Chapter 50

Due to his own mother’s involvement, Xu Shijia found himself saddled with ten tasks, working himself to exhaustion until he finally managed to wrap everything up two hours after his shift ended. When he snapped out of his hyper-focused state and looked over at his desk, he noticed Xu Mingmei Mingmei was still there.

She must have stayed just to keep him company while he worked late.

While her approach might not have been ideal, Xu Shijia still felt her good intentions.

Since no one else was around, he leaned over and said, “Mom, let’s go.”

Xu Mingmei Mingmei didn’t even look up. “Hold on.”

Patiently, Xu Shijia said, “I’m done with my overtime. Let’s head out.”

“Oh.” She still didn’t look up and just waved him off dismissively. “You go ahead.”

…?

Xu Shijia was a bit taken aback, wondering if she hadn’t heard him clearly, so he repeated, “I finished my overtime.”

This time, Xu Mingmei finally lifted her head from her screen, looking a bit displeased. “Xiao Bao, are you trying to show off that you finished faster than me?”

Xu Shijia: “…”

“Besides that one translation job, I’ve already finished the other nine tasks. I’m still working overtime here, not because I’m inefficient, but because I went out of my way to ask Lin Shu for two extra tasks this afternoon.”

Extra tasks?

Xu Shijia’s face darkened. “Mom, did you go into Lin Shu’s office and deliberately engage with her? Didn’t I tell you that if you get involved with her, she’ll just treat you like a workhorse?”

Before Xu Shijia could finish, Xu Mingmei Mingmei cut him off: “What do you mean ‘engage’? I was proactively reporting in.”

“Isn’t that exactly what she wanted? Weren’t you always complaining that her methods were manipulative? Now you’re practically playing right into her hands, even more than I do.”

But this time, Xu Mingmei Mingmei didn’t agree or complain. She set her work aside, looking rather serious. “Don’t talk about Lin Shu that way. She’s not using tricks.”

Xu Shijia: “?”

“It’s genuine.”

Xu Shijia: “…”

Xu Mingmei Mingmei spoke with great emotion, “She truly values me. Not only did she immediately recognize my abilities, but because of my strong foundation, she holds me to higher standards than others. She has high hopes for me, which is why she was so upset when I broke the printer last time. Her anger came from believing in my potential. The greater the expectation, the greater the hope, and the deeper the disappointment. Plus, the way she’s supporting me is so subtle and considerate. Even though I don’t need it, it does make my heart feel warm.”

Xu Shijia wanted to tell his mother that she had no idea—Lin Shu treated everyone that way…

But it was clear Xu Mingmei Mingmei had fallen completely for it. “In any case, Lin Shu makes me feel as if I’m someone special to her, cherished in a way that I haven’t felt since I was dating your father. Now that we’ve been an old married couple for so long, it’s been ages since I felt this way.”

“She certainly has you close to her heart,” Xu Shijia replied with a blank expression, “but soon enough you’ll see that Lin Shu’s heart is like a durian. On every point, she holds someone special. I’m there, Xuhui is there, and Tieniu is there too.”

“…”

Unfortunately, Xu Mingmei Mingmei ignored him entirely, continuing to type as she said, “That’s normal. She’s a boss, after all, so of course, she has to keep a few people in her heart. But everyone has their place and weight.”

“She’s young, so juggling so many people and responsibilities isn’t easy. I can see she has a bit of skill, and I understand why you’d want to work with her.”

Xu Shijia was stunned—just a while ago, his mom had been calling Lin Shu a “tiger.” How had her opinion changed so drastically?

Xu Shijia felt something was wrong. Somehow, his mom ranting about Lin Shu had given him more peace of mind…

“Mom, what did Lin Shu do to you?”

“How can you ask that, Xiao Bao? What could she do to me? Maybe you just can’t understand why she’s so strict with me. It’s like this: work and love aren’t that different. Criticism shows care; if a boss doesn’t bother criticizing you, that means they have no hope for you and don’t even want to waste a minute on you.”

“…”

With a determined expression, Xu Mingmei Mingmei declared, “You go on ahead. I’m staying to work a bit longer. Can’t help it—those who are capable do more.”

“…”

In the end, Xu Shijia was practically shooed out of the office by his own mother.

He knew she had come to Tianhao to “look after” him, but who would want to work in the same office as their own mother?

Not to mention, Xu Mingmei Mingmei had been a pampered housewife for decades and was not exactly cut out for Lin Shu’s “boot camp” management style. He worried that she might overextend herself and jeopardize her health; more importantly, he was anxious about what kind of unpredictable relationship might develop between his mother and Lin Shu if she stayed longer. If they got along, that would be fine, but if Xu Mingmei Mingmei felt “enslaved” after a while and woke up to see Lin Shu as an enemy, wouldn’t that be a disaster?

Just thinking about all this made Xu Shijia’s scalp tingle with unease.

This couldn’t go on.

With a serious expression, he immediately decided to talk to Lin Shu and nip any potential problems in the bud before things spiraled out of control.

**

Lin Shu had left work early for a change, feeling quite pleased with herself. The new “recommended hire” in HR, Xu Mingmei, was unexpectedly responsive to her approach—maybe even more so than Xu Shijia.

If Xu Mingmei and Xu Shijia shared the same “affliction,” then Xu Shijia was the patient with a long, drawn-out illness, prone to relapses during early treatment. Xu Mingmei, on the other hand, despite appearing more severely affected at first, was surprisingly easy to treat and showed rapid improvement with just a little attention.

Though a typical boss wouldn’t be thrilled to have an older, inexperienced female employee, Lin Shu prided herself on “turning trash into treasure.” She found that with a bit of motivation, Xu Mingmei worked diligently. Although there were occasional errors, Lin Shu could fix them in review, and she had genuinely been helping to lighten the team’s workload.

That evening, Lin Shu was in no mood to cook, so she lazily ordered takeout. When a knock came at her door, she muttered to herself about the speedy delivery as she moved to open it.

But when she opened the door, it wasn’t the delivery; it was Xu Shijia, looking as if he’d run all the way over—his chest still heaving as he caught his breath.

“Lin Shu, you’ve got to fire Xu Mingmei!”

Before Lin Shu could say anything, Xu Shijia burst out, urgent and insistent.

“She’s too old with no potential for growth. She’s simply not cut out for the demands of a legal job with all its overtime and travel. She’s been out of the workforce for years and doesn’t understand any of today’s workplace norms. After being a pampered housewife for so long, she’s oblivious to basic courtesies; don’t even think she’ll ever make you tea, carry your bags, or do menial tasks. She’s likely to create more problems than she solves! She’s already broken one printer—are we supposed to keep buying new ones every time? And older people simply don’t learn as fast as we do. Training her is a waste of time.”

Xu Shijia was so focused on making his case that he hadn’t even taken a sip of the water Lin Shu handed him. He seemed to have rehearsed his arguments countless times in his head, nearly blurting out, “She’d be better off at a senior university than at a law firm.”

Lin Shu was a bit puzzled.

Wasn’t Xu Shijia previously quite friendly and almost unusually enthusiastic toward Xu Mingmei at the office? He had even volunteered to pay for the broken printer on her behalf.

So why…?

Whatever the reason, if tension was brewing between two employees, it was her job as the boss to mediate and reassure.

Lin Shu spoke calmly, “Yes, Xu Mingmei is older, but life hasn’t been easy for her. She was a pampered housewife her whole life, but then her husband cheated on her, and to make things worse, this scumbag left her in financial distress.”

Sure enough, that silenced Xu Shijia. With a strange expression, he muttered, “Cheated on…? Who said that?”

“HR told me,” Lin Shu replied coolly. “She’s a special hire arranged by the retired senior partner who’s still tied to your team. Besides dealing with a cheating husband, he even pressured her into having another child in her old age.”

Xu Shijia’s face twisted in shock. “A late-life second child?!”

“Yes,” Lin Shu nodded. “She has a young son whom she loves dearly. Returning to work was her way of providing for him, so she insisted on joining Tianhao. She openly said she was doing it all for her youngest son.”

Xu Shijia fell silent.

Lin Shu observed his expression and decided to deliver the final blow. Clearing her throat, she continued, “The child has had it rough. He’s weak and sickly, and there’s an incurable condition. You know, with older mothers, children can face a greater risk of developmental issues. I had actually wanted to talk to Xu Mingmei about this, but she avoided it. She admitted that all she hopes for is that her son will simply ‘stay alive.’ At first, I thought he must be a toddler, but she said he’s actually much older.”

“So, for her to care so deeply about a grown child, hoping only for him to survive, yet not reaching out to the doctor I recommended—I suspect the son might have cognitive issues that can’t be cured. It was just a guess, but when I saw her browsing a fundraising page for children with cerebral palsy, it pretty much confirmed it.”

Lin Shu sighed. “Her youngest son is most likely suffering from cerebral palsy.”

Xu Shijia’s face had gone rigid. Tight-lipped, with an uncomfortable look, he forced out a few words, “Maybe… she was just donating…”

“Why would she?” Lin Shu raised an eyebrow at him. “Don’t forget, she’s only working as a lawyer because she’s in financial trouble. It’s not as if she has extra money to donate! No matter how kind a person may be, people prioritize their own lives and their children’s futures before donating to strangers. That kind of sacrifice is for heroes.”

Lin Shu looked at Xu Shijia. “Does she strike you as a hero?”

Xu Shijia: “…”

When he couldn’t refute her, Lin Shu delivered her final verdict. “So, I believe her son likely does have cerebral palsy. She isn’t donating; she’s seeking help from the foundation.”

Lin Shu spoke with sincerity, “In a way, her decision to come out and work at her age, to support her son without giving up on him, is noble. While she’s doing it for herself, she’s also a devoted mother. That’s still a kind of greatness, isn’t it?”

Xu Shijia’s face twisted entirely, his eyebrows furrowing as though he’d just swallowed a swarm of flies, his expression pained and unspeakable.

Exactly.

With a story so tragic, who could keep a straight face, let alone smile?

Xu Shijia, for all his bluntness, was actually soft-hearted; understanding his animosity toward Xu Mingmei wasn’t hard at all.

In the end, it all came down to one thing: money.

At the initial meeting when Xu Mingmei’s job was assigned, she had eagerly taken on work that originally belonged to Xu Shijia.

With less work, Xu Shijia’s income and commission naturally decreased. He was already dealing with financial constraints imposed by his family, and he had taken out a loan to buy a bracelet for his first love. So having one more mouth to feed on the team was of no benefit to him.

Since that was the case, the first step was to get Xu Shijia to accept Xu Mingmei on an emotional level.

Lin Shu looked at Xu Shijia seriously and gave him a final push: “So, Xu Shijia, let’s help this remarkable mother of a child with cerebral palsy!”

Xu Shijia: “…”

Lin Shu spoke sincerely, “I know it’s complicated for you. You want to help her, but you’re also afraid she’ll take a piece of your pie—that’s totally natural, and I understand.”

“But instead of fighting over a small pie, why not make a bigger pie for everyone?”

With a soft yet persuasive tone, Lin Shu continued, “I’m a partner, not running a charity. While the story of a mother with a child with cerebral palsy is indeed touching, I wouldn’t sacrifice the team’s interests for charity. There’s a deeper reason why I agreed to take on Xu Mingmei.”

Xu Shijia pressed his lips together and stayed silent.

Lin Shu smiled, “Xu Mingmei used to lead a privileged life as a full-time housewife. These wealthy housewives often have their own circles of friends—close-knit social groups.”

“Don’t you think these wealthy ladies have legal needs?”

Xu Shijia hesitated, then shook his head, “Their husbands already have lawyers on retainer. Even if they need legal help, they wouldn’t go to an external lawyer.”

“That’s where you misunderstand,” Lin Shu tapped her finger on the table. “In marriage, are the interests of husbands and wives always aligned? Look at Xu Mingmei. Her husband betrayed her, and when she needed a lawyer to fight against him, could she rely on his lawyer?”

“Many affluent women are in the same boat. They have secrets they don’t want their husbands to know and need legal advice they can’t get from their husband’s lawyer. They actually have a strong desire for personal legal services from someone they trust—an attorney who understands their world and can communicate with them effectively. And most of them have ample savings and are willing to pay good money for such services, provided they trust that lawyer.”

Lin Shu glanced at Xu Shijia, “Our team earned recognition by opening the legal market for hearing-impaired clients thanks to Xuhui’s work. Now, I plan to use Xu Mingmei as our entry point into the market for wealthy women.”

“Xu Mingmei used to be one of them. She understands their lifestyle, shares common ground with them, and is already a trusted friend to some. If she can develop her professional skills, wouldn’t she quickly gain the trust of these women? Many clients come through word of mouth. Once she successfully handles a case for one of them, her reputation will spread, and more cases will naturally follow.”

Although Xu Mingmei was still developing, Xu Shijia was far more experienced and physically fit for the job. As a key member of the team, it was crucial to reassure him and boost his morale while reducing his resistance to Xu Mingmei.

It was time to paint a rosy picture.

“When more cases start coming in, naturally, Xu Mingmei won’t be able to handle everything alone. By then, the entire team will need to share the load. With a larger pie, everyone has more work, and over time, everyone’s income will increase. Look at Iron Bull—he’s helping Xuhui with a lot of the work for hearing-impaired clients, and his income has improved significantly because of it.”

“We’re a team, after all, so we should focus on mutual gains, not a zero-sum game.”

At this point, Lin Shu went in with a bit of strategic empathy.

Lin Shu gave him a gentle smile, “I understand your struggles. To be honest, bringing Xu Mingmei into this team was really to help increase your future income as well.”

“It’s not just about getting you to pay back what you owe me. I’ve noticed how you’ve cut back lately to deal with your father’s pressure, and I feel for you. I was honestly surprised and sorry to see your father using financial sanctions against you. It seems like you’re fighting this battle alone, and it can’t be easy.”

Lin Shu thought these words would help Xu Shijia quickly empathize and bring him to her side. But this time, he responded with a calm, indifferent expression. He looked at her and said, “Oh, well, that trick may not have been my father’s idea. Probably someone else put him up to it. Who knows who that might be? Doesn’t that person seem petty and malicious to you?”

Though he said he didn’t know who, his gaze remained fixed on Lin Shu, strangely intense.

Lin Shu felt a shiver run down her spine. She cleared her throat and feigned innocence with ease. “True, whoever came up with that idea is really quite sneaky. It’s a low blow, for sure! Maybe someone who’s had their eye on you for a while and took the chance to trip you up! You’d better stay on guard—it could be someone with a grudge.”

She had specifically told Wang Yannian and the others to keep this matter confidential, and Wang Yannian had cooperated fully, so there was no way it had leaked to Xu Shijia.

Convinced he was just making an offhand comment, Lin Shu kept her composure.

“Yes. If I ever find out, I’ll definitely take it up with them,” Xu Shijia replied, still staring at Lin Shu with a blank expression. “After all, I’ve spent the last month living in a way that even you couldn’t bear. I should seek justice from whoever put me through that.”

Lin Shu remained calm. “Well, while that person’s tactics are indeed questionable, you ended up with my support and fully integrated into the team. You’re now an independent and capable lawyer, so you could say it’s a blessing in disguise.”

Xu Shijia replied in a mocking tone, “Should I send them a thank-you banner, then?”

Lin Shu: “…”

Could he just let this go already?

She decided to ignore Xu Shijia’s words and concluded on her own, “In any case, Xu Mingmei, please help her as much as you can. The cases she takes on—I’ll also arrange for you two to partner up on them when the time comes.”

“Oh, by the way, have you eaten? I ordered a lot of takeout, almost enough for three people. It’s on its way now; would you like to stay and eat together?”

Xu Shijia was taken aback, then lowered his gaze and readily accepted, “I actually haven’t eaten yet. Since you’ve ordered so much and it would go to waste otherwise, I’ll stay and eat with you.”

Perhaps it was because this meal, courtesy of Lin Shu, meant he didn’t have to pay for himself, saving him some money. Xu Shijia seemed to have let go of his earlier dissatisfaction at her refusal to fire Xu Mingmei. Though his expression remained neutral, he couldn’t quite hide the pleased glint in his eyes.

Feeling in a good mood, as soon as Lin Shu received the call from the delivery rider, Xu Shijia volunteered to go downstairs and pick up the food. Before heading down, he even proactively took out Lin Shu’s trash.

After he left, Lin Shu thought for a moment and decided to call Xu Mingmei.

If she had guessed correctly, Xu Mingmei would still be at the office, working overtime and likely hadn’t eaten yet. Since the takeout she ordered was enough for three people, why not extend a friendly gesture and invite Xu Mingmei to join? It would also be a chance to foster a better connection between Xu Mingmei and Xu Shijia, making future collaboration smoother.

Without delay, Lin Shu gave Xu Mingmei a call.

—

Xu Mingmei had been working overtime for hours, feeling dizzy and exhausted. She couldn’t help but sigh, no amount of luxurious skincare products could truly make you feel like a young person again.

She had just gotten into her family’s car when she received Lin Shu’s call.

On the other end, Lin Shu’s voice was warm and caring as she asked if Xu Mingmei had eaten yet. Lin explained that she had ordered too much food and, since she lived close to the firm, invited Xu Mingmei over to share the meal. She added that if Xu Mingmei had any questions about work, they could discuss them too.

Xu Mingmei, though tired and yearning to go home to her mansion, felt touched by Lin Shu’s words.

Lin Shu was genuinely kind!

How many bosses, after work, would think of whether their employees had eaten?

Reflecting on this, Xu Mingmei doubted her own husband, Wang Yannian, would do as much.

Lin Shu not only asked but said she had ordered extra, inviting her without sounding patronizing. It maintained Xu Mingmei’s dignity and, in a way, helped her save money too.

Moved, Xu Mingmei couldn’t help but feel curious. She had always wondered about Lin Shu’s personal life. So young yet already a partner—what was her lifestyle like?

Wasn’t this a perfect opportunity to find out?

Always decisive, Xu Mingmei immediately asked the driver to change destinations: “Don’t go home; take me somewhere else.”

—

As luck would have it, Xu Mingmei had just left the office and was near Lin Shu’s neighborhood. She readily agreed when Lin Shu called, saying she’d be happy to join her for dinner.

However, Lin Shu hadn’t expected her to arrive so quickly. She even knocked on the door before Xu Shijia returned with the food.

Used to her life as a wealthy lady, Xu Mingmei appeared curious and slightly reserved upon entering Lin Shu’s apartment. “Is this a one-bedroom place?” she asked.

Lin Shu poured her a glass of water and nodded, “Yes, it’s just me here most of the time.”

Clearly curious about Lin Shu, Xu Mingmei probed, “Do you have a boyfriend?”

Lin Shu smiled, “No, I don’t.”

Casual, friendly discussions about personal life—within boundaries—can actually strengthen bonds between colleagues and managers. Lin Shu didn’t mind the topic and pretended to sigh in mild frustration. “I would like to date, but as you know, in this line of work, we’re just too busy. I don’t even have time to cook for myself and have to rely on takeout, let alone find time for dating.”

Sometimes, even a boss has to play vulnerable to inspire loyalty and empathy in their subordinates, to bridge the “hierarchical” divide.

Sure enough, Xu Mingmei responded with genuine concern, “It’s not that hard. Even if you don’t have time to meet people, you could have someone introduce you. You’re attractive, competent, and have a respectable job—finding a boyfriend shouldn’t be a problem.”

Lin Shu sighed, putting on a slightly wistful expression. “Sometimes, I do wish someone could introduce me to someone reliable, but my mother has passed, and so has my grandmother. I don’t really have any close family who could vet potential dates for me. I don’t really trust those online dating sites either; they don’t screen carefully enough.”

She smiled at Xu Mingmei, “For some reason, seeing you makes me feel comfortable enough to talk about these things.”

Deeply moved, Xu Mingmei responded almost instantly, “Don’t worry! I’ll keep an eye out for you in the future!”

Lin Shu had only been making casual conversation, without any real intention of dating. Xu Mingmei’s enthusiastic response left her feeling slightly embarrassed, so she quickly added, “But I’m also quite focused on work right now, which is nice in its own way. Besides, most men my age are just as busy with their careers, and I wouldn’t want to distract anyone.”

“Then maybe find someone who isn’t as busy!”

Lin Shu laughed and nodded, smoothly changing the subject. “By the way, Xu Shijia will be joining us for dinner.”

“Ah…” Xu Mingmei was surprised. “Didn’t he leave for home earlier?”

Lin Shu had just spoken to Xu Shijia about Xu Mingmei’s efforts. Now, with Xu Shijia out fetching food, it was the perfect opportunity to talk about Xu Shijia’s struggles with Xu Mingmei.

Knowing each other’s challenges could foster empathy and cooperation in the future.

“He actually can’t go home.”

Xu Mingmei paused, caught off guard by this response.

It was the reaction Lin Shu had anticipated.

In a soft voice, Lin Shu continued, “You may have heard about his background; it’s no secret. But money doesn’t equate to happiness. His parents and brother probably love him, but they’re all busy. Not long ago, Xu Shijia was hospitalized due to food poisoning, and no one from his family came to visit him. In the end, I was the one who looked after him. Sometimes, a good colleague can be more reliable than family.”

Perhaps Xu Shijia’s circumstances were just too unfortunate, as Xu Mingmei raised her voice in disbelief, “He was hospitalized, and his family didn’t even visit him?!”

Lin Shu nodded. “Yes.”

“Could it be that you just didn’t see his family?”

“No.” Lin Shu said with some sympathy, “I specifically asked Xu Shijia, and he said that no one came to look after him. He really has it tough.”

Xu Mingmei fell into a complicated silence.

“And now, his family has even cut off his financial support. So, in terms of making a living, he’s really no different from anyone else.” Lin Shu smiled. “In some ways, being cut off might be a good thing. I heard from Xu Shijia’s father that his mother was way too indulgent with him. ‘Spoiling a child is as bad as harming them.’ Overprotectiveness can ruin a person, and when a mother interferes too much in her son’s life, even if he wants independence, he can end up as a ‘mama’s boy.’ You know, in today’s dating scene, a mama’s boy is one of the least attractive qualities, especially if there’s an overbearing mother-in-law involved. No one wants to end up with a mother-in-law who meddles in everything.”

Xu Mingmei’s expression grew even more conflicted. After a pause, she asked, “So, is that why Xu Shijia hasn’t been able to win over his first love after all these years?”

Lin Shu froze.

How did Xu Mingmei know about Xu Shijia’s failed first love story already?

Did he actually reminisce about it as if it were some kind of cherished memory?

How fixated on this first love was he, to share it so readily with a new colleague?

Lin Shu was not pleased.

She had no desire to discuss Xu Shijia’s first love, but Xu Mingmei seemed interested. “Lin, do you know what happened with his first love? I mean, isn’t he tall and handsome? His family is wealthy, even if his current financial troubles are temporary, and he’s hardworking and responsible at work. He seems like a great catch. Why wouldn’t his first love date him? Was it really because of his mother?”

“Not entirely.” Lin Shu replied fairly, “Logically, Xu Shijia’s mom would pass before her daughter-in-law, so if a girl could tolerate her, she’d eventually have her day. And with all the family’s wealth, someone would surely endure it. After all, a strong mindset could handle even an aggravating mother-in-law.”

Xu Mingmei: “…”

“As for Xu Shijia’s first love, I don’t know the full story. He likes sharing his failed love story, but the moment you ask about her identity, he clams up and won’t say a word.”

“Could it be that he doesn’t reveal her identity because it’s someone shockingly unexpected?”

Lin Shu shrugged. “Maybe, it could be something he finds hard to talk about.”

Her words only intensified Xu Mingmei’s curiosity. Clearing her throat, she said, “I heard that Xu Shijia’s mother knows of his first love, though Xu Shijia claimed he never told her who it was.”

This was new to Lin Shu.

Where had Xu Mingmei heard all this?

Sensing Lin Shu’s silent question, Xu Mingmei cleared her throat again and explained, “Perhaps because I’m older, more like an elder to Xu Shijia, he casually mentioned his mother to me and brought up his first love.”

Right, Xu Mingmei, though well-maintained, was indeed more of an elder to Xu Shijia.

But Lin Shu still felt somewhat stifled inside.

So Xu Shijia told all this to Xu Mingmei?

How long had he known her?

He had never shared any of this with Lin Shu!

She had taken care of him when he was hospitalized due to food poisoning, yet here he was, pouring his heart out to a newcomer like Xu Mingmei?

Feeling increasingly displeased, Lin Shu no longer wanted to continue the topic. She casually added, “Well, if his first love and his mother know each other and he still won’t disclose her identity, then maybe this first love’s background was so unconventional that even his mother wouldn’t approve. Or maybe his first love couldn’t accept a future mother-in-law like her. Who knows?”

Lin Shu had no relationship with Xu Shijia’s mother and never would, while Xu Mingmei could very well become a valuable partner by her side in the future.

Now wasn’t the time to dwell on Xu Shijia’s troubled love life. Winning over Xu Mingmei was the priority.

Shaking off her messy thoughts, Lin Shu put on a warm expression and looked at Xu Mingmei, who still wore a complex look. “But you’re different. You would never become a negative influence on your future daughter-in-law like Xu Shijia’s mother. You’re wise, resilient, and, as a working professional with a dignified career, I’m sure your children will be independent early on.”

She continued, “As for Xu Shijia, he lives alone and doesn’t pay much attention to daily life. Sometimes he barely eats or just scrapes by with a quick meal, yet he still pushes himself hard to support the team. That’s a rare dedication.”

Lin Shu’s tone softened. “The main reason I asked him to join us for dinner is that I’m concerned about his health. He often works late, and after being hospitalized recently due to food poisoning, his stomach is likely still sensitive.”

She started by invoking sympathy for Xu Shijia, then shifted to subtly persuade Xu Mingmei. “Clearly, he feels a special kinship with you, or else why would he open up about his failed first love after just a few meetings? Normally, he keeps quite a bit of distance.”

“Working together is a kind of fate, and the fact that you both share the surname Xu makes it even more so. His mother doesn’t know how to love him properly, and his family showed no concern for his health issues. So let’s be the family that cares for him.”

Unfortunately, Lin Shu’s words didn’t brighten Xu Mingmei’s expression. Instead, her face grew even more complicated.

Just then, the slightly open door—left ajar while waiting for Xu Shijia to return—swung open, and Xu Shijia’s voice came from the entrance.

“Lin Shu, I threw away all four bags of your trash, and I picked up your takeout. We can start eating…”

The word “eating” abruptly caught in his throat as he noticed Xu Mingmei standing beside Lin Shu. His face turned from shock to a mix of complicated emotions. “Why is she here?!”

At the same moment, Xu Mingmei’s equally surprised voice rang out.

“He even takes out your trash?”

Fearing that Xu Mingmei would misunderstand her intentions and think she was taking advantage of a colleague, Lin Shu quickly clarified, “Xu Shijia offered to throw out the trash himself.” She looked over at Xu Shijia and took the opportunity to praise him, “He’s a very considerate person and actually enjoys household chores. He’s practical and down-to-earth.”

Turning to Xu Shijia, she explained, “Xu Mingmei happened to be nearby and hadn’t eaten yet. I ordered enough takeout for three, so I invited her to join us.”