Reborn in the 80s: Everyone Falls For Me
Chapter 526 - 525: Mass Release 5

Chapter 526: Chapter 525: Mass Release 5

Lin Yue said to Xu Niannian with appropriate deference, "Sorry, boss."

Xu Niannian smiled, "It’s okay, you did the right thing."

She was there to speak with Xu Zhiqiang, and seeing this, Xu Erhong did not stick around shamelessly, but cheerfully returned to his own office.

Xu Niannian was then welcomed by Xu Zhiqiang into his office.

"Sister, what brings you here?" Xu Zhiqiang asked.

Xu Niannian nodded, "The one outside, is she your assistant?"

Xu Zhiqiang nodded and replied with composure, "Things have been too busy recently, I couldn’t handle some things by myself, so both Uncle and I recruited assistants."

"She’s quite pretty," Xu Niannian complimented without any other implication, just pure admiration.

In her view, it was normal for the executives of a growing company to hire assistants.

She had no further thoughts on the matter.

However, this compliment made Xu Zhiqiang anxious, "Sister, there’s nothing but a normal superior-subordinate relationship between us."

"I didn’t say there was anything abnormal," Xu Niannian chuckled.

Xu Zhiqiang breathed a sigh of relief.

He went to pour a cup of hot water for Xu Niannian.

Xu Niannian took it and gently blew on it, eyeing Xu Zhiqiang with distaste.

How should she bring up the topic?

Yang Cuihua had left this matter to her, and unexpectedly, her mother’s guess had been right.

Until now, Xu Zhiqiang hadn’t consummated his marriage with Chen Xiaorou.

After some hesitation, Xu Niannian found the topic awkward to discuss with her own brother.

Clearly, bringing it up with Chen Xiaorou was pointless; with her blushing and shy demeanor, unwilling to speak out, it would be a waste of words.

Chen Xiaorou wouldn’t broach the subject with Xu Zhiqiang, so Xu Niannian had no choice but to take the matter up with him directly.

Xu Niannian pondered, how exactly should she start this conversation?

As she sipped her water, she squinted at her brother.

Over the span of more than a year, her little brother had grown even more composed and level-headed, capable of shouldering the responsibilities of their family.

Xu Niannian continued to drink her water, staring at her brother, oblivious to Xu Zhiqiang’s increasingly bewildered gaze.

Xu Zhiqiang felt an inner unease. He wondered why she came to see him, yet said nothing, just staring intently at him—what was going on?

He thought about the brief mention of Lin Yue and wondered, could his sister be against his hiring of an assistant?

The two sat in silence in the office for a full ten minutes.

After carefully considering her words, Xu Niannian finally set down the cup and looked towards Xu Zhiqiang.

Seeing her gesture, Xu Zhiqiang became inexplicably nervous, straightening his back in anticipation of a reprimand.

He looked at Xu Niannian uneasily, "Sister, what... what do you want to say?"

Xu Niannian pursed her lips, noticing his tension, and quickly said, "Don’t be nervous, I just want to have a casual chat with you."

Instead of calming him, her words made Xu Zhiqiang even more nervous, his whole body primed for the impending scold.

He wondered, could it be that his sister was unsatisfied with his management?

But then Xu Niannian asked straight out, "Zhiqiang, do you want to have a child?"

Xu Zhiqiang, who had been braced for a work-related reproof, was taken aback by the question about having a child.

Honestly, Xu Zhiqiang was confused. He stammered, "Have, have a child?"

Previously startled by Xu Niannian, his thoughts were now off-kilter.

When she asked if he wanted a child, he didn’t think about himself; he instinctively looked at Xu Niannian’s belly.

A shock went through him. What did she mean?

Could it be that she didn’t want a child and was planning to give hers to him?

Then he considered, perhaps she had argued with her husband?

He glanced at Xu Niannian apprehensively, contemplating how to console her and persuade her not to make any hasty decisions.

Yet, he worried that Xu Niannian might misunderstand and think he didn’t want to care for her child.

After some struggle, Xu Zhiqiang said tentatively, "Sister, it’s not the child’s fault, they can’t be without a mother."

What in the world? Xu Niannian straightened her face, what did he mean by the child can’t be without a mother? What was he talking about?

It felt like they were discussing two entirely different things.

"Zhiqiang, have you misunderstood something? I’m asking if you want to have a child."

Not wanting to add too much pressure, Xu Niannian hastily added, "Don’t worry, I’m not forcing you to do anything, just asking for your thoughts and opinion. We’re siblings; we can discuss anything together. Is there an issue with Xiao Rou?"

Given that Xu Zhiqiang had decided to marry so suddenly, and shortly after she had cautioned him, Xu Niannian couldn’t help but worry that her words had influenced his decision.

Since her brother often took her advice seriously, Xu Niannian was quite concerned about this.

Mention of Chen Xiaorou only confused Xu Zhiqiang more. They had just been discussing a child; why bring up Chen Xiaorou all of a sudden?

Xu Zhiqiang was befuddled, completely failing to grasp what Xu Niannian was trying to convey.

Adhering to the principle of asking when unsure, Xu Zhiqiang finally voiced the confusion in his heart, "Sister, what exactly are you talking about? Why did you suddenly shift the topic to Xiao Rou?"