It was already seven in the morning when Sera woke up. As always, Cross was nowhere to be seen. She sighed and just finished the food that he made for her before leaving. After taking a bath and changing her clothes, she immediately left. Her destination is of course to attend the competition. At the end of the second day, Sera was qualified to join the finals.
On the third day, Sera started to receive calls asking her if she was interested to work with their companies. Of course, her manager, Xu Je'er ended up declining everyone including her lifetime rival who tried to scheme against them. However, just as everyone thought she would win the finals, Sera lost.
This made Xu Je'er so shocked she almost fainted. The Sera that she knew loves money so much! How could she lose? This isn't possible!
Xu Je'er immediately asked her friend about it. Who would have thought that her answer was that she didn't want to associate herself with other companies?
That's when Xu Je'er remembered that one of the prizes is actually a contract from Quinn Media.
"Are you insane? Quinn Media is THE Quinn Media! Why don't you want to work with them?" Xu Je'er fumed. She really couldn't understand how Sera's mind worked.
"Why does it sound like you are already throwing me away? Our company just started."
"You really… how could you not win the first prize? People would want to work with you! Plus the money— "
"The money that you gave me when I beat that Double Dragon team is more than enough. I don't like to complicate things."
"Aish… this woman is, really... Are you really the Sera that I know? It's money and contract! In this world, everyone wants to work with Quinn Media and yet you — "Ah, she was so angry, she had to pat her chest just to calm herself down. "Let me tell you something. The big boss of Quinn Media actually fired their whole cybersecurity team because of what happened back then. Eh? Don't look at me like that. I already compensated everyone involved in the matter. However, Quinn Media is now recruiting people — talented ones for their security team. I think you should apply and— "
"Xu Je'er… I thought you want to start a company with me?" Sera asked.
"You don't get it." Xu Je'er sighed. "Working with a big company like that would help your resume and credibility. Right now, you are brilliant, but you lack experience."
"Oh, then you won't hire me because I lack experience?"
"No. But other people might not take a look at our software because It was made by someone unknown in this business world."
For a few seconds, Sera bit her lips. She fought the urge to laugh at this woman. She hired her because she was well known in the upper society! This is only one of the reasons why she wanted to work with Xu Je'er. Ah, it seems that Xu Je'er doesn't understand this until now? "I hired you to do that," Sera said. "I would make the software. Do you want me to talk to businessmen too?"
The woman stared at her, blinking. She blinked her beautiful eyes until she realized that Sera was indeed right. She could actually take care of that matter because of her connections! "Ehem… forget what I just said. It's just… I was too excited… too excited I became emotional." Quinn Media was her dream company before. If her father knew that Quinn Media offered a contract to her, that old man would surely feel proud!
"Hmmm. I understand." Sera lowered her head as she looked at the cheque in her hand. It was the prize for second place in the competition.
"Hey… why did you purposely lose the competition?"
Sera and Xu Je'er turned their heads to their left. Feng Xiaotan's dark face welcomed them.
"I know you could win," Feng Xiaotan approached them. "Why did you do that? Did you really want to embarrass me?"
"Huh?" Even Xu Je'er wasn't able to react immediately.
"Mr. Feng," Sera just smiled. "You are thinking too much."
"Then why?" In Feng Xiaotan's mind, this woman actually did that to show that someone else is superior to Feng Xiaotan. The equation on his mind was too simple. First, Sera beat him. Then another person beat Sera. This means that the person who won against Sera was actually better than him!?
"Brother Feng… you shouldn't blame Miss Zhang too much." The sweet voice of Yuan Quan made Feng Xiaotan frowned.
"What are you doing here?"
"I am only here to help brother Feng out. Miss Zhang should be innocent in all this." Yuan Quan smiled. "She is a simple-minded person. She loves money the most. I believe, the reason why she purposely loses is that another person already offered her more money than the first prize. Is that right, Xu Je'er?"
Before the two could fight again, Feng Xiaotan suddenly turned and face Yuan Quan. "Stop provoking me. This doesn't concern you. Leave!"
Yuan Quan widened her eyes. She looked at Feng Xiaotan, her face red from embarrassment. "Brother Feng— "
"You told me she was a beginner!" Feng Xiaotan hissed. "You were the one who told me that this person bullied you! Yuan Quan, you schemed against me and made me lose face in front of everyone! Just you wait… I will tell your parents about what you have been doing!"
"Brother Feng— "
Seeing the two started arguing, Sera sighed inwardly. This is why she no longer wanted to be associated with the rich society. Ah, too complicated. She looked to the entrance, wanting to leave when she saw a familiar silhouette.
Eh? She looked at the broad shoulders of the man wearing a simple black shirt and jeans. Too familiar… Too Familiar.
Slowly, the man moved his heel and turned towards her. Eh? Cross?
"Hey!" Cross waved at her, a boyish grin plastered on his face. He then walked towards her. "I heard you didn't win?"
"You came here to tease me?" she asked as she calmed her emotions down. She really should stop thinking about a one-night stand. So embarrassing! She looked at Feng Xiaotan, Yuan Quan, and Xu Je'er who were still busy arguing.
"I'm here to comfort you."
His answer made her chuckle. "This is not so you…" In a week, she had already seen him three times. Isn't this too much? Did the heavens finally grant her wish? Eh… She lifted her head and looked at him. "Cross Qin, tell me, are you starting to like me?"