On the other end, Lu Qiao had a fairly satisfying light meal and rested for a while. When he woke up, he suddenly felt bored. It would be nice if someone came by now, so he could show off his “accomplishments.”
Take Mrs. Sheng from last time, for example she was quite good, with that smile that hid a knife, which was rather endearing.
Leaning his chin on his hand in the office, he absentmindedly played with a pen, completely devoid of any refined noblewoman’s demeanor. Eventually, unable to sit still, he went out for a stroll.
The temporarily closed gallery had only a few employees and workers inside. Two of them were placing prisms in the hallway leading to the restroom, while others were replacing the lights.
Since the lights had been on earlier that morning, Lu Qiao asked curiously:
“What’s going on? Are you changing the lights?”
“Ah, yes. The old lights have aged, and the colors they project have noticeably changed. The previous owner was very strict about lighting and required regular replacements.”
“I see.”
Lu Qiao didn’t stop them and watched as they removed the original lights. He was about to leave but turned back after a moment’s thought.
“Then change the lights to white light, especially in the restroom and lounge. Guests go to these places to shift their mood. Staying in the same lighting environment for too long can create psychological pressure. Also, remove the prisms in the hallway leading to the restroom. They take up space and strain my eyes.”
The gallery’s exhibition hall mainly used rotating track spotlights, with cool light as the primary source and warm light as a supplement based on the artwork’s needs. The area near the restroom happened to use warm-toned lights, and to maintain the color scheme, warm yellow lighting extended from the exhibition hall to the restroom.
“Huh?” The assistant from the events department was taken aback but quickly responded:
“Understood.”
The assistant went to the finance department again, got the paperwork, and headed to the warehouse to fetch the white lights. Thinking they could finally make the change, they were surprised to run into someone while replacing the lights.
“What are you doing!”
A man rushed forward, his face cold, and scolded, “Who told you to casually change the color of the lights?”
The assistant was startled and, under the man’s long-standing pressure, stammered, “It was the owner who told us to change them.”
Han Chongming was furious: “What does a clueless kid like him know? Change them back!”
“But, supervisor.”
“I said change them back. Does my word not matter anymore?”
Under his gloomy expression, the assistant reluctantly began changing them back. Just then, Xiao Qi from the finance department passed by and, seeing this, exclaimed in surprise, “What’s going on? Weren’t we supposed to switch to white light?”
The assistant glanced awkwardly at Han Chongming beside them. Han Chongming wore a stern expression, acting as if he were a superior instructing subordinates:
“What’s the point of changing to white? White ruins the entire ambiance. The new owner, who’s only been in charge for a day, doesn’t understand, and you’re letting him mess around? Have you learned nothing after working here for so long?”
His barrage of criticism and scolding brought tears to Xiao Qi’s eyes, but it only fueled her rebellious spirit. She stiffened her neck and stubbornly said:
“But these are the owner’s orders. I have to listen to the owner.”
The other two workers also paused, hesitantly looking between the two. Han Chongming’s gaze shifted between them a few times before he suddenly sneered:
“Fine, then let’s go ask the new owner whose orders we should follow yours or mine.”
In the office, Lu Qiao was stretching lazily, ready to call it a day, when someone burst into his office in a flurry and blurted out:
“Little boss, was it you who ordered the lights in the lounge to be replaced with white ones?”
Before Lu Qiao could even open his mouth, the visitor launched into a rapid-fire barrage:
“The lighting and decor in the gallery were designed based on aesthetic principles, creating a warm and comfortable ambiance through the interplay of light and space. Any change would disrupt the overall harmony. You’re young, boss you haven’t studied art or managed a gallery before. I don’t blame you for an outsider trying to direct insiders without understanding the craft. What I do blame is those few people who, to curry favor with you, didn’t even bother to inform you. Now, tell them to change the prisms and lights back!”
Lu Qiao silently glanced at the open door and the trembling employees huddled outside, then turned his gaze back to the man.
“Are you talking to me?”
Just as Han Chongming was about to speak, Lu Qiao raised a hand to cut him off:
“First, there’s only ‘boss,’ no ‘little boss.’ Second, knock before entering. And third, the prisms and lights don’t need to be changed back. It’s almost time to clock out you can all leave now.”
He waved his hand dismissively.
Han Chongming’s expression darkened, and he took a step forward. “So the boss isn’t planning to listen to my opinion? I understand you’re new to the job and might feel insecure, wanting to assert your authority. But if you ruin the artistic appeal of the gallery and lower its reputation among industry insiders, can you really take responsibility for that?”
“This gallery is the result of the previous boss and all our employees working together. It’s not something a wealthy socialite like you can casually change with a few words. If you insist on meddling, go study at an art academy for ten years first, then come back and talk!”
In an instant, the temperature in the office seemed to plummet.
Lu Qiao didn’t bother looking at the terrified employees by the door again. He turned back, gently wiped the crumbs from his fingers after finishing a biscuit, and only after setting down the napkin did he speak slowly:
“I may not understand art, but I have my own aesthetic sense. Here, my aesthetic is art. I heard you’ve worked here for a long time. Perhaps you’ve been here so long that you’ve forgotten the difference between a boss and an employee.”
Han Chongming’s face turned ashen. The words left him speechless, his chest tight with frustration, but no retort came to him no matter how hard he tried.
Lu Qiao’s tone remained unchanged as he continued, “Since you can’t understand my approach, that’s fine. From now on, you won’t be involved in the gallery’s redesign.”
Han Chongming stared in disbelief. “You’re excluding me from the exhibition hall design?”
“Was I not clear enough?” Lu Qiao lifted his eyelids slightly and said:
“That’s exactly what I mean.”
“You”
“Alright.” Lu Qiao waved his hand impatiently. “It’s time to clock out. My principle is never to work overtime, and I hope everyone else can avoid it too. Let’s all head home.”
Han Chongming still wanted to say more, but Lu Qiao’s expression was one of dismissal. Fuming, Han Chongming could only shake his sleeves in anger and storm out of the office.
The employees by the door glanced at Han Chongming’s retreating figure, then back at the new boss inside, who had already started packing up. They exchanged nervous looks, tiptoed quietly out of the office, and gently closed the door behind them.
The incident didn’t affect Lu Qiao’s mood in the slightest. Shortly after returning home, Mo Hanzhou arrived right behind him. Lu Qiao happily went to greet him.
Mo Hanzhou stroked his head. “How was your first day at work today?”
“It was great! Everyone was really nice. Xiao Qi from the finance department ordered takeout for me at lunch. It wasn’t as good as home-cooked food, but it was still okay. The best part was that the meal set came with pudding!”
“Just a pudding and you’re satisfied.”
Seeing his excited expression, Mo Hanzhou felt relieved. It seemed going out more often wasn’t a bad idea at least he wouldn’t be cooped up at home all day, risking his health from boredom.
He pinched Lu Qiao’s nose and said, “You as long as you’re happy.”
“I am happy.”
Lu Qiao’s eyes were filled with innocence and dependence. He nuzzled his cheek against Mo Hanzhou’s palm, gazing into the man’s eyes with a dewy look.
The light in Mo Hanzhou’s eyes gradually deepened, becoming intense and profound. Unconsciously, the two leaned in, and Mo Hanzhou gently bit Lu Qiao’s lower lip, whispering softly:
“You little pervert.”
The boy murmured indistinctly, “Sir, you too.”
Early the next morning, Lu Qiao got up bright and early. Mo Hanzhou thought to himself that since he had just started working, he was still in high spirits, though it was uncertain how long this enthusiasm would last.
How long the enthusiasm would last was uncertain, but they left the house together that day.
Lu Qiao sat in a silver Bentley, rolling down the window and waving to the man in the car opposite. He shouted loudly:
“Sir, be careful on the road! Do your best today, and face work with as much energy as A-Qiao!”
Mo Hanzhou couldn’t help but laugh. “Alright, just like A-Qiao.”
Only then did Lu Qiao contentedly roll up the window.
At the gallery, Han Chongming had also arrived for work. As soon as he entered his office, he was called over by the finance department. The finance department had its own small office, and as soon as the door closed, the finance manager got straight to the point:
“Manager Han, you don’t need to come to work after today. The company will compensate you with an additional year’s salary.”