Wang Qiqi had been holed up in John’s office these past few days. If the blinds on the office window hadn’t been left open, everyone would have assumed they were up to something in there. As it was, they found it exceedingly strange. Except for mealtimes, pouring tea, or trips to the restroom, Angel had been practically glued to the boss’s office, constantly poring over documents. Even A found it odd. She knew John must be swamped with the financing round, but what was Angel doing constantly lurking in the boss’s office? Was she actually involved in that? Anna’s mouth dropped wide open at the thought.

Wang Qiqi walked in, carrying a cup of *coffee. Passing the reception desk, she noticed Anna with her mouth agape. From Anna’s standing angle, she could see a large, gaping black hole—it was truly hideous. “I’d suggest you be more mindful of your surroundings,” A snapped at Wang Qiqi. Anna’s mouth snapped shut, and she immediately lowered her head back to her work. She wondered if this so-called Angel actually had any real talent, or if the boss was just desperate because he couldn't find anyone else. To be honest, Anna had always wanted to pitch herself to the boss, but she never managed to muster the courage. Moreover, the boss had been in a foul mood back then, so Anna never made the move. Seeing that even Angel, whom she considered an airhead, could handle this, Anna felt she needed to make her own case. “I majored in Finance too.”

“What?” Wang Qiqi was so busy lately that her hearing seemed a bit shot. “What did you say?” Why on earth was she talking about her university major so early in the morning? I wasn't a recruiter. Wang Qiqi couldn't tell if Anna was genuinely not hearing or just pretending, but appearances mattered. She raised her voice slightly. “I studied Finance in college.” Perhaps Anna felt that wasn't convincing enough, so she threw in the name of her university as well.

It was then that Wang Qiqi understood; she was angling for a transfer. However, Wang Qiqi wasn't familiar with the university Anna named. She knew many American universities from her past life, but due to the 9/11 incident in this life, she certainly didn’t have much knowledge of US colleges. “I apologize, I’m not very familiar with your alma mater. But I do need to ask: did you have any finance-related internships during college?”

Wang Qiqi’s head was throbbing from reviewing various materials these past few days, not to mention following John through several negotiations—it had nearly brought her to the brink of collapse. If she hadn't trained at the studio for so long, Wang Qiqi was certain she would already have developed a phobia of such work. If Anna truly had a Finance background and some competence, Wang Qiqi wouldn't mind pulling someone up to be her assistant, easing her own workload. But Wang Qiqi doubted she had the requisite skill level. If Anna hadn't been exceptionally brilliant in her studies, at least achieving upper-middle marks, would she still be working here as a receptionist? Hearing Angel’s question, A froze. “During college, I interned at a company…” Anna simply recounted the duties she handled during her internship, making sure to emphasize any involvement in financing matters.

Wang Qiqi had no idea if what she said was true. Even if she had the experience, it didn’t mean she touched the core work; perhaps she hadn't even handled peripheral tasks. “I find it hard to believe that an intern would be privy to something as significant as financing.” Even in a small company, matters involving high levels of corporate secrecy are usually kept from general staff, let alone temporary hires.

“Well, were you exposed to it?” Anna snapped back, annoyed. A university degree from a backward country—what could she possibly have learned? Her Master's in the UK was only a one-year program. After graduating in July, she planned to travel for a bit before starting at the company in August. Anna couldn’t imagine Angel having any advantage over her, other than the fact that she was a shareholder. Anna was convinced Angel’s good fortune was entirely due to her stock ownership.

Wang Qiqi noticed the cold sneer on her face. People like this always believed they were the smartest, never bothering to understand someone else’s background before spouting off nonsense. “During my Master’s, I didn't just study; I worked on projects with my advisor.” Wang Qiqi named the research studio she was involved with as a graduate student. If Anna claimed never to have heard of that studio, Wang Qiqi would know for sure that her undergraduate years were a total waste of time; the fact that her university let her graduate spoke volumes about the dreadful quality of its education. A was stunned. She never expected Wang Qiqi had attended that university and worked at that studio. Her mouth hung open. “Then why didn’t you go into investment banking?” But Anna quickly recovered. If she really worked at that studio, shouldn't she be in an investment bank? People emerging from there were absolute hot commodities. Unless… her grades weren't good enough.

“I have no interest in joining investment banking. Working relentlessly just to chase money—I’d rather invest in a few good projects. Or do you think I have money to invest in this project for no reason?” To thoroughly defeat someone, one must display one's own strength, preventing petty gossip from simmering behind one's back. “Besides, working in investment banking is exhausting. If I’m too busy, I might not even notice when my man gets snatched away by someone else,” Wang Qiqi said to Anna with a sweet smile. A looked at the smiling Angel and desperately wanted to throw a punch. So much time had passed, yet why couldn’t she let the matter rest? “That’s true; everyone has different pursuits.” She lowered her head and returned to work. She finally understood: even if she lobbied the boss successfully, this nuisance wouldn't agree to let her join the team.

A sudden thought struck Wang Qiqi. “Instead of wasting time complaining about me, you’d be better off continuing your studies. If you put the time you spend shopping, clubbing, doing makeup, and catching men into self-improvement, you’ll realize that finding a rich man is less reliable than educating yourself. The company is still developing; you don’t plan to be a receptionist forever, do you?” Regardless of the current receptionist’s qualities, from Wang Qiqi’s perspective, she wouldn't hire someone in that role who wasn't exceptionally beautiful, but she certainly wouldn't hire an auntie in her forties or fifties.

Wang Qiqi believed she was offering genuine advice: people must learn constantly throughout life. Many people spend the first half of their lives studying for a profession needed for a living, and the second half continually studying fields that interest them.

Though Wang Qiqi meant well, Anna interpreted it as a disdainful jab at her habit of chasing men. She pouted and discreetly flashed Wang Qiqi the middle finger. Unfortunately, her supposedly subtle gesture was caught by the arrival of Fatty. Since he didn't know what conflict had just occurred between Qiqi and Anna, Fatty kept quiet.

When Fatty asked Wang Qiqi if she knew about the earlier exchange, he seemed slightly displeased. “Why bother talking to someone so hopeless? She’s your rival. Aren’t you worried she’ll stay at the company after upskilling just to cause trouble for you and keep trying to steal Han Tao?” Anna hadn't left yet, which already annoyed Fatty a little. To think Wang Qiqi was still trying to encourage her to learn something. “After the company moves, she’ll be out, unless something unexpected happens.” After the move, only essential technical staff would follow; other support personnel would be given the option to stay or go. However, some people wouldn't leave because their families were rooted here, and finding a new job wouldn't be impossible.

“You meant well, but she thought you were looking down on her and flipped you off.” Fatty hadn't intended to mention this to Wang Qiqi, but on second thought, he worried she might try to give the woman more sincere advice.

Wang Qiqi knew that whatever she said would fall on deaf ears for Anna. Wang Qiqi admitted she had said it deliberately. She knew Anna was the type who was profoundly self-righteous, believing everything she said was correct, and taking anything said by someone she perceived as an enemy as malicious intent. Otherwise, why would Qiqi have said it that way? “Well, I advised her. Whether she listens is up to her. Oh, right, it’s already the end of October. I’ve been quite busy lately. Have you chosen the hotel for the vacation destination yet?” This task had been assigned to Wang Qiqi and Shi Man, but Wang Qiqi had been so swamped recently that she barely had time to exchange emails with Shi Man, let alone find time for the harmonious activities with Han Tao. Wang Qiqi had even heard Han Tao complain, so she was determined to make this vacation a huge surprise for him.

“I’ve picked it. Your man has already approved it. But the water villa you wanted is only available for two nights. Can you manage five nights in the beach house?” Fatty knew Wang Qiqi was set on the water villa, but since they booked late, most of those were already reserved.

“It’s fine.” Though Wang Qiqi was slightly dissatisfied, she had only herself to blame for acting too late. “I need to get back to work. Remember to note down the prices when you go eat Japanese food with Han Tao today.” Wang Qiqi had wanted to check out the prices at the Japanese restaurant long ago, but she had been too busy lately to spare the time. So, when Han Tao insisted on going out for a nice meal to improve morale, Wang Qiqi bluntly pawned the task off on Fatty.

Fatty grumbled, “Got it. Sigh, you know John—he just goes and eats, never completes the task.” Fatty enjoyed Japanese food, but having to work while eating was irritating. However, considering Qiqi’s earlier suspicions, Fatty had no choice but to comply, however reluctantly. “If I really catch anything, let’s see if she’ll dare stay at the company after this.” Even if it was a small amount of money, if she was willing to cheat over that, Fatty worried she might embezzle much more in the future. “Don’t worry about it.”

Wang Qiqi trusted Fatty; with his honest and simple appearance, people wouldn't be overly defensive around him.