"Not feeling myself today," Wu Yong approached Lin Yuan, sensing something amiss. "Who ruffled the feathers of our next ace on the tenth floor?"
Lin Yuan had four songs with over a million downloads, and another song was about to be officially promoted to senior composer status, making it the company's ace.
Everyone in the composition department knew this, so they sometimes teased Lin Yuan about it.
"Two million..."
Lin Yuan looked out the window with a sense of melancholy.
"What's that about?"
"Two million..."
Wu Yong was left speechless. "Two million what?"
Lin Yuan didn't respond, just repeating, "Two million..."
Wu Yong decided to ignore him.
This morning, Lin Yuan seemed confused, much like Sun Yaohuo had been earlier.
Meanwhile, Lao Zhou had already reached the audit department.
The head of the audit department personally welcomed him, his expression kind. "Director Zhou, care to join me for lunch?"
"Forget it," Lao Zhou said gruffly. "You're letting someone slide for not following the rules. I turned a blind eye to it before, considering it an internal favoritism issue. But this time is different, who leaked 'Red Rose'?"
The other party sneered. "I'll reprimand them..."
Zhou Ruiming fixed them with a steely gaze. "You know that's not what I'm after."
The other party nodded fervently. "I understand, I'll deal with them severely!"
"Not severe enough," Zhou Ruiming insisted.
The other party's smile faded gradually. He gestured slightly, and said in a low voice, "Director Zhou, to be blunt, I don't care about this matter."
"Expelled," Zhou Ruiming said casually.
The other party found this amusing. "If that's what you want, I'll have to inform the higher-ups."
Zhou Ruiming sat back. "Do whatever."
The other party pulled out their phone and sent a message.
Not long after, Zhou Ruiming's phone rang. As soon as he picked up, there was a cold snort on the other end. "What's the big idea?"
"Someone in the audit department broke company rules."
"I let it slide."
"Should I expel them then?"
"You sure about this?"
"It's a tough call for me."
"Whatever."
The call ended abruptly, likely out of frustration.
Zhou Ruiming glanced at the head of the audit department. "You've said your piece. Now it's my turn. Do I really need to elaborate?"
"Fine," the other party said with a smile and a thumbs up. "You deserve to lead the composition department. Tough as nails. Don't blame me for this. I'm just following orders. Now that you're done here, I'll handle the expulsion. Farewell."
"Goodbye," Zhou Ruiming said, turning to leave.
Back in the office, the assistant approached cautiously. "Supervisor, are you about to butt heads with another senior in the company?"
"Yes," Zhou Ruiming admitted with a wry smile. "I used to butt heads for someone but this time it's Lin Yuan. It's a tough spot for me as a supervisor."
"You're brave!"
The assistant chuckled. "As per your instructions, I've requested a rough version of 'Red Rose' from the recording studio. Shall we give it a listen?"
"Sure," Zhou Ruiming replied.
He put on his headphones, reclined in his chair, and listened to 'Red Rose' again. Halfway through, he sat up abruptly.
"What's up?" the assistant asked, puzzled.
Zhou Ruiming slammed his hand on the table, startling the assistant. Then, he burst into laughter. "Priceless!"
...
At noon, Lao Zhou called Lin Yuan to the office with a smile. "The person who leaked the song has been fired. I can assure you that it won't happen again in the future!"
"Okay," Lin Yuan replied, his mood unchanged.
Lao Zhou nervously rubbed his hands. "Care for some coffee?"
Lin Yuan declined firmly. "No!"
Old Zhou was taken aback by the strong reaction. Why such a strong reaction to a simple offer?
He coughed. "Then how about some tea? The finest tea, something to treasure."
Lin Yuan nodded.
Lao Zhou brewed the tea himself and, after steeping it, nervously offered it to Lin Yuan. "You're the one who composed 'Red Rose', right?"
"Yes," Lin Yuan confirmed, blowing on the tea.
He had decided to quit coffee and switch to tea. It was better for his physical and mental well-being.
Lounging comfortably on the sofa, Lao Zhou remarked, "That song is really something."
Lin Yuan continued to sip his tea absentmindedly, offering no response.
But Lao Zhou didn't mind. He was simply delighted that he could laugh to himself.
At that moment, Lin Yuan's phone rang.
Zhao Jue called. "Tao Ran has been suspended for one month, and Jin Shuyu's announcement this month has also been cancelled. The audit department went to Lao Zhou, and I didn't come forward. Tell me if I am not satisfied."
"Thanks, Sister Zhao."
"Easy as pie."
Lin Yuan hung up the phone.
Lao Zhou smiled and said, "Xiao Zhao is good to you. She is Tao Ran's immediate boss and the chief agent of the entire company. She is Tao Ran's grandma."
Lin Yuan didn't speak.
The next day, news that Jin Shuyu and Tao Ran were severely punished by higher-ups spread throughout the company. The gossip topics of various departments early in the morning were:
Who did these two piss off?
At that moment, Lin Yuan was helping Sun Yaohuo record songs.
Today, Sun Yaohuo was in very good condition, and Lin Yuan was very satisfied with the recording effect. If nothing else, the song would be recorded soon.
During a recording break, Sun Yaohuo approached Lin Yuan, usually eloquent and flattering, but this time a bit awkward. "Thank you."
"No need to thank me," Lin Yuan replied.
"Thank you for choosing me."
Naturally, Lin Yuan didn't know what Sun Yaohuo had encountered. He only felt that the other party's gratitude was unwarranted. "Didn't we agree that I would record it for you?"
Sun Yaohuo was taken aback.
At that moment, he recalled the scene of his first meeting with Lin Yuan in the company, and he felt a bit conflicted.
For someone like him, things were straightforward. He chose to sing the song himself, so how could he turn around and give it to someone else?
"Then it's not for me..."
Lin Yuan said, puzzled. "What do you mean?"
Sun Yaohuo couldn't help but laugh. Jin Shuyu and Tao Ran were punished by the company, and the whole company was buzzing with speculation about whose influence it was. But he knew that this matter must have something to do with his younger brother. So Sun Yaohuo thought Lin Yuan was venting his frustration.
Now he realized it was another misunderstanding.
But this was Envy!
Thinking of this, Sun Yaohuo smiled. "Junior, I'm treating you to dinner at the executive canteen. I got a special meal voucher yesterday, enough for both of us!"
"Sounds good!"
Lin Yuan's eyes lit up. The food in the executive canteen was much better than the ordinary cafeteria. The last time Zhao Jue took Lin Yuan there, he had enjoyed it immensely, but he couldn't afford it on his own.
Well, he could afford it, but it was too expensive to justify. If there was no one treating, who could afford it?
"Let's go."
Sun Yaohuo skillfully opened the door for Lin Yuan.
Sun Yaohuo vowed to himself that one day, he would rise in this industry, no longer be humble, and face people like Tao Ran with confidence!
One day, he would outshine them all!
...He'd just have to suck up to his Junior!