It wasn't easy getting home, and Zhao Guang felt like he was about to throw up.
Looking back at the frightened-rabbit-like fleeing taxi, which, like the one before, didn't even ask for the fare.
"There sure are a lot of good people nowadays, but why are these drivers in such a hurry? Can't they talk things over properly? Ow..." Zhao Guang held his butt, still sore from the bumpy ride.
Once home, Zhao Guang tossed and turned in his bed, unable to fall asleep.
The next day, by the time Zhao Guang woke up, it was almost noon. That alarm clock hadn't managed to wake him; it seemed yesterday really took a toll on him.
Upon getting up to run some water, Zhao Guang stared at the spot that had transported him back in time and fiercely flipped it off.
"If I go back again, I'm an idiot."
After that, Zhao Guang came out to eat, feeling quite hungry after not eating for so long. He hadn't eaten much of that disgusting stuff yesterday and had walked off what little he had eaten.
While he was eating, a call came in. "Hello, get to the point," Zhao Guang answered without even looking at the phone.
"Zhao Guang, look at the time; where have you been? Why haven't you come to the office yet?"
"Manager, I was just about to ask you for some leave. I got injured, on my butt, can't work like this."
"What? Injured? And on your butt? Couldn't you come up with a better excuse? Do you think I'm a fool? Show me that injured butt if you're serious."
Zhao Guang wanted to say something, but the person on the other end, like a machine gun, didn't let him get a word in.
"Let me tell you, with employees like you, our company can do without. You're fired. Come by tomorrow to complete your termination paperwork. Besides, you weren't even confirmed yet, and you've been at the company for less than a fortnight, so don't bother coming in."
Zhao Guang looked at his phone, his face changing expressions, as the other end had already hung up.
"Damn it, this is what, my fourth job? And I was fired by the company, not me quitting them—how embarrassing, how utterly embarrassing. How am I supposed to brag about this to my buddies?"
Zhao Guang shook his head and continued eating, not really caring too much.
Who doesn't switch a few jobs after graduating? How else can you find the right one?
It was a good opportunity to rest for a few days; might as well stay at home.
After all, he couldn't expect much, being a second-tier university graduate. Not to mention, his major wasn't exactly one with easy job prospects.
But today's meal was hardly relaxing; before he could finish, another call came through.
Zhao Guang was about to snap at them, but upon seeing the caller ID, he shut his mouth. "Mom, what's up?" His voice was especially tender, his expression mirroring the traitorous tone once again.
"Guangzi, it's nothing much. Isn't your uncle's son getting married? Why don't you come back for that? And when you come, remember to bring your girlfriend, or else be careful—I might disown you."
"Seriously, Mom, this isn't about attending a wedding, it's about pushing me into marriage.
Given my situation, having a girlfriend is too luxurious.
"Mom, you're rushing too much. Any girlfriend of mine wouldn't even be of age yet, wouldn't that be illegal? We shouldn't cause trouble for the police, should we?"
"Stop joking around. If you can't bring someone back this year, then don't bother coming back at all."
"So, you've reached the final ultimatum, huh?" Zhao Guang felt a bit uncertain. "Really, then I guess I'll be spending New Year's right here. It's actually quite busy, lots of things to do; I was even worried about how to ask for leave."
"What's wrong, is everything going smoothly at work?"
Great, he naturally changed the topic and finally diverted his mom's attention.
"Of course, it's going well. I'm about to become permanent soon, and the manager even said he'd give me a raise, afraid that I might jump ship."
"Oh please, jump ship? You should be grateful if you do well there. Okay, do you have enough money over there? If not, I can send you some."
"No need, really, I have enough." The two chatted casually for a while, continuing until the food had gone cold.
Looking at the meal before him, Zhao Guang felt somewhat disheartened and shook his head before continuing to eat.
Before he could finish, another call came: "Why is it so busy today? Should I buy a 'Huangli' to check my luck?" With all the bizarre things happening, who knows if those superstitious items actually work.
"Is that the landlord? Any instructions?"
The voice of the lady on the other side came through: "Xiao Zhao, isn't the lease up? I just wanted to ask if you're still renting."
Zhao Guang hurriedly responded, "Renting, of course I'm renting."
"The same one year? If you're free tomorrow, come over to sign the contract and pay the rent."
"No problem, I'll be there tomorrow," Zhao Guang quickly replied.
Ever since graduating, he'd been toiling for over a year and had only managed to earn enough for rent. After paying rent, he feared there wouldn't be much left. No, this couldn't go on indefinitely.
Zhao Guang glared fiercely in the direction of the bathroom. Just now, when the landlord asked if he wanted to renew, he realized that deep down he still felt a bit frightened and unwilling.
In his bones, he wasn't someone who could settle for just being ordinary.
Why should he always be a regular person, just because of a little danger or difficulty?
Suddenly, Zhao Guang pointed at the lightbulb and shouted loudly, "Starting today, I am a fool, and I'm determined to be this fool – nobody can stop me!" His eyes were wide open.
"Who wants to be a fool, what's going on – who said they want to be a fool? Come out and let me see."
"I just heard someone wants to be a fool; there really are such people around nowadays."
"To be a fool is to be a fool - but does being a fool give you the right to disturb the peace?"
Good grief, Zhao Guang's loud shout stirred up the whole corridor. The building he rented was an old tube-shaped building with soundproofing that couldn't really be said to exist; sometimes it was as good as none.
Every night, he could hear all sorts of noises that made it hard for him to sleep.
In his excitement just now, he had forgotten about this. As a result, his loud shout was heard by so many people around him.
Zhao Guang quickly shrank his neck, muttering to himself, "How come there are so many people at home during the day; don't they have jobs? Oh right, today is Sunday. Damn this trash company."
Just now, his manager had hurried him to go to the office, causing Zhao Guang to forget that today was Sunday.
Since joining this company, what were weekends? What were holidays? It had been so long since Zhao Guang had any concept of these. Indeed, how could he stay long in such a trash company?