Everything in her bag spilled onto the ground.
Mianmian lay there, sprawled on the street for almost thirty seconds without moving. A small crowd had already gathered around her, whispering among themselves, some even thinking she had fainted… or worse.
Slowly, Mianmian lifted her head. She quickly adjusted her hair to cover her face, making sure no one could see her clearly.
A few people stepped back in fear.
The way she moved made her look like a ghost.
Mianmian had never felt so embarrassed in her entire life. Without saying a word, she hurriedly packed her things back into her bag, her movements stiff with panic. Inside her head, she was already screaming.
Then, without looking at anyone, she dashed straight into the bus.
After paying with her student card, she noticed the stares immediately. Everyone on the bus, passengers and even the driver, was looking at her like she had just escaped from somewhere questionable.
And honestly… she didn't look any better.
Her shirt was stained, her hair messy, and the way she used her hair to cover her face only made her look more suspicious.
Trying to ignore the attention, she quietly walked to an empty seat by the window and sat down, but even then, she could still feel their eyes on her.
Mianmian wished the ground would just open up and swallow her whole.
She sighed and took out a handkerchief from her bag, gently trying to clean the stains on her shirt.
Thankfully, after ten long minutes, she finally reached her destination.
The moment she stepped into Starlight News Agency, murmurs immediately spread among the staff.
"Oh my God, she looks so unkempt…"
"She's in big trouble with Mr. Yao today."
"This girl is never organized."
Mianmian heard every single word clearly but chose to ignore them.
At this point, it wasn't even gossip anymore, if she could hear it this clearly, it was plain dislike.
She spotted Yuqi standing beside an office, pacing back and forth while biting her nail, her usual habit whenever she was panicking.
"Yuqi!"
Yuqi turned and gasped the moment she saw her.
"What the hell happened to you? And why are you this late again?" she asked, hitting Mianmian lightly on the arm.
Mianmian winced and held her arm.
"Is he inside?" she asked quietly, glancing toward the office.
"Yes, and he's really angry. Go in now."
"Follow me, please…"
"Oh, hell no."
Before Mianmian could react, Yuqi pushed her inside and quickly shut the door.
"I'm sorry, Mianmian!" she called from outside.
"Oh, damn you, Yuqi… you traitor…" Mianmian muttered under her breath as she turned around slowly.
"M… Mr. Yao…"
She stood there nervously, staring at the man seated comfortably behind his desk. Mr. Yao, a man in his forties and the director of the news agency, didn't even bother to look up at her at first.
"Mr. Yao?" she called again.
Finally, he raised his head.
"Mianmian, Mianmian, Mianmian… beautiful, but a fool."
Her expression fell instantly.
"Today is the opening of Star Pulse Entertainment, and you were supposed to be there by nine. But Miss Mianmian decided to do whatever she pleased because she's just an intern," he said coldly. "Don't test me, I can ruin your record with a single comment."
"I'm sorry, Mr. Yao. This will be the last time," she said quickly.
"Go to the event now," he continued, waving his hand impatiently. "And make sure you convince the CEO to grant an interview. If you can't, don't bother coming back. Now get out, you're giving me a headache."
Mianmian nodded slightly and walked out, closing the door behind her. She let out a long breath the moment she stepped out.
"So, how exactly are you going to convince the CEO M Yichen?" Yuqi asked immediately, clearly having been listening the whole time. "I heard he rarely grants interviews, and he's so scary."
"I don't even know," Mianmian sighed as they walked. "Aren't we just interns? Why are we doing jobs like this?"
"Mr. Yao hates you," Yuqi said with a shrug. "Ever since you rejected him, he's been making your life difficult."
"Who would agree to date someone like him?" Mianmian scoffed. "I'm only twenty, and he's already in his forties, almost fifty. And I have a boyfriend."
The thought of his pot belly made her cringe
"And why are you looking so unkempt?" Yuqi asked why Mianmian had a little stain on her crumpled shirt and her hair was like a bed nest
"Just had the worst morning ever in my life" Mianmian said and was about to gist Yuqi.
"What are my beautiful ladies discussing?"
A soft, cheerful voice interrupted them as a young, handsome man approached.
"Yuze!"
Both Yuqi and Mianmian waved at him.
The three of them were childhood best friends attending the same college, and now interns at the same news agency.
"Let me guess, Mr. Yao again?" Yuze said, already noticing Mianmian's troubled expression.
"Yeah… and I have to go now," Mianmian said before heading toward the exit.
"Good luck!" Yuqi called after her.
Yuze simply stood there, watching her leave, a faint sadness in his eyes.