ehess: 003-02

 003-02

“So you just went to see the general manager with Director Zhang? How did it go? Pretty good?” Xia Bailun asked as Xingling and he walked, trying to get Xingling to tell him something interesting.

“It went pretty well overall.” In actuality, Xingling did not have a deep impression at all about what was just discussed in the office. He had only focused on admiring the man there and ended up only remembering that Wang Yun had made him a full time employee with a raise. This was pretty good and substantial news, though, so XIngling thought he would share it. “Bailun, the general manager approved for me to work full time starting next month.”

“That’s incredible!” Xia Bailun praised. “But what about your salary?” he hurriedly asked. If you are not reading from readerfeedertranslation.blogspot.com, this work was stolen.

“Well, I can’t really say.” XIngling knew about the company’s strict policies, which ensured the confidentiality of wages and restricted employees from casually conversing about salaries. As a newcomer in the workplace and industry, Xingling decided to err on the side of caution and abide by the rules.

“Could you at least give me an approximation?” Bailun asked, disappointed. “We’re all working in the same company, after all, do we really need to have such clear cut boundaries?” Bailun knew that the company had regulations, but he couldn’t help but feel as if Xingling was a bit too high strung and uptight.

Xingling considered his options for a while, and then decided to say a more conservative number: “About fifteen to eighteen thousand or so per month.”

“Oh, I see. That’s a pretty good range, but it should still be less than half of what our seniors in the company are earning…” XIngling’s colleagues had all worked their asses off the join the company because they had heard that the benefits and salaries working for the Hans were very good, but they had only just joined the company and so their wages were only average right now. But a low starting salary was normal.

In the future, they all planned to work hard to collaborate with their seniors on collections so that their qualifications will go up, so that their salaries naturally would, too.

“Yup.” Xingling nodded as he strolled into their company restaurant downstairs. He found that there were an absurd amount of people, just like every other time he came to this restaurant. “Really, this is truly the only decent restaurant around, isn’t it? I struggle to find an empty table every time I come here.”

As he was saying this, he suddenly spotted Wang Yun and Li Dong.

“Isn’t it? It’s really irritating how even the employees from the office building across the street from ours run over to eat here.” Xia Bailun lined up at the service window to order, only to find that Xu Xingling was standing idly, staring dumbly out at the tables. Thinking that he was merely trying to find an empty table, Bailun urged him, “Go find some seats for us, and I’ll get your food for you.”

At this moment, Xingling spotted a table of guests next to Wang Yun who seemed to be getting up and preparing to leave. He immediately rushed over, wanting to occupy that table.

“Excuse me…” A man who had suddenly turned around with a dinner plate ran into XIngling on his way.

Li Dong was chatting comfortably with Wang Yun, when suddenly, a shadow started falling towards him. He instinctively reached out to catch it, and the person fell into his open arms.

As soon as he caught the person in his embrace, Li Dong immediately knew that it was that good for nothing male protagonist that could only make him speechless again and again. What on earth was this XIngling up to now?

“Why are you so careless?” When Li Dong’s voice sounded above his head, Xingling’s residual panic from his fall suddenly faded away. The moment he heard Li Dong, his heart was no longer trying to beat out of his chest, but rather fluttered like a newborn fawn, jumping around in excitement.

“Thank you…” They were in public, so XIngling quickly got out of Li Dong’s arms and apologized to Wang Yun. “Sorry for interrupting your meal, general manager.”

“You worry too much; so long as you don’t hurt yourself, it’s alright.” Wang Yun had a good impression of him; this young man was both attractive and outstandingly talented. “Why were you in such a hurry?”

Xu Xingling glanced back at the table he had been trying to occupy, only to see that a different group of guests had already sat down there. He childishly complained to Wang Yun, “General manager, it’s so difficult to find an available table at this establishment.”

Wang Yun now realized XIngling’s problem. “So it turns out you were rushing for this.” Xingling was right. When she and her son had arrived, there were also no empty tables. “Why don’t you sit with us?” There were two seats left at Wang Yun and Li Dong’s table, but no one dared to come and sit down with them.

“Thank you, general manager!” Xu Xingling beamed, and his eyes shimmered as he peaked over at LI Dong.

Unfortunately for him, the other party was still pretending that he didn’t exist.

“Xingling!” Xia Bailun walked over carrying two lunches. “Oh, general manager! What a coincidence.” He then winked at Xingling desperately, signalling to him to update him on the situation.

“The general manager invited us to sit here.” XIngling said while quickly sitting down next to Li Dong.

“That’s great! Thank you, general manager.” Xia Bailun sat next to Wang Yun and smiled at Li Dong who was across from him. “Thank you as well, Second Young Master.” This was the first time Bailun has ever seen Second Young Master Han in person. Listening to the gossip this morning, there was a lot said about this Han Yubai.

But all the rumors were very vague, without any actual, first hand experience or understanding. If you are not reading from readerfeedertranslation.blogspot.com, this work was stolen.

This is, of course, because there really is no one truly familiar with Han Yubai within those circles.

“You’re welcome.” Li Dong said simply. He held the same disconnected attitude towards all the characters in the book; he didn’t really care about them much.

To him, apart from the characters who are close to Han Yubai and the main characters, all the rest are just scenery and props.

It’s not too surprising that Li Dong thinks this way, however. After all, these are all merely plot points that the author indulges in. This whole world has no logic nor significance at all. Maybe, it would even arbitrarily disappear, and the people within it would also disappear as they are ficticious.

“General manager, my name is Xia Bailun. I joined the company at the same time as XIngling, but I’m not sure if you remember me?” Xia Bailun remembered that Wang Yun had personally conducted Xingling’s interview. She really treats him so well.

He, on the other hand, had no true chance to make an impression on the general manager, and so he had no chance to show his skill set and diligent performance.

Now, eating a meal with Wang Yun, of course he wants to take advantage of the situation and showcase himself fully.

Wang Yun gave him some face, replying, “I do have some impression of you, yes.” But her smile turned more reserved as she said this.

Xingling gave the other person a kick under the table, trying to stop his colleague from talking too much nonsense. The general manager is obviously out to enjoy lunch and have some mother-son bonding time, so who are they to butt in and chat with them?

Xia Bailun glared at Xu Xingling. He, of course, knew XIngling’s meaning, but he was not satisfied. How come XIngling could so easily become a full time worker and get a raise while no one cares about the rest of them, no teacher clears the path for them?

“I’m full. You all enjoy yourself.” While Xingling and Bailun were busy exchanging glares, Li Dong had already finished his lunch. He took a sip of water and Xingling reflexively opened a pack of wet tissues to hand him one to wipe his mouth with.

Not only was Li Dong surprised, even Wang Yun, who was watching from opposite them, was taken aback. But she thought it was a bit funny, and did not disdain Xingling’s attempt at flattery.

“Thanks.” Li Dong took the tissue and cleaned his mouth and hands.

“...” Xia Bailun secretly held a disdain for Xu Xingling, and was also annoyed that he was held back by him.

Soon, Wang Yun also finished eating, and said with a smile, “You two eat slowly. Yubai and I will leave first.”

Xia Bailun immediately stood up to bid them farewell. “General manager, be careful on your way back, Second Young Master, be careful on your way back.”

Xu Xingling, sitting next to Li Dong, also stood and gazed at Li Dong’s side profile. Li Dong, however, did not spare him a glance the entire while, acting extremely cold and unfamiliar.

---

translator notes:

it's been quite a long few days! I've had exams recently, but I finally finished them after a straight nine hours of testing yesterday! glad to be back and I hope you enjoyed!

stick around for more tomorrow! (or maybe later this afternoon if I'm feeling up to it!)

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