Futile Devices Scans

When Qi Mu came out of the factory, he found Jiang Shao already sitting in the car waiting for him, eyes closed as though asleep.

Qi Mu could not help remembering that Jiang Shao had looked equally sleepy and impatient inside the factory. He truly could not understand why the esteemed young master had insisted on coming along. Would it not have been better to sleep at the office?

Qi Mu had prepared such an excellent workstation for him to slack off at, yet instead of using it, Jiang Shao had insisted on coming here to suffer alongside him.

Qi Mu shook his head and stopped thinking about it.

Jiang Shao’s eyes remained closed.

Yet his thoughts had never been clearer.

First, he once again confirmed the suspicion he had developed after returning from Song’an Group: Qi Mu probably truly did not know his identity. If Qi Mu had genuinely wanted to ingratiate himself with him, he would not have ignored him for an entire week. Over the past week… Jiang Shao had clearly sensed that not only did Qi Mu have no intention of befriending him, but he did not even bother concealing his coldness and distance.

But if Qi Mu did not know who he was, why had he treated him so well before?

Or was it simply because Qi Mu treated everyone that well, while Jiang Shao held no special place whatsoever in his eyes?

Jiang Shao’s jaw tightened, his face seeming to frost over.

Qi Mu had no idea that Jiang Shao was undergoing such complicated inner turmoil. Moreover, seated in the back, he could not see Jiang Shao’s expression. Not long after he returned to his office, Zhan Xiao Hui came to ask him to sign some documents.

Zhan Xiao Hui placed a stack of forms before Qi Mu, lowered her voice, and asked furtively, “President Qi, Jiang Shao performed pretty well today, didn’t he?”

Qi Mu’s hand paused in the middle of signing, and he raised his eyes toward Zhan Xiao Hui.

Zhan Xiao Hui blinked innocently.

She felt that ever since Jiang Shao returned from Song’an Group, he had become lazy again, spending every day looking as though he had nothing to do. Unable to resist, she had offered him a few pointers today and told him to take more initiative at work. Unexpectedly, Jiang Shao had been remarkably obedient and gone along the moment she said it.

Zhan Xiao Hui had finally figured it out. Jiang Shao only looked like a spoiled playboy. He was not bad by nature and could still be taught!

If he were truly hopeless, why would President Qi want to cultivate him?

Looking at Zhan Xiao Hui’s expression as though she were waiting to be praised, Qi Mu thought, I truly must thank you for putting so much effort into guiding Jiang Shao. You really have started treating him like a junior…

But there was honestly no need to take it quite so seriously.

Qi Mu remained silent for a long time before replying in a complicated tone, “He did fairly well.”

…

One month later, the company’s batch of goods successfully passed inspection and was delivered without incident.

Only after the matter was completely settled—

Did Qi Mu finally feel, somewhat dazedly, that the ordeal had truly passed.

The crisis from his dream should no longer occur, should it?

Apart from that, Qi Mu had also heard another piece of news. Liu Long of Song’an Group had been taken away two days earlier. He was reportedly suspected of occupational embezzlement and a second redacted offense. If both charges were substantiated, he would probably not be released for at least ten years.

When Qi Mu first learned of it, he found it utterly unbelievable. His shock was no less intense than when Cheng Huai Song had approached him.

Because nothing like this had occurred in his dream.

Yet now Liu Long had been taken away…

Could the heavens truly have opened their eyes all of a sudden?

Qi Mu frowned deeply in thought. Had Cheng Huai Song discovered corruption within the company and decided to clean house? But why would Cheng Huai Song need to go this far?

Besides, although Cheng Huai Song was a relatively upright person, he was still a businessman. Even for the sake of the company’s reputation, he would not normally handle matters so ruthlessly. He would be more likely to resolve everything privately and minimize the risk of public controversy.

Such a merciless method that left someone no path of retreat was far more reminiscent of…

Jiang Shao’s methods.

The moment that thought surfaced, Qi Mu abruptly drew in a deep breath.

In his dream, anyone who offended Jiang Shao or stood in his way either died or suffered grievous harm. Not one of them escaped unscathed. In that case, had Liu Long ever offended Jiang Shao?

Upon careful reflection, he actually had.

One month ago, Jiang Shao had impatiently stormed out of Liu Long’s office and slammed the door behind him, clearly dissatisfied with Liu Long’s arrogant behavior.

But Qi Mu had not taken it seriously at the time. After all, Liu Long had not been making things difficult for Jiang Shao, but for Qi Mu. Jiang Shao had merely been an innocent bystander caught in the crossfire. Liu Long had never actually intended to target him…

Could something so minor truly have activated the Long Aotian’s “the weather has turned cold, so bankrupt the Wang family” buff?

Yet Liu Long’s fate coincided perfectly with Jiang Shao’s methods in the dream. It was difficult to dismiss it as mere coincidence…

Cold sweat gathered across Qi Mu’s back.

He began wondering whether his recent neglect of Jiang Shao might also have provoked the Long Aotian’s displeasure. Although he had done nothing particularly excessive, who could possibly understand the mind of a Long Aotian?

And if Liu Long’s downfall was likely connected to Jiang Shao, then Cheng Huai Song’s sudden initiative in seeking Qi Mu out to discuss continued cooperation…

Could that also have something to do with Jiang Shao?

But Qi Mu quickly rejected the possibility.

First of all, Jiang Shao was not the kind of person who enjoyed helping others. In that dream, although Jiang Shao could not exactly be called evil, he clearly had little connection to truth, goodness, or beauty. Everything he did revolved around himself.

Second, apart from his harem, the only people who benefited from Jiang Shao’s assistance in the dream were his lackeys, who occasionally received some advantages. Qi Mu was neither part of his harem nor one of his lackeys. He was merely Jiang Shao’s employer. Jiang Shao had no reason to intervene on his behalf.

In conclusion, Jiang Shao could not possibly have summoned Cheng Huai Song. Then why had Cheng Huai Song suddenly acted that way…

Qi Mu’s gaze shifted slightly.

A possibility occurred to him.

He remembered that in the world of this novel, Jiang Shao was the sole protagonist, favored by both destiny and fortune. Naturally, the story did not always proceed smoothly, but no matter what happened, Jiang Shao ultimately escaped every danger and turned misfortune into good fortune. The heavens and luck were always on his side. All his enemies met terrible ends, while those who chose the correct side often shared in some of the benefits—such as Jiang Shao’s subordinates and women.

So could Qi Mu have unintentionally… accidentally borrowed a little of Jiang Shao’s luck?

After all, Jiang Shao had accompanied him there. Although Qi Mu was his employer rather than his subordinate, from an outsider’s perspective, he and the male lead were on the same side, were they not?

Upon realizing this, Qi Mu’s heartbeat quickened.

He had merely taken Jiang Shao out with him once, and the situation had immediately turned around, allowing him to resolve the company’s problem with ease. In that case…

An unprecedentedly bold idea suddenly emerged in Qi Mu’s mind.

Since this formidable ancestor currently refused to leave, could Qi Mu perhaps take advantage of his time here to borrow just a little… of the male lead’s fortune?

Naturally, Qi Mu would never become Jiang Shao’s lackey.

First, he had no desire to do so. Second, it would not fit his established character and might arouse Jiang Shao’s suspicions. But… he could simply allow the misunderstanding to continue. Just as Zhan Xiao Hui believed, he could keep Jiang Shao by his side and cultivate him as a trusted right-hand man.

The report Jiang Shao had submitted last time had been exceptionally well done. Qi Mu had never doubted the male lead’s abilities. Since Jiang Shao had demonstrated his competence, what was wrong with Qi Mu acting as an employer who appreciated a talented employee and was willing to promote him?

Everything would be perfectly reasonable.

As he thought this through, Qi Mu gradually reached a decision.

Since he did not know how long Jiang Shao intended to remain here, he might as well stop being passive and take the initiative. He would make proper use of this extraordinary “employee.” That way, he would neither need to worry about offending Jiang Shao nor miss the opportunity to obtain benefits for the company.

It would accomplish two objectives at once.

…

That night, inside the secluded and hidden teahouse—

Jiang Shao sat opposite Lu Jin Wen.

Lu Jin Wen smiled. “Are you attending next week’s forum summit? Li Xin will be there as well. I imagine he can no longer sit still. We only need to add one final spark.”

Jiang Shao replied without interest, “Isn’t it enough that you’ll be there? Why would I go?”

Lu Jin Wen persuaded him, “Don’t you want to watch the excitement?”

Jiang Shao raised his eyelids coolly. “Don’t forget that I have a job now. How could I simply go wherever I please?”

Lu Jin Wen complained silently, You obviously just want to be lazy, yet you’re using an excuse like that.

To avoid irritating himself further, Lu Jin Wen changed the subject and began chatting casually. Curious, he said, “Speaking of which, the deeper we investigated Liu Long, the more we found. I didn’t expect him to be involved in that as well as corruption. This time, he’ll certainly spend the rest of his life in prison. But seriously, how exactly did he offend you…?”

Jiang Shao glanced at him. “I don’t remember you being this curious before.”

Lu Jin Wen maintained a smile outwardly while thinking, I don’t remember you being this meddlesome before either. He had already learned that Jiang Shao had accompanied Qi Mu that day. Could it possibly have been because of Qi Mu…?

Lu Jin Wen probed, “Your President Qi seems like a decent person. You were even willing to accompany him on business…”

Jiang Shao replied without hesitation, “It had nothing to do with him.”

Lu Jin Wen smiled. “I never said it did. Why are you so eager to deny it? Anyone who didn’t know better might think you had a guilty conscience.”

Jiang Shao: “…”

He had been careless and nearly fallen into this cunning old fox’s trap.

He abruptly rose, his expression cold. “Are you finished? I’m leaving if there’s nothing else.”

Lu Jin Wen stood and saw him off from a distance, calling insincerely, “Hey—are you sure you don’t want me to drive you—?”

Jiang Shao looked thoroughly disgusted and walked even faster.

Lu Jin Wen watched Jiang Shao’s retreating figure and narrowed his eyes thoughtfully. He had paid little attention to Qi Mu before, but now it seemed that the man might not be so simple after all.

…

The following day, Jiang Shao did not wander into the office until after ten.

The company was not particularly strict about attendance, so the occasional late arrival was nothing unusual. Only Zhan Xiao Hui glanced at him and asked in surprise, “What happened? Did you not sleep well last night?”

Jiang Shao gave her a cold look without speaking.

Zhan Xiao Hui: “…”

Jiang Shao already looked fierce enough with his perpetually cold expression. Now, with two enormous dark circles under his eyes, he resembled a deranged murderer from a film, radiating a chilling aura.

He appeared to be saying: Ask one more question and I’ll kill you.

Without changing her expression, Zhan Xiao Hui withdrew her gaze and sat back down.

Jiang Shao swept through the office like a cold gust of wind and dropped into the chair at his secluded workstation. The chair spun from the force of his movement as he stared gloomily at the greenery outside the window.

Qi Mu was far too casual in his role as company president. How many times had Jiang Shao already arrived late? Yet Qi Mu had not noticed even once.

Jiang Shao did not know where the displeasure in his heart came from.

He would almost rather Qi Mu reprimanded him a few more times than continue ignoring him like this, as though he were invisible.

Only one wall separated them, yet despite appearing so close, they seemed to inhabit two completely isolated worlds.

Although reason told him that Qi Mu had every right to be angry, had the problem not already been resolved? So much time had passed. How much longer did Qi Mu intend to remain angry over that incident?

Did Jiang Shao actually have to seek Qi Mu out himself?

Besides, why should he care about Qi Mu’s attitude?

Was it not better that Qi Mu ignored him? As Lu Jin Wen had said, a boss who did not interfere made this the perfect job for passing the time. Jiang Shao had gotten exactly what he wanted and should have been pleased.

Jiang Shao took out his phone and opened a Sudoku game.

Yet the game that usually absorbed his attention could not hold his interest at all today. After a long time, he had not solved even one puzzle. He closed it and opened a stock-market application, only to close that as well shortly afterward.

He disliked this inability to focus.

It felt as though a ball of fire were rampaging through his chest without any outlet for release.

Jiang Shao irritably closed his eyes, took out a mint candy, and placed it in his mouth. The cool flavor filled his mouth like an icy current washing away the hostility in his chest. His mood seemed to settle slightly, but the surrounding noise continued reaching him, buzzing endlessly in his ears.

Zhan Xiao Hui handed a stack of documents to the young woman beside her. “Xiao Lin, I’m heading out to attend a coordination meeting. When President Qi arrives, please take these documents to him.”

“All right, Sister Zhan.” Xiao Lin nodded while reaching out for the documents.

Suddenly, a long and powerful hand reached in from the side and took the entire stack from Zhan Xiao Hui. Xiao Lin’s hands closed around empty air. She raised her head in surprise and saw Jiang Shao standing beside them like a malevolent deity, his shadow completely engulfing her.

Zhan Xiao Hui and Xiao Lin: “…?”

Jiang Shao said stiffly, one word at a time, “I’ll deliver them.”

Zhan Xiao Hui replied, “…Okay.”

It made no difference who delivered them. Still… this was the first time Jiang Shao had volunteered for a task instead of waiting for her to assign one. Had he finally decided to stop giving up on himself and start working properly?!

Ignoring Zhan Xiao Hui and Xiao Lin’s astonished gazes, Jiang Shao took the documents and left.

As he turned away, he coldly told himself that he merely did not want to offend his employer so severely that he lost the job. Finding another one would be far too troublesome.

This was simply a necessary compromise to maintain his disguise.

Nothing more.

…

Qi Mu also arrived relatively late that day.

The intense pressure of the previous period had suddenly lifted. Overwhelmed by accumulated exhaustion, he had slept so deeply that it was already eleven when he woke.

Qi Mu arrived at the company.

Not long after entering his office, he heard a knock at the door. He casually called for the person to enter, then raised his head and froze slightly.

The person who entered was unexpectedly Jiang Shao.

Come to think of it, apart from the one occasion when Jiang Shao had requested leave, he had never voluntarily sought Qi Mu out. What had brought him here today? Had Qi Mu not already told him that there was no need to report leave requests directly to him?

Qi Mu looked at Jiang Shao in confusion.

Jiang Shao strode to Qi Mu’s desk and placed the stack of documents before him. Lowering his eyes slightly, he said in an even tone, “Zhan Xiao Hui had to go out, so she asked me to bring these to you.”

Oh. So Zhan Xiao Hui had arranged it again…

Qi Mu suddenly understood.

However, having thought through many matters and changed his perspective, Qi Mu calmly nodded this time. “All right.”

Jiang Shao remained standing there and looked at Qi Mu. The moment Qi Mu said “all right,” he knew he should leave.

Their relationship had always been like this. They were merely an employee and his employer, with nothing more to say to each other. So what if Jiang Shao had come to deliver some documents? So what if he had seen Qi Mu?

It would not change the current state of their relationship.

Jiang Shao found his own behavior faintly ridiculous.

He shrugged and turned toward the door without waiting for Qi Mu to dismiss him.

But before he reached it, Qi Mu’s voice suddenly sounded behind him, calling him back.

“Jiang Shao—”

Jiang Shao stopped and turned around.

Qi Mu wore his usual gentle expression and spoke as though mentioning it casually in passing.

“Come with me to next week’s summit.”

Previous

Main

Next