Embarking on the Journey to Province A

Ever since Wu Ying left the company, she managed to lure away several employees and constantly flaunted the perks at Huanyu in group chats, leaving the staff at Longcan Company green with envy.

[Yingying Only Loves Liyu: First day at work, and there are two incredibly handsome security guards standing at the entrance.]

[Yingying Only Loves Liyu: (Photo)(Photo)]

[Qiaoqiao Loves Chocolate: ??? What!? You’re telling me these are security guards?]

[Mint: Does your company have beauty standards for security guards? My god, I probably wouldn’t even pass the interview for a security job at Huanyu.]

Zhou Yi specifically hired two strikingly handsome security guards as the "door gods" of Huanyu, stationed at the entrance to brighten everyone’s mornings.

Of course, a company can’t thrive on handsome faces alone. In addition, Zhou Yi also recruited two stunning women—a pair of twins, one sweet and the other cool—creating a feast for the eyes.

[Yingying Only Loves Liyu: That’s nothing. Check out our receptionists, an adorable pair of twins: (Photo)(Photo)]

[Prince Tattoo: ??? Is this not an entertainment company? Get promoted and hire me already. I can’t stand another day at Longcan.]

[Bro Fire Getting Rich: WeChat IDs? If you’re a real friend, get their contacts. I’ll treat you to dinner tomorrow.]

[Yingying Only Loves Liyu: Dream on. These are Huanyu’s beauties. If you want to meet them, submit a resume and join us.]

[Mr. Sen: It’s not that we don’t want to—it’s that we can’t! Do you know how many people applied this time? I couldn’t even get a spot!]

...

Watching Wu Ying’s daily life at Huanyu, they were practically seething with jealousy.

While they dragged themselves to work with dark circles under their eyes, Wu Ying casually mentioned she had just woken up—because Huanyu’s workday starts at 9 a.m.

While they suffered through overpriced, tasteless takeout for lunch, Wu Ying happily posted photos of her nutritious meals from a high-end cafeteria, followed by a dinner reimbursement slip for 50 yuan.

While they rushed back to work right after lunch, Wu Ying announced she had just woken up from a nap at 3 p.m.

While they sneaked off to the bathroom to slack, Wu Ying complained about having nothing to do but snack and enjoy free afternoon tea, complete with milk tea and cake thoughtfully ordered by the gorgeous executive assistant.

While they were still grinding away at overtime, Wu Ying was already off work, happily apartment hunting.

Why?

Because the company’s housing subsidy had increased to 2,000 yuan—no more leaky, run-down apartments for her.

That evening, Zhou Yi even sent a 3,000-yuan red packet in the employee group chat to welcome the new hires. Wu Ying snagged over 200 yuan.

Now, Wu Ying posted ten updates a day on her social media, and her former colleagues couldn’t help but seethe.

Combined with her status as a popular microblogger, her daily posts about life at Huanyu made the company’s perks undeniably real.

Envy turned eyes red, and dissatisfaction with their current workplaces grew.

Longcan’s resignation rate skyrocketed.

Even if they couldn’t land a job at Huanyu, they refused to stay at a company that demanded 996 work schedules.

This scenario played out across multiple companies.

Once someone joined Huanyu, they couldn’t resist showing off—and soon, their peers followed suit and quit.

Zhou Yi, like a butterfly flapping its wings, sent ripples through the industry. Companies enforcing 996 schedules saw fewer and fewer applicants.

Newer companies had no choice but to revise their policies—why would workers choose them otherwise? Without competitive benefits, why would anyone join a small, unremarkable firm?

While deeply entrenched corporate giants remained unmoved, Zhou Yi’s influence forced newer companies to rethink how to attract talent.

As for stubborn companies like Longcan, their solution was to smear Zhou Yi.

If Huanyu collapsed, the market would "return to normal."

Wang Can kept a close eye on Zhou Yi’s fan communities, ready to pounce on any opportunity to tarnish his reputation.

With his army of internet trolls, he refused to believe he couldn’t crush some upstart kid.

Competing in a math modeling contest? He refused to believe Zhou Yi could win.

Once the results were out, he’d unleash a wave of online hate, then plant saboteurs inside Huanyu to destabilize the company.

Wang Can’s fantasies were grand.

But reality was harsh.

On Saturday, Zhou Yi, representing Province S, set off for Province A with five teammates.

Originally a ten-person team, several members—unhappy that Zhou Yi, a student from a second-tier university (Huaihai University), was made captain—left to join Yang Hong, the provincial runner-up.

Thus, the team split in two: Yang Hong led Team One, Zhou Yi led Team Two.

Among the ten from Province S, Zhou Yi was the only one from a non-elite school, and the resentment was pure, unvarnished snobbery.

The remaining five chose to follow Zhou Yi willingly.

Team Two consisted of three guys and three girls, including Zhou Yi.

The girls couldn’t help stealing glances at Zhou Yi—he was just too good-looking.

Noticing their lingering stares, the team’s most outgoing member, Jiang Cong, teased,

"Your eyes are practically glued to the captain’s face. Might as well look openly."

Laughter broke the tension.

Jiang Cong suggested, "Let’s introduce ourselves. We’ll be together for days—no point being awkward."

As captain, Zhou Yi went first with a smile. "I’m Zhou Yi, from Huaihai University, majoring in Visual Communication."

"We know, we know! I saw you trending and kept telling my roommates how hot you were. Never thought I’d actually get to talk to you—feels like a dream."

"Seriously impressive—running your own company as a sophomore. Maybe I’ll get to work at Huanyu someday."

"Yeah, my sister begged me to ask if you’d give her an interview. Half her company is drooling over Huanyu’s benefits."

"They call you the ‘Workers’ Champion’ behind your back—hilarious."

Once Zhou Yi was brought up, the floodgates opened.

His reputation preceded him, and everyone was curious.

Zhou Yi answered their questions warmly before the others introduced themselves.

"I’m Jiang Cong, from Finance University, a junior. And no, it’s not the ‘scallion’ character—it’s ‘clever.’ I talk a lot and speak my mind, so call me out if I step out of line."

Jiang Cong wore glasses, had wavy light-brown hair, and a bright smile that matched his cheerful personality.

Next was a short-haired girl with a sharp, no-nonsense aura, reminiscent of Jiang Ruolan.

"I’m Lu Youyou—‘Youyou’ as in ‘the clouds drift lazily for eternity.’ Law major at Southern University, a senior. Your elder sister here."

"I’m Zhang Wei—‘Wei’ as in ‘mighty.’ I love fitness and travel."

Zhang Wei lived up to his name—he was robust and muscular, with a healthy tan that spoke of vitality.

"My name is Kong Xiaohe, like the word for 'river.' My hobby is cooking, so if there's a chance, I’d love to prepare meals for everyone."

Kong Xiaohe was the complete opposite of Zhang Wei. He was thin and frail, his smile carrying a fragile air. His skin had an unhealthy pallor, and even his lips lacked color.

Zhou Yi frowned slightly—this young man seemed to be in poor health.

"I’m Gong Zi, 'Gong' as in the character with 'dragon,' and 'Zi' meaning 'purple.' My nickname is 'Young Master,' and I’m into rock music. I can be a bit wild sometimes, so if I do anything crazy, don’t mind me, okay?"

Gong Zi was exactly as she described herself—a little unhinged.

She wore a black leather jacket paired with a plaid American-style miniskirt, an electric guitar slung over her back. If not for the public setting, she would’ve belted out a rock anthem on the spot.

"Oh, and I smoke—just so you know. Hit me up if you need a cigarette."

Her smoky eye makeup didn’t come off as tacky; instead, it gave her a cool, edgy vibe, like an American sweetheart rebel straight out of a movie.

When she spoke, her earrings caught the sunlight, scattering dazzling reflections.

The last girl to speak was the prettiest in the group.

"I’m Wang Yuyan, from the Foreign Languages Department at Huaihai University. You can call me Yanyan! Later, could I ask you all for a small favor? I’ll treat everyone to bubble tea when we get off!"