Chapter Fifty-Four: The Script

“Well, Lesong Le, just you wait and see.”
The woman surnamed Wen screamed at the top of her lungs, still lying on the floor thrashing and making a scene. The employees watching from outside were even more on edge; layoffs already made everyone uneasy, and now seeing the company treat an executive so violently only heightened the fear that the axe would soon fall on the lower-ranking staff.
“This is outrageous.”
“Exactly, how can they treat a woman like that?”
“But weren’t you all cursing Director Wen just as harshly when she deducted your wages?”
“This world really does run on looks—if you’re good-looking, you can do anything. Even a pretty-faced guy with no education can become a manager. Our company is doomed.”
Such is human nature.
Director Wen was always sharp-tongued and harsh at the office, nitpicking and berating the staff in the marketing department over the slightest issue. Yet watching her get thrown out, some felt a sense of satisfaction, while others thought it excessive, conveniently forgetting how Director Wen once berated a new employee for an entire hour, pointing at their nose in arrogance.
“What are you all staring at? Don’t you have work to do?”
Lesong Le dispersed the gawking crowd and quickly closed the door behind him, eager to please.
“Manager Ye, about this… Shouldn’t we inform President Liu? After all, Director Wen was the head of the Film and TV Department.”
“There’s no need.” Ye Qiu waved it off. “I’ll explain it to the boss later. What matters now is keeping the staff calm.”
Ye Qiu couldn’t help but feel that his actions just now resembled those of a villain in a novel. If someone who didn’t know the whole story saw it, they’d likely jump to the wrong conclusion.
“Give both departments an extra month’s salary as a bonus.”
“Huh?”
Lesong Le was momentarily taken aback.
“Manager Ye, that’s a major expense. President Liu would have to approve it.”
“I’ll handle President Liu. You go make the announcement.”
“On it.”
A surge of joy rose in Lesong Le’s heart.
He was making thirty grand a month; this bonus meant another thirty thousand in hand, no strings attached. He could finally upgrade his graphics card, and maybe treat himself to a foot massage at the spa.
Manager Ye was truly good to them. Following Ye Qiu meant no more scraping by for survival.
When Lesong Le announced with great fanfare that everyone in the Internet Celebrities and Film & TV departments would get an extra month’s salary, the once-whispering employees were stunned into silence, followed by a burst of enthusiastic applause.
“The new boss is making a statement—this is the right way to light a fire. Manager Ye really has guts.”
“With Manager Ye at the helm, we won’t have to envy those big tech companies anymore.”
“We’re basically a top company now, aren’t we? Look at our stock price—it’s hit the limit again.”

A 150-pound young woman quipped sarcastically, “Who was it just now saying he was uneducated? A little bonus and you’re all bought out. Don’t forget, this guy even hit Xue Qing.”
“He deserved it. If you think the company doesn’t match your values, you’re free to quit. Stop whining. People like you who eat from the bowl and then curse the cook are the worst.”
The young woman sputtered, “You—”
“Director Le, why’s it so lively here?”
Liu Yiran, still uneasy about Ye Qiu’s first official day at work, had come down specifically to offer support. The moment she entered the Internet Celebrities Department, she found the entire floor buzzing with joy, the atmosphere electric.
“Uh, it’s like this.” Lesong Le hesitated, “Manager Ye fired Director Wen and announced that both our department and the Film & TV department will get an extra month’s salary, so…”
The previously elated employees now held their breath, all eyes turning to Liu Yiran.
“Oh, I see. Notify the finance team and bring me the paperwork to sign.”
“Long live President Liu!”
The employees were ecstatic.
With Liu Yiran’s nod, the bonus was as good as in their hands.
“Director Le, let’s not limit it to just your departments. Send out a company-wide email—everyone gets an extra month’s salary as a bonus.”
Lesong Le was even more thrilled.
That meant Liu Yiran had fully endorsed Ye Qiu’s suggestion.
“All right, I’ll head back now. Make sure to support Ye Qiu’s work from here on.”
“Of course, President Liu.”
Seeing how Ye Qiu had won over his team with a single move, Liu Yiran finally felt at ease.
“President Liu, Chairman Chen of the Cosmic Association just called—he’s coming to our office this afternoon.”
Liu Yiran’s secretary hurried down from the top floor.
Chairman Chen.
The head of the Cosmic Association.
The wealthiest man in Linhai.
His business touched every aspect of daily life.
He was practically the Li Ka-shing of Linhai.
The secretary dared not be careless.
“Chairman Chen likes Pre-Rain Dragon Well tea, doesn’t he? Go get some from President Zhang.”

Liu Yiran cast a brief glance at Ye Qiu’s office and then left.
Ye Qiu, for his part, hadn’t noticed her visit. At that moment, Yun Yan was reporting to him.
“Master, a batch of firearms has entered Star City, and 001 is already monitoring it. However, 001 hasn’t issued any warnings to the authorities in the Beautiful Nation. Also, the nation’s financial markets have been unstable lately—someone seems to be plotting a short attack on the stock market. Should we withdraw our funds for the time being?”
Ye Qiu tapped his fingers lightly on the desk.
Something wasn’t right.
By rights, 001 should have reported all this to the intelligence agencies already. What’s more, 001 was far more advanced than Yun Yan—there was no way it could have missed the irregularities in the market.
“Leave our funds in the market for now. Keep a close eye on those buying firearms—I want to know their intentions.”
“Understood, Master.” Yun Yan glanced at Ye Qiu, hesitated in a very human manner, and continued, “Master, the Priestess has secretly sent a team to Camel Country. If she’s leaving Star City, she should have reported to you first.”
“On campaign, a general does not always obey the sovereign’s commands. Let’s wait for her final report before judging.”
“Understood, Master… Hm? Master, there’s another prayer. But…”
As she spoke, Yun Yan projected the surveillance feed.
There was little Jin Yueyun, the chubby girl, who had somehow roped in two men. It looked as though Jin Yueyun was being threatened, but the two men seemed even more nervous than she was. One of them glanced uneasily at her and said, “Sister Yun, is this really going to work? If your fans get the wrong idea, I’ll be in serious trouble.”
“Stop whining, you two. Act like you mean it,” Jin Yueyun snapped, shooting them a glare and muttering under her breath, “Oh great Seraph…”
“This little troublemaker,” Ye Qiu thought, surprised that she still hadn’t given up—now she was even using scripts to prove she was a Seraph.
“Master, take a look at this,” Yun Yan said, switching the feed again.
This time, it was the main dining room of a restaurant.
“Hm?”
Wasn’t that Taozi?
And sitting across from her—wasn’t that Enhui?
Hadn’t it been said that Enhui betrayed Taozi back then? So why were the two of them meeting together now?