I was criticized on a dating reality show, but I retaliated and became an internet sensation.

Shu Zi pushed open the door.

Gu Yan sat behind his desk, with three monitors placed side by side in front of him.

One of them was still on the backend data page of the live streaming platform she had just finished, another was filled with densely packed public opinion monitoring charts, and the third was a heavily encrypted, dark document interface.

He wore a pair of thin-rimmed gold-rimmed glasses perched on his nose. The slender, neat frames fit his high, straight nose perfectly, and his fair skin made the gold rims appear even more striking.

The lenses reflected light slightly, perfectly concealing the emotions in his eyes. His jawline was taut and sharp, and his whole being exuded a cold and restrained aura that kept strangers at bay, giving him a strong sense of abstinence.

Shu Zi unconsciously swallowed.

Hearing her come in, Gu Yan looked up, typed the last few commands on the keyboard, then took off his glasses and pinched the bridge of his nose.

"The live stream data is very good, and public opinion has completely reversed." He spoke first, his tone revealing no emotion.

"The legal departments of Gu's and Shu's companies have intervened in several of the most aggressive marketing accounts. The evidence chain is complete, and they will receive the legal sanctions they deserve."

"All related false entries and malicious discussions will be cleaned up within half an hour."

His tone of voice, as he reported his work, made Shuzi relax a little, but also made her feel more awkward.

He seemed to be only "keeping an eye on her live stream" and handling the aftermath, without mentioning anything else.

"Oh... thank you." Shu Zi thanked her dryly, her fingers unconsciously twisting together behind her back.

Gu Yan looked at her, his gaze sweeping over her slightly reddened earlobes and her slightly stiff posture. He didn't say anything, but simply stood up, walked to the mini water bar next to him, filled two glasses of water, and handed one of them to her.

"Nervous?" he suddenly asked, his voice lower than before.

"Huh? No!"

Shu Zi immediately denied it, taking the water glass and using the act of drinking to cover up her nervousness, saying, "Why should I be nervous? Those who spread rumors should be nervous!"

Gu Yan didn't reply, but just looked at her quietly, the corners of his lips curving up almost imperceptibly before quickly returning to normal.

He walked back to his desk, but did not sit down. Instead, he leaned against the edge of the desk, his gaze calmly fixed on her face.

"That……"

He paused, his tone calm, but his gaze was fixed intently on her, making it impossible for Shu Zi to look away. "What have you thought about what happened last night?"

coming.

Shu Zi's heart tightened, and her hand unconsciously gripped the water glass tighter.

The cool glass couldn't cool down the rising temperature on my cheeks.

She lowered her eyes, staring at the shimmering water in the glass, her mind racing as she tried to recite her prepared speech fluently.

"I...I've thought about it."

She spoke, her voice a little strained, but she tried to remain calm:

"Gu Yan, we've known each other for so long that many things have become habits—your kindness, your care, your presence... I've gotten used to it all."

"So, suddenly having to redefine this habit... I need time to adapt, and I also need... confirmation."

She raised her eyes, glanced at him quickly, then lowered them again, her speech unconsciously quickening:

"So I think that before our relationship changes, there should be a period of observation and understanding between us."

"It's not a rejection, nor is it a delay, it's just... a buffer, um... a trial period."

The last three words were spoken so softly they were like the whisper of a mosquito. After saying them, she immediately picked up her water glass and took a big gulp. The icy drink sent a shiver down her spine, but she dared not show any sign of discomfort.

The study fell silent, with only the faint background sounds of the city outside the window.

A few seconds later, or perhaps only a second, she seemed to hear Gu Yan chuckle softly.

The laughter was short and soft, almost inaudible, yet it sent a shiver down Shu Zi's spine.

Then he spoke, his voice still steady, even carrying a barely perceptible, almost indulgent gentleness:

"it is good."

Shu Zi suddenly raised her head and met his deep eyes.

There was no displeasure, no surprise, only a profound stillness, where everything was hidden, except for a hint of something she couldn't understand.

He just... agreed? So readily? No questions? No objections?

"you……"

Shu Zi was a little confused; the examiner's rules and assessment standards she had prepared suddenly got stuck in her throat.

"Isn't there a probationary period?"

Gu Yan raised an eyebrow slightly, his voice trailing off with a hint of lazy laughter, "I accept."

He paused, stood up, took a small step forward, and closed the distance between them.

Shu Zi subconsciously took half a step back, her back touching the bookshelf.

Gu Yan stopped, his gaze lingering on her slightly widened eyes for a moment, then slowly moved down, past her lightly pursed lips, and finally looked back into her eyes.

He lowered his voice, staring intently at her, his tone unusually serious, "However, Nuonuo."

The familiar nickname, devoid of last night's aggressiveness, carried a weighty significance, leaving her no way to escape, no escape at all.

"Since it's a probationary period, shouldn't I, as the one being tested, also have the right to know...?"

He leaned slightly forward, his breath brushing against her bangs, his voice so low that only she could hear it:

"...What are the examiners' scoring criteria?"

Shu Zi's breath hitched, and she froze on the spot.

Those eyes were watching intently, their heat radiating outwards, making her cheeks tingle and her mind go blank.

Grading criteria? What grading criteria does she have?! Fang Ran hasn't even taught us to that point yet!!!

"I...I..."

She opened her mouth, but her mind went blank; the eloquence she displayed during the live broadcast had vanished without a trace.

Seeing her flustered and helpless state, her forced composure riddled with flaws, Gu Yan's faint smile seemed to deepen.

He didn't approach any closer, but slowly straightened up, creating some distance and giving her some breathing space.

"No rush."

His tone returned to normal, even carrying a hint of lighthearted teasing, "Teacher Fang... wasn't the 'face-to-face lesson' just tonight?"

"Nuonuo, you can take your time to think it over and carefully formulate your...KPIs."

Shu Zi: "..."

???????

(งᵒ̌ᵒ̌)ง⁼³₌₃

He heard it! He heard it!!

He must have overheard her conversation with Fang Ran on the phone last night!!!

No, is the soundproofing in this room just for show?!

She's going to file a complaint!!!

She's going to take this to the central government!

Shu Zi's face flushed bright red instantly, and she wished she could disappear into the ground.