Fu Nanzhi's voice suddenly rang out behind Shen Yi, startling him so much that his hand trembled.
Fortunately, though startled, Shen Yi remained composed. With his back still turned to her, he carefully put the notebook back in its place before slowly turning around.
Fu Nanzhi relaxed when she saw the familiar black glasses as he turned around.
"Shen Yi? Do you need something?"
As she spoke, she peered through the gap between Shen Yi's arms at her desk.
As if suddenly remembering something, her heart jumped, and she hurriedly rushed toward her seat.
As she moved, she wobbled slightly, the buttons on her chest threatening to burst, drawing attention.
Shen Yi coughed once and said in a casual tone:
"Marketing just sent over some promotional copy for a new product. They want you to review the descriptions."
At this moment, Fu Nanzhi wasn't listening at all. She took a few steps around him to reach her desk.
One glance confirmed her worst fear - her little notebook was lying open on the desk.
Fu Nanzhi's face instantly turned crimson, her beautiful features resembling a ripe peach.
She shot Shen Yi an annoyed glare before quickly closing the notebook and hastily stuffing it into her drawer.
Shen Yi was captivated by the charm in that glance. Though he knew she had caught him, he still tried to defend himself:
"I didn't mean to - it was already open when I came."
Fu Nanzhi's mind was in chaos, unsure if Shen Yi had seen the contents at the back. Seeing him still talking, she exclaimed in embarrassment:
"Stop talking!"
Shen Yi quickly gave an awkward smile and mumbled, "Well, look it over, and I'll come back for it later."
Then he practically fled from the room.
After Shen Yi left, Fu Nanzhi collapsed into her chair with a sigh, her hands wringing her skirt hem until it was twisted like a rope.
This was unimaginable for someone who usually took such pride in her appearance.
Her face blindness was their unspoken secret, but she didn't know if he had discovered her written complaints about Shen Yi in the back.
There was no use wondering now; she could only pretend not to know.
After taking some time to compose herself, Fu Nanzhi reopened the drawer and took out her personal notebook.
Opening it, she picked up her pen and wrote on a new line,
"Shen Yi, you annoying pest."
[Fu Nanzhi wasn't really angry with you; she returned to normal soon after.]
[You both maintained purely professional contact, and she didn't show you any special treatment on the surface.]
[But you knew everything had changed.]
[At work, you collaborated seamlessly; privately, you shared an unspoken understanding.]
[With your help, Fu Nanzhi gradually integrated into the department.]
[She could comfortably greet everyone and occasionally join in on gossip and conversations.]
[Though still maintaining high work standards, she had learned to express herself diplomatically and compromise appropriately.]
[No one detected her face blindness except you; she appeared perfect.]
[You often shared knowing smiles.]
[Everything seemed to be developing positively.]
[Six months later, on an ordinary Friday morning, you headed to work as usual.]
[Upon arriving at the company, the group announced devastating news.]
[It stated: Legal Department Consultant Fu Nanzhi tragically drowned last night. We deeply mourn her loss.]
[You were stunned.]
"Simulation complete!"
"System calculating..."
...
[Overall Rating: B+]
[Rewards: Strategy Point *1, Strength *1.]
[Your strategy experience has increased.]
[System Comment: You never know whether tomorrow or misfortune will arrive first.]
[You have achieved a B grade or above rating.]
[You can now spend 1 Strategy Point to enter at any time point in the previous simulation.]
"What?!"
Shen Yi, who had just been immersed in pleasant emotions, was suddenly awakened by this devastating news, sitting bolt upright in bed.
The strength attribute granted by the system coursed through his body, filling his limbs with boundless energy, his arms visibly developing some definition.
But Shen Yi had no mind to care about these things now, his thoughts still echoing with the news of Fu Nanzhi's drowning.
'How could this happen out of nowhere?'
Everything had been progressing smoothly, only to come to an abrupt halt, leaving him with a sense of absurdity.
Many people's first child when entering society is themselves.
In the last simulation, Fu Nanzhi had developed depression, and this time Shen Yi had painstakingly helped her with targeted solutions, but now a new problem had emerged.
Shen Yi couldn't make sense of it. After spending so much time together, he had truly come to value Fu Nanzhi.
"Did my presence create variables that led to the accident, or was it a premeditated suicide?"
Shen Yi couldn't help but blame himself.
No, there's still a chance! Shen Yi looked at the system's final line of calculation.
He could use 1 Strategy Point to go back to the moment before the accident - he still had a chance to save her.
Although knowing it was virtual, Shen Yi had been drawn to Fu Nanzhi's personality. She had worked so hard to integrate and had changed many of her previous shortcomings.
How could anyone not like such a person, Shen Yi thought as his gaze grew determined.
With the 1 point just rewarded by the system, he now had 3 Strategy Points - there was still time.
According to the group announcement, Fu Nanzhi's death occurred on Thursday night. Shen Yi wanted to enter that day to prevent it and understand what had actually happened.
[Do you want to spend 1 Strategy Point to enter the current time point?]
[Yes.]
[On an ordinary Thursday night, you're working overtime at your desk, realizing you just need to wrap up to finish.]
[Looking around, you see few others still working overtime; most people have left.]
[You're hungry but decide to prioritize finishing your work.]
[A new spicy hot pot place just opened near your apartment building - maybe you could try it, you think.]
Shen Yi watched the simulator's text refresh, feeling desperate but unable to intervene.
Without choice options appearing in the text simulation, he couldn't create branch choices and could only watch helplessly as his simulated self worked.
'Wait, intervene?'
Shen Yi suddenly remembered the prompt from when he first started the simulation and quickly spent another Strategy Point.
[Do you want to spend a Strategy Point for one hour of free action?]
"Whoosh"
With a thought, Shen Yi's perspective projected into the scene.
The working Shen Yi suddenly stopped and stood up abruptly.
The dramatic movement drew attention from the remaining few people, who all looked over curiously.
Shen Yi left his workstation, ignoring those around him, and walked quickly to Li Weinan:
"Weinan, let me borrow your car, it's urgent."
Li Weinan looked up at these words, hesitated briefly, but took out his keys and handed them over,
"Well, hurry back, I'm about to finish and head home."
"Thanks, got it."
With lives at stake, Shen Yi had no time to explain more. He grabbed the keys and rushed downstairs.
While waiting for the elevator, Shen Yi calmed himself and called Fu Nanzhi.
"Ring... Ring..."
The long wait made Shen Yi's heart sink gradually - was he too late?
Finally, just as Shen Yi was about to give up, the call connected.
"Hello? Shen Yi, what's the matter so late?"
Fu Nanzhi's clear voice came through the phone, finally allowing Shen Yi to breathe a sigh of relief before urgently asking:
"Where are you right now?"
"Me? I'm at home."
Fu Nanzhi's response came through, this unexpected answer stopping Shen Yi just as he was about to warn her to stay away from water.
Before he could speak, he heard the faint sound of running water through the receiver.