Chapter 10: Let Ruan Mianmian Negotiate the Project

As soon as Ruan Mianmian raised her voice and shouted, people really began to gather around. The content of her shout was so “unique” that it attracted their attention. Once the onlookers figured out what was going on, they started criticizing the middle-aged man:

“How can someone behave like this, posting these ugly ads at the subway entrance? Completely lacking in civic sense.”
“I can’t stand these ‘scab’ ads. A bunch have been secretly stuck outside my building, and once they’re up, they're almost impossible to peel off.”
“I hate people like this too. My car was plastered with them once—it took me forever to get them off.”
“The young lady is right. It’s forbidden to post flyers here. Are you thinking of hitting her now?”
“Let’s expose him! That way he’ll never dare behave so shamelessly again!”

The crowd started taking out their phones, ready to snap photos and film the man to expose him online. The man shielded his face with his hands and shouted, “No photos! Don’t you dare take photos!” He knew full well he was in the wrong posting his ads; if the city management caught him, he’d be in trouble for sure. If these people put him online, he might even become the target of internet outrage. In the end, the man fled in a panic.

One of the bystanders turned to Ruan Mianmian and said, “You did the right thing. People like that need to be called out, or else they’ll keep posting those things everywhere.” Ruan Mianmian was also worried someone might take a picture of her and post it online, calling her a ‘justice warrior’ or something similar. She quickly said, “It’s every citizen’s duty to protect our public spaces. I think that man’s learned his lesson. Thank you all for speaking up—let’s disperse!” With that, she hurried into the subway station.

She knew all too well that fame brings trouble, and she had no desire to land in the headlines—especially someone like her, with neither power nor influence. Just yesterday, she’d already offended what seemed to be a rich heiress while buying a phone; if that heiress spotted her on the news, who knows what trouble might follow? Ah! If not for survival, who would take such risks?

[Congratulations, host. You have precisely ridiculed and shamed the unscrupulous middle-aged man and helped maintain a good public environment. You’ve earned 200 points and an additional 20 days of life.]

“Wow, 007, why are the points so high this time?” Ruan Mianmian asked as she walked into the subway station. She had thought today would yield nothing, but to her surprise, she’d earned more points than ever before. And twenty days added to her life!

What a delightful surprise!

[Host, every time you teach a lesson to someone lacking in morals, you earn high points. There are even greater rewards awaiting you—you’ll understand in time. Please keep up the good work.]

“What could possibly be worth even more points? Give me a hint, so I don’t miss out on any good opportunities to earn!” she pleaded.

[It’s something you’ll have to experience for yourself.]

Since the system wouldn’t say more, Ruan Mianmian let it go. She’d find out eventually.

[Host, you now have a total of 503 points. You can upgrade the system. Would you like to upgrade?]

“No,” she replied immediately.

Upgrading the system cost 500 points—that was equivalent to half a million! She’d never had that kind of money in her life and couldn’t bear to part with it.

[……]

A miserly host indeed!

[Host, you can always earn more points. After the upgrade, there will be unexpected surprises—I recommend you upgrade.]

“No. If I upgrade, I’ll be broke again.”

[Host, you still have over thirty thousand left from the fifty thousand you exchanged last time!]

“007, I suspect you have ulterior motives for pushing me to spend my points!”

[A host who isn’t proactive about upgrading the system isn’t a good host. Please choose to upgrade.] 007 was determined to persuade her.

“Let me think about it, 007. If I can earn fifty points at work tomorrow, I’ll upgrade for you. Deal?”

[Fine!]

This host was truly stingy!

…

Monday.

Ruan Mianmian clocked in for work on time. At ten o’clock, Li Xiaofei brought her a file and said, “Ruan Mianmian, you’ll be handling the advertising project for Ruisheng Group. Here’s their information—take a look.”

She glanced at Li Xiaofei but didn’t take the file, politely refusing, “I’m responsible for creative design, not business negotiations. That’s not my job—I won’t go.”

“Ruan Mianmian, this is a big project. If you close the deal, not only will your bonus double, but your salary will go up too. Are you sure you want to pass up such a good opportunity?” Li Xiaofei wasn’t upset by her refusal.

Ruan Mianmian sensed that Li Xiaofei was up to something—if it were truly such a great opportunity, would it really be offered to her?

This had to be some kind of scheme between her and Li Hao.

She raised an eyebrow. “And what if I fail to land the deal?”

“Then we’ll send someone else, of course. Mianmian, you’ve helped me a lot in the past. Don’t say I never gave you a chance. The company wants to groom you, that’s why you’re being given this assignment. If you don’t take it, I’ll have to give it to someone else.”

“Fine, give it to someone else. I’m not taking it.”

She wasn’t responsible for business negotiations, nor was she familiar with that side of things. It was better not to take on something outside her expertise.

“You… Mianmian, the bonus would be doubled! If you secure this partnership, not only does your bonus double, but your salary jumps from twelve thousand to thirteen thousand. Still not tempted?”

Hadn’t this woman always been desperate for money? She used to drag herself to work, sick or not, just to avoid missing out on the attendance bonus. What had gotten into her today? Even a doubled bonus and a pay raise couldn’t sway her?

“Not interested. I’m not good at business negotiations. If I went, I’d probably offend the client and damage the company’s reputation.”

If it had been the old her, she would have agreed instantly. She used to be short on money, and would never have refused such a chance. Not only would she have accepted, she’d have been grateful to Li Xiaofei, and continued to do her bidding.

But now she had the system and didn’t care about such small sums.

Even a doubled bonus would only be five thousand at most, and a one-thousand salary raise sounded nice, but why bother with something she wasn’t good at when she could just drive Li Xiaofei up the wall and earn even more points and money with ease?

On her way to work that morning, she’d been racking her brain on how to provoke Lin Xiaofei and rack up more points, but hadn’t come up with a good plan. Now, by refusing her so bluntly, Li Xiaofei was sure to lose her temper soon.

Inside, Ruan Mianmian’s inner imp was chanting: Get angry! Get angry!

Sure enough, Li Xiaofei did not disappoint. Her voice rose, “Ruan Mianmian, I’m giving you an opportunity here—it’s also the company’s arrangement! Don’t be so ungrateful!”

Opportunity had arrived!

Ruan Mianmian retorted at once, “Li Xiaofei, the company has never made such unreasonable assignments, and our division of labor has always been clear. Team Leader Li, with intelligence like yours, even a patch of chives would photosynthesize better than you—how did you ever become a team leader?”

Now she was certain: Li Xiaofei had gone to great lengths to send her to handle business because it was definitely a trap!