up his wine glass, took a sip, then put the glass down, gently rubbing the glass with his fingertips, and continued, "I never hide my lust, especially towards women I'm interested in. I've said similar things to many women, and I can't even remember how many you are."

Liao Kexin's fingertips trembled slightly. She lowered her eyes for a moment, then looked up again with a calm and indifferent expression: "What do you mean by telling me this?"

Seeing her calm and composed reaction, Xian Yaowen nodded slightly. "This afternoon at the company, I could tell from your face that my brother hasn't touched you in a while. When I saw you again at the Zhou residence garden just now, I felt a little flutter in my heart. Now, seeing your reaction, my feelings for you have increased even more."

From this moment on, if you need it, I can be your antidote. Our relationship can be one of mutually beneficial pleasure, or it can be a secret, clandestine affair; either you or I have the right to terminate this relationship at any time.

Liao Kexin's eyelashes trembled violently, and her face turned slightly pale, but she did not take a step back, nor did she show any anger or resistance.

She lowered her eyes, her voice soft and clear, "I am Ruoyun's sister-in-law, and you are her husband. If something happens between us and people find out, it will not only ruin the reputation of all three families, but also destroy my only way out. I want stability and someone to rely on, but I dare not gamble, and I cannot lose my composure."

Xian Yaowen glanced towards the exit of the smoking area; it was quiet and deserted, without a single prying eye. He looked away, his gaze settling heavily on Liao Kexin, and reached out to put his arm around her slender waist.

Liao Kexin's body suddenly stiffened, her back straightened, and her fingertips gripped the hem of her skirt tightly. Her knuckles turned bluish-white from the force, and the fabric was crumpled into a ball, almost torn apart.

The desolation of being neglected by her husband for so long, the fear of the future, and the extreme yearning for stability overwhelmed her like a tsunami, intertwining with the scorching heat from Xian Yaowen's palm, making her heart tighten and her breath catch in her throat.

She looked up abruptly, her eyes swirling with panic and struggle. Her voice trembled, yet she forced a stubbornness, her resistance barely concealed: "Yaowen... I am Ruoyun's sister-in-law, your elder in name only. We can't do this! It's against the rules, and it would be unfair to Ruoyun. I can't do anything to betray her!"

Instead of loosening his grip on her waist, Xian Yaowen tightened his hold, his strength heavy and burning, almost pressing her body firmly against his. His fingertips repeatedly caressed the fabric of her waist, the scalding touch penetrating the fabric and burning her skin like flames, spreading through her veins to her limbs and bones.

He leaned down slightly, his warm breath enveloping her ear. The scent of alcohol mingled with the faint fragrance of fir trees in his breath, sending shivers down her spine. His voice was low and husky, each word carrying a deadly allure, binding her heart like threads of passion.

"Kexin, you don't have the surname Zhou, nor are you treated well by my elder brother. Ruoyun is my wife, enjoying her privileges, while you only have difficulties, your own and Yuming's. Given your situation in the Zhou family, are you sure that the Zhou family's vast fortune will ultimately fall into Yuming's hands?"
Don't be silly. You haven't wronged your older brother, nor have you wronged Ruoyun. You've only wronged yourself and your child.

His voice was like a blunt knife, precisely piercing Liao Kexin's softest and most vulnerable spot, instantly shattering her forced composure. Her eyes instantly turned red, and fine tears streamed down her face, clinging to her long eyelashes, trembling as if about to fall.

She abruptly turned her face away, her shoulders trembling uncontrollably. It wasn't out of emotion, but from the pent-up resentment, bitterness, and despair of a marriage she had endured for so long—being forced to stay in a cold, empty shell of a marriage, being ignored like a transparent person.

Unwilling to be trapped in a loveless cage for life, unable to even find a little peace; despairing that even though they know right from wrong, they lack the courage to say "no" under the heavy pressure of reality.

"I...I'm scared..." Her voice trembled uncontrollably, choked with sobs, each word seeming to be squeezed out of her throat, full of helplessness and struggle, "I'm afraid of being caught, afraid of being disgraced, afraid of losing this job, and even more afraid...even more afraid of letting Ruoyun down!"

She trusts me so much, and depends on you so much. If I did that kind of thing, how could I face her?
But I'm also afraid... afraid of losing this only support, afraid that I won't even have the dignity to live on!

As soon as she finished speaking, tears streamed down her face, landing on the back of Sin Yiu-man's hand. The tears were scalding hot, and they also burned her heart.

She suddenly raised her hand to cover her face, her body trembling like a withered leaf in the wind. On one side was the bottom line of ethics, and on the other was the hope of survival. The two forces were tearing her apart.

Xian Yaowen lowered his head, his deep gaze fixed on the corners of her reddened eyes. He gently wiped away the tears on her face with his fingertips, the action carrying a hint of deliberate indulgence. The warmth of his fingertips made her flinch slightly, but his tone remained strong, with an undeniable certainty and seductive quality: "Don't be afraid, I'm here for you."

Liao Kexin's fingertips gripped his sleeve tightly, her knuckles turning white and almost digging into the fabric, her nails nearly breaking.

The inner struggle was as intense as being cut by a knife, with two voices screaming wildly in her mind—one shouting, "You can't do this, you're letting Ruoyun down, and you're letting yourself down," and the other advising, "Forget it, you have no one to rely on, you're nothing, surviving is the most important thing."

She bit her lower lip until she tasted the strong metallic taste of blood, barely managing to suppress her surging emotions. The long-term neglect and repression, the predicament and helplessness of reality, finally overwhelmed the shackles of ethics. The defense that had been taut for so long collapsed in the struggle and pain, shattering completely.

She abruptly closed her eyes, tears streaming down her face, her shoulders trembling violently. Her voice, thick with sobs, held a desperate resolve, each word deliberate and strained, as if she were both surrendering to herself and pleading: "Don't let anyone know, especially Ruoyun. I beg you, please don't let her know. I'm so sorry to her, I'm so so sorry..."

Her words were filled with guilt and pain, and the struggle and resentment almost burst from her throat.

A fleeting smile crossed Xian Yaowen's eyes, a smile that held an air of complete control and ambiguity. He tightened his grip on her waist, pulling her firmly into his embrace. His chin rested on the top of her head, his warm breath enveloping her. His voice was low and husky, almost a whisper, making it even more alluring: "Don't worry, I promise you, no one will know about us."

The dim, ambiguous lighting in the smoking area cast long, lingering shadows of the two intertwined figures. The air was thick with the smells of alcohol, the saltiness of tears, and their own breaths, so intense it was suffocating.

Liao Kexin leaned against him, her body still trembling uncontrollably. There was no excitement in her heart, only a deep-seated numbness, guilt, and pain.

She knew perfectly well that she had ultimately compromised, had ultimately taken that step—it was both redemption and ruin; it was the hope of escaping her predicament and the shackles of betraying ethics.

In the days that followed, she could only struggle between guilt and peace of mind, never able to go back to the past, and never able to face her innocent sister-in-law whom she had wronged with equanimity.

Sin Yiu-man simply embraced her gently, without making any other moves.

He wasn't in a hurry. Admittedly, he had a certain fondness for Liao Kexin, but he didn't necessarily want any woman. The reason he deliberately flirted with her was simply to eliminate any potential threats.

Liao Kexin and Zhou Xiaoyun's relationship has broken down, but Zhou Yuming is caught in the middle. Zhou Xiaoyun is cunning and ambitious, and he may very well do something like "using his son to control his wife" in the future. The more capable and important Liao Kexin becomes, the deeper the spies will be planted, and the harder it will be for them to come out.

The two embraced silently for a full three minutes, without saying a word, only their warm breaths mingling.

Sin Yiu-man slowly released Liao Ke-xin, took out a handkerchief and gently wiped away the undried tear stains at the corners of her eyes, his movements so gentle as if he were afraid of breaking something.

He didn't rush to leave, but silently stayed by her side, quietly waiting for her to calm down. Only when her red and swollen eyes had subsided and she was able to appear presentable did he return to the hall.

Upon entering the hall, one is immediately confronted with an exceptionally unpleasant scene.

Zhou Xiaoyun was standing near the exit, talking quietly with an Englishman. Beside him was a woman dressed in fine clothes and with exquisite makeup, probably Zhou Xiaoyun's mistress.

Wildflower, though adorned with luxurious jewels and fine fabrics, was gaudy and ostentatious, hardly the epitome of refined beauty. She was neither to Xian Yaowen's liking nor to the elegant aesthetics of the current upper class.

Xian Yaowen didn't know what Zhou Xiaoyun liked about wildflowers, he could only guess that he had eaten too much refined grain and wanted something coarser, or that wildflowers were not to be underestimated, and that beneath their ordinary appearance lay a profound and unpretentious skill in martial arts. (End of Chapter)