Chapter Nine: Truly Perplexing

Although Lin Ye did not understand what was happening, he had no other choice. Despite the disappointment and the anger of being fired, he did not show it. He quietly packed his things at his desk amidst the whispers of his colleagues.

Zhang Wen stood to the side, his lips parting and closing several times. He likely wanted to comfort Lin Ye, but he knew that at a time like this, any words would sound hollow and powerless.

"Lin Ye, I'm coming with you!" Zhang Wen pressed his lips together, patted Lin Ye on the shoulder, and said firmly. He had already made up his mind; he didn't really need this salary anyway, and he had long disliked the team leader. If not for Lin Ye holding him back, he would have had a falling out with Liu Rui long ago.

Lin Ye finished packing his belongings, patted Zhang Wen’s shoulder, and forced a faint smile. "Don't bother, brother. Jobs are hard to come by right now. You should stay and keep working. Let's just leave it at that; maybe we can grab a meal together sometime."

Watching Lin Ye walk toward the department manager’s office with his bag, Zhang Wen suddenly felt deflated. He slumped into his chair and stared blankly at the ceiling.

"Knock, knock."

"Come in."

This was the first time Lin Ye had entered the department manager's office since joining the company. It was nothing like their team leader Liu Rui’s office; the interior decor was quite minimalist. There was a chair, a desk, a bookshelf, a filing cabinet, and a sofa—nothing else.

"Everything packed? Let's go. Follow me to another department."

Zhao Zhi stood up and walked straight out the door. Lin Ye was even more confused now. Wasn't he supposed to be fired? Why was he being moved to another department? Even though he couldn't make sense of it, his body moved before his brain could process it. He followed Zhao Zhi, threading through the crowded office area toward the elevator.

As the two stepped inside, Zhang Wen craned his neck and saw that the elevator was going up, not down. He knew the upper floors were where the administrative departments were located.

Zhang Wen’s eyes widened. He pulled out his phone and sent a message to Lin Ye: *You brat, tell me the truth! Did you hook up with a wealthy woman? Damn! You call this getting fired? You’re off to live the high life!*

Inside the elevator, Zhao Zhi looked at the somewhat reserved young man and offered a slight smile to show his goodwill. "You have been transferred. You are moving from the sales department to the administration department."

"If I recall correctly, the position arranged for you is Office Director. Don't look down on this role; it's neither high nor low, but it has the advantage of being relaxed and stress-free. Someone will explain your salary and benefits to you shortly."

As soon as he finished speaking, the elevator reached the administrative floor. Stepping out, Lin Ye suddenly felt as if the very air in the administrative area was different from that of the sales department. The office atmosphere was harmonious; some were chatting, others were drinking tea, and they only offered a casual nod to the department manager, Zhao Zhi.

Zhao Zhi led him to the desk of a middle-aged woman. "Sister Li, this is the new arrival, Lin Ye. I'll leave him in your care for a bit."

Looking at Sister Li, Lin Ye guessed she was in her thirties. Her skin was impeccably maintained, with not even the slightest fine line at the corners of her eyes. Had Zhao Zhi not mentioned in the elevator that she was nearly fifty, Lin Ye would never have believed it.

Sister Li waved a hand to show she understood and immediately began explaining his scope of work and the necessary precautions. During this time, Lin Ye vaguely heard nearby colleagues whispering about how he must have "connections" behind the scenes.

Lin Ye felt a bitter pang at these rumors. He knew better than anyone what kind of connections he had—or didn't have. If he had really had any pull, he wouldn't have struggled so much when he first started.

Sister Li’s explanation was very detailed. By the time everything was settled, it was already time to clock out. Colleagues passing by were already urging Sister Li to head home.

Sitting in his car, Lin Ye watched the sunset fading below the horizon. The exhaustion of a day's work washed over him, and he suddenly realized that having a car was quite nice; it felt like he had a sanctuary for his body and soul outside of home.

He was just about to start the engine when he remembered that he had told his wife at the hospital he would visit her after work. Besides, he would be alone if he went home now. With that, his mind was made up.

Just then, the phone in his pocket vibrated. He struggled to pull it out and glanced at the screen. The name "Li Dehua" appeared, making him instinctively pause before starting the car.

"Is this Lin Ye? How did work feel today?" A gentle and concerned voice came from the other end of the line.

For a moment, Lin Ye didn't know how to answer. After all, they weren't close enough for Li Dehua to be checking in on his workday.

"Uh, it was alright. You know how work is, Uncle Li, I'm sure you understand. Just the usual." Lin Ye’s reply was hesitant. He felt both familiar with and a stranger to this elder who often showed concern for him in unexpected ways.

When it came down to it, he wasn't used to it. Over the years, he had always reported only good news to his family, and he rarely had elders calling to ask about his well-being.

"That's good. Remember not to overwork yourself; health is the foundation of everything. If you run into any trouble, you can tell me. Maybe I can help." Li Dehua’s words carried an indescribable warmth and care.

After a brief exchange, the conversation ended with Lin Ye saying he was heading to the hospital to visit Su Qing. Although Lin Ye couldn't see Li Dehua's expression, he could hear the relief in his tone when he mentioned visiting her.

However, the way Li Dehua had inquired about his work—like an elder checking in, yet with the authoritative air of a superior—left Lin Ye feeling puzzled.

With all these things swirling in his mind, the memory of the afternoon's department transfer flickered through his thoughts, giving him the fleeting illusion that he had almost grasped something important.

Shaking his head, he decided to stop thinking about things he couldn't understand for now. Lin Ye started the car, and the engine let out a low, guttural roar. For a man, that sound was more beautiful than any long-legged beauty in a black dress.

Unfortunately, the heavy evening traffic didn't allow this little performance hot hatch to show its true power. But Lin Ye wasn't in a hurry; he used the time to quietly think about what interesting stories he could tell his wife.