Cangyun Wolf threw out a statement without preamble, "You’ve been around for nine years, and you still want to play the field?"

Ziye unexpectedly arched an eyebrow. "You know?"

Cangyun Wolf drawled indifferently, "Little sister Meng Ya Ya, your nickname screams that you belong to the Mengya Group family. Besides, you accidentally met Chun’er, and I accidentally learned that Chun’er goes to the same school as you."

Ziye shrugged. "Fine. Since you know, I have nothing more to say."

Cangyun Wolf nodded. "That’s right. Although I’m currently looking for a new patron, your family already has one. One mountain cannot hold two tigers, unless one is male and the other female. Jiunian is male, and I’m not keen on changing my gender yet."

Ziye let out a soft chuckle. "I’m not speaking for the Mengya Group, and you don't need to fight him for territory. I’m here representing the Jiuya Group to negotiate with you."

Cangyun Wolf was surprised. "Jiuya Group? What kind of thing is that?"

Ziye replied, "It won’t officially appear for another week at most."

Cangyun Wolf, connecting it to the Mengya Group, instantly grasped the implication. "Are you planning to launch a new corporate group?"

Ziye nodded. "Mm."

Cangyun Wolf clicked his tongue in admiration. "Chun’er said you were a fierce girl, and it’s true. Before even graduating college, you’re backing two major groups. How are the rest of us supposed to survive?"

Ziye didn't want to waste words and got straight to the point: "The Jiuya Group roster is currently blank. If you join, you can recruit entirely according to your preferences. Your salary will absolutely not be lower than what you get at the Diamond Group. Most importantly, I have zero requirements regarding personnel, personality, or style—do whatever makes you comfortable. In short, want to give it a try?"

Cangyun Wolf grinned wickedly. "Miss, give me an address. I’m off these next few days; can I stop by and mooch some meals?"

Ziye nodded in agreement. "Sure. Come to Kaga. I’ll wait for you at Lings University."

Cangyun Wolf chuckled slyly. "Heh heh, I’m leaving now. See you in a bit."

Ziye thought he was joking, but he logged off right after speaking. She stared at his greyed-out avatar for a long moment before logging off herself.

Little Sprout shook its head, wobbling. "Little fool Ziye, can’t even hold onto one person."

Ziye poked it. "Are there any other places where people can be held onto?"

Little Sprout glanced at her. "There are people everywhere here."

Ziye emphasized, "I mean talent! Real talent!"

Recalling Cangyun Wolf’s unreliable demeanor and the lack of a concrete commitment, she couldn't help but rub her forehead.

She knew the name Yun Lan.

His name was visible in virtually anything related to mecha.

However, there was one strange thing about him.

He was perpetually the runner-up.

No matter the competition, the project, or the award, he always somehow managed to place second.

It was precisely because of this that Ziye wanted to recruit him.

She believed that representing the Jiuya Group, he would certainly have his moment to take first place, and she also believed this would be a huge ** for the eternal second-place finisher.

Furthermore, in one of the collection rooms at the Mengya Group, photographs of top-tier mecha designers covered the walls; Yun Lan was one of them. If a company mecha designer committed a serious error, they were punished by being made to deliver a self-criticism session in that room, facing all those designers.

Ziye had visited once and was deeply impressed.

Perhaps she should talk to Cangyun Wolf again, try to persuade him further?

Just as Ziye was preparing for a second conversation, the door chimed.

An Junlie called from outside, "Little sister, want to come out and sit for a while?"

Ziye glanced back, casually hanging the item at her waist, then walked to the door. "What's up?"

An Junlie took her hand and led her toward the balcony. "Keep me company."

Ziye looked at his broad back and was suddenly struck by a mischievous thought. She used her other hand to poke the soft flesh at his waist. "Is the muscle still there?"

An Junlie caught her probing fingers with his free hand. "What do you think?"

Ziye bumped her head affectionately against his arm. "Seems pretty firm still."

An Junlie released her fingers but smoothly pulled her into an embrace, speaking softly. "Ziye."

Ziye looked up, finding An Junlie’s face inches from hers. She leaned back slightly. "What?"

An Junlie lowered his head and kissed her forehead. "I wanted to kiss you."

Ziye deliberately averted her face. "Tch."

An Junlie let go but immediately took her hand again, guiding her forward to the balcony, moving aside to let her sit on the sofa.

The small building’s balcony was beautifully decorated, surrounded by blooming plants, with a double sofa toward the interior, covered in soft, comfortable light-gray linen. Sitting there, one could view the nearby flowers, the pedestrians and airships outside, and the boundless firmament beyond the space station. One’s spirit could roam the galaxy while seated.

Ziye leaned languidly against a cushion, her head tilted to one side. "Alien, what do you think of Yun Lan?"

An Junlie subtly moved closer, allowing her to naturally rest her head on his shoulder. "You want to recruit Yun Lan into the Jiuya Group?"

—In reality, An Junlie had absolutely no idea who Yun Lan was!

Ziye murmured, "Mm. What do you think?"

An Junlie turned his head. Seeing her tilted head revealing a stretch of fair neck and profile, he suddenly felt his throat dry. He quickly sat upright, pretending not to notice, and discreetly sent a message to the intelligence department. "You look tired. Rest for a bit first. We can discuss important matters after you’re rested."

Ziye rested her head on his shoulder, moving twice to signal agreement. She casually picked up a nearby cushion and hugged it, closing her eyes to rest.

The intelligence department quickly sent back information on Yun Lan.

An Junlie scanned the message. He turned to find Ziye nearly asleep, her mouth slightly open, her lips dewy and lustrous. He felt an urge to bite her.

But he dared not move, afraid of waking her.

He sighed with tender concern, brushing a stray lock of hair behind her ear.

Ziye simply had a restless soul, always keeping herself completely busy. With her current ability and wealth, she could easily lie around doing nothing, yet she was constantly planning bigger projects and challenging greater impossibilities.

He wanted to help her, but she was too fiercely independent; she didn't need, nor would she accept, his assistance. All he could do was stand by her side and complete the journey with her.

The view from the balcony was infinite. He sat motionless, half his body gradually growing numb, but he refused to move. If possible, he wished they could sit like this with Ziye until the end of time.

Beep—

The Silver Com emitted a soft sound.

Little Sprout, perched beside Ziye, instantly jumped up. An Junlie snapped his eyes open, about to stop it, when it shouted, "Little fool Ziye, someone is looking for you!"

Ziye was startled awake.

An Junlie almost slapped Little Sprout, the scoundrel.

Ziye blinked awake in a haze, sitting up straight. She felt a slight pain on her forehead. Rubbing it, she looked at An Junlie’s arm and slapped it with a sharp sound. "So hard, it really hurt me."

An Junlie: "..."

He reached out, rubbing her reddened forehead. Finally seizing the opportunity, he unhesitatingly cupped her face and kissed her forehead, whispering gently, "A kiss makes the pain go away."

Ziye stared at him, dumbfounded. He made a move as if to kiss her again, threatening, "Don’t glare at me, or I’ll kiss you a second time."

Ziye immediately shut her eyes and mumbled, "My method of opening my eyes must be wrong."

An Junlie took the chance to pinch her cheek.

She opened her eyes to see An Junlie gazing at her with a smile, his hand still holding her face. She gave a sharp "Hmph," batting his hand away. Just as he was about to say something, the Super Com rang again.

An Junlie glared frustratingly at the intimacy-disrupting Super Com, wishing he could throw it outside.

Ziye picked up the Super Com. Seeing an unknown number, she paused, then answered. "Hello?"

"Hahaha, Meng Ya Ya, I’ll be at Lings in one minute. Where are you?"

Ziye nearly jumped out of her skin. It was unmistakably Cangyun Wolf’s voice; he had actually come.

An Junlie asked, "Who?"

Ziye paused the Super Com call. "Yun Lan."

An Junlie had just reviewed Yun Lan’s file and recognized that he was certainly capable, but his overly erratic and unrestrained personality clashed severely with the rigorous Diamond Group, preventing him from rising higher.

If this had been before Ziye fell asleep, An Junlie would certainly have approved of Yun Lan joining the Jiuya Group, certain that the eccentric Yun Lan could get along with the group of goofballs like Little Black and Little White.

However, Yun Lan had inadvertently interrupted a rare moment of solitude between him and Ziye. Lord An Junlie’s petty jealousy flared up. He stated seriously, "Yun Lan is unreliable."

Ziye turned her head. "Why do you say that?"

An Junlie chose his words carefully. "You just spoke with him, and now he's rushing to Lings. If he were truly a top designer, he wouldn't just run over because someone spoke a single sentence. Don’t tell him where you are. He might think you’re a single girl looking for... well, some action."

Ziye: "(⊙o⊙) Huh?"

An Junlie nodded with grave sincerity. "Don't worry. With me here, if he dares to show up, I’ll make sure he never finds his way back."

Ziye: "..."

Something felt off somewhere?

She was the one who invited him.

Cangyun Wolf was showing her respect by being so prompt.

She raised her hand and touched An Junlie’s forehead. "Are you running a fever?"

An Junlie gripped her wrist. "I’m perfectly fine. How could I have a fever?"

Ziye pulled her hand back. "Good, as long as you’re fine." She then resumed the Super Com call. "Hey, where are you now?"

Cangyun Wolf replied heartily, "I’m inside Lings Space Station Number Two. Which one are you in?"

Just as Ziye was about to speak, An Junlie's hand flashed out and hit the pause button. "I’m serious. People outside are dangerous."

Ziye glared at him. "Then what do you suggest I do?"