Back at the company, Zhan Zifeng had already done a first pass on the résumés they'd collected and weeded out the weaker ones.

As soon as Xu Ye got back, she handed him the ones that had made the cut, and he took them straight to Zhang Xinzhou.

"So how'd it go? The guy I wanted you to poach. Did you reach him?"

Zhang Xinzhou saw Xu Ye was back and took his hands off the keyboard. He nodded. "I reached him, and he's not against the idea. But he's demanding."

"Meaning?"

"He wants eight hundred thousand a year, year-end bonus not included. And he doesn't work days. Says he likes working at night. He's a real oddball, honestly. You'll see once you deal with him."

"miHoYo recommended him to me," Xu Ye said, "so his technical skills should be solid. You know how it is. Anyone who's really good has some little quirk or some habit normal people can't get. Eight hundred thousand is a lot, sure, but neither of us knows the technical side, and what we're missing right now is someone who can steer that ship. If he's the real deal on that front, I can afford eight hundred thousand."

Zhang Xinzhou smiled. "So I'll set up a meeting and you talk to him yourself?"

"Sure."

"What's the deal with Yang Fei, anyway? He goes on one trip with you and comes back injured?"

"You didn't ask him?" Xu Ye said.

"He says he rescued a damsel in distress. Played Good Samaritan. Yeah, right."

"Believe it or not, this time it's true."

"Wait, what?!"

That got Zhang Xinzhou's attention. He pressed right away. "What actually happened?"

Xu Ye waved a hand, deliberately leaving him hanging. "I'll tell you tonight back at the dorm. First set up that meeting for me with… what's his name again?"

"Duan Wenjie."

"Set it up with him first. Tonight or tomorrow night, ideally. The technical interviews are on Friday."

"Okay, I'll message him now."

"It'd be faster to call."

"He says he hates taking calls. If you need something, WeChat him."

Xu…