15 The Madman

Page 1/3

Bu Hui pointed at herself. “Me?”

The repair department head’s expression darkened ominously, as if a storm was about to break. He glared at Bu Hui, scowled, and strode into the office first.

“Was her performance really that poor?”

“Fifty percent. She already passed. Could it be...”

“All the other interns barely reached thirty percent. She must have cheated!”

Whispers filled the air, speculating whether Bu Hui had been caught cheating or was simply underperforming. Most of the comments carried a tone of schadenfreude.

Bu Hui followed into the office, bewildered.

The moment she stepped in, the fierce repair department head turned around with a shifting expression, scrutinizing her from head to toe until Bu Hui felt uneasy.

He asked, “Why did you slow down? Don’t try to lie—I watched the whole process.”

“...”

Bu Hui hadn’t expected such a dull competition to be watched in full. She was momentarily speechless. Then again, if not for his dedication and rigor in this field, he wouldn’t have risen to his current position.

Bu Hui’s silence only made the head more impatient.

He jumped up from the sofa and approached her, his tall figure looming like a mountain, imposing.

In a serious tone, he said, “Whatever your reason, I apologize for my earlier rash words.”

“So, can you explain why? I swear I won’t go back on my word.”

He had reviewed the battleship Bu Hui repaired.

The complexity and extent of damage far exceeded the norm; her challenges were far greater than the others’. Achieving fifty percent repair was already an excellent score.

The eager head had suffered throughout, fearing she wouldn’t even meet the minimum standard. How could he then justify bringing her back?

Seeing Bu Hui’s leisurely attitude, he wanted to jump in and push her to hurry!

In this cutthroat interstellar era, the wealth gap was staggering. Low-level civilizations, commoners, and ordinary people all scrambled fiercely for any chance to climb up. He simply couldn’t understand Bu Hui’s behavior.

Someone as hardworking as her in logistics—why feign incompetence in such an important repair competition?

The head speculated many possibilities.

Maybe Bu Hui’s identity was not straightforward; maybe she was frightened and retreated after days of cold insults; maybe she was using this chance to prove him wrong.

In the past, he would have lost his temper at such disrespect, refusing to bother with even the best talent.

But this time, he was the one who had underestimated her.

Though hot-tempered, he was always fair and reasonable.

Under the head's complex gaze filled with hope, frustration, and anxiety, Bu Hui scratched her head.

“I’ve been a bit sick recently and didn’t sleep well last night.”

The head looked at her expectantly. “And then?”

“I just suddenly felt lazy.”

Bu Hui said honestly.

More importantly, the bonus had taxes deducted, leaving little incentive to compete.

Yes, she had some money now, and had become a bit complacent, starting to pick and choose. She didn’t say this aloud, knowing it would be an insult to the head. What if he got angry and kicked her out? She knew what was appropriate to say and what wasn’t.

The room froze.

The head: “...”

Bu Hui: “...”

They stared at each other in silence for a long moment.

The head silently closed his eyes, opened them, and exhaled deeply, trying to suppress an unnamable anger. A twitch at the corner of his eye betrayed his emotions.

He looked down at Bu Hui.

Small, innocent, and naive.

—She was just too young and foolish.

Comforting himself with this thought, the head felt much better.

He straightened, extended his large, rough hand, and returned to his usual confident tone:

“Then, I invite you to join Repair Team A. I will personally teach you my experience. Do you understand what this means? Your future is limitless.”

“But before you achieve something significant, you will face much ridicule and doubt. That is the cost of your slack today.”

Bu Hui hesitated shyly.

“...What’s wrong? Are you scared?”

Seeing her hesitation, he suddenly regretted his harsh tone, fearing he had scared her off unnecessarily.

“I just want to know,” she said earnestly, “Does Team A pay more than regular employees?”

“...”

The head’s eyes darkened. He closed them quietly and told himself ignorance was normal. It was normal she didn’t understand the weight of this invitation—she was still a young adult!

Amid the curious gazes of the staff, the office door opened, and Bu Hui walked out with a bright smile.

Was she still forcing herself?

That night, everyone received notification that Bu Hui’s name had been added to Team A’s roster, causing an uproar.

The repair department head was in the boss’s office, recounting the day’s events. The boss’s electronic eyes scanned the AI virtual screen, his blended male voice flat and unreadable.

“You did well. No matter what schemes others devise, if there’s talent, Huimin Factory will never miss it.”

After assigning recent tasks, he added:

“The military has been active lately, sending a large batch of battleships. You’ll have to work overtime.”

The head’s face hesitated. “Is that...?”

“We’re here to make money, aren’t we?”

The boss’s mechanical hand rested meaningfully on the head’s broad shoulder.

“Remember, as long as you hold your position firmly, you can board any ship.”

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…

That evening, back home.

Bu Hui chatted excitedly over comms, a rare upbeat tone.

“Raise in salary! Paid vacation! Access to many new projects!”

Huimin Factory’s operations were vast and varied, something she knew from logistics. But then, she was always cleaning up debris, making it hard to feel good at work. Now, in repairs, everything had changed profoundly; she was one step closer to her dream life.

Bu Hui was happy.

Her cheerful tone rose at the end, tinged with sweetness she didn’t even realize.

The pirate leader absentmindedly rubbed his ear tips.

Bu Hui shared her plans: to work hard and learn skills, save money to travel with friends, see mountains and rivers, watch seeds grow in fields...

She talked on and on, her eyes growing misty, unaware when sleepiness crept in.

Xin Chi waited silently half a day with no word. He opened a video call; the room’s sleep system activated. Her face was blurred in the dark, but she appeared deeply asleep.

“...”

He chuckled softly, then cut the comm.

A dreamless night.

Having fully recovered, Bu Hui arrived at the repair department full of energy, greeting everyone. Their looks varied, but almost no one responded.

Repair head Tai Tan gathered them with a stern face and began teaching repair techniques.

Huimin Factory’s greatest advantage was vast experience and solid skills. Though rough in manner, Tai Tan was meticulous in instruction. Those in Team A were smart and quickly grasped concepts.

After some study, the head announced:

“Today is field work day. I’ll lead you to the city government to visit cooperative projects with Huimin Factory. This is your future direction. You’ll also handle some urgent repairs.”

“Stick close and don’t offend any VIPs. If you do, even I can’t save you.”

His sharp gaze landed on the harmless-looking Bu Hui.

“Or your pay gets docked.”

Bu Hui: “...” He knew exactly how to wield power.

The city government’s banquet was held in the garden behind the building. Last time Bu Hui was interrogated, she was only in the secretary’s office and never saw the real setting.

At the sight, everyone murmured quietly: neatly trimmed bushes, stunning sky fountains, exquisite expensive sculptures, and an endless magnificent garden visible from the banquet hall...

Damaging even a single flower would cost them a fortune.

Without Tai Tan’s reminder, the group carefully followed, avoiding everything as if it were fragile.

Bu Hui behaved well, not looking around.

Security was especially strict. Guards with pulse rifles formed two lines. Their leader carefully checked each person’s identity before allowing passage.

Bu Hui guessed this was no ordinary banquet.

Nobles and dignitaries gathered on the third-floor banquet hall, while they waited in a small side room—two worlds separated by a natural door, untouched by one another.

Suddenly, a knock came. Tai Tan politely greeted the visitor.

A clear voice invited them out for tea and snacks.

While they hesitated, a fluffy golden-haired figure resembling a lion’s mane suddenly peeked inside. A pair of dark green eyes sparkled with amusement and fixated sharply on Bu Hui.

“You’re really here!”

Bu Hui: “...?”

It was Wen Boxi, the mayor’s son.

He called her name warmly, as if they were close. Bu Hui glanced back to see the head’s complex gaze fixated on them.

...Please don’t misunderstand, she hoped, that any favoritism came from knowing Wen Boxi!

Though, admittedly, she had borrowed some of his light.

Bu Hui’s eyes flickered. This guy simply didn’t realize it.

Ignoring Bu Hui’s reluctant body language, Wen Boxi grabbed her arm, laughing heartily.

“I promised Xixi I’d bring you here! They’re all loyal readers of yours!”

Xixi?

Suddenly, it dawned on her that the person Wen Boxi mentioned must be his childhood fiancée, Lucy.

Outside the crowded building was a splendid banquet hall. High society guests stood in groups, conversing elegantly amid clinking glasses and fragrant perfumes. The air was sweet with desserts and wine, music floated gently—a paradise scene.

Several noble ladies in elaborate gowns, holding champagne, noticed Bu Hui and brightened.

“I remember you!”

“I just finished your new book recently. It’s wonderful!”

Their friendliness put Bu Hui at ease. Leading them, Miss Lucy smiled warmly, linking arms with Bu Hui and asking about her writing.

Wen Boxi chuckled.

“Looks like I’m not fit to disturb you here. I’ll fetch some snacks.”

“Better come back later and be a good fiancé,” they teased, laughing.

When Wen Boxi left, the ladies pulled Bu Hui aside to chat excitedly about the book.

“I’m nearly moved to tears! A maiden and a villain—such a romantic love! I want that too!”

“Xixi, you have such a good fiancé. Be grateful!”

They teased each other before switching topics.

“I wonder what Xin Chi looks like. I heard he’s fierce enough to scare children to tears.”

“My father saw him from afar during a chase. He said Xin Chi looks like a beast, wild in manner.”

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Listening to their chatter, Bu Hui: “...”

Her mind pictured that dangerously handsome face. Calling him a beast was no exaggeration...

She was distracted when Lucy curiously asked,

“Why haven’t you updated lately?”

Bu Hui answered honestly, “Working.”

“Why work? Is it a hobby?”

“No, for money.” She shook her head.

“Don’t your parents give you money monthly? Do you spend so much?”

“Xixi, she’s an orphan. A wandering alien.”

A round-faced redhead gently tugged Lucy’s fluffy sleeve, looking embarrassed. Her family was from the registry office and knew everyone’s backgrounds well. She was the most politely cold to Bu Hui.

The smiles froze; the lively chat fell into awkward silence.

The girls exchanged looks, suddenly realizing:

On one side, they wore exquisite gowns and held champagne.

On the other, Bu Hui wore a bright yellow work suit, bare-faced, with a Huimin Factory badge on her chest.

They were peers in age, yet worlds apart in appearance.

“...”

“...”

Bu Hui paused, then said, “My boss is calling me. I’ll go see if someone’s ship needs fixing.”

Her tact relieved them, and they quietly smiled.

“Go ahead, we’ll talk about your book next time.”

“Come back later!”

After Bu Hui left, their perfect smiles relaxed, and they whispered complaints about Lucy inviting a commoner, almost causing them embarrassment.

No matter how good a book, it suddenly felt dull.

A closely huddled girl with freckles, finely made-up face, showed disappointment:

“Maybe noble ladies and fallen princes make better stories... Right now, all I can think of is that pirate’s rough, fierce face...”

“Don’t say that. She, she also...” Lucy scolded but couldn’t argue further.

Cheap, poor love at society’s bottom was nothing like their fantasies.

The mood turned somber; the joyful atmosphere vanished.

Wisely, they changed the subject.

“The mayor’s promotion is a done deal. Today’s guests are powerful elites rarely seen. Lucy, you’re going to be the next mayor’s wife.”

The round-faced girl sighed enviously.

“My family’s suitors are all smelly, bad-tempered officers!”

“Same here...”

Either poor conditions or ugly looks; fiancés like Wen Boxi were beyond their reach.

They looked out at the garden, bittersweet feelings swirling. It was as beautiful as a deliberately crafted false dream.

“Oh.”

“That is—”

A man just disembarked from a flyer. Broad-shouldered, slim-waisted, long legs walking steadily on cobblestones toward the banquet hall.

His perfect figure was wrapped tightly in a black uniform, revealing fierce muscular lines, making him look like a wild beast.

He raised his eyes; some black strands fell over his deep brow. His golden eyes sparkled dazzlingly in the sunlight—arrogant and free-spirited, impossible to look away from.

The girls watching blushed, hearts racing with secret delight.

More dignitaries gathered, whispering and marveling, trying to identify this honored guest.

He suddenly narrowed his eyes and fixed his gaze on a spot on the third floor of the banquet hall.

At that moment,

On another balcony to the right, Bu Hui stuffed two small cakes into her mouth to vent.

Wen Boxi chuckled and handed her two more.

He had just passed by and caught Bu Hui staring blankly on the balcony, looking unhappy. She said she was stressed by work; he smiled kindly, understanding from his own busy official life.

“Want some wine? I’ll call a waiter to serve you.”

Bu Hui frowned at the word “serve,” politely declining without looking up: “Thank you, no. I just want some time alone.”

Wen Boxi smiled, “I’m responsible for the hospitality today. You must enjoy yourself.”

Just then, Bu Hui’s AI chip chimed.

[Your partner has entered visual range. Send location?]

Bu Hui: “...?”

She felt a cold gaze prickling her back, instinctively glanced toward the garden, meeting a pair of eyes curled into a cold sneer.

Startled, sweat broke out all over her.

That madman—why was he in Huimin City?

This was bad. Could he be here to kill her?