2 WHAT DID YOU DO? (2/2)

Hu Lei felt a chill run down her back at the sudden joy in her father's voice.

”What did you do?” she demanded.

The man coughed lightly in guilt

”Lei'er, you know that father is your number one fan. But I am worried about you. You cannot remain locked up forever. I want to help you have a normal life. I know that you wanted to go back because you feel that you have missed out on so much. And I agree. However, you will not get anywhere if you do not experience new things.” The preaching voice sounded quite righteous.

”What did you do?” Hu Lei asked again with creeping killing intent.

Again, her father coughed lightly before speaking.

”It is not a big deal. I reached out to an old friend. I helped him a long time ago, so he owed me a favour. Anyway, you will be working in his company for some time. Don't worry. I made it clear that you will only be there on a part-time basis. If you do not like the work, you can just resign.”

”You promised not to interfere with my choice to come back to the country.”

”I am not interfering. I am merely helping you achieve your goal to enjoy the Supreme City life.” He said with a nervous laugh.

”You are splitting hairs. I wanted to accomplish my goal without help.” Hu Lei sounded angry.

”Everything you have achieved up to now has been without my help. However, I know that building a social life in that city is not easy. In some ways, it is harder than travelling to new countries and learning everything from scratch. Do not worry. If you do not have capabilities, my old friend will not accept you.” He said with a loud laugh.

Hu Lei sighed in an attempt to sooth her anger. Did this old man think that his words made everything alright?

”I don't know about this.” She said softly.

Sensing her capitulation, her father knew that their call had to end before she changed her mind.

”You will receive the details of the position in a few days. You will be great. Bye.”

Before Hu Lei could speak, the call was disconnected. She wanted to laugh at her father's antics, but she was also a little afraid.

It was one thing to return to her hometown. It was another to attempt to blend in into a normal work environment where people had colleagues, water cooler gossip and after work happy hours. She knew that beyond her façade, there was a darkness lurking. Could she suppress it in the city where everything begun?