Unique flavor

On her way back, Qu Shiyao remembered that her snack stock was running low, so she decisively turned around and headed to a nearby large supermarket for a strategic resupply.

She has virtually no resistance to the dazzling array of snacks on the shelves. Her eyes scan them, and her hands move at will, tossing them into the shopping cart with a "whoosh."

Potato chips? I'll give you a few bags of different flavors!

Chocolate? I haven't tried this brand's new product before, I'll give it a try!

Jelly? A great way to replenish fluids!

Spicy snacks? A must-have for boosting your energy and mental clarity!

Soon, the bottom of the trolley was covered with colorful packaging bags.

The system beside her, however, transformed into a picky food critic, pointing fingers at Qu Shiyao's choices.

[This brand of potato chips is too oily and salty, unhealthy, don't take it... That chocolate filling looks greasy, it must be cloyingly sweet, no way... Ugh! That jelly! I checked the ingredient list, tons of additives! ...Host! That super sour lemon candy! It's said to be so sour it'll make your soul leave your body! Don't take it!]

Qu Shiyao lets things go in one ear and out the other, adhering to the principle of "you say your thing, I'll do mine," coexisting harmoniously and not interfering with each other.

Even when she heard the system emphasize that the bag of lemon candy was extremely sour, her eyes lit up, and she tossed two more bags into the car without hesitation: "Extremely sour? I have to try it!"

This behavior of ignoring advice and going against it angered the system so much that it frantically protested in its mind.

After counting her almost overflowing spoils, Qu Shiyao was satisfied and pushed her "week's worth of food" toward the cashier area.

As I reached the back of the line, the familiar scanning sound came from the cashier in front of me.

When it was her turn, she had just pushed the heavy cart forward when she heard a surprised voice: "Sister Shiyao?"

Qu Shiyao looked up, and sure enough, it was Yi Yu's voice.

He was wearing the supermarket's standard cashier uniform, and his hair was neatly styled.

Upon confirming that it was Qu Shiyao, her eyes instantly shone with a bright light that made people want to look at her more.

"Yi Yu? Is it a part-time job?" Qu Shiyao asked as she deftly carried a mountain of snacks onto the cashier's counter.

"Okay!" Yi Yu responded, her hands moving so fast it was like they were on double speed, the scanning gun beeping incessantly, incredibly efficient.

When he scanned the packets of those devilish sour lemon candies that the system had heavily disliked, he paused for a moment, picked up a packet, and examined the packaging carefully.

A handsome smile curved his lips: "Sister Shiyao, do you like this kind of sour candy?"

Qu Shiyao nodded: "Yes, I like this kind of thing that's really exciting."

Yi Yu skillfully packed all the snacks into an oversized shopping bag, her tone tinged with the joy of sharing:

"I've tried this kind, and it's really satisfying! I also know a few brands that make similar sour candies even better, with more layers of flavor and a stronger aftertaste! Sister Shiyao, do you want to try it?"

As he spoke, he deftly pulled out his phone.

"Any other brands? Please recommend some!" Qu Shiyao's eyes lit up instantly.

"I'll send you the links!" Yi Yu's smile deepened, and he quickly tapped a few times on the screen, sending several snack purchase links to Qu Shiyao's phone.

"Thanks!" Qu Shiyao said thank you after receiving the bag, picked up the heavy bag, waved goodbye, and left.

Watching Qu Shiyao's departing figure, Yi Yu took out the small notebook he always carried with him from his pocket.

He turned to the latest page and solemnly wrote: Sister Shiyao's candy preference: Devil's sourness strength.

After Qu Shiyao and Yi Yu finished communicating about the snack it so vehemently hated and successfully forwarded the link, the system fell into deep self-doubt.

It's one thing for the host to like this weird flavor that can make people sour they're deformed...

Why does that fish not only know this, but can also accurately recommend the upgraded version?! Are their human taste buds really constructed normally?!

[Host, sometimes I really don't understand. Is it that your human tastes are just too peculiar, or does this system's taste simulation algorithm need a complete overhaul?]

The system's tiny core is filled with enormous doubts.

"You mean that lemon candy? That's just a personal hobby of mine; I just like to challenge the limits of my taste buds."

Qu Shiyao explained it directly, so as not to mislead new hosts when this silly system takes on new ones in the future.

"That's good!" The system seemed to breathe a sigh of relief, as if a huge burden had been lifted off its shoulders.

[You startled me! I thought there was something wrong with the system's standards for appreciating food, but it turns out your palate is just... unique.]

Qu Shiyao paused, then fell silent.

Good grief, someone offers you a ladder, and you not only climb up it, but you also stand on it and criticize the person who offered you the ladder?

This guy's gotten too bold, hasn't he?

The next morning.

The lazy sunlight filtered through the gaps in the blinds, casting dappled shadows on the floor, and the air was filled with a relaxed feeling that the weekend was approaching.

"Bang!" The office door was suddenly pushed open, and Gao Huixin rushed in like a gust of wind, her face filled with uncontrollable joy, waving her arms and legs excitedly.

"Sisters! Huge good news! Incredibly good news!"

All eyes immediately focused on her.

Gao Huixin took a deep breath and shouted with the excitement of announcing the news of the century: "The people from Dingfeng are here! I just went to the restroom and heard the people in the president's office in the corridor saying that all the big shots in our company, such as President Si, President Xu, and a bunch of directors, went to the main entrance to greet them!"

"real?!"

Li Yue was the first to jump up, her eyes shining like searchlights. She excitedly turned around and grabbed Qu Shiyao's arm, "Great! Shiyao! It's done! It really is done!"

The others cheered instantly, and the office was filled with the joy of surviving a disaster.

Amidst the commotion, Qu Shiyao calmly gave them a smug look that said, "See? I told you so," concealing her accomplishment.

"Such a joyous occasion must be celebrated!" Chen Xu immediately seized the opportunity to propose.

"How about we get together after get off work this afternoon? Speaking of which, Shiyao has been here for so long, but we haven't had a proper meal together yet! Let's make it a welcome-newswoman and a celebration, a double celebration!"

"Yes, yes, yes! Shiyao, it's Friday today, the time is perfect, the place is ideal, we must get together!"

Shi Qingqing responded enthusiastically, looking intently at Qu Shiyao, "Are you free?"

Facing five pairs of expectant eyes, Qu Shiyao readily nodded: "No problem! We have to get together!"

It's the weekend anyway, perfect for relaxing.

"Yay!" Cheers erupted again.

Next came the exciting part: choosing a restaurant. Experienced foodie Chen Xu naturally took the lead.

"I know a newly opened hot pot restaurant! The ingredients are incredibly fresh! The broth is amazing! And the portions are huge! The plates are bigger than washbasins..."

With Chen Xu's vivid description and everyone's enthusiastic additions, the location for the dinner was happily decided.

The office was filled with a relaxed and pleasant atmosphere, which even improved work efficiency.

However, with less than half an hour left before clocking out, and everyone already eager to pack up, Meng Wan's figure reappeared at the door.

"Shiyao, Mr. Xu is looking for you."

Everyone looked at each other with slight surprise.

Weren't all the Dingfeng people welcomed in? The subsequent negotiations should have nothing to do with these junior assistants, so why are they contacting Shiyao again?

With a hint of doubt, Qu Shiyao stepped into Xu Lixuan's office again.

"Sit down." Xu Lixuan gestured to the sofa, then leaned back in his executive chair.

His face showed a hint of fatigue, but his gaze toward Qu Shiyao was more complicated than usual.

Qu Shiyao sat down as instructed, her posture upright, but in her mind she was frantically calling out to the system: "System, quick! Check the novel's plot that has already unfolded, what was the outcome of the Dingfeng negotiations? What is President Xu up to?"

The system quickly connected to the backend, checked the current plot, and then the data stream abruptly paused: [Host, we... might need to change maps.]

It then suddenly remembered a forgotten detail in the outline: for some reason, the female lead would be transferred from Xu Lixuan's position to become an assistant in the president's office!

[The negotiations went smoothly! We are about to officially enter the main storyline!] The system's electronic voice was slightly excited.

Qu Shiyao raised an eyebrow, knowing exactly what was going on: "Did the domineering CEO take me away from Xu Lixuan?"

Although it is a question, the tone is extremely certain.

The plot will inevitably move towards the main storyline.

"Shiyao..." Xu Lixuan cleared his throat, adopting the demeanor of a senior mentor caring for a junior, and began a long heart-to-heart talk about career development.

How have you been feeling since you joined CAQ? Have you adapted well? What's the team atmosphere like?

Qu Shiyao blinked and gave a standard professional smile: "Everyone is very nice and takes good care of me. The work atmosphere is also very positive and uplifting."

It's just polite talk; anyone can say that.

"Okay, that's good."

Xu Lixuan nodded, then changed the subject, beginning his art of painting a rosy picture: "So, do you have any deeper career plans for the future? Which direction do you want to develop in? The assistant position may seem basic, but it actually has great potential. The key is how to maximize your personal value... Look at me back then..."

What followed was a lengthy and earnest lecture about Xu Lixuan's personal struggles and the limitations of his assistant position.

Hearing this made Qu Shiyao's eyelids heavy, and the system in her consciousness directly activated the energy-saving hibernation mode, out of sight, out of mind.

Qu Shiyao could only force herself to stay awake, occasionally saying "uh-huh," "yes," or "you're right."

"So..." Xu Lixuan finally returned to the main topic, his tone carrying a deliberately heavy and regretful tone.

"You deserve a lot of credit for successfully inviting the Dingfeng team this time! President Si has also seen your ability and potential."

He paused deliberately, observing Qu Shiyao's reaction.

Seeing that she still looked confused, he continued, "President Si is currently in need of a capable assistant with ideas and courage like you. Of course, the opportunity is rare, but the choice is in your hands. Whether you stay with me to continue your development or go to a bigger platform to accept challenges, I personally fully respect your wishes."

Xu Lixuan's expression was very "sincere," and his eyes were filled with a firm light that said, "I'm doing this all for your own good."

If this were a newbie just starting out in the workplace, they might actually be fooled by this heartfelt respect.

But who is Qu Shiyao? With two years of experience as a corporate slave, she has long seen through the essence of her boss's rhetoric.

This isn't respecting her choice; it's clearly hoping she'll be sensible and willingly jump into the CEO's "tiger's den" to save him from being put in a difficult position!

Qu Shiyao felt nothing at all; she even felt a little like laughing.

Even if she refuses now, she will eventually be dragged into the plot to become the assistant on the 66th floor.

She showed a look of flattery mixed with hesitation, then, as if she had made up her mind, she nodded decisively: "Sure! If President Si needs me, I'll go!"

Since there's no way to avoid it anyway, I might as well just agree and save myself the trouble.

"Since you... ah?" Xu Lixuan's prepared long speech got stuck in his throat. He hadn't expected Qu Shiyao to agree so readily, which left him momentarily speechless, and all his prepared lines were wasted.

"Okay, then! Next Monday, you can go directly to the assistant's office on the 66th floor to report for duty! The HR department will handle the formalities."

"Okay, thank you, Mr. Xu." Qu Shiyao stood up, politely said goodbye, and turned to leave the office.

The moment the door closed, she seemed to hear Xu Lixuan breathe a sigh of relief.