Chapter 901: Sometimes, Being Too Smart Can Be Quite Lonely!

Old employees are well aware that not only does this company have very promising development prospects, but it is also quite generous, with good benefits, high bonuses, and fast promotions. Considering factors such as team atmosphere and future work-life environment at the headquarters, finding a more suitable company is not an easy task.

So those willing to give up this spot are very few; if you don’t want to sign, there’s a long line of people eager to fill the position.

Besides the big three, there’s only one exception who doesn’t need to sign this lifetime contract.

“Qiu Wen, this is the housing contract for the employee apartment. Please take a look.”

Su Zelin walked into Yan Qiuwen’s office and handed a contract to her.

“Oh!”

Although Yan Qiuwen wasn’t active in the company, the employee apartment purchase topic was the hottest discussion recently, and she had naturally heard about it.

“I don’t plan to sign a long-term contract, because I can’t guarantee how long I’ll stay at the company!”

Before looking at the housing contract, Yan Qiuwen casually said.

“No worries, you don’t need to sign, or even pay for the house, because this apartment is given to you for free.”

Su Zelin laughed.

Her status as a strategy advisor is quite unique. Strictly speaking, she isn’t part of management, yet her importance to the company exceeds even some department heads, so Su Zelin directly gave her a free apartment.

Su Zelin had anticipated Yan Qiuwen’s statement.

Such a genius wouldn’t give up her freedom for an apartment.

To retain her, a long-term contract is useless; sincerity is key.

Yan Qiuwen was slightly surprised: “You should know, I may leave the company at any time.”

“Haha, it’s fine, Qiu Wen. Just in the year since you joined, the value you’ve created for the company far surpasses what hundreds of such apartments could cover. If one day you do decide to leave, this apartment will still be yours, and I’ll thank you for everything you’ve done for the company!”

The rascal was very generous.

It’s just an apartment, no big deal.

If Yan Qiuwen is willing to stay, I’d buy her ten more apartments outside, no problem.

“Of course, I hope this never happens.”

Su Zelin shrugged.

“If one day I really resign, what would you do?”

The strategy advisor suddenly posed a question.

“I would be reluctant to see you go.”

Su Zelin touched his nose.

“Why? Because you’d lose a talent who creates value for the company, or lose someone who helps persuade Qin Shiqing to accept your flirtatious nature?”

Yan Qiuwen’s words were sharp.

“Well, it’s both!”

The rascal honestly admitted.

Convincing Yan Qiuwen is as hard as climbing the sky.

After a pause, his tone changed: “However, aside from these, there’s another reason!”

“What reason?”

Yan Qiuwen asked.

“Having a companion who truly understands you by your side is a great joy. Being too smart can be quite lonely at times.”

Su Zelin sighed.

This loneliness doesn’t mean having no friends.

The rascal has great social networks, many companions.

But besides Yan Qiuwen, no one truly understands him completely, including Qin Shiqing, whom he grew up with. Childhood friends understand his personality and hobbies, but they don’t truly comprehend his inner world.

Other people even less so.

Only Yan Qiuwen shared an indescribable understanding with him, the tacit understanding between geniuses, a telepathic connection.

Therefore, even for the most troubling and private matters, Su Zelin was willing to confide in Yan Qiuwen, but he wouldn’t confide in Qin Shiqing or his best friend Lu Haoran.

Yan Qiuwen was silent.

She understood this loneliness because she was once lonely too, struggling to find someone to talk to. It was precisely for this reason she chose to intern at New Era and become a full-time employee afterward, because there was someone who understood her—Su Zelin.

After a while, she opened the housing contract and signed her name on the last page with a pen.

The rascal breathed a sigh of relief and smiled.

As long as Qiu Wen was willing to sign, she definitely wouldn’t leave New Era in the short term. Not saying very long, but at least she wouldn’t leave before the company fully captures the national market, and if she does want to resign, it would be after that.

After signing, Yan Qiuwen suddenly said, “Whenever you have time, let’s play tennis together?”

Su Zelin was taken aback.

Actually, since the first time he played tennis with Yan Qiuwen, the rascal had been urging her to exercise, inviting her at least once or twice a month.

But every time, Yan Qiuwen was the passive one, rare to see her take the initiative to invite him this time.

Seems like gifting this apartment had some effect.

Sincerity is crucial.

“Sure, anytime. But playing tennis all the time is boring, while the weather is still warm, how about we go swimming someday?”

Su Zelin laughed cheekily.

Honestly, he hadn’t seen Yan Qiuwen in a swimsuit before, it should be quite a sight.

“No!”

Yan Qiuwen firmly refused.

“Pool water is often disinfected with bleach, and chlorine bleach can cause the pool water to be alkaline. Normal eye conjunctiva is more suited to an acidic environment. After contact with alkaline pool water, the acid-base balance is disrupted, reducing disease resistance, and bacteria from the pool can enter the eyes, causing conjunctivitis easily.”

“Furthermore, E.coli, cryptosporidium, and other bacteria exist in swimming pools. If you accidentally drink pool water, it may cause diarrhea or intestinal diseases!”

“In addition, skin diseases caused by unsanitary pools, fungal skin diseases, molluscum contagiosum, and plantar warts are also quite common!”

“…”

Su Zelin: “…”

Okay, the Baidu Encyclopedia is online again.

Qin Shiqing didn’t get an employee housing spot, although her position in the company isn’t low, she isn’t in management nor an old employee. Su Zelin didn’t grant his girlfriend any favors, but there’s no rush, as he has a place to stay for now.

Even if they have two apartments, given their current cohabitation status, Qin Shiqing usually wouldn’t go stay in the other apartment.

Besides, employee apartments will continue to be built, and she’ll definitely have one, but just later.

In the evening, when Lu Haoran and Xiaoyanzi came over for dinner, Qin Shiqing shared this issue with them.

Although they knew that New Era was building employee housing and Su Zelin, given his position, would definitely have one, the young couple still felt a bit sad hearing the news.

After all, they had been friends since high school, and contact had become more frequent after graduation due to renting issues. These days had been quite nice.

Xiaoyanzi put down her chopsticks, suddenly having no appetite: “Shiqing, does this mean you and Su Zelin will be moving out soon?”

“Not really soon. Renovation takes time, moving in will take at least two or three months. During this time, we’ll still need to live in the rental, and aren’t you planning to buy a house by year-end? Even if we don’t move, you’ll eventually move out too.”

Qin Shiqing comforted her friend.

“That’s true!”

Xiaoyanzi nodded.

She had been saving for the house down payment, estimating by year-end, with help from both families, it would be ready.

Once they buy and renovate the new house, naturally they’d terminate the rental, can’t just waste that money.

The honest man sighed: “If you bought another house outside, and we were in the same community, that’d be great!”

“Hoaoran, let me tell you, I actually have that plan.”

Su Zelin put a piece of stir-fried pork into his mouth, speaking unclearly while eating.

“Really?”

The other three were instantly spirited.

Not only Xiaoyanzi and Lu Haoran, even Qin Shiqing hadn’t heard of Su Zelin’s plan to buy a second house.

“Employee housing is just convenient for commuting. If you want to live comfortably, luxury properties outside are better.”

Su Zelin casually explained: “So, you can consider it, haha.”

One employee apartment wasn’t enough for Su Zelin.

He hadn’t purchased a house outside, partly considering buying together with his friend couple.

Employee housing is mainly for resting at noon or staying late for work, just like Yang Fen and Kang Baohong, who although have employee housing, still drive back home outside at night.

“That’s great, let’s definitely agree on this happily, being neighbors is lively with four people!”

Xiaoyanzi’s mood improved instantly.

Since Su Zelin mentioned this, it’s highly likely he intends to buy a house outside.

For someone like him, buying a house is just an easy matter.