Chapter 537: Envy Breeds Enmity
Chapter 537: Envy Breeds Enmity
A week later, Nie Zhan smiled as he handed a box to Lu Jiaxin. "Take a look."
Lu Jiaxin knew it was jewelry from the shape of the box, and she eagerly asked, "What wonderful gift did you get me this time?"
As soon as she opened the jewelry box, her face lit up like the stars.
This time, Nie Zhan had given her a South Sea pearl necklace, each pearl as large as a thumb. These pearls were perfectly round and pure, their dazzling silver-white color exuding unparalleled elegance and romance.
Lu Jiaxin adored it. She took it out and said, "Zhan, put it on for me."
It was the first time Nie Zhan had seen her so delighted with a gift. Although she had always said she liked the jewelry he gave her, she had never smiled so brightly. Apparently, she preferred pearls and jade to colorful gemstones.
After putting on the necklace, Lu Jiaxin ran to the dressing room to admire it in the mirror. When she was done, she hugged Nie Zhan and gave him a kiss. "Zhan, where did you get this necklace?"
"It belongs to my friend's sister," Nie Zhan explained with a smile. "I saw her wearing it when I visited them in Nanyang. Knowing how much you'd like it, I called and asked about it."
"Your friend's sister must be very reluctant to part with such a precious piece. What did you offer in exchange?" Lu Jiaxin asked. If it were her, no matter how much she liked something, she wouldn't sell it for any amount of money. But if someone offered her an even more captivating treasure in exchange, she might consider it.
Nie Zhan shook his head. "I didn't exchange it. I bought it. His sister is facing some financial difficulties, and when I expressed my desire for the necklace, she asked for 8 million Hong Kong dollars."
A treasure that warms the heart is priceless. Jiaxin loved it so much that Nie Zhan didn't hesitate to agree to the price. He added with a hint of regret, "It's a shame it's not a pale golden color."
"Each color has its unique beauty. The silver is gorgeous," Lu Jiaxin assured him.
Touched by her boyfriend's thoughtfulness, Lu Jiaxin felt both happy and grateful. That night, she was exceptionally passionate, but the consequence was that she could barely get out of bed the next day.
Supporting her sore waist, Lu Jiaxin blamed her lack of exercise and decided to increase her physical activity. However, she also wondered how someone who spent all day sitting in an office could have so much stamina.
Due to her discomfort, Lu Jiaxin didn't go to work. This was one of the perks of being the boss—she could afford to take it easy at home if it wasn't anything urgent.
At noon, Lu Jiaxin received a call from Shi Xinyu. "Jiaxin, I heard your company is about to start filming a movie. Can I have a cameo role?"
Ever since her last cameo, Shi Xinyu had been eager to try it again. Smiling, she said, "Our company has two movies coming up. Which one would you like to be in?"
Shi Xinyu eagerly replied, "The one with Brother Fat! I want to play his girlfriend, or even his ex-girlfriend."
...
"If you just want to be an extra, that's fine. I'll ask the director to arrange something for you," Lu Jiaxin said. "But Brother Fat's girlfriend is the female lead. You can't play that role."
"I don't want to play a brainless rich girl," Shi Xinyu said. "Can you ask the director to give me a better role?"
If she wanted a more substantial role, she would need to have acting skills. Lu Jiaxin changed the subject. "Aren't you getting engaged in May? You should be preparing for that. Do you really have time to be in a movie? Don't let this cause another argument with Tao Yong."
Being an extra would only take a day or two and wouldn't interfere with her engagement plans. But given Shi Xinyu's attitude, Lu Jiaxin felt it was best for her to stay away from the movie set.
Shi Xinyu fell silent for a moment before saying, "Jiaxin, I don't want to get engaged to Tao Yong anymore..."
Lu Jiaxin interrupted her. "Xinyu, this is something you should discuss with your parents, not me. And remember, you're not a child anymore. Before making any decisions, you need to consider the consequences."
While she and Shi Xinyu were friends, and she would help her if she could, Lu Jiaxin chose to stay out of emotional matters, especially when it came to someone as overly pampered as Shi Xinyu. If she truly called off the engagement, she would undoubtedly regret it later.
Shi Xinyu looked dejected as she said, "My dad and mommy don't agree. They say Tao Yong is a good man. But I feel like he's not as good to me as he used to be."
Well, it was natural for the initial passion of a relationship to fade over time, and it was unrealistic to expect him to cater to her every whim forever. Lu Jiaxin didn't offer an opinion but simply said, "Then talk to Tao Yong about it."
When outsiders meddled in emotional matters, they often ended up hurting everyone involved. She had a friend whose cousin constantly complained about her boyfriend. The friend advised her to break up with him, but after a big fight, the cousin made up with her boyfriend and eventually married him. One night, the boyfriend got drunk and scolded the friend in front of their relatives, and the cousin did nothing to defend her. The friend was heartbroken, and after that, she stayed away from family gatherings.
Shi Xinyu nodded glumly.
In the afternoon, Yu Meotong called Lu Jiaxin. "Boss, Shi Xinyu said she wants to break up with Tao Yong. Has she talked to you about this?"
Lu Jiaxin acknowledged with a sound of agreement. "Yes, I told her to talk to Tao Yong directly. Whether it's about getting engaged or breaking up, they should discuss it face to face."
"That's what I told her, too," Yu Meotong said, sounding more mature now. "But she got angry and thought I didn't understand her. Sigh, although Tao Yong has his faults, he's loyal in love and tolerant of her temper. If she lets him go, she'll definitely regret it."
Shi Xinyu, who had been overly protected by her family, didn't understand the harsh realities of the outside world and didn't appreciate what she had—something many people could only dream of.
"When it comes to emotional matters, it's best for us outsiders to stay out of it," Lu Jiaxin said.
Yu Meotong hesitated but finally spoke up. "Boss, I know I shouldn't meddle, but I think her desire to break up with Tao Yong has something to do with you."
Lu Jiaxin was taken aback. How could this have anything to do with her? While Tao Yong might not be as considerate as Nie Zhan, his tolerance for Shi Xinyu's temperament was commendable.
Yu Meotong sighed. "Mr. Nie is gentle and thoughtful, giving you shares and precious jewelry. You often spend time together, and with Nie Zhan by your side, it's hard not to see the shortcomings of other men. Over time, it's natural for her to become unbalanced and want to break up."
Lu Jiaxin never expected the truth to be like this, and at that moment, her feelings were complicated.
"I used to compare Fu Ying with Nie Zhan, so I can understand her feelings," Yu Meotong continued. "But I also know that Nie Zhan is this way because of you. Before you came along, he showed no interest in any woman, even ignoring those who threw themselves at him. That's why the media used to hint that he preferred men."
It was only because his girlfriend was Lu Jiaxin that Nie Zhan was considered the perfect man. If it were anyone else, Nie Zhan would never be so attentive, nor would he give away priceless jewelry and shares.
(End of Chapter)
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