Chapter 12: This is even more outrageous than a sow climbing a tree!

The atmosphere in the trading department office was somewhat tense.
Zhou Yi sat at his workstation, seemingly focused on the constantly changing data on his computer screen, but his eyes kept glancing towards the chairman's office on the top floor.
Silence.
Dead silence.
"Logically, yesterday, or at the latest this morning, Mr. Huang's 'thunderous wrath' should have struck! Those responsible for this should have been summoned to his office by a phone call and given a severe dressing-down..."
After all, he, Zhou, had promoted a newcomer who had only been with the company for a few days and had never even done live trading to a full-fledged trader!
This was utterly ridiculous! Absurd! Outrageous! Audacious!
Mr. Huang couldn't possibly have been unaware of this.
But strangely, from yesterday until now, all has been calm, without a single sound.
Like a stone sinking into the sea.
Today is Saturday.
But for these finance guys, weekends? Rest? Forget about it.
Even the incredibly busy chairman is still working overtime in his office without fail. Who among them, these lowly foot soldiers, dares to truly let loose and enjoy some damn weekend?
Market analysis, report compilation, data collection… none of it can be done without people.
Working overtime on Saturdays is commonplace, a professional skill, a basic operation, as natural as breathing!
“But… there’s not a sound…”
“This can only mean…”
Zhou Yi took a deep breath, feeling his heart pounding wildly.
He tried to suppress his excitement and speculation, but his eyes grew brighter and sharper.
The chairman… really knew!
He knew Su Hao’s background all along! He definitely knew that kid wasn’t an ordinary person!
Just as he had boldly guessed before, Su Hao was definitely not some ordinary, useless person who got in through connections!
One is a top talent with exceptional skills and an enigmatic background!
The other is the chairman who personally placed him in this position and turned a blind eye to this irregular and unconventional promotion!
There's definitely something fishy going on between these two!
Even if it's not a simple familial relationship, it should be some kind of...
deeper, unknown connection, perhaps even involving some earth-shattering secret!
A powerful bond strong enough for the chairman to tacitly approve of these outrageous operations!
The more Zhou Yi thought about it, the more flawed his deduction seemed. He even began to imagine a grand workplace drama about a "genius trader hiding his identity, a shrewd tycoon recognizing his talent, and a secret scheme."
Just then, a subordinate leaned over and pointed to two new workstations not far away, where equipment department employees were deftly installing computers and wiring. Curious, he asked,
"Manager, are we hiring? Why are there two extra positions all of a sudden?"
Zhou Yi quickly composed himself, not even looking up, and gave a forced, calm "Hmm":
"Didn't a few traders leave recently? Those vacant positions need to be filled."
The subordinate's eyes lit up, somewhat excited: "Oh? Looks like we're getting new experts? That's great!"
Zhou Yi vaguely replied, "Yes."
He didn't say, nor did he intend to say, now that one of the two "newly arrived official traders" was Su Hao—the very same newcomer they saw every day, the one they even ordered around to fetch tea and water for.
This couldn't be said too soon.
Let's play it safe.
What if…what if the chairman was just slow to react, or was brewing some big move, and suddenly called to completely deny it?
Then, if he said it now, wouldn't he be contradicting himself?
Better safe than sorry.
However…
Looking at the current calm, even tacit approval…
Zhou Yi became increasingly certain: The chairman had already anticipated this outcome, hadn't he?
Perhaps…
This might actually be the script he truly wanted?
Zhou Yi felt as if he had grasped a crucial clue, but it was like looking through frosted glass, unable to see clearly.
***
Su Hao dragged his leaden legs out of Fanghuan Investment's imposing office building on Saturday evening.
The setting sun cast a warm glow on his face, but it couldn't dispel the weariness in his bones.
The air was thick with the distinctive smell of car exhaust and dust, typical of the rush hour.
He couldn't help but mutter a curse inwardly.
"Damn it, I have to work on the weekend... inhuman!"
Of course, the only consolation was that Saturday's workday started at nine in the morning, and the end time was relatively early.
But that's just how the financial industry is.
After the intense and exciting trading sessions on weekdays, weekends are for calming down, organizing, summarizing, analyzing, and reviewing the week's data.
This work is a mandatory course for almost all trading teams; there's no escaping it.
"Forget it, what's there to complain about?" Su Hao quickly adjusted his mindset, chuckling self-deprecatingly:
"Besides, the pay is higher for working overtime on weekends, isn't it?"
He shook his head, trying to dispel the fatigue that permeated his body.
He should be grateful for this job. Be content.
Even so, the physical exhaustion was undeniable.
His only thought now was to rush home, throw himself onto that familiar bed that smelled faintly of sunshine, and sleep until the end of time.
"I'm home."
He pushed open the door; the lights were off, and it was quiet.
No one home?
He remembered his parents were usually home on the weekend. Had they gone out for a walk again?
Just as he curiously peeked around, a clear female voice suddenly came from the living room:
"Mom and Dad went to the supermarket."
Su Hao jumped in surprise! He turned to look in the direction of the voice.
He saw his beloved younger sister—Su Hui—sprawled on the soft sofa, holding a phone, scrolling through something.
"You scared me! You lay there without making a sound!" Su Hao said irritably.
"Tch, I clearly waved to you when you came in, you just didn't see me."
His sister pouted, her eyes still glued to her phone screen.
"By the way, what brought you back today? Don't you usually not come home on weekends?"
His younger sister, after graduating and starting work, rented an apartment outside, claiming it was for independence and freedom, but really just because she complained about how strict the family was.
“How should I know?” she complained. “It’s all because of Mom. She keeps calling, saying she misses me and insisting I come back.”
“Hey, you should come back and see Mom and Dad when you have time. They definitely miss you if you don’t come home for a long time.”
“Oh, oh, oh! Giving me a lecture?” she rolled her eyes. “You talk like you’re so filial. You stay home all day, unkempt, playing games, just loafing around like a freeloader, an unemployed bum… huh?”
Her voice trailed off.
She finally noticed the obvious “something wrong” about Su Hao.
Her gaze locked onto Su Hao’s… clearly new suit.
The air seemed to freeze at that moment.
"Brother...why are you wearing a suit?"
Su Hao subconsciously puffed out his not-so-broad chest, trying to appear nonchalant, as if it were nothing to worry about:
"What else could it be? Just got home from get off work. What, didn't Mom tell you?"
"What?!"
His sister sprang up from the sofa! Her movement was so swift she almost dropped her precious phone!
Her voice suddenly rose eight octaves!
"Brother! You...you found a job?!"
"Hmph." Su Hao nodded reservedly, trying to maintain his composure: "Your brother isn't unemployed anymore!"
"When did you find a job? Such a big thing, why didn't you tell me! Congratulations! Brother! You finally have a job!"
Her younger sister's voice was filled with surprise and disbelief.
"Wait! Something's not right!" Her excitement subsided slightly as she suddenly realized something and looked at him suspiciously:
"You...you just got back from get off work? It's Saturday! Good heavens! Bro! They make employees work overtime on weekends? That's outrageous! It sounds like one of those garbage companies that exploits cheap labor!"
"What nonsense are you talking about!" Su Hao immediately retorted with a stern face, "It's the exact opposite of what you think! It's a pretty good company! The benefits are excellent!"
"Oh~~ really?" Her sister raised an eyebrow, clearly unconvinced. "How good is it? Where's the business card? Let me see it?"
"Heh, you underestimate your brother, don't you?" Su Hao smiled confidently, took out a business card holder from his suit pocket, carefully pulled out a card, and handed it over:
"Look carefully! Don't let your jaw drop!"
"Tch~~How amazing can a company be? Jaw-dropping..."
The younger sister scoffed, casually taking the business card and glancing at it indifferently.
Then…
The next second…
The sarcastic words she was about to utter were as if gripped tightly in her throat by an invisible hand!
She couldn't utter a single word!
Her eyes widened instantly! Round like two copper bells!
Her pupils dilated to their maximum size in an instant!
Her mouth opened involuntarily, so wide it could almost fit an egg!
She was completely stunned, as if struck by a bolt of lightning! She froze instantly!
The large, gold-embossed characters on the business card seemed to possess a magical power, striking her eyes hard!
【Fanghuan Investment, Trading Department, Su Hao】
“Ah!…Fanghuan Investment?”
A scream suddenly burst from her sister's throat!
Her voice was shrill and even cracked from excessive excitement!
“Brother!!! Is this real? Or fake? You didn't make this up, did you?”
“Nonsense! Of course it's real! Do you think your brother would try to fool you with counterfeit goods?”
Su Hao was completely amused by his sister's exaggerated reaction.
“N-no…Brother! How could you possibly get into Fanghuan Investment! This is illogical!! This is more absurd than a sow climbing a tree!!!”
His sister's reaction at this moment was exactly the same as his mother's expression when she first saw this business card! Exactly the same!
She held the thin business card, examining it meticulously, turning it over and over as if she were inspecting a counterfeit bill of enormous value, trying to find any flaw.
"My God...this is unbelievable..." her sister murmured, still unable to process the fact:
"My brother...my lazy bum who only knows how to play games...he actually got into Fanghuan Investment? He's an employee of a top private equity firm?!"
Seeing his sister's surprised, delighted, and incredibly proud expression, Su Hao felt a warm glow in his heart, as if a warm current had flowed through him.
The fatigue accumulated from working overtime on the weekend seemed to be completely washed away in that instant by his sister's bright eyes and excited voice!
It vanished! He was filled with energy!
It was worth it!
All the hard work and suffering he had endured felt worthwhile at this moment!
"No way!" His sister suddenly slapped her thigh, her eyes lighting up. "This! We absolutely can't let this go! It's something to celebrate!"
"Hmm?" Su Hao instantly became alert, a bad feeling creeping over him.
"You found such an awesome job! You have to treat us!! Let's celebrate!"
His sister put her hands on her hips, adopting a "you won't get through today without paying up" stance.
"Seriously..." Su Hao's smile froze. "My first month's salary... I haven't even received it yet..."
"So what? You think you can just find such a great job and then just walk away without spending a penny? No way!"
His sister put her hands on her hips, clearly not agreeing.
"Ugh..." Su Hao let out a painful groan.
He finally gave in to his sister's "fierce" gaze, painfully calculating his meager savings.
That was money he'd scrimped and saved, intending to use it for in-game purchases...
Oh well!
Money can be earned again!
Family happiness is the most important thing!
"Okay! Please come! Finding a job deserves a celebration! Let's all have a good meal together!"
"Yay!! That's awesome!! Long live my brother!!" His younger sister immediately cheered.
Watching his sister, like a happy little bird, excitedly pick up her phone and chatter away, dialing their parents' numbers and excitedly sharing the good news on the other end of the line.
Su Hao leaned against the cold doorframe, his heart filled with a warm feeling, overwhelmed with mixed emotions.
His family…
Such a joyful...outing out to eat together...
How many years ago was that?
He couldn't remember.
It seemed...ever since he became addicted to games, turning into that shut-in who disappointed his parents and disgusted his sister...
That warm, lively family atmosphere had vanished.
Those blurry, warm-toned images of the family gathered together, laughing and talking, seemed to be slowly...becoming clearer again.
He could almost smell the aroma of the restaurant food, hear his parents' contented laughter, and feel his sister's chattering...
How wonderful.
His nose tingled. A warm current flowed slowly through his heart.
He silently clenched his fist, his nails even digging slightly into his palm.
That's right!
He had to work harder!
Work with all his might!
To protect this hard-won warmth!
To give his family a better life!
I often treat them to meals!
They eat until they can barely walk!