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It was Xiao Guo who found the jukebox in the SID’s storage room.
Their youngest team member was very excited with his find. It was a well kept antique, if not caked in dust due to obvious disuse. Dust covered every crack and crevice of the machine giving it a dull faded veneer to what it probably had been a sleek and vibrant jukebox in its prime.
“Look Chu-ge!” Guo Changcheng exclaims after opening the cabinet containing the records, “the records are all still in good shape! Do you think we can get this up and running if we clean it up a bit?”
Chu Shuzhi gives him a bemused look, “We all have some type of music player in our phones,” he said, “Why would we want something so cumbersome in our office?”
Guo Changcheng gives him what could have been called a glare, if it were coming from anyone else. Coming from their youngest team member, it looks more like recieving a disappointed frown from a five year old.
“I think it would look nice upstairs, where we all chill out” Xiao Guo takes another look at the records and adds, “Maybe we can update the music in here! Buy new records and all that, maybe have each of us bring an album that we like. I wonder if Lin Jing can help us upgrade the speakers. . .”
Despite his reservations towards the jukebox, Chu Shuzhi couldn’t help but look in amusement at the younger man’s excited ramblings about the antique. He doesn’t care much for the machine itself, but the fact that it elicits such enthusiasm from his friend that he couldn’t help but ride along with Xiao Guo’s good cheer. He even agreed to help drag the jukebox out of storage with very little reluctance.
With a little bit of dark energy and a whole lot of time spent looking for a utility cart, they managed to get the jukebox into the main room where the rest of the team gathered around it in curiosity. Sure enough, Lin Jing was the first to react, his excitement quite infectious as he rattled on about the types of parts they would need to make it more ‘within this generation’.
"Yeah, we're definitely upgrading the speakers," he said while he gave a jukebox a once over. "Pretty sure I can add in wireless capabilities if we can get rid of the coin drop component…"
"But by doing so, wouldn’t we be stripping this machine of its history?" Wang Zheng counters, her interest in the antique showing quite clearly, "I think we should keep as much of the machine intact and simply change what needs to be replaced. It's a beautiful looking machine as it is."
"Yeah if you want this thing to be boring!" Lin Jing argues hands on his hips, every bit the inventor/tinkerer he was, "Who would want to listen to a clunky old fossil with old people music and crappy sound quality?"
Wang Zheng frowns, "What I mean-!"
"Did all of you forget that we all have music players in our phones and desktops?" Zhu Hong interrupts all the way from her table, " I think we should just pawn that jukebox off, make some money off of it, and buy something for the office we can all enjoy."
"But Hong-jie" Guo Chancheng starts, enthusiasm from earlier still undeterred, "I think if we fix this up, it would be something nice that we can all still enjoy. We can bring in our own favorite albums and share our favorite songs with each other!"
Zhu Hong gives Xiao Guo a flat look, her expression as clear as saying "why would I want to listen to your music?" out loud. She turns away from their group, effectively taking herself out of the conversation.
"This thing is a piece of history!" Wang Zheng said, bringing everyone back to the earlier debate, "it is something that should be preserved as best as we can in order to share the past history of this building".
"If we were to do that, we might as well just pawn it off to some history nut or a pawn shop, like Hong-jie said" Lin Jing counters back. "I, for one, think we can bring this old antique to this century".
"Can we all not argue about gentrification here and just see if this thing even works?" Zhao Yunlan interrupts the growing argument, he'd been quiet throughout the entire discussion staring at the antique with nostalgic fondness.
He remembers this jukebox from his rare visits to the SID back when he was very young and his father would still bring him to work. He also remembers being the reason as to why the jukebox was taken to storage in the first place. How the past members of the SID had sat through at least seven repeats of the same song before they all audibly breathed a sigh of relief when it changed into a new record, and how all hell broke loose when the original song played once again. He also remembers poor Lao-Li politely excusing himself out of the building, while another member threw a landline phone across the floor. Zhao Yunlan was pretty sure that that was the very first time his father ever looked at him in disappointment.
Good times...good times.
Five hours and a PowerPoint presentation from Lin Jing later, the team agreed that some upgrades are necessary, but the overall exterior of the jukebox would remain intact. Everyone donated money to the effort with Guo Changcheng and Lin Jing being the most enthusiastic contributors. Chief Zhao shakes his head when half the team started going online during office hours to look up the parts they needed. He mutters something about simply giving him back their bonuses instead of wasting it on pointlessly repairing an old relic.
They agreed to keep the coin drop under the pretense that the coins can be used to buy take out. It was Guo Changcheng's idea, pointing out that it would help curb their worsening habit of ordering out. They could also think of it as a sort of treat when things are slow. Wang Zheng wholeheartedly agreed as it keeps the jukebox's authenticity and it encourages everyone to use it as often as possible. Lin Jing disagrees, but they all made an agreement; written contract and all. So he modified the coin drop to accept coins of any value.
It took a few weeks of waiting and tinkering before Lin Jing proudly announces that the old jukebox has now made it to the 21st century. They placed the jukebox on the mezzanine next to the lounge chairs, and everyone agrees that it fits that spot perfectly.
"Like it was destined to be there in the first place!" Guo Changcheng said, bouncing from where he was standing.
Zhao Yunlan hides a chuckle underneath a cough, he didn't want to mention that this was the same spot the jukebox was placed in years ago.
"Why do I get this feeling that this isn't going to end well for everyone?" Zhu Hong mutters to Chu Shuzhi, both seated at their desks while they watched the rest of their team mates.
"It won't, and they'll only have themselves to blame" Chu Shuzhi said and winces as they finally agreed to a song to play. It was an upbeat pop song that plays on the radio every other hour.
They both sighed.
"That was a waste of a good yuan" Zhu Hong scoffs, shaking her head before going back to her work.
Chu Shuzhi would have agreed if Xiao Guo hadn't pulled him away to show him how the jukebox works. Although, looking at his friend's excitement, Chu Shuzhi hopes that Zhu Hong was wrong in her prediction.
---
Everything was fine for a while. The entire team had their turn with messing around with the jukebox. Despite some reluctance from some members at the beginning, the jukebox eventually grew on everyone. Zhao Yunlan even caught Zhu Hong singing along to some 90s pop song one night when she thought no one was around.
Sang Zan, with his slow progress with technology more complicated than a toaster, had the most fun with the jukebox. Wang Zheng is pleased to see that her partner found enjoyment in the simple act of dropping a coin and picking a record off the song list. They would often pick the song together, usually debating whether they should pick an old song or one that they haven't heard yet.
"T-the last song w-was very good, l-lets p-play it again!" Sang Zan said, his finger hovering over the button, ready to press it the moment Wang Zheng agrees.
"But this other one is from the same person!" Wang Zheng points at another song, "we should listen to her other songs as well!"
"B-but-!"
At least three people within the office shouted a variation of " Oh my god, just pick a song!" Before the couple finally made a decision. They ended up replaying a song they've already played many times before, much to everyone's disappointment.
Da Qing rarely played around with the jukebox, although the deputy chief seemed to have chosen it as another one of his many napping spots. He gives anyone commandeering the jukebox a look, waiting to see if they pick a good song. A good song by his standards or may the gods have mercy on you if you pick a song that he dislikes.
Even Professor Shen would pick a song or two when he visits the SID. More specifically, Professor Shen would pick the songs that Chief Zhao had personally put in the jukebox just for him. Wang Zheng and Xiao Guo both think it's sweet, but Lin Jing thinks their chief is indoctrinating the esteemed professor and Lord Envoy with crappy Haixing music.
One time, during a night shift, the team walked in on Zhao Yunlan and Professor Shen slow dancing to a song about dancing in the dark while barefoot on the grass. It was extremely sappy and gross and no one had any qualms in saying it. However, their Chief was quick to remind them that they all had at least one embarrassing rock out session in front of the jukebox. So no one has any right to talk smack about their boss and his dear darling boyfriend.
Jabs at everyone's taste in music aside, the jukebox was a great addition to the office.
Really.
---
As fun as it was, all good things must come to an end. It just so happens that what broke the peace was a poorly hidden anniversary present and a very hungry King of Cats.
The door to the SID office opens with a window shuddering BANG, and in comes Da Qing and Chief Zhao. A pair of mature adults yelling like a pair of teenage siblings who got into and broke each other's stuff.
" - the hell would you even hide shit in my snack cabinet?!" Da Qing yells, unaware that he had supported everyone's analogy of the two of them.
"I was only hiding it in there until Shen Wei left the apartment!" Zhao Yunlan yells back, "it's your fat ass that can't keep his hands off that damn cabinet for more than five minutes!"
"How the hell was I supposed to know that that was an anniversary gift?"
"Oh, I don't know, the fact that it's our anniversary tonight and that I was actively hiding that watch from him?"
"Just- I don't know!" Da Qing flails his arms around "You were gonna give it to him anyways, he just got his present early."
"I was gonna give it to him during our date tonight," Zhao Yunlan said through gritted teeth. "I wasn't expecting you to just toss it to him this morning".
Their squabbling kept going all the way till Zhao Yunlan slammed his office door at Da Qing's face. The latter flips him off before transforming into his cat form to sulk in one of his hiding spots around the office.
Early morning squabbles aside, the rest of the day was relatively quiet. Zhao Yunlan stayed in his office, actually trying to catch up on his paperwork. He had most likely promised Shen Wei that he would be in his best behavior before their anniversary date tonight. Da Qing kept away from Zhao Yunlan throughout the day, helping out where help was needed while also catching up on his own work. Occasionally, they would catch each other's eye and they would glare at each other from across the room like the children that they are.
Yes, overall it was a quiet day.
But it was the type of quiet that inherently asks to be fucked with, and it kept everyone in a light state of paranoia.
At around four in the afternoon, Zhao Yunlan finally emerges from his office as his work day comes to a close. He's smiling at everyone in the office with a lollipop in his mouth and a skip in his step.
He also had a bag of loose change in hand.
Ah, there drops the other shoe.
Their chief saunters to the jukebox, where Da Qing was lounging in his cat form. The cat gives Zhao Yunlan a look that says 'I got claws and no fucks to give, try me bitch'. Zhao Yunlan, who clearly also has no fucks to give anyone but his boyfriend tonight, levels his face to Da Qing's height and smiles.
He shakes the bag of change at Da Qing.
"Hey, Da Qing" Zhao Yunlan said, opening the bag and inserting -oh god- all the loose change into the jukebox with barely restrained glee, "remember when I was, like, six years old and I pissed off Lao-Zhun so bad he threw his phone across the room?"
The look of dawning terror in Da Qing's furry face clearly shows that, yes, despite his memories of the past being a little spotty; this one nightmare in particular is one he clearly remembers.
"You wouldn't fucking dare" Da Qing growls, and wow the cat Yashou never sounded more dog-like than that moment.
Zhao Yunlan's shit eating grin looked almost feral as he pressed a button for one particular song over and over. "Now remember, Da Qing,” He starts, "It's my anniversary date with Shen Wei tonight, and you're in charge while I'm gone, and I don't want to be interrupted. So that means you can't just leave the building whenever you want".
"I hope you both get food poisoning," Da Qing said, his reply dripping with so much spite.
"It's gonna be a stay at home date, and Shen Wei insisted on cooking our dinner tonight, so I don't think that's gonna happen".
"Well then, I hope the rest of your date goes to shit then"
"Not when I'm providing the entertainment for the whole night, if you know what I mean" Zhao Yunlan said with a wink, and he pressed the same song for the fortieth and final time "I gotta make up for the present you botched up".
" I hope you can't get it up then!" Da Qing shrieks, his voice so loud everyone inside the building heard it.
"Now you're being mean, wishing that I don't get laid on my anniversary" Zhao Yunlan replied with a pout, but it snaps back to a grin "Well! I need to go and get ready for my date with my Xiao Wei, I'll leave everything to you my trusted Deputy".
And he looks up to address the rest of the team who did not hear the conversation, but were all looking at them in a state of unease. "My colleagues, I hope all of you have a great rest of your shift. If any of you have any questions, concerns, or misgivings especially if it involves the jukebox please direct them all to Da Qing, as he is the boss for the evening".
"Will do, Chief Zhao!" Xiao Guo said, innocent to what was about to transpire, "enjoy your date with Professor Shen!"
And with that Zhao Yunlan exits the building, but not before stopping by Lao-Li's work area to say "You might want to get some earplugs for the night, my friend" he tells the old man with a wink and he turns around to walk out of the SID whistling as he goes.
Lao-Li looks at the Chief's retreating back in confusion; that is, until he hears it:
WHAT'S NEW PUSSYCAT CAT WHOA~!
Lao-Li winces and wonders if he should just leave for the evening.
---
What’s new pussycat whoa~!
They think this might be the fourth time the song repeated itself. That, or this song was longer than they thought and it's only repeated itself twice.
"Chu-ge, I think we should go take a walk…" Xiao Guo said after his friend flinched at the very first note of the song, "the fresh air might help with the stress. O-or maybe you can meditate!"
"What I want to do," Chu Shuzhi growls, "is throw that machine off the fucking roof".
Pussycat, pussycat, I love you, yes I do
"L-let's take our break!" Xiao Guo blurts out grabbing a hold of Chu Shuzhi's hands, "how about we go out to buy dinner for everyone?"
"Oh my god", Lin Jing whimpered from where he was slouched on his desk, "Go you two! Save yourselves!"
"You can come with us!" Xiao Guo said, trying to keep morale up "we can all take a breather!"
And if all my wishes can all come true
I'll soon be kissing your sweet little pussycat lips
" I can't! I have samples that I need to monitor!" Lin Jing whimpers, "Its okay, just go, you can leave me behind! But get me my usual from that food truck down the road!"
"We got you" Chu Shuzhi said, standing up and pulling at Xiao Guo's hand until he stood, "Let's get the hell out of here, you want anything while we're out, you two?".
Zhu Hong shook her head and said nothing else, too focused with whatever was in her computer as if it's the only thing keeping her sane. Poor Wang Zheng, who gave a small shake of her head, looked as if she would rather dissolve into the aether than be here in the SID headquarters.
"Da Qing," Xiao Guo calls out to the room in general, "Would you like something while we're out?"
"Dried fish, please" said a voice from one of the air vents, it sounded dead and defeated, "maybe Lao-Zhao's head if that's possible".
When Chu Shuzhi and Guo Changcheng returned almost fifteen minutes later, they were relieved to hear a new song playing from the jukebox. The atmosphere felt lighter as if the entire building itself let out a sigh of relief. They made quick work of passing out everyone’s orders and they made their way to the couch to eat.
The song wound down and started to fade, and the tension in the office started to ramp up once again. The song ended and the room was quiet. Everyone held their breath while the jukebox changed records.
And then the needle drops.
WHAT’S NEW PUSSYCAT WHOA~!
“GOD FUCKING DAMMIT” Zhu Hong roars as she stood up from her chair to kick her trash can and swiped everything off of her desk, computer and all.
Da Quing’s tortured yowls reverberated throughout the air vents, complimented by Lin Jing’s sobs from underneath his desk.
“Chu-ge” Guo Changcheng whispers, his face blank and staring straight ahead at nothing, “Let’s go eat dinner outside. Please”.
“Yeah, let’s go,” Chu Shuzhi said, pulling the younger man to stand and lead him out of the office once again.
How can he say ‘No’, when Xiao Guo just threw their dinner across the room?
---
The jukebox was unplugged from the outlet when Zhao Yunlan came back the next day.
He also came back to a desk full of crushed lollipops and forms requesting to replace damaged equipment. Well, he had a fantastic night with Shen Wei, so he felt generous and signed off the forms.
Zhao Yunlan wandered back out to the main room with a cheerful "How is everybody doing this beautiful morning?"
He was met with dead stares.
Half his team isn't on shift until later in the day, which was a shame he couldn’t see their expressions. The ones who were here this morning, however, was a sight to see. Wang Zheng, for someone who is effectively a ghost, looked haunted. Lin Jing, bonus be damned, said "I fucking hate you, boss" from all the way in the lab. Zhu Hong looks like she's browsing poisons from Chu Shuzhi's computer.
Da Qing isn't in the office today since he was promised a day off for working a long shift. Zhao Yunlan is a benevolent boss like that.
So he's pretty sure the fat cat is at home destroying all of his leather jackets.
"You guys didn't like my playlist?" He asks everyone in the room.
Again with the dead stares.
"I l-liked it ch-chief Zhao!" Sang Zan replied all the way from the library "It w-was long, b-but I liked your s-song about p-pussy c-cats". Zhao Yunlan could hear Wang Zheng's aggrieved sigh from her desk, her head in her hands.
"B-but I don't t-think Da Qing like the song," Sang Zan continued, "He w-was saying bad t-things about it and you all n-night".
"That's because he doesn't appreciate the classics, my friend" Zhao Yunlan said with a wave of his finger and grins at the murderous glare he received from his team "in fact, I picked that song specifically for him!"
"Th-that was very k-kind of you Ch-chief Zhao!"
"Well, at least one of you guys liked my playlist," he turns and looks at the rest of his team, “the rest of you lot just don’t know what good music is, how about I go pick out a song-”
“ NO ”
Zhao Yunlan chuckles and raises his hands in surrender, “Alright, alright, fine” He concedes, he turns and walks back to his office with a wave “I’ll leave you all to your work, call me when you guys are buying lunch!”
Zhao Yunlan made his way back to his office and sat in his chair with a sigh. He pulls out a lollipop from his pocket, opens it and pops it into his mouth with a self satisfied expression. He chuckles when he hears Sang Zan singing ' pussycat, pussycat, I love you' when he comes downstairs to drop off some books for the team. He outright laughs when he hears a " Dear, please shut up" from Wang Zheng.
The jukebox honestly was a good investment of their time and efforts, it was just a shame he wouldn't be hearing from it for a while. But sacrifices had to be made in the name of pettiness.
He wonders if Shen Wei would like one, once they move into their house...