Ye Xinyue looked at them and said nothing more. She had her own stubborn streak.

’The manager must be doing this because he’s about to be demoted,’ she guessed. ’The new manager won’t play along, so they feel threatened?’

’Are they trying to force me to withdraw from the competition before the new manager takes over?’

"Ye Xinyue, don’t make this harder than it has to be! If you withdraw, both Xiao Jia and I will owe you a favor, understand? And these days, a favor is the most valuable thing you can have!"

Ye Xinyue shook her head and spoke again. "In my eyes, only money is useful."

"I already said I’d give you a raise. What more do you want?"

"But if I win the award and get the promotion, the bonus should be more than eight hundred, right?"

"You’re insatiably greedy!" the manager said, his face cold and his eyes filled with anger.

"Do you know the consequences of coveting something that doesn’t belong to you?"

"I don’t, Manager. But I do have a lot of work to do. If there’s nothing else work-related, then I need to get back to it."

This time, Ye Xinyue didn’t back down. She was going to fight for what was hers.

Xiao Jia came over and reached for her arm, but Ye Xinyue sidestepped to avoid her.

A flicker of anger crossed Xiao Jia’s eyes, but she kept a smile on her face. "Xinyue, if you want one thousand, even ten thousand, I can give it to you. Just help me out with this, and I promise I’ll take care of you in the future."

Ye Xinyue was very curious. "What position does your relative at headquarters hold, exactly? Why do you even need to compete for an ordinary supervisor position like this? With your background, I’d think it would be beneath you."

"Ye Xinyue, are Xiao Jia’s affairs any of your business?" the manager snapped, displeased.

’Why has this obedient, easily manipulated employee suddenly become so defiant? How dare she ask such a question?’

’He had already promised Xiao Jia that Ye Xinyue would definitely withdraw. Isn’t this just a slap in his face?’

’He was counting on Xiao Jia’s connections to get out of here!’

’That new person isn’t from their faction. They would definitely have no place for him!’

He had originally thought that with a little coaxing and a small reward, this Ye Xinyue would obediently do as she was told. But now... The manager frowned, deeply dissatisfied.

The atmosphere in the office grew tense.

"Ye Xinyue, I’m giving you one last chance. If you don’t agree, then resign!"

The manager stared threateningly at Ye Xinyue. Xiao Jia said nothing.

She just sat there, sipping her coffee, looking perfectly at ease.

Ye Xinyue’s expression was firm. "Fire me? Then let’s follow the proper procedure. I’ll trouble you to write down the reason for my termination, Manager, and to calculate my severance pay. I’ll leave as soon as it’s all processed. I haven’t made any mistakes at this company, and my conduct has been in full compliance with the labor laws."

"You!" The manager’s eyes went wide.

’I can’t believe this Ye Xinyue has gotten so bold!’

’How dare she threaten me back?’

’She’s really grown a spine!’

’She’s completely out of my control!’

"Fine! Then just wait to be fired!"

"Alright, Manager. Until I am fired, I’ll be getting back to work."

After saying her piece, Ye Xinyue turned and left the manager’s office.

CRACK!

The sound of something being smashed on the floor, but it had nothing to do with Ye Xinyue.

She returned to her desk, said nothing to her colleagues, and started working.

In the end, at half-past ten, Ye Xinyue didn’t receive a termination notice. Instead, she got news of the new manager’s arrival.

Xiao Jia must have said something to the others, because all her colleagues were now looking at Ye Xinyue with scrutiny and dissatisfaction.

Ye Xinyue paid them no mind.

She just focused on doing what she was supposed to do.

And when the new leader arrived, she simply introduced herself to everyone, without making any grand speeches or empty promises.

Ye Xinyue looked at the new manager’s face. It was completely different from the one in her dream.

Maybe it was because she liked Doctor Wen so much, but the face in her dream had seemed to share some of his features. The manager before her, however, was dressed in a sharp business suit. Her features were somewhat delicate, but her piercing gaze made her seem like a power woman, radiating a formidable aura.

After the introductions, the manager left. She didn’t offer Ye Xinyue any words of comfort, as had happened in the dream.

’I guess a dream is just a dream.’

’How could I hope for it to come true?’

Ye Xinyue shook off those thoughts and walked toward her desk.

"Xinyue, did you have a falling out with Xiao Jia? We’re all colleagues here, there’s no need for that, right? Everyone really likes Xiao Jia. She’s a great person. Do you think maybe there was some misunderstanding between you two?"

"Yeah, Xinyue, Xiao Jia is a good person! Look, in the short time she’s been here, she’s bought us afternoon tea every day. She must have spent a fortune! We have to acknowledge that kindness!"

Ye Xinyue hadn’t intended to answer, but upon hearing this, she looked up. "Sorry, I haven’t eaten any of it. So I don’t think I owe her any favors, do I?"

Everyone was stunned.

’She didn’t eat any?’

They had all been enjoying themselves so much, they hadn’t paid attention to whether Ye Xinyue had eaten or not.

Sitting not far away, Xiao Jia overheard this and grew even more displeased. ’Has she been on guard against me from the very beginning?’

’If it weren’t for her faction’s other plans—if she didn’t absolutely have to get this position—she would never bother feigning civility with this bunch of low-lifes!’

’And to think that manager, Jiang, was so useless!’

’He had all this time and still couldn’t get it done, dragging it out until today. What a waste!’

’And a waste like him wants to use her to get to headquarters?’

’He can forget about it!’

"Oh, Xinyue, I didn’t realize you were joking."

"I have work to do. I can’t chat."

Seeing Ye Xinyue working so diligently, they didn’t try to bother her again and risk her snub.

But an hour before the end of the workday, Ye Xinyue was unexpectedly called away by the new manager.

When Ye Xinyue returned to her desk, it was exactly one minute before closing.

Her head was spinning. She didn’t understand how this manager, who had appeared out of nowhere, even knew who she was.

Right in front of her, the manager had reviewed the employees eligible for the award and directly removed Xiao Jia from the running.

Then, the manager said a few things—not empty promises, but words that felt solid and real to Ye Xinyue.

The manager explained that the decision for the promotion had already been made, and the position was Ye Xinyue’s. She said they had comprehensively evaluated everyone’s performance, attitude, and contributions to the company. In every category, Ye Xinyue was in a league of her own.

Therefore, the promotion and the "outstanding" title were, needless to say, hers.

The manager had even wrapped up their conversation just before closing time, telling Ye Xinyue to go home and get a good rest.

She needed to rest and recharge; only with a healthy body could she better contribute her strength to the company.

Ye Xinyue felt the warmth around her neck and couldn’t help but feel that it was the Good Luck Talisman that had given her limitless strength and the very good fortune she had wished for.

It was Doctor Wen who had helped her wish come true.

After packing her things and leaving work, Ye Xinyue opened the Firefly Fan Club Group 8 chat and silently tapped on her keyboard.

"Hello everyone. I haven’t had a chance to introduce myself since joining the group. You Fireflies probably know that the person with the nickname ’Koi Carp Lives in My House’ who was chosen in last night’s lucky draw... that’s me."