“How many candidates remain after the final selection?”

Su Wei rubbed her temples with a slight frown, glancing at Qiao Yu—the newly appointed HR head and also Zhou Xi’s head maid. Per Zhou Xi’s words, Qiao Yu had personally handled all prior maid selections, so this task was “no problem” for her. Hearing that, Qiao Yu nearly burst into tears. *What the hell? Hiring IT elites isn’t the same as picking maids!* For maids, you look for long legs, a curvy figure, and willingness to work hard. Is that how you choose IT talent too?! Still, it was an order from the Imperial Princess. Swallowing her frustration, Qiao Yu bit the bullet. Heaven knew how much hair this poor girl had lost. Another two years, and she’d qualify for retirement.

“Chairwoman, thirty for software development, twelve for art design…”

“Never mind. You handle regular staff interviews yourself.”

“Me?” Qiao Yu pointed at herself, hesitant. “But I don’t know this field at all.”

“As long as resumes are genuine, just judge their character—whether they shirk duties or act dishonestly.”

“Oh.”

Faced with such a laid-back chairwoman, Qiao Yu felt torn. Glad for the trust… yet helpless. *I’m just a head maid!*

“What about product managers? How many qualified?”

“Hmm… Many applied, but only five seem suitable.”

“Five?”

Su Wei took the resumes. The first candidate: a middle-aged East Asian man. His prominent receding hairline screamed “classic IT elite.”

“He was an executive at a mid-sized internet firm. After its recent acquisition, he likely left due to dissatisfaction with the new terms. Industry feedback calls him honest, steady—a programmer by trade. Quiet reputation.”

“Mm.” Su Wei set it aside. Solid for deputy roles. But not leadership. The startup phase needed agility; excessive caution could stall progress or sink promising projects.

Second candidate: an Indian man—tall, lean, eyes sharper than the first.

“He’s an executive from an American internet company. Reviews are quite positive…”

“Indian? Pass.” Su Wei shook her head. “I prefer candidates from Huaxia or the Grand Zhou Federal Empire.”

Qiao Yu silently agreed. The Empire had its own political correctness—less extreme than the “white leftists” of Su Wei’s past life. Grand Zhou citizens trusted only fellow Empire nationals. But since their Chairwoman was Huaxia-born, hiring Huaxia talent was reasonable.

“What about programmers? Indians have strong reputations in IT.”

“Programmers—fine. Leadership? No.”

Indian coders were known for experience, diligence, and shameless ambition—a notorious combo in tech. Many top execs were Indian.

“Oh.” Qiao Yu nodded, filing it away. “Let’s see the third.”

Su Wei’s eyes lit up. Third candidate: a stunning woman. Huaxia native.

“Limited work history, but she graduated from Zhaoge Royal Academy. Professors and peers praise her highly. During school, she co-led multiple projects. Modest earnings overall, but her personal profit share totaled thirty million Zhou yuan. A prodigy. Even if not perfect for the role, we should recruit her.”

“Mm…” Su Wei closed the file. “Notify the four non-Indian candidates. Interviews at Sailboat Building in three days—I’ll preside. And ask Director Zhou if she’ll attend.”

“Director Zhou” was Zhou Xi’s insisted title. She required maids to address Su Wei as “Chairwoman” and herself as “Director Zhou” during work hours—to uphold corporate decorum. Su Wei found it quirky but complied. A company needed its formalities.

Office renovations were nearly done. Minimal changes: wallpaper, desks, greenery, a designer’s touch. Su Wei inspected twice—impressed by the speed. Money talked.

During break, Su Wei paused coding studies—not from arrogance. That negotiation revealed her gaps. Mastering development made a good coder; leading a company demanded far more. She devoured books on art, management, everything. Occasionally, she and Zhou Xi flew to Europe for opera or back to Huaxia for Kunqu. Life flowed peacefully.

Semester began quietly. Su Wei had self-studied most second-year material. Discrete Mathematics? She’d ace any exam blindfolded. Confidence wasn’t arrogance. Her past-life self was painfully slow; this life’s mind felt almost unnerving.

Books and notebook in hand, she settled in a corner to study. She attended lectures hoping for real-world insights or case extensions. But today, the professor stepped up—and scanned the room.

Discrete Mathematics was a mega-lecture: six classes, nearly three hundred students. Zhaoge Royal Academy never took attendance. Usually, Su Wei’s corner stayed undisturbed—save for rare busybodies. Not today.

The professor smiled, gaze sweeping the hall… then locking onto her.

“Young lady in the corner—are you Su Wei?”

“Eh?”

Su Wei froze. *First time in his class. How does he know my name? Why call me out?*

Puzzled but composed, she stood.

“Yes, Professor. I am Su Wei.”