This "he" naturally refers to the boyfriend who works in an investment bank.
"What he wants is a wife that he can see when he comes home from get off work, a partner who can care for his husband and raise his children with peace of mind."
Chen Xi's voice was very calm, but Zhao Chen could hear the fatigue beneath the calmness.
"I tried to compromise - I retired from being a corporate white-collar worker and became a school counselor, thinking that I would have more time. But he felt it was not enough."
She paused and twitched her lips:
"He feels that counselors also have a job, they also work overtime, and they also bring their emotions home.
What he wants is for me to completely return home and be a stable background for his successful life."
Zhao Chen didn't interrupt, just listened quietly.
"But I can't do it." Chen Xi raised his head, his eyes clear and firm,
"I like working, I like solving problems, and I like the feeling of making something from scratch.
I don't want my value to be defined only as 'whose wife' or 'whose mother' – at least not now."
"So the conflicts are getting bigger and bigger, and the quarrels are getting more and more tiring."
She concluded by saying, "Probably... I really can't go on."
After saying this, she felt as if a burden had been lifted off her, and her whole body relaxed.
She looked at Zhao Chen and asked half-jokingly:
"Chairman Zhao, does this count as sacrificing love for my career?"
Zhao Chen shook his head and said seriously:
"You are choosing the life you want. Chen Xi, you have a bright future. There is no need to humiliate yourself for someone who doesn't recognize your value."
He paused and then changed to a relaxed tone:
"Besides, from now on I will become Little Rich Woman. Isn't it better to just pick the fresh meat?"
Chen Xi was amused and his eyes rolled up:
"Little fresh meat? For example? Are you hinting at yourself?"
"Me?" Zhao Chen pointed at himself, with an exaggerated look of disgust on his face,
"My meat is fresh meat, but my heart is already at the level of old bacon. How can it be worthy of our beautiful Teacher Chen."
"That's not necessarily the case." Chen Xi said with a smile, "Maybe it would be more flavorful."
The two of them just exchanged words with each other, chatting for a whole afternoon in a private room full of tea.
From sentimental views to future plans, from interesting anecdotes from student days to views on certain current events--
The topic is random and has no purpose.
When the sunlight outside the window began to set, and the water in the teapot was refilled and finally lost its flavor, Zhao Chen took a look at the time.
"It's time to go back." He stood up.
Chen Xi also stood up, with a lingering smile on his face.
Her eyes were very bright, the brilliance that comes only after she is completely relaxed.
"Thank you today, Teacher Chen." Zhao Chen looked at her and said sincerely.
"It's my turn to thank you." Chen Xi smiled, "Thank you for being willing to listen to what I say... nonsense."
"It's not nonsense." Zhao Chen shook his head, "If you want to talk in the future, anytime."
On the way back to the company, they didn't talk anymore, but the atmosphere was different.
The formal formality disappeared and was replaced by a closer and more natural understanding.
He knew that from today on, their relationship would become deeper.
Not just superiors and subordinates, not just comrades, but also friends who can share life and understand each other.
And such a relationship is often stronger than any contract or interest bundle.
Henglong Building Sky Garden Terrace on top.
This was originally a place where senior executives drank coffee and gazed at the city scenery during their lunch break. It was now past the off-duty time and it was particularly quiet.
Chen Xi Pushed open the glass door and walked into the terrace.
She saw Su Wantang standing by the railing, her figure looking a little thin in the dusk.
"Why are you here?" Chen Xi walked over and stood side by side with her.
Su Wantang turned his head and showed a faint smile:
"It's a little stuffy in there, come out for some air, and wait for Xiao Chen to go home together."
She held a cup of cold coffee in her hand, "What about you? You haven't left yet?"
"I just finished competing with Chen Qiming last month with Financial Data."
Chen Xi rubbed his temples and leaned on the railing, "My head hurts a little. Come up and blow some air."
The two of them were silent for a while, looking at the city below them that was gradually lighting up.
"Afternoon..." Chen Xi suddenly spoke, his voice clear in the evening wind.
"Zhao Chen and I were chatting with Tea House downstairs for a while."
Su Wantang's fingers holding the coffee cup moved slightly.
She didn't turn her head, but responded softly, "Yes, I know."
"Talking about you." Chen Xi said first.
This time, Su Wantang turned his face.
In the dusk, her eyes looked particularly clear and calm, as if she had expected this conversation.
Chen Xi briefly recounted the conversation in the afternoon--
Zhao Chen said "wait until she gets divorced", and the question that stunned Zhao Chen himself, "What happens after the divorce?"
Su Wantang listened quietly, with no change in expression on his face.
But when I heard "the soldiers will stop me, the water will stop me, the water will cover me", the corners of my mouth curved slightly, and there was a trace of indescribable complexity in that smile.
"Xi Xi,"
After Chen Xi finished speaking, Su Wantang spoke softly, his voice a little erratic due to the night wind, "Thank you for telling me this."
She didn't ask Zhao Chen about his expression at that time, nor did she ask for more details, she just said this.
Chen Xi looked at her and suddenly felt that the seemingly weak woman in front of her might have something deeper and quieter than they imagined.