Chapter 14 Did I offend the royal family?
Just a few hours ago, Su Hao thought today would be like any other day, with him spinning around the office like a top, running errands and doing odd jobs.
Who would have thought that in the blink of an eye, he would be sitting in front of expensive equipment symbolizing "veteran combat power," and his status would undergo a dramatic change.
"Don't be too nervous, Su Hao." Li Huilin took a deep breath, trying to encourage herself and him, but her voice trembled slightly.
"We can definitely do it! Just like when we played with a demo account before, we'll use the same mindset and the same techniques!"
Su Hao looked at her and couldn't help but remind her, "... Sister Huilin, your legs... seem to be shaking."
"Uh!" Li Huilin looked down and, sure enough, her legs were trembling slightly and uncontrollably. She quickly tried to close her legs together, and her face turned even redder.
Su Hao was also somewhat uneasy.
I wonder if the Director —his guild leader in the game—already knows about his promotion to a full-fledged trader?
If I found out, would I be so shocked I'd jump out of my skin?
However, it seems that everything is calm and peaceful. Perhaps the big boss has no idea what changes have taken place among these "little ants" at the bottom.
" Li Huilin, Su Hao …"
A cold, sharp voice suddenly cut in, like a needle slicing through glass.
Liang Haiyuan walked over unnoticed, hands in his pockets, his face filled with undisguised sarcasm and hostility.
"Hey you two, what's the state of the company right now? How can you still be laughing?"
His gaze swept back and forth between the two men, filled with scrutiny and disdain:
"Where's your brain? The manager said he wanted to promote you, and you should have refused! You should have said you weren't capable enough and couldn't take on the responsibility! How could you be so stupid as to accept it?"
Those eyes, seemingly laced with venom, made no attempt to conceal his extreme displeasure.
The gazes of others in the office drifted over, and the air seemed to thicken again.
"Let me tell you, I absolutely do not approve of either of you! Don't forget, our team's performance directly affects everyone's bonus!"
Liang Haiyuan's voice rose a few decibels, carrying a threatening tone:
"If you two drag the team down and ruin the entire team's performance... Hmph, I will absolutely not let you off the hook! Do you understand?! So, it's not too late to back out now! Go find the manager right now, tell him you can't do it, and have him withdraw the appointment!"
Su Hao frowned.
He had long sensed that Liang Haiyuan always seemed to be targeting Li Huilin for no apparent reason, as if he wanted to vent all the resentment he had accumulated throughout the day on her.
Standing next to Li Huilin, he naturally became a target of "incidental" attacks.
He understood Liang Haiyuan's feelings.
It would be unpleasant for anyone to feel comfortable if a newcomer who had just joined the company were promoted to the same position as him so quickly, especially since it involved real financial benefits—team performance bonuses.
In the brutal battlefield of trading, such emotions are perfectly normal.
But he also knew how much sweat and effort Li Huilin had put in to become a full-fledged trader.
When she worked with him as a trading assistant, she never slacked off. When he didn't understand something, she would patiently guide him and take the initiative to do the dirty and tiring work.
She is a person whose heart is as beautiful as her appearance.
Now, Liang Haiyuan is using such harsh and vicious words to trample on her efforts and dignity.
This made Su Hao feel suffocated, and a nameless anger quietly rose within him.
" Liang Haiyuan," Su Hao took a deep breath, meeting Liang Haiyuan's icy gaze, "Don't go too far!"
"What did you say?" Liang Haiyuan narrowed his eyes, seemingly not expecting this newcomer to dare to talk back to him.
"The manager just made it very clear," Su Hao's voice was not loud, but exceptionally clear:
"In this industry, returns ultimately matter. So you don't need to worry. We will prove ourselves with actual performance and will never be a burden to the team."
Liang Haiyuan sneered as if he had heard the biggest joke in the world, looking Su Hao up and down with disdain in his eyes.
"Ha! What a boastful tone! Fine, I'll see how you prove it! It'll be a good thing for you to realize your own limitations and understand what 'overestimating your abilities' really means!"
After saying that, he snorted coldly, turned around and walked back to his seat, leaving behind a hostile back view.
" Su Hao, why… why did you do this…" Li Huilin looked at Su Hao with concern and said softly.
"I'm sorry, Sister Huilin," Su Hao rubbed her temples, somewhat helplessly, "I acted impulsively just now. I just felt that Liang Haiyuan was always targeting you, and I couldn't stand it."
"It's okay," Li Huilin forced a smile. "You'll always encounter these kinds of things in the workplace."
Her face immediately fell, her voice trembling with tears: "But...this is terrible. You've already said you'd prove it with your performance...what if, what if I mess it up?"
"Hehe," Su Hao chuckled at her pitiful look, "I believe in you, Sister Huilin. And I believe in myself too."
He recalled the scene from the demo game, and his eyes regained their resolve:
"Didn't we do really well in the simulated investment? Just show that same level of performance! We can definitely do it! Go for it!"
He imitated Li Huilin's usual manner, clenching his fist and making a cheering gesture.
Li Huilin burst out laughing at his appearance, and her tension seemed to dissipate considerably.
Su Hao took a deep breath and slowly sat down in his brand-new, expensive chair.
The cold touch of leather seeped through his thin shirt, making him shudder.
When investing in a simulation, those numbers are just symbols on the screen, and he can place orders without any restraint or psychological burden.
But now, what's about to be done is real money!
Just thinking about it sent a chill down his spine and up to the top of his head.
'Sigh... I really... spoke too confidently just now.' He groaned inwardly.
But what's done is done, and there's no going back.
Since they've made such a bold statement, they can only respond to the doubts with solid returns.
Moreover…
A barely perceptible smile curved his lips.
I possess a special ability that no one else knows about...
Let me see… the initial operating funds allocated to me are…
He opened the trading software and his eyes fell on the account balance column.
Ones, tens, hundreds, thousands, tens of thousands...one million?
One million?!
Su Hao's pupils suddenly contracted!
He never dreamed that on his very first day, the company would give him the authority to operate a million-dollar machine!
In all his life, he had never even touched a million dollars in cash, let alone seen what it looked like!
He had never seen such a huge number, not even in those games that were known as bottomless pits for spending money!
'Just now… Li Huilin seemed to have mentioned that the minimum operating threshold for traders is one million…'
But this is way too exaggerated!
How come, on his very first day as a promoted full-fledged trader, he was given a million dollars to play with?!
'Is this company... insane?!'
***
"Ugh... I'm so angry!"
In the break room, Liang Haiyuan slammed a disposable paper cup onto the table, splashing a few drops of cold drinking water.
He gulped down large mouthfuls of cold water, trying to suppress the anger rising within him.
What is the manager thinking?!
Should those two newbies, especially Li Huilin, be promoted to full-time positions?
If they botch the investment and drag down the entire team's performance, who will bear the losses?!
Individual performance bonuses are important, but the team's overall performance bonus is also a significant amount!
If those two good-for-nothings drag everyone down and cause our year-end bonuses to shrink...
"I won't let them get away with this!" Liang Haiyuan growled through gritted teeth, his eyes filled with malice.
And that Su Hao, he's just a newbie who hasn't been with the company for long, yet he dared to talk back to him, a senior employee, in front of so many people!
That's absolutely rude and ill-mannered!
"Hey, Liang Haiyuan," a voice with a hint of sarcasm came from the side, "Are you in a bad mood today?"
"If you want to see a joke, then get lost!" Liang Haiyuan replied irritably.
"Don't be so impulsive. It seems you really don't know Liang Haiyuan." The trader from the next team had a "I knew it" look on his face.
"Know what?" Liang Haiyuan frowned.
The man looked around to make sure no one was paying attention before leaning close to Liang Haiyuan's ear and whispering:
"That Su Hao … I heard he's related to our Director."
"Wh...what!?"
Liang Haiyuan was struck dumb, his eyes widening instantly, and he almost crushed the water glass in his hand.
"This news was originally only known to managers. I heard it from a friend in the Personnel Department."
The man shrugged: "Now you understand, right? Why there's such a... well, 'unconventional' appointment."
"Wait...wait..." Liang Haiyuan felt like his blood was about to freeze.
"Then...then just now...didn't I...reprimand the 'royal relatives'?" His voice became sharp and distorted with shock and fear.
"Huh? Uh... I don't think I'd hold a grudge against you for something this small, would I?"
The man was startled by his words and chuckled awkwardly twice.
"You...didn't say anything too offensive, right? I hope he's not the type to hold grudges. Okay, okay, I'm going now, I need to go back and keep an eye on the market. Liang Haiyuan, good luck to you too!"
After saying that, the man patted Liang Haiyuan's stiff shoulder and hurriedly left the tea room.
Liang Haiyuan was left standing there, frozen in place, staring blankly into the void, his face drained of color.
" Liang Haiyuan? The market is about to open, aren't you going back, Liang Haiyuan?"
Someone was calling him, but he didn't respond.
It was as if his soul had left his body, leaving only an empty shell, standing there like a dried-up statue.