Chapter 164: An Unsettling Welcome Back

Around eight the next morning, Lu Xin arrived at the company.

Not the Security Hall, but the business company he’d taken over a week off from.

Although Chen Jing had given him three days off to rest, Lu Xin thought about it and realized he didn’t really have anything to rest *for*. Given three days off, he actually had no idea where to go…

…So he might as well go back to the company. At least he’d get paid for the day, right?

The Director had initially approved a week’s leave for him, but he’d already been off work for eight or nine days.

That wasn’t good.

Besides, if he remembered correctly, it was almost time for the Model Employee awards.

…

…

Heading up the narrow stairs towards the company’s stuffy, cramped cubicle area, he heard laughter echoing from the stairwell passage even from a distance. Mixed in were comments about someone getting their face scratched up by their wife again, how some colleague looked really pretty today and would definitely hit the bar after work, and how you might run into her if you went out drinking tonight…

Lu Xin, who had been in a pretty good mood lately, felt a sense of familiarity. He sighed and quickened his pace up the stairs.

Then, as he appeared at the top of the stairs, the boisterous noise from the hallway abruptly stopped…

A few colleagues were frozen mid-horseplay. One guy had another’s shoulders pinned from behind, while a third was crouched down, hand shaped for a “monkey steals the peach” grab, grinning mischievously as he reached for the pinned colleague’s crotch.

The colleague being pinned and about to be ‘peached’ was laughing, pretending to resist but clearly enjoying it.

The atmosphere was undeniably cheerful!

But that cheerful atmosphere instantly froze solid.

They stared wide-eyed at Lu Xin, the muscles in their faces visibly twitching.

“Brother Zhao, Brother Liu, Brother Meng, morning…”

Lu Xin had originally planned to join them for a smoke, but seeing how tense they were, he just offered a polite smile and greeting.

“Mor… Morning…”

The colleagues stared blankly at Lu Xin for a moment before snapping back to reality, forcing stiff smiles onto their faces.

Lu Xin adjusted the bag on his shoulder and turned towards the office.

Like the stairwell, it wasn’t quite work time yet, and the office buzzed with activity.

Some colleagues were munching on jianbing guozi, others leaned over partitions chatting cheerfully with a married female colleague who had two kids, and some were in the breakroom whispering about their husbands not ‘paying the grain tax’…

Then, as Lu Xin walked into the office, the atmosphere began to freeze over, inch by inch.

Everyone stopped what they were doing, their eyes fixed on Lu Xin’s figure. Someone even dropped a piece of egg from their jianbing guozi.

Lu Xin reached his cubicle, put down his bag, and glanced up at his colleagues.

*Rustle…*

The colleagues instantly busied themselves, either grabbing files, turning on computers, or suddenly forgiving their husbands.

“Did someone talk bad about me…?”

Lu Xin wondered inwardly, “Why are my colleagues acting so strange…?”

“Heh, you’re all quite diligent today! This work attitude is commendable. Keep it up, aim to be top performers this month, then maybe I can fire two fewer people… Hey you, Little Wang, bring me the Model Employee list…”

The Director walked in briskly, tucking a bag under his arm.

Noticing the office atmosphere was much more tense—uh, lively—than before, he assumed his usual strictness was finally paying off. His mood instantly improved. Praising them as he walked towards his own office, he didn’t forget to remind his subordinates about the files he’d asked for before leaving yesterday.

But as he spoke, he suddenly noticed Little Wang’s expression was off, secretly glancing in a particular direction.

He subconsciously turned his head to look in that direction.

And the smile on his face instantly stiffened.

Lu Xin looked up from his cubicle and gave the Director a smile.

The Director’s expression turned to horror, then he struggled to force it back into a smile, his voice trembling slightly, “Uh…”

“Uh… Little Lu, you’re… you’re back?”

…

“Yes, Director.”

Lu Xin gave the Director a grateful smile, “Aren’t you happy to see me back?”

“No…”

The Director practically shouted the word, quickly regaining composure and chuckling, “How could that be? The company needs you! I just didn’t expect… didn’t expect you back so soon, hehe. Um… how’s your sister doing?”

“Taking care of family is important. Look, should I approve… a few more days for you?”

…

“No need.”

Lu Xin quickly replied, “My sister is doing great. She’s been quite happy these past few days.”

Smiling gratefully, he glanced around curiously, “My colleagues… why are they acting a bit strange?”

*Swish!*

The surrounding colleagues froze, their hair practically standing on end.

“How could… How could…”

Cold sweat dripped down the Director’s back, but he plastered a smile on his face and suddenly started clapping vigorously, “Welcome, welcome! Welcome back, Little Lu…”

*Clap clap*

*Clap clap clap*

*Clap clap clap clap clap clap clap*

…

Everyone in the office followed suit, and the atmosphere gradually became enthusiastic.

“Welcome back to work, Brother Lu…”

“Congratulations on your family member’s recovery, Little Lu…”

…

The colleagues clapped along with the Director, casting friendly smiles towards Lu Xin.

“Boss Lu, you’re finally back! Without you overseeing that project, I was completely lost…”

Even Brother Zhang, who ran errands for Lu Xin on the procurement project, rushed over excitedly. He placed a thick stack of files on Lu Xin’s desk, and Lu Xin’s sharp eyes immediately noticed an envelope tucked inside.

A thick one.

“Thank you, thank you everyone…”

Lu Xin felt genuinely happy now, returning their friendly smiles. This was the atmosphere he expected.

“Alright, alright, everyone get back to work…”

The Director clapped until his hands were red before gesturing for everyone to quiet down. He initially wanted to return to his office, but seeing Lu Xin still smiling at him made him feel a bit guilty. So, he added, “Little Lu is a key player in our company. It’s great he’s back at work! Since it’s Friday, how about this: everyone finish up early today, and I’ll treat you all to dinner after work. How does that sound?”

“Great…”

A chorus of excited shouts erupted from the colleagues. This time, the joy was real.

“Good, good, good. You all handle your work first. Little Lu, if you need more time off, just come find me…”

The Director finally felt the atmosphere was safe enough. Smiling, he retreated to his office.

His subordinate, Little Wang, brought in the Model Employee list for the month. Wiping away cold sweat, the Director swiftly crossed out all the names on it. Then, he wrote in a new, two-character name with the surname Lu – the one with the least attendance time.

“What am I gonna do…”

The Director peered through the transparent glass partition towards Lu Xin’s desk, wiping sweat and sighing heavily:

“People say this guy, who looks so honest on the surface, is actually a vicious person who dared to cause trouble everywhere during the chaos in the city, even breaking people’s legs with a staff… The whole company is gossiping that he’s the illegitimate son of some big shot in the city…”

“Kills without batting an eye, breaks legs, steals money…”

“It’s over, it’s over. What should I do…”

“The man who brings a gun to work is back…”

…

Lu Xin quickly settled into work mode, reviewing the work details and invoices submitted by Brother Zhang.

Seeing how meticulously he was checking everything, Brother Zhang and Sister Li felt a bit guilty. After a quick discussion, they hastily put together another envelope and brought it over.

“Handled very well.”

Lu Xin gave their work high praise.

He also found it a bit strange. They had managed the procurement project quite well during his absence from the company.

So, what was his role as the project leader supposed to be?

Musing on this, he glanced at the two rather thick envelopes…

Just responsible for… this?

…

…

The Director was very generous when treating everyone, undoubtedly because the company would reimburse him.

The colleagues loved it when the Director treated them, as it meant they could feast without restraint.

This particular gathering, coinciding with Lu Xin’s return, saw the Director being especially generous, ordering extra dishes and letting the alcohol flow freely.

The colleagues were full of enthusiasm too, especially after a few drinks. They completely let loose, approaching Lu Xin with glasses in hand. Some declared the Model Employee award was definitely his, while others claimed the company would collapse without him. Their attitude towards Lu Xin swung dramatically from the daytime’s fearful reverence to drunken fervor, two stark extremes…

Even the Director, after downing a few glasses, slammed his hand on the table, pointed at Lu Xin, and declared, “Little Lu, I have to criticize you!”

“Hm?”

Lu Xin looked up at the Director, surprised.

The atmosphere instantly tensed. All the colleagues stopped talking and secretly turned to watch.

The fat on the Director’s face trembled, but he still put on his best leadership air, “Tell me, little brother, you’re clearly hardworking and responsible, your performance is excellent, so why haven’t I seen your application for supervisor?”

“What do we value in our company? We value initiative, daring to strive forward!”

“This supervisor position, if you don’t apply for it yourself, what am I supposed to do?”

He widened his eyes as he spoke, “Obviously, apply for you…”

“Don’t worry, I’m telling you right now, the supervisor position is yours! If anyone disagrees, just watch me curse their ancestors eighteen generations back behind their backs!”

…

Lu Xin felt a surge of respect and quickly raised his glass to toast the Director.

This was truly unexpected. The Director not only cared for his subordinates but was also… quite humorous?

The surrounding atmosphere became even more harmonious. Everyone was good friends, good colleagues.

Toasts were made, heartfelt words were exchanged. Lu Xin suddenly found himself with several new ‘sworn brothers’…

…

…

Truthfully, Lu Xin wasn’t overly fond of such occasions, but he felt he couldn’t refuse others’ goodwill, so he tried his best to blend in.

He waited until his colleagues drunkenly dispersed, and after the Director grasped his hand and repeatedly assured him that even if he didn’t bring his gun to work, the Model Employee award and next month’s supervisor position would definitely be his, before finally leaving the hotel among the last group.

Strolling slowly, he arrived near the Security Hall, at the location of the Orphanage.

He stood downstairs, looking up at the lit window. He considered going up but decided it was too late, and he’d been drinking.

So, after standing there for a moment, he peeled off the utility bill taped to the hallway entrance and silently walked away.