Over the next half month, Chen Xu spent his time working overtime, staying busy until eight or even nine in the evening every day.
The electronic sales department had just been established, and there was an overwhelming amount of work. Everyone was so busy that their feet barely touched the ground.
At first, he found it a bit hard to adjust. In his previous department, every day had a clear set of tasks, and the team worked well together. By simply doing his part, he could finish within working hours.
Now he was like a tightly wound spring that never stopped. As soon as one task was completed, another one awaited, and unexpected issues kept arising.
Often, while halfway through, he realized things deviated significantly from the plan, and he had to scrap it and start over. These occurrences were frequent.
Of course, he felt exhausted, but Chen Xu also found it fulfilling. He felt he was learning a lot.
One distinct aspect of the new department was the frequent meetings. Every morning, there was a routine meeting to report each person's progress, and Liu Kun attended daily, no matter how busy he was.
Every colleague worked diligently with a unique youthful drive.
Chen Xu really enjoyed this work atmosphere. More than once, he thought that if he had joined a company with such an environment right after graduating, things would have been quite different.
......
Another Friday came, and as the end of the workday approached, Liu Kun showed up. Upon entering, he clapped his hands to get everyone's attention and said, "For the past half month, everyone has worked hard. Today, head home early, and there's no need to come to the office tomorrow. If you have a date, go ahead and have it. If you have family, spend time with them."
"Long live Mr. Liu."
Everyone cheered, finally able to rest after half a month of non-stop work. They wholeheartedly embraced this decision.
After Liu Kun finished speaking, he didn't delay, announcing it was the end of the workday.
Everyone couldn't wait to leave the office.
"Chen Xu, aren't you leaving?"
The colleague named Dai Zixin noticed Chen Xu still at his computer and asked.
Chen Xu waved his hand, saying, "I'm waiting for a design proposal; you go ahead."
"Then I'll head out first," Dai Zixin said and left.
Soon, only Chen Xu was left in the department, along with Luo Xiyun and Liu Kun in the office.
He couldn't help but wonder, "What are they talking about?"
......
"Xiyun."
Liu Kun sat at the desk, his eyes filled with concern, "I heard from Yumeng that you've been working late into the night these days."
Luo Xiyun put down her pen, sighed, "Liu Yumeng and her big mouth; I shouldn't have let her stay at my place."
"She means well. How can your body handle working late every night? You don't have to come to the office for the next few days; take a good rest."
"No way." Luo Xiyun refused decisively, "I'm needed here."
Liu Kun rarely looked helpless, "If you seriously wear yourself out, how am I supposed to explain it to Mr. Luo?"
Even upon hearing him bring up her father, Luo Xiyun showed no signs of compromise, saying, "Don't worry, I know my own body. When it's time to rest, I won't push through it."
Liu Kun didn't persuade her further; his gaze suddenly fell on a potted plant on the desk. It struck him as odd since she had a cleanliness obsession and never kept such things in the office, hating dirt and bugs.
He casually asked, "What's this plant? It looks rather unique."
She vaguely replied, "Just planted it randomly."
Liu Kun distinctly caught a flicker of emotion in her eyes, making him more curious. His thoughts connected it to another matter, wondering if it was related, and he tentatively asked, "I heard you turned down Zhou Hao."
Hearing the name, Luo Xiyun unconsciously furrowed her brow, "Who told you that?"
"A few days ago, Zhou Hao got drunk, shouting about finding the bastard who stole his woman and saying he'd break his three legs." Liu Kun shared an amusing tidbit, "Everyone's curious about who that man is."
Luo Xiyun's expression turned a bit cold.
Knock, knock.
Just then, someone knocked on the door from outside.
"Come in," Luo Xiyun said.
Chen Xu entered, first greeting Liu Kun, "Mr. Liu," before handing over a USB drive, "Mr. Luo, this is the new proposal from the advertising company."
"Just leave it there," Luo Xiyun's tone was cold.
"Then I'll be off." Chen Xu nodded to Liu Kun, and before leaving, he noticed the potted plant on the desk had sprouted new buds, wondering, "It looks like a tomato?"
In his dreams, he once grew tomatoes to have fresh vegetables and recognized what they look like when they first sprout.
But then he thought it improbable. Who would grow tomatoes in a pot in the office?
The thought quickly passed, and he didn't dwell on it, leaving the office.
Liu Kun didn't pay much attention to the employee either until the moment he left, catching a glimpse of the extremely complex emotions flickering in Luo Xiyun's eyes as she looked at the employee's back.
This look brought a certain suspicion to his mind.
But, was this suspicion too far-fetched?
Feeling the need to confirm, he cast his gaze toward the now-closed door, as if his eyes penetrated it to see the employee.
If he remembered correctly, the man's name was Chen Xu. An ordinary name, just like his appearance.
......
As Chen Xu left the company, he called Old Tang, wanting to take this opportunity to treat him to a meal to express his gratitude for the past year of guidance.
Old Tang told him not to go to any expense and invited him to dine at his place.
So, Chen Xu went to the supermarket, bought a bunch of ingredients, and headed for Old Tang's house.
Old Tang's home was a bit far from the company. Chen Xu had helped out when he moved, so he knew the location.
He hailed a cab and got there in less than an hour.
Old Tang's wife wasn't particularly pretty but very pleasing to the eye, embodying the gentle wife and good mother type.
Truth be told, Chen Xu had always envied Old Tang for establishing a home in this city through hard work and marrying such a good woman.
That evening, after tasting the meal made by Old Tang's wife, his envy grew even more. Nowadays, finding a woman who cooks well was so hard.
That night, Chen Xu had a dream. He dreamed he replicated Old Tang's wife into the dream during the second dream realm.
When he awoke the next day and recalled the dream's content, he couldn't help but shiver. Thankfully, it was only a dream.
He quickly rushed to the bathroom to take a cold shower to calm himself.
After that, he laid down a rule for himself, "From now on, when entering a dream realm, never replicate anyone I know in reality."