The car sped through the streets at night, with Secretary Fan particularly enjoying the thrill of driving, while Xiao Xun was not so fortunate.
From the moment it launched, Xiao Xun almost threw up. Especially at this speed, he dared not open his eyes, feeling like he was on a roller coaster.
Although the car had been driving for a long time, he felt his soul was still left in the parking lot, unable to catch up.
“Right, I still haven’t asked where you live?”
Xiao Xun dared not open his mouth. He was afraid that if he opened it, his stomach would churn uncontrollably. He should not have eaten so much tonight.
Secretary Fan slowed down, and Xiao Xun gradually adapted. He then gave her the address of the Golden Gourd Internet Cafe.
When the car reached the intersection not far from the Golden Gourd Internet Cafe, it stopped. Secretary Fan then asked Xiao Xun, "Who did you tell about the General Manager's money today?"
Xiao Xun did not know why Secretary Fan suddenly asked this. He replied, "It's not something worth showing off. I only told the receptionist once. The key is, if I don't tell them, they won't contact me."
"Did you tell them the specific amount?"
Xiao Xun hesitated, but then thought, if they sue, they sue. Paying debts is natural. It's not a business secret. So he said, "Someone asked me, and I answered truthfully. It's just paying back debt, nothing to be ashamed of."
Secretary Fan nodded. "It's because of you paying back the money that the General Manager has been suspended for investigation. Some people in the company are spreading rumors that you, being so young, were directly 'airdropped' into a high-level executive position through bribery of the General Manager."
Xiao Xun was taken aback. He thought that these two pretty young ladies were actually such gossips. His face showed displeasure as he said, "Isn't this slander?"
Secretary Fan sneered. "Slander, we all know what slander is. But with your current qualifications and resume, what right do you have to be a director at a listed group company? Look at companies outside. Let alone big companies, even small companies would be very bold to appoint you as a director."
She looked at the expressionless Xiao Xun and then leaned closer to him. "Now, if you don't want to fail the General Manager's good intentions, consider signing the employment contract! This is good for everyone. It's protecting your rights, not a contract for indentured servitude."
Xiao Xun unfastened his seatbelt, opened the car door, and said, "Thank you for driving me home. I will consider what you said."
As soon as he closed the car door, Secretary Fan rolled down the car window. "Then I'll see you the day after tomorrow."
Xiao Xun waved goodbye to Secretary Fan and walked towards the Golden Gourd Internet Cafe. Secretary Fan's sports car roared again and disappeared around the street corner. The distinctive roar of the sports car could still be heard from afar.
Staggering to the internet cafe, he couldn't hold back and vomited against the wall.
The sound of vomiting startled Su Xiang. He came out and patted Xiao Xun's back. "Where have you been all day? I don't have your contact information either. Are you okay?"
Xiao Xun waved his hand. Su Xiang went in and got a bottle of mineral water. "Here! Rinse your mouth."
He didn't refuse. He took the bottle of mineral water and took a big gulp, swished it around in his mouth, and spat it out. Then he drank another mouthful and felt much better.
"How much did you drink?"
Xiao Xun explained, "I didn't drink anything. I was just carsick."
Su Xiang shook his head, looking at Xiao Xun's vomit. "You had quite a feast for dinner tonight."
Xiao Xun walked in. "Come on, Brother Guan, I'm feeling miserable. Stop teasing me."
Seeing that there was no one in the internet cafe, Xiao Xun found it strange. "Why isn't anyone here to use the internet today?"
Su Xiang shrugged. "It's normal. Those who should be working are working, and those who should be studying are studying. Who has the time to play this every day?"
Xiao Xun sighed. "Brother Guan, I found a temporary job. I'll go directly to the company tomorrow and live there."
Su Xiang said, "Oh," then, "Congratulations. You don't have to make do in this shabby place anymore. By the way, what kind of job did you find? How much can you earn a month?"
"I just help people solve computer problems. To put it plainly, it's similar to your job."
Su Xiang comforted him, "Don't be too discouraged. Every beginning is difficult. Finding a job is a good start. Besides, you are a university student with skills, so you can find a job anywhere."
As he spoke, he walked to the entrance of the internet cafe. "You watch the machines. Wait for me for a while." Then he ran out.
More than ten minutes later, he returned with over twenty skewers of lamb kebabs and a bottle of "Big Green Stick."
"It's getting late, so I could only buy these snacks. Later, we can make two packs of instant noodles, and we'll be set."
Xiao Xun scratched his head sheepishly. "Look, I found a job, and I should be treating you to a meal. How can I let you spend your money?"
Su Xiang opened the beer. "You're good in every way, except you're too polite. You've just started working and haven't earned a cent yet, so you don't have much money. I'm better off than you. You can treat me back after you get paid."
Xiao Xun nodded. "I'll definitely treat you later. By the way, where is Xiao Sanmao?"
Facing Xiao Xun's question, Su Xiang asked him, "Didn't you leave together?"
"You mean he left with me last night and hasn't been back since?"
Hearing Su Xiang say that, Xiao Xun became a little worried about Xiao Sanmao. He hadn't said goodbye to him when he left.
Su Xiang also noticed Xiao Xun's worry and handed him a skewer. "Don't worry. This kid's alcohol tolerance is better than yours. He probably went out with his shady friends again. He'll be fine."
Hearing Su Xiang's words, Xiao Xun felt slightly relieved.
They finished the bottle of beer, a total of nine bottles, in no time. Xiao Xun stopped Su Xiang from going out to buy more.
"We can't drink anymore. I have to go to work tomorrow."
Su Xiang made a bucket of instant noodles for both of them and added a piece of ham and a braised egg.
After they finished eating, Xiao Xun comfortably lay down in the booth and soon fell asleep.
Su Xiang cleaned up their "battlefield," took his cup from the counter, turned on a machine by the door, and watched a movie there.
It started to drizzle outside again, and faintly, there seemed to be thunder.
When Xiao Xun woke up thirsty in the middle of the night, he found that the rain had gotten heavier. A "small river" was already flowing outside the internet cafe.
Su Xiang had his legs propped up on the table, wearing headphones, and had fallen asleep.
Xiao Xun was afraid he would catch a cold, so he found a jacket from behind the counter and covered him. Unexpectedly, this action startled Su Xiang awake.
He rubbed his face and said, "I'm really getting old. I fell asleep without realizing it."
Xiao Xun took a bottle of cola from the cooler. "You say that, but I fell asleep even earlier than you."
Su Xiang glanced outside. "This rain is quite heavy."
He looked down and saw that there seemed to be a person squatting outside the internet cafe in the dark.
It was raining so heavily outside, this person must be soaked. But why didn't they come in?
Su Xiang was also afraid that he was seeing things because he had drunk too much, so he quickly called Xiao Xun over. "Look, is there someone squatting at the entrance?"
Xiao Xun took a sip of the ice-cold cola, which instantly sobered him up. Hearing Su Xiang's question, he turned his head. Although the street was dim, he could clearly see the silhouette of a person.