Chapter 12: Seeing Through Without Exposing

Yang Changfeng had no regard for Wang Hu’s apparent concern, which was in truth malicious and meant to sow discord. He didn’t bother to expose Wang Hu’s presumptuous attempts at provocation, simply shaking his head with a cheerful smile and saying with satisfaction, “There’s nothing about being underestimated or not. You’ll see, Minister Wang, I don’t care about those things in the least. As long as I can make money, sometimes, as a man, face and dignity aren’t worth fussing over, especially in front of women—oh, perhaps I shouldn’t say that. If Minister Wang thinks there’s an implication in my words, that would be unfortunate.”

Jokes aside, he could stomach anything—except a loss, especially not a loss in words.

Wang Hu soon realized that with this Yang fellow—rumored to be a relative of General Manager Chen—he couldn’t get the upper hand, not in action, nor in words. This guy was like a slippery loach, but one that could prick your hand.

Try to overpower him, and he’d leave your hand bloodied. Try to outtalk him, and he’d never let you off lightly.

“Just wait. Once you get to the Security Department, you’ll find out who actually holds sway in this company!” Wang Hu thought darkly, glancing at Yang Changfeng, who was leaning against the elevator wall with his eyes closed, seemingly resting. Wang Hu forced a smile and suddenly said, “By the way, since you’re starting work today, about scheduling…”

“Just like everyone else, please. Don’t make me seem too special. I want to be approachable, low-key—you understand, Minister Wang.” Yang Changfeng wore again that irreverent, shameless look.

Approachable? Low-key? You’re just a security guard now, yet you still see yourself as somebody? General Manager Chen’s relative? If Chen Aijia truly valued you, wouldn’t she have placed you in some better department, instead of sending you to the Security Division? Even if she trusts you and wants you as an undercover agent, is it really that easy? You might not survive it!

Feeling a sudden sense of balance, Wang Hu adopted an air of superiority. So what if you’re the boss’s relative? You’re still used as a mere tool by the wealthy!

Yang Changfeng was surprised. Was Wang Hu mentally unstable? He’d been gloomy a moment ago, and now he was grinning widely.

He rather hoped to provoke Wang Hu, to enrage him thoroughly, ideally to the point where Wang Hu lost his composure and started a fight. That way, he’d help Chen Aijia resolve this nuisance swiftly—and earn that one hundred and fifty thousand with a clear conscience.

Most importantly, an angry enemy was easier to deal with than one who smiled like a tiger.

Wang Hu, a bully in the company, wasn’t frightening when he acted wildly. But if he became calm and prudent, given his status as the landlord and the Security Division full of his cronies, such a tyrant would be truly difficult to handle.

“Enough chit-chat. Since you’re starting work today, you’ll have two days to familiarize yourself with the company, especially the department’s rules and regulations. After two days, you’ll officially start. Including today and tomorrow, that’s two days to get up to speed. I’ll assign an experienced guard to show you around. The day after, you’ll be on duty—got it?” Wang Hu announced with authority, leaving no room for refusal. He paused, then added, “You’ll start with daytime shifts for the first half-year. Any problems with that?”

Guards working only day shifts? Was that really okay? It seemed like a major issue.

Yang Changfeng realized he’d touched the edge of the core conflict between Wang Hu and the company.

He feigned surprise. “Is that alright?”

Without waiting for Wang Hu to reply, he quickly continued, “Minister Wang, I know the rules. I’m new, and night shifts are tougher, so I feel I should volunteer for those. No need to give me special treatment just because I came from the boss’s office. Keeping a low profile, being accessible—that’s what I ought to do, really.”

Wang Hu sneered. So, the fox’s tail is finally showing? Want to do night shifts? Don’t you know only people truly trusted by the Minister get night shifts?

Yang Changfeng spoke righteously, “I know it puts you in a difficult position, Minister Wang, but really, there’s no need. I can take night shifts, no problem at all!”

Wang Hu cut him off with a wave, “No need. Don’t think so highly of yourself—you’re not that important. The reason you’re not assigned night shifts is because you’re new, still a rookie. I can’t trust you with such an important job. I hope you understand.”

Oh, so that’s how it is!

Yang Changfeng pretended to have a sudden realization, awkwardly rubbing his hands. “Ah, I misunderstood. But is it really okay? Won’t people gossip?”

The elevator stopped. Wang Hu strode out, and two pretty young women standing by the elevator quickly bowed, greeting him, “Good morning, Mr. Wang. Thank you for your hard work.”

Wang Hu walked out grandly, not even nodding, hands behind his back, replying arrogantly, “When I speak, who dares not to take it seriously? Who dares?”

Yang Changfeng narrowed his eyes. Who was that meant for?

He flashed a grin at the two curious young women, greeting them, “Hi.”

He knew he would soon become a topic of conversation—entering the company as the boss’s cousin, personally escorted by Wang Hu from the boss’s office to the Security Division. This would likely become a subject of malicious speculation for some, a tool for others. But it didn’t matter. Whether enemies or opportunists, let them come.

For someone just entering the company, the more people around him, the more useful information he could gather—a lesson learned from the battlefield, one that had never failed him.

What he feared was being ignored. Even now, after that childish exchange of words with Wang Hu, he’d already noticed some subtle clues in Wang Hu’s behavior.

But for now, he had no intention of telling anyone about it. Understanding without exposing would lead to greater rewards.