Su Xingyu was shocked and went to the magazine office to find the HR director: "Did I do something wrong?"
The HR director sighed slightly: "There are personnel changes in the office, and there are layoffs. You and Ling Weilong are on the list."
Su Xingyu was incredulous: "Ling Weilong is also being laid off? Isn’t he the best photographer in the office?"
Looking at the girl’s clear eyes in front of him, a strong sense of guilt suddenly rose in the HR director’s heart. After a moment of silence, he finally couldn’t bear it and said, "Xingyu, actually, you offended someone. The Qin Corporation gave the office a huge advertising fee, and the only condition was to fire you and Ling Weilong." Original content can be found at Novᴇl_Fire(.)net
She had been on guard against everything but didn’t expect Qin Mu to use such a tactic!
This was too despicable!
Her expression became ugly in an instant: "This is unfair!"
The HR director sighed again: "I know it’s unfair, but Xingyu, this is the workplace. Why did you have to be so conspicuous in that cover story last time? What good can come from offending Mr. Qin’s girlfriend? You just graduated from school, and there are many unspoken rules in society you don’t understand. Remember, learn your lesson, okay?"
Su Xingyu was silent; the HR director’s words left her without retort.
She walked out of the magazine office somewhat distractedly, the early summer sunlight dappled and dazzling.
Was she really unemployed just like that? She was unwilling. Her creativity was clearly so good, and Ling Weilong executed it perfectly. People like them, who work so hard, shouldn’t be crushed by those incompetents. She pulled out her phone and called Ling Weilong: "What do you plan to do? Go to the magazine office and make a fuss, or go somewhere else? I can continue to follow you."
Ling Weilong snorted: "Come on, what’s the use of making a fuss in this situation? If this place doesn’t want me, there’s another place that will. I’m sure I’ll find a better job." He paused and then advised Su Xingyu, "Don’t wait for me, I’m planning to take a break for a while. Go find a job yourself, don’t delay your future."
So Su Xingyu understood, how could he find a better job?
Being laid off was equivalent to unemployment.
She felt guilty. After all, Su Xingqi and Qin Mu were targeting her, and Ling Weilong was just collateral damage.
She thought for a moment and then went home and sent a message to Cang Er: [Cang Er, I’m sorry, I offended a client at Illusion Dream and got fired. Can I trouble you once more? This time I don’t need you to find me a job, but please help find a job for my friend. He was implicated because of me. His name is Ling Weilong, and he’s a photographer. His work is really good.]
Along with the email, she also attached some of Ling Weilong’s photographs.
It took a day for Cang Er to reply: [Who knew you could cause such trouble? You even managed to snatch away Ling Weilong’s job, impressive. I know him; he used to work at Cloud. His skills are pretty good, just too prone to offending people. So later, when Illusion Dream was founded, the office was eager to send him over as if sending off a deity.]
Su Xingyu hadn’t expected this connection between Ling Weilong and Cloud and replied: [So can he go back?]
Cang Er replied: [Difficult. The competition at Cloud is fierce, and they’re currently not hiring photographers. However, this Iceland trip is not going well for us, and we still need someone who can photograph diamonds. Xingyu, would you like to join? If you come, I can make an exception and let Ling Weilong rejoin as a member of your team.]
Su Xingyu was in a dilemma: [You know I can’t be a photographer. Cang Er, just let Ling Weilong go to Iceland and give it a try. How do you know he can’t do it if you don’t try?]
Cang Er said: [There are two people in the office at a similar level to him, and they couldn’t handle it.]
Su Xingyu: [But Ling Weilong lost his job because of me...]
Cang Er sent back a smiley face: [That’s your problem, not mine. Xingyu, we are friends, but I’m not friends with Ling Weilong. If you come to photograph diamonds, he can come with. If you don’t, he can’t come. It’s just that simple.]
Su Xingyu closed the email with a headache.
She wanted to help Ling Weilong, but given the current situation, there was nothing she could do. If she really went to Iceland to photograph diamonds, wouldn’t Lu Shifeng strip a layer of skin off her? After resting at home for two days, the HR department at Illusion Dream notified her to pick up her labor manual and termination form.
She got her things and saw Ling Weilong as she left the office.
A sturdy man stood by a roadside pancake stall, counting change in his hand while saying to the vendor: "I’ll have two pancakes, without meat, just put in more sauce."
The vendor said, "No meat? Young man, you look so strong, meat adds nutrition."
Ling Weilong was impatient: "Eating meat every day gets boring, just want it without meat."
Su Xingyu felt a pang in her heart. Having worked with him for so long, she knew his taste was voracious for meat. His breakfasts used to be meat pies, meat buns. When had he ever been so frugal before? It was evident that after being laid off, money was tight.
Someone from the magazine followed out, carrying a heavy tripod over to Ling Weilong: "Mr. Ling, your thing. This Three Wolf head is so old, you’re still taking it back? There was a new version released earlier this year, and look at yours, it’s so dented, isn’t it time to replace it?"
That was the dent from when Qin Mu bullied Su Xingyu, and he smashed someone with it.
Ling Weilong carelessly said: "Why keep changing something like a tripod? Just make do."
Though he said such things, his hand lovingly caressed that dent.
Su Xingyu felt something warm rolling inside her heart, and before she realized it, she had already blurted out: "Ling Weilong!" She took a few steps forward and snatched the pancake from his hand, "Why are you eating pancakes? I’ve found a great job, and they specifically asked for both of us. Come on, let’s go have a feast!"
On the way home, she calmed down.
Oh my God, how was she going to explain this to Lu Shifeng? How could she persuade him to let her go to Iceland?
Did she have to... go for broke?
As night fell, she took a careful bath, pulled out the most seductive silk nightgown from her wardrobe, and it clung to her slender figure, graceful curves, and smooth skin. Her long hair was half down as she approached him when he entered the bedroom, tiptoeing to kiss his lips: "Shifeng..."
His lips were thin and cool, carrying a faint minty taste, mesmerizing and distinct.
She lingered for a moment before parting from his lips, her eyes flowing with captivating allure.
He watched her impassively: "It’s rare to see you so proactive."
She buried her concerns and bloomed a smile she had practiced countless times in front of the mirror: "I’ve been so tired lately, neglecting you, so I want to make it up to you, give me a chance, okay?"
She was beautiful and had deliberately groomed herself. Under the ambiguous light in the bedroom, she was as enchanting as a mimosa flower blooming only in dreams.
She was confident no man could resist such temptation.
But Lu Shifeng remained unfazed: "Go ahead, what favor do you need from me?"