"Boss, this wasn't my doing... really,"
Xie Zhulongxiong inwardly cursed Liu Jiale to death, wishing he could punch him into oblivion.
"Mhm."
Chen Jianhai nodded, looking at Xie Zhulongxiong's innocent expression before patting him on the shoulder.
"Tell that headhunter to stop calling other entrepreneurs."
"Understood, Boss."
Watching Xie Zhulongxiong's murderous retreat, Chen Jianhai had no energy left to care about Liu Jiale's fate.
For the rest of the day, Chen Jianhai returned every missed call on his phone.
For close friends, it was apologies, explanations, and catching up—plus setting up drinks.
For acquaintances, it was apologies, explanations, and mutual flattery—plus setting up drinks.
For those on bad terms, it was explanations, mutual insults, and sarcasm—plus setting up drinks.
By the end of the day, Chen Jianhai had scheduled over 30 drinking sessions.
One with Xu Yong even involved signing a "life-or-death pact"—they wouldn't stop until one of them was under the table.
While Chen Jianhai was busy salvaging his reputation one drink at a time,
over at the Zaomen Headhunting Company's general manager's office,
a middle-aged man was red-faced with rage, his voice trembling:
"This year, the company has received three complaint calls."
"Two were to the Zaomen branch about you, and one went straight to headquarters—also about you!"
"You're something else!!"
The man clutched a pen so tightly his veins bulged.
If modern society allowed it, he might've stabbed Liu Jiale with it.
Out of 32 branches nationwide, every single one performed flawlessly—
except his, which racked up complaints yearly.
This year's had nearly escalated into a "malicious recruitment incident."
If not for his branch's stellar performance (the best among all 32),
he might've lost his GM title.
Liu Jiale, baffled, asked, "All about me?"
"That can't be right!"
"Manager, double-check—they must've been compliments!"
Compliments your *ss!
The GM seethed internally.
"First, you called Chen Jianhai to apply at Colorful Holiday Resort Hotel."
"Now you've dragged every entrepreneur in Nanjiang into being his bodyguards... What were you thinking?!"
"Manager, we can discuss this calmly. No need for insults!"
Liu Jiale scowled.
"We're all working for the company's success."
"I diligently matched candidates to requirements."
"Criticize my methods, but don't insult me!"
"You're saying I should *praise* you?!" the GM snapped.
Liu Jiale shot back, "Shouldn't you?"
"I work late every day—come back at 10 PM! Who else is here?!"
The GM lost it.
"Did I force you to overtime?!"
"Has the company ever withheld your bonus?!"
"Who covered for you every time complaints piled up?!"
Liu Jiale stood firm. "No!"
"That's irrelevant!"
"None of that justifies your insults!"
The GM laughed bitterly.
"So you think you're in the right?"
"Xu Bamo as Chen Jianhai's bodyguard—that's *correct* to you?"
Liu Jiale, pride stung, fired back:
"How am I wrong?"
"Our job is to match candidates to employers' needs!"
"Chen Jianhai wanted: male, any age, burly, muscular, can take a hit and step up."
"Xu Bamo fits perfectly!"
"He's in our talent database, and I followed protocol. Where's the mistake?!"
Even the GM's fondness for Liu Jiale couldn't curb his fury now.
"Use your brain! Would Xu Bamo *actually* go?!"
"Why wouldn't he?!" Liu Jiale retorted.
"On my first day, you told us: 'Don't assume something's impossible!'"
"We've poached countless executives. So what if Xu Bamo's the 'Swim Ring King'? Who says he can't have a side gig?!"
Not done, Liu Jiale added:
"You said I get the most complaints."
"But have you considered that's because I handle the most cases?"
"More work, more mistakes!"
"Others pretend to be busy, while I grind nonstop. Yet you blame *me*?"
"Fine. I'll act busy too from now on!"
"Get out." The GM pointed at the door, his temple throbbing.
Another word, and he'd have a stroke.
Liu Jiale stormed out, slamming the door.
Outside, the entire office stared.
(The GM's "soundproof" office was anything but.)
Employees hastily pretended to work—typing, calling, scribbling notes.
All theatrically "swamped."
Liu Jiale smirked.
The GM accused them of backstabbing;
he'd accused them of acting.
Truce.
He was here to work, not make friends.
Colleagues? Irrelevant.
His cases, his commissions—that's what mattered.
Back at his desk, Liu Jiale took deep breaths, pulled out his phone, and opened a video.
Earbuds in, he watched:
A balcony. A birdcage.
Inside, a sleek black myna perched regally, wings folded, eyes wise.
Its voice croaked:
"I never liked working. Life's just killing time."
"Evil in past lives? Congrats—now you clock in at dawn."
"Why work? Just to eat and sleep."
...
*No.*
*I won't just 'kill time'!*
*My work matters!*
*I work for my dreams!*
The myna's "wisdom" reinflated Liu Jiale's defiance.
This bird had appeared on his balcony two months ago.
No owner claimed it, so he kept it.
To his shock, it spouted philosophical nuggets.
Whenever lost, Liu Jiale replayed these clips.
Earbuds out, he was rebooted.
The GM's scolding only fueled him.
*You want a bodyguard?*
*I'll find the BEST one!!!*
Meanwhile, the GM peered through blinds at Liu Jiale—already buried in work, unfazed.
Others? Alternating work and slacking.
He'd been there too. Understood.
After deliberation, he called HR.
Soon, an employee entered.
"Manager, Liu Jiale's termination paperwork is ready."
"Severance and bonuses calculated."
"Proceed?"
The GM waved. "Hold it. Tell no one—especially him. I have plans."
After HR left, he made another call—this time oozing charm:
"Our rookie's green, a bit rigid... just follows orders blindly."
"Already reprimanded. He's written a self-criticism."
"My fault—should've trained him better."
"Thanks for understanding!"
Hanging up, he gulped cold tea, massaging his temples.
*Being a leader is exhausting.*
Promotion brought nothing but headaches.
Juggling performance, egos, and now—parenting adults.
Finally, he googled:
*"How to manage subordinates' emotions and morale."*
...
Lately, Xie Zhulongxiong tracked Chen Jianhai's movements like a spy—
arriving early, leaving on time, avoiding his boss entirely.
The shame!!
News of Chen Jianhai's "bodyguard headhunting debacle" had spread across Nanjiang.
Xie Zhulongxiong's contacts kept calling, asking which firm had such *audacity*.
Even nights out felt awkward—every熟人 (acquaintance) probing.
As for the bodyguard search? He ditched Liu Jiale, vowing to redeem himself.
Luckily, campus recruitment season neared.
Picking a team, Xie Zhulongxiong prepared to scout fresh talent.
...
"Boss,"
Wen Zifan reported, "Next month's 22nd-31st are open for the annual party."
"But we have dozens of booked guests during that period."
"If 'Who Knew There Was One Here' films takes over, where do we relocate them?"
Chen Jianhai frowned. "Any vacancies at Little Waist Island's Jasmine Hotel?"
Wen Zifan shook her head. "I called Ruikeya this morning."
"Elderly rehab patients occupy most rooms. Limited availability—not enough for all guests."