69、第 69 章

    沈烟一morningwokeuptothesoundofheralarmclockblaringinherear.Shegroggilyreachedovertoturnitoff,stretchingherarmsaboveherheadandyawningwidely.Afterafewminutesofslowgettingready,shefinallymadeitoutthedoor,tossingonthefirstoutfitthatcaughthereye.

    Shetookadeepbreathasshesteppedoutintothebrightmorninglight,feelingasenseofdreadwashoverher.Anotherday,anotherdollar,anotherstepclosertoretirement.

    Asshewalkedtowork,ShenSmokecouldn‘thelpbutthinkabouthowfarshehae.Frombeingastrugglingstudenttolandingajobatoneofthebiggespaniesintown,itwasallsosurreal.

    Whenshearrivedattheofficebuilding,ShenSmoketooktheelevatoruptothe23rdfloor,wherethereceptionistgreetedherwithawarmsmile.“Goodmorning,ShenSmoke!Haveagreatday!“

    ShenSmokesmiledback,feelingasenseofortinthisfamiliarroutine.Sheknewexactlywhattoexpectfromthisplace,andshewasgratefulforthat.

    Asshemadeherwaytoherdesk,ShenSmokenoticedayoungwomansittingacrossfromher,typingawayonheputer.Thewomanlookedup,catchingShenSmoke‘seye,andsmiled.

    “Hi,I‘mLiZhi,“thewomansaid,extendingherhand.“I‘mthenewinternhere.“

    ShenSmokeshookherhand,feelingasenseofcuriositywashoverher.Shehadnevermetaninternbefore,letaloneonewhowasso...cheerful.

    “So,whatbringsyoutoourhumbleoffice?“ShenSmokeasked,tryingtosoundnonchalant.

    LiZhilaughed.“I‘mheretolearnandgrow,ofcourse!I‘vealwaysbeenfascinatedbytheworldofbusiness,andIfigurethisistheperfectplacetostart.“

    ShenSmokeraisedaneyebrow,impresseddespiteherself.Thisgirlwasdifferentfromtheusualtypeofinternshehadmetbefore.

    “Well,weetotheteam,“ShenSmokesaid,smiling.“I‘mShenSmoke,butyoucancallmeShiLiangifyouwant.“

    LiZhigrinned.“I‘lldothat!Thanksforshowingmearound,ShiLiang.“

    Asthedayswentby,ShenSmokefoundherselfgrowingmoreandmorefondofLiZhi.Shewasabreathoffreshairinthisstuffyoldoffice,alwaysaskingquestionsandseekingadvice.

    ShenSmokecouldn‘thelpbutfeelalittlelikeshewasmentoringheragain.Itwasaroleshehadplayedbeforewithotherinterns,butitfeltdifferentwithLiZhi.Maybeitwasthewayshesmiledateverything,orthewayshelaughedateventhemostmundanejokes.Whateveritwas,ShenSmokefoundherselfenjoyingLiZhi‘panymoreandmoreeachday.

    Onemorning,astheyweresippingtheircoffeeinthebreakroom,LiZhiturnedtoShenSmokewithacuriousexpressiononherface.

    “ShiLiang,canIaskyousomething?“shesaid.

    ShenSmokenodded,intrigued.“Goahead.“

    “What‘sitlikeworkinghere?Itseeusandboring.“

    ShenSmokelaughed.“Ah,that‘swhateveryonesaysatfirst.Buttrustme,there‘smoretothisplacethanmeetstheeye.“

    Sheleanedincloser,loweringhervoice.

    “There‘sawholeworldofintrigueandpoliticshiddenbeneaththesurface.AndI‘mnotjusttalkingabouttheusualofficedrama.Imeanrealdeals,realmoney,realpower.“

    LiZhi‘seyeswidenedinexcitement.“Thatsoundsamazing!Canyoushowmearoundsometime?“

    ShenSmokesmiledslyly.“Maybelater.Butfornow,let‘sjustsaythatthere‘smoretothisplacethanmeetstheeye.“