Chapter 41.2

Later, her aunt and uncle decided to confront the authorities, fearing it would implicate her, so they sent her cousin, who had just turned thirteen, to take her back to the countryside for refuge.

It was important to note that her aunt and her biological father hadn’t returned to the countryside for over a decade, and the relatives there had long stopped visiting. Living in the countryside with her cousin was extremely difficult for the thirteen-year-old boy who had to care for his three-year-old cousin.

Her cousin had excellent handwriting and quickly found a job. The two of them lived in the countryside for three to four years, with her cousin always preparing to take the imperial examination.

Xu Yuan vaguely remembered that the Emperor had once chatted with her about the top scholar at that time and expressed regret, saying the scholar was exceptionally talented and would have become a pillar of the court if he had lived.

Everyone believed her cousin had died by accident, but she firmly believed someone was afraid her cousin would investigate further, so they acted first.

She was forced to grow up before she turned eight, and by that time, she had no relatives to rely on.

Her only wish, which fueled her desire to live, was to make those who harmed her family and her cousin suffer a fate worse than death.

The late Emperor was incompetent, and before she could get close to him, this capable young Emperor had already executed the entire family of that person.

Sometimes Xu Yuan thought if she had personally taken revenge, perhaps she would have been able to let go of her knot.

Perhaps people were like this. They had clearly given up their originally smooth lives to develop in another direction. Little did they know that even before succeeding, the goal had already been achieved, which didn’t feel good.

However, by that time, she had no way to turn back.

Perhaps it was because of her emotional detachment; she felt that her aunt’s family had no obligation to sacrifice their lives for hers, including her cousin, but her cousin did so, and so did her aunt.

Being nurtured by others but not receiving their care is the most painful thing in the world. Even if she gained more power later, she couldn’t bring her relatives back to life.

Xu Yuan finally managed to calm down temporarily. She put the materials back into the manila envelope, opened the door, and stepped out, looking at herself in the mirror.

She didn’t believe in reincarnation, so even though Meng Zhengrong had the same face, she could differentiate between them well.

So what if it were reincarnation? In the end, without the memories and feelings of the past, wasn’t it just a completely unfamiliar person?

People are selfish. Even if she showed more care for someone who resembled her cousin, it was merely to fill the guilt and regret she felt inside.

Xu Yuan had always been a rational person. During the time she spent searching for this person, she had asked herself what she would do after finding him.

What could she do?

Express concern and treat him like her cousin?

That was unlikely. She couldn’t do it because she knew he wasn’t her cousin.

She could only provide more care, and that was all.

After sorting through her thoughts, Xu Yuan adjusted her clothes and expression, grateful for her tumultuous past life. So at this very moment, she surprisingly calmed down quickly.

Returning to the office, her colleagues all looked over as she entered.

Xu Yuan just smiled at her colleagues and walked into the meeting room, shutting the door behind her. Looking at this face again, although she still felt a strange sensation inside, she was able to control her expression very well.

Fang Mingyang was still anxious about what had just happened, unsure of what he had done wrong. He found it hard to sit or stand.

To be honest, Xu Yuan felt that the expression on her cousin’s once talented and elegant face was quite unsettling, even knowing this person wasn’t her cousin.

“Sit down, sit down,” Xu Yuan invited him to take a seat. “You are Mr. Fang, right?”

Fang Mingyang nodded. “Yes.”

“I apologize for what happened earlier. I wasn’t feeling well and had to step out for a moment. I hope you won’t take it to heart.”

Fang Mingyang instantly felt less anxious. Since the boss lady was willing to explain to him, it meant she didn’t have any issues with him and that he hadn’t done anything wrong.

“Alright, let’s not say any more about that. There will be plenty of time to get to know each other in the future. Let me introduce myself. My surname is Xu. You can call me Manager Xu like the other colleagues. From now on, you’ll be my assistant. You can sit at the empty desk next to Xiao Pan. As for your work, first, get acquainted with our department’s operations. I’ll have Xiao Pan teach you about that.”

Xu Yuan’s expression and tone were calm, but only she knew how much effort it took to suppress her regrets while looking at this face.

Her cousin was ten years older than her. When she was three, her thirteen-year-old cousin supported her. Instead of acting as a brother, he had taken on the role of a father.

Fang Mingyang replied, “Okay.”

He wasn’t good with words and didn’t know what to say.

Fortunately, after Xu Yuan finished speaking, she got up and said to the still apprehensive Fang Mingyang, “Alright, go to your desk now.”

Opening the conference room door, Xu Yuan addressed the other colleagues, “This is our new colleague. There’s still some work at the finance department. Please take care of him. I’ll come back in the afternoon.”

“Okay, Manager.”

After giving all the instructions, Xu Yuan left the Public Welfare Project Department.

Instead of taking the elevator back to the finance department, she went to the fire escape.

Although she had sorted out her thoughts, what about her feelings?

She had to do something to distract herself.

Just then, her phone rang. It was a call from Meng Zhengrong. She answered.

Before she could speak, Meng Zhengrong took the lead, his tone slightly sour. “I’ve heard that the new assistant you hired is really handsome.”

Without thinking, Xu Yuan replied, “The few secretaries you have are also pretty beautiful.”

So, everyone is even.

“…” Upon hearing Xu Yuan say this, Meng Zhengrong felt quite pleased, as it meant Xu Yuan still cared about him. “Those people you don’t need to worry about. Every move I make is right under your nose. How could I dare to do anything?”

“What does that mean? Have you done something in the past?”

Maybe it was because they had been together for a long time, Meng Zhengrong could sense that Xu Yuan’s mood wasn’t very good, even though her tone remained as calm as always.

“I can guarantee with my life that none of my ex-girlfriends were my secretaries.” Meng Zhengrong paused and asked, “Are you in a bad mood?”

This guy was really perceptive.

Xu Yuan replied half-truthfully, “It’s just Monday. I can’t muster the energy to work.”

“In that case, Mrs. Meng, would you like to skip work with Mr. Meng?” Just then, Meng Zhengrong happened to have nothing on his plate.

Given that she was likely not in the mood to work today, going out with Meng Zhengrong for a stroll seemed like a good idea, so she agreed.

Even Xu Yuan herself didn’t realize that, unknowingly, she had started to consider Meng Zhengrong as one of her own.

The two of them each held a cup of iced coffee and got on the highway.

“Where are we going?” Xu Yuan finally asked when they were halfway there.

“A good place.” Meng Zhengrong didn’t give a direct answer, offering a vague response.

Xu Yuan didn’t ask further.

“Meng Zhengrong, do you have any regrets in your life?” Xu Yuan suddenly became interested and asked Meng Zhengrong, who was focused on driving.

“Regrets?” Meng Zhengrong was puzzled as to why she would use that term.

“For example, not treating someone well enough and missing an opportunity, or not cherishing your previous girlfriends…”

This topic was somewhat dangerous. Meng Zhengrong replied seriously, “No ex-girlfriend has ever made me feel regretful. I’ve never wronged them, and likewise, they’ve never wronged me.”

Good terms were maintained. When relationships ended, they ended cleanly, leaving no room for possibilities. This was how Meng Zhengrong handled his past relationships.

He could guarantee that no ex would come back to cause trouble.

“What about regrets? It can be anything or anyone. Just say it; I won’t get angry.”