Has the Boss Bost His Temper Today? - Chapter 3

6:00 PM

Duan Shiming clocked out with lightning speed, vanishing from the office the very second the workday ended.

By the time Chu Yanzhou stepped out of his office, all that remained was a fading blur and the lingering, sharp scent of citrus and lime pheromones.

Earlier that afternoon, a series of messages had arrived on Chu Yanzhou’s phone:

Found him. He’s a special hire from headquarters.

Ordinary family background, no work experience, no special talents.

Wait, he did win a National Big Eater Competition once.

If you can even call that a talent.

Those four simple lines were enough to keep Chu Yanzhou in a state of stunned silence for the rest of the day.

What exactly was headquarters thinking with these “special hires”? Did they recruit him to eat the staff canteen into bankruptcy, or was he sent specifically to torture him?

“President Yan, this is the material for tomorrow afternoon’s meeting. Would you like to look it over?” Xin Lei, the Chief Secretary, met him just as she stepped out of her office. Noticing him staring down the hallway, she added, “Little Duan has already headed home.”

Chu Yanzhou gave a lukewarm “Mm” and asked, “What did he do all day?”

Xin Lei couldn’t help but marvel, “Actually, the kid has some real skill. He has a photographic memory. He finished reviewing all the projects from the last three years this afternoon.”

“Did he give you a summary report?” Chu Yanzhou asked.

“Yes,” Xin Lei replied.

“How was his ability to synthesize the information?” he asked, sounding skeptical.

Xin Lei didn’t want to overpraise him, so she kept it professional: “Concise and focused.”

Chu Yanzhou wondered if the kid had simply charmed his Chief Secretary. It was highly likely she was grading him on a curve because of his face.

“I built this secretarial team myself. I don’t want any slackers near me,” he said, draping his suit jacket over his arm. His expression remained cold and flat. “If he doesn’t meet my standards during his probation, he’s out. You can relay that to him directly.”

Xin Lei nodded. “Understood, President Yan.”

“The H-City biological seminar on the 12th of next month involves cross-departmental coordination. Hand the arrangements over to him.”

Xin Lei blinked. Jumping straight to high-intensity tasks? She didn’t question the logic; she simply followed orders. “Understood.”

“I’m leaving. You all should head home early too.”

“Yes, President Yan. Drive safely.”

Xin Lei watched her boss leave. She made a mental note to give the new secretary a serious heads-up.

The Encounter

The summer evening was still bright, the sky clear for miles.

Chu Yanzhou’s black Maybach glided slowly into traffic. Through the half-down window, his sharp profile was visible as his long fingers tapped rhythmically on the steering wheel while waiting for the light to change.

Suddenly, a flash of white caught his eye.

In the bike lane to his right, Duan Shiming was flying past on a mountain bike, wearing oversized headphones. The wind caught his white shirt, billowing it out behind him. Perhaps it was the joy of getting off work or the freedom of the bike, but every pedal stroke radiated youth and vitality.

His tall silhouette looked like a drifting cloud, merging into the twilight.

“Yeah, I started today,” Duan Shiming was saying into his headset, venting to his childhood friend. “But I ran into a real jerk of a boss. He’s a total pain.”

“Luckily, I’m smart. I finished everything they threw at me!”

Duan Shiming turned his handlebars toward a nearby apartment complex. “But I lost twenty thousand two hundred and fifty bucks this morning! I only have five hundred left in my account!”

On the other end of the line, the sound of a car engine hummed. “Why?”

“I accidentally scratched the boss’s car this morning, that was twenty thousand. Then he caught me eating and docked me two hundred. Then he said I was ‘impolite’ and took another fifty! He’s a psycho!!”

The voice in his ear chuckled softly. “Do you need the Captain to sponsor you?”

Duan Shiming refused immediately. “No way. I’ll be fine once I get my paycheck.”

“How’s your body? Feeling any better?”

“I’ve been lying in bed for half a year,” Duan Shiming said honestly. “If I don’t get better now, I’ll just rot. If I don’t start moving, I’m going to lose it.”

A year ago, during an underwater mission, his chip had failed without warning, nearly killing him. After having a new chip implanted via open-chest surgery, he spent six months bedridden, watched over like a hawk by his many fathers. He finally managed to nag them into letting him out of the house recently.

There was a long silence on the other end, filled with lingering fear. “Don’t say things like that.”

“Hey, it’s in the past! Anyway, I don’t handle guns anymore. The chip messes with my sniping field of vision, so I won’t be in any danger,” Duan Shiming said, waving to the security guard as he rode into the complex. “I can find plenty of other things to do besides being a sniper.”

“I thought you’d go work for the Chu-Luo Group.”

“If I went there, whatever department I joined would be cursed. My uncle would be there every single day checking on me. The employees wouldn’t even have a chance to breathe, let alone slack off. And it wouldn’t just be my uncle, my dad, my other uncles, and my grandpa would all find excuses to ‘swing by.’ The staff would be in tears.”

The voice on the phone laughed. “Fair point.”

Duan Shiming sighed. “My dads just want me to lie around. They set ‘small goals’ for me to spend a certain amount of money every day, and if I don’t spend enough, they give me a lecture about my ‘lack of initiative’ in shopping. They don’t want me to suffer at all. But I can’t just be that decadent, can I?”

The caller was speechless.

Duan Shiming reached his apartment building and pushed his bike through the lobby toward the elevator. “Anyway, it’s not that hard. It’s an experience. How hard can an office job be compared to a mission?”

“I know you’re the best,” the friend laughed. “Call me if you need anything. I’ll come find you in six months when my mission is over.”

“OK, hanging up now.”

Duan Shiming tapped his ear to end the call and stepped into the elevator, pressing the button for the 38th floor.

As the doors slid shut, the light music in his headphones pulled him into a quiet world. He caught his reflection in the metallic doors and gripped the handlebars.

He remembered the whispers he’d heard:

“I heard the youngest master of the Chu-Luo family won’t stay in the military after graduating?”

“He’s talented, sure. His Alpha father is the only S3+ in the world, and his Omega father is a genius. It’s a shame he inherited that Pheromone Disorder. Carrying a stabilizer chip messes with sniper signals. It’s too dangerous for him to be on missions.”

“Besides, he’s a Beta. Unlike Alphas or Omegas, he can’t be marked. There’s no partner pheromone to stabilize him. For a Beta, this disorder is basically a terminal illness. If they don’t keep him under their noses, something bad will happen.”

“I heard his recovery was rough?”

“Yeah, he walked through the gates of hell once. Nearly didn’t make it back.”

“Then why isn’t he working at the family group?”

“The Chu-Luo family doesn’t seem to want him as a successor. The elders are still in power, and they’re famously protective. He’s the only child of the sixth generation; they probably just want him to live as a pampered young master.”

“Being a trust-fund kid is a skill in itself. He’s not just a second-generation rich kid, he’s a sixth-generation ‘Little Prince’ of the Chu-Luo clan.”

Neighbors

The elevator “dinged” and the doors slid open.

Duan Shiming shook off his thoughts and pushed his bike out. At that exact moment, the elevator on the opposite side opened, revealing a tall, imposing figure.

Duan Shiming froze. The money-grabber? Here?!

Chu Yanzhou stepped out, his sharp features cast in shadow by the cool hallway lights. He radiated an arrogant, “do not disturb” energy. Hearing the noise, he glanced up.

Their eyes met across the long corridor. The air seemed to freeze.

Chu Yanzhou’s expression shifted. He suddenly remembered the luxury furniture company that had been moving things into the neighboring unit two months ago.

He had rented out his spare apartment next door. Because his Beagle had previously destroyed all the furniture, he’d listed it empty and lowered the rent to 100,000 a month. The manager had told him the tenant signed immediately, paying 2.8 million for fourteen months upfront.

“Haha, what a coincidence, President Yan,” Duan Shiming forced a laugh. “Do you live here?”

Damn it, he thought. How do I keep running into this guy? My second uncle said this place had high privacy!

Chu Yanzhou seemed to realize the situation. “You live here?”

Duan Shiming pointed to Unit 2. “I just moved in. What a small world, you’re my neighbor? Are you renting here too?”

Chu Yanzhou glanced at the expensive mountain bike, then looked back at Duan Shiming with a cold, dry gaze. “I live here, yes. And I own this entire floor.”

Duan Shiming: “……?”

Wait, Chu Yanzhou owned the floor?

Chu Yanzhou watched the colors change on the boy’s face, his mood suddenly improving. “So, you’re the one who rented my apartment.”

Duan Shiming: “…………”

In a single day, how had he managed to funnel every cent of his money into this one man’s pocket? He was a sniper, but this was a bit too much “targeting.”

“Did Xin Lei talk to you?”

“Huh?” Duan Shiming blinked. “About what?”

“Can you drive?” Chu Yanzhou asked.

“Yes.”

Chu Yanzhou felt a sudden urge to make things difficult. He couldn’t go easy on a “special hire” with connections. “Next month on the 12th, you’re coming with me to the H-City seminar. Have the itinerary on my desk by tomorrow afternoon.”

“Um, President Yan.”

The smart lock on Chu Yanzhou’s door chirped as it recognized his face.

Chu Yanzhou turned to see the kid leaning against his own doorframe, head tilted, looking slightly pathetic.

“President Yan, since you’re my boss and my landlord, is there any chance we could… foster a friendly relationship through a rent reduction?” Duan Shiming held up two fingers, his thick skin fully reactivated.

“Woof! Woof!”

Suddenly, a Beagle burst out of the apartment, barking loudly at Duan Shiming. It was a high-pitched, energetic sound. The dog’s tail wagged like a propeller, its round eyes locked onto Duan Shiming as if it had found a new toy.

The dog charged.

Chu Yanzhou’s face darkened. “Cullinan, come back!”

Before Duan Shiming could react, the Beagle had lunged at his legs, its paws scratching at his jeans, trying to climb him. Duan Shiming frantically grabbed his waistband. His pants were already loose at the waist, and the dog was literally pulling them down.

“Hey, hey! My pants!”

A Beagle’s strength is not to be underestimated. The dog bit the hem of his jeans and tugged backward with all its might.

Under the hallway lights, the jeans were pulled down just enough to reveal a sliver of a slim waist and hip. The skin was shockingly white, but marred by several jagged, crisscrossing scars that stood out vividly against the pale flesh.

“Cullinan!”

Duan Shiming was still wrestling with his waistband when a hand reached out from behind him. It completely covered his own hand on the waist of his pants and hoisted him upward. His feet literally left the floor.

It was as easy as picking up a kitten.

Duan Shiming felt dizzy as he was set back down. Did I just get picked up?

“Cullinan, quiet. You’re disturbing the neighbors.” Chu Yanzhou let go of him and knelt down to hold the dog’s head. He noticed Cullinan was still trying to get to Duan Shiming, so he looked back at the boy.

His eyes darkened like ink in water.

Duan Shiming had lifted the edge of his shirt to roughly rub his side where the skin had been pinched. He was muttering about it hurting.

His waist was thin and firm, but with a certain soft suppleness when he twisted. Those scars looked completely out of place on such delicate skin.

Duan Shiming dropped his shirt hem and looked at the Beagle, which was still staring at him with pure excitement. “Hey, little dog, we just met. No need to be so enthusiastic. You almost depanted me.”

“Woof woof woof!”

The noise snapped Chu Yanzhou back to reality. Fearing the dog would summon the police, he physically held the dog’s snout shut to “mute” him.

He saw Duan Shiming take a cautious step back, still clutching his waistband. Suddenly, an idea struck him.

“Secretary Duan, have you ever trained a dog?”

Duan Shiming had never trained a dog in his life, but he could learn. “Sure.”

“Do you want that rent reduction?”

Duan Shiming looked hopeful. “Is that an option?”

“Walk my dog,” Chu Yanzhou said, holding the struggling Cullinan. It was a perfect way to balance his own mood. “I’ll take five thousand off your rent every month.”

Duan Shiming’s eyes brightened. “No problem!”

His dad had already paid the rent anyway, so this was basically five thousand in pure profit!

Chu Yanzhou was surprised by how easily he agreed. He stood up, went to his entryway, and pulled a leash and a muzzle from a drawer. He knelt back down to gear up the dog. “His name is Cullinan.”

“Cullinan?” Duan Shiming trotted over and stood by the door. “You must really like luxury cars, President Yan.”

He caught Chu Yanzhou’s sharp look and gave an innocent smile. “Do I start tonight?”

“Two hours every night. If you accept.”

“I accept!” Duan Shiming was determined to get something back from Chu Yanzhou after the day he’d had.

Cullinan began circling Duan Shiming’s legs, sniffing and rubbing against him as if he’d found a scent he loved.

“Hey, hey, don’t pull,” Duan Shiming warned, gripping his pants.

“I’ll have a new contract drawn up. How long is your lease?”

“One year.”

“Then the dog-walking contract will be for one year as well. Do you need time to think?”

Duan Shiming looked at the dog. How hard could a dog be? “No need! I can take him right now!”

Chu Yanzhou handed him the leash. “Just bring him back when you’re done. Be careful.”

“Understood! Mission accepted!” Duan Shiming snapped his heels together and gave a mock-military salute. Then, he tugged the leash toward the elevator. “Let’s go, baby~”

He had no idea that Chu Yanzhou had just labeled him “naive.”

One Hour Later

Chu Yanzhou was enjoying a rare moment of peace, sitting on his leather sofa on the balcony with a glass of red wine, looking out at the river view.

“AAHHHHHHHH!”

“CULLINAN, SLOW THE HELL DOWN!!!”

Down in the complex, a man and a dog were performing a series of chaotic S-curves. The shouting echoed through the night.

Duan Shiming was being driven insane. The Beagle was like a jet engine. Every time it saw a trash can, it would let out an excited howl and bolt. The leash would snap taut, nearly jerking Duan Shiming off his feet. His shoes were practically flying off.

It wasn’t a walk. The dog was walking him.

For one hour. One whole hour! The dog never stopped sprinting!

Finally, Duan Shiming managed to stop by hugging a lamp post.

“Ugh!”

Cullinan was forced to stop. He looked up at Duan Shiming with a grumpy “donkey face,” his big ears flopping.

Duan Shiming, drenched in sweat and panting for breath, glared back. “…I knew it… your master… is up to no good!!!”

“And you’re bad too!”

“Bad dog!”

Cullinan tilted his head innocently.

Duan Shiming’s mind started racing. He couldn’t let it end like this. He’d look too stupid.

11:00 PM

Night had settled. Cullinan was sound asleep in his blue polka-dot bed.

Buzz.

Just as Chu Yanzhou was heading to bed, his phone vibrated.

[Spitfire: President Yan, are you asleep?]

Chu Yanzhou didn’t plan on replying. No boundaries, he thought. Who texts their boss this late?

But before he knew it, the notification bombardment began.

The itinerary for the trip was sent in versions 1.0 through 8.0, each more elaborate than the last. It was a display of “overworking” designed specifically to haunt a boss’s late-night thoughts.

[Spitfire: President Yan, I see you’ve read these. If you’re still up, take a look.]

[Spitfire: Oh, you said the itinerary was urgent, so I rushed it out. I didn’t want to delay your work. You can check them now.]

[Spitfire: Waiting for your feedback, Boss! (Smile emoji)]

[Spitfire: Actually, maybe I should just come over.]

[Spitfire: President Yan, I’m here.]

[Spitfire: President Yan, open the door.]

Chu Yanzhou: “…………”

Support Has the Boss Bost His Temper Today?