Chapter 9: Both of You, Come Work at Qinfeng

Chapter 9: Both of You, Come Work at Qinfeng

Clang—

The spoon clattered into the hot pot, splattering crimson oil across the table’s edge. The pristine white ceramic was instantly dotted with red.

Yu Hua stared blankly at the nearly perfect profile before him, then, after a long moment, blurted out, "What the hell!"

The assistant let out a long sigh of relief, as if narrowly escaping disaster. He picked up his favorite slice of wagyu beef and dropped it into the pot. Boss Tan was reliable after all; now he could finally enjoy the show.

Song Shimu’s mind raced. If he remembered correctly, the table behind them had been occupied since they ordered. Qin Xu, dressed in formal attire, must have had important business to attend to. Yet, his presence here could only mean one thing: Qin Xu was following him!

“Are you following me?” Song Shimu decided to strike first.

Qin Xu retorted, “Do you own this place? Am I not allowed to eat here?”

“You knew I was here, yet you didn’t greet me and instead sat behind me, eavesdropping?” Song Shimu pressed.

Qin Xu sneered, “Are we that close? Why should I greet you? There were hardly any empty seats in this restaurant—was I forbidden to sit here? Or did you reserve two tables?”

Song Shimu fell silent for a moment, then narrowed his eyes and smiled, softening his tone. “Bro, we were just chatting privately. Let it go in one ear and out the other—no need to take it seriously.”

Qin Xu maintained his composure. “Naturally, I wouldn’t take rumors seriously. But some people hear a whisper and treat it like a storm, spreading nonsense blindly.” As he spoke, he shot a cold glance at Yu Hua.

Song Shimu gave Yu Hua a look, and Yu Hua quickly apologized, “President Qin, please forgive my ignorance. Dinner’s on me—consider it an apology.”

Qin Xu said nothing, but stood up and smoothly took a seat beside Song Shimu.

Song Shimu and Yu Hua exchanged glances, both simultaneously entertaining the same absurd thought: Was this guy planning to eat all their food as revenge?

But they quickly dismissed the outlandish idea. The esteemed president of Qinfeng could easily buy out the entire restaurant if he wished—he wouldn’t bother with their modest meal.

Yu Hua nervously eyed Qin Xu. Seeing Song Shimu hand Qin Xu a bowl and chopsticks, he followed suit, offering an unopened bottle of iced cola.

Qin Xu glanced at the hot pot, his eyes briefly sweeping over Song Shimu, before first replying to a couple of messages from Tan Manjin.

Seeing that Qin Xu remained silent, Song Shimu guessed he might still be angry and said, “He was just sounding things out for me. If you’re upset, direct it at me.”

Qin Xu gave him a cool look and retorted, “Did you talk trash about me too?”

“Not really,” Song Shimu replied with a sheepish grin. “This time—”

Before Song Shimu could finish, Qin Xu cut him off. “If not, then shut up.”

“…………”

Qin Xu turned his gaze to Yu Hua, about to speak, when Yu Hua suddenly picked up his phone to answer a call, muttering, “Hello? Mom? What’s up? …What! Grandpa fainted? How did he end up in the ICU? What happened? Wait for me, I’m coming home right now!”

With that, he hurriedly hung up, looking anxious as he said to Qin Xu and Song Shimu, “My grandpa suddenly fainted. I need to go back. You two enjoy the meal.”

Qin Xu suppressed his anger. “Could your acting be any more convincing? You held your phone upside down.”

“……………………”

Yu Hua looked down at his phone and realized he had indeed answered the call with the back of his phone facing up…

So he quickly backpedaled, saying, “President Qin, I was out of line. Please be magnanimous and let this slide.”

“Let it slide? What about my reputation?” Qin Xu retorted.

Song Shimu stepped in. “He only said it to me in private—he didn’t dare spread it elsewhere. After all, we were once colleagues in the same industry. You’re the president of Qinfeng—who would dare gossip about you openly? Right?”

Yu Hua nodded like a bobblehead, looking utterly terrified.

Qin Xu swept his gaze across the packed dining hall and said, “And this is what you call ‘private’?”

“Ahem… There’s a saying: it's not like we have an audience. Please be generous and let him off. I owe you,” Song Shimu negotiated.

Qin Xu’s eyebrow twitched slightly. His eyes shifted between the two of them, and a dangerous smile played on his lips. “Fine.”

“I knew you had a big heart, broad-minded and tolerant!” Song Shimu praised.

Yu Hua also hurried to thank him, but before he could get more than a few words out, Qin Xu added:

“Both of you, come work at Qinfeng.”

“…………?”

“…………?”

The small space enclosed by the two screens fell into silence. Song Shimu and Yu Hua were completely baffled.

The assistant, upon hearing this, almost choked on his drink. Was the punishment for angering the president getting sentenced to work at a major company? Then what was all his effort—studying for exams, hunting for internships, working on projects—for?

Did it just mean he’d tried his best?

Qin Xu, receiving no response, said darkly, “Not agreeing? Then don’t blame me if someday, when I’ve had too much to drink, I accidentally spill the beans that your people love to gossip.”

“We’re in!” After this episode, Yu Hua had gained a basic understanding of the notoriously unconventional president of Qinfeng. His way of thinking wasn’t something ordinary people could follow. To allow those who badmouthed him into the company—that was a level of magnanimity few could match!

Song Shimu looked at Qin Xu in surprise. If earlier, his zapping Qin Xu went unpunished because Qin Xu was wary of his parents and didn’t want to rock the boat just yet, then now, given the temper of the antagonist from the original story, Qin Xu should have made Yu Hua's life miserable in the city—let alone allow him into Qinfeng.

Qin Xu noticed his gaze and said coolly, “Surprised?”

Song Shimu met his eyes. “What position did you assign him?”

“Tech Lead. The salary won’t be as much as what he gets from his shares in your company, but he’ll still make a six-figure salary.”

Yu Hua’s eyes perked up—it was better than he’d expected.

Song Shimu then asked, “Didn’t you say only the executive assistant position was left?”

“I just fired someone. Whether he takes it or not, there’s only the executive assistant position left,” Qin Xu said calmly.

“I find it hard to believe other positions aren’t available,” Song Shimu narrowed his eyes.

“Even if there are openings, they’re not for you. You can only be my executive assistant.”

Qin Xu held Song Shimu’s gaze steadily, his dark eyes concealing pure malice.

“And if I refuse?”

“Then…” Qin Xu’s eyes flicked toward Yu Hua before he smirked at Song Shimu. He tapped his phone once, then raised it and angled the camera. “Hello, Mom.”

Song Shimu recoiled in disbelief—Qin Xu was actually using Tan Manjin to threaten him!

Tan Manjin’s voice came through the phone, sounding weary. “Just finished work?”

“Not yet. I just hired a couple new employees.”

Tan Manjin asked in confusion, "What positions require you to interview them yourself?"

"One supervisor and one secretary. Lately, I've noticed some employees pulling some shady stuff, so I fired a few. It's better to personally interview new hires."

"I see, it's good to be cautious," Tan Manjin agreed. Then, noticing all the noise in the background behind Qin Xu, she couldn't help but ask, "Are you having hotpot? It’s packed."

Song Shimu’s heart tightened, afraid that Qin Xu would point the camera directly at him.

But he had clearly underestimated the villain’s twisted sense of humor. Qin Xu glanced at him out of the corner of his eye, then swung the camera around the dining area and said, "Yes."

It was obvious he meant to make Song Shimu sweat—and unfortunately, Qin Xu succeeded.

In front of Tan Manjin, Song Shimu had always played the role of a good kid—wearing what he was given, eating what was offered, never refusing or asking for more. He was sensible, compliant, and low-maintenance. Song Shimu found such a life comfortable and had no intention of disrupting it for now.

Fortunately, Tan Manjin didn’t seem to notice that the wall in the background of Qin Xu’s video looked just like Song Shimu’s backdrop. "Interviewing at a hotpot restaurant?" Tan Manjin asked, recalling that Qin Xu had mentioned he wasn’t done with work.

"Yes, the candidate I most want to hire likes it, so I’m just going with what he likes," Qin Xu said, glancing at Song Shimu beside him.

Song Shimu: "…" He said nothing.

He stood up, intending to leave, but as soon as he took a step, Qin Xu’s camera shifted toward him. Another half-step forward, and his waist would be in the frame.

He didn’t dare risk whether Tan Manjin would remember what he was wearing today, so he stopped dead.

"Someone actually made you wanna hire them?" Tan Manjin said, surprised.

"Yes, he used to be a company owner, but his company went under. I want him to be my secretary."

Qin Xu’s tone was emotionless, but Tan Manjin detected a hint of spite. Frowning, she asked, "Did he mess with you before?"

"Yes."

Song Shimu glared resentfully at Qin Xu. Was it really necessary to go this far over zapping you a couple times?

Tan Manjin couldn’t help but advise, "It’s best to choose someone trustworthy for the secretary position. Don’t let a moment of anger cause trouble down the line."

Qin Xu fell silent for a moment, then nodded and said, "Okay." Half a second later, he added, "Mom, why don’t you help me vet him?"

Song Shimu’s eyes went wide in shock as he stared at Qin Xu. Was he really trying to expose him?

"Sure." Thanks to his upbringing and guidance, Qin Xu had shown maturity in managing the company from the start. He handled most things perfectly on his own, rarely needing their help. It was rare for him to ask for assistance, and Tan Manjin found it oddly novel.

Qin Xu didn’t immediately turn the camera toward Song Shimu. Instead, he stared him down, patiently waiting for his response.

Now it was Song Shimu who was about to cry. He nodded and lip-synced, "I’ll go! I’ll go, okay?!"

Qin Xu smirked and turned back to the phone. "It’s fine, Mom. He’s willing to come."

"Didn’t you want me to screen him?"

Qin Xu glanced sideways and chuckled. "He’s too scared to face you."

Tan Manjin thought to herself that if someone who’d run a company was too scared to face one more interviewer, it was no wonder his business failed. But she kept the thought to herself. "Finish the interview and make sure to eat and rest properly. The company isn’t that busy. Come pick out some clothes—it’s almost time for a seasonal change…"

After a few more words of advice, Tan Manjin let Qin Xu choose some clothes.

Qin Xu quickly picked a few items and ended the call. He then looked up at Yu Hua. "Once you’re in the company, stop talking trash—whether it’s about anyone or anything. It’ll be better for you and for the company."

Yu Hua nodded repeatedly.

Qin Xu turned to Song Shimu, extending his hand, oozing provocation, "Welcome to Qinfeng."

Song Shimu clenched his jaw and mentally requested punishment from 073. "073, give me the most severe punishment."

"No! Punishments can’t be used arbitrarily!"

"Not even to punish the villain?"

"No," 073 adhered firmly to its principles.

...Fine. Revenge is a dish best served cold. Song Shimu "smacked" his hand into Qin Xu’s, gripping it tightly and shaking it vigorously.

"Looking forward to working with you."

Song Shimu spoke through clenched teeth, his eyes filled with the resentment of once again being reduced to a beast of burden!

But in a moment Song Shimu didn’t notice, Qin Xu’s face went white. The instant their hands met, it felt as if a jolt of high voltage surged through his body, leaving him powerless to resist. His mind went blank—

"Thud—"

Qin Xu’s face smashed right into the table. Song Shimu jumped back in fright, instinctively letting go of Qin Xu’s hand.

"What happened?!" he exclaimed.

Yu Hua was also stunned, muttering blankly, "Brother Mu, did you kill him with a handshake?"

"Holy shit! This hotpot is poisoned!" a nearby customer yelled in panic upon seeing Qin Xu collapse.

Instantly, the crowded hotpot restaurant went crazy, like a kicked ant pile—people leaned over to see what was happening, checked themselves for symptoms, and some even took advantage of the confusion to dine and dash.

Amid the chaotic screams, Song Shimu, one of the parties involved, tuned out the noise. The only thing echoing in his mind was 073’s frantic voice: "How are you still leaking electricity?!!"