Chapter 126: How Many Men Are Enchanted

Xiaoxiao felt an unprecedented admiration. Looking at Nina before her, even the casual way she flicked away a cigarette butt was effortlessly graceful. What man wouldn’t be captivated by a woman like her?

“What about that weasel over there? You know full well how hard he is to deal with,” Xiaoxiao said, recalling how Nina once worried about him. Now, their roles had reversed.

Nina ruffled her hair indifferently. “Him?” she scoffed with biting sarcasm. “He’s just bluffing with his seniority, putting on airs. Do you really think the big boss trusts him so much that he’s indispensable? At the end of the day, we’re all just employees, dancing to someone else’s tune. How much better is he than us? Besides, there’s more than one place to get a meal. Wherever it’s better, that’s where you go. Are you really going to stay here your whole life?”

“You’re thinking of leaving?” Xiaoxiao wasn’t prepared for the public relations department without Nina.

“Naturally,” Nina replied. “Xiaoxiao, I know I don’t have much standing to say this to you, but since I’m leaving sooner or later, consider it words from someone on the brink. If a good opportunity comes, take it. Following that weasel won’t get you anywhere. Even if your goal isn’t to become a powerful woman, you shouldn’t waste your youth here.”

Xiaoxiao listened intently, treating Nina like a seasoned senior in the underworld, desperate for guidance.

“There’s one more thing,” Nina paused deliberately, her tone serious. “Don’t pin all your hopes on a man, even if you love him dearly. Love shouldn’t be the reason you become his accessory.”

Hearing this, Xiaoxiao felt an unexpected gratitude toward Nina. Through hard-earned experience, Nina’s words were a sobering wake-up call. There was nothing inherently shameful about living in the world of pleasure; at least it taught clarity and calm in matters of the heart.

“I don’t know if this represents the future, but I just hope things don’t get worse. Everyone around me is unhappy, yet I yearn to find joy on my own. Maybe I’m just too unfaithful,” Xiaoxiao mused, thinking of Bai Yunchuan and Yu Xin’s plight. She recalled feeling guilty toward Hua Mei not long ago, and yet here she was, exchanging confidences with Nina—it was surreal.

Nina let out a long breath, her expression softening. “Finally, you’re seeing clearly. I thought you were stubborn. That’s the right way to think. Many will smile when you smile, but when you cry, only your shadow stays with you.”

Xiaoxiao shot her a sideways glance. “Words of experience?”

Nina nodded deeply and quipped, “Let’s encourage each other!”

Bang! Bang! Bang!

A rapid knock on the door was followed by He Li bursting in, her face alight with excitement and schadenfreude. “Xiaoxiao, you’ve been in the bathroom forever! Hurry up, there’s a show to watch. Nina’s gone and pissed someone off again, and now they’re here to see her. I want to see how she keeps her arrogant act up…”

Before she could finish, Nina’s figure appeared, and the last word almost caught in her throat.

He Li fumbled nervously and fled hurriedly, while Nina strode in calmly, head held high. The sharp click of her slender heels on the marble floor commanded respect. As she walked, she casually called to Xiaoxiao, “Come on, let’s go see.”

Her tone suggested she was almost looking forward to it.

“Where’s that sly fox Nina? Tell her to come out! Don’t think hiding will save her!”

“Who’s looking for me?” Nina stepped behind the speaker, who turned around abruptly. Xiaoxiao gasped in shock and blurted out, “Hua Mei!”