After chatting wildly with pupu for a while, seeing that it was about time, Yu Sibo cleaned up the trash on the coffee table—wrapping paper, the gift box, and even the certificate with his boss’s WeChat ID—all tossed down into the trash bin downstairs.
Without a live stream to worry about, Yu Sibo got to bed early, and the next morning, he clocked in feeling unusually energetic.
“…Looks like Team Leader Yu is in a good mood?”
“Well, he’s got someone backing him. If I were him, I’d be happy too…”
Just as he walked past the clock-in machine, he heard some whispering, leaving him momentarily confused. Before he could think, a familiar suited man approached.
Secretary Zhao immediately brightened upon seeing him and greeted warmly.
“Oh, what a coincidence! Team Leader Yu, I was just about to find you. Director Ji has an important meeting out of town, so this morning’s meeting is canceled. I came to let you know.”
Ever since Qian Yuanxin left, Secretary Zhao had been quickly sidelined and was now reduced to passing along simple messages.
Facing Yu Sibo, Zhao’s flattery was obvious—almost exactly how he used to fawn over Qian Chong.
“Noted,” Yu Sibo replied simply, without slowing his steps.
But Zhao tried to strike up small talk. “Team Leader Yu, did you work overtime again yesterday?”
“What’s the big deal?” Yu Sibo glanced at him.
“Oh, no offense,” Zhao leaned closer. “If you ever work late and can’t go downstairs for food, just tell me. I can bring something up for you.”
Yu Sibo raised an eyebrow, saying nothing.
Flattery with ulterior motives—this guy must be trying to curry favor with him.
Seeing no response, Zhao hurried a few steps to catch up and lowered his voice with a smile.
“We’ve been colleagues for two years; we all know Director Ji isn’t fond of the Qian faction and values you. That’s why I’m happy for you…”
Yu Sibo clicked his tongue lightly in his mind. He wasn’t used to being pulled into someone else’s power plays, and he subtly frowned.
Looks like Director Ji often used him as a shield? That gift box was indeed rightfully his.
After trailing him for a while, Zhao finally realized he was digging his own pit and slunk away at the corner.
No sooner had one gone than Yu Sibo looked up to see another pair of eyes.
Lu Jinren was standing by the Second Team’s door with Qian Chong, whispering. Seeing him approach, Lu Jinren’s previously relaxed expression immediately darkened.
“Team Leader Yu, why did you show up just now?” he started scolding.
“Get used to it,” Yu Sibo said.
Lu Jinren choked slightly and furrowed his brow even more deeply.
“You also sent your plan way too late! I’ll send you the review in a moment—revise it carefully,” he ordered, leaving no room for refusal. “I know you’re efficient; have it to me before nine.”
Yu Sibo’s small burst of morning energy vanished completely, like a stone sinking in water. He lazily lifted his eyelids, glanced at him for a moment, then pulled the corner of his mouth into a small smirk.
That tiny change in expression made Lu Jinren stiffen, instinctively tense under the youth’s gaze.
…It must be a trick of the eyes.
Everyone knew Yu Sibo looked cold and aloof, but in reality, when overtime was required, he still did it.
People in their circle often mocked him, calling him a mercenary for hire, all bark and no bite.
Lu Jinren half-covered his open palm, wiped it on his sleeve, gathered himself, and glared. “Any issues?”
Yu Sibo lowered his gaze again. The earlier look had been just an illusion.
“Send it,” he said, curtly, and without pausing, stepped past the two and entered Team One’s door.
He was going to meet friends after work, and in a good mood, he couldn’t be bothered with Lu Jinren.
Besides, he only said “send it”—he didn’t promise to revise it.
The door movement made the row of sunflowers sway, their smiling faces facing outward, almost mocking.
Inside, the sunflowers turned to greet him, their smiles far sweeter than the plastic faces outside.
“Team Leader, the client has approved the plan. Satisfaction is high,” Wu Tianjiao reported from her workstation.
Last night, before leaving, Yu Sibo had already sent the plan to Wu Tianjiao, who handled client liaison. Since it was still early, she had forwarded it directly to the client.
By that calculation, Lu Jinren ended up being the last to see it.
Gao Xiangzi clicked his tongue, displeased. “We should have sent him the plan and client feedback too, so he sees why he has no right to boss us around.”
“No need,” Yu Sibo said. “Do you want to pay the client just to see Lu Jinren’s plan?”
Everyone stifled a laugh.
“The team leader already said it—internal matters shouldn’t go to the client,” Wu Tianjiao said, then muttered, “But Lu Jinren really doesn’t understand. After causing a fuss, we still have to clean up after him.”
Yu Sibo suddenly remembered something. “Lu Jinren isn’t secure in his position as director?”
Wu Tianjiao thought a moment. “It’s a probationary period, but since Team Ji only hires selectively, directors may not realize. Most ordinary positions pass probation eighty percent of the time.”
“Tianjiao, don’t say that,” Xiao Mu suddenly said with a grim laugh. “I’m afraid I’ll be in the twenty percent…”
Yu Sibo didn’t join their conversation further. He returned to his desk. Pupu had sent him the dinner address for the evening.
The place wasn’t far; leaving at six would get him there with ease.
He added the dinner to his schedule and began the last workday of the week with a light heart.
In the Second Team’s private reception room, Lu Jinren had a steaming cup of tea at hand, his expression grim.
“This is a critical period. Since Yu Sibo couldn’t be won over from the start, we have to bring him under control.”
He glanced at Qian Chong. “I’m only here because of your uncle’s invitation.”
Qian Chong smiled obligingly and, despite reluctance, said, “…I’ve thought it through. I know Yu Sibo. While he’s difficult in design, he lacks money, and he’s always eager to work overtime.”
“The Fengshang Jiayuan project—clients didn’t choose us because he compressed the design timeline. I know that,” Lu Jinren said, still dissatisfied.
Qian Chong lowered his voice. “There are so many in Team One. How could none of them complain about his frequent overtime? They just didn’t have someone to back them up before. You see…”
“This way, he’ll lose Team One’s loyalty. Once he has no capable aides, won’t everyone in Team One be your subordinates?”
“Reasonable enough,” Lu Jinren squinted and smiled again. “Handle it this afternoon.”
Qian Chong, less optimistic, asked, “But Lu… Director Ji seems different toward him. Acting now, isn’t that impulsive?”
Lu Jinren snorted sarcastically. “Do you really think Mr. Ji is some magnanimous gentleman?”
“…So you gave Res a gift to curry favor, saying it came from me?” The silver-haired youth on the video call couldn’t hold back a laugh.
“It was on impulse. Didn’t tell you in advance,” Ji Wenze said, smiling helplessly. “If he asks… Xiaoduan, I need a favor.”
His phone was propped on the console, no attention to angles.
Ji Wenze sat in the back seat, legs crossed, papers spread on his lap, clearly heading to a meeting.
“Bro, you’re putting me in a tough spot,” the youth on the other end—Founder, real name Duan Chengxue—runned his fingers through his hair, half-laughing. “Both sides are friends. How am I supposed to cover for you?”
“Is it good if he knows the once ‘big good guy’ has turned into this?”
Ji Wenze laughed. “I don’t need it. Giving it to him is just to win him over, make him happy, not to cause trouble.”
Duan Chengxue stared at him a while, then gave up.
“Alright, I’ll only cover for you this once,” he said. “If it blows up later and Res comes after me…”
Ji Wenze smiled, pushed up his slipping glasses, and flipped a page.
“Won’t happen. This is a one-time thing.”
He nodded. Duan Chengxue asked, “You know about Boss Xue wanting to recruit Res to ICG as a full-time streamer?”
Ji Wenze paused, then said, “Don’t worry, he won’t agree.”
“So sure? Did you give him a raise?” Duan Chengxue raised an eyebrow.
Ji Wenze glanced down, lightly tapped the paper, and chuckled.
“My future director, supported by big projects… wouldn’t resign.”
“Res’s skills are impressive and meticulous. Honestly, if it weren’t for his field mismatch, I’d try to poach him…” Duan Chengxue started, then a long-haired youth walked into the frame. He asked something, and Duan Chengxue repeated the conversation.
“…Kashen gave away his limited edition gift box?” The youth frowned, tapping Duan Chengxue on the head.
“Our set has unique serial numbers… you didn’t know?”