The Billionaire's Hidden Affection-Chapter 523 - 520: The Word Husband Upside Down 2_1

She casually flipped through the latest financial reports on the table. Her actions were effortless, yet an invisible and potent aura surrounded her—truly, as if the Empress Dowager herself were on a royal tour.

Moreover, that aura wasn’t solely feminine; it was more akin to the confident command of a general.

This woman was the matriarch of the Wan Family, a figure whom even Old Zhou had to tread carefully around.

Yan Xixi sat across from her, uncertain how to break the silence.

She was very nervous; Mother Huang had previously scared the living daylights out of her.

However, Mother Huang only resorted to wild accusations and coarse language, inflicting minimal real harm. But Lady Liu Daqing... her rank was immeasurably higher. When Lady Liu Daqing acted, it was devastating enough to leave one with no place to be buried.

Given Yan Xixi’s humble background, Mother Huang hadn’t given her a second glance from the start. For this reason, Yan Xixi had lavished careful attention to please Mother Huang, treating her with the utmost respect, meticulously picking out cosmetics, skincare products, and various expensive gifts. The first time Yan Xixi splurged on Ocean-blue Mystery, it wasn’t for herself but as a gift for Mother Huang. The products she used for herself were several grades cheaper—after all, spending money was easy, but earning it was hard.

Yet, she still never managed to win Mother Huang’s favor.

If pleasing the middle-class Mother Huang was already so challenging, how much more daunting would it be to impress Lady Liu Daqing of the true upper-class?

She suddenly recalled the time Wan Donglin had taken her to his ancestral home. There were paintings, calligraphy, and scrolls from both ancient and modern times, from China and abroad. Among them were renowned works by artists such as Tang Bohu, Wu Daozi, Qianlong, Picasso, and Van Gogh.

The Huang Family and the Wan Family were worlds apart. Winning Lady Liu over would be futile. I don’t even have the right to try and please her.

She decided then to simply maintain her dignity, acting neither servile nor arrogant.

Liu Daqing was also sizing her up. Yan Xixi looked completely poised and put together. The full extent of her attractiveness was on display.

Liu Daqing’s demeanor was still very gentle as she said, "Donglin has been lingering in the country because of you, so I wanted to see you in person."

Yan Xixi thought, It would be a lie to say I’m not anxious. But could I really force Wan Donglin to leave the country even if I wanted to?

"Before I came," Lady Liu Daqing continued, her expression still impassive and extraordinarily candid, "I visited your previous workplace to understand the situation there...

"I personally spoke with Huang Ying and Fu Mei, and they both commended you highly. Of course, they said these things without knowing who I was. Huang Ying, in particular, praised your intelligence and diligence, adding that you possess a hero-like demeanor...

"Huang Ying deeply regretted your resignation," Liu Daqing relayed, "She said that if you had continued to work, your future would have been limitless... Women, in the end, often lose out to love, and thus seldom achieve great things!"

Yan Xixi’s eyes widened. Is she going to investigate my entire family history?

Note, it was "hero," not "heroine"—

The term "heroine," in that context, often carried connotations of a courtesan, hinting at the lifestyle of the red-light districts—

Huang Ying felt "heroine" wasn’t appropriate, so she specifically praised her as a "hero."

Yan Xixi held her breath, not daring to respond.

It’s true, she thought. Women often lose out to love. Love can expire and betray you, but work won’t. Work is your most loyal and devoted partner.

Liu Daqing once again surveyed the financial books and various data scattered around the room. Clearly, opportunity always favors those who are prepared, she mused internally. One must believe that a person who dedicates their utmost effort to even the smallest task will never fare too poorly in life.

Many people remain obscure their entire lives for a very simple reason: a lack of perseverance or mere laziness.

When a man praises a woman, it’s usually for her appearance; when a woman praises another woman, it’s out of genuine admiration.