Chapter 16: A New Official’s Three Fiery Edicts

Upon waking, it was already the next morning.

Zheng Qian was still groggy, not fully awake.

He instinctively shifted his leg to the left and felt a soft, delicate body.

Zheng Qian’s eyes snapped open.

“Why didn’t you get up today?”

“You drank last night. I was afraid you’d choke on your vomit in the middle of the night, so I didn’t dare leave.”

“I was lying right beside you. If you wanted to vomit, I could wake up immediately to help.”

Such a considerate woman.

Zheng Qian had often seen on the news—and even in movies—cases of people dying from vomiting after getting drunk. The most memorable one in his mind was the blonde girl from “The Poison Master,” who died beside the male supporting character in his sleep.

“I quit my job at the bar.”

Zheng Qian nodded at her.

“Alright, from now on, I’ll take care of you.”

He actually wanted to say, “I’ll support you with another woman,” but in the end, he held back. This wasn’t the occasion for crude jokes.

“I actually don’t quite understand what kind of relationship we have now. Are you my paid lover?” Jin Lu snuggled into Zheng Qian’s embrace, looking at him with eyes as clear as a mountain lake.

Just because of a house, Jin Lu considered herself his from then on.

Then it was definitely not a simple romantic relationship.

But Zheng Qian was grateful that Jin Lu had met him.

“I suddenly realize I like you.”

“Come on, I like honesty.”

“You... be serious,” Jin Lu bumped Zheng Qian with her shoulder.

“There’s nothing to hide. I really like you.” Zheng Qian was sincere—he was not just after Jin Lu’s body; he truly liked her, even though they had only known each other for two days.

But the system had already declared Jin Lu his true love. Could it be fake?

Zheng Qian glanced at Jin Lu’s current affection level—it was 85 points.

“Then when will you stop liking me?”

“There won’t be such a day.” Zheng Qian bit Jin Lu’s ear and whispered softly.

“Hmph, men’s words are lies. I don’t believe it.” Jin Lu had worked at a bar and had seen all kinds of men. She knew a common trait among these wealthy men was they always favored the new and discarded the old.

“I don’t know what you do, but it probably isn’t a proper business, right? Like my dad—he’s never done anything legitimate either, yet my mom still follows him with all her heart.”

“I bought a lot of books yesterday, planning to take the graduate exam and improve myself. If one day you face misfortune and have nowhere to turn, maybe I can’t help you much, but at least I can take care of your meals.”

Ah...

Why did the conversation suddenly turn so serious, so sad?

“Alright.” Zheng Qian nodded solemnly.

---

The matter of the house was still unsettled, and Zheng Qian felt awkward about getting intimate with Jin Lu. They had already confirmed their relationship as lovers that night.

“Honey...”

“Hmm?”

“Get up? It’s almost eleven.”

“All right, all right.”

Zheng Qian ate a simple breakfast Jin Lu prepared and checked his messages.

On his phone, Li Tao sent a message: “Xiao Qian, I’ve booked the game for you tonight at 8 PM, Moon View Tower.”

Though Li Tao was his superior, their communication was casual, so Zheng Qian replied with a cat-salute emoji.

Meanwhile, Qin Xueli sent several messages, apologizing for her shortcomings and inviting him to dinner that evening to give her a chance to explain and apologize.

Zheng Qian didn’t know what to say, so he didn’t reply.

After eating, he went to the company to submit his resignation and then returned to his desk to pack his things.

Upon seeing him, Qin Xueli immediately dropped her work and rushed over.

“Xiao Qian, why didn’t you reply to my messages yesterday? Why are you coming in so late?”

“By the way, Tao left, Ding Hongfei was promoted to supervisor. Since you’re so late, why don’t you go explain yourself to him?”

Others watching felt a bit distressed.

Qin Xueli was the company’s icy beauty who never smiled kindly at anyone.

Now she was being so attentive to Zheng Qian? What was going on?

“No need. I’m here to resign too,” Zheng Qian said coldly.

“Xiao Qian, then let me treat you to dinner tonight. What do you want to eat?”

“I already have plans, no time,” Zheng Qian replied without changing expression.

Everyone was puzzled.

What the hell was happening?

Qin Xueli seemed off, and even Zheng Qian seemed different.

It was like their roles had reversed. Shouldn’t it be Zheng Qian begging Qin Xueli out and being rejected coldly with “I have plans”?

“Do you have time at lunch? A new seafood place just opened nearby...”

“Not hungry yet. I just ate. Maybe later.” This time Zheng Qian gave a clear refusal.

“Alright then...” Qin Xueli was left empty-handed and silently returned to her desk.

“Zheng Qian!”

“You’re four hours late. What’s the meaning of this?”

An angry accusation came from behind.

Everyone turned to look in unison.

---

It was Ding Hongfei!

Wearing a brown suit, he strode briskly with a stack of documents in hand and stopped in front of Zheng Qian.

“Don’t you know what time work starts?”

Qin Xueli thought, this is it. Ding Hongfei was digging his own grave. He thought Zheng Qian was a pushover, but today he was in for a surprise.

As the saying goes, a new boss burns three fires. Ding Hongfei had just been promoted to supervisor and naturally wanted to assert his authority.

Usually timid and meek, plus today’s extreme lateness, Zheng Qian was a perfect target.

Ding Hongfei and Li Tao had similar qualifications; Ding joined the company two months later but had only been a team leader, while Li Tao had been acting as supervisor for years.

He had long hated Li Tao and resented Li Tao’s subordinate, Zheng Qian.

If Li Tao hadn’t protected him, Ding Hongfei would have used every trick to force Zheng Qian out long ago.

Yesterday, Li Tao left, and Ding Hongfei received notice from the boss that he was promoted to supervisor, taking Li Tao’s former position.

Without Li Tao’s protection, Zheng Qian was finally in his hands.

Seeing Zheng Qian packing up, Ding Hongfei sneered, “You’re quite sensible, admitting you made a grave mistake and resigning voluntarily?”

“Working under me is the real misfortune.”

“Zheng Qian! What did you say? Say that again if you dare!”

Ding Hongfei couldn’t tolerate his authority being challenged.

“Besides, I’m telling you now, I was deliberately late today—to embarrass you, to make you lose face in front of your colleagues. What are you going to do about it?”

“Good, good, Zheng Qian, you’re something else. I’m officially firing you now!” Ding Hongfei’s face flushed red with anger.

“Who the hell do you think you are? You don’t have the authority to fire anyone. Ask around—does a supervisor have the power to fire employees?”

“Besides, I already handed in my resignation to HR when I came in. I’m no longer an employee.”

Zheng Qian looked at Ding Hongfei calmly.

Before, even if Li Tao had poached him, he might have apologized politely to Ding Hongfei to let him save face.

But now Zheng Qian was different.

Ding Hongfei was nothing in his eyes.

Not even worthy to tie his shoes.

Having suffered Ding Hongfei’s humiliation countless times, Zheng Qian saw no reason to give him face today.

Qin Xueli swallowed hard.

Zheng Qian seemed like a different person.

Truly changed.