novelraw Chapter 017 A Somewhat "Disdainful" Inspection
Chapter 017 A Somewhat "Disdainful" Inspection
weekend.
University of A's Student Entrepreneurship Incubation Park.
Despite being called an incubator, it was actually just a row of old warehouses converted into makeshift houses that the school allocated to student teams.
Red brick walls, cement floor.
Although the rent is waived, the environment is really not good.
Two o'clock in the afternoon.
The sunlight was blocked out by heavy industrial curtains.
The room was dimly lit, with only the cold light from a few monitors creating an eerie atmosphere.
An indescribable smell permeated the air.
It was a mixture of braised beef noodles and pickled cabbage noodles with the burnt smell of overheated electronic components.
"Cough cough..."
A violent cough broke the rhythm of the keyboard typing.
Wen Ning stood at the door, one hand tightly covering her nose, the other waving, trying to disperse the dust in front of her.
She wore a beige cashmere coat today, with a silk shirt underneath.
She was wearing those stilettos that weren't completely dry yet (no, she changed into a clean pair).
Standing in this workshop filled with cables, takeout boxes, and old motherboards is like a beautiful rose stuck in cow dung.
Out of place.
"Sister-in-law... Sister-in-law?"
Jia Pengxiu, who was eating the last bite of his instant noodles, was so startled that he almost choked.
He quickly hid the instant noodle cup under the table and hastily wiped his mouth.
"Why are you here?"
Zhang Annian quickly stood up and stuffed the smelly socks that were draped over the back of the chair into the drawer.
"Um... it's a bit messy, please don't mind, sister-in-law."
Jiang Ci sat at the innermost workstation.
He was wearing headphones and debugging a program when he heard a noise, so he took off his headphones and turned around.
Seeing Wen Ning's "I'm suffocating" expression, he raised an eyebrow.
"Didn't you insist on coming along?"
His voice was a little hoarse, carrying the languor of someone who had stayed up all night.
"I told you the environment here isn't good, and you wouldn't go back to your dorm."
Wen Ning really did shamelessly follow me over this weekend.
The system said this was a good opportunity to understand the male lead's career path and then take action against him.
[Task issued: Dislike the male lead's work environment!]
Show your spoiled and pampered side, and use harsh words to undermine his entrepreneurial confidence! Make him think you're a useless person who can only share the good times but not the bad!
Wen Ning glanced around.
This mission didn't need any acting at all.
She genuinely disliked it.
"Jiang Ci..."
Wen Ning pinched his nose, his voice muffled.
Is this a place fit for a human being?
"It's all ash! And what's that smell? Are you trying to start a business in a garbage dump?"
As she spoke, she pulled an expensive bottle of perfume from her bag.
It sprayed a few times into the air with a "sizzling" sound.
An attempt was made to overpower the flavor of the braised beef noodles with the scent of roses.
The boys in the studio looked at each other, their faces turning slightly red.
awkward.
That was really awkward.
"Well... it's not that exaggerated, is it?"
Jia Pengxiu defended himself in a low voice, "Starting a business involves hard work and perseverance..."
"Does working hard mean not taking a shower?"
Wen Ning interrupted him without hesitation.
She pointed to the mountain of cardboard boxes in the corner, and then to the wires scattered all over the floor.
"It's so messy, you'll trip and fall while walking!"
"And this air, it's making me allergic!"
"No, I can't stay here for even a minute longer!"
Jiang Ci looked at her flustered appearance.
His expression remained unchanged.
He knew the conditions here were indeed poor.
The resources that University A can provide are limited, so every penny of the initial funding for the startup must be spent wisely—namely, on servers and hardware.
As for the environment, it's fine as it is.
"If you can't stand it, go back."
Jiang Ci turned around, ready to continue working.
"I'll have the driver (actually, I'll call a car) take you."
"I'm not leaving!"
Wen Ning plopped down in the only relatively clean chair next to Jiang Ci.
The chair creaked and groaned.
It's hard and uncomfortable.
"Why should I leave?"
Wen Ning took out her phone and her fingers flew across the screen.
He was still muttering to himself, "How can anyone work in this kind of environment... it's practically slow suicide."
Jiang Ci thought she was complaining to her best friend.
I ignored her.
I put my headphones back on and immersed myself in the world of code.
Half an hour later.
There was a knock on the studio door.
"Hello, same-city express delivery!"
Jia Pengxiu went to open the door.
Then, he stood there dumbfounded at the door.
Four deliverymen in uniforms were standing at the door.
Everyone was carrying a huge box.
"Excuse me, which one of you is Ms. Wen?"
The deliveryman asked.
"Move in!"
Wen Ning gave the order.
"Put the long ones over there, and the round ones in the middle. And these green ones, put them on the windowsill, and put one in that corner too!"
Ten minutes later.
The studio has been completely renovated.
Two of the latest Dyson air purifiers are operating silently, and the PM2.5 levels on the display screens are dropping rapidly.
Pothos, snake plant, and money tree were placed on the windowsill, in the corner, and even next to the computer case.
The once lifeless space was instantly filled with a touch of life.
The most outrageous thing is...
On each of their worn-out office chairs, there was now a thick, high-tech-looking ergonomic cushion.
It's the kind with a lumbar support.
"What... what is this?"
Zhang Annian touched the expensive-looking cushion, his hands trembling.
"Dyson? This one must cost five or six thousand, right?"
"This seat cushion...is it made of the same material as Herman Miller's?"
All eyes were on Wen Ning.
Wen Ning sat next to Jiang Ci.
Holding a cup of hot milk tea that had just been ordered.
Faced with everyone's shock, she raised her chin and revealed an arrogant expression.
"What are you looking at?"
She snorted and pointed at the two air purifiers.
"This is for the sake of my nose!"
"The air here is terrible; it'll ruin my skin. I'm doing this for my own comfort, not for yours!"
She then pointed to the cushions.
"That chair is too hard; it makes my back hurt. Since we've already bought it, what's a few more of you?"
"Don't overthink it. I just thought this place was too run-down, so I decided to renovate it."
System: […Host, are you really trying to discourage him? It feels more like you're doing charity work to help the poor.]
Wen Ning: Shut up. I was just being sarcastic! I said it was for my own sake!
The studio was silent for a few seconds.
"Holy crap..."
Jia Pengxiu plopped down on the new cushion and let out a comfortable groan.
"This feels so good! My back is saved!"
"Sister-in-law! You're so kind! This is a real lifesaver!"
Zhang Annian was deeply moved: "Sister-in-law, you're so generous! From now on, you're our Limitless's dear sister-in-law!"
Wen Ning: "..."
Why is it different from the script?
Shouldn't you feel insulted?
Shouldn't we think, "This woman just wastes money"?
Jiang Ci took off her headphones.
He looked at the air purifier in operation, and the unpleasant smell of instant noodles in the air had indeed faded a lot, replaced by a faint minty fragrance (the aromatherapy Wen Ning bought).
Then I looked at those potted plants again.
The originally cold, industrial-style warehouse suddenly felt a bit more "human".
Finally, his gaze fell on the cushion on his chair.
Dark gray.
Very low-key.
But when he sat down, his lumbar spine, which had been aching from staying up all night for two consecutive days, did receive some relief.
"Wen Ning".
He called her name.
Wen Ning was drinking milk tea when she heard this and turned around warily: "What? You think I'm wasting money? Let me tell you, I..."
"Thanks."
Jiang Ci interrupted her.
He stretched out his hand.
He gently took her hand, which was resting on her knee, under the table.
He gently stroked the back of her hand with his fingertips.
"Do you have enough money?"
he asks.
"If it's not enough, I'll transfer it to you."
Wen Ning blushed.
That "drama queen" aura instantly deflated.
"That's enough...that's enough. I have money."
(Actually, I used my credit card; I'll be eating dirt again next month.)
Jiang Ci looked at her stubborn but soft-hearted appearance, and a deep smile flashed in his eyes.
He knew she was disgusted.
But he also knew.
Despite her initial disgust, she still stayed with him in that "pigsty".
He even paid out of his own pocket to try and make him more comfortable.
This clumsy "disdain".
It pleased him more than any sweet words.
"Now that the environment is better..."
Jiang Ci turned back to the screen, a hint of pleasure in his voice.
"Then let's get back to work. Let's try to get the beta version running tonight."
"Okay!"
With fresh air and new cushions, the team's morale soared instantly.
The sound of keyboard clicks rang out again.
It's lighter and more powerful than before.
Wen Ning shrank to the side, watching Jiang Ci work diligently.
I breathed a sigh of relief.
Fortunately.
They weren't kicked out.
And... this cushion is indeed quite comfortable.