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Chapter 1681: Chapter 582: Provoking the ”Ominous” (Part 3)

Above her head, the ”Dream Flower Seed” emitted a rich, verdant glow, shaking violently.

...

Yang City.

The crowded Line 1 subway slowly stopped at the Agricultural Lecture Station, the doors opened.

Zhang Yan clutched her backpack tightly in front of her, like an inconspicuous water droplet, merging into the surging crowd, and was squeezed out of the carriage with the flow of people.

After circling around the subway station for a while, she exited the station, greeted by the unique urban clamor, mixed with the aroma of exhaust and food.

Continuing north on foot for about five or six minutes, she finally reached the Huiming Building where her company was located.

Every morning, she spent nearly 40 minutes commuting.

This was a very ordinary office building, appearing somewhat outdated against the backdrop of surrounding high-rises.

Shu Cheng Technology was located on the 7th floor here, with an office area of just over 300 square meters.

The most noticeable feature inside was a partitioned bookshelf, neatly lined with books the company had published or promoted in recent years.

On one side of the bookshelf was the tightly closed door of the boss’s office, and on the other side was an open-plan office area, slightly crowded, divided by low partitions.

Zhang Yan walked to her workstation, took out a cloth from the drawer, and carefully wiped down the desk, then watered the resilient green plants in the corner.

Only then did she start to focus on her work.

At 10 a.m., the sound of keyboard typing echoed continuously in the office.

A short, chubby figure quickly walked out from the boss’s office and stopped directly next to her workstation.

”Zhang Yan,” spoke the slightly slick voice of her leader, Bai Rui, ”How’s the recommendation draft for ’The Whale Fall of the Sea’ coming along? The channel side is waiting for it.”

Zhang Yan’s shoulders instinctively shrank, and she hurriedly switched the document window to the front, ”I’m adjusting the final paragraphs now; it’ll be ready soon.”

The company’s copywriters were already few, each overwhelmed with a tangled web of tasks.

She had only just returned from a business trip a couple of days ago, and this draft was cobbled together by sacrificing her entire weekend and working overtime late into the night.

”Alright, submit it to the backend first, and I’ll pre-review it.”

Zhang Yan looked at Bai Rui’s round face, hesitating to speak, ”Brother Bai...”

Lulu went for an interview this morning, and she specifically requested her to find an opportunity to ask the leader when last week’s business trip expenses could be reimbursed.

Because it was already the end of the month, if the receipts couldn’t be submitted within these two days, the reimbursement would be delayed to the month after next.

By then... who knows, maybe the company would go bankrupt.

”What’s up?” Bai Rui’s gaze swept over, his eyebrows already showing a hint of impatience.

Zhang Yan’s fingers clenched tightly under the desk, her voice unknowingly lowering, ”It’s just... about the business trip last week with Lulu...”

”Oh, that,” Bai Rui interrupted her immediately, waving dismissively without any concern, ”The draft from that trip isn’t urgent, just get it to me by the 3rd of next month.”

Having said that, he turned and walked straight away without looking back.

Zhang Yan’s lips parted, a touch of gloom flickered in her eyes, yet she ultimately said nothing more and continued her work with downcast eyes.

Just before noon.

Zhang Yan had just walked out of the restroom when she saw Lulu striding quickly from the direction of the elevator hall.

”Lulu, how did it go for you?”

”Let’s go, we’ll talk over there,” Lulu grabbed her arm without waiting for an answer and pulled her into the smoke-filled stairwell.

Lulu leaned against the wall, her eyes excited and filled with longing, ”The office environment at Xingyun International Group is incredible! It’s like a whole different world compared to here! The interview little brother was super nice, smiling the entire time, very courteous, not at all arrogant...”

Zhang Yan listened silently, not interrupting her friend’s excitement.

”But...” Lulu’s excitement slightly faded, and her tone turned more dejected, ”Ah, the competition is too fierce. There were four people in the same interview batch as me, each seemed more impressive than the other, and there was even a top student from a 985 university. I guess there’s not much hope.”

”It’s okay,” Zhang Yan gently comforted, ”Just being able to get an interview is already great.”

Lulu nodded, then looked at her, ”Zhang Yan, how about you? Do you have any plans?”

For a small company like Shu Cheng Technology, the ability to withstand risk was extremely low, with no irreplaceable core business.

Now, the entire book publishing and sales industry is getting worse; the company’s decline is visibly apparent. In the office, people are uneasy, and everyone is thinking ahead for themselves.

Zhang Yan pursed her somewhat dry lips, leaning against the wall like Lulu, lowering her head, ”I... I haven’t decided yet.”

”Ah, it’s better to make plans early. Actually, I think finding a reliable boyfriend and staying in Yang City to develop isn’t so bad, considering your mom is here too.” Lulu paused, suddenly seeming to remember something, and moved closer with a gossiping tone, ”Honestly, Zhang Yan, I’ve always wanted to ask, do you like someone?”

Zhang Yan’s expression visibly froze for a moment, her cheeks quickly reddening, she hastily shook her head, ”No...”

”Haha, I bet you do!” Lulu cheerfully exposed her, ”Look, your WeChat and Weibo nicknames are both ’Smiling Breath,’ which is obviously from that Dickens quote—’I only have breath in your smile.’ Tell me, who is that ’smile’?!”

Zhang Yan said awkwardly, ”I just... randomly chose it.”

”Alright, I believe you,” Lulu linked her arm, ”Let’s go, let’s have lunch, it’s on me today! You have no idea, today the Hong Kong stocks soared, and the fund I bought just went up a few hundred yuan! People in the comments are discussing a significant hundred billion US dollar-level good news stimulus...”