Chapter 47: Message Received—Your Pretentiousness

Sitting in the messy office, Yu Chengmin was busy organizing a special project proposal when she sensed someone entering. She quickly snapped her Apple laptop shut.

Frowning, she glanced over to see who it was, wondering what this guy was doing here again.

Though she hesitated for a moment, she held back her questions and soon noticed Xiao Ma starting to tidy things up. No one was directing him, so Yu Chengmin watched with measured interest. Surprisingly, his way of arranging and classifying things, while not exactly what she would have preferred, was still quite effective—acceptable, even impressive.

This must have been thanks to Ni Feihong’s training, Yu Chengmin thought. It proved that Ni Feihong was indeed of some use.

Her expression softened slightly as she observed him, but she suddenly asked coldly, “So, what is it? Did you suddenly remember you don’t have money for rent? Or perhaps you recalled that you have a case at the police station that’s unresolved, and you need a job to prove you’re a law-abiding citizen?”

“Well…” Xiao Ma had already decided to continue working, so he didn’t care much about what she said.

Yu Chengmin continued, “If you think you’re so clever, don’t assume Ni Feihong will always protect you. If I tell her what you just did, you know very well she’d be even more eager than I am to fire you.”

Xiao Ma realized that might indeed be the case.

But he didn’t want to argue with her now. While he worked quickly and efficiently, he replied, “I’m just correcting my mistakes, aren’t I? You can’t just write me off completely, can you?”

“I don’t need you to explain. I can see what you’re doing,” Yu Chengmin replied. She nodded slightly, put on her anti-radiation glasses, and reopened her laptop to continue her work.

This intimidating woman was truly a handful—she had so many things. The office was filled with all sorts of miscellaneous boxes, file cabinets, and safes. The office itself was large, and just sorting through her various pretentious books alone would probably take five or six hours.

Since Ni Feihong’s influence, Xiao Ma no longer slacked off and worked with real efficiency. Even so, he estimated that finishing Yu Chengmin’s office before tomorrow evening would be a stretch.

He suggested calling in more help, but Yu Chengmin shook her head. “Too many hands spoil the job. My things are valuable—if anything gets broken or lost, it’ll be a huge hassle.” She also insisted that she needed quiet and wasn’t used to crowds shuffling around her.

She was meticulous about self-care; after an hour at her screen, she would remove her glasses, massage the corners of her eyes, and glance over to check on Xiao Ma’s progress.

To her surprise, each time she looked, the office seemed more orderly.

And so the morning passed.

Before heading out for lunch, Yu Chengmin leaned over to type a few last words, intending to close her document. Suddenly, she froze. Her computer was acting up, flickering strangely, and then it froze completely.

Panicking, she frantically hit the keys, but there was no response. Finally, a black screen appeared with a line of English text: “Your computer is locked. If ransom is not paid within three days, all data will be destroyed, and optionally exposed.”

Damn!

Yu Chengmin broke out in a cold sweat. The files on her computer weren’t the most classified secrets, but there were still sensitive materials. If they were lost or leaked, it would cause plenty of trouble.

Most importantly, it was the new framework she’d painstakingly developed and the documents she needed to submit to some influential figures for review. She was to report on a cruise ship tomorrow—if she had to redo everything, it was simply impossible to finish in time.

Now, Yu Chengmin was truly anxious, still bent over her desk.

Just then, Xiao Ma, tidying up behind her, felt awkward—her posture, with her shapely rear raised, was quite eye-catching. No wonder that notorious lady-killer Sinan was always hovering around this formidable woman.

After a moment, Yu Chengmin sensed someone behind her and straightened up, turning to look. Thankfully, Xiao Ma was focused on her MBP15’s screen, not her backside.

“What are you looking at?” Yu Chengmin asked irritably.

Xiao Ma timidly pointed at her screen. “Uh, it seems you’ve been hacked?”

“I can read English too. And so?” Yu Chengmin frowned.

“I could go get someone from IT maintenance?” Xiao Ma offered.

Yu Chengmin’s voice was icy. “That’s your suggestion? Do you really think they’ll be any help? They’re probably less capable than I am.”

“How about I—”

“Don’t make things more complicated,” she cut him off impatiently. “This isn’t your area. Go back to your work. Instead, go find Sinan for me. He’s an expert in this field—famous for it even back in college, with several papers that attracted industry attention as a freshman. A real talent.”

Xiao Ma rolled his eyes at the ceiling.

Yu Chengmin grew more agitated. “Go get him now! Stop what you’re doing and act as my assistant. This is your opportunity—I’m only giving it to you because you’re careful.”

So Xiao Ma left to look for Sinan.

The place was vast and chaotic, and there were too many people around. Xiao Ma didn’t know where Sinan was, so he shouted, “Sinan, President Yu needs you to fix her computer!”

Immediately, the room buzzed with comments and admiration—such was Sinan’s reputation.

He was a true all-rounder; already a well-known figure in the field during high school, he’d led a massive “Red Hacker Counterattack,” bordering on technical genius. Yet he wasn’t a typical nerd—he was also an athletic heartthrob in high school and college, now a rising star in the entertainment industry.

“Success is never accidental—he’s just too talented, good at everything, with no weaknesses. No wonder everyone wants to support him. Take President Yu’s troubles—she didn’t call IT, but Sinan. That says it all,” remarked a pretty girl who knew Sinan well as she passed by Xiao Ma, making sure he heard her.

Xiao Ma simply nodded, as if to say, “Message received—you’re showing off.”

The girl rolled her eyes at him and strutted off.

Sinan, waiting for the buzz to build, finally emerged from a corner and strolled toward Yu Chengmin’s office, purposely passing by Xiao Ma and casting him a slightly disdainful glance.

There was no confrontation; Sinan kept his composure, offered a faint smile to assert his importance, and moved on.

Another starstruck girl giggled, “He’s so handsome. Even when certain people keep provoking him, Sinan remains so gracious.” She threw Xiao Ma another look as she left.

Xiao Ma was exasperated. “By ‘certain people,’ you don’t mean me, do you?”

She rolled her eyes yet again and left for lunch.

Xiao Ma considered going after Chen Li to retort, but a female voice behind him said, “Back to showing off, are you?”

He turned to see Ni Feihong, who seemed headed for lunch herself.

She was joking as she greeted him, though she had her own worries and hadn’t even noticed Xiao Ma hadn’t reported to her.

But after a few steps, she turned back. “For your own good, don’t mess with Sinan. He’s a top student in many fields—a real talent. You have to admit that.”

Xiao Ma gave her a strange look but said nothing.

There was nothing more to add. Ni Feihong nodded slightly. “Honestly, you’re a good person. I’ve enjoyed working with you. No need to report to me anymore—help out with Yu Chengmin for the rest of your time. Who knows, maybe she’ll keep you on. I’m going to lunch—if you’d like, my treat, as a farewell meal.”

With that, she turned and left.

Huh? When did she become so easygoing?

As Xiao Ma pondered this, Ni Feihong stopped at the elevator, turned back, and called, “What are you daydreaming about? Are you coming to lunch? My treat.”

“No thanks. Yu Chengmin’s office is a mess—I’d better finish up. It’s my responsibility, after all, and the sooner I’m done, the better,” Xiao Ma replied.

Ni Feihong was momentarily stunned. When did he become so dedicated?

“Suit yourself,” she said, nodding before stepping into the elevator.