008 Are you a masochist?_1

The behavior of Qiao Dongyang, not only was Zheng Xiyuan baffled, Chi Yue was too.

She didn't love to worry about things she couldn't control; despite going home filled with anger, she surprisingly had a good night's sleep.

Chi Yue had originally not planned to attend class the next day, but in order to squash the "nightmare" from the previous night, she got ready early and went to school with Wang Xueya.

The open casting for "Starwalker" was imminent, and the girls at the flight academy were all a bit restless. Those who had snagged an invitation were eager to try their luck, those who hadn't were offering high prices to buy them from others, and some had started preparing for the auditions early...

Chi Yue was one of the few who remained detached from the affair.

However, she hadn't expected that she still couldn't avoid getting involved.

——Zheng Xiyuan, the handsome Zheng, actually came to find her at school.

Not sure of his intentions, Zheng Xiyuan's appearance today suggested a hard time. Meeting Chi Yue, he pulled a long face, sported dark circles under his eyes, looked weary, and his clothes were wrinkled as if he had just come back from Ethiopia as a refugee.

Chi Yue was startled, "Were you robbed?"

Zheng Xiyuan came closer with a lackluster expression, "Yes, I was 'violated'."

Chi Yue: "..."

She gave him a sidelong glance, saying nothing.

Zheng Xiyuan met her gaze, "Guess what I'm here for?"

Chi Yue, "The joys of the rich, I wouldn't dare to guess recklessly."

Zheng Xiyuan sighed, a picture of frailty, "Today I've brought you a big business deal."

A business deal?

Chi Yue looked at him impassively.

Zheng Xiyuan: "Don't look at me like that. It's not ME who is buying, it's Qiao Dongyang."

Chi Yue was still upset about last night's affair; at this time, she really didn't want to have anything to do with that creep.

"My shop, you know, just place an order there."

"It won't do. He wants me to take you so that you can, cough! Explain in person…"

"..."

Chi Yue really didn't understand Qiao Dongyang.

He certainly wouldn't be short of women.

So what was he lacking?

A Mazzochist? (Masochist)

"Sorry," Chi Yue refused, "I have a class to attend."

Zheng Xiyuan saw her walking away and reached out to stop her, his face a plea, "Please, do me a favor. I'm already hurt... If he continues to torment me like this, I'll die."

Chi Yue: "..."

Having so much fun.

She sized up Zheng Xiyuan, guessing where his "injury" might be, goosebumps covering her body, "Don't buy such a thick one next time."

"..."

"..."

Ah! Zheng Xiyuan felt helpless with this woman who was immune to both hard and soft tactics, and he sighed deeply in defeat, "I'll tell you the truth. You're already in this mess even if you've avoided it until now. You can't get out of it."

Chi Yue raised an eyebrow and ignored him.

Zheng Xiyuan, suppressing his voice, "About that night, Qiao Dongyang thought the two of us were together. He believes we teamed up to humiliate him... Even if you don't cooperate, he'll find other ways to deal with you. This guy, he bears grudges, really bad-news…"

Chi Yue: "Then why don't you find another woman for him?"

Zheng Xiyuan was taken aback, noting her expression, as if he had just realized something, "My goodness! Shopkeeper Yue, have you misunderstood something? Do you think Qiao Dongyang is bringing you there... to do something?"

Chi Yue's expression was indifferent, "Whatever his purpose, I'm not interested."

"Hahaha!" Remembering how Chi Yue had angered Qiao Dongyang the night before, Zheng Xiyuan suddenly found something incredibly funny, his face crinkling with laughter, "You're overthinking it. Based on what I know about him... rest assured, you're very safe, he's not that interested in women."

"..."

Chi Yue frowned, not wanting to stand under the academic building and waste time with this playboy.

"Sorry! I'm not very interested in men either."

"No, no, no! Give your brother Zheng some face here, see, I came all the way to ask you myself." Zheng Xiyuan pointed in the direction of the parking lot, "Qiao Dongyang is hoping to get firsthand, authentic data from you."

Her online store had a large number of customers every day.

People from all walks of life, all kinds of transactions.

Chi Yue indeed had firsthand data relevant to that industry.

But she wasn't the only one.

Why would Qiao Dongyang, the owner of a tech company that deals with artificial intelligence and deep space exploration, be interested in the users of sexual health products, and especially insist on finding her?

Chi Yue loved money but valued her life even more.

That man was full of danger.

All she wanted was to stay far away from him.

...

Life went on as usual.

Chi Yue had bought a ticket for that evening's train, planning to visit her sister, but just as she arrived at the train station, her mother called to say her sister had already been discharged.

"That soon?" she was somewhat surprised.

"Yes," her mother sighed with relief, "The doctor said that the pesticide might have been a counterfeit product, with less toxic side effects..."

"..."

Chi Yue didn't know whether to laugh or cry.

Her mother sighed again, "Don't come back. Save the travel expense."

Chi Yue grunted in acknowledgment.

Mom: "You should sort out the land rent issue soon. I can hardly hold my head up in the village..."

...

When Chi Yue returned to her rented place, Wang Xueya was trying on clothes.

This girl loved beauty, and her large wardrobe was about to burst with her "equipment."

"Moonlight, come here, take a look, which set looks good?"

Chi Yue watched dispassionately, "They all look good."

Wang Xueya paused, putting down the clothes, "I can tell from your expression that you're lying. What's wrong?"

The two had been living together for several years and knew each other very well.

"Short on cash?"

Chi Yue turned her head: "That hits home, bro."

Wang Xueya pursed her lips, "Then let me help you..."

Chi Yue tugged at the corner of her mouth and forcibly seated her on the bed: "I'll figure it out."

Friendship requires maintaining an equal and balanced state. Over the years, Chi Yue and Wang Xueya, the rich second-generation lady, had lived together with clear accounts, never taking advantage of each other's daily living expenses, even though Wang Xueya wouldn't mind being taken advantage of.

Dignity, bottom line. She didn't want to break them carelessly.

"Go enter the competition," Wang Xueya once again persuaded, "If you're short on cash, why not?"

"...Do you seriously believe that the prize is one billion?"

"Why not believe it?!"

Influenced by her father, Wang Xueya was more persistent and interested in space exploration than many men, and would participate even without the prize money. But Chi Yue was different; she didn't want to waste a single minute of her life on pointless things. She knew she was reasonably attractive, but that definitely wasn't a reason for her to advance all the way through.

"How about this," Wang Xueya suddenly spoke up, "you become my personal assistant. I'll pay you a salary."

"..." Chi Yue glanced at her sideways, "What do you mean, Miss Wang?"

"This talent show, many people are going all out. I've heard that some have already hired specialized agents, assistants, and coaches... having a full package of personal image branding – clothing, etiquette, makeup, not missing a single thing..."

"Pfft!" Chi Yue burst into laughter.

"This is a space talent show, not a beauty pageant, and definitely not Qiao Dongyang picking a wife. Can you all wake up? Everyone's trying so hard to outshine each other, it feels like the ancient emperor's consort selection!"

Wang Xueya glared at her, "Don't talk about me! I'm just set on going to space."

"...I think you're crazy to want to go to space!"

"So do you agree or not?"

"You could find a more professional assistant to help you soar to great heights."

"No!" Wang Xueya clung to her arm, eyes sparkling, "In my heart, there's only you, you little devil."

"Heh, even if you called me a great devil, I still wouldn't do it."

Wang Xueya chuckled and gestured with her hand, "How about considering it for this much a month?"

Chi Yue shook her head.

Wang Xueya added another hand, "How about this much?"

"...Do I look like the kind of person who gets greedy at the sight of money?" Chi Yue grabbed her hand tightly and squeezed, "I am."