Sun Xiao set her glass down.
"It's about the incubator program," she began.
Lin Feng nodded, listening.
"I've been having issues with the startups being brought to me."
She paused, searching for the right words.
"The program doesn't have unlimited resources. And we can't accommodate every venture that comes through. There's a certain standard for judging whether or not a startup is worth considering."
She looked down at her noodles.
"But every time I have to reject someone..."
She trailed off.
Lin Feng understood what she was getting at.
Rejecting people could also be seen as killing their dreams. For someone like Sun Xiao, that weight wasn't easy to bear.
"It feels like I'm crushing their hopes," she continued quietly. "Some of them have worked so hard on their ideas. And I have to sit there and tell them it's not good enough."
She sighed.
"I know it's part of the job. But it still doesn't feel good."
Lin Feng exhaled.
She was too nice for her own good.
Some of these people don't even have real dreams to begin with, he thought.
They were just throwing mud at the wall, hoping something sticks. If she rejects one idea today, they'll likely come back tomorrow with another one.
He was sure it wasn't everyone. But it was enough to matter.
He sighed. Still…looking at her, that's probably not what she wanted to hear.
He leaned back.
"Just follow your best judgment. You're nice, Sun Xiao. But you can't help everybody."
She was quiet for a moment.
Then she nodded slowly.
"You're right. I know you're right."
She seemed a little more at ease now.
Though she still felt uncomfortable about the whole thing.
Lin Feng decided it was time to push his agenda.
"How about this," he began.
She looked at him curiously.
"Actually, I also have quite a bit of money from some of my ventures. They've been somewhat successful."
He paused.
"I was thinking of investing. But instead of just putting money into stocks or funds, I thought - why not invest in people instead?"
He met her gaze.
"It can be seen as giving back to the community."
She tilted her head, intrigued.
"So here's my proposal," he continued. "When you get interesting ideas that might not align with what the university needs... how about you forward them to me? If something catches my interest, I could invest."
He scratched his cheek, suddenly feeling a bit embarrassed.
"Though I might not be as good as the school. I'm just one person after all…"
Sun Xiao just stared at him.
He looked down.
"Is that too much?"
Suddenly, he felt her hands wrap around his.
He looked up.
She was holding his hands, her expression earnest.
"No," she said. "This is really good. I didn't know you had these kinds of thoughts."
He blinked, surprised by her forwardness.
"Then... does that mean..."
She placed a hand on her chest.
"I'll definitely do it."
"Thank you," he said.
She shook her head.
"There's no need to thank me. I should be the one thanking you."
He smiled.
It had gone much better than he had expected.
Of course, he had only said he would look at the proposals. It didn't mean he would accept them. He was just using this as a way to screen talent.
If he waited patiently, he was sure he'd come across something good eventually.
The two continued chatting casually as they ate.
…
Later that day.
Lin Feng pressed the doorbell.
A moment later, the door opened.
Mengqi stood on the other side.
He blinked, surprised.
"Where's Su Yue?"
"She's practicing."
"Practicing?" He tilted his head. "But it isn't time yet."
Mengqi shrugged.
"She insisted on practicing on her own. Said she wanted to improve faster."
"Isn't that problematic?"
"It could be," Mengqi admitted. "That's why we agreed I'd always be there when she wants to practice by herself. That way she can't ruin her progress."
Lin Feng nodded.
Mengqi led him through the apartment to the practice room.
Inside, Su Yue was doing some light exercises. Yanzi sat to the side, watching.
When Su Yue noticed Lin Feng enter, her face lit up. She stopped what she was doing and hurried over to greet him.
Yanzi got up and handed her a bottle of water.
"You're working hard," Lin Feng said.
Su Yue took a sip and looked to the side.
"It's just so-so."
Then her expression brightened.
"Were you looking for me?"
"Well..." He scratched his cheek. "It's more like I was looking for Mengqi."
Her face fell slightly.
"But I'm always happy to see you," he added.
A faint blush colored her cheeks.
Mengqi rolled her eyes.
Lin Feng turned his attention to Yanzi.
She noticed his gaze.
"Are you interested in me?" she asked flatly.
Su Yue, who had been drinking water, nearly choked.
She looked at Yanzi in bewilderment.
Lin Feng smiled.
"Can't say that I'm not. Is it surprising?"
"Eh?"
Su Yue looked from him to her, then at Mengqi - who was acting like nothing was happening.
Yanzi shook her head.
"Not really. I'm used to it. It's common among the men I work with."
She met his eyes.
"Do you want to try?"
Su Yue grew even more confused.
"Eh? Eh? Try what?"
Lin Feng's smile widened.
"Sure."
Mengqi stepped forward and pulled the bewildered Su Yue aside.
Lin Feng and Yanzi moved to the center of the room.
"Ready when you are," she said.
Lin Feng observed her carefully.
Her stance is relaxed but balanced. Weight distributed evenly. No obvious openings.
He considered his approach.
If I feint left, she'll likely shift to intercept. That creates an opening on her right side. I can use that momentum to…
He charged.
The next thing he saw was the ceiling.
Eh? What just happened?
Yanzi sat on top of him, pinning him down.
"Are you convinced?" she asked.
"Who wouldn't be?"
She got up and extended her hand.
He took it, and she pulled him to his feet.
Ah, so that's what they were talking about.
Su Yue finally understood.
Mengqi studied the exchange.
Has Yanzi's skills improved? Or is Lin Feng just that weak?