"Developing the website wasn’t easy; it took quite a bit of time. Zhijin, when did Li Yuan start working on the Zhihu website?"

"Exactly, Zhijin. I was shocked when I heard the news. At first, I thought it was a scam. I never expected it to be real. How on earth did Li Yuan do it?" Li Lanrong also chimed in.

Xia Zhijin thought for a moment before explaining in a low voice, "It’s been over a month, I think. Right when the university semester started, Li Yuan had his company begin development..."

Upon hearing the word "company," a curious gleam flickered in Gao Xin’s eyes.

"Zhijin, are you saying Li Yuan actually started his own company and became an entrepreneur?"

At this point, there was no reason to hide it, so Xia Zhijin gave a small nod.

Ge Chenchen covered her mouth in shock. "It’s actually true! The fact that Li Yuan started a tech company and became his own boss while still in college is incredible."

"Hee hee, what do you guys think? When we graduate, maybe we could just go work for Li Yuan’s tech company?"

Ge Chenchen was only joking, but Shen Xiyu mercilessly poured cold water on the idea, scoffing, "It’s just some small-time operation. Who knows, it might go bankrupt any day. Besides, when we graduate, we’re definitely going to join major corporations like BAT or Wangyi. A garbage company like Li Yuan’s? Heh, even a dog wouldn’t work there..."

Ge Chenchen and Li Lanrong snickered quietly. They were all well aware of Shen Xiyu’s dissatisfaction with Li Yuan. Her disapproval had peaked, especially after it was revealed that Li Yuan was seeing several other women. She was always looking for a chance to speak ill of him in front of Xia Zhijin.

Hearing Shen Xiyu mock Li Yuan and curse his company, even the kind-hearted Xia Zhijin felt a hostile aversion toward her. She was also an employee of the company, appointed by Li Yuan to oversee its finances and human resources. Since she drew a salary and had grown deeply attached to this fledgling enterprise, she naturally couldn’t bear to hear it cursed like that.

In a rare display of anger, Xia Zhijin stared at Shen Xiyu and earnestly retorted, "Our company already has three employees, all of them graduates from our university’s computer science department..."

Upon hearing this, Ge Chenchen, Li Lanrong, and Gao Xin all widened their eyes. It was the first time they had ever seen their friend look angry.

Xia Zhijin cares way too much about Li Yuan, even more than she cares about herself.

Shen Xiyu never expected the normally quiet and gentle Xia Zhijin to snap at her. A fascinating series of emotions flickered across her face. Seeing Xia Zhijin’s unsmiling, serious expression, Shen Xiyu could only mutter under her breath and turn her head away.

...

Li Yuan was pulling up to the school gate in his BMW X6 when he answered a call from Lin Yuwei.

Lin Yuwei was excitedly reporting the latest progress.

"Boss, the Zhihu website has been online for an hour and a half. New registered users have already exceeded 300,000 and are still increasing rapidly! The number of people who have completed the Kan Yi Dao task has reached 500. Should we distribute the rewards immediately and start the lottery draw?"

Li Yuan nodded and replied, "Yes, follow the procedures and pay out the cash prizes immediately. Ensure fairness and transparency, no matter what prizes are drawn. At the same time, have the internet army spread the news about the payouts far and wide. I bet a lot of people are still on the fence."

Lin Yuwei responded, "Understood, Boss. When are you coming to the office? We’re all waiting for you to come and rally the troops!"

"Oh? Is morale low?" Li Yuan chuckled.

"No, it’s just that this is a huge moment for the company. Seeing the data skyrocket like this, we’re all a bit overwhelmed. It feels like a dream."

"Alright, I’ll be over soon."

After hanging up with Lin Yuwei, Li Yuan immediately called Xia Zhijin.

The line was a bit noisy on her end. It sounded like she had just gotten out of class.

Li Yuan took a deep breath and asked in the gentlest tone he could manage, "Zhijin, are you done with class?"

"Mhm, just got out!"

Xia Zhijin’s voice was always so gentle and melodious, capable of mending a wounded heart and bringing warmth.

Having not seen her for two days, Li Yuan realized he genuinely missed the sweet girl. He asked softly, "Which academic building are you in? I’ll come pick you up."

Xia Zhijin said quietly, "I’m at the Ideological and Political Building. I can just walk over! You don’t need to go to the trouble of picking me up."

Li Yuan simply replied, "Stay put and wait for me. Don’t wander off."

...

In front of the Ideological and Political Building, under the scorching sun, Xia Zhijin stood quietly in an open area, holding her English textbook and notes. She positioned herself to make it easy for Li Yuan to spot her immediately. Shimmering beads of sweat were already forming on her pristine forehead.

"Zhijin, aren’t you going back to the dorm?" Gao Xin, carrying her backpack, noticed Xia Zhijin still waiting and asked curiously.

With a wide smile, Xia Zhijin answered quietly, "Xinxin, you go ahead. I’m waiting for someone."

"Ooh, waiting for someone? You must be waiting for Li Yuan, right? No wonder you look so happy today. Well, I won’t get in the way of your date then. Bye!"

Gao Xin’s tone was teasing. In their dorm, there were sharp disagreements about Li Yuan and Xia Zhijin’s romance. Some were for it, and some were against it. Gao Xin herself was one of those who approved.