"I know it's not your usual field," he said, "but we need more interdisciplinary pairs. You'll be paired with Ye Nuan for analysis and strategic frameworks. She's already completed the entry-level coding test and passed."
Of course she had.
Ruan Ji smiled faintly, but her eyes were devoid of emotion.
"Understood," she said.
That afternoon, a list was posted outside the department bulletin board. Ruan Ji's name was on it. Students buzzed with surprise. Some cheered, some doubted.
"Ruan Ji's joining?!"
"She doesn't even code, does she?"
"She's probably doing it for Ye Nuan. They were close once, right?"
Ruan Ji heard it all and said nothing.
Ye Nuan passed her later in the hallway, her smile gentle and eyes smug.
"I knew you'd come around," she whispered sweetly.
Ruan Ji didn't answer.
Because Ye Nuan thought she'd won.
