Little Sweetheart

Lu Jiaye's flattery was laid on thick, but his strong mental fortitude kept him unfazed even under disapproving gazes.

After a bit of small talk, they got down to business. Lu Jiaye shared his vision for the company's future.

"I'm new to this industry and really need someone I can trust. Having you onboard gives me a lot of confidence. No more fluff—base salary plus commission plus equity. What do you say?"

"Equity?" Zheng Peipei's eyes widened, and she quickly shook her head. "I don't have the money. I can't afford it."

Small amounts of money were useless, and she didn't have a large sum. Her family wouldn't give her a fortune to dabble in this.

"I'm not asking you to pay. You just work hard and make money for me. Consider the tiny bit of equity as my way of fostering loyalty. Can't expect the horse to run without feeding it, right?"

"Oh… a tiny bit of equity…"

"Not satisfied?"

"Satisfied, satisfied! Extremely satisfied!" Zheng Peipei beamed. "Thank you, Boss! Boss, you're amazing!"

After her exclamation, Zheng Peipei paused. Wait, did she just agree? Had she really been bought off so easily by this sugar-coated, dazzling offer? Was she going to have to address this silly boss with such deference from now on?

…Yes! She was that unprincipled!

Compared to the outrageous and harsh conditions offered by other companies, Lu Jiaye was truly a conscientious boss! She was sticking with this boss!

So, the two enjoyed a pleasant meal together, excitedly discussing their future plans.

After dinner, Lu Jiaye drove Zheng Peipei back and realized she was staying at a hotel.

Lu Jiaye frowned. "Why are you staying in a hotel?"

Zheng Peipei replied, "Too many restrictions at home, and renting an apartment is too much trouble. Plus, it's lonely living alone. A hotel is great! Someone cleans every day, there are always people around, and there's a gym, a pool, everything! This hotel even has a great buffet. It's in the city center, lively and convenient."

"But you can't live in a hotel forever, can you?"

"Haven't thought that far ahead. Just taking it one day at a time," Zheng Peipei shrugged.

They waved goodbye. Zheng Peipei entered the hotel lobby, and Lu Jiaye watched from outside until her figure disappeared before turning to leave.

Not long after, Lu Jiaye completed the acquisition and became the company's big boss.

Zheng Peipei came to the company to sign the contract. Everything was as Lu Jiaye had promised. After the seal was affixed and the signatures were done, her career as an artist manager officially began. It happened to be Friday, so her first official day was the following Monday.

After finishing up, Lu Jiaye invited Zheng Peipei to dinner. "Let's celebrate tonight. And we can discuss the upcoming projects."

Zheng Peipei readily agreed. "Sure."

They went to Zheng Peipei's favorite Japanese restaurant.

During the meal, Lu Jiaye started the conversation, and Zheng Peipei spoke eloquently. When the discussion became lively, he sat back, sipped his sake, and watched her enthusiastically laying out her plans… intoxicated not by the alcohol, but by the moment.

After dinner, Lu Jiaye suggested, "How about we go to an internet cafe and play League of Legends?"

"Going to an internet cafe at our age? How childish."

"Nostalgia, right?"

"Sorry, I don't have any. You can go yourself."

"See? No team spirit! You've joined a new company. Shouldn't you build good relationships with your colleagues and boss? Are you going to slack off during team building activities in the future? Xiao Zheng, you're a professional now. How can you lack professional spirit?"

"…" Zheng Peipei stared at Lu Jiaye for a few seconds, thinking about the salary on her contract and that tiny, very friendly bit of equity…

Smiling, she said, "Boss, you're right. I'm still a newbie, a rookie. I need your guidance. Internet cafe, let's go! Let's go now! Those youngsters without nostalgia, is it a loss of faith or a lack of years? It's appalling!"

So, they found a comfortable nearby internet cafe, logged in, and played League of Legends together.

Back in their student days, they were good teammates, fighting side by side. In the years that followed, he went abroad. To avoid suspicion, they rarely contacted each other and never played games together.

Now, sitting side by side in an internet cafe, playing games again, Lu Jiaye turned his head and saw Zheng Peipei's excited profile and her fearless, charging-ahead spirit in the game… just like before.

Time hadn't changed a thing. The girl was still the same girl.

He suddenly smiled, his eyes sincere and burning, holding a warmth unseen by others.

During a lull in the game, Lu Jiaye got up and went to the front desk.

"I'm not afraid of god-like opponents, I'm afraid of pig-like teammates!" Zheng Peipei was complaining when Lu Jiaye placed a hot drink in her hand. "Have some tea to calm down. Watch how your brother turns the tide."

"Where did you go? I didn't see you for ages. Did you go to buy drinks?" Zheng Peipei turned to look at him.

"You talk so much, can't you take a break?"

"…" For the sake of the hot drink, Zheng Peipei refrained from retorting. She took it and gulped it down. The warm liquid flowed from her mouth to her stomach, so comforting!

They played until late into the night, and Zheng Peipei practically dragged Lu Jiaye out of the internet cafe.

"One more game… just one more game…"

"You internet addict! You'll never find any friends!"

"This young master is handsome, rich, and generous. People who want to dine with me have to get in line and draw a number."

"66666… Such boasting."

They got into the car, and Lu Jiaye rubbed his head. "I'm staying at a hotel tonight too. I'm tired and don't want to go back. Besides, I have a big company gift package for you tomorrow."

"What gift package?" Zheng Peipei asked curiously.

Lu Jiaye replied, "You'll find out tomorrow."

They arrived at the hotel and went to their respective rooms. The moment Lu Jiaye lay down on the bed, he felt a pang of regret. He had wanted to play all night.

It wasn't that he wanted anything more. Just like now, being like friends, eating, drinking, and having fun together was enough to make him happy.

Thinking this way, he couldn't help but punch the bed—

How could he be so easily satisfied?! He was so pathetic!!!

The next day, Lu Jiaye took Zheng Peipei to a high-end villa complex not far from the company.

"For your convenience, you'll live here while you're employed. The hotel is too public and no longer suitable for your current job."

Zheng Peipei thought about it and nodded. It made sense. "Thank you for the company's thoughtful arrangements."

She looked around the house. It was a duplex villa with a modern, minimalist design, her preferred style. It was spacious and bright, with a large balcony, very comfortable.

"Isn't it a waste of space for me to live here alone?"

"It is a bit of a waste." Lu Jiaye gave her a "you have some self-awareness" look. "This was originally for me, but seeing you living in a hotel wouldn't do. To retain a capable general, I'll vacate the place for you."

"Then where will you live?" Zheng Peipei asked.

"I'm the boss, my work is flexible. I'll just stay in a hotel."

"Are you kidding? You're giving me your place and going to stay in a hotel?"

"Yes. Aren't you surprised, no, happy to have met such a good Chinese boss?" Lu Jiaye leaned against the French windows, striking what he considered a dashing pose, and winked at her.

Zheng Peipei shuddered. "…I'd better stay in a hotel. I'm afraid of kicking the boss out of his home."

Lu Jiaye paced around the room. "How about you live upstairs, and I live downstairs?"

"…Live together??" Zheng Peipei was stunned.

"Watch your language, Xiao Zheng. Don't try to take advantage of your boss."

Zheng Peipei chuckled. "Thank you for reminding me, Boss."

"We'll be on separate floors. I'll probably be back less than ten days a month. After all, the big boss is very busy, flying all over the world."

"As your future gold-medal manager, I'll also be very busy, taking artists to meetings and events, probably traveling a lot."

"So there you have it. We can perfectly share this house. Occasionally we can bump into each other and talk about work. Perfect! Also, I heard that many influential people live in this complex. You can build your network just by taking a walk after work."

"…I think you've convinced me."

"Not think, you are convinced. Alright, let's move."

"So, are we considered living together?"

"I'm stressing this again: don't try to take advantage of your boss! Who the hell is living together with you?!" Lu Jiaye turned and walked towards the door, declaring, "This is co-working! This is a work necessity!"

He walked out the door first and down the stairs.

In the empty stairwell, he leaned against the wall, a grin splitting his face—

This young master, with a few smooth moves, is now living with the tigress!!!

Living together!! Just thinking about it is exciting, isn't it?!

Hearing Zheng Peipei's footsteps behind him, Lu Jiaye immediately told himself to calm down.

With such long strides, he mustn't pull a muscle!

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