Chapter 97: The Elementary Schooler Flops

"Go now. Your actions have proven that you are a worthy assistant to Yu Chengmin. F*** Yu Chengmin. But as for her and me, it’s best to part on good terms; I hope she remembers my value and acknowledges me in the future. That is my ‘broad road.’ That is why I can succeed here, and why I would succeed anywhere else." Ni Feihong continued her lecture with the air of a grand mentor.

Seeing that Xiao Ma did not leave, she added, "You’ve missed your chance to have a meal with me. I won’t be treating you this noon, because I have a date with my new boyfriend."

Huh?

This was beyond the pale!

Even though it had nothing to do with Xiao Ma, a faint black line appeared on his forehead!

Xiao Ma had a certain demonic charm when he was resentful, which happened to align with the aesthetic of a certain Great Archmage. Ni Feihong couldn't help but pause, looking at him twice more.

"However, I really do have a date with my new boyfriend. I can't just stand the guy up when we've only just met, right?" Ni Feihong thought for a moment and said awkwardly.

Xiao Ma reconsidered, thinking that since Zhan Yunfei had been her boyfriend for a long time without ever getting lucky, she should be safe for now.

Ni Feihong said, "You’re still standing there in a daze—what exactly do you want to say? Don't tell me you're having another neurotic episode?"

Xiao Ma gave her a strange look, said nothing, and left the office.

Returning to Yu Chengmin’s office, Xiao Ma said first, "Ms. Yu, don't worry about the ‘f***ing’ part for now."

Yu Chengmin closed her laptop, took off her glasses, and nodded slightly, signaling him to continue.

Xiao Ma said, "She agreed to resign. We’re parting on good terms; consider it her final contribution to the company."

Yu Chengmin was visibly pleased. After a brief hesitation, she nodded and said, "In that regard, she is quite decent. She has her flaws and her stubbornness, but overall, she is an excellent worker. It’s a pity that due to certain special reasons, I am destined not to work with people who don't share my wavelength. I hope there will be a chance in the future."

After saying this, she put on her radiation-blocking glasses and opened her laptop.

As Xiao Ma reached the door, he heard her call out, "I won't ask for details... You did well. You are an excellent assistant."

Xiao Ma felt a sense of pride again.

"Don't get too happy yet," Yu Chengmin added. "Perhaps she, like me, values you enough to have left you a new position?"

"I suppose so," Xiao Ma said, taken aback.

"But you can figure it out yourself," Yu Chengmin said. "Don't forget that I hold evidence of your crimes. Don't do anything to hurt my feelings. Both Academician Zhou and I have very sensitive identities; hacking our computers isn't just cybercrime—it could land you in serious trouble. I hope you don't lose your head."

"There's no crime I haven't seen. A buddy of mine once got a brick to the head from me and is still lying in the hospital," Xiao Ma said neurotically.

"Oh, give it a rest. That was self-defense. As for being a criminal, a shut-in like you doesn't qualify. You have absolutely no idea what real power is. That guy is living just fine in prison, but if you go in, you’ll be picking up soap until you’re crying tears of regret," Yu Chengmin retorted.

*You’re the one who has no idea what power is,* Xiao Ma thought as he walked out. Nevertheless, he went to handle all the tasks—both within and outside his job description—that Yu Chengmin had left behind.

Once finished, he headed straight to the restroom, intending to play a round of his game.

In the hallway, he ran into Longze Meishu. Xiao Ma turned neurotic again, stepping closer and closer until he had cornered her.

She asked weakly, "Brother Xiao Ma, what are you trying to do?"

Xiao Ma said, "Sister Feihong is leaving. Is she taking you with her? Whose side are you on?"

Meishu thought for a moment and said, "If you treat me to dinner after work, I’ll tell you?"

Xiao Ma felt troubled. "I’m a wealthy man, so paying for a girl is no problem. It’s just that there are too many girls asking me out lately; my schedule is packed."

Longze Meishu said, "That’s fine. You can just give me the money you intended to spend, and I’ll go eat by myself. I’ll even eat a little extra on your behalf."

"I’m just a bit generous, don't think I’m a pig!" Xiao Ma joked, grabbing her by the neck and shaking her.

"Let go of that girl. What do you think you’re doing?" a female voice scolded from behind.

Xiao Ma turned around, his scalp tingling—he had been caught by Ni Feihong. It was incredibly awkward.

Ni Feihong walked over, shot him a glare, and entered the restroom.

"Know better now?" Meishu giggled.

Xiao Ma had no choice but to enter the restroom with a face as dark as a pot, sitting on the toilet to play his game.

As soon as Xiao Ma left, Ni Feihong poked her head out from the women's restroom: "Does that turtle-son often lay hands on you like that? Can't you just smash his head in?"

Longze Meishu shook her head: "He's just joking. Overall, he's actually quite nice."

...

Xiao Ma had way too many phones. While playing his game, two of them rang simultaneously.

Xiao Ma continued his game while distractedly checking the phones. One was from Yu Chengmin, the other from the "Prehistoric Loli."

The Prehistoric Loli was invincible, but she was someone to be cherished in one's heart. In this situation, of course, he had to prioritize romance over friendship—he answered Yu Chengmin’s first.

"Where did you run off to again? I can't find you," Yu Chengmin said over the phone.

"I'm in the restroom," Xiao Ma said.

"You and your endless bathroom breaks. Hurry up and get over here." She hung up.

Xiao Ma scurried back to the office.

Yu Chengmin was already standing up, having tidied her things. "I have something to take care of, I’m heading out."

"Do you want me to come with you?" Xiao Ma asked.

Yu Chengmin shook her head: "No need. You didn't rent out my apartment, did you?"

Xiao Ma was confused. "You haven't been home this whole time?"

"None of your business," Yu Chengmin said, walking out. "Nothing else for the afternoon. Go to my place and tidy up; I don't want to see a mess when I get back. Also, did you fix the Wi-Fi like I asked? Don't you know that an unstable connection affects my work?"

With that, she left.

Xiao Ma sat in her chair, propped his feet up on the desk, and tossed some fish food into the tank as if he were dropping supplies.

Thinking of the little loli, he called her back. "Xiao Ai, what are you doing?"

"I'm in some trouble, and they’ve called for a parent-teacher conference. But I don't know if my dad is drunk—I can't find him. My mom went to Tibet to ‘sublimate her soul.’ She said it’s an important journey of the heart, a pilgrimage to cleanse the soul," the little loli said.

Xiao Ma frowned. "I don't mind dropping by to pose as your older brother, but don't take your teachers for idiots. They might call the police and get me arrested."

The little loli said, "They won't. I’ve known my mom and dad were unreliable for a long time, so I added your name to the school's emergency contact list ages ago. I tricked my mom and dad into signing off on ‘you.’ My dad is the easiest to talk to; I tell him to sign, and he signs. As for my mom, it was more troublesome—I had to trick her several times before she went. And once she was there, she even had an affair with that muscular gym teacher at the school."

"Fine, fine, I'll come. Don't tell me about your family's messy business," Xiao Ma agreed.

The little loli said, "My mom is very pretty and is quite a fan of good looks. How about I send her a photo of you so you two can go on a date? Maybe then she won't need to go to Tibet to sublimate her soul?"

"You little brat, has your brain gone soft? Just wait for me and don't do anything," Xiao Ma hung up and headed out.

When he arrived at the school, the little loli was sitting on a bench in the hallway, looking completely defeated.

"Your family is already like this, so you really should try to stay out of trouble. What happened this time?" Xiao Ma went over and patted her little head.

Just then, a young female teacher dressed in black stockings