Qu Chaozong got into the car, leaning back on the seat, and yawned: "I’ve been working for three days and two nights straight. I’ve never been this exhausted in my life. No way, after reporting to the company, I must head to the bathhouse for a soak and a massage, or I’ll be completely wiped out."
Shi Yang handed over the breakfast he bought: "Eat something first. What’s going on?"
Qu Chaozong wiped his face and said heavily, "Third Brother got played. Er Hou, the guy who works with him, is too shifty. He secretly took on a job under our name. He contacted the suppliers himself, and although the cost price is higher than ours, he charged less for installation, making his prices lower than ours overall." Follow current novᴇls on novelꞁire.net
Qu Chaozong opened the bag and took a couple of bites of the buns: "Third Brother was desperate. How many kindergartens can there be in a small county? Afraid Er Hou would snatch the job, he hurriedly took on three kindergartens at once. With little time, he had to work overtime, and all the guys have worn themselves out this time."
Shi Yang lowered his eyes, thinking for a moment: "Don’t worry about this; I’ll go over there myself tomorrow."
Qu Chaozong mumbled with a bun in his mouth as he inserted a straw into the milk carton: "I say we should just let Third Brother bring a couple of guys to deal with Er Hou properly. This guy is really something! When he first came looking for work, he seemed smart, so we took him along. We barely went anywhere, and he’s already sneaking around. He’s just relying on being a local, thinking we won’t dare to touch him!"
Shi Yang took out a cigarette, lit it, and inhaled. His voice was as fleeting as the smoke he exhaled: "Dealing with him... do we even need to do it ourselves? This afternoon, I’ll stop by the city fire department; isn’t Li Ke’s brother the one in charge there?"
Qu Chaozong’s eyes lit up: "You’re planning to deal with the kindergarten too?"
Shi Yang smiled at him: "That Er Hou is half-full, half-clumsy. Would Third Brother ever teach him the trick for the safety doors? The most stringent checks on kindergartens are the teacher’s quality and safety hazards. I’ll make sure Er Hou coughs up every penny he earned on this job and help us curry favor with the local fire department."
Qu Chaozong was thoroughly impressed by Shi Yang’s clever mind. With the matter settled, he ate the remaining buns with peace of mind, finished the milk, and dozed off on the car seat.
Shi Yang first took Qu Chaozong back to the company, checked the accounts, and deposited the money into the company account, then sent him to the bathhouse for a rejuvenating soak and finally dropped him off at the residential area.
Shi Yang rolled down the car window, waving to Qu Chaozong: "Take a good rest these two days, don’t come to work!!"
Qu Chaozong, carrying the large bags of special gifts Shi Yang brought, staggered and said: "Got it, take it slow on the road!"
Qu Chaozong, feeling light-headed, walked towards home, truly exhausted and dazed. He had almost immediately fallen asleep as soon as he lay on the recliner at the bathhouse and was woken up only after half an hour, now feeling a bit out of sorts.
He walked two more steps feeling like he was stepping on cotton, and now not only was he feeling dizzy, but the scene around him began to spin along with him, turning from bright daylight to a dusky hue, then gradually dark. As it was turning semi-dark, he thought to himself, this isn’t good, his body already losing control and toppling forward.
When he hit the ground, remarkably, it didn’t hurt, and he weakly closed his eyes, a thought flashing through his mind; he’s probably done for this time.
Just as his eyes were about to shut, a pair of tall, black high heels with red soles appeared in his view. As his consciousness completely faded, his last thought was that those shoes looked familiar...
Shi Yang drove to inspect the kindergarten where installation work was ongoing. The workers were all trained by Qu Chaozong, skilled in their work, and each one was straightforward and honest.
Upon seeing Shi Yang arrive, each worker showed him extra respect. Shi Yang checked the progress casually and chatted with the principal, taking the chance to promote the manufacturer’s new toy products, leaving two promotional brochures before he left.
Having handled all immediate tasks, Shi Yang drove past the company and detoured to the mall, planning to visit Zhao Meimei’s parents, with gifts in the trunk for them.
As soon as Shi Yang drove into the parking lot outside the mall, his phone rang—it was Zhao Meimei calling.
Shi Yang answered the call while glancing at the time on the car’s dashboard; it was already half past eleven, probably just after school.
Shi Yang smiled as he picked up the call: "Hey."
Zhao Meimei holding her phone, smiled radiantly: "Bro, what are you up to?"
Shi Yang casually reclined the car seat, lying back as bright sunshine streamed through the car window, warming him.
Shi Yang squinted, smiling: "Thinking of you."
Zhao Meimei giggled twice; a simple sweet talk swept her away, causing her to smile with bent eyes: "You really have a knack for it. I was thinking of you too."
After school, most classmates went out for meals, leaving a few behind, some having lunch delivered like Zhao Meimei, and others hurriedly copying answers for homework due in the afternoon.
Zhao Meimei spoke quietly on the phone with Shi Yang, not really saying anything meaningful, but still enjoying every second. As long as she could hear his voice, even if they said nothing, just breathing made her feel very secure and happy.
After exchanging sweet nothings with Shi Yang for a while, Zhao Meimei suddenly remembered why she had called.
Zhao Meimei said, "Bro, remember to give me the tutoring fee tonight; the teacher asked for it yesterday, and I forgot."
Shi Yang casually asked, "What’s the date today?"
Zhao Meimei replied, "The eighteenth."
Shi Yang’s eyes suddenly widened: "It’s the eighteenth today? Oh no! Today is your mom’s birthday!"
Zhao Meimei was first taken aback, then quickly responded: "Is it? Bro, did you check the lunar calendar?"
Shi Yang slapped his forehead: "I checked during New Year, and almost forgot with all the busyness. Okay, I’ll order a cake now; skip tutoring today and take leave."
Zhao Meimei quickly agreed: "Sure, I’ll ask the teacher for leave this afternoon."
Shi Yang instructed: "I’ll handle arrangements for your parents; I’ll pick you up after school tonight."
Zhao Meimei was about to speak when she heard a notification sound from the phone.
Shi Yang said, "Meimei, I’ve got another call coming in, talk to you later, okay?"