A Year Flies By

Chapter 24: A Year Flies By

In the following year and more, with Xu Kaiyang joining, Wang Yue's studio entered a fast lane. Not only did their workload surge, but everyone quickly mastered the differences in renovation materials. They were all suffering yet happy.

In the beginning, with so many newcomers, drawings required extensive and meticulous review. For some special cases, Wang Yue even had to research materials, and if he couldn't find the answers, he'd resort to special methods or even consult professors.

During this past year, Wang Yue often worked overtime until late at night, frequently sleeping in the office because it was too late to go home. He couldn't even be bothered to go to his apartment.

However, after one morning when he had no classes for the first two periods, Ruan Wan thought about unfinished work from the previous day. When she opened the door to his office, she saw the light on, and things began to change.

Ruan Wan peered through the window from a distance. Wang Yue was asleep inside. Looking at the scattered books by his hand, Ruan Wan suddenly realized that while everyone else had gone home to rest, Wang Yue was still working. She suspected Wang Yue had been like this all along.

After so much work, Ruan Wan always felt Wang Yue took care of them in terms of their jobs. With the salary Wang Yue paid, he could easily afford experienced hires.

Yet, Wang Yue never complained and always showed them immense patience. Ruan Wan was the type to remember even the smallest kindness.

Seeing Wang Yue sleeping today, she suddenly felt that this man, who always seemed so mysterious and powerful, was actually still a child.

Ruan Wan's maternal instincts kicked in, and she quietly entered Wang Yue's office, draped a blanket over him, and then left.

About half an hour later, Ruan Wan returned with breakfast.

From that day on, Ruan Wan often brought breakfast, and occasionally late-night snacks.

One Saturday, around ten in the morning, Wang Yue finished his morning routine in the apartment complex and happened to pass by the office. To his surprise, Ruan Wan was still there. He went in, helped Ruan Wan finish her work, and finally escorted her back to the dormitory.

It was that day Ruan Wan learned Wang Yue owned an apartment in the complex. She also asked him why he didn't cook for himself. She mentioned that Zheng Wei had complained about the school cafeteria using good ingredients to make the worst food.

Wang Yue thought for a moment, then gave her a key, telling them to cook whatever they wanted.

From that day on, there was always plenty of delicious food whenever they were in the office. Ruan Wan, who transformed into a little chef, became known for her culinary skills, which were as impressive as her beauty. Everyone envied Zhao Shiyong.

Similarly, during this past year, Wang Yue and Xiao Nan's Xiaonan Steamed Bun Shop had moved to a newly purchased larger location. Because Sister Xiao Nan's food was delicious and affordable, people often traveled from afar to buy their buns. However, Wang Yue had already stopped taking his share of the profits a year ago. Seeing his persistence, Sister Xiao Nan no longer insisted, only instructing Xiao Bei to work hard.

The original small storefront was turned into a milk tea shop by Wang Yue, named "2006." The business was incredibly popular. By now, the milk tea shop had opened branches near every university in the city.

Over this past year, everyone had grown significantly. Learning combined with practical application allowed them to understand things more deeply.

Their living standards had improved remarkably. Especially for the few people in Wang Yue's dorm, who were all quite thin except for Liu Lei, they now appeared slightly more robust.

Although Wang Yue's commission was at market rate, there were monthly bonuses, and everyone's wallets were bulging.

The ten-person studio, after a year of work, could now handle tasks with ease. During this year, they had witnessed Wang Yue's eccentric operations.

At one point, Xu Kaiyang introduced several older ladies from Wenzhou who needed renovations for several buildings, and the studio was overwhelmed.

So, Wang Yue flew to Jinling and had coffee with the Wenzhou ladies to discuss the matter. What they discussed specifically is unknown, but in the end, both parties were pleased.

Not long after Wang Yue returned, a property management company approached them for cooperation. Coincidentally, the owner of the company was one of the Wenzhou ladies. All the properties were handed over to the studio for design, with no rush.

One day, it was Ruan Wan's birthday. Everyone was celebrating when Ruan Wan's boyfriend suddenly arrived, giving her a surprise.

This, however, made Wang Yue a bit agitated. It was because he knew Zhao Shiyong.

It turned out that the day Wang Yue flew to Jinling, after discussing property management matters with the Wenzhou ladies in the coffee shop, he saw a young couple, arm in arm, entering the coffee shop as they were parting.

After some internal struggle, Wang Yue called a boss in Jinling and asked him to hire a private investigator to look into Zhao Shiyong and the girl.

After making the arrangements, Wang Yue returned to the venue. Unexpectedly, as soon as he sat down, Zheng Wei leaned over, "What bad thing were you up to? Seeing Ruan Wan's friend arrived, don't tell me you're jealous? I just saw you staring at Zhao Shiyong. Could it be you like men?"

"What kind of nonsensical things are going on in that little head of yours!" Wang Yue said, lightly tapping Zheng Wei's head in exasperation.

"Zhao Shiyong, I've seen him in Jinling!" Wang Yue, seeing her persistence, could only tell her the truth.

"Jinling? The time you fought several rich ladies by yourself?" Zheng Wei said dramatically.

"Why are you so crude! But yes, it was that day. Alright, hurry up, Ruan Wan is waiting for you to cut the cake!" Wang Yue felt he was being corrupted by Xu Kaiyang.

"I'll tell Ruan Wan you like her!" Zheng Wei made a face and ran off.

Wang Yue shook his head, feeling a headache coming on. Just as he was about to walk away, he heard Xu Kaiyang say, "Is what she said true? You like Ruan Wan now?"

"Ruan Wan is a mature woman, the kind you'd want to marry and bring home as a wife. As for Zheng Wei, she's like love itself, making you feel like this is what youth should be." After a year of interaction, the more Wang Yue understood Ruan Wan, the more he felt she was a good girl, the virtuous wife and good mother type.

Such a beautiful girl, on her first day of school, emphasized that she had a boyfriend, leaving herself no room for retreat and no opportunity for other men.

According to the rules of television dramas, a devoted woman will always meet a heartless man. Wang Yue hadn't interacted with them before and hadn't noticed much, but now encountering Zhao Shiyong, he was speechless. It still hadn't escaped the cliché.

From afar, he saw Zheng Wei saying something to Ruan Wan. Ruan Wan playfully hit Zheng Wei, and then secretly glanced at Wang Yue.

In that instant, Wang Yue's heart pounded violently, as if struck by electricity.

His scalp tingled at that moment.

In the real world, Wang Yue had never been in a relationship, living as a single man for 29 years. In this world, when he saw Zheng Wei upset, he felt heartache. When he saw Ruan Wan's expression, he felt a flutter in his heart.

Could this little monster, whose cage had just been opened, have the potential to be a player?

I am very pure!