Chapter 354
In this present life, she’d made up her mind early—for herself, and for the daughter who hadn’t been born yet in this lifetime. She knew this meant stealing someone else’s idea, but she could only whisper an apology in her heart. Alaricka understood the internet would dominate the coming years, offering endless opportunities and challenges. If she succeeded, climbing the social ladder wouldn’t be just a pipe dream. So ever since her rebirth, her goal had been crystal clear: dive headfirst into the internet industry. She’d long planned to choose a computer-related major for her National College Entrance Examination applications.
When Alaricka told Chen Daoyuan she didn’t want to attend classes, caring for a nonexistent grandmother wasn’t the real reason—her own grandmother had passed away when she was little, and Jaylene’s grandmother was Jaylene’s responsibility. Worst case, she’d hire a caregiver. The truth was, she wanted to seize this free time to launch her startup. Every minute counted on this entrepreneurial path. Delaying the app’s launch by even a second risked letting someone else steal the spotlight. Alaricka refused to let that happen, no matter how slim the odds. Her plan was simple: build the platform while studying before the exams, launching it as early as possible.
Jaylene’s words instantly sparked her interest. Nie Guanyu truly had talent—why else would the past life’s Jaylene recruit him? Most software and games from Jaylene’s tech company bore his fingerprints, with his team coding the core programs. In short, his skills were undeniable.
Alaricka smiled faintly. “Really? He only wants Fried Oreos, no other payment?”
Jaylene shrugged. “Who knows? He said he’s already working at a tech giant as a contract worker—no benefits or proper salary. Barely scraping by in the capital. Besides, I can’t pay him, and he insisted on just Fried Oreos.”
Though a bit of a money-grubber, Alaricka had occasional flashes of conscience. “How about this? I want to learn coding too. I’ll join you and pay his tuition—market rate. Deal?”
Jaylene’s eyes lit up. “You? Really?”
Alaricka raised an eyebrow. “Why so surprised?”
Jaylene Irwin suddenly smiled sheepishly: “You know I’m not a good student, and I’m not too bright either. That’s why I dragged you along—I was afraid Nie Guanyu would call me stupid. You could help me clap back. If you join our study sessions, that’d be perfect. Then whenever he dares insult me, you can always fight back for me.”
Alaricka Huston shook her head with an amused smile.
When they met Nie Guanyu at the cafe, Alaricka’s mental calculations clicked away like an abacus. The cafe lived up to its Instagram fame, packed wall-to-wall. In front of the Instagram walls, boys and girls dressed to the nines queued for photos. Every corner buzzed with people, not a single table vacant. Had Nie Guanyu not arrived early, Alaricka and Jaylene would’ve been standing.
Jaylene tugged her wrist, sitting them opposite Nie Guanyu. Alaricka openly studied the young man. Nie Guanyu had a round face, delicate features, and fair skin—technically passable as handsome. But his perpetually hunched posture, downcast eyes, and muffled speech radiated such reclusive gloominess that it knocked several points off his looks.
Nie Guanyu was forcing a stiff smile to greet Jaylene when he noticed Alaricka’s gaze. He lowered his head, sliding a deer-patterned latte toward Jaylene, mumbling:
“I didn’t know Alaricka was coming. Only ordered two drinks.”
Alaricka waved it off: “No worries. I’ll order my own.”
She summoned a server for an Instagram-famous coffee. Nie Guanyu stole a furtive glance at her.
Alaricka caught it instantly, meeting his eyes with a smile: “Something wrong?”
Nie Guanyu watched her cautiously, lips trembling wordlessly.