Chapter 170: Not Good at Romance, But Good at Avoiding Failure
Back in the dorm, Ye Zhen swiftly gathered all the clothes she’d need for the next week, packed them up, and stuffed them into her suitcase.
There was no way she could stay in the dorm anymore.
Time to make a quick exit~
Unfortunately, the moment Ye Zhen stepped out of the dorm room carrying her suitcase, she spotted the disheveled duo: Qiao Xin and Wang Xiaoya. They were staring at her with pitiful, abandoned-dog expressions.
Wang Xiaoya sighed softly and muttered, "If you won't agree, then don't agree. Why can't we even be roommates anymore?"
Qiao Xin hurried over to plead, "Zhenzhen, she knows she was wrong! Don't… don't move dorms."
"I'm just a bit busy lately."
Ye Zhen's mood had calmed considerably by now.
She could tell their pursuit of her was merely a passing whim, hardly genuine affection.
This whole confession fiasco had been a farce from start to finish.
Since it was a farce, there was no need to dwell on it.
"I've been working on a startup outside campus, so I'll be staying off-campus for a while."
Ye Zhen's smile remained gentle, as always—polite yet distant.
For friends, this approach was sufficient.
"Once I wrap up this busy period, I'll move back in—I still have exams coming up."
Hearing this, Qiao Xin and the others finally relaxed a bit.
Together, they helped Ye Zhen carry her luggage downstairs.
Watching Ye Zhen's figure grow distant, Qiao Xin sighed and shot Wang Xiaoya a wistful glance. "You, you know! I told you not to rush things."
"I… I just…"
"Enough. It's too late for excuses now. Just buckle down and study. Get good grades on your exams, and maybe Xing Xing will actually start to see you in a better light."
"Ugh! I know, I know."
……
…
When Ye Zhen arrived at the company lobby with her suitcase, she already spotted various young women who had come to apply for the receptionist position.
There were bubbly beauties with strawberry-sweet charm, reserved and elegant quiet beauties, and… well, an old acquaintance.
Honestly, seeing Ye Fuli here left Ye Zhen with a rather complicated expression.
She didn't think Ye Fuli was cut out for this kind of job. After all, she looked at everyone with eyes that seemed to say, "I want both your kidneys."
But as long as Ye Fuli sat here, she was a highly effective money-drawing god.
At the very least, her company would never face bankruptcy.
"May I apply? I believe I still meet your hiring requirements." Ye Fuli glanced at Ye Zhen with cautious eyes, as if terrified Ye Zhen would immediately kick her out.
After all, they'd already met once today. Seeing her again might annoy Ye Zhen.
Ye Fuli was anxious, but her anxiety was somewhat unnecessary at this moment…
Meeting her rather pitiful gaze, Ye Zhen sighed. "Alright, sure."
A front desk girl worth billions, huh? That's pretty neat.
If Ye Fuli enjoyed role-playing, then let her play.
As long as she was willing to live well, what couldn't be negotiated?
The interview process began promptly.
After settling her luggage, Ye Zhen started interviewing the young women one by one.
Honestly, admiring beautiful women is truly a pleasure…
But Ye Fuli, waiting outside the door, glared so fiercely she could practically peel chunks off the wall.
Anyone passing by her couldn't help but shiver.
"What's going on? This corner feels so cold!"
"It's not like there's a draft here!"
"Did you hear that squeaking sound…?"
"Damn it, this is a high-end office building—there shouldn't be rats here."
The murmurs of others held no meaning for Ye Fuli.
When she snapped back to reality, her fingernails were already caked with white wall dust.
She quickly picked it out.
"Ye Fuli, it's your turn."
After being ushered inside, Ye Fuli quickly brushed the dust off her arms, feigning ease as she sat down across from Ye Zhen.
Ye Zhen pursed her lips and lowered her head uncomfortably.
A strand of hair fell loose by her ear. She gently pinched it and tucked it behind her ear.
"The pay here isn't great, and it's a new company. I don't have much management experience either—it could go under at any moment…"
Ye Zhen rattled off a long list of drawbacks, as if trying to dissuade Ye Fuli from joining.
But to Ye Fuli, it sounded like she was hoping for her help.
Ye Fuli didn't ask why she'd suddenly started a company, nor did she inquire about specific difficulties. She simply sat quietly, listening intently.
After all, whatever difficulties there were, they weren't difficulties for her, Ye Fuli.
After Ye Zhen finished her long list of discouraging points, Ye Fuli remained resolute. "I'm willing to come."
"Then come. Start tomorrow."
"Alright."
Ye Fuli spoke little, but her gaze burned intensely.
Yet whenever Ye Zhen looked up at her, Ye Fuli would swiftly avert her gaze, pretending nothing had happened.
After several such incidents, Ye Zhen was on the verge of losing her mind.
She had no choice but to completely ignore her, letting her burn him with her intense gaze.
After the interview concluded, Ye Zhen hurried out of the conference room, clutching a stack of documents.
Senior Liu and her team were enthusiastically testing the game, preparing to launch a closed beta.
They were brimming with confidence in their project. Spotting Ye Zhen, they immediately pulled her over, painting vivid pictures of their game world and envisioned future. Their eyes welled up with tears as they spoke passionately, resembling fervent devotees.
Many of the technical terms went over Ye Zhen's head, but she maintained a polite smile.
Later that evening, Zhao Mengde paid a visit.
She brought along the origami cranes and stars Ye Fuli had folded, all neatly packed.
Just as she was about to give them to Ye Zhen, Ye Fuli tackled her to the ground, snatched everything away, and tossed it into the trash.
"No need to give them."
Wang Xiaoya's failure today made Ye Fuli realize how foolish it was to give such things.
Ye Zhen simply didn't appreciate this kind of romantic gesture.
No matter how many she gave, it would be pointless—only making Ye Zhen feel pressured and helpless.
Ye Fuli was a very smart person.
She might not be skilled at romance, but she excelled at avoiding failure.
"…Huh?"
Zhao Mengde stared at her blankly: "Are you out of your mind? You spent so long folding these by hand, spent a fortune getting me to deliver them, and now you just say you won't send them… I'm not giving you a refund, okay?"
Ye Fuli: "You don't need to return the money."
She released Zhao Mengde's arm and rubbed her wrist.
Zhao Mengde grimaced as he rubbed his shoulder, grumbling, "Haven't you had enough of this role-playing? Working as a receptionist here is such a waste of your talents."
"What does it matter?"
Ye Fuli propped her chin on her hand, watching the passersby outside the glass window.
"I do whatever I want. I don't need to work as hard as you to buy islands or whatever…"
At this remark, Zhao Mengde's face drained of color.
"Hey! Where did you get the idea I want to buy an island?! That was just some teenage fantasy of mine—you're bringing that up now?!"
Ye Fuli chuckled and shook her head.
Investigating someone's past was child's play for her.
If she hadn't thoroughly investigated Zhao Mengde's past, how could she have allowed this guy to stay by Ye Zhen's side for so long?
"Oh, and cover my shift later today. I need to head back to the Ye family estate."
Ye Fuli pushed her glasses up and looked at Zhao Mengde, who wore a look of stubborn defiance.
"I promised my father I'd spend at least one day a week having dinner with him."
Hearing such shocking words, Zhao Mengde fell silent.
You cold-blooded killer, and yet you actually make a point of going home every week to have dinner with your dad?
That's beyond absurd!
I'd rather believe you take one day a week to go home and beat up your enemies to vent your anger…