The pushover offended a top-tier boss

However, she didn't have time to be sad for long because her phone rang.

Caller ID: Liu Jian.

Ye Zhenzhen paused for a moment, then answered the call.

"Professor Ye, are you at work?" Liu Jian's voice on the other end of the phone was incredibly enthusiastic. "Our college just gave out New Year's bonuses, and you're so busy working in the new district every day, you probably don't have time to come back and collect them. I just happened to be passing by, so I brought them to you."

Ye Zhenzhen was flattered and quickly said, "Thank you, Dean Liu. I'm here, on the eighth floor."

After hanging up the phone, she stared at her phone screen for a long time.

Why would a vice dean personally deliver benefits to a mere counselor like her?

What's wrong with this world?

Liu Jian arrived quickly.

He appeared in the eighth-floor corridor with a beaming smile, carrying various gift boxes in his hands.

"Teacher Ye, you are truly a model of courage and righteousness, an example for all the teachers and students in the school!" Liu Jian praised as soon as he entered the door. "The news of your rescue is all over the internet!"

Ye Zhenzhen then realized that yesterday's interview had gone viral.

She opened her phone, scrolled to the comments section, and her face immediately turned red.

[This is a true public servant, risking his own life to save others—truly moving!]

[This beautiful and kind-hearted young lady, I hope she lives a peaceful life.]

[This is our colleague! He was seconded to the municipal government because he was exceptionally talented!]

[This is our advisor! Sister Zhen is the most beautiful and amazing! We love you!]

[Are you single, miss? I think I've fallen in love.]

Scrolling down the list, each compliment made her blush.

"Teacher Ye," Liu Jian took out a small red booklet from his briefcase and handed it over with both hands, "this is the result of our college's evaluation this year, and you are in first place."

Ye Zhenzhen took it and saw the bright red certificate.

Her eyes suddenly felt a little hot.

She spent three years at this school being the school's "steamed bun" (a derogatory term for someone who is ignored or overlooked), never receiving any awards or recognition, and always doing all the work and taking the blame. She thought that was how her life would be, forever that of an ignored nobody.

But now, she has received an award for excellence and become a role model, and even the vice president personally came to give her benefits.

"Thank you, Dr. Liu..."

"Of course, of course." Liu Jian waved his hand with a smile and put the things in his hand back to her. "Teacher Ye, do your best at the district committee. The college will always be your support."

After saying that, he picked up his briefcase and went out the door.

Ye Zhenzhen thought he was leaving, but he turned around and walked deeper into the corridor.

That direction leads to the Party Secretary's office.

Liu Jian stood in front of the dark brown solid wood door, straightened his tie, and knocked on the door.

"Enter."

He pushed the door open and went in. Zhou Huaijin was sitting behind his desk reading documents without even looking up.

"Secretary," Liu Jian bowed slightly, his smile perfectly timed, "the school gave out New Year's benefits, and I brought them to Teacher Ye on my way. During her time on secondment, her colleagues and students have been thinking of her and asked me to send their regards."

Zhou Huaijin raised his head and glanced at him.

His gaze was indifferent, devoid of any emotion.

"Hmm," Zhou Huaijin responded, then lowered his head to continue reading the documents.

Liu Jian stood there, showing no sign of leaving.

"Secretary, regarding the report about the School of Pharmacy's application for a new gymnasium—" He changed the subject, his tone becoming more solicitous, "Student activity spaces are indeed in short supply right now. The new venue can accommodate more activities and host some city-level competitions. Moreover, it can provide more sports space for faculty and staff."

He paused, as if he had unintentionally remembered something: "I remember that Teacher Ye used to really like playing badminton."

Zhou Huaijin paused for a moment.

He looked up at Liu Jian.

The gaze wasn't heavy, but Liu Jian felt as if something was pressing down on him, and he almost couldn't keep his smile.

"The process is under review. We will notify you of the outcome and when it will proceed," Zhou Huaijin said in a calm and businesslike tone.

"Yes, yes, yes." Liu Jian nodded repeatedly. "I'll cooperate immediately with any instructions you may have."

Click till.

He bent down, stepped back, and gently closed the door behind him.

He stood at the doorway in the corridor and let out a long breath.

Two o'clock in the afternoon, in the small conference room.

When Ye Zhenzhen was called over by Lin Rui, she had no idea what had happened.

The people sitting inside included the director of the secretariat, the head of the personnel department, and a deputy director in charge of publicity.

Several official documents with red headers were laid out on the table.

Ye Zhenzhen's heart jumped into her throat.

What mistake did she make this time?

"Comrade Ye Zhenzhen," the section chief cleared his throat, his voice booming, "after deliberation, it has been decided to issue a commendation to you for your courageous act, award you a certificate of honor, and give you a bonus of three thousand yuan."

He stood up and handed over a red certificate of honor and an envelope.

Ye Zhenzhen stood there, completely bewildered.

A commendation? A third-class merit? Three thousand yuan?

"Congratulations, Professor Ye." The director extended his hand and shook hers.

"Thank you... thank you, leader..." She nodded mechanically, her mind still reeling.

The head of the personnel department also came over and patted her on the shoulder: "Xiao Ye, keep up the good work, you have a bright future ahead of you."

Sparse applause rang out in the conference room.

Ye Zhenzhen stood there, holding the certificate and bonus, stunned for a long time.

What auspicious day is today?

Awards, commendations, merits, and bonuses—all came in one day.

Although three thousand yuan isn't a lot of money, not even enough to buy that outfit, the feeling of being recognized and seen really makes you want to cry.

She was never the outstanding type of person from a young age. Her grades were average, and she was introverted, always the one who was overlooked in a crowd. It was the same after she started working; she was always the one who got credit, was targeted, and treated like she was invisible. She thought that was how her life would be.

But now, it seems everything is different.

When she walked back to the eighth floor with the certificate in her arms, she couldn't suppress the smile on her face.

As she passed by the secretariat's office, her colleagues, who usually didn't talk to her much, surprisingly took the initiative to greet her today.

"Congratulations, Teacher Ye! I'll be learning from you!"

"Teacher Ye has really brought honor to our department."

Ye Zhenzhen responded to each question, but she knew perfectly well what was going on in her mind.

That's just how the world is. When you're weak, everyone wants to kick you while you're down. When you're strong, everyone smiles at you.

She returned to her workstation, placed the certificate neatly on the table, looked at it again and again, then took a deep breath, turned on her computer, and began writing a report.

I don't know if it's because I'm in a good mood, but I'm writing particularly smoothly today.

She meticulously organized the findings of her rural research trip, the problems she discovered, and her suggestions for improvement, one by one. After finishing writing, she read it through twice more, revised a few wordings, and, feeling it was sufficient, saved it.

I looked up and it was almost midnight.

At noon, she wanted to ask Chen Zheng to go to the cafeteria together, but Chen Zheng waved his hand dismissively: "Why go to the cafeteria? There's a special restaurant on the eighth floor."

Ye Zhenzhen was stunned for a moment.

She later learned that the leaders and secretaries had their own private kitchenettes with much more refined food than the cafeteria meals, and these were not open to the public. Although Chen Zheng was not qualified, he was a "connected person" and had a thick skin, so he kept tagging along for meals.

Now, he has brought another woman with him.

"Order whatever you like."

Ye Zhenzhen's eyes lit up: "I want to eat Mao Xue Wang (a spicy Sichuan dish)."

"No." A deep voice came from behind.

She turned her head and saw Zhou Huaijin standing at the door, holding a thermos in his hand, wearing a light gray cashmere sweater, looking very homey, but his expression was still indifferent.

"I was just discharged from the hospital, so I can't eat spicy food."

Chen Zheng quickly chimed in, "Yes, yes, brother can't handle too much spice, let's get something milder."

Then, Zhou Huaijin ordered a few dishes.

Blanched lettuce, stir-fried broccoli, garlic-flavored baby bok choy, a bowl of white porridge, and a plate of steamed pumpkin—looking at the table full of green, she felt her mouth was about to go numb.

It's better to eat in the cafeteria.

She picked up a piece of broccoli with her chopsticks, chewed it twice, and found it tasteless.

Zhou Huaijin, on the other hand, ate at a leisurely pace.

Ye Zhenzhen glanced at him secretly, then, remembering the money transfer from yesterday, she mustered up her courage and spoke up.

"Boss, I transferred the money for the clothes to you via WeChat yesterday."

"Oh," he replied, without looking up, and continued drinking his porridge.

Ye Zhenzhen waited for a while, but seeing that he had nothing more to say, she had no choice but to shut up.

She took a couple of bites of porridge, then couldn't help but sneak a peek at her phone.

The transfer is still there, but the recipient hasn't claimed it.

She didn't know if he hadn't seen it or didn't want to claim it.