Depression

After flushing the toilet, Shen Yi returned to his workstation.

It seemed that pursuing Fu Nanzhi couldn't be too obvious.

With her outstanding appearance, she undoubtedly had no shortage of suitors, yet at 27, she had no dating experience.

If it were that easy to win her over, it wouldn't have taken until now.

Thinking this, Shen Yi felt relieved and continued to activate the simulator, using up his last simulation chance for the day.

[Simulation Start!]

[Although you're an ordinary office worker, you're living your third life, and you still haven't forgotten your goal.]

[...]

[Faced with Fu Nanzhi's inquiry, you choose...]

The previous options hadn't changed much, so Shen Yi chose to quickly scan through and skip them.

Last time he died choosing option B, so this time he decided to take a more subtle approach.

[You decide to hide your feelings and gradually approach her through work-related interactions.]

[After making up your mind, you casually fabricated a small contract dispute to consult her about, which came naturally to you since you frequently deal with client contracts.]

[Fu Nanzhi didn't suspect anything and responded to your consultation in detail, explaining the relevant clauses thoroughly and clearly.]

[Her conscientious attitude moved you, making you like her even more.]

[After briefly thanking her, you left without lingering.]

[In the following days, you frequently sought out Fu Nanzhi under the pretense of consultations. Since you concealed your intentions well and maintained a strictly professional attitude, your relationship remained stable.]

[Gradually, you and Fu Nanzhi became familiar with each other. Although she still couldn't remember your face, she could accurately recognize your voice.]

[Unfortunately, your frequent visits to the 11th floor for consultations attracted attention.]

[Fu Nanzhi began to sense something from people's gossip and your endless questions.]

[However, your attitude was always impeccable, making it impossible for Fu Nanzhi to directly address the matter.]

[Fu Nanzhi decided to find a way to discourage you.]

[When you came for another consultation, instead of answering immediately, she presented you with a long reading list.]

[She pointed to the list, saying everything you wanted to know could be found in these books.]

[As you reached out to take it, Fu Nanzhi pressed her slender finger on the paper.]

[Fu Nanzhi looked into your eyes and asked seriously, "Are you really here to consult about legal issues?"]

[Your response is...]

A. Take the reading list calmly, saying you'll study it carefully

B. "I'm done pretending, I'll be honest - I like you"

C. Maintain composure and tell her you're just here for consultation

D. Act freely

The direct confession approach was immediately ruled out. Despite seeming close to Fu Nanzhi in the simulation, Shen Yi was certain it would be disastrous to choose that option.

After consideration, Shen Yi decided to go with option A.

As for why he didn't choose C, Shen Yi felt that since Fu Nanzhi was trying to discourage him, being too persistent might ruin the carefully maintained situation.

[You didn't directly answer Fu Nanzhi's question, instead gently pulling the reading list from under her hand.]

[You acted as if you hadn't noticed her test, calmly telling Fu Nanzhi you would study it thoroughly.]

[Fu Nanzhi was caught off guard by your unexpected response.]

[She didn't even notice you had taken the reading list from her hand.]

[You left.]

[In the days that followed, you stopped visiting the 11th floor and instead bought many law books according to Fu Nanzhi's reading list and began self-study.]

[You simply believed that to pursue someone, you must first ensure your own excellence.]

[If you bloom, butterflies will come naturally.]

[You absorbed knowledge like a sponge, even purchasing online courses to study at home.]

[The complete immersion brought back your student days' feeling, making you quite comfortable.]

[After some time, your theoretical knowledge became comprehensive.]

[You took over all legal communications between the Advertising Department and Legal Department, impressing your team leader with your transformation.]

[Your contract drafting for clients was both quick and excellent, earning praise from the Legal Department colleagues who reviewed them, saying you saved them considerable work.]

[Fu Nanzhi heard about your changes and showed great surprise and pride, happy about your transformation.]

[Due to your outstanding performance, you were transferred to the Legal Department.]

[Standing before Fu Nanzhi again, you exuded confidence.]

[Fu Nanzhi looked somewhat tired but still congratulated you.]

[You smiled modestly, saying it was all thanks to her guidance that led you down this path, and you were the one who should be thankful.]

[With work as an excuse, your interactions increased.]

[Although still superficial, you believed persistence would eventually bring change.]

[Fu Nanzhi's perfectionist nature had offended many people, as she never easily compromised.]

[She was not only strict with herself but often corrected others' mistakes.]

[She always strived for perfection in work, leading many to gossip behind her back about her having OCD.]

[You could barely keep up with her pace.]

[Fortunately, as she was just one of several legal consultants in the company, people rarely approached her to avoid trouble, leaving you as the only one regularly working with her.]

[But work was just work, and your personal relationship showed virtually no progress.]

[She was so devoted to work and indifferent to pleasure that you couldn't even find an excuse to invite her to dinner.]

[She always appeared impeccably dressed, with perfect attire and hairstyle no matter when you saw her.]

[As time passed, even your patience began to wear thin, and you started doubting yourself.]

[Seeing no improvement, you shifted your focus to the bar exam, wanting to fight for your future.]

[During your serious preparation, you gradually reduced your visits to Fu Nanzhi.]

[Working while preparing for the exam consumed all your energy.]

[Three years later, you passed the bar exam.]

[With no one to share your joy, you suddenly thought of Fu Nanzhi. If not for her guidance, you wouldn't have taken this path, and you wanted to thank her.]

[Standing at her door, you knocked after a long absence.]

[Upon entering, you found an unfamiliar male consultant instead, confused and thinking you'd entered the wrong room.]

[After inquiring, you learned Fu Nanzhi hadn't been coming in for some time.]

[You closed the door disappointedly.]

[Later, after much investigation, you discovered she had developed depression and was recovering at home.]

[Shocked by the news, you decided to visit her.]

[She refused to see you.]

"Simulation End!"

"System calculating..."

......

[Overall Rating: C+]

[Reward: Strategy Points *1, you gained extensive legal knowledge.]

[Your strategy experience has increased, now you can level up in your panel.]

[System Comment: Your intense focus on studying made you overlook hidden details. While you worked well together professionally, your personal relationship remained stagnant, but at least you made a good start.]

[Would you like to review the scene?]