Chapter 8 [08]

Tree Hole

Upon learning that the job had been successfully completed, Luo Qingyue faced the darkest moment of her life.

At this moment, she sat on the living room sofa, staring intently at the culprit opposite her, her face full of anger.

Luo Hanzhou stood by the floor-to-ceiling window with her back to her, making a phone call.

After hanging up the phone, he sat down on another single sofa, across the square coffee table from her.

The intention to maintain distance was made perfectly clear.

Luo Qingyue decided to try again. She stood up, walked to Luo Hanzhou's side, and said in a very conciliatory tone, "Brother, I know I was wrong."

She picked up a glass from the coffee table, poured herself a glass of water, and handed it to him with both hands: "I was just temporarily lost and went astray. Even you coders have a margin of error, so you should give me a chance to make amends."

Luo Hanzhou took the water glass: "I've already given it to you. It's right in front of you; it's just a matter of whether you're willing to seize it."

This also brings the topic back to the present.

The heavy weight on her chest deepened, and Luo Qingyue retorted, "What if I don't want to?"

After finishing his water, Luo Hanzhou placed the cup on the coffee table, speaking in a nonchalant tone.

"The credit card you're using is a supplementary card under my name, and I'm the one paying the bills for you."

This means that the source of income can be cut off at any time.

Luo Qingyue's eyes widened, and she said in an exasperated tone, "I had no choice at all."

Luo Hanzhou nodded: "Theoretically speaking, that's how it is."

Luo Qingyue pursed her lips and sat down next to Luo Hanzhou, crossing her arms.

"Tomorrow I'm going to the ancestral hall to tell our ancestors how you went against my will and pushed me into the fire."

"They will help me to have you possessed by evil spirits, break down your defense system, and you can just wait to be paralyzed and become a vegetable!"

"Go ahead and see if your curse works first, or if I can cut off your source of wealth faster."

"..."

A clap of thunder sounded outside, followed by a torrential downpour as expected.

Rain kept pounding against the French windows, lightning tore through the night, and the daylight that had lasted for a moment quickly faded away.

Luo Qingyue didn't sleep well all night.

I was so angry that I got up at three in the morning and made a paper effigy.

Write Luo Hanzhou's name on it, poke it with a pen until it's riddled with holes, and hang it on the door beam.

The next day, she chose to go on a hunger strike in protest, but Luo Hanzhou was just too wicked.

She was reading comics in the garden when Luo Hanzhou deliberately set up a barbecue grill next to her, grilling fragrant meat skewers.

She was watching TV in the living room when Luo Hanzhou came over with a bowl of crayfish, some with garlic and some with five-spice flavor, and asked if she wanted to eat some together.

At first, Luo Qingyue ignored him and watched the currently popular variety shows.

But the crayfish smelled so good that it tantalized her taste buds.

The explosive allure made her realize that she was powerless and destined to be unable to change the situation.

Ignoring Luo Hanzhou's undisguised smile, Luo Qingyue put on disposable gloves and decided to eat to her heart's content.

Luo Hanzhou placed the peeled crayfish on the ceramic plate in front of Luo Qingyue.

"The company I found for you is great, a big car manufacturer, and the boss is the one I mentioned to you before, your college roommate."

"Based on our close relationship, you can rest assured that he will take good care of you once you arrive, and treat you like a second home."

In the past, Luo Qingyue would have believed any words of coaxing.

However, given the significant weakening of her blood ties with Luo Hanzhou, we have to listen to the opposite interpretation.

Let's start with that college roommate.

Luo Qingyue had some idea of ​​how eccentric this person was from Luo Hanzhou's previous introduction.

A company owned by a "rolling king" (a term referring to someone who is overly ambitious or opportunistic) will certainly not be content with just rolling in the money themselves; it will bring its employees along to roll in the money as well.

The workload will be heavy, labor exploitation will be the norm, life will be tough, and it will definitely be like hell on earth.

Let's talk about Luo Hanzhou and his close friends.

As the saying goes, "birds of a feather flock together," so what kind of good people can get along with Luo Hanzhou?

Take good care of them, treat them like a second home... Ha, who knows what dirty tricks they're up to behind the scenes.

The more Luo Qingyue thought about it, the more resistant she became, and she felt only agitated and confused.

Just then, Luo Hanzhou's voice reached my ears again.

"By the way, the company is called Mingyue, Ming as in 'remember' and Yue as in 'surpass'. My roommate's name is—"

Luo Qingyue looked up at Luo Hanzhou, whose face was cold and aloof, and interrupted him without saying a word.

"Can't you let me finish eating my crayfish in peace and quiet?"

Luo Hanzhou raised his hands and obediently surrendered.

Okay, I'll ask the boss to give me face and introduce myself. It shouldn't be too much of a problem.

——

Even after finishing the crayfish, Luo Qingyue's inner turmoil did not dissipate.

She lay on the beanbag chair, picked up a comic book she hadn't finished reading, but was uninterested and couldn't muster any enthusiasm.

She tossed the book aside, stared blankly at the moon outside the window for a while, and then her phone vibrated.

Luo Qingyue glanced at the lock screen and saw a schedule reminder: Dragon Boat Festival is here, hurry up and chat with Lu Mingxiao!

Oh, it's the Dragon Boat Festival today.

Busy with worries, Luo Qingyue had almost forgotten about this matter.

Looking at the schedule reminder, she suddenly felt a sense of comfort, and a slight smile appeared on her lips. She opened WeChat and tapped on Lu Mingxiao's chat box.

Luo Qingyue used a Dragon Boat Festival greeting emoji as her opening.

Lu Mingxiao didn't reply immediately, but she didn't mind and simply treated him as a sounding board.

【Crescent Moon】: Long time no see, Lu Mingxiao, how have you been lately?

【Crescent Moon】: I've been having a rough time lately because something happened that made me realize how powerless I am, like an ant, easily trampled underfoot, with no power to fight back.

【Crescent Moon】: As the saying goes, "He who takes a bribe is bound to be subservient." Even if I don't want to, I have to submit to reality; resistance is futile. After the holiday, I'll be back to being a beast of burden. The thought of this makes the world seem gloomy, and I feel a little unhappy.

When facing outsiders, Luo Qingyue's emotions were much calmer than when facing Luo Hanzhou.

She didn't expect Lu Mingxiao to comfort her; she just felt that finding a place to talk would relieve her suppressed emotions and make her feel better.

Surprisingly, Lu Mingxiao reacted quickly this time.

[Lu Mingxiao]: Cattle and horses?

Luo Qingyue was pleased that she hadn't been ignored.

Thinking he didn't know what the word meant, I explained it to him earnestly.

【Crescent Moon】: I don't have magic, I can't turn from a human into an animal.

【The crescent moon】: The "ox and horse" here specifically refers to my upcoming job as a corporate slave, working like an ox or a horse.

New information has arrived again.

[Lu Mingxiao]: Which company?

Lu Mingxiao really cares about her, even asking about such details.

Recalling the information provided by Luo Hanzhou, Luo Qingyue lightly tapped the screen to reply.

【Crescent Moon】：Mingyue.

【Crescent Moon】: Have you heard of it?

Lu Mingxiao replied five minutes later.

[Lu Mingxiao]: Which car company is it?

【Crescent Moon】: Hmm.

There was a long silence on the other end.

Lu Mingxiao remained silent, but Luo Qingyue took the initiative to start the conversation.

【Crescent Moon】: Boss Mingyue is my brother's good friend.

【Crescent Moon】: My brother specifically asked him to make sure I got in.

【Crescent Moon】: I have a feeling that life won't be easy under his watchful eye.

Lu Mingxiao replied instantly this time.

[Lu Mingxiao]: Your brother made him sound very scary?

Luo Qingyue tensed her facial muscles and pressed the keyboard to reply.

【Crescent Moon】：Low emotional intelligence: Terrible.

【Crescent Moon】: High EQ: He possesses an innate dark temperament. Wherever he goes, nothing grows and everything is desolate. He is the master of this world and the god of the universe.

[Lu Mingxiao]: ...

Okay, it's a bit abstract, it's normal not to understand. Luo Qingyue offered a simpler explanation.

【Crescent Moon】: I find it hard to imagine that someone would be willing to dedicate all their energy to their work, and that working themselves to the bone is their motto.

【Crescent Moon】: That's not a problem, but I'm determined to be a lazy bum. Our values ​​are different, so we're destined to be incompatible.

【Crescent Moon】: I reckon he's already bald in his early thirties, no wonder he doesn't have a girlfriend. Who would want to date a bald guy?

[Lu Mingxiao]: ...

An ellipsis represents silence.

Did she say anything wrong? No, she was just stating the facts.

Luo Qingyue re-examined her words and realized she had lost control, her words becoming too harsh.

She planned to restrain herself when the time was right, as Lu Mingxiao explained.

[Lu Mingxiao]: Hair volume is also related to family genes.

【The crescent moon】: Then my family has excellent genes.

[Lu Mingxiao]: Hmm.

【The crescent moon】: You too.

Lu Mingxiao replied "It's okay," and Luo Qingyue sent a happy emoji. Lu Mingxiao then changed the subject.

[Lu Mingxiao]: Since you are so unwilling to work, why not choose to leave?

[Lu Mingxiao]: With so many countries and regions around the world, if you plan well, you can always go to places your brother can't find.

Luo Qingyue told him frankly.

【Crescent Moon】: I've thought of this method before.

【Crescent Moon】: But my combat power is zero. Can I guarantee my safety if I go somewhere else? My brother will have to worry about me. Rather than that, I'd rather eke out a living under his nose.

【Crescent Moon】: Besides, my brother has already made arrangements with his friend. If I don't go, it will make us, the Luo family, seem like we're untrustworthy. I can't let the Luo family be stigmatized.

【Crescent Moon】: My only worry right now is that annoying guy who tattles on me to my brother every day, trying to kill me.

Her face felt so dry. Luo Qingyue put down her phone, got up, sat down at her vanity, and tore off a piece of moisturizing face mask to apply.

With her limbs feeling weak and sore, she lay sprawled on the bed and dozed off for a while. Five minutes later, Lu Mingxiao sent her a new message.

[Lu Mingxiao]: The boss has a lot of things to deal with every day, and no one will waste time on tattling.

I see. Luo Qingyue understands.

【Crescent Moon】: You mean, Mingyue, I can go without worry?

[Lu Mingxiao]: Adults should have their own judgment.

Lu Mingxiao has been interviewed by CarXia magazine, so he must also work in the automotive industry.

The police officer handling the traffic accident and Jingxi's uncle both addressed him as "General Manager Lu" with utmost respect, indicating that his rank was certainly not low.

Luo Qingyue guessed that it must be a senior executive of some company.

She peeled off her face mask and was about to ask Lu Mingxiao which company he worked for when Lu Mingxiao sent her a message first.

[Lu Mingxiao]: Have you made a resume?

Luo Qingyue gave a bewildered "Ah" emoji.

[Lu Mingxiao]: It represents your first impression on the company, and the person in charge will look at it during the interview.

Luo Hanzhou did indeed tell her about an interview.

However, she also stated that it was just a formality to help Mingyue get to know her and arrange a suitable position for her.

He didn't mention the resume, and Luo Qingyue assumed it wasn't necessary, but since Lu Mingxiao said so, she should still make one.

What kind of resume can impress everyone?

Luo Qingyue had no experience, didn't know, and was too lazy to waste her brain cells thinking.

She would never rely on herself to solve a problem that money could.

The next day, Luo Qingyue used her financial resources to find a resume-making service online.

On the first workday after the holiday, I arrived at Mingyue at the agreed time.

[Author's Note]

Xiao: If only people used search engines properly... [eating melon seeds][eating melon seeds][eating melon seeds]

Moon: Let this torrential rain fall! [crying][crying][crying]