Volume One: High School Days Chapter 79: Promotion to Director

When Tang Xin learned that Liu Sheng would be staying in Chong City for a long time, she was overjoyed and decided never to work in such places again. To prevent Tang Xin from sneaking off to those places, Liu Sheng transferred her 200,000 yuan—enough for a college student to comfortably spend through graduation. Liu Sheng understood that Tang Xin had her own story. She enjoyed visiting entertainment venues for amusement, but since she couldn’t afford to be a customer, she ended up working there—able to have fun and earn money at the same time. But later, Tang Xin realized things weren’t as she had imagined: the clientele were all people of influence, not the kind one could afford to offend, so she could only endure.

When they parted, Tang Xin asked Liu Sheng once again, “Were you charmed by me today?”

Liu Sheng rolled his eyes and replied, “At first, yes. But once I knew it was you, I instantly lost all interest!”

Ren Xiadong hurriedly said to Tang Xin, “I was charmed too! Since Liu Sheng doesn’t want you, why not consider me?”

Liu Sheng threw an arm around Ren Xiadong’s neck and said, “Behave yourself! You’re not allowed to have a girlfriend before college!”

This gesture once again made Ren Xiadong feel that Liu Sheng truly liked Tang Xin, and it also led Tang Xin to believe that she had already won Liu Sheng’s heart.

But in truth, what Liu Sheng was thinking was that Ren Xiadong would meet Tian Yun ahead of time at university—his future wife and the mother of his children. If Ren Xiadong ended up with Tang Xin, what would become of Tian Yun? And the three of them would all be at the same university!

After sending Tang Xin back to school, Liu Sheng reminded her again, “You promised me—see it through! Don’t work in those places anymore. If you need money, just tell me. As long as you don’t ask for my life, I’ll give you whatever you want!”

Tang Xin responded by hugging Liu Sheng tightly and whispering, “I still have what I took from your pocket last time!”

“That square-shaped circle? Has it not expired yet?” Liu Sheng asked in surprise.

Tang Xin said nothing more and ran back to her dormitory. On the way home, Liu Sheng received a message from her: “Next time, I’ll definitely sleep with you—and I’ll do it irresponsibly!”

Liu Sheng smiled but didn’t reply. After a long, exhausting day, the two of them fell asleep as soon as they lay down, not waking until 8:30 the next morning. When Liu Sheng opened his eyes and glanced at his phone, he shouted, “Ren Xiadong! Get up! We’re going to be late again!”

As he hurriedly dressed, Liu Sheng thought, “Ren Xiadong, you’re such a drag! If not for you, I could use my eye ability to stop time and never be late. You really know how to hold me back!”

Without even washing their faces, the two called a taxi to the company. As Liu Sheng had anticipated, Supervisor Zhu was already waiting at the editing department entrance to “welcome” them.

“Well, gentlemen, you must be loaded! At this rate, your pay will be docked until there’s nothing left,” Supervisor Zhu said with a smile that made both Liu Sheng and Ren Xiadong sick to their stomachs.

Ignoring Supervisor Zhu, Liu Sheng and Ren Xiadong went straight to their seats.

Something was odd about Wang Yi today. She wasn’t working, but sat staring blankly at her computer screen. Seeing this, Liu Sheng thought Wang Yi must be waiting for him to help with her work, so he picked up her keyboard and got to it. In no time, he’d finished her tasks for her.

Liu Sheng wanted to speak to Wang Yi, but she let out a deep sigh and said, “Liu Sheng, you and Ren Xiadong are my only true friends here.” With that, she left the office area. Liu Sheng and Ren Xiadong thought to follow, but Supervisor Zhu assigned them new tasks via their computers.

Meanwhile, in Deputy Director Zhu’s office, he was reviewing various reports when a knock sounded at the door.

“Come in,” he said without looking up.

Wang Yi entered and stood silently, staring at the floor. When the visitor didn’t speak, Deputy Director Zhu looked up and, seeing Wang Yi, set aside his work. “You really are loyal, coming here for those two paupers. Since you’re here, let’s get on with it.”

Wang Yi clenched her fists and said, “Everything happened because of me. I’ll take full responsibility. They have nothing to do with it—we’re just colleagues. Please don’t hurt them!”

Deputy Director Zhu paid no attention to her words. Since Wang Yi had come, he knew she’d made up her mind. He walked to the front of his desk, leaned against it, and faced her.

“Since you’re here, come over,” he said, unfastening his belt.

Wang Yi visibly trembled in fear at the sight. Deputy Director Zhu, seeing her frozen in place, barked again, “Come here! Otherwise those two paupers will never rise again.”

Slowly, Wang Yi approached. Deputy Director Zhu removed his pants and commanded, “Kneel!”

When Wang Yi still didn’t move, he forcefully pressed down on her head with both hands. She struggled fiercely, but he was too strong. Seizing a moment, Wang Yi stepped back, straightened up, and delivered a fierce kick to his groin.

Wang Yi simply could not accept Deputy Director Zhu’s demands. She knew this would be bad for herself and for Liu Sheng and Ren Xiadong, but she stuck to her principles and refused to submit to such rules.

Deputy Director Zhu rolled on the floor in agony, screaming. Wang Yi, seeing this, rushed out in a panic and found Liu Sheng, saying breathlessly, “I’m sorry, I may have gotten you two in trouble. Let’s quit together!”

Before Liu Sheng and Ren Xiadong could ask what was going on, Supervisor Zhu approached with a broad grin and called out, “Everyone, stop what you’re doing! I’ve got great news!”

All the employees stopped working and looked at Supervisor Zhu expectantly.

With a flourish, he announced, “Though Liu Sheng and Ren Xiadong are new, they’ve shown diligence and efficiency. So, Human Resources Deputy Director Zhu has decided to promote them! From now on, Liu Sheng will be our Chief, and Ren Xiadong the Deputy Chief!”

Chief? Deputy Chief? Many didn’t understand what these positions entailed and stared at Supervisor Zhu in confusion. Laughing loudly, Supervisor Zhu clarified, “The Chief is in charge of toilet cleaning!”

He turned to Liu Sheng and Ren Xiadong. “From now on, all the toilets on the 22nd floor are yours to manage. Don’t let Deputy Director Zhu down!”

Liu Sheng and Ren Xiadong fumed inwardly, but couldn’t show it. They silently vowed that in a few days, they’d have Supervisor Zhu cleaning up the trash himself!

Supervisor Zhu, seeing their lack of reaction, continued, “Leaders, please return to your posts. Our grove is too small for birds as grand as you.”

Liu Sheng stood and whispered to Supervisor Zhu, “Just wait. In a few days, you’ll see what I’ll do to you!”

“Hahaha! You? In a few days, you won’t even be fit to shine my shoes! Let me tell you straight: at the end-of-month staff meeting, thanks to my uncle Deputy Director Zhu, I’ll be promoted to Editing Department Manager. As for you cleaners, you’ll be lucky to mop up my spit!” Supervisor Zhu crowed.

As Liu Sheng exited, he thought, “Whatever meeting you have, I’ll make you suffer like death that day!”

After Liu Sheng and Ren Xiadong left, Supervisor Zhu pulled Wang Yi into a deserted corner. “My uncle said you have one more chance. Tonight, go to Room 888 at the Metropolis Hotel. Nothing will happen if you go—Liu Sheng and Ren Xiadong’s fate will be yours otherwise. And don’t even think about quitting. With Huayong Group’s power, you’ll never find work in Chong City!”

As he was about to leave, Supervisor Zhu turned back. “By the way, the hotel is booked. The keycard is at the front desk. You can leave work on time tonight, whether or not you finish your tasks.”

In the restroom, Liu Sheng and Ren Xiadong had changed into janitor uniforms and were smoking on the windowsill.

“Damn it! I can’t take this anymore!” Liu Sheng suddenly exclaimed.

“I’ve made up my mind too. Just a few more days, and I’ll take them down!” said Ren Xiadong.

Liu Sheng could endure anything, but being made to clean toilets was too much.

“This is outrageous! Absolutely outrageous!” Liu Sheng muttered as he took out his phone and called Steward Jin.

“Master Jin!”

“Well, Liu Sheng, what’s with the formal address today? Been bullied?”

“I can’t take it anymore. I want to destroy Deputy Director Zhu and his nephew right now!”

“Haha, hold off for a bit. In a few days, the entire Meyer—no, the whole Liuyao World Film Company—will be yours to command. You did well last night. I’ve already sent people to handle the aftermath. Today, the company’s ownership will be changed to your name, with Ren Xiadong as deputy. I’ll tell you more when I arrive.”

“No, Master Jin, I want those two bastards dead! They made me clean toilets!”

“Hahahaha, just hold on a few more days. That’s all for now, I have other matters to attend to.” With that, Steward Jin hung up before Liu Sheng could say more.

Just then, Supervisor Zhu came into the restroom. Relieving himself, he said to Liu Sheng and Ren Xiadong, “Every job deserves passion.”

Deliberately, Supervisor Zhu urinated outside the urinal and said, “Oops, not on purpose. Getting old, can’t control it. Be sure to clean up, ha!”

Liu Sheng approached and bumped into Supervisor Zhu, who, unsteady, ended up wetting his own hand and pants.

“Oops, not on purpose. The floor’s wet and slippery,” Liu Sheng said with feigned innocence, wanting Supervisor Zhu to know it was his own mess that made the floor slippery. He was curious to see how Supervisor Zhu would return to the office in soaked pants.

Clearly embarrassed and annoyed, Supervisor Zhu said, “If my uncle hadn’t told me to keep you on to torment you, I’d have fired you long ago!” With that, he left. But soon, from outside, they heard the sound of someone trying to dry their pants with a hairdryer. Liu Sheng looked out and saw Supervisor Zhu awkwardly blow-drying his crotch—a scene Liu Sheng caught on video and sent to the editing department group chat, causing a stir. Before long, though, Liu Sheng and Ren Xiadong were kicked out of the group.

With nothing to do, the two made no move to clean the toilets or work, instead wandering around the company. While smoking in the corridor, they heard a woman crying. Following the sound, they found Wang Yi.

Wiping her tears, Wang Yi told them everything that had happened since they smashed the car.

After understanding the situation, Liu Sheng said, “No wonder you wanted us to quit. Since this started because we smashed the car, let us be the ones to resolve it!”

“No, we can’t fight them. Let’s resign and move to the capital! With your talent, you can lead us to a better life,” Wang Yi said, tugging at Liu Sheng.

Liu Sheng looked at her gently and replied, “Even if we don’t leave, I can still lead you all to a better life. Tonight, don’t go anywhere. After work, just go home. Ren Xiadong and I will handle it!”