Chapter 301: What Does It Feel Like to Spend Your Life with Just One Person?
Looking at her confident boss, Lin Yibai felt a bit tired inside.
She really thought that guys, especially those who just started working, had it pretty tough.
At an age where they had no money, no power, and their careers were just beginning, they often met the girl they liked the most.
But how many of those relationships could really last, when faced with real-life challenges?
The world was already stressful enough, but some men still made things even more competitive.
They just weren't on the same page. Lin Yibai had once lived as a man before becoming a woman, so deep down, she had a strong sense of independence. She didn’t feel anything for the so-called “successful men” who showed her attention.
After thinking for a moment, she gently reminded him, “Thank you, Manager Yang, for your concern. But work is work, and personal life is personal life. Also, my boyfriend is truly excellent.”
Manager Yang laughed and waved his hand like it was no big deal.
“Hey, don’t speak so confidently! You know what today’s college guys are like, those who understand, understand. The pressure is huge. Honestly, most guys are already doing well if they can just support themselves.”
Lin Yibai looked surprised. Then she shook her head with a small smile and said, “Wait, are you saying I was too confident? I thought maybe I wasn’t being clear enough, or maybe I was being too humble?”
She couldn’t help but wonder, Manager Yang’s eyes and brain should be working just fine, right?
Let’s be real for a second. With Lin Yibai’s looks, did anyone really think her boyfriend would be just some average guy?
So what kind of person was Xia Changyu?
First of all, he was a decent man with no character issues. Second, he ran his own small business and had over ten employees. And third, even though he had to go home and take over the family business, he also came from a rich family.
Oh, and yes, he was handsome too!
Not wanting to keep talking with Manager Yang, Lin Yibai got up and left the meeting room.
She was not a student in a protected environment anymore. Now, all kinds of strange and unpleasant things were just part of everyday life.
As soon as she got back to her desk, a curious coworker came over and asked, “Baiyi, what did the manager want? Was it something good?”
Lin Yibai shrugged and answered honestly, “He asked me to have lunch with him.”
The office immediately filled with gossip. Everyone started guessing whether Manager Yang had a crush on her, and wondering what Lin Yibai herself thought of it.
After all, she was a soon-to-graduate college girl, and the other person was a young and successful department head.
“Honestly, Manager Yang isn’t that bad.”
“Don’t be silly, he’s not a good guy. Didn’t he say he liked that girl from the department next door last time? Now that Baiyi joined, he immediately changed targets!”
“What do you think, Baiyi? A pretty girl like you must have a lot of guys chasing after you, right?”
“Come on, Baiyi, say something!”
Lin Yibai was starting to get a headache. She felt like everyone was taking this topic way too far.
She had originally thought that the truth would speak for itself. With a sigh, she said directly.
“Haven’t I told you all before? I have a boyfriend. And he’s really, really amazing. Also, he’s super handsome.”
A coworker asked curiously, “How handsome?”
Lin Yibai smiled and said confidently, “Do you really think I would go for someone who isn’t great?”
Another coworker chimed in, “But still, your boyfriend is just a college student like you, right? This is the best time of your life, don’t waste it all on just one guy!”
Lin Yibai gave an awkward smile after hearing that. This kind of office environment really could change the way a person thinks. It was easy to get influenced by coworkers' opinions and slowly become someone very focused on reality.
She decided it was better to just focus on work!
If you're in a position, do your job well.
If you have a duty, fulfill it completely.
She already knew she wouldn’t treat this job as her lifelong career. In her own plans, she was thinking about taking the civil service exam again.
Still, she stayed careful. After work, instead of going home alone, she asked Xia Changyu to come pick her up.
Especially when she got into Xia Changyu’s car right in front of Manager Yang, she could clearly see the change on Manager Yang’s face, it was quite a sight.
Lin Yibai even added a playful stab, “Manager Yang, where do you live? Want us to drop you off?”
Manager Yang replied, “No need.”
Lin Yibai shrugged, acting like she didn’t care. “Oh, well, if there’s nothing else, I’ll be going… with my boyfriend. Bye-bye~”
Maybe the problem was that Xia Changyu had won her over too early. So even after becoming a girl, she wasn't interested in anyone.
And she didn’t really feel the need to have any unclear, flirty relationships. It was better to draw the line early.
Xia Changyu seemed to pick up on something. He looked into the car’s rearview mirror, at the figure of Manager Yang getting farther and farther away, and asked curiously, “That guy, was he…?”
Lin Yibai teased him,“What? You think it’s strange that a great girl like me is liked by other men?”
Xia Changyu’s face turned serious right away. He said quickly, “No way, that can’t happen! You’re only allowed to be mine! If it comes to that, maybe we should just go get our marriage certificate already!”
Lin Yibai just smiled and didn’t answer. Of course, she wasn’t going to get married that soon.
She leaned her head against the car seat.
Outside, the sunset colored the sky. Whether she was going back to her apartment or to Xia Changyu’s home, she now felt a quiet sense of belonging.
And a gentle kind of happiness.
Seeing how nervous Xia Changyu was, she giggled and said, “Relax! I'm serious about our relationship, and I’m not the kind of girl who flirts with everyone. As long as you don’t give up first, or do anything to hurt me, then I—”
Xia Changyu asked seriously, “Then what?”
Lin Yibai smiled, turned slightly to the side, and said in a lazy tone, “I’m a bit lazy by nature. I like to choose one person to grow old with, to stay with one person for life.”
Yes, Xia Changyu truly believed that about her. That’s why he was even more eager.
On the way back to the apartment, he brought it up more than once. “I’ve already met your parents. So when are you going to meet mine?”
What? Meet his parents?
For some reason, Lin Yibai suddenly felt a little nervous.
Meeting her boyfriend’s parents…
This time, she didn’t really want to avoid it. Instead, she asked, “What kind of people are your mom and dad?”
Xia Changyu couldn’t help but laugh and promised, “My dad? Forget about him, he’s just a workaholic. But my mom… Baiyi, trust me, the two of you will get along really well!”
Lin Yibai replied, “Yeah right. Everyone says daughters-in-law and mothers-in-law are natural enemies. I just hope your mom doesn’t end up disliking me.”
Dislike her? No way.
Xia Changyu’s mom was more than happy with her. She had already given him strict orders.
‘If you don’t marry Baiyi, don’t even bother calling yourself my son.’