He stole his best friend's photos and fell for a tycoon's heir through online dating.

Zhang Nan quickly returned with a portable speaker and wireless microphone. She gently placed the items on the conference table, and Chong Xia Ruo nodded before turning and leaving the conference room.

Xia Ruo took a deep breath, walked back onto the stage, and picked up the microphone.

"Hello everyone, I'm Xia Ruo, an intern in the marketing department. Today I'll be reporting on the project—"

Her voice wasn't loud, but it was steady.

"No wonder President Huo protected them. Look at the planning they did—the entire project team combined couldn't compare. These three deserved to die; their dismissal was justified."

The person next to him nodded slightly and whispered a reply:

"Absolutely. Luckily we didn't have any major conflicts with her, otherwise we wouldn't be able to work here anymore."

Xia Ruo did not hear any of this.

She was discussing the risk assessment section, and each page contained only the core information—charts, data, and keywords. It was precisely this restraint that made the entire presentation appear exceptionally professional.

After finishing the last page, she bowed slightly and said, "That concludes my presentation. Thank you everyone."

There was a moment of silence in the conference room.

Then applause broke out.

Xia Ruo straightened up and glanced ahead casually.

I met a gaze.

Huo Sinian sat in the first row, leaning back slightly in his chair, his hands folded on his knees, staring intently at her with a meaningful gaze...

Xia Ruo felt uneasy under his gaze, so she looked away and walked to the empty seat next to Lin Wanzhi with her laptop.

Zhou Siyan stood up from his seat and walked slowly onto the stage, standing where Xia Ruo had just stood.

His gaze swept across the faces of everyone in the audience, like a searchlight slowly turning, and no one dared to meet his eyes.

"Although Xia Ruo is a newcomer, the quality of this plan is no worse than anyone else here."

No one in the audience dared to refute it.

"From now on, Dingxin Media will not consider background, seniority, or how long someone has been with the company."

"It depends on ability. Whoever is capable will come. Whoever is not capable will leave."

His gaze swept over the three empty seats.

"I hereby declare this proposal approved. Meeting adjourned."

There was a brief silence in the meeting room. Then everyone began frantically packing their things and fleeing the scene.

Xia Ruo also lowered her head and quickly unplugged the computer cable, then twisted the cable into a ball and stuffed it into her bag.

My inner monologue has already exploded:

What's wrong with Mr. Huo?

Why are you praising yourself? You don't want me to comfort Wanwan, do you?

So what if I made my crush angry? Should I praise her best friend at the meeting and ask her to say a few good words for him to Wanwan later?

What a cunning CEO!!!

The more she thought about it, the more sense it made. What "don't look at background or qualifications" and what "look at ability"?

It sounds nice, but isn't it just to show Wanwan that he is fair, impartial, and meritocratic?

Using her as a prop, discarding her after use, has made him the target of public criticism...

"Ruo Ruo! You're amazing!" Lin Wanzhi leaned closer, her eyes shining like two stars, her voice low but unable to hide her excitement.

"I'm dumbfounded! How did you even come up with that budget? Did you secretly pursue a double degree?"

"It's a template," Xia Ruo mumbled, slung her bag over her shoulder, and stood up to leave.

"Ruo Ruo, slow down—" Lin Wanzhi helped her pick up the pen she had dropped.

Xia Ruo ignored her and strode towards the door.

"Xia Ruo".

A voice, neither too loud nor too soft, came from behind.

Xia Ruo stopped in her tracks. She took a deep breath, her fingers tightening on the bag strap, and slowly turned around.

Huo Sinian held the small bee receiver she had just left on the table and handed it to her. "I forgot it."

"Oh... thank you, Mr. Huo." Xia Ruo walked over and reached out to take it.

Two hands touched each other through the small black receiver.

Oops~ Isn't he supposed to be a cold-faced man? Why are his hands so hot...?

He looked down at her. His unfathomable eyes reflected the cold white light of the conference room and a slightly flushed face under the light.

"The report is very good." He released his grip.

"Thank you, Mr. Huo." Xia Ruo's smile was so perfect it looked like it had been copied from an etiquette textbook.

Xia Ruo thought to herself:

I understand, Mr. Huo. You don't need to hint at it like that anymore.

You've already given me a long eye contact signal.

I understand, I understand everything. I will definitely convey your feelings to Wanwan!

-

After the meeting, a heavy atmosphere of relief and relief hung over the office.

Zhang Nan walked over from the front desk, holding her phone, and clapped her hands.

"Everyone, I have a business dinner tonight. Our partner has invited us. Anyone want to go?"

No one answered.

Everyone looked at each other, their eyes conveying the same message—given the situation today, who would dare to step forward?

Sister Wen picked up her teacup, took a sip, and slowly smoothed things over:

"Why don't we take two interns with us? They're young, they can get some experience too."

Lin Wanzhi shook her head vigorously: "I have to go home for something!"

After she finished speaking, she buried her face behind the computer screen, as if she wanted to hide herself completely.

She was incredibly embarrassed—she had just slammed her fist on the table and glared at people in the conference room, even bringing up the Lin Group to intimidate them.

Looking back now, how could she have dared to do that? It was all because of those three people... Don't let her ever run into you again!

Zhang Nan turned his gaze to Xia Ruo and shrugged: "Ruo Ruo, it seems you're the only one who can go."

"Why?" Xia Ruo's eyes widened, her voice filled with the grievance of being betrayed. "I'm scared too."

"What are you afraid of?" Zhang Nan patted her shoulder with a smile. "I think President Huo appreciates you quite a bit."

Xia Ruo's lips twitched—appreciation? He was just using her as a tool.

"Wanwan, are you really not going?" Xia Ruo turned to look at Lin Wanzhi, unwilling to give up.

Lin Wanzhi shrank even further into the chair, her voice muffled, carrying the guilty conscience of someone who had done something wrong:

"I just confronted him... I'd better keep my distance. Besides, I really need to go home."

She emphasized the word "indeed" as if trying to prove that she wasn't deserting her post.

Xia Ruo took a deep breath and closed her eyes resignedly.

"Okay," she said, closing her laptop and stuffing it into her bag. "I'll go."