Volume One, Chapter Eight: The Pathway Straight to the Soul

Without even mentioning the conference room, the interview began right there at the company’s front desk.

I felt uneasy.

His questions were all routine, and soon he had exhausted the small set of questions he had prepared. Then he asked if I had anything I wanted to know.

I was momentarily stunned. As a seasoned professional, I understood what a ten-minute interview really meant—we both knew the unspoken truth.

After a brief silence, I asked, “Regarding the system I developed, have you received any feedback?”

He seemed impatient with the question, speaking a little faster than usual: “That’s up to Shutong. She will discuss the price with you. You’ll be notified of the interview result within three working days.”

With that, he turned and left the front desk, leaving me feeling thoroughly helpless.

Perhaps because Zhou Wutong had recommended me, I had held some hope. But now, after such a perfunctory interview, I felt a bitter taste in my heart.

Still, I quickly came to terms with it: if he disrespected me, then naturally he wasn’t worthy of having me work for him.

Having made peace with that, I sent a brief message to Zhou Shutong explaining the situation, then drove to the airport.

I arrived slightly earlier than her scheduled landing time. Just as I stepped into the terminal, I spotted a life-size cutout of her.

My eyes lit up. Flight attendants are among the most competitive in terms of appearance, and for her to stand out among so many beauties, her natural attributes had to be top-tier.

Idly wandering the airport, I passed a flower shop and suddenly remembered her saying she liked white roses and white lychees. Thinking of the task she had assigned me, I hesitated for a moment, then on impulse bought several bouquets, clutching them in my arms.

About the time it takes to smoke a cigarette, a group of flight attendants, pulling small suitcases and walking in synchronized steps with graceful glances, appeared in the hall—instantly becoming the most striking sight.

Among these slender and curvaceous attendants, Lin Feifei was undoubtedly the center of attention.

Her fresh and elegant uniform perfectly highlighted her tall, slender figure, her face a flawless oval, features delicate and refined. Amid a garden of flowers, she was like a solitary plum blossom blooming proudly in the snow—quiet and graceful.

As they drew closer, my heart pounded wildly.

Facing so many stunning women while meeting her, I suddenly felt a bit out of place.

While my thoughts were wrestling, someone else stepped forward first.

He was a man about twenty-seven or twenty-eight, holding a bouquet and wearing a smile as he approached her.

He was handsome, with refined elegance, dressed in a sharply tailored dark suit and polished shoes—every detail radiating wealth and confidence.

The moment Lin Feifei saw him, her smile vanished, her brows furrowing slightly. “Why are you here?”

The man’s face bore an ingratiating grin. “Of course, I’m here to pick you up. You must be exhausted after such a long flight. I’ll drive you home!”

“Xie Zian, I’ve told you many times—stop bothering me. We’re over. Let’s just leave each other alone, okay?”

It suddenly dawned on me.

Oh.

This was her ex-boyfriend—and quite a good-looking one at that. Together, they could easily be called a perfect match.

Xie Zian chuckled awkwardly. “I was wrong before. Give me another chance! I promise I’ll never make that mistake again.”

Lin Feifei rolled her eyes so hard it seemed they might fly out of her head, her face cold. “Get out of my way, you bad dog!”

With that, she shoved him aside and hurried off with her suitcase. But Xie Zian refused to give up, trailing behind and apologizing profusely—though to no avail.

Seeing her face darken, I knew it was my cue.

Holding the flowers, I casually walked over to them. “Miss, do you need a ride home?”

Lin Feifei’s eyes brightened instantly, as if grasping a lifeline. She turned to Xie Zian.

“See? He’s my new boyfriend. Don’t bother me anymore.”

Xie Zian blinked in surprise, then looked me over, his gaze sharp and direct. The other flight attendants also turned their eyes toward me, their expressions gleaming with anticipation for some drama.

Xie Zian shot me a glance filled with a fierce, cutting light—yet I caught it without flinching.

He then turned back to Lin Feifei. “Feifei, can we stop this nonsense? Don’t you know me at all? Someone like him isn’t even your type! If you want a scapegoat, at least choose one with some quality!”

My temper flared immediately.

Noticing my reaction, he sneered, “Sorry, I’m straightforward. I say what I think. Don’t take it personally.”

I smirked. “Being straightforward doesn’t mean you have to open your mouth like a sewer.”

“Pfft!”

Lin Feifei couldn’t hold back a snort, openly showing her disdain for Xie Zian.

His expression darkened sharply, the polished gentleman facade vanishing. He glared at me venomously, eyes full of hatred.

“Who do you think you are? What happens between me and Feifei is none of your business! Go away and stay out of it.”

Then he turned back to Lin Feifei. “Even if you’re dating someone new, shouldn’t you at least find someone like me? What does he have that I don’t?”

Without hesitation, Lin Feifei shot back, “Because he’s better than you, you little runt!”

Xie Zian’s face flushed a deep purple, while the surrounding flight attendants sneered, showing their disdain.

So Xie Zian wasn’t so great after all.

How disappointing.

Lin Feifei gave him a cold glance. “One last time—he’s my boyfriend. Believe it or not, just stay away from me. You’re disgusting!”

Xie Zian resembled an enraged bull, glaring at me with eyes like knives, as if he wanted to stab holes in me.

“Whatever your relationship is, stay away from Feifei. Or else you’ll spend the rest of your life in a wheelchair!”

I feigned a sigh. “You’re a little late with that threat.”

He blinked, confused. “What?”

“Do you know the way to a woman’s heart?”

“Of course! That’s a famous Zhang Ailing quote. How could I not know? What are you getting at?”

“Nothing. Just that I’ve already been through that passage.”

“...”

I took Lin Feifei’s hand, leaving the airport under Xie Zian’s furious gaze.

Only after reaching the parking lot did I release her hand.

“Sorry about earlier—I was just trying to get under that jerk’s skin. Don’t take it to heart.”

Lin Feifei’s cheeks flushed shyly; she nodded without a word.

Once in the car, I handed her the flowers. “For you! The people of the capital welcome you! Welcome to Beijing!”

No woman dislikes receiving flowers, and Lin Feifei was no exception.

She accepted them with a sweet smile, eyes shyly sparkling.

“Thank you. I didn’t expect you to remember I liked white roses. I only mentioned it casually that day. These flowers are beautiful—I really like them. Thank you.”

“No flower is as beautiful as you, not even a fraction.”

Caught up in the moment, I surprised even myself with such a cheesy line.

Lin Feifei’s blush deepened, like two pomegranate petals drifting onto her cheeks.

She shot me a look, half amused, and asked, “Are you always this slick with everyone?”

I shook my head. “Of course not—I only say this to beautiful women.”

Lin Feifei struggled to suppress a smile as she playfully patted my shoulder.

“You’re incredibly cheeky. I’m very pleased with your performance, my boyfriend.”

I smirked. “No practice, no say. Truth only comes from experience.”

“...”