Chapter Seventy-Seven: Conspiracy

Chapter Seventy-Seven: Conspiracy

It seemed that the company manager was also about to be promoted.

Rumor had it that the new boss would be paying a visit today, and everyone’s thoughts began to stir with anticipation.

He Zhouzhou and her group sat together in a small circle, whispering among themselves.

“What are you looking at?” one of the girls asked.

“News. It says that an Awakened saved someone—everyone online is talking about it,” the other replied.

“Oh, come on, is this really the time to be reading that?” someone scolded, snatching the phone away.

Suddenly, as he glanced at the screen, he caught sight of the face shown in the report—a portrait of the Awakened hero.

“Hey, this guy looks just like the chairman we saw last time,” he blurted out.

“You're joking. How could the chairman be an Awakened?” someone scoffed, but looked over anyway.

Several new hires craned their necks to see as well.

“Wow, he really does look alike. Could it really be him?”

He Zhouzhou also leaned in for a glance.

In an instant, her pupils contracted and she shuddered.

“Zhouzhou, what’s wrong?” someone asked.

He Zhouzhou withdrew her gaze, a complicated look on her face. “Nothing,” she said quietly.

She stared at the man on the screen in disbelief.

She couldn’t possibly be mistaken.

He Zhouzhou knew that Shen An was an Awakened.

“The chairman?” she wondered. Perhaps she was imagining things. After all, she had only seen him from behind that time.

Besides, the current chairman of Future Group was Liu Jin.

Back then, Shen An was just a little fan of hers. Even if he had Awakened and changed, it was impossible for him to become the boss of Future Group so quickly.

At this moment, He Zhouzhou found herself worried about Shen An’s safety.

Just then, there was a knock at the door.

The supervisor entered, calling into the room.

“Everyone, come out. The boss will be here soon. Line up and get ready to welcome him.”

With that, the supervisor left.

The newcomers felt uneasy, uncertain of what to expect.

When they stepped out, they saw that many people had already arranged themselves into two rows, prepared to greet the boss’s arrival.

Such fanfare hadn’t happened before.

Before long, the manager stepped forward as someone approached.

The newcomer was a portly, middle-aged man, with another person quietly following behind, standing silently by his side.

As both rows applauded, the manager stepped forward, beaming with obsequiousness.

The man was, of course, Liu Jin.

Liu Jin nodded to everyone, his demeanor seemingly amiable.

He asked a few questions about work, inquiring politely whether things were busy or difficult.

Suddenly, his gaze shifted to the group of new hires.

Noticing this, the manager gestured toward them and said something. Liu Jin seemed to consider it, then nodded in satisfaction.

After that, Liu Jin wandered about a bit, lingering for a long while in the manager’s office.

When the boss had been received, the new hires returned to their stations, lost in thought.

“That boss has such a sinister look in his eyes,” someone murmured.

“He's so fat, not nearly as good-looking as the last one.”

“Yeah, he’s nowhere near as impressive. I wonder what he was discussing with the manager—they seemed to know each other from before.”

“Did you see that? An ordinary old employee greeted him too, as if they knew each other.”

“Enough, just focus on your work. Otherwise, the supervisor will scold us again.”

The group fell silent, returning to their tasks.

But only a few minutes passed before heated voices erupted from the manager’s office.

“No way! I brought them in—they’re new, and we’re overwhelmed with work as it is. I don’t agree!” a woman’s voice protested.

“Wang Yao, are you refusing to do your job? Who runs this company? I don’t care. You handle this, and if you can’t, you’re done here!” a man retorted coldly.

The newcomers listened with anxious curiosity, not daring to speak. They could tell the argument was between the manager and the supervisor.

They’d all been hired by the supervisor, and she handled much of their work.

Though they sometimes complained about her behind her back, she was generally kind and looked after them, even if her assignments were always tough.

“The supervisor and manager are fighting,” someone whispered.

“Yes, I heard,” another replied softly.

The voices from inside were so loud, it was impossible not to notice.

“From now on, you’re fired!” someone shouted.

Just then, the supervisor stormed out, slamming the door behind her.

Her face was grim as she looked toward He Zhouzhou and her companions.

“You all have the rest of the day off. Go home—now, immediately.”

Startled, they hurried to gather their things.

“No need to pack up. Just go home,” she snapped.

None of them dared linger a moment longer and hurried toward the exit.

But just as they reached the door, their way was blocked.

An older employee stood in their path.

“Go back,” he ordered.

The girls paled, glancing anxiously at the supervisor.

But beside her now stood the boss.

“Didn’t I say? You’re fired,” he said coldly.

At that moment, the manager approached.

“You girls, go have dinner with President Liu,” he said with a smile.

Instantly, when they saw Liu Jin’s gaze fixed on them, the group collectively stepped back.

“Boss, I have something to deal with at home,” one of the girls said, her face white with fear.

He Zhouzhou and the others gripped each other’s hands, palms slick with sweat.

“They’re just new hires—I won’t allow you to do this,” the supervisor, Wang Yao, said stubbornly.

“Wang Yao, it’s just dinner with the boss. It won’t cost them anything. Why are you making a fuss?” the manager retorted.

Wang Yao tried to protest further, but Liu Jin’s brow furrowed.

The manager spoke: “Security, escort Wang Yao out. She’s been fired. Take her to HR to complete the paperwork.”

Immediately, several burly security guards came in and led Wang Yao away.

For a moment, no one else in the room dared utter a word.

The rest of the staff exchanged glances; a few even smirked, as if none of this surprised them.

“Come on now, go have dinner with the boss. A few drinks,” the manager said, grinning as he gestured for them to leave.

A sense of utter despair and helplessness washed over He Zhouzhou and her friends. After the supervisor was taken away, some people even whispered that being invited to dinner by the boss was a privilege—who would refuse such a good opportunity?

“The boss is treating you to dinner—you should be honored.”

A new hire whispered, “I quit. I quit. I want to go home,” her voice breaking as she began to weep.

“That’s fine, you can go home, but first, let’s have dinner,” Liu Jin replied with a smile, ignoring their protest. Soon, they were ushered out.

Half an hour later.

Shen An arrived at the company.

No one noticed his arrival.

He went upstairs and saw many employees at their desks. Some were idly playing games on their phones.

A few were even playing cards.

Shen An glanced at the tightly shut office door.

With his Insightful Eye, he saw the man inside lounging in the office chair, legs crossed, looking utterly content.