We agreed not to date, so why are you crying now that I've become the richest man?

"Good morning, boss."

"morning."

Ye Chen inserted the straw into the soy milk cup and glanced around the cafeteria.

There weren't many people there yet; several tables nearby were empty.

After confirming that no one was paying attention, he lowered his voice and spoke:

I took some time to go to the company yesterday.

The sound of documents being flipped through came from the other end of the phone.

"Yes, Xiao Wang told me."

"The data for both games is steadily increasing, and the company is operating without any problems."

Ye Chen took a sip of soy milk and got straight to the point.

"The focus now is on hiring."

"Starry Sky Interactive's R&D team needs to continue to expand. Since we are preparing to enter the domestic market, we need to prepare manpower in advance."

"Understood," Han Yue replied quickly. "I've already followed up with the headhunter, and they'll be arranging three rounds of interviews next week."

"Besides the interactive aspect, the framework of Star Capital also needs to be set up as soon as possible."

Ye Chen tapped the table lightly with his fingertips.

"We have manpower in Hong Kong, and we also need our own financial team in mainland China. Contact headhunters and recruit a few people in this field."

He paused, then added:

"Professional skills must be solid, and practical abilities must be strong. There's no need to find a senior manager with too much fame."

Han Yue paused for a moment.

"Boss, why not hire someone with experience? If it's a newly formed team, younger or mid-level staff might lack industry connections and experience."

"unnecessary."

Ye Chen spoke casually, but there was no hint of negotiation.

"I decide the overall direction and investment strategy. What I need are people with strong execution skills who can get things done, not expensive people who are treated like royalty."

Han Yue lowered her head and wrote down the sentence.

"Ideally, it should be someone who has worked in the original organization for two or three years, has a solid foundation, but hasn't completely become a seasoned veteran."

Ye Chen picked up a small steamed bun and said slowly:

"They are motivated, easy to manage, and their salaries can be slightly above market rates. As long as they are reliable and professionally competent, and as long as we have the right people, we don't need to worry about money. What we need now is to be fast."

There was a two-second silence on the other end of the phone.

Han Yue had already understood what he meant.

"Understood," she replied. "The office location and facilities are all fine. I'll arrange it today and send you a list as soon as possible."

"Okay, contact me anytime if needed."

Ye Chen hung up the phone and placed it on the table.

In less than two minutes, a beautiful figure appeared at the entrance of the cafeteria.

Xu Jiao jogged in, her breathing a little rapid.

She was clearly dressed up carefully today, with light makeup on her face, long hair draped over her shoulders, a fitted short knit top on top, and tight jeans on the bottom, which accentuated her figure.

As soon as she entered, she attracted the attention of several boys around her.

Xu Jiao ignored those people and scanned the cafeteria, quickly locking onto Ye Chen by the window.

She walked over quickly, pulled out the chair opposite her, and sat down.

"Phew... I'm not late, am I?"

She patted her chest, her cheeks still flushed from running.

After settling in, Xu Jiao noticed that breakfast had already been laid out on the table.

Soy milk, fried dough sticks, millet porridge, and a basket of steamed buns.

She froze for a moment.

In the past, the first thing the guys who pursued her would say when they met was, "What do you want to eat?"

Ye Chen, on the other hand, didn't even ask any questions before placing the items in front of her.

"Have you bought everything?"

Ye Chen pushed the untouched bowl of millet porridge in front of her.

"I was worried that all the people who arrived at 8 a.m. would rush over and waste time queuing, so I just bought some things in advance."

He leaned back in his chair, looking completely at ease.

"I don't know if this suits your taste. If you don't like it, you can go to the window and type it again."

Xu Jiao held the warm millet porridge in both hands, her body involuntarily leaning forward.

She stared at Ye Chen, deliberately making her voice sweet and soft.

"It's okay, I'm not picky."

"I like anything you buy."

This statement is quite direct.

Ye Chen, however, seemed not to have grasped the implication and simply nodded.

"If you like it, that's fine. Eat it while it's hot."

After saying that, he picked up his chopsticks, took a small steamed bun, and put it in his mouth.

Seeing his unhurried manner, Xu Jiao felt even more resentful.

She picked up her chopsticks and placed a small steamed bun on Ye Chen's plate.

"Did you have fun going home for National Day? I only got back to school from my hometown yesterday afternoon, and the journey was exhausting."

She ate while complaining, her tone slightly coquettish.

"The train was so crowded, but luckily I managed to get a seat."

"Yes, there are a lot of people."

Ye Chen took a sip of soy milk, his tone calm.

"But no matter how many people are there, we still have to go home. We'll only be further and further away from home in the future."

Xu Jiao paused for a moment while biting into the fried dough stick.

She had only wanted to find a topic to talk about and be a little coquettish, but she didn't expect Ye Chen to suddenly say something like that.

Ye Chen put down the soy milk and looked out the window.

The campus was just starting to come alive in early autumn. A few students rode their bicycles past the cafeteria, their wheels crunching over the fallen leaves on the roadside.

"Back in high school, I always dreamed of going to a university far from home."

Ye Chen smiled.

"I feel that true freedom is being far from home and having no one to care about you."

He looked away, his tone still relaxed.

"After I really came out, I realized that it doesn't matter where you go. As long as your parents are there, that's home."

Xu Jiao stopped joking.

She lowered her head and stirred the millet porridge in her bowl, saying softly:

"I felt a little sad when my mom saw me off at the bus stop."

"It's alright now."

Ye Chen picked up the soy milk and took a sip.

"During university, I can go back a few times a year. After graduation, I will have to work, socialize, and maybe even start a family. I may only be able to go back once or twice a year."

He spoke without trying to be sentimental, but his words were very genuine.

"So take advantage of the time you have now and go back as many times as you can. Don't always think there will be other opportunities later."

Xu Jiao looked up at him.

This boy is only a freshman in college, but he always speaks with a maturity that seems out of place for his age.

At least at this moment, Xu Jiao's interest in him had changed from "wanting to try out this hard-to-pursue guy" to genuinely wanting to understand him.

"Ye Chen, you know so much."

Xu Jiao rested her chin on her hands and leaned forward slightly.

"He doesn't look like a freshman at all."

"What does that look like?"

Ye Chen asked casually.

"picture……"

Xu Jiao blinked and deliberately dragged out her words.

"Like a busy person who has entered society prematurely."

"Then why do you invite such a busy person to breakfast?"

"Who says busy people don't have time?"

Xu Jiao smiled sweetly.

"Since we're all so far from home, we should definitely look out for each other at school."

She took the opportunity to push the topic a step further.

Do you have class this afternoon? Want to go to the library together? We can keep each other company.

Ye Chen took out a tissue and wiped his mouth.

"I can't this afternoon, something comes up."

The rejection was swift and decisive, leaving little room for imagination.

Xu Jiao was stunned.

She thought that once the conversation turned to their parents, the atmosphere was right and Ye Chen would at least agree.

Unexpectedly, this person really wouldn't take the bait.

Strangely, instead of getting angry, her resentment only grew stronger.

The more you actively get closer, the more you realize that this person doesn't follow your own pace.

This made her think about a serious competition for the first time.

"Oh well."

Xu Jiao quickly regained her smile and deliberately dragged out her words.

"You're so busy, let's meet up another time."

"OK."

Ye Chen nodded and continued eating his breakfast.

Xu Jiao blinked.

That's it?

I've already said all this, and he didn't even ask, "When is the next time?"

She picked up the millet porridge and took a sip, remaining outwardly calm, but inwardly already pondering what excuse she should use to ask him out next time.

At this time, the cafeteria gradually became more crowded.

Half an hour before 8 a.m., a large number of freshmen flooded into the second canteen.

The once quiet hall was quickly filled with the sounds of conversation, footsteps, and clinking plates.