Chapter 12 This is even more outrageous than a sow climbing a tree!
The atmosphere in the trading department office was somewhat subtle.
Zhou Yi sat at her workstation, seemingly focused on the constantly changing data on her computer screen, but out of the corner of her eye, she would occasionally glance towards the Chairman's Office on the top floor.
silence.
A deathly silence.
"Logically speaking, yesterday, or at the latest this morning, Mr. Huang's 'thunderous wrath' should have struck! The people in charge of this matter should have been summoned to his office by a phone call and given a severe scolding by now..."
After all, Zhou had promoted a newcomer who had only been with the company for a few days and had never even done live trading to a full-fledged trader!
This is absolutely ridiculous! Absurd! Outrageous! Incredibly audacious!
It's impossible that General Manager Huang didn't get wind of it.
But strangely enough, from yesterday until now, everything has been calm and quiet, without the slightest disturbance.
It's like a stone sinking into the sea.
Today is Saturday.
But for these finance guys, weekends? Rest? That doesn't exist.
Even the Director, who is extremely busy, is still working overtime in the office without fail. So how could these poor little soldiers dare to really let loose and enjoy some damn weekend?
Market analysis, report compilation, data collection... none of these can be done without people.
Coming to the company to work overtime on Saturdays is commonplace, a professional habit, a basic operation, as natural as breathing!
"But... there's not a sound at all..."
"This can only mean..."
Zhou Yi took a deep breath, feeling her heart pounding wildly.
He tried to suppress his excitement and speculation, but his eyes grew brighter and sharper.
The Director... as expected, knew!
He already knew Su Hao's background! He definitely knew that kid wasn't an ordinary person!
Just as he had boldly guessed before, Su Hao was by no means an ordinary good-for-nothing who got in through connections!
One is a top talent with extraordinary skills and a mysterious background!
One was the Director who personally placed him in the position and turned a blind eye to this irregular and unconventional promotion!
There's definitely something fishy going on between these two!
Even if it's not just a simple kinship, it should at least be a kind of...
A deeper, unknown connection, possibly involving some earth-shattering secrets!
A powerful bond that could make the Director tacitly approve of these outrageous actions!
The more Zhou Yi thought about it, the more she felt that her deduction was impeccable. She even began to imagine a workplace drama about a "genius trader hiding his identity, a big shot recognizing his talent, and secretly making arrangements."
Just then, a subordinate leaned over and pointed to two new workstations not far away, where equipment department employees were deftly installing computers and cables, and asked curiously:
"Manager, are we adding more people? Why are there two extra positions all of a sudden?"
Zhou Yi quickly composed himself, without even raising his head, and gave a forced, calm "hmm":
"Didn't a few traders leave recently? Someone has to fill those vacant positions."
The subordinate's eyes lit up with excitement: "Oh? Looks like a new expert is coming? That's great!"
Zhou Yi replied vaguely, "Yes."
He didn't say it, nor did he intend to say it now, but one of the two "newly arrived formal traders" was the newcomer they saw every day, and who they even ordered around to serve tea and water— Su Hao.
This matter shouldn't be discussed too soon.
Let's play it safe.
What if... what if the Director just has a slow reaction time, or is brewing some big plan, and suddenly makes a phone call to completely deny the whole thing?
If he says it now, wouldn't he be contradicting himself?
Better safe than sorry.
but...
Look at the current calm, even "tacit approval" situation...
Zhou Yi became increasingly certain: The Director must have expected this outcome long ago, right?
even...
This might be the script he truly wanted?
Zhou Yi felt as if he had grasped some crucial clue, but it was as if he was looking through frosted glass, unable to see it clearly.
***
Su Hao dragged his leaden legs out of the magnificent office building of Fang Huan Investment on Saturday evening.
The setting sun cast its last rays on his face, bringing a touch of warmth, but it couldn't dispel the weariness in his bones.
The air was filled with the distinctive smell of car exhaust and dust that lingers during rush hour.
He couldn't help but silently complain to himself.
"Holy crap, we still have to work on the weekend... That's inhumane!"
Of course, the only consolation is that the work start time on Saturday is 9:00 AM, and the end time is relatively earlier.
But there's nothing we can do about it; that's just the financial industry.
After the intense and exciting trading sessions on weekdays, weekends are for calming down, organizing, summarizing, analyzing, and reviewing the week's data.
This is a mandatory course for almost all trading teams; there's no escaping it.
"Forget it, what's there to complain about?" Su Hao quickly adjusted his mindset and chuckled self-deprecatingly.
"Besides, the pay is higher for working overtime on weekends, isn't it?"
He shook his head, trying to dispel the fatigue that permeated his body.
You should be grateful to have this job. Be content.
That being said, the physical exhaustion was real.
His only thought now was to hurry home, throw himself onto that familiar bed that smelled faintly of sunshine, and then sleep soundly until the end of time.
"I'm back."
I pushed open the door; the house was dark and quiet.
Nobody here?
He remembered that his parents were usually home on the weekend. Had they gone out for a walk again?
Just as he was curiously peeking around, a clear female voice suddenly came from the direction of the living room:
"Mom and Dad went to the supermarket to buy things."
Su Hao was startled! He turned his head to look in the direction of the sound.
There he was, his beloved younger sister, Su Hui, sprawled out on the soft sofa, holding a phone and scrolling through something.
"You scared me! You were lying there without making a sound!" Su Hao said irritably.
"Tch, bro, I clearly waved to you when you came in, you just didn't see it."
My sister pouted, her eyes never leaving her phone screen.
"By the way, what brought you back today? Don't you usually not go home on weekends?"
His younger sister rented a place outside after graduating and starting work, claiming it was to pursue independence and freedom, but actually she just disliked the strict control at home.
"How would I know?" the younger sister complained. "It's all because of Mom. She keeps calling, saying she misses me and insists I come back."
"Hey, you should come back and visit your parents when you have time. They must miss you since you haven't been home for so long."
"Oh, oh, oh! You're lecturing me now?" My sister rolled her eyes. "You talk like you're so filial. You stay home all day, unkempt, playing video games, just loafing around like a freeloader, an unemployed bum... huh?"
She suddenly stopped speaking halfway through her sentence.
She finally noticed the obvious "something was wrong" about Su Hao.
Her gaze finally settled firmly on Su Hao's suit... which was clearly newly bought.
The air seemed to freeze at that moment.
"Brother...why are you wearing a suit?"
Su Hao subconsciously puffed out his not-so-broad chest, trying to appear nonchalant, as if it were nothing to worry about:
"What else could it be? Just got home from get off work. What, didn't Mom tell you?"
"What?!"
My sister suddenly sprang up from the sofa! Her movement was so swift that she almost flung her precious phone out of her hand!
Her voice suddenly rose eight octaves!
"Brother! You...you found a job?!"
"Hmph." Su Hao nodded reservedly, trying to maintain the calmness on his face: "Your brother here is no longer an unemployed bum!"
"When did you find a job? This is such a big thing, why didn't you tell me? Congratulations! Bro! You finally have a job!"
My sister's tone was full of surprise and disbelief.
"Wait! Something's not right!" Her excitement subsided slightly, and she suddenly realized something, looking at him suspiciously.
"You...you just got back from get off work? It's Saturday! Holy crap! Dude! Making employees work overtime on the weekend? That's outrageous! It sounds like one of those crappy companies that exploit cheap labor!"
"What nonsense are you talking about!" Su Hao immediately retorted with a stern face, "It's the exact opposite of what you think! It's a really good company! The benefits are excellent!"
"Oh, really?" The younger sister raised an eyebrow, clearly not quite believing it. "How good is it? Where's the business card? Let me see it."
"Heh, you underestimate your brother, don't you?" Su Hao smiled confidently, took out a business card holder from his suit pocket, carefully pulled out a card, and handed it over:
"Look carefully! Don't let your jaw drop when you're scared!"
"Pfft, how amazing can a company be? You're saying it'll scare you to death..."
The younger sister chuckled, casually took the business card, and glanced at it indifferently.
Then...
The next second...
The sarcastic remark she was about to use was suddenly choked by an invisible hand!
I can't utter a single word!
Her eyes suddenly widened, becoming as round as two copper bells!
The pupils dilated to their maximum size in an instant!
Its mouth opened unconsciously, so wide that it could almost fit an egg inside!
He was struck as if by a bolt of divine lightning! He froze instantly!
The large, gold-embossed characters on the business card seemed to possess some kind of magic, striking her eyes hard!
[ Su Hao, Trading Department, Fang Huan Investment ]
"Oh!... Fang Huan Investment?"
A scream suddenly burst from the younger sister's throat!
Their voices became shrill and even cracked due to excessive excitement!
"Brother!!! Is this real? Or fake? You didn't make this up, did you?"
"Nonsense! Of course it's real! Do you think I'd be the kind of person who would try to scam you with fake goods?"
Su Hao was thoroughly amused by his sister's exaggerated reaction.
"No, no... Bro! How could you possibly get into Fang Huan Investment?! This is impossible!! This is more absurd than a sow climbing a tree!!!"
My sister's reaction at this moment was exactly the same as my mother's expression when she first saw this business card! Exactly the same!
She held the thin business card, examining it carefully from every angle, as if she were inspecting a counterfeit bill of enormous value, trying to find any flaw.
"Oh my god...this is outrageous..." the younger sister muttered to herself, still unable to process the fact.
"My brother... my lazy bum who only knows how to play video games... actually got a job at Fang Huan Investment?! He's an employee of a top private equity firm?!"
Seeing her younger sister's surprised, delighted, and incredibly proud expression, Su Hao felt a warm glow in her heart, as if a surge of heat was flowing through her.
All the fatigue I had accumulated from working overtime on the weekend seemed to be completely washed away in that instant by my sister's bright eyes and excited voice!
The smoke cleared! I'm filled with power!
It was worth it!
All the fatigue and suffering I endured before felt worthwhile at this moment!
"No way!" The younger sister suddenly slapped her thigh, her eyes shining. "This absolutely cannot be left like this! It's something to celebrate!"
"Hmm?" Su Hao instantly became alert, with a sense of foreboding.
"You found such an awesome job! You have to treat us to a meal to celebrate!"
My sister put her hands on her hips, striking a pose that said, "You won't get through today without bleeding me out."
"No way..." Su Hao's smile froze on his face, "My first month's salary... hasn't been paid yet..."
"So what? Just because you found such a good job doesn't mean you can just sit around and do nothing! No way!"
My sister put her hands on her hips, clearly indicating that she wouldn't agree.
"Ugh…" Su Hao let out a painful groan.
He eventually gave in to his sister's "fierce" gaze, painfully calculating his meager savings.
That was money he had saved up through scrimping and saving, which he planned to use for in-game purchases...
never mind!
Money can be earned again!
The most important thing is that my family is happy!
"Okay! Please go ahead! Finding a job is something to celebrate! Let's have a good meal together as a family!"
"Yay!! That's awesome!! Long live my brother!!" The younger sister immediately cheered and jumped for joy.
Watching my younger sister, like a happy little bird, excitedly pick up her phone, chattering away as she dials our parents' number, and excitedly sharing the good news on the other end of the line.
Su Hao leaned against the cold door frame, but his heart felt filled with something warm, a mix of emotions welling up inside him.
Their family...
They went out to eat together in such a pleasant and harmonious atmosphere...
How many years ago was that?
He couldn't remember anymore.
It seems... ever since he became addicted to games and turned into that shut-in who disappoints his parents and is disliked by his sister...
That warm and lively family atmosphere will never be seen again.
In my memory, those blurry, warm-yellow images of the family sitting together, laughing and chatting, seem to be gradually becoming clearer again.
He could almost smell the aroma of the restaurant food, hear his parents' happy laughter, and feel his sister's noisy chatter...
That's great.
His nose felt a little sore. A warm feeling flowed slowly through his heart.
He clenched his fist silently, his nails even digging slightly into his palm from the force.
That's right!
We need to work even harder!
Try your best!
To protect this hard-won warmth!
To give my family a better life!
I often treat them to meals!
I ate so much I could barely walk without being able to support myself!