Chapter Five: With the System in Hand, the World Is Mine

Yan Xuan turned around.

Standing behind him was a petite woman with black hair coiled into a bun at the back of her head. Her skin was pale, but she wore a pair of black-rimmed glasses on her face, giving her an air of cold aloofness.

Yan Xuan didn’t recognize her. He had been at the company for three months and knew everyone, but this was the first time he’d seen her.

Nevertheless, he answered, “Supervisor Hu has lost a contract, so he’s searching through my things.”

The woman raised an eyebrow, “A contract? It’s missing? You’re searching here?”

Hu Li heard her voice and hurriedly crawled out from under the desk, nodding and bowing anxiously toward the woman, “Director Wu!”

Director?

Yan Xuan was startled.

Their company had two design directors. One was older, and everyone called him Director Chen. Director Chen, being senior, had transferred to the headquarters last month.

The other director originally worked at the main office. Since the news broke about Director Chen’s transfer, people speculated Director Wu would take over, but nobody knew if Wu was a man or a woman, and the branch had never met them.

He hadn’t expected to meet them today—and to find such a sharp, capable-looking woman.

Perhaps his shock was too obvious, for Director Wu tilted her head and looked at him.

“What’s your name?”

“Director Wu, I’m Yan Xuan.”

“Yan Xuan…” Director Wu repeated his name, as if recalling him. “How long have you been with the company?”

“It’s been three months.”

“Do you have any independent design work?”

Yan Xuan hesitated and shook his head.

For these three months, he’d been an intern, mainly handling follow-up work for other designers. He’d accompanied designers to clients, assisted in their projects, but his name had never appeared on any of them.

Director Wu asked a few more questions. Some Yan Xuan answered without thinking, others required a moment’s consideration.

Director Wu nodded, “So, do you dare to design something independently? If the client is satisfied, I’ll make you permanent immediately!”

Yan Xuan’s eyes lit up, “I do!”

“Good.” Director Wu placed a folder onto Yan Xuan’s desk. “Have it ready for me by the end of tomorrow. Any questions?”

“No problem!” Yan Xuan replied loudly.

“Director Wu, this isn’t appropriate. He’s new, and—” Hu Li blurted out, startled, not realizing his words were overstepping.

“Oh?” Director Wu turned slightly to look at Supervisor Hu. “Are you telling me how to do my job?”

Hu Li quivered, hurriedly waving his hands, “No, no, not at all.”

“That’s better.” Director Wu smiled coldly. “Get to work!”

She turned away. Yan Xuan glanced at the files on his desk, “Supervisor, these…”

Hu Li was about to speak, but Director Wu turned and said, “Hu Li, the designers we hire are not just for your post-production work.”

“Yes, yes…” Sweat began to bead on Supervisor Hu’s forehead.

“And find that contract for me.”

After Director Wu left, Supervisor Hu took a deep breath and looked at Yan Xuan with obvious displeasure.

Yan Xuan was already seated, studying the client dossier in his hands.

At quarter past five, most employees rose to clock out, save for those who needed to work overtime.

“Yan, wait for me!” Seeing Yan Xuan rise, the girl seated diagonally across from him quickly called out.

“Ying Ying,” Yan Xuan turned, his furrowed brow relaxing immediately, “I almost forgot. Finished your work? Shall we go together?”

“Mm!” Tang Xueying nodded, picked up her small purse, and followed Yan Xuan like a shy wife. “Yan, I heard… did you propose to your girlfriend today?”

Yan Xuan paused, then finally shook his head with a bitter smile. “We broke up.”

“What? How could that happen?” Tang Xueying’s beautiful eyes widened, a flash of surprise and delight crossing her face before she carefully hid it. She bit her lip and asked, “Why?”

“Maybe because I’m too poor and useless.”

“That can’t be true, Yan, you’re the best.” Tang Xueying defended him without hesitation.

Yan Xuan smiled but said nothing. To him, Tang Xueying was like a neighbor’s little sister, unaware of the complexities of adult life, and he didn’t want to taint her ears with such matters.

They left the company together in silence. They would take the bus, and Tang Xueying would get off three stops before Yan Xuan; at least they had each other for company on the way.

“Ying Ying!” The sound of an engine came from behind. A Mercedes stopped beside them, and a man leaned out, “Get in, I’ll take you home.”

Yan Xuan recognized him: Supervisor Tan from the business department, a returned overseas talent. Rumor had it his family was wealthy and had deep connections with the main office.

“No, I’ll go back with Yan.” Tang Xueying’s eyes flickered with helplessness and aversion, instinctively hiding behind Yan Xuan.

Sensing Tang Xueying’s discomfort, Yan Xuan turned to look at Tan Le.

At the same time, Tan Le sized up Yan Xuan, sneering, “You’re the penniless guy who keeps pestering Ying Ying? Look at your outfit—do you even deserve to walk with her? Ying Ying is—”

Yan Xuan was taken aback. Clearly, Tan Le regarded him as a rival.

“Don’t talk nonsense,” Tang Xueying said, peering out from behind Yan Xuan.

Tan Le’s expression froze, disbelief written all over his face. He opened the car door and got out.

Yan Xuan immediately spread his arms, “What are you planning?”

“Trash like you doesn’t deserve to stand before me. One word from me and you’ll be out of the company—or even the whole industry!” Tan Le mocked. “Just being with you tarnishes Ying Ying’s image.”

“Who I walk with is none of your concern,” Tang Xueying replied again.

“Well said! Ying Ying has the freedom to choose,” Yan Xuan applauded. “As for whether I’m the trash you say, let’s wait and see.”

With the system in hand, the world is mine!

Give him time, and his days soaring to the top will not be far away!

Tan Le’s face darkened further. He hadn’t expected this poor guy to be so confident. No doubt, he was using these words to fool Ying Ying.

Thinking this, Tan Le changed tactics, “Ying Ying, I hear this pauper already has a girlfriend. Aren’t you afraid of gossip if you’re seen with him?” Tan Le frowned and continued, “Hiding that kind of information shows he’s a man of questionable character.”

“Yan never hid having a girlfriend from me,” Tang Xueying said, tilting her chin. “And your information’s outdated! Yan’s already broken up with her, and now he’s with me.”