Ning Qiuxiu looked at Zhan Qingyue sitting on the sofa, calmly using his tablet.

The living room lighting made him look even more handsome and refined, with a true leading man aura, even more so than Zhan Qingyuan.

Unfortunately, he had a bad heart.

Ning Qiuxiu remembered a classic line from a novel she read: “Fighting against heaven is endless fun, fighting against earth is endless fun, but fighting against the boss is sheer foolishness.”

She used to envy those who married clever, wealthy, and scheming husbands, feeling thrilled when the boss teased the heroine.

She would swoon and dream of marrying such a charming male lead.

But now, she felt differently.

She gave him a kick.

Zhan Qingyue then said, “Remember to give your feedback on the layout to Zhou Yang. Have him collect opinions and get the office layout ready as soon as possible.”

“Sure, no problem! I’m great at giving feedback,” Jing Jing replied excitedly.

Ning Qiuxiu thought, “……Why is there no movement on the investment I was promised? It’s almost time to start!”

She had thought that the entertainment company project was stalled because it was back in Zhan Qingyue’s hands.

Zhan Qingyuan had left home and had no intention of taking over again.

He had been greatly affected and wanted to take things slow.

With the deputy general manager of the company leaving, Zhan Qingyuan took on the position himself.

Ning Qiuxiu didn’t understand why he’d want to be a project deputy instead of the CEO.

Why trade power for shared success? Isn’t having money and power enough to be happy?

She didn’t quite get the thinking of these novel-like male leads, probably because love had messed up their minds.

So, with the entertainment company still under Zhan Qingyue, Ning Qiuxiu thought the project was over.

She hadn’t asked about it again, fearing it might pressure him.

But now, not only had he rented a space, but he was also planning to start work.

Ning Qiuxiu didn’t understand how Zhan Qingyue managed to do so much.

He didn’t seem to work harder than others, only spending about 8 hours in the study, similar to a regular workday.

How did he manage to do so much?

Was he exceptionally smart, or was he sacrificing sleep and rest to work hard in secret?

Jing Jing, unaware of the conflict, continued chatting happily, “It’s a pity you couldn’t go see it today. We took a lot of photos. I’ll send them to you later. You can also give feedback on the layout, and……”

Jing Jing looked starstruck, “The administrative director we met today is so graceful and gentle.”

Ning Qiuxiu thought, “……They even have an administrative director now.”

Zhan Qingyue put away his tablet and, hearing Jing Jing, said, “If you like him, I can have Zhou Yang introduce you.”

“No, thanks,” Jing Jing said quickly, “What if he doesn’t like me? I’m scared.”

Previously, Old Master Zhan had introduced a promising junior to Jing Jing, who was a favored and well-paid caregiver.

However, despite her high status and benefits, the junior, who was a beneficiary of the Zhan family’s support, looked down on her profession and eventually went after a wealthy boss’s daughter, dumping Jing Jing.

This situation made both Old Master Zhan and Jing Jing uncomfortable.

Old Master Zhan was unaware of the junior’s arrogance.

After that, Jing Jing remained a happy single, and Old Master Zhan didn’t introduce anyone else to her.

Thinking about this, Ning Qiuxiu patted Jing Jing’s hand and said, “There’s no high or low status in professions. Don’t belittle yourself because of that jerk. You deserve much better.”

“I’m not bothered by that jerk,” Jing Jing said, “I was just making an excuse. I’m not looking to date right now. Thanks for Mr. Zhan’s kindness.”

Ning Qiuxiu, using her woman’s intuition, asked, “Do you have someone you like?”

“No!” Jing Jing swore.

“……” If there was no one, why the strong reaction?

Ning Qiuxiu was even more suspicious.

When Jing Jing’s issue happened, Zhan Qingyue had just woken up and wasn’t told about it.

Hearing their conversation, he guessed that Jing Jing had been looked down on because of her profession.

He pondered for a moment and came up with an idea.

Although Ning Qiuxiu was very interested in and curious about the new company’s details, and she really wanted to see the view from the 28th floor of the “Little Waist” building, she managed to hold back her excitement.

This time, she was determined to fight the evil forces to the end!

Otherwise, she’d be no different from Miaomiao.

Zhan Qingyue’s health had already greatly improved.

He could take care of himself and only needed to follow the doctor’s instructions for his rehabilitation exercises to regain full mobility.

No more need for a caretaker.

So, Jingjing and Chen Yi had successfully completed their tasks and were about to leave the Zhan family.

Chen Yi left after finishing up before the New Year, and Jingjing would leave a bit later, after Lantern Festival.

Jingjing had been with them for over two years, and Ning Qiuxiu had spent half a year with her, maintaining a good relationship.

Even though Jingjing often caused her trouble!

Since School Bully was starting filming on the first day after Lantern Festival and Jingjing was leaving the day after, Ning Qiuxiu decided to give Jingjing a farewell gift while she was still at home.

“Since you have the day off tomorrow, let’s go shopping. Whatever you want to buy, I’ll cover the bill. How about it?” Ning Qiuqiu said to Jingjing.

Jingjing had never encountered such a lavish way of giving gifts and was stunned.

After a long pause, she finally said, “Won’t this be too extravagant?”

Wow, if she could spend without limit, she could spend half a year’s salary in one go!

“It’s not a problem,” Ning Qiuqiu laughed. “I’m afraid you might be embarrassed to spend. I’ll set a minimum spending target for you, like, you can’t leave until you’ve spent six figures.”

“……” Six figures.

Jingjing calculated it on her fingers.

Oh my god, when did Miss Ning become so extravagant?

I can’t believe it!

Seeing her shocked expression, Ning Qiuqiu felt a tremendous sense of satisfaction, finally experiencing the joy of casually throwing money around like Zhan’s father.

It was truly delightful.

But she genuinely liked Jingjing, which was why she came up with such a lavish gift idea.

Otherwise, she wouldn’t be this generous to others.

Ning Qiuqiu Added, “I thought giving you money directly would hurt our relationship, and giving a gift seemed too insubstantial, so I came up with this idea. Isn’t it great? Make sure to list what you want to buy today, and we’ll go tomorrow.”

“……” Jingjing was internally screaming, thinking she might as well just take the money and be emotionally scarred by Miss Ning.

Jingjing only dared to think this.

On the surface, she maintained a moved expression: “Miss Ning, you’re truly the most beautiful, easy-going, and lovely hostess I’ve ever met.”

“Thank you,” Ning Qiuxiu responded, irritated by the flattery. “If you hadn’t betrayed me so many times, I would be even more easy-going and lovely.”

Jingjing: “……”

The next day, Ning Qiuxiu really took Jingjing shopping, and they went on a spree at the mall, buying a lot of luxury items.

Jingjing experienced the joy of emptying a shopping cart and was very satisfied.

After shopping, they put the items in the car and went to a famous local seafood restaurant for dinner.

Jingjing, not being modest, ordered all the signature dishes.

After ordering, exhausted and hungry, Jingjing collapsed into a comfortable chair and sighed, “Today was amazing. I could die without regrets.”

Ning Qiuqiu: “…… Can you have a bit of ambition?”

“But it really was great,” Jingjing said a bit aggrieved, “I’ll never meet such a great hostess again. Miss Ning, I’ve been a caregiver for four households since I started working.

The previous three households had mistresses who either guarded me to prevent me from flirting with their men, thought that hiring me meant I was their servant and expected me to do all the chores, or were stingy and would scold me if I drank too much water.”

Hearing this, Ning Qiuxiu suddenly felt the hardships of being a caregiver.

The service industry really involves dealing with difficult customers, which is as unpleasant as eating flies.

She thought for a moment and said, “Why don’t you consider switching careers? Zhan Qingyue is opening a new company now and will definitely need people. You could ask him to arrange a job for you.”

Jingjing was quite interested but said, “I only know how to do this, and I’ve reached a senior caregiver position. If I switch careers, I’d have to start over, and it’s not that easy.”

Moreover, there would be a drop in pay.

If Jingjing switched careers now, she might end up as a junior assistant, doing tasks like delivering documents or printing.

How could such an assistant expect a salary of 20,000 or 30,000?

The other employees would rebel.

“Oh well, I’m still in A City,” Jingjing, feeling the heaviness of the issue, quickly changed the topic. “Besides, Old Master Zhan said I’d be like his granddaughter from now on. I can even come and go from the Zhan family as I please, and eat free meals. Hehe, although I’m leaving, my spirit will always be here!”

Ning Qiuxiu: “……”

Ning Qiuxiu found the situation a bit strange and wondered if they needed to perform any rituals.

During dinner, she received a call from Qu Hua, who said he had received a call from Xiao Sheng, the director of “The School Bully.”

The scriptwriter and the author of the novel wanted to meet the male and female leads.

They wanted to arrange a meal together to discuss things.

“Why are both the scriptwriter and the author coming?” Ning Qiuxiu was puzzled.

The production of this show seemed cursed, with various unexpected issues from the start.

If the investors or the director wanted a meal or a meet-and-greet to get familiar with the leads, that would be understandable.

But for the scriptwriter and author to be involved…

Were they going to decide if the leads matched their vision for the characters?

“I don’t know,” Qu Hua said. “Director Xiao didn’t explain. It’s normal to have various meetings before shooting begins. Don’t worry. Unless the investors or director want to change the cast, the scriptwriter and author don’t have that power. Just go and don’t be afraid.”

Fine, Ning Qiuxiu agreed to the meeting and was curious about what was going on.

After dinner, they continued shopping for a while.

With Valentine’s Day coming up, Ning Qiuxiu bought a gift—a pair of cufflinks, which were often given by the heroine to the hero in the novel.

Jing Jing saw the gift and flattered, “Wow, these cufflinks are amazing! Ms. Ning’s taste is top-notch. Mr. Zhan will surely be very happy and love you even more!”

Ning Qiuxiu took the gift from the sales clerk, and as she and Jing Jing left the store, she calmly said, “It’s not for him; it’s for another close friend.”

“???” Jing Jing was shocked.

Ms. Ning was giving such an intimate gift to another man?

Cufflinks were usually given between couples or people with romantic feelings!

Is that really okay?

“So…” Jing Jing cautiously asked, “What are you giving Mr. Zhan for Valentine’s Day?”

“Nothing. He doesn’t need anything.”

“……” Jing Jing suddenly thought that maybe Mr. Zhan’s head might be a bit green, given that Ms. Ning was giving such a gift to another man but not to him.

Ning Qiuxiu added, “When you report back to him tonight, remember to mention this.”

“I’m not reporting!” Jing Jing defended herself, saying she never mentioned anything unless asked.

Ning Qiuxiu nodded, “I know. I’m telling you to report it.”

Jing Jing: “……”

She didn’t quite understand their playful banter.

However, since she was given a task, Jing Jing made sure to “accidentally” inform Zhan Qingyue about it and hint at the potential for infidelity.

Zhan Qingyue was silent after hearing this.

Ning Qiuxiu felt smug and thought, “Come on, let’s continue this playful rivalry.”