Arranged marriage, love blossoms; a fiercely devoted soldier dotes on her alone.

at this time,

It was well past closing time when Qin Huanhuan sat in her office, a stack of documents and project reports in front of her.

There's just so much to do back at work after the Spring Festival.

Looks like I'll be working overtime again tonight.

Special assistant Guo Jiajia came in with two boxed lunches and said, "President Qin, it's time to eat, it's already past seven o'clock in the evening."

Qin Huanhuan put down the project proposal in her hand, looked up at the window and saw that it was already pitch black outside. She asked, "Have Hua Ying and the others all left?"

Guo Jiajia: "Hua Zong didn't leave. She and her marketing team are having a meeting to discuss the final marketing plan for 'Lady Cream'."

Qin Huanhuan rubbed her sore eyes and said, "Go and call Hua Ying over. I have something to tell her."

Guo Jiajia: "President Qin, let's eat first. Not eating on time for a long time will damage your stomach."

Qin Huanhuan stood up and walked to the coffee table, saying, "You know what, I'm really hungry. I'm going to have dinner. Go and call someone."

Guo Jiajia opened a boxed lunch, and a fragrant aroma immediately wafted out. She then handed a pair of chopsticks to Qin Huanhuan and thoughtfully poured a cup of hot water for her before calling Hua Ying.

Qin Huanhuan smelled the fragrant food, swallowed hard, and then buried her head in her food, devouring it with gusto…

After a while

Hua Ying walked in carrying a boxed lunch, eating as she said, "President Qin, what can I do for you?"

Qin Huanhuan pointed to the sofa and said, "Sit down and we can eat and chat."

Hua Ying sat down and asked with a smile, "What does President Qin want with me? I can't even enjoy my meal in peace."

Qin Huanhuan smiled and said, "There are a lot of things to deal with before the New Year. Everyone has worked hard. I have read your proposal, and I have a few questions to ask you."

Hua Ying put down her chopsticks and said with a serious expression, "Okay, Mr. Qin, please ask."

Qin Huanhuan...

A few minutes later,

After the two finished talking, Qin Huanhuan laughed at Hua Ying and said, "Haha, I'm sorry, you didn't even get to eat properly."

Hua Ying seized the opportunity and said, "If President Qin feels bad, then you can treat me to a late-night snack as compensation for my wounded heart, hehehe."

Qin Huanhuan readily agreed, "Sure, no problem."

Then he said to Guo Jiajia, "Tell everyone who is working overtime tonight to go out for a late-night snack together. It's on me."

Hua Ying exclaimed happily, "Long live President Qin!"

Guo Jiajia happily replied, "I'll pass the word down right away."

At 10 p.m.,

Qin Huanhuan and Hua Ying, along with more than a dozen employees, arrived at the Lobster Barbecue Food Street near the embassy district in Beijing.

Everyone sat down, and the proprietress treated them. Naturally, everyone generously ordered all kinds of their favorite dishes.

Garlic crayfish, various grilled seafood and shellfish, and the signature dish, red willow lamb skewers.

Hua Ying specially ordered several skewers of roasted lamb kidneys for Qin Huanhuan.

The saying goes, "You are what you eat."

Soon after, the steaming hot barbecue was served.

Hua Ying picked up a skewer of sizzling, oily roasted lamb kidneys and handed it to Qin Huanhuan, saying, "I know you've been suffering from severe kidney deficiency lately. Eat more to nourish your kidneys and drain Xiao Zhan dry."

Qin Huanhuan blushed as she took the lamb kidneys, rolled her eyes at Hua Ying, and said, "You should eat more lamb kidneys too. Your kidney deficiency is worse than mine; I see you carrying your back every day."

Guo Jiajia chuckled and said, "The key is that both of the CEOs' husbands are former soldiers, so they have such a strong sense of righteousness. Unlike my boyfriend, who's an engineer who's always glued to his computer and stays up all night. Sometimes when I want to get close to him, we can't even be on the same wavelength. I can stand in front of him with my clothes off and he won't even look at me. It's making me want to change boyfriends."

After finishing a skewer of lamb kidneys, Qin Huanhuan said, "Guo Jiajia, although we women are no longer as devoted to one man as we used to be, following him wherever he goes, we can't just change men easily. We must never touch another man besides our own, no matter how tempting or attractive he may be. We must uphold our bottom line so that we don't waste our years and can be perfect women."

"A woman's virtue lies in being content with her lot and keeping to herself."

Hua Ying also said, "Assistant Guo, from now on, besides getting better and making money, don't ask or talk about things that don't concern you. Adults don't talk about empty feelings; they talk about the confidence to survive, the quality of life, their own value, their real needs, and especially those people in your life who are genuinely good to you. There's a new term that's popular this year: 'Control your heart.' You'll always meet someone you like in your life, but you must stay away. That's not fate, it's destiny."

At this moment, CFO Lan Xue leaned over and whispered, "What Hua said is right, but don't show your displeasure on the surface, but say goodbye in your heart. This is the highest level of wisdom for adults."

"Haha, in this world, I can let go of anything except chopsticks. Only by stopping my impulses and calming my emotions can I protect my family and peace of mind."

Qin Huanhuan chimed in, "Director Lan is right. The highest level of self-discipline for adults is controlling sudden feelings of affection. No matter how life unfolds, there will always be regrets. After giving it your all, accept that things didn't go as planned. Don't dwell on the past, don't let your heart be corrupted, and live a peaceful life—that's the key to a fulfilling life."

Guo Jiajia: "Wow, you're all life mentors and great philosophers! Every word you say is a classic."

"I've seen a new phrase circulating online recently: 'Pick yourself up.' If you deny me, I won't explain; if you drain me, I won't cling. Once I realize my emotions are being dragged down, I'll silently turn away; once I realize my time is being wasted, I'll quietly withdraw my sincerity. Adults don't need to please others to prove their worth. In all things, pleasing yourself is enough. Later, I slowly came to understand: Solitude is clarity, self-love is the bottom line, not explaining is a sign of composure, and without looking back, there are boundless mountains ahead."

After finishing another skewer of grilled lamb kidneys, Qin Huanhuan wiped her greasy mouth and said, "These days, if you can integrate others, it means you have ability; if you are integrated by others, it proves you have value. To put it bluntly, these days no one follows anyone else; it's all about cooperation, mutual success, and mutual benefit. Value is certainly important, but character is even more valuable."

Lan Xue nodded and said, "President Qin spoke very well."

Then he picked up his beer glass and said, "I'd like to toast Mr. Qin."

Qin Huanhuan picked up her glass, clinked it against hers, took a big gulp, and said, "Beer and barbecue are absolutely perfect! This barbecue is really good."

Hua Ying: "That's right, otherwise I wouldn't have brought you here."

"Why."

Suddenly, Lan Xue sighed and said, "President Qin, I've been having a headache lately. A former college classmate of mine is living a very promiscuous life after her divorce. She calls me every day asking me to take her to all sorts of high-end parties. My husband won't let me pay attention to her, saying that she has ulterior motives. I'm so annoyed by her."

"Mr. Qin, what should I do?"

Since the last incident, Lan Xue has been telling Qin Huanhuan everything. The two are not only boss and employee, but also good friends.

Qin Huanhuan looked at Lan Xue and said, "These days, don't pity anyone who isn't in your social class, and don't easily elevate someone to a level that doesn't belong to them. Because everyone's perception is the ceiling of their destiny."

"In other words, his understanding is commensurate with his suffering. If you forcibly try to lift him up, he may not be able to handle it and might even be dragged down in the end. Every social class has its own behavioral code, and breaking this closed loop could be a disaster for both sides. This world may seem unfair, but it actually hides a deep balance. A person's understanding determines their choices, and their choices are commensurate with their current life. This is not fate, but the inevitable result of behavioral patterns. Forcibly interfering in the cause and effect of others, disrupting energy and order, often only backfires on oneself. In the adult world, one should only filter, not preach. Take care of yourself first, then talk about helping others."

"This is the most clear-headed kind of kindness."