"Chat?" Bai Ningning froze. "With who?"

"With you," Qin Yue replied succinctly.

Bai Ningning's eyes widened. "Me?"

*Wait, who the hell am I? Do I even deserve this?*

"Don't overthink it. Just a chat to spark inspiration," Qin Yue said calmly. "You're still young."

*Young?*

Instinctively, Bai Ningning's chest surged forward—as if she'd hit a 'chest-boost' button.

*Pop!*

The black button struck Qin Yue squarely on the forehead and clattered to the floor.

Qin Yue's face turned ashen.

Bai Ningning shrank back slightly and swallowed hard with a gulp.

*This is bad. My fault. Apologize sincerely.*

"I'm truly sorry."

And for once, her cherry-red lips sounded genuinely remorseful.

Qin Yue fixed her gaze on Bai Ningning's collar. After a few deep breaths, her expression softened.

"From now on, no buttons on your pajamas. Switch to pull-over styles."

Bai Ningning tilted her head for the third time that day. "But without buttons, the neckline gets tight—stretches the whole top like a balloon."

"Then wear sleeveless, collarless ones."

*Off-shoulder? Doable... but isn't that a little bold?*

"It's just sleepwear," Qin Yue cut in smoothly. "Worn only at home."

"Fine," Bai Ningning relented. "Your call."

*Anyway, she's paying. Free ride? Take what's offered.*

With the "safety hazard" neutralized—no more stray button attacks—Qin Yue's mood lifted.

The meal cart arrived. They ate while talking.

"Back to topic: don't read into it. This chat helps me gauge direction," Qin Yue said. "I'm casually testing an investment in youth trends."

Bai Ningning lifted her spoon. "So my job is just... chatting for inspiration?"

"Not just that. You're my assistant," Qin Yue stated matter-of-factly. "Relaying instructions is part of it."

*Oh. Messenger duty. Got it.*

Watching Bai Ningning's tiny nod, Qin Yue's lips curved faintly.

*Hmph. Turning the tables on that manipulative girl was this simple.*

*Not her skill—it was my love-struck, naive self back then.*

*Doctor Chen was right. The shadow left its mark. A near-permanent shift. Now that I've tasted this... I want it to last.*

*But 2.5 million won't leverage forever. And someone this pretty? Must be expensive.*

*Solution: make her owe more.*

"Though filed under company projects, this is my personal investment," Qin Yue continued smoothly. "All funds under my name."

*First step: frame it as my solo move. Lower her guard.*

Bai Ningning barely reacted—just a soft "Oh."

*Personal or company funds? Doesn't matter. I wouldn't get it anyway.*

*Just the messenger.*

"As your assistant, understand this," Qin Yue said leisurely. "During execution, disagreements will happen. Bosses give brief, vague instructions. You interpret. You decide."

Bai Ningning's delicate brows furrowed. "Really?"

"Yes. Relay with your judgment. Resolve team disputes yourself."

"This is too hard... Maybe find someone else?" Her face paled.

"Sounds scary, but it's manageable," Qin Yue reassured quickly. "This is a minor personal project—perfect practice. Prepares you for future company tasks."

A brief silence settled over the table.

Qin Yue stayed composed, subtly reinforcing: *unimportant project, low stakes, your call.*

Bai Ningning pondered. Never an office assistant before, she trusted Qin Yue's confident tone.

*Well... practice won't hurt. Adds a skill for future jobs.*

"Truly unimportant?" she double-checked. "Funds aren't huge?"

"Unimportant. Insignificant," Qin Yue crossed her arms, calm and collected. "Just a hobby project."

*Unimportant = to the company. Insignificant = to me.*

*Practice? More like "endurance training."*

"Alright, I get it," Bai Ningning said. "What direction?"

Qin Yue turned the question back. "What do *you* like?"

"?"

"Oh right—it's obvious," Qin Yue glanced toward the second-floor balcony. "Go that way."

A row of cosplay outfits hung there.

*Yeah... everyone says otaku culture prints money. Fine. At least I know the basics. Won't be totally in the dark.*

"What specific area?"

Qin Yue feigned thought. "Animation?"

"No way. Too costly, high risk," Bai Ningning objected instantly.

"A website?"

"Worse. Social-heavy. Market's saturated. Nearly impossible to break in."

*Unless it's... unconventional.*

Qin Yue swirled her spoon. "Few options left. Mobile game?"

"Low barrier, less competition..." Bai Ningning mused. "But—"

"Decided. Otaku-style mobile game," Qin Yue declared. "I'll assemble a team. Studio ready in a month."

Bai Ningning's eyelid twitched. "We just started discussing! Isn't this rushed? I don't even know this field..."

*Perfect. Chose it *because* you don't know. Or what if it actually profits?*

Aloud, Qin Yue smiled gently. "No worries. I believe in you."