Ye Qian chuckled lightly but made no further comment.
"Brother, where are you from?" Wan Chunhua asked.
"Me? I'm from SH city," Ye Qian replied.
Wan Chunhua was momentarily taken aback, then said in surprise, "Local people working as security guards are rare here. This place is so expensive, local folks just rent out a few shabby houses and live off the rent each month."
Ye Qian smiled faintly and responded, "Even in a wealthy place, there are poor people, and I just happen to be one of those poor ones." Ye Qian wanted to add that SH city has always been a land of opportunity, covered in gold, but beneath that gold lay countless bones. "How about you? Where are you from?" Ye Qian continued.
"I'm from Anhui, same hometown as the Chairman," Wan Chunhua said with a hint of pride, almost as if the Chairman of China was his uncle. Indeed, in China, if a townsman becomes a high official, everyone from the place feels uplifted, especially if it's the Chairman. Regardless of the central government's stance, local officials would cozy up and make an effort to develop the Chairman's hometown well; otherwise, it wouldn't look good for the Chairman.
"Brother, where are you from?" Ye Qian approached the guard who had remained silent. Though Ye Qian wasn't a military man, he could sense a military vibe from him and guessed he might be a veteran. Soldiers often have a special bond, recognizing each other's service, boasting about their achievements, and quickly becoming close as if they were long-lost friends. Many ex-military also tend to embellish their stories, proudly attaching both good and bad experiences to themselves—provided the bad stories merely highlight their rebellious nature during service, like conflicts with superiors.
"I'm from the Northeast! Fu Junsheng," the quiet guard finally spoke. His eyes held a mix of resignation from life's hardships and the persistence and determination of a soldier. A rugged man from the Northeast with a somewhat sophisticated name seemed a bit incongruous.
"He's like that, doesn't talk much. You'd struggle to get a fart out of him with a crowbar, don't mind him," Wan Chunhua laughed heartily.
"Since it's my first day at work, I'm glad to meet you all. How about this? I'll treat everyone to dinner after work tonight," Ye Qian suggested.
"Sure, who'd say no to a free meal? I know a barbecue place that's amazing, especially their grilled lamb testicles, it's truly exceptional," Wan Chunhua excitedly said.
Ye Qian chuckled and remarked, "Aren't you afraid of eating too much of that stuff and not being able to hold it in?"
"What's there to be scared of? If I can't hold it, I just go. It's only a hundred bucks, pretty cheap. Add fifty more, and you get some extra 'special services'," Wan Chunhua said nonchalantly.
Ye Qian liked this straightforward guy, who seemed devoid of any guile, a typical straight shooter. With a resigned smile, Ye Qian commented, "You're not worried about catching diseases from those street hook-ups? Is your monthly salary even enough to cover that?"
"No choice, mate. I've got no skills, and girls aren't exactly lining up for me, so what other options do I have?" Wan Chunhua said, a bit dejectedly.
He was speaking the truth. Many migrant workers in China face this reality, married or not. They leave their homes for better lives for their families but end up spending their earnings in the cities where they work. Many work for decades only to find they have nothing when they return home.
Ye Qian just smiled faintly, choosing not to delve further into the conversation. Wan Chunhua sighed and shifted the topic, "Let's not talk about these depressing things. You're new here, let me show you around and get you acquainted with the place."
Ye Qian nodded and suggested, "Just call me Ye Qian from now on."
"Alright, you can call me Er Mao," Wan Chunhua said, grabbing his cap and stepping out of the security room. Ye Qian glanced at Fu Junsheng, who seemed to acknowledge Ye Qian's look with a nod before his gaze returned to the surveillance screens.
Tian Ya Corporation was a large conglomerate with a broad range of businesses including real estate, logistics, and apparel. In SH city, it was considered a top-tier company and was among the top hundred private companies in China. The ten-story building housed various departments of Tian Ya Corporation; the basement was a parking lot, and the top floor contained the CEO Zhao Tianhao's office.
Along the way, Wan Chunhua kept Ye Qian entertained with work details, places that needed patrolling, areas that were off-limits, and shared some gossip about the company—rumors, love affairs, and details about which department had the prettiest or most flirtatious women. His tone carried a bit of youthful resentment, perhaps feeling a bit stifled and unappreciated, like a fine steed without a rider.
Ye Qian listened quietly, not offering any opinions. His job at the corporation was just a means to assure his father he had a stable job, not intending to entangle with company politics or indulge in office gossip. As a mercenary, he found little interest in these tales, suitable only for light conversation.
After touring the building, Ye Qian and Wan Chunhua headed back to the security office.
Suddenly, a sharp exclamation came their way. They turned to see a stylishly dressed woman holding a folder, frowning at them. "Can't you see where you're walking? You bumped into someone and can't even apologize. How rude," she scolded Ye Qian.
Ye Qian's brow furrowed slightly. It was clear she had rushed into him and was now playing the victim, which irked him.
Before Ye Qian could respond, Wan Chunhua quickly interjected, "Secretary Li, I'm sorry, really sorry. He's new here; please forgive any offense."
"Did I speak to you?" Li Xiuqin glared at Wan Chunhua, who immediately shut up. Then, turning back to Ye Qian, she snapped, "Are you mute? Don't you know how to speak? You have no manners at all."