Chapter 8, First Schedule

She is not some naturally airheaded high-IQ individual; rather, she is a timid coward, covering her eyes even when watching horror films. The idea of mingling with gangsters is utterly ridiculous. Not to mention, Ye Zilu has been a well-behaved girl for so many years, having encountered only a few petty delinquents, let alone the so-called underworld.

Yan Ke felt that she had seen through her and, after a moment of silence, said pointedly: "I run an advertising company. Not to mention that I haven't discovered a cell in you called 'hard work and perseverance', even if it did exist... your image is not quite suitable."

The term "boss" reminded Ye Zilu, and she suddenly recalled the news she had watched that day. She remembered that despite his bear-like appearance, this guy was actually a somewhat notable rich second generation. Therefore, she immediately put on a flattering expression and said, "Well... boss, I wish you a speedy recovery. Considering the bond we share, how about you take me on as your employee? I promise to work hard and endure any hardship."

Ke Yelu has lost track of how long it has been since she last got out of bed before 8 o'clock. Moreover, she was completely unprepared, and there were quite a few questions she did not know how to answer. As she continued to look at the questions, the options for the multiple-choice questions began to blur together. Then, the writing in front of her started to become fuzzy, and she felt as if she was bouncing up and down, swaying back and forth.

Mentor Yan diligently reminded: "If you don't hurry up, breakfast time will be squeezed out."

She dragged her feet with a heavy, zombie-like slowness and slowly walked to the restroom, when suddenly, with a loud crash, she collided with the bathroom door

However, on the first day of assuming the role of a life coach, one discovers that they have encountered a piece of decayed wood

"Punishment mechanism?" Ye Zilu was taken aback, sizing up his short stature of less than thirty centimeters, "You can't really do much. I can just check the voice reminders. If I don't listen, you can keep reminding me."

Ye Zilu shivered and quickly ran into the kitchen, dragging out a box of milk and a bag of bread from the refrigerator. Without even having time to heat them up, she directly brought them into her room, stuffing her mouth with large bites. In the midst of this, she almost habitually grabbed the milk carton with her teeth, extending her guilty hand towards the computer

Ye Zilu : " ... ... "

What should I do

Hmm! Mentor Yan tilted his head to glance at the schedule and pointed out, "There is no item for using the computer to go online in the morning. You need to finish breakfast before 8:00, then from 8:00 to 9:30, spend an hour and a half on practice questions for the ability test, marking at least one set of real questions, and use the last half hour to check the answers and make corrections"

"Life" felt like two heavy stones pressing down on her heart. Ye Zilu vaguely sensed that something was gnawing and devouring her life day by day, threatening to destroy her

... her expression was so pained that it seemed as if she had not merely gotten out of bed, but had instead undergone a punishment.

That night, Hu Qian happened to have an unexpected matter and canceled the appointment. Ye Zilu locked herself in her room, drafted a detailed weekly plan, and then forcefully shoved it under Yan Ke's nose.

Ye Zilu choked on bread and cold milk, causing her chest to hurt. With superhuman speed, she resolved her national and personal issues in five minutes. Then, she sat down decisively, took out her exam paper, crossed off trivial matters such as "brushing teeth, washing face, and having breakfast" from her schedule, and began to work on the problems.

Yan Ke seized the opportunity to negotiate, saying: "I can help you, but there is a condition. You must find a way to take me back to the place where I was hospitalized and help me get back in."

However, Ye Zilu's mood suddenly fell, and she realized that she seemed to be in a dangerous state

Yan Ke calmly predicted: "Next year, you will still be saying this and * picture * book."

Yet Ye Zilu did not hear what he said; she was stunned by the future she had described for herself

Having just completed a verbal transaction, Yan Ke, adhering to the merchant's principle of valuing sincerity, patiently said to her: "Even military training does not impose such rigid time constraints; planning must align with your actual capabilities..."

Yan Ke merely glanced at it and said, "This won't do, you definitely cannot accomplish it."

What if one day, an accident occurs at home that requires a large sum of money or a certain connection to resolve? She cannot think of any solution and can only smile apologetically and seek help from others, so humbly that it is painful for others to even look at her. What should she do

When the college entrance examination results were released that year and she realized she had performed poorly, Ye Zilu asked herself this question once. After graduating from university and finding herself unemployed while staying at home, she asked herself this question once again

This is also absolutely impossible to accomplish, predicted Mentor Yan

Yan Ke finds this matter quite novel, feeling as if she has taken on the role of a life mentor for others

Instructor Yan gazed out at the slowly rising sun and felt at a loss for words

Yan Ke watched helplessly as Ye Zilu's eyelids slowly drooped, her head bobbing like a chick pecking at grains, swaying precariously for two minutes, and finally, with a loud thud, she collapsed.

First is the dream, then is life, and finally is her entire being

Some tasks cannot be fully understood through imagination alone; it is only by starting to work on them that one realizes how much remains to be done. Ye Zilu looked up at the reference books, exercise books, and past exam papers that had not yet been unpacked, as well as the largest and thickest book in her hand, and suddenly felt a sense of hopelessness about the future—much like during a math exam when one discovers that the last question is impossible to solve, leaving only the anxious feeling of watching time pass by little by little.

Ye Zilu felt dejected, sitting cross-legged on the bed, her fingers unconsciously picking at her calf, mumbling, "I just got dumped."

At first glance, Ye Zilu's schedule appears to be extremely detailed, strictly delineating the tasks to be accomplished throughout the day, from 7:30 in the morning to 11:00 in the evening, down to the minute

"You need to help me and supervise my strict adherence to my plan," she said with conviction. "Look, you are an adult now, and you can't just stay in my house for free, right? I can let you use this as rent payment—first, let me see how well you have written this schedule."

Ye Zilu said with a mischievous tone: "With such a sharp tongue, I bet you must be a lifelong bachelor."

"I see it as a futile effort now," Ye Zilu argued, "One should not engage in meaningless activities."

Based on her years of experience in reading novels, it seems that the only path left is to encounter a tall, rich, and handsome man

Yan Ke asked: "Is there a penalty mechanism?"

While observing the commotion and collecting jokes, Mentor Yan quietly calculated the time for her—indeed, Ye Zilu had forgotten the fifteen-minute limit for brushing her teeth, washing her face, and using the restroom. By the time she walked out of the bathroom with a sleepy expression, it was already five minutes to eight.

What if one day, her own child grows up and also wants to study abroad like Hu Qian, receives an admission notice, but she finds that she cannot afford it? What should she do?

This is the third time, yet no one can still provide her with an answer

It seems that not all wealthy and handsome men possess a foolish aesthetic perspective

Yan Ke said in a flat tone: "As Chinese people, our speaking habit is to be polite before discussing serious matters. If you lack self-awareness, it would not be good for you"

"Ordinariness and mediocrity are two different things." Yan Ke scoffed.

The shot hit its mark, Yan Ke covered the wound, remained silent for a moment, and then countered fiercely: "Aren't you?"

That guy really has great insight! Yan Ke thought with a sense of glee.

Ye Zilu impatiently interrupted him: "What plans should I make that align with my actual level? I might as well just write 'Wake up at 11 AM, eat, go online, eat, go online, sleep,' and that's it."

Yan Ke glanced at her and said, "I am merely stating the fact that the sun rises in the east. It is no longer fashionable to have a one-sided discourse; do not resort to personal attacks against me."

What is wrong with my appearance? It does not affect the city's image! No one wants to be told they are unattractive. Ye Zilu was furious, "Even when I go out shopping, there are still people who call me 'light beauty'!"

Ye Zilu was momentarily stunned and unable to regain her senses. She anxiously contemplated her way out, but unfortunately, having always immersed herself in various film and television dramas and novels, constantly observing the extraordinary paths of the characters within, she had long forgotten her own path.

Is it acceptable to live like this for a lifetime

She also does not possess the striking qualities that would captivate others—though it is all in jest, Ye Zilu is well aware that, at best, her appearance can only be described as delicate; heaven has not granted her the capital to rely on her looks for a living

Ye Zilu planned to get up at 7:30, so the alarm clock started ringing from 6:30, initially every ten minutes, and finally every five minutes... Yan Ke witnessed her countless attempts to restart, failures to restart, and then restart again, only to fail again... In the end, Ye Zilu actually managed to get up with remarkable determination.

Although many people say that as long as one is happy, that is enough, what kind of happiness does such a life truly bring—genuine joy or mere numbness

She knows that her concentration can easily be distracted, so she deliberately chose to do the exercises in the early morning when she just starts her day. Generally, when people complete an entire set of exam papers, their efficiency tends to be higher than when they are reading.

From 7:30 to 7:40, wash face and brush teeth; from 7:40 to 7:45, go to the restroom. If you are constipated, won't you be unable to complete the tasks for the entire day

Ye Zilu lay down on the bed with a vacant expression and said to Yan Ke: "I think this time I will just give up, it's endless, I can fight again next year."

Under such a continuous feeling of sorrow and hatred, Ye Zilu read for an hour and a half

"If I were to live my entire life as an insignificant person, like many others in this world who remain unnoticed, doing a job that could be easily replaced and lacks any technical skill, living each day within a small circle, marrying an equally ordinary man, and over time, returning home in the evening with nothing much to say to each other—one watching sports, the other watching TV dramas—slowly wasting away the years, becoming a mundane woman without any distinctive traits, is it possible to live such a life?" Ye Zilu murmured to herself

Ye Zilu: "Deal!"

She does not come from a distinguished background, and it seems that in any domestic or palace intrigue, no one would engage with her. What could others possibly want from her?

Yan Ke said calmly: "Yes, so what? I am my own boss, and even if I am not likable, no one dares to bring it up to my face."

Yan Ke said coldly: "Of course you do not engage in meaningless activities, you simply do nothing."

Indeed, she unexpectedly encountered a tall, rich, and handsome man—unfortunately, that fellow only knew how to mock her for being unwanted, while constantly devising ways to return.

Ye Zilu was momentarily speechless, then tilted her head and glared at Yan Ke with eyes like a rabbit, saying: "I can tell, you must be a particularly unpleasant person."

Yan Ke still wanted to express some opinions, but Ye Zilu had already snatched away her meticulously detailed schedule, which was comparable to an exam cheat sheet, pinned to the bedside calendar: "Forget it, you don't need to comment, just supervise me according to this tomorrow."