Hormones That Can't Be Hidden - Chapter 24

Early that morning, Xu Jun suddenly gathered all the employees in the lounge area with a beaming face to announce a “major piece of good news.”

“Everyone! Quiet down! Listen to me!” Xu Jun’s face was glowing, his voice several pitches higher than usual. “Our ‘Bihai Yuntian’ is about to get lucky!”

“A big boss has taken an interest in our place and wants to invest! He wants to expand operations, upgrade, and renovate!”

The crowd broke into whispered discussions; some looked delighted, while others remained skeptical.

“However,” Xu Jun held up a finger for emphasis, “the investor has one prerequisite our existing staff must remain stable! No coming today and leaving tomorrow. What he wants is long-term, stable management!”

His gaze swept over everyone, lingering specifically on a few veteran masters with good skills and on Dong Junhao. “So, to show our sincerity and stability, and to ensure everyone can enjoy the benefits of this investment like raises, bonuses, and more!”

The crowd erupted in cheers. Raise. Those words were like a stone dropped into a still pond, creating massive ripples. For these bottom-tier workers, nothing was more tempting than a tangible increase in income.

“But, I need everyone to sign a new labor contract with me. The term… at least three years.” Xu Jun struck while the iron was hot. “Signing this contract is like giving the investor a reassuring pill. Once this place develops, your treatment will only get better!”

“Of course, signing is completely voluntary. But… opportunities like this are rare. The investor said that for those willing to sign, a ten-thousand-yuan bonus will be issued today. Miss this chance, and it won’t come again.”

The workers huddled together, weighing the pros and cons. Three years was not a short time; some hesitated to be tied down. But the promise of a raise and the immediate “bonus” were indeed attractive.

Seeing everyone still debating, Xu Jun’s gaze drifted toward Dong Junhao. He added one more incentive: “Don’t worry, everyone. This investor is powerful. With his support, we will certainly soar! He even said that for those willing to sign, he could even advance… up to a full year’s salary.”

The moment those words were out, a tall figure pushed through the crowd and walked straight up to Xu Jun.

It was Dong Junhao.

There was no expression on his face, and he had dark circles of fatigue under his eyes, yet his gaze was exceptionally firm filled with a desperate resolve. He didn’t even look closely at the thick contract Xu Jun handed him. He only scanned for the sections on salary adjustments (which were indeed much higher than before) and the term (three years).

Then, under Xu Jun’s slightly surprised yet seemingly expectant gaze, he took the pen and wrote his name in the signature block, stroke by resolute stroke Dong Junhao.

The tip of the pen made a soft rasping sound against the paper. To him, it sounded like the click of fate’s shackles locking tight. He had no choice. This “charity in a time of need” labor contract this restriction that allowed him to advance more salary and promised future raises was the only straw he could grasp to save his mother’s life.

As for the coincidences behind this contract, or whether other traps were hidden within it… he no longer had the strength or the heart to investigate. Survival letting his mother live was his only thought.

That afternoon, he received a notification on his phone that the bonus and the one-year salary advance had arrived. Overwhelmed with emotion, Dong Junhao walked to a deserted corner outside and dialed home.

The phone rang a few times before his mother’s weak but gentle voice came through: “Is that Junhao…”

“Mom,” he tried to make his voice sound light, “how are you feeling?”

“Mom’s fine, just the old trouble. A few days’ rest and I’ll be okay. Xiaogang insisted on calling you…”

“Mom, if you’re sick, we have to treat it. Don’t worry about the money; I got a salary advance, and it’s enough for the treatment.”

There was a moment of silence from his mother, her tone full of hesitation. “A salary advance? How can they advance so much… Junhao, tell Mom the truth, did you… did you do something you shouldn’t have?”

“No, Mom, what are you thinking?” His throat tightened, but his voice became softer. “It really is an advance. The boss is a good man. When he heard about our situation, he was willing to help.”

“Mom is at this age; it’s the same whether I’m treated or not… don’t let me be a burden to you and your brother.” Her voice grew lower, like a leaf shivering in the autumn wind.

“Mom,” Dong Junhao interrupted her, every word heavy and slow. “Money can be earned again, but there’s only one Mom. Without you, home isn’t a home.” He took a breath and continued, “Out here, I’ve always remembered what you and Dad said stay on the right path, earn your living with your own hands. Don’t worry, this money is perfectly clean. Just focus on your treatment; on the day of your surgery, I’ll take leave to come back and look after you.”

“Your father and brother are here; don’t go running back and forth, work is important.” His mother’s tone softened, though she still wasn’t entirely at ease. “To meet a boss willing to advance salary is our luck… you must work hard and not let him down.”

“I know, Mom. Just cooperate with the doctors and don’t think about anything else.”

He gave several more instructions until his mother finally agreed to cooperate with the treatment. Only then did Dong Junhao hang up. He gripped the hot phone, his back against the cool tile wall of the corridor, and let out a long, thorough sigh of relief. The tension that had been pulled so tight for so long seemed to dissipate slightly with that breath. His mother’s voice was like a mild painkiller, temporarily soothing his sharpest anxieties.

With home settled, his heart which had been repeatedly seared in a frying pan finally found a moment to float and touch a shred of “hope.”

However, as the noise faded and silence rushed back to his ears like a tide, a more hidden unease began to spread like damp moss at the base of a wall. Isn’t all of this… just too coincidental?

The “rescue investment” didn’t arrive early or late, but exactly at the moment when he was at his wit’s end and his dignity was crushed. Every clause of the contract the long-term binding, the immediate bonus, the high advance was aimed precisely at his vital spot, enticing him into a leap he had no choice but to take.

It was almost like a “gift” custom-tailored for him. Who was the mysterious “investor” behind Xu Jun? Was it the mercy of fate, or… a net that had already been cast?

Dong Junhao looked at the gray sky in the distance, and the string in his heart that had just loosened tightened once more. A cold name suddenly pierced his mind Fang Mingxuan.

Could it… be related to him? Once the thought appeared, it couldn’t be suppressed. Speaking of Fang Mingxuan, his injury that day… it shouldn’t be serious, right? To be fair, the man hadn’t really done anything to him, at most teasing or playing with him a bit. Things like that happened to Dong often; in the past, he hadn’t been this sensitive or cared this much. Yet his counterattack alongside Liu Wei had been too much it had nearly caused a catastrophe!

Could this be… his new counterattack, his revenge? Using a seemingly charitable contract to tie him firmly to this muddy pond?

No, I have to ask. Otherwise, the money would burn his hands, and the work would not be peaceful!

He turned to find Xu Jun. The office was empty, but he nearly collided with Master Liu humming a tune at the corner of the corridor.

“Master Liu, have you seen the boss?” Dong Junhao asked urgently.

Master Liu stopped, a suggestive, knowing smile appearing on his face. He jerked his chin toward the VIP rooms upstairs, his eyes holding an adult’s implication. “He’s up there, but I reckon he’s busy right now.”

Dong Junhao’s mind was in such a mess that he didn’t care to decode the expression. He assumed Xu Jun was talking business, thanked him, and hurried upstairs. It was not yet business hours, so the entire VIP floor was exceptionally quiet. The carpet swallowed all footsteps, leaving only his slightly heavy breathing. The wall lamps were dim, casting the long corridor in deep, silent shadows.

He searched until he reached the very last room at the end of the hall. It was only then that he faintly heard suppressed, face-heating sounds coming intermittently from within.