Xu Zhao's fingers tightened slightly, and her voice grew ever more earnest. By the end, it was trembling faintly, as though she were proclaiming an undying loyalty to the entire world.
"Oh, I'm not as great as you make me out to be." Chen Li awkwardly withdrew his hand from Xu Zhao's grasp as he spoke.
"Seeing you happy makes me happy too." The corners of Xu Zhao's lips lifted slightly, revealing a gentle smile.
But inside, Xu Zhao was already crying rivers.
It was over. Not only had her dream of a raise gone up in smoke, but she had personally talked herself out of even the most basic employee benefits! Damn Aha! What happened to, "Trust me on this one—I'll definitely help raise your worth"?!
I believe you? My ass!
It was precisely because of Aha's coaxing and persuasion that Xu Zhao had worked up the courage to ask for even a little compensation.
"Come to think of it, I was originally planning to give you five thousand Starstones as payment." Chen Li suddenly sighed, his tone full of regret.
Xu Zhao felt as if someone had viciously stabbed her through the heart and ripped away half her soul along with it.
Five thousand... Starstones!
"Th-those Starstones, Miraculous Forger, you should keep them for yourself. It may not be much to you... but if I can help you even a little, that alone will make me very happy." Xu Zhao gritted her back teeth, forcing her lips to maintain that stiff, gentle smile.
Xu Zhao's long hair fell over her shoulders. Her smile remained impeccably composed, and even the moisture in her eyes was controlled to just the right degree.
"I never expected... you to admire me so much." Seeing Xu Zhao's moved expression, Chen Li's voice actually