Pandora’s Box

I didn’t quit Lu Feng’s company immediately.

Ultimately, it was pleasant working with Ke Luo because we trusted each other and had a tacit understanding. He also relied on my hard work and to cover at any time so that he could escape to S City. Being able to contribute to a friend’s happy love life and bring in some light and excitement, I was essentially adding additional value, representing as one of the single dogs.

The most valid reason was that I didn’t dare to go to Zhuo Wenyang’s company to apply for a job superficially.

Perhaps, he was only offering out of politeness.

Even if he seemed to drop his resistance against me, it didn’t mean I could be impatient about it. The peaceful relationship between us that was finally repaired was still as thin as a piece of paper.

What if he still didn’t want me to get too close?

Two text messages appeared on my phone while I was at work that day. I took a closer look and discovered that this month’s salary came with an extra bonus. My balance increased and as a poor, newly hired employee, I was quite delighted.

I was looking fairly pleased when Ke Luo came in, patting my shoulder as soon as he saw my phone. He commented, “How about it, Brother? I treat you well, right?”

I said sternly, “To be honest, my allowance was more than this when I was in high school.”

Ke Luo smiled and was unmoved, “Isn’t that natural? How can the boss and dad be the same?”

I countered sourly, “That’s not necessarily true. Isn’t your boss and dad the same?”

Ke Luo hurriedly cough and said, “By the way, I’m going to S City by plane tonight.”

“…..”

“I’m going directly to the airport right after work so I can’t drive you back.”

“What?” I was heartbroken, “Do I have to take a taxi back by myself? That’s too expensive!”

Ke Luo friendly suggested, “Or you can choose to work overtime and the company will reimburse your transportation expenses.”

“…that’s not impossible.”

Ke Luo smiled and asked, “Honestly, why don’t you plan to buy a vehicle?”

“I have my favorite vehicle.”

“It has two wheels and it can’t go very fast.”

I sighed, “I don’t have money to buy four wheels, boss. Don’t you think it’s time to raise my salary-”

Ke Luo instantly waved his hands in dismissal, “Don’t even think about it; I can’t increase your salary a dime more.”

“…..”

“But Uncle Chen is willing to buy you one at any time.”

I rolled my eyes, “Where will he get the money?”

“You’re right, so who are you looking down on? How can Uncle Chen have no money? Isn’t Uncle Lu’s money his money?”

This was what I thought Ke Luo was cute about. Even if Lu Feng was his biological father and recognized his identity, he wouldn’t think that everything of his was also his property.

I acted as if I was pondering, “That won’t work, I still prefer to grab the company’s wool.”

Ke Luo smiled and patted me on the shoulder, “Seriously, pick the car you like. Otherwise, your commute will be a bit stressful.”

I understood this since Cheng Yichen was not the only one with good intentions to buy me a car. My dad and Cheng Yi Chen had also mentioned it several times out of kindness. They asked me what car I liked and that it would be my graduation gift.

I still politely declined.

When I was a student, I spent my elder’s money extravagantly. However, now that I was a member of society, I was not shameless enough to continue gnawing on the elders.

Besides, I was not my dad’s own son.

I planned to buy a car with my own savings.

In the past few years, with the income earned through livestreams and hard-earned money that Ke Luo squeezed out recently, my savings were not so bad when I didn’t have to spend on board and lodging.

This fact surprised me a lot–how could I save money?

I was not messing with Ke Luo; my allowance my dad had given me in high school was indeed much greater than my salary as a worker.

Despite of that at the time, it wasn’t enough for me to spend, and so I had to find Lee for relief.

Now that I had less money within my hands, I could save more money instead.

Ah the feeling from saving was really wonderful.

Of course, the amount of this savings was definitely far from buying a new car that met my aesthetics and requirements, but it was considerable enough to buy a second-hand car.

However, before reaching the goal, I needed to squeeze the company’s wool. For example, I voluntarily stayed to work overtime, and while earning overtime pay, I could also be reimbursed for the taxi fare home.

Being stingy was so pleasurable and addicting.

I received a call from Cheng Yichen when I was about to leave work.

“Xiao Jing, I just saw your message. Are you not coming back for dinner?”

“Yeah, I haven’t finished work so I want to stay and work overtime.”

Immediately after, there was a faint sound of Cheng Yichen’s voice chastising Lu Feng, “What’s the matter? Xiao Jing has only been at work for a short period, but he has to work overtime when it’s only been three days?”

I didn’t know what Lu Feng said and wasn’t able to hear it clearly because the volume wasn’t loud enough. Cheng Yichen reprimanded him again, “Still refuting? If you didn’t give him too much work, why would he need to work overtime voluntarily? Who doesn’t like to go home for dinner on time?”

“…..”

“There’s a cafeteria? Is it great to have a cafeteria ah? There’s provided dinner? Okay, but doesn’t that just prove that there’s a frequent need to work overtime?”

“…..”

A visual of Lu Feng’s obedient and scolded self automatically appeared in front of my eyes.

It was too sad.

In fact, the company’s cafeteria was very delicious, super high-quality, and affordable. All aspects of welfare were in place, which is much better than companies that only let employees work overtime with no regard of whether they live or die.

After scolding Lu Feng, Cheng Yichen came to me again and said, “Uncle Lu says that you don’t need to work overtime so come back quickly! You can do these things tomorrow, even if you can’t finish it.”

I couldn’t laugh or cry, “Okay.”

Ke Luo then roared in our small groupchat of three, “Lin actually tricked me!”

“?”

“Uncle Lu just called to inquire why I asked you to work overtime for no reason and if I gave you my own responsibilities. I think he wanted to scold me! But I can’t say that you want to be reimbursed for the taxi fare!”

I couldn’t stop myself from laughing uncontrollably, “Dead from laughing.”

Ke Luo was annoyed, “Wenyang, take care of him for me!”

“?”

Wenyang spoke, “I’m about to leave the company just now. Wait a moment, I’ll pick you up and go back together.”

I was flattered, “Huh? It’s not on the way.”

“It doesn’t matter.”

I was nervous and flustered. I rushed to the bathroom to face the mirror, carefully organizing my messy, bed-like hair.

I gradually became unkempt after I transitioned into a regular worker. In addition, because there was no one I liked in the company, my heart became loose and I didn’t even bother to take care of my hair. I overslept this morning so I simply washed my face and headed out.

How would I know that I would meet Zhuo Wenyang under such conditions?

I did my best to tidy up. I went downstairs nervously and waited at the company’s gate. From time to time, I checked my appearance repeatedly using the reflection of the glass door.

I recognized Zhuo Wenyang’s car from a distance. When he drove closer, my heart would beat wildly for an extended period and was close to jumping out of my mouth.

Opening the car door and sitting in it, I felt like Cinderella in the pumpkin carriage and was full of joy, trembling in anticipation.

For the first time in a long while, the two of us were alone in a confined space at such a close distance.

Zhuo Wenyang nodded to me and after driving for a while, he asked, “Is the temperature of the air conditioner too high?”

“No, no.”

“But I see you are sweating.”

“…..” I glanced at my face in the rearview mirror. Not only was it sweating, it was also as red as a baked sweet potato.

I could only embarrassingly say, “Haha, my jacket is too thick.”

Zhuo Wenyang lowered the temperature inside the car, and then asked, “Is Ke Luo the one driving you to and from off work now?”

“Mmhm.”

“Then it’s inconvenient for you whenever he’s not around,” Zhuo Wenyang asked, “Do you need to buy a car?”

I honestly responded, “Yes, I am saving money.”

He gave me a slightly surprised look, “Are you going to buy it by yourself?”

“Mmhm.”

A smiled appeared, “Then you’re better than me.”

“Really?”

“Well, my mother bought my first car for me and the one I’m driving now is a gift from my grandfather,” he explained, “I’ve never bought a car myself.”

He could still buy whatever he wanted on his own, so it sounded like there was nothing wrong with that. This seemed like he was trying to make me happy on purpose. Anyways, because I was also happy, I could merrily share my second-hand car plan with him.

Zhuo Wenyang listened carefully and gave some advice from time to time. He did not look down on the aspect of second-hand cars and he also took the struggles of my goal seriously.

When he was about to drive home, Zhuo Wenyang suddenly said, “Before you buy a car and whenever Ke Luo is occupied in the future, I will drive you without delay.”

I was shocked, “That’s so embarrassing and it’s too much trouble for you.”

He glanced at me, “There’s nothing troublesome.”

When Cheng Yichen opened the door to the two of us, he was a little surprised, “Wenyang is here? Didn’t you say you have something to do tonight so you can’t come for dinner?”

“Well, I took Lin Jing on the way.”

“You’re already here so do you really not want to stay for dinner?”

Zhuo Wenyang smiled and said, “It’s too late. Let’s do tomorrow so cook me an extra bowl of rice tomorrow night.”

After bidding farewell, Zhuo Wenyang left without entering the door. I watched his back and felt a surge of emotions.

And so, he made a special trip to see me off.

This was too excessive!

I felt ashamed of my stinginess, using Zhuo Wenyang as a private taxi driver in order to save a bit of taxi fare.

However, I was unreasonably thankful for my stinginess. Otherwise, how would I have the opportunity to be alone with him for dozens of minutes?

It was Friday again and I asked Ke Luo enthusiastically, “According to your usual routine, are you going to the airport again after getting off work tonight?”

“?” Ke Luo said, “No, there are too many things to do this week so I can’t leave.”

“…..”

Ke Luo asked suspiciously, “Why do you look so disappointed? Didn’t I originally have to escape from here for you to make such a lifeless expression?”

A notification was prompted on his phone and I glanced at it. Zhuo Wenyang was chatting in the group, “Ke Luo, are you going to S City tonight?”

“……”

Ke Luo reactively said, “Oh, I now remember. I have to make up to Lee by buying him a gift. It won’t be on the way so have Wenyang take you home.”