But…
She didn't feel like she'd exposed herself in any way…
Nan Shiqing was in a terrible mood.
But she couldn't quite figure it out herself now, because she always felt that her mother might have a point, and she didn't know what to do.
He Xia sized her up for two glances. As her own daughter, she naturally knew what Nan Shiqing was thinking. She spoke directly and indifferently, "Alright, you don't need to overthink this. Now that Mu Yinyin has changed, any man will pay attention to her. How many men will be unable to resist approaching her because of her excellence? You really can't compare to Mu Yinyin right now."
"Mom…!?" Nan Shiqing looked at her mother in disbelief, "Are you just boosting others' morale and dampening your own spirit? In your heart, is your daughter so worthless?"
Nan Shiqing's face was exceptionally ugly, and she almost shouted.
He Xia frowned slightly, turned her gaze to her, and said with some displeasure, "Are you unwilling to even listen to the truth now? Who would speak such heartfelt words to you outside?"
"Are you sure you're speaking heartfelt words, and not trying to provoke me?"
"It's precisely because you know in your heart that you're not as good as her that you feel provoked. If I said that your fair-weather friends are all better than you, would you just laugh it off? Would you get angry?"
Nan Shiqing opened her lips, "I..."
She suddenly couldn't say anything more.
He Xia then said indifferently, "See, wasn't I right? When you think someone is simply not as good as you, and someone else says that person is stronger than you, you'll think it's a joke and not even bother to pay much attention. But when you encounter someone stronger than you, and you're unwilling to admit defeat, you'll have such angry thoughts when you're told this!"
Nan Shiqing gritted her teeth, unable to refute her at that moment.
He Xia frowned slightly, seeming a bit helpless. "Alright, the current Mu Yinyin indeed brings freshness to Fu Siye, but she is ultimately not a kind person. Men, in general, like women who are more gentle and considerate, who know how to cherish them. But the way she's acting now doesn't resemble a woman a man would like. Sooner or later, Fu Siye will get tired of her. It's just that her current spirited demeanor is attracting attention from others."
"Will it be like that?" Nan Shiqing frowned deeply. She had no mood to compare who was stronger between her and Mu Yinyin now. Instead, she was seriously contemplating this question.
"Of course."
"Otherwise, what do you think?"
After a pause, He Xia added this sentence.
Nan Shiqing, however, frowned deeply. At this moment, she didn't even want to say a word because she truly didn't know what to say, her expression exceptionally grim.
He Xia looked at her for another two glances, patted the mask on her face, and then said indifferently, "What you can do these few days is to perform well. Although women need to rely on men, men are animals who often say one thing and mean another. They don't just want women who are beautiful and virtuous; they also want women who can present themselves well in society. So, with our company's new product launch in the next few days, you need to show your face more. I will arrange everything for you, let everyone notice your advantages, and let everyone praise you without reservation."
Nan Shiqing frowned slightly, looking at her mother without speaking, but her expression already showed some emotion, as she felt her mother was right about this.
What men wanted was not just gentleness and virtue; they wanted women who could be presentable in society and capable in the kitchen. In short, they wanted all sorts of excellence.
She sighed, seeming to have calmed down a bit. "Okay, I understand."
He Xia looked at her daughter. Seeing that she had actually quieted down, she was a little surprised. She looked at her carefully for a moment, then asked with some confusion, "Why are you suddenly so obedient today? It's a bit unlike you."
Nan Shiqing frowned slightly, "Isn't this because the current situation forces me to be calm?"
Nan Shiqing gritted her teeth. The thought of Mu Yinyin's detestable face made her unable to resist wanting to tear her apart herself, to ensure she never had a chance to rebel again.
But…
After hesitating for a moment, she still took a deep breath and said, "Besides this, am I not to have any more contact with that man?"
If she wasn't allowed to have any contact with Fu Siye, she would feel truly unwilling.
He Xia frowned and said, "No, you won't. In the future, I will have you take over company business and gradually manage the company. At that time, we will also find ways to have cooperation with the Fu Group, and you will be in charge of negotiating. But you cannot be as willful as before; you must focus on company matters."
"I know, haven't I been learning?"
"Mm." He Xia nodded solemnly, "Then there are two things to do recently. One is the new product launch, where you should appear more. The other is that there's less than a month left. Are you ready?"
Nan Shiqing's gaze froze, her expression instantly becoming extremely complex. "But, she's gone now, I..."
He Xia looked at her with a half-smile, "She's gone, but aren't there others? Don't rely on her too much. Didn't you just say you shouldn't boost others' morale and dampen your own spirit?"
"Mom…!" Nan Shiqing stomped her feet in anger. Every word her mother said today felt like a prick.
He Xia sighed helplessly, "Alright, I used to indulge you because I thought this approach was effective and could make you better. But now I realize that indulging you too much has made your temper a bit out of control. If I continue to treat you the way I did before, I'm afraid I'll completely ruin you, understand, my daughter?"
Saying this, she stood up and looked at Nan Shiqing, who had been standing in her bedroom without even the mood to sit down. She took Nan Shiqing's hand and led her to sit down on the sofa together.
Nan Shiqing frowned, but still followed her mother, sitting beside her. She looked at the person in front of her, frowned, and opened her lips to speak, but He Xia spoke first.
"I know you feel resentful and unfair right now, but not everyone can have a smooth life from birth. Just like Mu Yinyin, you think she's radiant now, but she also has her own sad points. She lost her parents at such a young age. Don't you think that's her regret?"
Nan Shiqing's eyes paused, and for a moment, she said nothing.
"She married the person she loves, but she doesn't receive any affection from her husband. She's lived worse than a dog for three years. What do you think of this kind of life?"
Nan Shiqing: "..."
It seemed to make some sense.