An Zhang Mi, in low black heels, strolled into the cafeteria packed full of students earnestly studying and writing  their final papers. It wasn’t just the cafeteria, but a week before the end of the semester, the campus was always bustling with activities. The classes were winding down, and everyone was preparing for their exams and finishing their thesis proposal essays. However, looking at the three girls playing on their mobile phones, it looked like her group of friends didn’t care about their grades.

“Are you playing on the farming app?” asked An Zhang Mi. She didn’t like video games. It was a waste of her time, and not only that, it gave her migraines.

“Not playing, we are seriously evaluating it,” said Li Ching.

An Zhang Mi knew that Wu Ling and Li Ching planned to work for Shennong after graduation. Wu Ling was even hired as an intern to test the early version of the game at the Shennong’s downtown office.  She didn’t know why Zhu Ah Ning was playing the game. Other than her boyfriend being the CEO, Zhu Ah Ning also wasn't the type to play any sort of phone games.

“Wu Ling wanted to know if girls would play the game,” said Zhu Ah Ning. “I said I would if there were more hot guys.”

“Definitely, the plants are cute, but if there are more attractive characters with an interesting backstory, it will definitely sell more,” said Li Ching.

“Why are you guys so shallow?” Wu Ling shook her head. She wanted to have cute plants and animals like the monster capture games, but Zhu Ah Ning and Li Ching both thought attractive male characters were needed. 

“Said the girl who’s meeting with the hottest alumni for quote, work,” Zhu Ah Ning teased.

Wu Ling glared at Zhu Ah Ning, “It’s seriously just for work.” Wu jotted their suggestions into her phone. There were already plenty of female characters designed by the graphic team, so adding a few male characters wasn't an entirely bad idea. People often complained about the overfocus of physical beauty in media, but was usually the attractive ones that received the most sales and attention. Gacha games sales were proof that what people ask for wasn't always what they want. 

Wu Ling had worked alongside with employees, but Bufu was busy planning the new office with Ersan. He wanted all sorts of lounge and play areas, a concept that came from the high-end tech industry. The new building was an apartment building Li Yun had recently acquired, but it was easy for Li Yun to convince some of the tenants on the lower floor to move into the newly renovated units on the upper floors.

In the App Development department, there were two dozen programmers and graphic designers. A few women were hired, but they were mostly older married women. Wu Ling was the only young female employee, so everyone treated her like a kid, including Bufu.

Wu Ling found it annoying that Bufu wasn’t even affected by that night as much as she was. She wondered if he was drunk as well, or he just didn’t care that she even kissed him. He acted as though nothing had happened.

“Zhang Mi, where have you been lately?” Wu Ling didn’t want to talk about Bufu, but was curious about Zhang Mi's whereabouts.

“I got an interview at Chang and Gong Associates,” An Zhang Mi replied as she set up her laptop on the cafeteria table and started working on her final report.

An Zhang Mi was still deciding on what direction to take after graduation. Her original plan was to look for a graduate program, but she was already being headhunted by some law firms. Unlike many other countries, law school graduate was not required to take the bar exam. Experience and connections were more valuable than education.

“Are you already going to interviews?” Zhu Ah Ning asked.

An Zhang Mi nodded. “I’m thinking of working in a law firm located nearby to gain experience.”

Everyone nodded. For the last semester, there were usually fewer classes, and most everyone focused on their thesis. It was the perfect time to start an internship, which often led to employment immediately after graduation.

“Where’s Song Meilin?” An Zhang Mi asked.

“She’s doing a live cooking demonstration,” Li Ching replied.

“Ooh, I heard she went to the filming of a cooking show?” asked An Zhang Mi asked. “Is it the same one that Li Yun is filming? They are going to be on TV?”

“Just Cousin Yun, but they don’t have a concrete air date yet,” Wu Ling.

“That's too bad, Song Meilin's channel is becoming pretty big, and getting on TV might get her more followers,” said Zhu Ah Ning. “Is she considering a sponsorship or even jumping over to other platforms?"

Zhu Ah Ning was looking at Wu Ling, but Wu Ling was still concentrating on the app.

“Seriously, are you listening?” asked Zhu Ah Ning.

“Oh? I am trying to chop down trees,” Wu Ling looked up from her phone where her character was smoothly chopping the oak tree with a sword. “Are you asking about Meilin? I’m not sure, she already has a TeeBee Live app, and could probably do both. As for sponsorship, I don't think she cares. It will affect the viewers' mentality if they know she has sponsorship.”

Zhu Ah Ning nodded. Some viewers hated the idea of sponsorship, but that was how some hosts made money. All the items Rouxi had received from different companies were given away to the viewers via a lottery. Zhu Ah Ning used to think it was part of Rouxi's strategy, but she had also been hearing rumors about Song Meilin's family. With her pedigree, she didn't need to make money. "I've been hearing some things about Song Meilin. Do you really think she's part of an elite circle in Imperial City?"

“I don’t know,” Wu Ling said as she hunched her shoulders up.

Rouxi rarely talked about her family. Wu Ling didn’t even know she was from Imperial City. She wasn't even aware that Ning Xuxu was her friend until after Rouxi started to daye Li Yun.

“I guess it’s something she doesn’t want people to know,” Zhu Ah Ning could understand. Everyone had private life they didn’t like to share. Zhu Ah Ning’s father used to deal with illegal arms and was on the run, but only Ju De and Li Yun were aware of it.

Wu Ling was really curious about Rouxi’s family since they had already met the parents. The next step after meeting the parents was naturally for the parents to meet each other. Both Li Yun and Rouxi had been quiet about the possibility. Wu Ling could ask them about it during Rouxi’s birthday party.

"Aren't we going to help Sister Xuxu with the surprise party?” Asked Li Ching.

“Don’t bother, the people in the apartment caught wind of it,” Wu Ling said, despite being the one who revealed it to her mother, who then revealed it to everyone else in the apartment. Rouxi’s birthday was only an excuse for a party. 

“Then I guess the party will be at your apartment?” asked An Zhang Mi.

Wu Ling nodded, “It's a horrible idea, the only space big enough for everyone is in the courtyard and it’s going to be too cold.” Wu Ling hated the cold.

“It’s only going to be 5 degrees, just wear a coat.”