Translator: Sparrow Translations Editor: Sparrow Translations
A black sedan was traveling on the road.
Li Feng was driving but his expression was very grave as if his heart was being weighed down. Then, he asked worriedly, “We didn’t forget anything, did we?”
“No, we’ve bought everything we need to buy,” said a young and beautiful lady.
However, she was the same as the man as she seemed gloomy as well.
Tian Yu Hui said, “Husband, if we don’t succeed this time, what will we do?”
Li Feng laughed bitterly, “What else could we do? The company’s returns aren’t enough. As a department head, I need to take full responsibility. If it doesn’t work, I’ll get discharged from the company and I’ll have to start over again.”
Tian Yu Hui said, “Don’t be too stressed. We can start over.”
Li Feng laughed forcefully, “The outcome isn’t certain yet, so we don’t need to be too negative about it. But if I really get discharged, we have to hide it from Dad and Mom for a while.”
“Mmm, I know.” Tian Yu Hui nodded.
She had known Li Feng since university. After graduating, they got married. Her husband’s job was pretty good. He was a manager in a foreign enterprise and his salary was high. It was enough for them to make a living in Zhongzhou. On the other hand, her job was to keep the house neat and orderly and to take care of his two parents.
But they hadn’t expected that towards the start of the new year, something like this would happen.
The company wasn’t getting enough returns and her husband’s department had to take responsibility. In foreign enterprises, the competition was intense and there were many backstabbers as well. Eventually, they received news that after the new year celebrations, her husband might get discharged from the company. They might separate that department and rebuild it again.
When they found out about this, it was like a bolt from the blue. But at home, the two of them pretended like nothing had happened. All they could do now was buy some things and gift them to the leader in hope that he would give him one more chance. However, they still didn’t know how things would turn out.
Soon after.
They reached an isolated villa.
Tian Yu Hui and Li Feng carried the things. These things had cost them tens of thousands. As they carried the items, they felt heavy. Their hearts were restless as well. There was an indescribable, stifling feeling.
Li Feng stood at the door and took a deep breath before pressing the doorbell.
Before long, someone opened the door.
Li Feng immediately smiled, “Chief Zhu, happy new year.”
Chief Zhu was a pot-bellied man, balding from the top of his head. At that moment, he looked at Li Feng emotionlessly. “What are you doing here?”
These words kept the two of them outside the door. But to Li Feng, it didn’t matter right now. He could only fill his face with smiles.
“Chief Zhu, it’s the new year, isn’t it? My wife and I brought some things here to pay you a visit.” Li Feng could feel the opposition’s coldness towards himself.
But in his situation, if he didn’t plead with Chief Zhu, what else could he do?
Was he supposed to just wait until the new year celebrations were over for him to be discharged?
Chief Zhu’s brows furrowed. “Come in then.”
After entering the house, Li Feng put down the items.
Chief Zhu propped his legs up as he sat on the sofa. “Li Feng, you have to understand that this happened because of a problem in your department. And as the department head, you have to take full responsibility. You understand?”
“I understand.” Li Feng nodded. He kept standing there. Without Chief Zhu’s permission, how could he sit?
Tian Yu Hui was standing behind Li Feng the whole time. Seeing her husband like this, her heart felt sore. There was an indescribable bitterness.
“This is your wife?” Chief Zhu took a glance at Tian Yu Hui.
“That’s my wife.” Li Feng nodded.
Tian Yu Hui went forward. “Nice to meet you, Chief Zhu.”
Chief Zhu’s eyes lit up when he saw Tian Yu Hui. He hadn’t expected his subordinate to have such a beautiful lady as a wife. And she was very young too.
“She’s very beautiful. You have pretty good luck, kid,” said Chief Zhu.
Li Feng replied, “Thank you for the compliment, Chief Zhu.”
But at this moment, Li Feng suddenly felt that something wasn’t right. Li Feng was considered above average in the company.
But he knew about the behavior of the higher-ups. The common practices in the company were not good.
Chief Zhu liked playing around with the female workers in the company. And the company’s Vice-President, Shan Cun He liked married women even more. Not that Li Feng had heard what Chief Zhu said, he suddenly felt his heartbeat quicken.
At that moment, Li Feng pulled his wife back. “Chief Zhu, do you think there could be a chance for redemption?” Then, he took out the bag that he had packaged in black plastic packaging and placed it on the table.
Chief Zhu looked at Li Feng in astonishment. “What are you trying to do? Bribe me?”
Li Feng quickly shook his head. “That’s not what I mean. I just want to thank Chief Zhu for looking after me these past few years. But I really cannot do without this job. I hope that Chief Zhu could help me put in a good word so that I can make amendments for my mistakes.”
“Mmm.” Chief Zhu’s expression became a lot warmer. Then, he just stared at Li Feng for a moment and didn’t speak.
At that moment, Chief Zhu lit up a cigarette. “Don’t say that I’m not giving you a chance. It will depend on whether you can seize it. Tonight, Vice-President Shan Cun will be organizing a banquet at Joy Hotel. Bring your wife there. As for how it turns out, it will depend on you.”
Li Feng said, “Can I go alone?”
Chief Zhu stopped for a moment, then looked up at Li Feng. “Are you trying to bargain with me?”
Tian Yu Hui was standing behind. As fingers were being pointed, she became a little nervous. Although she didn’t know the exact situation, it sounded like things weren’t very good.
Li Feng didn’t think anymore. He bowed and said goodbye, “Thank you, Chief Zhu but I won’t be going.” After saying that, he picked up the black plastic bag from the table and started to leave the place with his wife.
Chief Zhu’s face turned cold. “I gave you the chance, Li Feng. It’ll depend on how you take it. Go back and think about it. Once you’ve decided, call me at 7.”
“Forget it, Chief Zhu. There’s no need to consider. I’m still young. If I start over, perhaps I can develop even better.” Li Feng shook his head. Then, he pulled his wife and left immediately.
“You don’t even know what’s good for you,” said Chief Zhu unhappily as he saw Li Feng leave.
In the car.
Tian Yu Hui looked at her husband worriedly. “What’s wrong?”
Li Feng patted his wife’s head and smiled forcefully. “Nothing’s wrong. No need to think too much. After the new year celebrations, I’ll go and find a job. Just be a good, beautiful wife.
“How about I go out to work as well? It would help to split the load,” suggested Tian Yu Hui.
“No need. Don’t you trust your husband? I just saw a message that Uncle Lin and his family are back. Just in time to spend the new year happily. Leave the money earning to me,” said Li Feng with a smile. Then, he started the car and headed home.
As for those presents, he would just give them to Chief Zhu. After all, he had been under Chief Zhu for many years. Also, he would send him a message for the Chinese New Year.
“F*ck your mother.”
…
Lin Fan saw that his Dad and Uncle Li were chatting so cheerfully and helplessly took out his phone to look at the news. He occasionally replied to Aunty Li.
*knock knock*
At that moment, the sound of the door being unlocked could be heard.
Uncle Li, who had been chatting happily with Papa Lin, smiled and said, “Looks like the children are back.”
Lin Fan got up. When he saw who had come, he was all smiles. “Brother Li, Sister-in-law.”
“Ah, Lin Fan, we haven’t met in so long.” Li Feng smiled brilliantly when he saw Lin Fan.
He had grown up with Lin Fan when they were young. However, he was a few years older than Lin Fan, therefore, he graduated earlier that Lin Fan. They would basically meet once or twice a year.
Moreover, their families had been neighbors for almost ten years.