Chapter 276: Chapter 276
Yang Lu had been eavesdropping from not far away. She only approached after seeing her cousin go upstairs.
"Auntie, should we introduce other girls to my brother? Perhaps if he meets other girls, he’ll be able to forget Miss Fu."
"Do you think that’s possible?" Liao Sijun countered. Meeting someone like Fu Bing once in a lifetime is enough to illuminate one’s entire existence. Having encountered her, how could one willingly settle for the ordinary?
Yang Lu said, "But we can’t let things go on . If my brother hadn’t been so dedicated to supporting Fu Bing, he wouldn’t have offended the Liu Family so grievously. When Fu Bing was first released from prison, it was my brother who gave her a contract, an opportunity to get back on her feet. In a way, Fu Bing owes us."
Liao Sijun’s expression turned cold upon hearing this. She asked sharply, "Who else have you said this to?"
Yang Lu panicked. She vehemently denied it, "No, no one! I haven’t told anyone else."
"From now on, keep these thoughts buried deep inside. Never utter such words again."
"I’ll listen to you, Auntie," Yang Lu said, her expression aggrieved. "But why?"
"Because Fu Bing owes us nothing. Your words would only cause Ningzheng to lose face before Fu Bing. Whatever he’s willing to do for Fu Bing, whatever sacrifices he makes, are actions born from his feelings for her."
"No one but him can judge if it’s worth it." ɪꜰ ʏᴏᴜ ᴡᴀɴᴛ ᴛᴏ ʀᴇᴀᴅ ᴍᴏʀᴇ ᴄʜᴀᴘᴛᴇʀs, ᴘʟᴇᴀsᴇ ᴠɪsɪᴛ NoveI★Fire.net
Yang Lu’s mouth fell open, unsure what to say. "Don’t you feel sorry for my brother?" she still didn’t understand.
"I do feel sorry for him, but I can’t blame Fu Bing just because I pity him." Liao Sijun sighed. "I shouldn’t be too harsh on you, but if such words were to spread, they would damage the relationship between your brother and Fu Bing."
"I understand now. Auntie, I’m sorry. I was being foolish. I was only thinking about my brother and forgot that matters of the heart should always be mutual."
"You should read fewer of those trashy novels. They’re written by people with no real life experience. You won’t learn anything useful from them; it’s just a waste of your time." Liao Sijun said, with uncharacteristic gravity, "Many who write these things harbor a deep-seated resentment towards women. If you only read that kind of book, what valuable perspectives or ideas can you possibly gain?"
"There’s nothing wrong with being admired by an outstanding man. It wasn’t Fu Bing’s fault for not choosing your brother. Given her excellence, it’s hardly surprising that so many people are drawn to her."
"I respect everything your brother has done for the woman he loves. At the same time, as his mother, it pains me that my son’s desires remain unfulfilled."
Yang Lu was deeply shaken. After her parents passed away, her aunt and cousin had treated her very well and were never harsh with her. But it wasn’t until this moment that she truly felt like her aunt’s child. Her aunt was capable of teaching her with strictness and integrity. No one had ever spoken to her before. The elders in her past had always told her that as a girl, she needed to be well-behaved, obedient, sensible, and not have too many of her own ideas. Girls were expected to be molded according to societal expectations, not to stand out too much. They all said that a girl who stood out too much would be disliked and find it hard to marry. Only demure, obedient, and virtuous women were considered good marriage prospects. Even the clothes she wore were the most conservative, fearing that showing any skin would lead to accusations of immodesty. Yet, everyone desires to appreciate beauty and experiment with different styles. She didn’t dare; she could only watch with envy.
With her parents gone, she had been passed from one relative’s house to another. She became even more docile, terrified of displeasing anyone. Relatives, too, came in many different varieties. Some were wary of her, disliked her, or ostracized her.
It wasn’t until her brother started working that the financial pressure on the family eased considerably. It was only when her brother personally sought her out and asked if she wanted to live with him that she finally escaped that life.
She had grown accustomed to reading people’s expressions and obeying others’ words. She didn’t know what was right or wrong. If her aunt hadn’t spoken to her today, she wouldn’t have even known her aunt felt this way.
Seeing Yang Lu standing there rigidly, Liao Sijun softened her tone. "If you want to read any books in the future, just let me know, and you can borrow them from my study. Or, have your brother buy them for you."
"You’re not a burden to your brother and me. We’re supporting you during a time when we are financially comfortable; you won’t become a burden. You also don’t need to agree with everything we say. Many of our opinions might be wrong, and you must learn to discern for yourself. However, when it comes to other people’s private affairs, you shouldn’t spread them around."
Yang Lu nodded, trembling. "Auntie, can I call you Mom in the future?"
Liao Sijun said, "You have your own mother. She and your father passed away young. If you, too, don’t call her ’Mom’, she would be very regretful."
Yang Lu’s eyes reddened, and she nodded, choked with emotion.
Liao Sijun said nothing more to her. Yang Lu was always exceedingly cautious around her, so much so that Liao Sijun worried even a slightly louder voice might startle the girl. Now, at least, a small opening for communication had appeared between them.
「Fu Bing also made a trip back to Jiangnan.」
She convened a press conference, promoting Yang Ningzheng to head the medical platform. She assigned him full responsibility for its affairs and accorded him ample respect. Coming so soon after Liu Xinping’s own maneuver, her actions made the disparity between them abundantly clear.
After the press conference dispersed, Fu Bing and Yang Ningzheng returned to the office.
Fu Bing said, "The circumstances of your resignation from your former company were unfair to you. I should have found a better way for you to leave with more dignity."
Yang Ningzheng smiled. "Leaving the way I did was the best option. It served to dishearten those at my former company who witnessed it, and it will be more effective in attracting exceptional employees to our platform. I believe that after the news of today’s press conference spreads, many people will be interested."
Fu Bing continued, "Recruitment and management are up to you; you are a very talented person. I’m giving you enough space and the platform; you’ll handle it well." She paused deliberately before adding, "Don’t put too much pressure on yourself. You’re not even thirty yet, and the peak of your career hasn’t even begun. Be sure to work within your limits."
A genuine smile flashed in Yang Ningzheng’s eyes. "I will."
Fu Bing smiled too. She said, "I am very fortunate to have met you and many other capable and dependable companions. It allows me to achieve twice the results with half the effort. In fact, I often feel like I have nothing to do."
"You have to consider far more than those of us who are just doing the work," Yang Ningzheng said, hesitating for a moment. "Liu Xinping currently doesn’t have many capable people. My departure has also disheartened many there. If you move against him now, it will be much simpler. Once his team stabilizes, it will be much harder for you to acquire Liu Pharmaceutical."
Yang Ningzheng, having worked at Liu Pharmaceutical for several years, knew this very well.
Fu Bing shook her head. "Attacking your old employer so soon after leaving would damage your reputation."
Her words warmed Yang Ningzheng’s heart. "My reputation doesn’t matter."
"A reputation untarnished by slander is precious; don’t throw it away lightly," Fu Bing said.
Yang Ningzheng had just taken over the entire medical platform, and President Han might not fully approve yet. The core management team, led by Yang Ningzheng, also needed time to form and synchronize. Now wasn’t the time to acquire Liu Pharmaceutical. Even if this was a golden opportunity, she wasn’t willing to risk Yang Ningzheng’s future or the entire medical platform.