The Billionaire's Hidden Affection-Chapter 516 - 513: Proposal 7_1

Yan Xixi wished she could slap him. He’s got some nerve! Thinking I’d marry him?

Seeing her face flush crimson, he stopped teasing her and asked seriously, "Xixi, what are your plans moving forward?"

What plans? she thought. I’ll just play it by ear.

After a long silence, he said nothing, just quietly watching her sitting there hugging her knees, her face etched with bewilderment. It was true. Since breaking up with Huang Xiaojue, she had practically no family left in the world.

That look on her face was unbearable to him. He vividly remembered the first New Year’s Eve after they’d met; he’d made a surprise trip home and found her crying in a corner, hugging her knees just like this.

Perhaps that was when I fell for her?

Without thinking, he said, "I’ve noticed the business at the store is doing well. But you don’t need to wear yourself out there anymore."

She raised her eyebrows. "Why wouldn’t I go?"

"A small store like that is fine for Xu Xiaoya to manage. For you, it’s a gross underutilization of your talents, a waste!"

He suddenly blushed and said with a grin, "I think it’s best if you don’t go. Working there will just remind you of unpleasant things and get you upset, don’t you agree?"

She snorted. Am I that fragile? He’s obviously just afraid Huang Xiaojue will come looking for me again, isn’t he?

"I plan on finding another job. I’ve already sent out several résumés."

"What kind of job?"

"I’ll find something temporary to tide me over, then look for something better."

He expressed doubt. "The economy isn’t great right now. Finding a job is largely a matter of luck."

She countered, "I’m sure I can find one."

"And what if you do find one? You’ll still just be a woman battling the elements, a nobody. Is that so interesting? Yan Xixi, do you want to be a nobody your whole life?"

Who would want that! But it’s not like I have a choice, is it? Can anyone just become a CEO overnight? Without groundwork, how can there be promotions?

"Xixi, you need to seriously consider your future. You’re not getting any younger. If you don’t make plans soon, you’ll end up an old maid, still fighting but with nothing to show for it."

She grumbled to herself, Who doesn’t want to plan for their own future? Who wouldn’t want to study more? But is it really as simple as just deciding to go?

"Xixi, why don’t you consider going back to school to further improve yourself?"

"Go back to school for what?"

"For example, going to a place like South Country University to burnish your credentials."

South Country University?

She looked at him with confusion. "Do you think South Country University is some adult education or self-study program you can just waltz into?"

He burst into hearty laughter. "Is it that difficult? I don’t think so at all. I graduated from South Country University. I didn’t think it was anything special."

Yan Xixi’s eyes widened in disbelief. A question danced on the tip of her tongue, but she didn’t dare voice it: Bro, you’re not bluffing, are you? Someone like you, a South Country University graduate? Who’d believe that?

But his tone was so nonchalant, as if it were a piece of cake. Suddenly, she wasn’t so sure. Could this guy actually have graduated from South Country University?

That’s right, ’Toe-Picking Bachelor’ had said on the chat app that he graduated from South Country University—she’d never doubted it at the time. Otherwise, how could ’Toe-Picking Bachelor’ possess such profound wisdom?

Slowly, it began to feel as if ’Toe-Picking Bachelor’ and the man before her really were one and the same. Could they actually be the same person?

"Xixi, don’t go job hunting aimlessly like a headless chicken for now. I’ve had someone contact three universities for you. Compare them, see which one you like best, and once you’ve decided, you can go and burnish your credentials..."