Chapter 138: Being a white collar worker again (1/2)
Chapter 138: Being a white collar worker again
Experience has taught me that I must first be transparent about the money aspect. “Firstly, I would like to make it clear that I will not accept any remuneration until I have succeeded in achieving what you want. However, after I succeed, the remuneration is 5 figures. I’m wondering…”
“Money is not a concern. My friend has already told me about your conditions.”
“Secondly, please give me a position at your corporation so that I can enter and exit the building without restrictions.”
“Alright.”
“Thirdly, please give me a key to your home. I need to be able to freely enter when no one is home. That will allow me to find things/clues.”
“Um… that’s a bit difficult.” Xu Chuqiao hesitated, “I’ve already moved out. So I don’t have the key either. Also, my old home has a lot of servants. It’s not going to be easy for you to get in unnoticed.”
“You can go home and get the key. As for the servants, give me their schedules so I know when they switch shifts. If you can agree to all three of my terms, then we can begin.”
“The key will be difficult. Please give me a few more days. But I can immediately give you a position here. The company has recently hired a bunch of new applicants. You will be mixed in the bunch. I’ll arrange a position for you in the marketing department.”
“That’s fine as long as it is a department that the higher authorities don’t dislike.” I joked. But Xu Chuqiao didn’t seem to understand the joke. He solemnly stated, “The manager of the marketing department was replaced recently. The woman did it. I suspect that the manager may be working for her underground. So please help me keep an eye out.”
“I see...I understand. So I will start work tomorrow?”
Xu Chuqiao nodded. “Tomorrow, be sure to arrive at my office no later than 7am. Although work starts at 9, I need you to get here before everyone else so I can give you your profile and other basic information. The moment you start work, our relationship will purely be a superior-subordinate relationship.”
“But today, I strutted into your office. Aren’t you worried about slanderous rumours?”
“Don’t worry. I have enough power to stop this type of news from spreading out.”
“Alright. So tomorrow, I will officially start work. Please get me the key and your servants’ schedule as soon as possible. Thank you.”
Then, I quickly left Xu Chuqiao’s office. By the time I left, it was already the afternoon. I didn’t want to return back to the hotel so early, so I grabbed some food while I was out and decided to go take a walk.
I have left this place for three years. Now that I’m back, it feels a bit unfamiliar. I wonder if he's doing well?
Three years ago, Suyang released his final work “The Alina in my dreams”. Then, he vanished from the literature field.
When “The Alina in my dreams” was released, I was studying spiritual techniques in the mountains. Based on Xialing’s memories, Suyang had literally transformed from an author to an entertainer. Everyday, he would be on all sorts of TV programs and talk shows.
But that merely lasted for three months. Three months later, Suyang announced on SNS that “The Alina in my dreams” was his last work. Then, he never appeared in front of a large audience again.
His final work was the novel that was inspired by our trip from Japan. I bought a copy and left it at home. However, I haven’t read it yet. I wouldn’t let Xialing and the others tell me what it was about either.
The book was like a decoration along with many of the other items in my home. It silently stood there, covered in dust.
Two years had gone by without any news of Suyang. Not only did the literature field lose their author Du Yu, it was as if he had evaporated from this world.
I went to a nearby bookstore and took a look. In the past, when Suyang was writing as Du Yu, he was a best-selling author. Now, barely any of his books remained. His best-selling counter was replaced by other newbies.
Many things could change in three years. Perhaps, he had already met the love of his life and gotten married. By now, he may have a family of three. Perhaps that's why he retired from the literature field?
Why am I thinking of all this?I tried to stop myself from imagining all these ridiculous theories. After I ate my dinner, I took the taxi to the area around Yao Youfan’s home and walked around. Then, I returned back to the hotel and went to bed. I had to be ready for tomorrow’s job.
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Last night, I actually dreamt of Suyang.
This was the first time I dreamt of him ever since our separation. In my dream, his face was blurry. But I was confident that it was him. It was like a scary curse. The moment I came back to City A, all the snippets of my time with Suyang began to invade my brain. Regardless of how hard I tried to resist it, I couldn’t fight it.
I deliberately used icy water to splash my face in the morning to remind myself that the person was gone. Suyang was my past. There was no point in thinking about him. Even if we could do it again, nothing would change. We belonged in two different worlds.
I followed Xu Chuqiao’s instructions and went to his office two hours prior to work hours to find him. When I arrived at the building, there was no one else around aside from the security guard.
I went up to the 21st floor and knocked on Xu Chuqiao’s door. He was sitting all by himself in his office.
Since there was a lot of time, I casually sat down in front of Xu Chuqiao and asked, “CEO Xu, may I ask why you’re always at the office two hours before everyone else?”
“I’m used to it.”
From what Xialing told me, Xu Chuqiao didn’t have any harmful lifestyle habits. There were only two main things in his life; family and work.
His nickname was “workaholic”.