Chapter 61

Although Zuo Xinlan did not want to consider Cheng Jemin as a potential son-in-law at all, she was constantly observing him. In her eyes, Cheng Jemin was steady and relatively smart. It wasn't entirely unreasonable for her daughter to like him.

Unfortunately, this person's background was really too poor. As a mother, Zuo Xinlan hoped that Gu Xixi could find a boy who matched her in status. This way, not only would Gu Xixi's future be smoother, but it would also increase her husband's standing in the family.

Therefore, she smiled and said, "Cheng, although I have only met you once, I can see that you are an excellent child, and you are genuinely good to Xixi. But the more so, the more you should let her go and let her have her own life."

"Aunt Zuo, I believe I have the ability to give Xixi a happy life," Cheng Jemin's eyes were filled with determination.

Zuo Xinlan looked into Cheng Jemin's eyes, feeling as if they could see through her heart. No matter how eloquently she spoke, he knew what she was thinking. For a moment, she felt a deep sense of defeat.

Zuo Xinlan, as the director of the Construction Bureau, was not without her skills. She had always been a strong woman, and at this moment, she felt a fire burning in her heart. Enough, enough, now was not the time for subtlety or to consider his feelings. Zuo Xinlan decided to use her sharpest attack to shatter this young man's unrealistic dreams.

"Cheng, having confidence is a good thing. But being overly confident is arrogance, and it will lead to failure!" Zuo Xinlan said, taking a sip of water and speaking arrogantly, "Xixi's grandfather has already planned her marriage. She is his most beloved granddaughter, so he will not let her suffer any委屈."

"But if Xixi refuses her grandfather's arrangement and chooses you, do you know the consequences? She will no longer receive any help from the family, and the comfortable life that should belong to her will have nothing to do with her!"

"You say you have the ability, so let me ask you, given your situation, even if you work your hardest, it will take at least twenty years to provide Xixi with the life she has now. How many twenties does a woman have, especially when these are her best years!"

Before Zuo Xinlan could finish, Gu Xixi stood up and said, "Mom, please stop. I won't regret my choice! I'm willing to endure any hardship or suffering!"

"Don't be impulsive. Love can't put food on the table, and you'll realize that eventually! Look at your aunt, the youngest of your aunts, what has she become? She looks more haggard than your older aunt! This is the lesson life has taught her!"

Zuo Xinlan slammed her hand on the table, "Cheng, it's not that I look down on you, but reality is harsh. You are just a small clerk, with nothing to offer. Not to mention a car or a house, you can't even provide the social status Xixi has now."

"If she chooses you, how will her friends see her? Her current social circle will distance itself from her, and her life will change irreversibly! Is this what you want to see?"

Cheng Jemin was about to speak, but Zuo Xinlan cut him off with a wave of her hand, "Don't talk big to me. To be frank, without strong support, you'll be lucky to be a deputy section chief by thirty. But the men the family has introduced to Xixi are already deputy directors."

"Self-awareness is important, and one shouldn't be too selfish. I hope you will think about this carefully."

Zuo Xinlan's last words were said with a hint of anger, almost enraging Cheng Jemin. He was a man, not broad-minded, but certainly not petty. However, self-awareness, wasn't this a warning that he shouldn't have unrealistic dreams?

"Mom, whether Cheng Jemin is successful or not doesn't matter. I just want us to be happy together, and that's enough for me!" Gu Xixi was almost in tears, firmly saying, "Mom, I am an adult, and I have the ability to make the right choice for my marriage! I ask you, no, I beg you, to respect him!"

Cheng Jemin stood up, pulled Xixi close, patted her shoulder to comfort her, and then said to Zuo Xinlan, word by word, "Aunt, I love Xixi, and I won't let her suffer. I will prove to you that I can provide everything you want. I, Cheng Jemin, will not be inferior to anyone!"

"I believe in my own feelings, not in your empty promises!" Zuo Xinlan was trembling with anger. She was not just angry at Cheng Jemin's stubbornness but also at her daughter's reaction, as if one more word would make her run off with this man!

Thinking of this, she said to Cheng Jemin with deep resentment, "In my view, your promises and guarantees are too naive, and there's nothing funny about them!"

Nothing funny, this was a graceful way of saying it, but it was like a sharp knife, mercilessly stabbing into Cheng Jemin's heart.

You're just a joke! That was Zuo Xinlan's meaning.

When words fail, Cheng Jemin knew that no matter what he said, it would be in vain. He smiled at Zuo Xinlan and said, "Aunt, I still stand by my own views. Whether I can make Xixi happy is not up to you or me, but will be proven by facts."

"I'll wait and see." Zuo Xinlan's words were light, so light that one might doubt if she had the strength to say them.

Cheng Jemin smiled at Gu Xixi and walked out. Gu Xixi stood there for a moment, then ran forward to catch up with him. Zuo Xinlan called out harshly, "Xixi, stop! I have more to say to you."

Walking down the long corridor, Cheng Jemin stepped out of the VIP building. The VIP building was still bustling with traffic, but looking at it, Cheng Jemin suddenly felt extremely dejected.

Suppressing his anger, Cheng Jemin clenched his fists tightly. At that moment, he wished he could punch a hole in the sky.

I will prove to everyone that Gu Xixi's choice was right, and I will prove to everyone that I, Cheng Jemin, will succeed.

"Beep beep beep"

The soft beeping sound startled Cheng Jemin out of his thoughts. He picked up the pager and saw a message to call back, left by Zheng Yuanhong.

Why is Zheng Yuanhong calling me now? Cheng Jemin was a bit puzzled. He quickly ran to a small convenience store nearby and dialed the number Zheng Yuanhong had left.

When Cheng Jemin gave his name, he heard Zheng Yuanhong say happily, "Jemin, today a friend from the Environmental Protection Bureau called me, saying your speech was particularly touching, and even Secretary Liu of the Provincial Party Committee praised you! You're really impressive! When do you have time, big brother, I'll celebrate with you."

If it were any other time, Cheng Jemin would have been happy to meet with Zheng Yuanhong, but he had no such mood now. He forced a smile and said, "Sister Zheng, I have some things to do these two days. If you have no other matters, let's talk about it in a few days. I'll treat you then."

"Jemin, if it's not an emergency, let's do it tonight," Zheng Yuanhong hesitated and then said, "This morning, Director Li called me in for a talk and asked me a lot of questions about finance. I answered them reasonably well. Although Director Li didn't say anything, I feel that things are looking up!"

Zheng Yuanhong smiled lightly, "Director Li mentioned at the end that you had spoken highly of my financial skills to him. Sister, I have to thank you for this great favor!"

"Zheng Sister, let's wait and see. After all, the appointment hasn't been announced yet," Cheng Jemin's mood improved. Although Li Zhonghua was subtle, how could someone as smart as Zheng Yuanhong not understand? Her gratitude in her words meant that this already good ally would become even stronger.

However, he had no mood to drink with Zheng Yuanhong, so he used this excuse to decline.

Zheng Yuanhong pondered for a moment and then laughed, "Jemin, you're right. I was being too simple. Let's do it in a few days when you go to the countryside. No matter what happens, I thank you for your support!"

After hanging up, Cheng Jemin thought about Zheng Yuanhong's happiness. According to the diary, Zheng Yuanhong had never been the head of the finance department. If she was appointed as the deputy director, it might be a turning point in her political career.

Thinking of this turning point, Cheng Jemin felt even more determined. Although he did not have an enviable background or strong support, he had the diary. With the help of the diary, he had already started to change his fate and influence others.

I must do better, and I will make you see the sparks and lightning in my success!

It was like a pep talk and a resolution. Cheng Jemin believed that any emotional pain or life's setbacks could be a reason for someone to become discouraged, but conversely, they could also be the driving force for success.

As he was about to pay the convenience store owner, Zuo Xinlan and another person walked out of the VIP building. Zuo Xinlan looked around, not seeing Cheng Jemin, and a faint smile of satisfaction appeared on her face.

She said to Gu Xixi with a hint of pride, "Look, there's no one here."

She then pulled Gu Xixi, who was looking around, into the waiting Bluebird car. As the car drove away, Cheng Jemin walked out of the convenience store.

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