Early the next morning, after leaving the villa, Ning Xingchen grabbed his car keys and prepared to head to the company. Driving his Ferrari and munching on spicy snacks, he certainly appeared every bit the boss in the eyes of passersby.
By now, he estimated that he had only been working at Yunchuang Technology for less than half a year since graduating from university, still in the internship phase.
Due to his mother's illness, Ning Xingchen had taken a half-month leave. As he stepped into the company's doors, many colleagues showed joyful expressions, thinking he had quit.
Although Ning Xingchen was just an ordinary employee in the marketing department, he had good rapport with his colleagues. Seeing him come to work, many coworkers approached him for a chat.
The happiest person was his good buddy Lin Hao. The two had shared a dormitory in college and maintained a close relationship. After graduation, they ended up working at the same company, making Lin Hao his best friend.
"Chen, you've been missing for half a month. You've missed out big time! We've got a new colleague, a beautiful intern from senior year, never dated anyone before, and she might even be a virgin. Don't blame me for moving in on her first," Lin Hao said with a lewd smile.
Though Lin Hao was a year younger than Ning Xingchen, he was quite experienced, a real old hand. It was Lin Hao who had first taken Ning Xingchen to those kinds of places to find women.
"In these times of endless battles, you're still looking for virgins? Be careful; it might be someone who paid to restore their hymen," Ning Xingchen laughed, glancing at the young girl not far away.
The young beauty was indeed pure and lovely, with skin as white as snow, stunningly beautiful, comparable to Lin Xuan'er.
"What are you two trash talking about? Don't you know it's work hours? Violating company regulations, I'll dock your pay," came a disgusting voice. Ning Xingchen turned and saw a middle-aged man with a big belly and a receding hairline.
Hearing this annoying voice, Ning Xingchen realized it was the boss's brother-in-law, Fatty Zhang. This fool often gave him a hard time at work. Ning Xingchen felt instantly irritated, having tolerated him for long enough.
"What's wrong with talking during work? We're discussing work-related issues!" Ning Xingchen retorted, planning to resign today and invite Lin Hao to join him in starting their own business. He suddenly had an idea to buy out Yunchuang Technology.
"Ning Xingchen, do you have any respect for your superiors? I'm telling you, your salary is gone for this month. If you talk back again, you're out of here, you useless waste, with the worst sales performance," Zhang Jun, the assistant to the general manager, raged, enjoying bullying people when his brother-in-law wasn't around.
"Screw you, you moron," Ning Xingchen said, stepping forward and punching Zhang Jun in the eye, causing him to see stars, his fat body swaying.
Everyone in the office was stunned. Normally, Ning Xingchen was friendly, so why was he suddenly so violent?
Ning Xingchen's actions proved a saying true: humility is just a delayed arrogance.
Low profile is for survival; being high profile is the way.
Fatty Zhang, feeling humiliated and filled with hatred, called for the company's security.
"You lot, beat this bastard up. Dare to hit me? You're asking to die!" Zhang Jun shouted, pointing at Ning Xingchen.
Lin Hao, unable to stand it anymore, smashed a teacup on the ground, making a loud noise. "Screw you. Let's see who dares to touch my brother."
Though they said there are no true friends in society, the friendship between Ning Xingchen and Lin Hao had been tested many times. They had fought side by side in school, and now that they were working, Lin Hao's streetwise arrogance had mellowed, but his fiery spirit remained.
"You two are fired!" Zhang Jun yelled, hopping mad.
"Oh, that's good. I can beat you up without any reservations now," Lin Hao said, throwing a punch at Zhang Jun, hitting him squarely. The already swollen face of Fatty Zhang looked even more like a steamed bun.
"Brother Hao."
"Brother Chen."
With a look, they charged at Zhang Jun together. To him, they were not two men but two fierce beasts.
Kicking him simultaneously, Ning Xingchen aimed for the chest while Lin Hao attacked lower, brutally kicking Zhang Jun's groin.
Fatty Zhang screamed in agony, his body bouncing like a ball and crashing into a glass reception table, shattering it. Many glass shards cut into his flesh.
The office echoed with Zhang Jun's screams, his cries of pain reverberating through the building.
The security guards exchanged glances and quickly intervened to stop Ning Xingchen and Lin Hao before things got deadly.
Zhang Jun was unpopular in the company, often penalizing employees under the guise of company rules. His dislike was universal, but due to his high position and relationship with the boss, no one dared to cross him.
Seeing him beaten, many colleagues secretly rejoiced, struggling to hide their smiles.
Bleeding heavily, Zhang Jun's cries turned into muffled groans, barely able to make any sound.
However, Ning Xingchen wasn't done. He wouldn't let go of the anger from being marginalized and suppressed at this company, especially towards Zhang Jun, who was corrupt and heartless, treating employees like dirt.
"Brother, stop. If you keep going, Assistant Zhang might die," a sweet, lovely girl pulled Ning Xingchen's hand, her beautiful eyes pleading.
Her hand was soft and smooth, and she was indeed a little beauty, as cute as could be. She was the new colleague Lin Hao mentioned.
"What's your name?" Ning Xingchen asked, looking at her.
"I'm An Yuqing."
"An Yuqing, this has nothing to do with you. Step aside," Ning Xingchen said coldly.
Her delicate face looked pitiful, invoking a strong protective instinct in any man, especially as she clung to Ning Xingchen's hand, almost like she was being coquettish.
An Yuqing had just started at the company and was filled with enthusiasm for her job. Kind-hearted and innocent, she couldn't stand the bloody scene, so her intervention was understandable.