Zheng Zhixi looked at her with a meaningful smile. "Do you really not know, or are you pretending not to? Qiao Meng's background?"
Zeng Keqin's heart skipped a beat.
"What do you mean?"
"Her dad is a district mayor. Her mom is a partner at Dingsheng Law Firm. With a background like that, how can we compete? Otherwise, do you think with her level, she could get into Bai Run'er?"
Zeng Keqin's hand gripping the cup tightened slowly.
In a daze, she recalled Qiao Meng speaking up for her, Qiao Meng's sleeping face beside her that all-nighter, and Qiao Meng nearly jumping out of her chair when Zou Min announced the Blue Group's win.
"At first, I thought you were trying to get close to Zhao Mo to win his favor. Then I saw you buttering up Qiao Meng. So I badmouthed you to Zhao Mo to carve out a path for myself. Do you know how important connections are?"
"So you helped Zhao Mo by deleting the files, and then took the blame alone?"
"Yes. That way, he owes me one. I'm telling you this so you can see clearly. Don't be a fool helping others anymore. Even if our group lost, she'd still get the intern spot. Of course, you can also grasp this 'connection' like I did."
Zeng Keqin remembered Zou Min's words and clenched her fists. "I don't believe it."
Zheng Zhixi stood up, picked up his box, and said, "Then I'll give those words back to you: believe it or not."
He turned and walked away, his back less burdened than before.
Zeng Keqin took a sip of the now-cold coffee. It was so bitter she frowned. Then she pulled out her phone and stared for a long time at the avatar of a golden retriever holding a sunflower.
Suddenly, a message popped up at the top—
Jiang Shiyu: [Why aren't you replying?]
Zeng Keqin was startled, realizing he had sent a message half an hour ago.
Zeng Keqin: [Busy.]
Jiang Shiyu: [In a bad mood?]
He must have a lot of free time lately, always chatting her up.
She thought for a moment: [There was a problem with the case. Handling it.]
A minute later, he replied: [Need any help?]
Zeng Keqin: [You're a design major. What can you help with?]
Jiang Shiyu: [I can help you yell at someone. Who made you angry? I'll go yell at them.]
Zeng Keqin's lips curved slightly. The pressure that had been building inside seemed to crack open.
[No need. I can handle it myself.]
After sending it, she put her phone in her pocket and walked out of the coffee shop.
*
"Over this past month, all of you have performed exceptionally well—except for a few. Regardless of the outcome, this experience will greatly benefit your future careers."
Zou Min swept her gaze over everyone, then said solemnly, "Without further ado, I'll announce the results. After comprehensive evaluation, the two interns who passed are..."
Zeng Keqin sat in her chair, gripping her clothes, her eyes locked on Zou Min.
As if sensing it, Zou Min turned her head slightly, avoiding her gaze, and enunciated clearly: "Zhao Mo, Qiao Meng."
In that moment, the conference room became extremely quiet.
After a long pause, a clap broke the silence.
"Congratulations!"
Su Wanyi smiled and clapped, a look of no surprise on her face, as if she had long expected it.
"Yeah, congratulations!"
Zhou Yi also stepped forward to offer his congratulations.
Zhao Mo maintained his aloof demeanor, nodding slightly in acknowledgment, but his gaze lingered on Zeng Keqin for a second before quickly shifting away.
Qiao Meng, on the other hand, had her mouth wide open, eyes round with disbelief. She turned abruptly to look at Zeng Keqin.
Zeng Keqin sat quietly in her seat, her long lashes drooping, her hands tightly gripping her clothes, her face paler than usual.
She remembered what Zheng Zhixi had said at the coffee shop that day.
Suddenly, she understood his feelings—that deep sense of powerlessness.
She released her grip, smoothed her clothes, and stood up. "Congratulations."
Qiao Meng's eyes immediately reddened. "Xiaoke, this can't be. There must be a mistake. You worked so much harder than me, your documents were so good. I'll go ask Lawyer Zou..."
Zeng Keqin placed a hand on her shoulder. "Qiao Meng. The evaluation isn't just about how well you write documents. There are other comprehensive factors. The results show you're better than me."
Qiao Meng's eyes filled with tears, her voice trembling. "Are we still friends?"
Zeng Keqin forced a smile, said nothing, reached out, gently wiped the tears from her face, and walked out of Bai Run'er.
*
The setting sun poured down, bathing the entire CBD in an orange-red glow.
Zeng Keqin stood in front of the building, like the first time she came, looking up at the towering structure. The light reflected off the glass was so bright it made her eyes water.
Suddenly, the roar of a motorcycle engine came from behind.
"What are you spacing out for?"
Zeng Keqin turned around.
The sun was slowly setting behind him, its afterglow spilling over his red hair like a flame, burning so brightly it blurred her vision.
Her voice hoarse, she asked, "Why are you here?"
Jiang Shiyu directly tossed her the helmet. "Get on. I'm taking you somewhere."
Author's note: None.