The two of them didn’t eat out today. Shen Meng’s aunt had specially cooked some of her favorite dishes and called her in the afternoon to come home for dinner.
After their customary long French kiss, he reluctantly let her go home.
Shen Meng’s figure was pure supermodel, and Yang Hui always felt on the verge of losing control around her. It seemed he would have to find a chance to finally sleep with her, or else he’d have to keep going to Liu Shasha for his daily release.
’Sigh, I’m supposed to be a man of pure intentions, but my girlfriend just won’t put out. She’s the one forcing me to go out and fool around.’
If anyone heard such thoughts, they’d surely curse him out for being so shameless.
As Shen Meng was changing her shoes in the entryway and setting her purse aside, she heard her aunt call from inside, "Meng Meng, hurry up and wash your hands! Come and eat! I made your favorite—braised prawns!"
"Thanks, Auntie."
When she got to the dining room, she saw that her cousin, Wu Min, was already seated. Her cousin always came home earlier than her, mainly because no one at her company checked her attendance, allowing her to often leave early. If any issues came up, Wang Hua would take care of them for her.
Wu Min worked at a company called Huasheng Trading Co., Ltd., which was owned by a distant uncle of Wang Hua’s. As a result, Wang Hua, a vice president at the firm, was deeply trusted by the owner. With him looking out for her, Wu Min enjoyed many privileges at work.
"Mom, were Shen Meng and I switched at birth or something? Why do you treat her better than me? You came home to cook, but you only made her favorite dishes, not mine."
Shen Meng’s aunt, Jia Lian, laughed and chided her, "That’s because you have the wrong tastes. If you liked braised prawns, then wouldn’t I have made your favorite dish today?"
"So it’s my fault?" Wu Min grumbled, though she was just joking. Of course she knew she was Jia Lian’s biological daughter.
Jia Lian placed a prawn in Shen Meng’s bowl. "Meng Meng, you should eat more. How have you gotten so thin again?"
Before Shen Meng could even say thank you, Wu Min laughed. "She’s been too busy treating someone else to meals lately. She’s probably not willing to spend money on food for herself, so how could she not be losing weight?"
"What’s that supposed to mean?" Jia Lian asked, looking at her daughter, unsure what riddle she was speaking.
Wu Min giggled. "Shen Meng’s in a relationship. She found a boyfriend who never pays the bill, so she’s the one paying every time they eat out."
Jia Lian froze, then glanced at Shen Meng. Seeing her niece blushing, head lowered to her food and not refuting the claim, she knew her daughter was telling the truth. Shen Meng really was dating someone.
’But could there really be a guy as bad as Wu Min described? A man who never pays when they’re dating? Could he be a con artist, after both her money and her virtue?’
At this thought, Jia Lian lost her appetite. She put down her bowl and chopsticks. "Meng Meng, you’re at the right age to be dating, and your aunt supports you. Sometime soon, you should bring your boyfriend home so I can help you size him up."
Before Shen Meng could say anything, Wu Min chimed in, "Mom, you always judge a book by its cover. You’ll definitely think he’s great when you meet him. Her boyfriend is very handsome. I just can’t understand why he never pays for their meals."
Shen Meng was getting a little annoyed with her for constantly running Yang Hui down. "Sis, it’s not like that at all. He’s actually very generous, okay?"
Jia Lian looked from her daughter to Shen Meng. ’So, a lot has been going on lately, and I’m the only one who’s been kept in the dark,’ she thought. And it seemed Shen Meng was quite satisfied with this boyfriend, which made Jia Lian even more determined to meet him.
Changing the subject, Jia Lian asked Shen Meng with concern, "How has work been lately? Is it going well?"
"Yeah, it’s great." Shen Meng nodded, peeling a prawn and placing it in Jia Lian’s bowl. "Auntie, you should eat too. Don’t just focus on talking."
Wu Min chimed in from the side, "Mom, we just had salary reviews at my company, and I got another raise. An extra 1,000 yuan! My base pay is 8,000 a month now."
Jia Lian placed a piece of braised pork rib in her bowl. "Well, my girl is amazing. Have a rib to build up your strength."
She smiled smugly. Her raise was, of course, thanks in no small part to Wang Hua’s help. Huasheng Commerce’s profits were nowhere near those of Futong Commerce, so there were very few slots for raises. It was especially difficult for a logistics staffer like Wu Min to get one. In companies like hers, raises were typically prioritized for the sales teams.
"I still need to keep working hard, though," she continued. "Don’t let Shen Meng’s base salary of 6,000 fool you. With her sales commission, she probably pulls in close to ten thousand a month. It’s just that her job is so exhausting."
She didn’t sound the least bit envious of Shen Meng. Her tone was more like she was saying: ’See? You work yourself to death for that money, while I just coast along and make almost as much as you.’
Jia Lian didn’t understand the inner workings of their companies and, upon hearing this, said to Shen Meng, "Then your company is too stingy! You work so hard, and they won’t give you a raise?"
Wu Min said, "She just joined the company, of course she’s not getting a raise. She’ll have to wait until this time next year at the earliest."
Shen Meng replied to Jia Lian, "Auntie, I’ve already submitted my resignation. The work atmosphere there really isn’t good."
You resigned? Jia Lian and Wu Min put down their chopsticks at the same time. Wu Min spoke with a lecturing tone, "Why would you resign now? It’s not easy to find a job in this economy, especially one that’s both easy and pays several thousand a month. You shouldn’t act so recklessly."
Jia Lian added anxiously, "That’s right, Meng Meng, your cousin has a point. In this economy, you should just hang on to the job you have. Don’t be impulsive."
"Don’t worry, Auntie. I know what I’m doing. I’ve already handed in my resignation. This Friday will be my last day."
"Minmin, could you get Meng Meng a job at your company? A base salary of 8,000 would be nice, and she wouldn’t have to work so hard. A girl just needs a stable income; there’s no need to push herself so much."
"Huh? At my company? I can ask, but it would be difficult to get a starting salary of 8,000 yuan."
Jia Lian sighed. "Well, please ask. It’s your cousin’s future, so please take it seriously."
"Auntie, there’s no need. I’ve already found a new job. It’s a seamless transition—I start next week."
"What? So quickly? You already found a new job?" Jia Lian asked, delighted.
"Yep. The new company sent over the offer today. I just need to confirm it in a little bit and it’s all set. After that, HR will handle my onboarding."
Wu Min chewed on the end of her chopsticks, not understanding what kind of move this was from Shen Meng. "Shen Meng, what company did you join?"
"It’s a new company, Yanghe Commerce. You’ve probably never heard of it."
"You’re right, I really haven’t heard of it. You’re brave for joining a startup. In this economy, even well-established companies are struggling to survive. How many months can a new company even last?"
Shen Meng didn’t bother arguing with her. ’With Yang Hui’s business savvy, if he still couldn’t make money, he might as well just give up on life.’
Jia Lian reached out and patted Wu Min’s arm lightly. "What a thing to say. Can’t you ever wish someone well?"
Wu Min pursed her lips. "Fine, fine. I wish Yanghe Commerce great success and prosperity all year round. May Shen Meng get a stable job and a monthly salary over ten thousand real soon. There, is that good enough for you?"
Jia Lian shot her daughter a glare for never being serious, then put more food in Shen Meng’s bowl. "Let’s eat. Don’t mind her."
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