Chapter 40 I know what I need to do
Jiang Ran really couldn't understand how Su Mu's little head could come up with such a brilliant idea.
He originally thought that Su Mu was just saying it casually.
But when Su Mu woke up the next day, he clearly had given it serious thought, and even seemed a little eager to try it out.
Jiang Ran then realized that his wife was serious.
Jiang Ran sat across the table, holding half a slice of toast spread with jam. Watching Su Mu enthusiastically planning his blueprint for experiencing normal office life at He Angxiao's company, Jiang Ran felt like he couldn't swallow the bread in his mouth. He put down the toast, trying to make a final struggle, his tone full of helplessness and reluctance: "Mu Mu, this... this isn't good, is it?"
Su Mu was sipping his milk when he heard this. He looked up at him innocently, his logic so clear it gave Jiang Ran a headache: "What's wrong with that? Look, He Angxiao put his lover in your company, right? Now, I'm going to work for his company, so we're even, aren't we? He won't owe you any favors anymore."
This is hardly a big favor.
Jiang Ran accused, "Mu Mu, do you not want to work with me anymore?"
Su Mu certainly didn't want to.
God knows what he went through these past few days as Jiang Ran's personal secretary. The job was bizarre, including but not limited to making coffee, massaging shoulders, and sitting on her lap. His personal space was infinitely compressed, not to mention the subtle, curious glances from other people in the company. Although he wasn't bothered by it, he couldn't completely ignore it either.
Because he was clearly a crony who received ridiculously special treatment from the boss.
This is not the kind of workplace experience he wanted at all.
However, these words cannot be said directly, as it would severely damage Young Master Jiang's already somewhat fragile and prone-to-overthinking self-esteem.
Su Mu put down the milk glass, leaned forward slightly, reached out and gently touched the back of Jiang Ran's hand on the table with his fingertips, then raised his face, leaned in, and gave him a comforting kiss on his tightly pursed lips.
“No,” Su Mu’s voice softened, and he looked at Jiang Ran with sincere eyes. “Actually, I don’t know what I want to do right now. I resigned from my job and had Xiao He. There are many things I’m still thinking about.”
He gently stroked Jiang Ran's hand with his fingers: "Being your secretary must be really boring. All I do every day is read books, make you coffee, and listen to you in meetings... I'm not saying it's bad."
"I really want to see you every day. You're so handsome and smart. You're so charming when you're working."
Jiang Ran's ears turned slightly red, and her tightly pursed lips loosened a little.
Su Mu pressed her advantage: "But honey, this isn't what I want to do, at least not now. Isn't loving someone about respecting their thoughts and supporting them in doing what they want to do?"
He blinked and asked the seemingly simple question that struck at Jiang Ran's weak spot: "Do you love me?"
Jiang Ran: "…………"
"like."
What could he say? What else could he say besides that answer!
Su Mu immediately smiled, his eyes crinkling. He leaned over and gave Jiang Ran a loud kiss on the lips, his tone cheerful: "Then it's settled! Go and contact He Angxiao."
Seeing his sudden burst of joy, Jiang Ran's initial frustration and jealousy were replaced by doting affection.
"Okay... go ahead."
"However, no overtime is allowed. If anything happens, tell me immediately. Also, you must go home on time every day after get off work."
Su Mu nodded repeatedly: "I know, I know."
Su Mu went to the nursery to see Xiao He.
The room was very warm, and the little one was lying on the mat wearing only a soft, light yellow onesie.
Su Mu's heart softened. He walked over, bent down, and carefully picked him up. The little boy was warm and cozy, smelling of milk and clean soap. Hearing Su Mu hold him, the little boy instinctively nuzzled his neck, his little hands clutching his clothes. The child seemed to really enjoy being held like this, kicking his legs with great force.
Recently, besides thinking about work, he and Jiang Ran have another important matter to worry about: giving Xiaohe a formal name.
The two new fathers spent several days poring over thick dictionaries and name-generating software, their opinions differing. Jiang Ran preferred names that were grand and composed, while Su Mu leaned towards names that were gentle and elegant.
Finally, the two compromised and chose a name that was a compromise: Hexuan.
The character "He" is naturally taken from his nickname, while "Xuan" means warmth and gentleness, reflecting the hope that he will have a gentle temperament and a bright and warm life.
When read aloud together, Jiang Hexuan sounds quite pleasant.
Winters in Jiangzhou are a damp, bone-chilling cold. Aside from taking Xiaohe to the hospital for vaccinations regularly, Su Mu rarely lets his nanny take him out. Most of the time, Xiaohe stays in this warm, spring-like home, receiving meticulous care.
Jiang's mother knew that both her sons had to go to work. So, she would come over every few days, never empty-handed. She would either bring a well-cooked, nourishing soup or some homemade snacks. She wouldn't stay long; she would see her grandson, ask about Su Mu and Jiang Ran, give them a few words of advice, and then go to get a beauty treatment or go shopping.
The auntie was extremely dedicated every day, taking pictures of Xiaohe with her phone, capturing her earnest expression as she drank milk with her cheeks puffed out, her adorable sleeping face with her little fists clenched, and her cute, wide-eyed, curious gaze when she was awake. Countless short videos and photos were sent to the family group chat called "Adorable Baby at Home".
The group chat immediately becomes lively, with grandparents, relatives and elders from Jiang Ran's side all chiming in with praise and the satisfaction of virtually cuddling the baby.
It's that age where even a simple burp while eating gets you praised to the skies.
Sometimes, when Su Mu looked at the overflowing affection in the group chat, he felt that his son had practically grown up in a honey pot.
On the other side, after receiving Jiang Ran's call and understanding her intentions, He Angxiao held his phone and remained silent for a good ten seconds.
Then, with a hint of amusement and disbelief, he slowly said, "Didn't you swear to me before that your wife adored you, was incredibly clingy, and couldn't bear to be apart from you for even a minute?"
He still remembered Jiang Ran's smug and arrogant face when she showed off, her tail practically wagging in the air.
Jiang Ran on the other end of the phone said, "What nonsense are you talking about? My wife thinks that a new environment is more challenging, and besides, isn't this a good way to repay your favor? We're even. Actually, my wife doesn't want me to hang out with you."
"Besides, my wife is a top student who graduated from Jiangzhou University. She has a lot of opinions, okay? It's her freedom to choose where she wants to work. As her husband, all I can do is support her."
He Angxiao: "We are not allowed to discriminate based on educational background."
Jiang Ran immediately warned, "You are not allowed to order my wife around either."
The two men, each with their own thoughts, reached a consensus on the phone.
The atmosphere was a little awkward the next morning.
Jiang Ran drove Su Mu to He Angxiao's company building. It was a modern, high-tech office building, completely different from the Jiang family's stable and solid style.
"We're here." Jiang Ran parked the car, but didn't unlock the door immediately. Instead, he turned around and looked at Su Mu, who had already unbuckled his seatbelt and was preparing to get out of the passenger seat. He reached out and grabbed Su Mu's wrist, the grip light but filled with reluctance. "Are you just leaving like this?"
Su Mu turned to look at him, couldn't help but smile, and leaned over to kiss him on the cheek: "Okay, okay, it's a promise, you'll pick me up after get off work?"
Su Mu met He Angxiao's legendary lover for the first time downstairs at He Angxiao's company.
Chi Luoxi stood properly by the car, wearing a simple white sweatshirt and jeans, with an expensive-looking white down jacket over them. His soft hair fell across his forehead, and his skin was an almost translucent white, as if it hadn't seen the sun in a long time. His features were indeed exceptionally beautiful, with delicate eyebrows and eyes like a porcelain doll, especially his eyes, which were large and round, with a light amber color, like the clearest spring water in a mountain stream.
She's really good-looking, so fresh and beautiful. That was Su Mu's first impression.
But for some reason, the boy's expression was like that of a wilted eggplant, listless and without any energy, so Jiang Ran gave him a ride.
When she greeted Su Mu, her voice was soft and her Mandarin accent wasn't perfect, but it was very pleasant to hear.
Jiang Ran led Chi Luoxi into the company and casually asked, "What's your name? How old are you?"
"Chi Luoxi." The boy followed half a step behind him, his voice still not loud, "Twenty years old."
Jiang Ran paused, silently cursing He Angxiao in her heart for being such a beast. It was said that Chi Luoxi used to live in the mountains and had only recently come to the big city.
Meanwhile, Su Mu had already been led into He Angxiao's office by his assistant.
He Angxiao's company mainly focuses on software development and high-tech investment, and holds controlling stakes in many emerging technology companies. The office is filled with various smart devices and futuristic decor. The air is thick with the scent of caffeine and youthful energy, a stark contrast to the somewhat staid, even old-fashioned, atmosphere of Jiang Ran's company.
Su Mu glanced at the company profile and business segments and was secretly amazed. This industry was lucrative and had amazing profits, much more so than her husband's business.
He casually flipped through an internal briefing on the table, his eyes drawn to one of the business areas: account incubation and new media operations. He looked at it more curiously, noticing some astonishing data on revenue streams and revenue-sharing models.
Su Mu thought for a moment, took out his phone, took a picture of the briefing page while avoiding sensitive information, then opened Jiang Ran's WeChat and sent it to her.
The postscript was just one sentence, tinged with a mix of amazement and teasing: "Honey, He Angxiao really makes a lot of money."
He replied almost instantly.
Jiang Ran: He makes money like it's falling from the sky. His wife does a good job, and you stay there and lie low, steal his business model and core technology, and we'll be rich.
It was followed by an emoji of striving and secretly observing.
A voice suddenly came from behind Su Mu: "Hey, Mr. Su, even if you're going to go undercover, can you at least keep your conversations a little discreet from me? I haven't gone far yet."
Su Mu was startled. He Angxiao was standing behind him at some point, wearing his usual wicked and playful smile, looking at him with great interest.
Su Mu's face flushed slightly: "I'm sorry, President He, I was just reporting to my husband, ah no, President Jiang... about the amazing things I've seen at the new company."
He Angxiao raised an eyebrow: "Jiang Ran must have said a lot of bad things about me to you. Come on, let's chat and see what kind of good job we can arrange for you that allows you to experience life without being too tired, and without being chased by Young Master Jiang."
Su Mu immediately adjusted his expression, adopting the standard serious yet humble demeanor of a good employee, nodded to He Angxiao, and said respectfully, "Just follow Mr. He's arrangements."
He Angxiao waved his hand and said, "Then you can go to the marketing department. The position is Creative Director. How about it?"
Su Mu: "...??"
He thought he had misheard.
Creative Director?
This position doesn't sound like it's designed for someone who's just started and has no industry experience. Looking at He Angxiao's matter-of-fact expression, he couldn't help but ask, "Mr. He, isn't this... a bit too hasty?"
He Angxiao didn't care: "Is it hasty? No, it's not hasty. To put it bluntly, this job is just about looking at the proposals submitted by the subordinates, nodding if you think they're okay, and rejecting if they're not. It's all about talking, it's easy."
"Oh, I just fired the last creative director a few days ago, so there's a vacancy now. He was too controlling when it came to content creation. I'm seeing if someone less controlling can produce results."
Su Mu: "…………"
Looking at He Angxiao's arrogant attitude of "it's my company, I'm in charge, do whatever you want," it's no wonder Jiang Ran always says that He Angxiao doesn't follow the rules.
"All right."
Su Mu was led to the marketing department and assigned a spacious, bright, and well-lit private office with a good view.
A brand-new computer, stationery, and even a lush green potted plant were already laid out on the table.
His job was exactly as He Angxiao had described: every day, different teams would compile the plans, data reports, market analyses, and most importantly, various account incubation and content creation proposals that he might need to review into a booklet and deliver it to his desk.
What Su Mu needs to do is review and understand the content, and then use his own judgment to give his opinion on whether to approve, modify, or reject it. Occasionally, he needs to convene a short meeting with relevant people to discuss it.
It was quite relaxing.
But this ease made Su Mu feel uneasy.
Is it really because he is capable that he was able to get this job so easily and in such a high position?
If we disregard his past background, given his education and experience, could he really find such a job so easily? In this highly competitive era where countless graduates from prestigious universities struggle to get into large companies, is this really the case?
Su Mu turned his attention to the diverse account creation proposals that had been sent to his desk. Some were for creating fashion bloggers, some for incubating knowledge-based IPs, and some for managing emotional accounts. They were all different, with clear target audiences and well-defined operational strategies.
As he looked around, Su Mu's thoughts drifted back to himself.
He recalled the most confused and anxious days when he was unemployed and at home, and started a live streaming account to record his daily life, occasionally complaining and occasionally encouraging himself. He didn't intend to become an internet celebrity, he just wanted to find an outlet, but slowly, he actually attracted some people.
Among those people were those who, like him, were unemployed and at home, unable to see a future; some felt that his decision to return to his village to drive a forklift was courageous and drew strength from it; and many more were ordinary working people who gritted their teeth and persevered in the city, struggling to breathe under the weight of mortgage and car loan payments, finding resonance in his mundane daily life.
The private messages in the background are filled with all sorts of confusion, anxiety, uncertainty about the future, and a little bit of longing for comfort from others like me.
The difficulty of finding employment seems to have become a persistent dark cloud hanging over the heads of many young people. It's not just about not being able to find a job, but also a widespread anxiety about career development and the value of life.
Looking at those meticulously planned commercial proposals aimed at attracting traffic and converting it into revenue, Su Mu recalled the genuine, simple, and even somewhat optimistic yet heavy comments in his backend.
A thought, without warning, clearly emerged.
If it's not about creating a glamorous account that teaches people how to succeed.
Instead, it's about recording and showcasing the real, ordinary young people, and even middle-aged career changers, from the depths of unemployment to finding direction again, or even just barely managing to get back on their feet.
It's not motivational fluff or a whitewash; it's a raw and honest portrayal of anxiety, struggle, and the confusion and perseverance under the pressure of reality.
The article presents the macro-level social issue of employment difficulties through a specific, vivid, and relatable personal story.
Will anyone read this kind of content? Can it help those who are also feeling lost? Even just a little bit of resonance, a little bit of comfort that tells me I'm not the only one?
The idea made his heart race slightly, and a long-lost sense of excitement, tinged with challenge and uncertainty, quietly began to grow within him.
Looking out the window at the bustling yet cold city skyline, Su Mu's heart pounded. He turned on his computer and started writing a proposal.
Su Mu picked up her phone and opened her chat with Jiang Ran: "Honey, I've figured out what I want to do."
Almost instantly, Jiang Ran's reply popped up, with her usual support: What? Do you need your husband to invest in you? How much?
It was followed by a meme of a wealthy and arrogant tycoon.
Before he could figure out how to reply, Jiang Ran sent another message, her tone tinged with schadenfreude: "By the way, Mumu, I have something to tell you. He Angxiao is really worried sick. His little sweetheart absolutely refuses to spend his money. She won't take anything he buys, and she won't even take his bank card. He Angxiao is at his wit's end."
Jiang Ran: You can't pick up this bad habit. The money your husband earns is for you to spend.
Su Mu: I understand.
That evening, the four of them got together for a meal.
We chose a well-known Western restaurant in Jiangzhou. The environment was elegant, the lighting was dim, and the tables were set with exquisite tableware and flickering candlelight.
Jiang Ran's eyes never left Su Mu. Su Mu was clearly adapting well to the new environment, and even seemed to be enjoying it.
Jiang Ran couldn't help but feel a pang of jealousy again. It seemed that his Mu Mu was actually finding some fun with He Angxiao, which made him feel very uncomfortable.
Sitting next to He Angxiao, Chi Luoxi seemed completely out of place in the romantic and warm atmosphere. He kept his head down, idly poking at the steak on his plate with his fork, barely eating anything. His face was expressionless, still looking listless and unhappy, like a punching bag.
He Angxiao noticed it too. He frowned, as if he wanted to say something, but in the end he didn't. Halfway through the meal, he stood up, said "I'm going to have a smoke," picked up the cigarette case and lighter on the table, and walked towards the terrace outside the restaurant.
Seeing this, Su Mu secretly kicked Jiang Ran under the table and gave her a look.
Jiang Ran immediately understood and stood up as well, saying to Su Mu, "I'm going to get some fresh air too."
Then she followed He Angxiao to the terrace.
Only Su Mu and Chi Luoxi remained at the dining table.
The atmosphere became quiet for a moment, with only the soothing piano music flowing through the restaurant.
Looking at the boy across from her, who was a few years younger than her but had a worried expression, Su Mu felt a surge of tenderness and compassion, a tenderness that had grown from having a child: "Xiao Chi, why are you so unhappy? Is it because you're not used to your job? Or is it something else?"
When Chi Luoxi heard his question, she was taken aback for a moment, then sighed: "I feel so stupid, I can't do anything. He Angxiao always says that I can't do anything, that I'm an idiot, and that I'll be fooled by others if I leave him..."
"I just want to support myself and don't want to rely on him. It's been said on TV that you can't just spend other people's money."
He spoke haltingly, and his logic was somewhat muddled, but Su Mu understood him. Chi Luoxi was simple-minded and had a strong sense of self-respect. Coming from the mountains, she was already anxious and uneasy facing an unfamiliar city and complicated interpersonal relationships, and was further hurt by He Angxiao's blow.
"No one is born knowing everything. If you don't know something, you can learn it. Have you ever thought about going to school? Learn something systematically, and once you have knowledge and skills, you'll naturally know it and have confidence."
Upon hearing this, Chi Luoxi's eyes lit up for a moment, but then dimmed again. He shook his head, his voice low, "But going to school costs a lot of money, and I don't have any. The only school in our mountain village closed down before, and I..."
He seemed to remember something, and his voice became even softer, with a hint of stubbornness: "I don't want the money He Angxiao gives me, that's not right."
Looking at his expression, which was both eager and stubborn, yet also tinged with a naive sense of morality, Su Mu felt a mix of emotions. After thinking for a moment, a sudden inspiration struck him, and an idea came to mind.
"Xiao Chi, do you know a word called investment?"
Chi Luoxi looked completely bewildered: "??"
Su Mu wondered where He Angxiao had found such a treasure: "Someone saw your future potential and was willing to give you money in advance to help you learn and grow. When you are capable in the future, you can repay them through work or other means. This is not taking it for free; it is a kind of cooperation."
Seeing Chi Luoxi's half-understanding look, Su Mu offered his suggestion: "How about this, I've been thinking of making a documentary recently, recording the stories of young people learning and growing. I think you'd be perfect to be the lead."
Chi Luoxi: "Me?"
"Well, I'd like to ask you to be the protagonist of my documentary. That way, you'll be my employee. It's only natural that I pay you a salary, and your job is to study, go to school, and truthfully record your learning process, the difficulties you encounter, and what you learn."
He looked at Chi Luoxi's slightly open mouth in shock: "This salary is something you earned through your work, not something given to you by anyone. How about it?"
Chi Luoxi's eyes lit up little by little as Su Mu spoke, like two stars that had been rekindled: "Really?"
Su Mu nodded firmly: "Really, as long as you're willing, not afraid of hardship, and not afraid of the camera."
"I do! I do!" Chi Luoxi nodded vigorously, finally showing her first genuine, slightly shy smile of the day.
A sense of accomplishment welled up in Su Mu's heart.
He hadn't even started filming his documentary yet when he helped a boy who had dropped out of school.
This is so meaningful.
-
A note from the author:
Little Wood has a lot of ideas.
Young Master Jiang: I'm totally speechless. This creativity is just too much.
Little Radish is the main character of another book. She is also an adorable radish spirit who likes to turn into a radish and stay in a flowerpot whenever she has free time.
He Angxiao is a person too.
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