My Exclusive Dream World Adventures

Chapter 97: 097 Suspicion
 

Chen Xu’s mind conjured up the last time he rode in Liu Kun’s car, his gentle smiling face, and a thought flashed through his heart, “Is he preparing to mentor me?”

Thinking this, he subconsciously picked up the paper and started to read.

The salary had doubled from the original base. If you added the bonuses and other things, without counting the overtime pay, the annual salary after tax exceeded one hundred twenty thousand.

This was a very sincere offer.

His feelings were somewhat complicated.

A few months ago, earning more than ten thousand a month before turning thirty was a goal he had set for himself. Originally, he thought the hope of achieving this was bleak. Unexpectedly, just when he was planning to resign, the company offered him such terms.

Moreover, this was Liu Kun mentoring him; otherwise, with no background and no particularly outstanding achievements, why would the company possibly promote and raise his salary?

In the future, clinging to Liu Kun’s support, he would have great prospects in the company.

Unfortunately…

“Sorry, I have actually decided to resign,” Chen Xu said, pushing the paper back.

Mr. He seemed somewhat surprised, not reaching for the paper, and said, “Why don’t you think it over again?”

“I have thought it over, thank you, Mr. He, for your kind intention. If there’s nothing else, I will go first,” Chen Xu said, standing up.

Given the choice, who would want to work for others?

Chen Xu walked out the door, feeling a sense of relief.

He did not return to his office but went to find Liu Kun. After all, he was the first person willing to mentor him after he started working; that kindness alone was invaluable. He couldn’t leave without expressing his gratitude in person.

Liu Kun happened to be in his office, his secretary, after hearing Chen Xu’s purpose, asked and let him in.

“Mr. Liu.”

Chen Xu entered and greeted politely.

“Come, have a seat,” Liu Kun rose from his seat, gestured to sit on the sofa, and, observing his expression, smiled and said, “How come? You’re promoted and got a raise, yet you don’t seem very happy. Is the annual salary too low for you?”

“It’s not that, you are overstating it, Mr. Liu.”

Chen Xu knew he was joking and said, “Thank you for your care, Mr. Liu. I appreciate that you value me and offered me a promotion and a raise. However, due to some personal reasons, I am unable to accept your kindness, and I am truly sorry.”

Liu Kun leaned back slightly, the smile disappearing from his face, and asked, “From what you are saying, you are planning to resign?”

“Yes, I will leave after the Spring Festival. I have already mentioned it to Mr. Luo.”

“Oh,” Liu Kun nodded, “May I ask, which company are you planning to join?”

“No, I’m not switching companies. I just want to try starting my own business.”

Hearing this, Liu Kun propped up his foot and said, “Oh, I see. It’s good for young people to have their own ideas. It’s just a pity that the company will lose someone as talented as you.”

“That’s too generous of you, Mr. Liu.” After expressing his thanks, Chen Xu prepared to leave.

“Actually, promoting you to deputy manager wasn’t my idea,” Liu Kun suddenly said.

“Ah?” Chen Xu was startled.

Liu Kun looked at him and said in a calm tone, “It was Mr. Luo. Some time ago, I saw her managing so many things by herself, so I suggested adding another manager to help her, but she didn’t agree.”

“Then yesterday, she suddenly told me that she wanted a deputy manager and recommended you.”

“As a matter of fact, you were also assigned to the electronic marketing department because she named you.”

“I have observed you as well. Your record isn’t outstanding. However, having been involved in human resources before, I know some people’s abilities don’t show on their record. Like you, you handle matters very reliably; that’s a rare quality.”

“This past month, you’ve often had to deal with people from the store department. They are not easy to talk to. The fact that you managed to get your work done proves your capability. So, I agreed with Mr. Luo’s suggestion. I didn’t expect to lose such a talent from my hands.”

He spoke, his expression tinged with regret.

…

After leaving Liu Kun’s office, Chen Xu felt his mind was a mess, as if countless thoughts flashed through it, yet at the same time, as if there was nothing.

In fact, he hadn’t clearly heard much of what Liu Kun said afterward.

He walked out of the company somewhat dazedly, scanned a bicycle, rode off, and only when the wind blew did he suddenly come to his senses.

Was it Luo Xiyun who proposed my promotion and pay raise?

Why would she do that?

To retain me?

On what grounds?

In terms of work ability and attitude, his performance was not outstanding, and there were several people in the department who were no worse than him. On what basis did Luo Xiyun favor him?

Also, why did she specifically request to join the E-Marketing Department?

In terms of academic qualifications, there were plenty of people in the company stronger than him. In terms of handling matters reliably, there were older employees like Old Tang. How did a workplace nobody like himself catch her eye?

Question after question flashed through his mind, many matters he hadn’t taken to heart surfaced one by one.

During the hot springs trip, her reaction had been somewhat strange.

And the potted plant on her desk.

And her reaction when she heard that he was resigning—

Suddenly, an idea that had faintly surfaced before but had never been deeply considered flashed through his mind like a bolt from the blue.

Screech—

He abruptly gripped the brakes, and the tires made a friction noise against the ground.

Could it be that the one who entered the dream was not Luo Xiyun’s clone but her herself?

For a moment, he felt dry-mouthed and tongue-tied.

Before, he had never considered this possibility. Even though he felt Luo Xiyun was a bit bizarre, he hadn’t thought deeply about it.

But now, as so many doubts converged, he finally began to suspect.

It wasn’t impossible. After all, the virtual dream device had already malfunctioned. The last time that voice, which seemed like AI assistance, had vanished was because of a system error.

“If the one in the dream were really Luo Xiyun herself…”

His heart pounded furiously and jumping out from the car, he parked it by the roadside and ran towards the company.

He had just run a few steps when his pace suddenly slowed.

If it was as he suspected, why hadn’t she revealed herself to him?

If it really was like that, she should have been able to recognize it was him during the hot springs visit. Yet, after that, she showed no unusual behavior.

That’s right, to her, it was only a dream.

In a trance, he seemed to hear once more the last words she whispered in his ear, “No, I have never loved you. A man like you who is so presumptuous, selfish, and only mindful of his own feelings—why should I love you?”

Right, based on his performance in the dream, why should she love him?

He walked step by step towards the company, his expression continuously changing.

After a while, he took a long breath, cast aside these mixed thoughts, and continued walking forward.

No matter what, he had to verify it.

…

“Do you want to see Mr. Luo?”

Secretary Guo, upon hearing Chen Xu’s request, looked somewhat troubled, “Actually, Mr. Luo has taken leave.”

“Why?” Chen Xu was somewhat surprised. At this time, she had actually taken leave? She was absent from the morning meeting, and he thought she had other matters. But he had never imagined she would take leave.

Secretary Guo looked around and, seeing that there was no one nearby, spoke softly, “It seems she’s said she became exhausted recently, fainted last night, and was taken by her family to the hospital to recuperate.”

“What?” Chen Xu’s face changed, and he hurriedly asked, “Which hospital?”

With a bit of embarrassment on her face, Secretary Guo said, “Actually, I don’t know. Her family took her phone and computer, forcing her to rest. They won’t let her touch anything work-related. Now, I can’t even contact her.”

Chen Xu hadn’t expected it to be so serious. Although he really wanted to meet her, the more he thought, the less he found any means to contact her.

It seemed he would just have to wait for her return.

PS: These past few days, my stomach ailment acted up, and my wisdom teeth started to grow savagely, so painful. Suddenly, I wondered, why couldn’t it flare up right before the launch, so I could sell a sob story and surely boost subscriptions? What a pity.