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Chapter 47 - 046: Xia Jian’s Choice

Xia Jian was startled by the editor-in-chief's stern tone over the phone.

"Okay, okay, I'll be right back!" she responded hurriedly.

Even though today was the last day of her internship, Xia Jian clung to a bit of hope that she might still get valuable news and salvage her position. She couldn't afford to offend her superior, especially now.

After hanging up, she turned to Qi Lin, her tone apologetic. "You heard it. The boss is calling me back. Qi Lin, you can finish eating by yourself. We'll talk later tonight if anything comes up."

She grabbed her bag and was about to leave when she felt a gentle tug on her wrist.

"Qi Lin?"

She turned to see him smiling, holding her wrist firmly. "Is there anything more important than filling your stomach? Let's eat first, then you can go."

"But my boss—" Xia Jian started, but Qi Lin interrupted her with a grin. "Relax. I'll go with you later. Don't worry, she's not going to eat you."

Before Xia Jian could argue further, Qi Lin gently pulled her back down beside him. She rolled her eyes, though the tension in her face softened a bit.

"I'm already used to it. She'll probably yell at me, but it's not like I'll lose any weight over it," Xia Jian muttered, half-joking.

Qi Lin chuckled. "So if you're not afraid of getting yelled at, why rush?"

He playfully scooped up a spoonful of Haagen-Dazs and brought it to Xia Jian's lips. She hesitated for a second, but then accepted the bite, though a bit of ice cream remained at the corner of her mouth.

Xia Jian blinked in surprise, instinctively licking the corner of her lips. Her cheeks flushed red, and her eyes narrowed in mock anger. "Have you used this spoon? You just stuffed it into my mouth—ugh, you're so gross!"

Qi Lin smirked. "You never complain when you make me eat the fatty meat for you. Why's this any different?"

Her face reddened even more. "That's not the same at all! You little brat, you're getting bolder by the day. Let's see how I deal with you."

In truth, Xia Jian had noticed a shift in Qi Lin recently. He used to be much more reserved, always letting her push him around. But ever since Qi Lin activated his system, he seemed to enjoy teasing her, leaving Xia Jian flustered and unsure how to react.

Giggling, Xia Jian launched a surprise tickle attack on Qi Lin, and the two of them laughed as they finished their Haagen-Dazs and skewers.

After their impromptu meal, Qi Lin rode his motorcycle and took Xia Jian back to her workplace.

As they pulled up to the Aoki Newspaper Office, Qi Lin hit the brakes abruptly, causing Xia Jian to lurch forward slightly, almost colliding into him.

"You little brat, you did that on purpose!" Xia Jian exclaimed, her cheeks flushed as she smacked Qi Lin on the arm.

Qi Lin feigned innocence. "What are you talking about? Didn't you see that cat run across the road just now?"

Amid their playful bickering, they entered the building together, only to be met by an unhappy face—Xia Jian's editor-in-chief, Zhang Yu, who stood at the entrance.

Zhang Yu's voice was sharp. "Bringing a stranger into the office, laughing and making noise—do you have any respect for the company's rules?"

Qi Lin, unperturbed, leaned in and whispered loud enough for everyone to hear, "No wonder you're struggling with your internship. Some jealous middle-aged woman must be threatened by how beautiful you are. If you had a male boss, you'd have been promoted ages ago."

Zhang Yu's face turned pale with fury, and Xia Jian nearly burst out laughing, barely managing to keep it in. She glared at Qi Lin, silently begging him to stop stirring trouble.

Zhang Yu, fuming, was on the verge of firing Xia Jian on the spot. But after thinking it through, she realized that if she dismissed Xia Jian now, it would only confirm Qi Lin's accusation—that she was jealous of her subordinate's looks.

Swallowing her anger, Zhang Yu addressed Xia Jian coldly. "While you haven't contributed any valuable news during your internship, you've shown dedication. I was going to let you stay on as a post-production news editor, but your choice in friends leaves much to be desired."

Zhang Yu's eyes flicked disdainfully toward Qi Lin before she continued. "I'm giving you two options. First, cut ties with this 'bad influence,' and I'll allow you to stay at Aoki News. Or, second, find valuable news by the end of the day—if not, pack your things and leave."

Xia Jian stood frozen, her face reflecting shock. Zhang Yu was clearly punishing her because of Qi Lin's comment. This was no longer about her performance but about settling a personal score.

Qi Lin watched with interest, curious to see how Xia Jian would respond.

Zhang Yu's expression was smug, confident that Xia Jian would take the easy route. After all, competition in journalism was fierce. Many people would do anything to stay in the industry, especially at a reputable company like Aoki News.

Xia Jian's eyes filled with a deep reluctance. She truly loved this job, and she had worked hard to earn her spot here. But as she glanced over at Qi Lin, something shifted inside her.

The reluctance in her gaze gradually turned into a quiet smile of understanding. "What's a job compared to your closest friends and family?" she thought.

Taking a deep breath, Xia Jian faced Zhang Yu, her voice steady. "Editor-in-Chief, I appreciate the opportunity to stay, but I'd rather earn my place through my own efforts. I don't want to hide behind a desk as a post-production editor."

Zhang Yu's smirk faltered, her confidence shaken. She stared at Xia Jian in disbelief.

Finally, Zhang Yu let out an angry laugh. "Very well, you've made your choice. I hope you won't regret it."