The fake heiress loves to act? The max-level boss isn't interested in playing along.

Dean Lü paused for a moment, then changed his strategy.

His tone carried a deeper meaning: "Zhou Ming, don't be too stubborn. Young people should have a long-term vision."

What the hospital can offer you is a guarantee that others would beg for.

"As a young woman all alone, having a stable support system is much better than messing around outside."

Zhou Ming didn't reply, but simply bowed slightly.

He stood up to say goodbye: "Dean Lü, it's nothing else, I'll head back now and contact you later."

She stood up swiftly and decisively, without the slightest hesitation.

It's clear they're determined not to budge.

Upon seeing this, Dean Lü frowned.

He immediately called out to her, "Zhou Ming, wait a minute!"

Zhou Ming stopped and turned to look at him, his eyes calm, waiting for him to continue.

Dean Lü stood up, walked behind his desk, and opened the bottom drawer.

There were more than a dozen stacks of cash neatly stacked inside.

All the bills were brand new, in stacks of ten thousand yuan, gleaming faintly under the lamplight.

His eyes swept over the money as he made his calculations.

Zhou Ming was an orphan who suffered a lot from a young age. He had no parents and had never seen much money in his life.

Twenty thousand yuan is an astronomical figure for her.

That was enough to make her waver.

Dean Lü gritted his teeth, reached out and picked up two stacks of banknotes, walked over to Zhou Ming, and gently placed them on the table in front of her.

The banknotes fell onto the table with a slight, unusually jarring sound.

He put on the most sincere smile and spoke in a very low voice.

With a clear intention to win him over: "Zhou Ming, I know you borrowed money for your living expenses in college."

Growing up in an orphanage and getting into Tsinghua University was no easy feat, and he has suffered a lot of injustices over the years.

Here's 20,000 yuan. Take it; consider it a small living allowance from the hospital.

He paused, then counted the benefits on his fingers, each sentence striking a chord:

"If you're willing to stay in the institute, I'll make the decision and get you a permanent position, with the highest salary and benefits."

In addition, I've reserved a welfare apartment for you in the compound. It's in the staff quarters, with good natural light and a large area. Once you settle down, it'll give you a sense of belonging. What do you think?

Job, housing, benefits—all provided in one go.

This is the greatest convenience that Dean Lü can offer.

He also felt that an orphan would absolutely not be able to resist such temptations.

Zhou Ming's gaze fell on the two stacks of banknotes, his fingertips curling slightly.

She instantly remembered what Fu Hua had told her before.

To deal with orphans who are chronically short of money, they will definitely use a money offensive.

Fu Hua's guess was spot on.

Twenty thousand? They even guessed the amount perfectly.

Zhou Ming took a deep breath and followed the method Fu Hua had taught her.

He neither refused immediately nor accepted immediately, but remained silent for a few seconds.

Seeing this, Dean Lü was secretly pleased, feeling that the matter was almost certain.

Zhou Ming confirmed that the time was about right, and then nodded slightly.

Picking up the two stacks of banknotes on the table, my fingertips touched their thick texture, but my heart remained calm and clear.

She said softly, "Thank you, Dean Lü. I'll consider it."

After saying that, she picked up the canvas bag that was placed to the side, turned around and left the office.

Watching her departing figure, Dean Lü's smugness deepened.

He was certain in his heart: 20,000 yuan would be enough to keep this girl tied to Huaqing.

He had just turned around when the office door was gently pushed open.

Instructor Shi walked in slowly.

He was dressed in a well-fitting Zhongshan suit, wearing gold-rimmed glasses, and had a composed expression.

His gaze swept over the spot where Zhou Ming had stood, and a meaningful smile appeared on his lips.

"Dean Lü, you're quite generous."

Professor Shi walked to the sofa, sat down, picked up the tea on the table, took a sip, and spoke slowly.

Dean Lü quickly went over, smiled apologetically, and sat down.

His tone was respectful: "Professor Shi, you flatter me. We just wanted to keep Zhou Ming here to do things for us. She's young and capable, highly skilled in her profession, and an orphan, so she's easy to manage."

Professor Shi gently shook his head, his fingers lightly tapping the armrest of the sofa.

A calculating glint in his eyes: "Your trick only works on ordinary people."

For someone like Zhou Ming who's completely devoted to Fu Hua, 20,000 yuan might not really be enough to keep her.

Dean Lü was taken aback and quickly asked, "So, what does Instructor Shi mean?"

"It's just taking an extra step, providing an extra layer of protection."

Professor Shi's tone was firm, "She wants to consider it, right? Then let her 'consider' it properly. You secretly point her in the right direction, cutting off any other possibilities for her."

For example, graduation thesis, graduation certificate... I don't need to teach you these anymore, right?

Dean Lü seemed to be thinking about this and felt that it was not appropriate to do so.

Zhou Ming is so outstanding, he has no reason to do this.

Instructor Shi glanced at it, his fingertips lightly tapping the table. His eyes held a chilling insight into human nature, and his words were piercing: "People can never be completely subdued simply by offering bribes."

Only when she is driven to a dead end will she let go of all her obsessions and obediently bow her head.

"Once she has experienced the bitterness of being cornered, with no one to help her and nowhere to go, even survival will be difficult."

At that point, what we offer will no longer be temptation, but the only way to survive.

She had no choice but to rely on us; that's the real control.

"Understood, understood!"

Dean Lü readily agreed, his face full of obsequiousness.

"I will definitely cooperate, don't worry, I understand what you mean."

Zhou Ming soon heard it from his counselor.

My graduation thesis failed, and my graduation certificate is being withheld.

She knew in her heart that someone was deliberately trying to frame her.

He immediately went to confront Dean Lü and wanted to clarify the matter.

She rushed to the dean's office, wanting to ask questions and argue her points face-to-face.

But the people in the office said, "Dean Lü is out in a meeting and not at the school. We don't know when he'll be back."

She went two or three times, and each time she received the same answer:

The dean is busy, in meetings, going to the grassroots, and receiving guests, but she is nowhere to be seen.

The security guard and secretary seemed to have given prior notice, as they wouldn't even let her through the door.

Standing below the office building, Zhou Ming felt even more clear-headed:

The other party had no intention of seeing her at all; they just wanted to leave her hanging there.

She had nowhere to reason with and was left with no way out.

Zhou Ming didn't press the matter further and went to a phone booth to call Fu Hua.

She sounded a little anxious and briefly explained the situation.

Fu Hua remained remarkably calm after hearing this, and simply told her:

"I understand. Don't run around or argue with them. Just wait, Dean Lü will approve it for you soon."

After hanging up the phone, Fu Hua immediately called Lu Tingxiao.

"Senior brother, can you do me a favor?"

On Lu Tingxiao's end, his tone softened, tinged with indulgence: "Take your time, what's wrong?"

"Zhou Ming's graduation thesis and diploma were deliberately blocked by Dean Lü. She couldn't even see the dean and had nowhere to appeal."

Fu Hua spoke at a steady pace.

Lu Tingxiao: "What do you want me to do?"

"Senior, under the guise of introducing highly skilled and specialized talents, you should contact the school's higher authorities and put pressure on the school to make sure Dean Lü approves it directly."

Lu Tingxiao's eyes darkened slightly. Upon hearing that Zhou Ming had been harassed, a hint of coldness flashed in his eyes.

She immediately agreed softly, "Okay, I'll arrange it right away. Don't worry, there will be results within half an hour."