62: Chapter 62 Genius Girl Engineer

In the office area of Singularity Technology, Liu Ruyan sat at her desk by the window. Her fingertips flew across the keyboard, code pouring onto the screen like a flowing stream. The optimized algorithmic logic, line by line, was so clear that Wang Chengsi, who was standing nearby, couldn't help but nod in approval.

"Ruyan, this collision detection optimization is absolutely incredible." Wang Chengsi leaned over to look, his eyes full of admiration. "Digital Power gave a five-day deadline, and you're already finishing up in just two days?"

Liu Ruyan's face flushed slightly, and her fingertips paused on the spacebar. "Finishing early leaves more time for testing. If there are any bugs, I'll still have time to fix them."

What she didn't say was that this job was originally a "side gig" Zhang Fan had found for her privately.

After she was discharged from the hospital, Zhang Fan's intention was to let her earn some extra pocket money to make up for her low salary of four thousand yuan. However, after Liu Ruyan received the requirements, she took the initiative to report it to Zhou Yurou, saying, "Since this is game-related work, we might as well count it as company business. It can help us build up our portfolio."

Zhou Yurou laughed at the time, patted her shoulder, and said, "Alright, let's count it as company business. I'll give you the project commission based on the standard for full-time employees."

At this moment, Zhang Fan was sitting in his office, sharing a WeChat message with Gu Jingshen, the corners of his mouth curling upward uncontrollably.

Li Rui, the technical director of Digital Power, praised Liu Ruyan to the skies: "Zhang Fan, Liu Ruyan from your company is truly a genius! Her algorithmic logic is more solid than engineers who have been working for five years in other outsourcing teams. Not only did she deliver three days early, but the optimized engine's operating efficiency has improved by 5%. Our boss has even told me to cooperate with you more!"

Below it, a test video was attached: the previously laggy game scene was now as smooth as flowing water after the optimization, and even the most complex particle effects didn't drop a single frame.

"Not bad, Fan Zi, we've struck gold." Gu Jingshen showed the content on his phone to Zhang Fan. "Look, the post about the 'Singularity Technology Genius Girl Engineer' is already trending, and the comments below are all requests for collaboration."

Zhang Fan shook his head with a smile, his gaze falling through the glass onto Liu Ruyan's desk. The girl was lowering her head to debug code, the sunlight falling on her hair tips, gilding them with a layer of pale gold. This girl was using her own way to prove, bit by bit, that she was worthy of recognition.

But this peace did not last long.

At three in the afternoon, the studio's glass door was pushed open forcefully, the metal hinges emitting a dull "creak."

Liu Mingxuan walked in, wearing a well-tailored Italian haute couture suit, yet he could not hide his disheveled state: his collar was slightly crooked, his meticulously styled hair was a bit messy, and the fringe on his forehead hung down, covering the bloodshot eyes beneath—evidently, he hadn't slept for days due to company matters.

When he entered, he still maintained some of the airs of a returned elite, but the moment his gaze swept over to Liu Ruyan, that veneer of decency completely collapsed. His voice carried suppressed anger: "Liu Ruyan, come out."

The office area instantly went quiet. Everyone stopped what they were doing, their gazes unanimously turning towards him. Liu Ruyan's body stiffened abruptly, and her face turned deathly pale in an instant.

"Brother... why are you here?" She stood up, her voice trembling.

"Why can't I come here?" Liu Mingxuan rushed to her in a few steps, his finger almost poking her face. "The family is almost bankrupt, and yet here you are, helping outsiders make big money! Liu Mengqi was right, you're just an ungrateful wretch!"

Gu Jingshen, who was nearby, immediately stood up and blocked Liu Ruyan: "Who are you? Shouting and screaming here, do you have any manners?"

"I'm her brother!" Liu Mingxuan glared at Gu Jingshen, the anger in his eyes almost erupting. "I'm telling my sister to quit and come home with me. What the hell does it have to do with you?"

"She is an employee of my company now. If you want to take her away, you have to ask whether I agree or not." Zhang Fan walked out of the office, his tone calm but carrying an unquestionable aura. "Singularity Technology doesn't look for trouble, but we absolutely will not allow outsiders to come here and act wildly."

Liu Mingxuan turned his head to glare at Zhang Fan: "What kind of thing are you! I see, you're deliberately inciting my sister not to go home! The Liu family raised her this big, and now that the family is in trouble, she has to go back and atone for her sins!"

"Atone for her sins?" Zhang Fan scoffed and took two steps forward, his aura forcing Liu Mingxuan to retreat involuntarily.

"President Liu, put your hand on your heart and tell me, did the Liu family actually raise her, or did you treat her like a burden? As soon as she was recognized back into the family, she was framed by Liu Mengqi for stealing, and you pointed your finger at her nose and called her a 'jinx.' Now that your company is about to go bankrupt, you suddenly remember she's your sister?" These words were like a slap, hitting Liu Mingxuan hard in the face.

His face turned from green to white, but he still stubbornly retorted: "That's our family business! It's not your place to interfere! Liu Ruyan, you must come with me today and help at my company, otherwise, don't you ever acknowledge the Liu family as your kin again!"

Liu Ruyan's lips trembled, and tears welled up in her eyes, but she bit her lip hard to keep them from falling.

She remembered the phone call her mother had secretly made to her, saying, "The family is in trouble, your brother is under a lot of pressure, be more understanding." But she also remembered that Liu Mingxuan had never given her a kind look, and Liu Mengqi had been trying every which way to harm her.

"I'm not going back." She suddenly spoke up, her voice not loud but very firm. "I'm working very well at Singularity Technology, and the people here... treat me as one of their own."

"You!" Liu Mingxuan was so angry that he raised his hand to hit her, but Zhang Fan grabbed his wrist.

"President Liu, resorting to violence is going too far." Zhang Fan's fingers tightened, and Liu Mingxuan winced in pain. "She is an adult and has the right to make her own choices. If you cause trouble in my company again, I will call the police."

"You wouldn't dare!" Liu Mingxuan struggled, but couldn't break free from Zhang Fan's grip. "I am the heir to the Liu family, how dare you lay a hand on me? Do you believe I can make it impossible for you to survive in Jiangcheng?"

"Impossible to survive?" Gu Jingshen scoffed, took out his phone, and waved it. "I've recorded everything you just said and did. If I post it online, do you think the news of 'Liu family heir threatens employees and attempts to hit them in public' would make your nearly bankrupt company's situation even worse?"

Liu Mingxuan's face turned pale instantly. Looking at the phone in Gu Jingshen's hand and then at the strange gazes of the surrounding employees, he was finally a little scared.

He knew that the current Liu family could not afford any negative news. Once they were labeled with "domestic violence" or "arrogance," no one would dare to invest.

"Fine, you win!" He violently shook off Zhang Fan's hand and glared viciously at Liu Ruyan. "You just wait! If the Liu family falls, don't think you'll have it easy either!"

After saying this, he turned and left, his footsteps staggering as if he were drunk, and he almost bumped into the glass door on his way out.

The office area was silent for a few seconds. Zhou Yurou walked over and handed a cup of warm water to Liu Ruyan: "Are you okay?"

Liu Ruyan took the cup. As her fingertips touched the warmth of the cup wall, tears finally couldn't help but fall. "Thank you, Sister Zhou... Thank you, President Zhang..."

"What are you crying for? We're in the right." Gu Jingshen patted her shoulder and said carelessly, "If he dares to come and cause trouble again, I'll beat him up for you!"

Wang Chengsi also came over and handed her a pack of tissues: "Ruyan, don't take it to heart. You are so capable, you can shine anywhere. There's no need to get angry at that kind of person."

Liu Ruyan nodded, wiped away her tears, and sat back down at her desk.

Watching her back as she immersed herself in work again, Zhang Fan turned to Zhou Yurou and said, "Sister Rou, let's add an access control system to the entrance in the future. Also, tell the security guards downstairs that strange visitors must register. Don't let unrelated people just barge in again."

"Okay." Zhou Yurou immediately took out her phone and brought up the contact information for the incubator's property management. "I'll coordinate with the park and have them strengthen patrols on this floor, and I'll also refine the visitor registration process to ensure safety."

Gu Jingshen suddenly clapped his hands, his eyes lighting up. "Hey, how about I talk to my mom and we move the company to the Gu Corporation Technology Park? The security there is very strict, with 24-hour security patrols. If Liu Mingxuan wants to cause trouble again, he won't even be able to get through the gate!"

Zhang Fan was stunned for a moment, then shook his head. "Forget it. The rent at the technology park is three times more expensive than here. We're just starting out, so we should save where we can. Besides, if Aunt Tang finds out, she'll definitely waive our rent, and that wouldn't be appropriate."

"Hey, what's inappropriate about that!" Gu Jingshen waved his hand dismissively. "My mom already thinks highly of you, so what's waiving a little rent?"

"No." Zhang Fan's attitude was very firm. "Singularity must stand on its own feet; we can't always rely on support from Gu Corporation. Once we finish stardust leap in the future and have stable cash flow, it won't be too late to consider moving to the technology park."

Zhou Yurou nodded in agreement from the side. "Zhang Fan is right; now is really not the time to move to the park. Let's get the security at the incubator sorted out first. Once the project achieves results and we have the capital, we'll have more confidence when talking about moving."

Gu Jingshen pursed his lips, but he knew Zhang Fan's temper; once he had decided on something, he wouldn't change it easily. He had no choice but to compromise: "Fine, I'll listen to you guys. But if Liu Mingxuan dares to come and cause trouble again, I'll make sure he can't stay in Jiangcheng!"