Chapter Text
"Zishu, you need to have an associate under you. That's a requirement." Qin Huaizhang tells the man when both are seated in Mr Qin, the CEO's office at the Four Seasons Manor law firm.
Zishu looks at the glass pane, overlooking the entire city, and sighs, "Shifu, you know I don't work well with others."
Zishu was the best of the bunch. Since a young age, he had always excelled and that is why Qin Huaizhang wanted him to be his successor and not his own son, Jiu Xiao. However, Zishu never worked well with others. His intelligence and the ability to work better and faster than others, like a one-man army, never made him trust or rely on anyone. According to Qin Huaizhang, this was his biggest drawback. For someone to lead a firm, it was important to lead the people in the firm and work well with them, however, Zishu lacked this skill.
"Zishu, this is not a discussion. I know last year I assigned an associate under you but that hasn't worked well. This time I am allowing you to conduct your interview and hire the one you like." Zishu sees the resolute expression on Qin Huaizhang's face and knows that he has lost this battle. "Yes Shifu, it will be done." He says with a nod and gets up from the chair.
"Wait, before you go, I need you to look at this case file." Qin Huaizhang says handing Zishu a file.
Zishu raises a brow in curiosity and immediately opens the file, going through the papers. "The Zhangs? Didn't Zhang Yusen and his family die in a fire?" Zishu says still skimming through the pages. It had become big news over the last couple of days and from what he heard from his mother was that it was most likely arson.
"Yes, a sad incident has recently occurred and since there has been no will, his brothers are fighting for his property. However, his younger son still lives, and has specifically requested to be represented by you."
"What? How does he even know me?" Zishu says in surprise. While he was a very distant relative of the Zhangs and had heard about them in their family circle, he had never visited them, let alone the kid. However, a look at the guilty face of his master tells Zishu all he needs to know.
"Yusen and I were good friends. Chengling, the kid, always wanted me to tell him stories and since all your cases were so dramatic, I used to tell him about them. Plus, I will also feel better if this case goes to you, this way I will be certain that we will win."
Zishu nods with determination. "You won't be disappointed." He says with confidence before walking away.
-
"Han Ying, just tell me which ones you like. Else you can drive them away." Zishu tells his assistant in resignation as he looks at the long list of associates already lining up outside his cabin.
Han Ying nods at Zishu and turns to look at all the associates, he calls the associates one by one, and asks them one question, "Why do you want to work with Zhou Zishu?"
"He is the best there is."
"I always wanted to work for four seasons."
"I think he can benefit by working with me."
And many more such answers. Han Ying asked them to go and have the interview with Zishu one on one however gestures to Zishu to end it as soon as possible as he finds them too boring. However, there was one man who gave him a very weird answer which almost made his boring day very entertaining.
"Why do you want to work with Zhou Zishu?" Han Ying asks him monotonously while typing away on his computer.
"Good question. Maybe I shouldn't, especially if the Four Seasons has any fraternization rules? I mean, I have never looked at such beauty in my life." a deep tender voice says in wonder.
Han Ying immediately looks up to see a fair-skinned tall man staring towards Zishu's glass cabin in wonder. Han Ying immediately rereads the man's name and addresses him and says with a bright smile, "Uh, Wen Ke Xing, we don't have any such rules here. Why don't you go in next, I believe he is done with this interview."
-
Zishu watches as a tall lanky looking associate walks in, and if this was not a workplace, Zishu would have definitely appreciated how handsome the man in front of him was.
"Hello, I am Wen Kexing." The man says, extending his hand to Zishu, "You must be Zhou Zishu."
Zishu shakes the man's hand and gestures for him to have a seat in front of him. "Are you prepared for the interview?" This was a question Zishu always used to weed out the people who were unsure of themselves.
"No, absolutely not." Wen Kexing says with confidence and Zishu is alarmed to hear that. A very unique answer indeed, no wonder Han Ying had given him a thumbs up when Kexing had walked into the office for the interview.
"I mean, no one told me that the interviewer was going to be so beautiful. It absolutely took me by surprise." Kexing continues to say while shaking his head in disbelief.
"What?" Zishu is now sitting straighter in the chair. Although on hearing Kexing's words, a small part of him was happy to hear it, he would never admit to it. Instead, he shows disgust on his face at the man's insolent attitude. “Is this interview a joke to you? There are many people waiting outside who have worked hard to get here. If you want to slack off, go do it out of my sight.”
"This interview is not a joke for me. And to correct you, I never slack. I am the best out of all those nutties lined up outside," Kexing states and raises both his brows in a challenge.
"You are certainly very confident.” Zishu mutters and then throws caution to the wind and says, “Let's start then." Zishu knows that if it would have been anyone else, he would have thrown them out of his office at their disrespect, but there was something about this man which made him believe that he was not bluffing about being the best.
Zishu starts firing questions after questions, scenarios after scenarios and more but an hour later, Kexing still laughs and flirts with him while easily answering all his questions as if having a normal conversation.
"Aiya, seems like my non-stop chattering has worried you?" Kexing says abruptly in the middle of an answer.
Zishu pinches his nose and looks up at Kexing, "Why should I hire you?" He asks finally.
Kexing stands up from his chair and walks around the table as he says, "Let’s say you don’t hie me,” he bends down so his face is level with Zishu’s and gestures at the line outside, “then you would be stuck with one of them.” His gaze is intense as he continues, “it’s not entirely a bad thing, you will get to know more about the lesser intelligent people.” He stands up straight and walks around till he spots a basketball on display by the windowsill. He takes it in his hand and spins it once, “Or you could hire me and then have the advantage of having the best of the best with you, working on your cases. It is your choice at the end of the day."
Zishu feels flustered at the man's confidence and almost doesn't want to hire him to prove him wrong. He walks up to Kexing and pulls off the basketball from his hand. With an angry glare that has made hundreds of people jump for cover and a huff, he declares. "Okay, you join Monday."
Happens all the time
Its going to happen - happen - till your change your mind
Its going to happen - happen - happens all the time
Its going to happen - happen - till your change your mind
-
On Monday, Kexing gets his own employee card and completes a lot of formalities. His entire day is spent hopping from one department to the other, filling out forms, and getting software licences. When the clock finally hits six Kexing decides to head off work and also check up on Zishu before doing so. He doesn't even get the chance to drop by Zishu's cabin before Duan Pengju calls him to his office.
Duan Pengju, is one of the best at that firm, coming only after Zishu. Though Kexing knows it will only be a matter of time till he beats Duan Pengju himself.
"How was your first day?" Duan Pengju asks with a small smile. Kexing observes the chubby man, trying to figure out his intentions before replying with a smile, "Good."
"You see, while you report to Zishu directly, I am the one who trains all the associates here, so you would have to work for me as well."
Before Kexing can reply, there is a knock at the door and someone, whose figure looks eerily similar to Kexing's lanky figure, walks in.
"Ah, Xue Yan, I called in to ask you about the Dysol Brief. Is it done?" Duan Pengju asks the boy.
"Ah, not yet. My brother was unwell this weekend-." Xue Yan is interrupted by Duan Pengju. "You're fired."
Kexing's mouth drops open at that. Xue Yan protests a bit before leaving the cabin with tears in his eyes.
"Uh, sorry about that. Can you get the brief done for me by tomorrow?" Duan Pengju asks Kexing with an innocent smile.
At this point, Kexing feels like he has no other choice but to nod. He collects the file from Pengju and then proceeds to walk away, ignoring the, "Welcome to Four Seasons Manor," which Duan Pengju shouts at his retreating back.
It is at half an hour past nine that Zishu finds Kexing at his cubicle. "What are you working on? Aren't you planning to head home?"
Kexing, who has plugged in his earphones, smiles brilliantly at seeing Zishu for the first time after the interview. He pulls out his earphones and says, "Zishu, did you miss me already?"
Zishu rolls his eyes and picks up the file from Kexing's desk. "You're working on Dysol? Isn't the meeting scheduled for tomorrow? Pengju was working on this."
"Yes, which is why Pengju needs me to finish the brief by tomorrow. Else he will fire me." Kexing says while yawning. He closes his eyes and rests his head back on the chair.
"This says that any employee fired without three days—" Zishu reads from the paper, ignoring the sentence of Pengju firing Kexing.
"Without three days prior notice is considered as fired in bad faith and hence is eligible to receive compensation for the next thirty days along with a severance package based on the age of the employee," Kexing says, still with closed eyes.
Zishu is surprised at the exact words being printed in front of him. He immediately opens a random page and reads, "The works developed by the employees under Dysol-"
"Are property of the company and no employee is eligible to claim ownership of the work. Credit for the work will be allotted to the employee along with other benefits, however, these benefits can neither be transferred nor inherited."
Zishu is again shocked at reading the same words there. "How do you remember all this?" He asks, surprised.
Kexing opens one eye and looks at Zishu's surprised expression. "Photographic memory." He says, "but please don't tell anyone."
"Interesting. Are you done here? I am sure you can get this done first thing tomorrow." Zishu says, "I am going to grab some food and drinks if you want to join me."
"Did you not hear me when I said Pengju will fire me?" Kexing says again, a little offended at Zishu's lack of concern.
Zishu scoffs at that, "He can try. Come on."
-
Kexing is excited to have dinner with Zishu. Though it seems clear to him that the man has some other motive, Kexing doesn't mind.
They end up at a popular fine dining restaurant where Zishu requests a corner table. As soon as Kexing gets his hands on the menu, he orders four dishes.
"Uh- you are paying for those," Zishu says coldly as he sees Kexing's food arrive.
"Zishu! You are the boss here. You should be paying for it. Unless of course if you think this is a date? Then I am absolutely okay to pay for this." Kexing says leaning in and waggling his brows.
"Nuisance!" Zishu whispers and hands Kexing a folder. Kexing immediately freezes when he opens it. After a quick recovery, he glances at Zishu who is busy looking over Kexing at someone else's table.
"The Zhangs?" Kexing asks Zishu as he starts going over the case file. "Yes. You can see our boss Qin Huaizhang sitting there with that little kid. He specifically took my name to handle his case. Something smells suspicious." Zishu says, not bothering to even look at Kexing.
Kexing glances over his shoulder to watch Chengling and Qin Huaizhang. "He looks to be a juvenile. Are they putting him in the system?" Kexing suddenly feels worried about that and turns his worried gaze at Zishu.
"Does it look like I care?" Zishu's gaze flickers between Kexing and Chengling as he says that.
Kexing bangs his chopsticks on the table. "Well, you should care! It is the worst place for anyone to be." He gets up and collects his bag.
"Where are you going?" Zishu asks hastily, watching the man get up.
"To do my job." Kexing retorts before walking away.
Just as he leaves, the waitstaff comes by with more food, making Zishu curse under his breath.
-
The next day, Zishu is playing with a softball as Han Ying briefs him about his day. Soon, Kexing bursts into his office cabin and looks at Zishu with wide, tired eyes.
"They are going to put him in the system. Qin Huaizhang is letting the boy stay with him while convincing the alliance brothers of Zhang Yusen to take him in. Those hypocrites want his property but not the responsibility. Can you do nothing about it?" Kexing demands, narrowing his eyes at Zishu.
"I am trying to get that boy all his rightful property, so when he turns eighteen he has access to a good life. That is my job." Zishu says loudly, standing up from his chair and walking closer to Kexing.
"He needs to survive in the system for that. He is twelve Zishu. It will take only a small 'accident' in there for someone to kill him." Kexing tries to make Zishu understand the reality of the situation, his voice desperate for help.
"You went in there when you were eight, didn't you? And you survived just fine." Zishu retorts.
Kexing looks lost for a second before a frown marred his beautiful face. "H-How?" He questions.
"How did I know that? It's all written in your records." Zishu says smugly.
"Those records are sealed!" Kexing shouts.
"Doesn't take me much to get what I want." Zishu says, now getting angry at the man in front of him, "So here is what I suggest, find something on the five lake alliances that we can use to settle out of court. And if you don’t want to do it, then don’t bother coming back."
Kexing goes immediately silent before saying with a cold tone, "You are a heartless piece of shit, you know that?" After saying this, the man storms out of the office without looking back.
"Whoa." Han Ying, an innocent bystander exclaims once Kexing is out of earshot.
"Get back to work," Zishu growls at him, and Han Ying is quick to duck away.
-
Kexing is busy making himself a strong cup of coffee when someone clears their throat behind him.
He turns around to see another associate, Du Pasa, staring up at him. "Tough day?" She asks with a pout.
Kexing instantly feels that something is off with her tone and doesn't feel the need to respond to her. "Well, maybe you should go running to mommy and quit your job." She continues, "You know, even if Zhou Zishu hired you, it doesn't make you any better than us. Heck, Zhou Zishu himself doesn't care. You are the second associate that worked with him and you also will be resigning in a few days' time."
Kexing scoffs at that and smiles coldly, "Wow, listen carefully, 'cause I'll only say this once. You are not qualified to speak to me. Tell that to your little kitty party there too." Kexing points at a few associates who keep watching Du Pasa and Kexing.
Before Du Pasa can reply, Kexing walks away to his cubicle with the cup of coffee in hand.
He pulls up Zhang’s case file and starts working on it. If he had to take down five lake alliances, he would do it.
-
Zishu smiles up at Duan Pengju from his seat next to Qin Huaizhang in a conference room. The said man, who is escorting his clients in the room, freezes on seeing Zishu there. "Zishu, what are you doing here?" He asks angrily.
"Well, since my associate put in so much effort to do the Dysol Brief, I thought, why not sit in your meeting to see his work? I hope that's alright with you Pengju." Zishu reverts with a cold smile.
Qin Huaizhang stands up to greet the clients and whispers to both his employees, "Behave."
During his meeting with the client, Duan Pengju finds himself wanting to kill Zishu, who keeps piping suggestions, better suggestions, making Pengju look like an idiot.
At the end of the meeting, the client requests Huaizhang that they switch to work under Zishu as he seemed more experienced. Pengju immediately protests, only to be ignored.
"Zishu! Those were my clients! I brought them to the firm!" He shouts.
"We are one team, Pengju, why are you fretting so much about it?" Zishu says as he makes his way out of the room. He suddenly turns around and pokes his head in to say, "Oh, and don't you dare threaten my associate that you'd fire him. Else you will see a lot of your clients flocking over to me." He says in a deadly manner to Pengju and then leisurely walks away.
Pengju, whose blood is boiling with anger, misses the surprised yet pleased expression on Qin Huaizhang who is sitting at the table behind him.
-
Kexing decides to take matters into his own hands. Zishu was clearly not the man he had thought him to be and Kexing was not going to let another child suffer in the system. Earlier that day he had gotten to know that Zhang Chengling was taken in by fostercare and now he was doing his best to get the boy out of it.
“A-Xiang, how would you feel if we get us a brother?” Kexing shouts as he is filling out the foster care application.
“What? Ge we hardly have enough space for the two of us!” She groans. “Also will I have to take the couch then? Since he is a boy- it would make more sense for you both to take the bed.”
Kexing looks up at his small apartment and sighs. This was the price he had to pay if he wanted an apartment in the city. Previously he and Gu Xiang were on the outskirts of the city and with lesser rent used to stay in a two-bedroom house. However, in the city, with almost double the rent, Kexing could at best get this one-bedroom apartment.
“Yeah, that would be a good idea. Or, I can sell this couch and get a sofa-cum-bed. That way you won’t have to move out of the room, don’t worry.” Kexing tells her.
Gu Xiang places a plate of food on the coffee table in front of Kexing before sitting down next to him on the couch. “Okay ge. But remember what senior Ye had said, not all strays are your responsibility.”
Kexing rolls his eyes at the mention of Senior Ye, his adoptive father. “Yes, yes. Don’t worry. Anyway, did you finish your project?”
“Ge, why do you always have to speak to me about studies! Tell me how are you liking your job? It was your second day today, right? Any hot guys there that caught your eyes?” Gu Xiang instead says.
Before Kexing can reply, there is a loud knock on their door. “Must be my parcel!” Gu Xiang says and goes to open the door. It is no deliveryman, but a person in a three-piece suit.
Kexing who is furiously typing on his laptop looks up with concern when Gu Xiang calls him in a weak voice. “Who is it?” he asks loudly as he heads towards the front door.
Zishu looks at Kexingwith wide eyes. Kexing ignores the man’s gaze going over his shabby pyjamas and turns to Gu Xiang instead. “A-Xiang, go to your room. I will explain everything later.”
Gu Xiang nods at Kexing and glances once at the well-dressed man before going to her room and closing the door. As soon as she is out of sight, Zishu walks in, without invitation and closes the front door. “Your doorbell is broken,” he comments, looking around the apartment.
“Zishu,” Kexing says. He wants to ask things like ‘how did you find me’ and ‘what do you want’ but waits for Zishu to say something instead.
Zishu walks over to Kexing’s laptop and raises his eye at the open foster care website. “Trying to take things in your own control, I see. But this isn’t going to work.”
“I will get it to work.” Kexing says, determined, “I am already registered as a foster parent in the system. They will have to hand him over to me in the next few days.”
“Not if they have received more applications,” Zishu says, as he takes a seat. “Today itself, eighty applications were received to take Zhang Chengling under their care. These are people who have money and live in a flat bigger than one bedroom.” Zishu says as he pulls out an envelope from his suit jacket and hands it to Kexing.
“Since Chengling is the son of Zhang Yusen, there is not any real fight in who gets what, which is why people are trying to get him for themselves so they have a better chance at getting the Zhangs’ fortune,” Zishu says.
Kexing hums but soon goes stiff in surprise on seeing a particular person’s name on the list, “Gao Chong has applied? Zishu, Chengling is not safe with any of these people!” Kexing sits down next to the man and puts his head in his hands.
“I can take him with me.” Zishu says, “I am distantly related to him.” He immediately feels Kexing freeze next to him before the man turns his head to look at Zishu.
“How are you related to him? Do you have any connection with the five lake alliances?”
“His mother was my father’s cousin. Which makes him my second cousin. I have no connection to the five lake alliances.” Zishu says and then leans in closer to Kexing, watching the man’s eyes for any emotion. “Why do you hate the five lake alliances so much?”
A flicker of emotion passes Kexing’s face before the man looks away from Zishu. “That’s good to hear,” he says with a small smile, “So are you going to collect him tomorrow?”
Zishu huffs in displeasure when his question is ignored by Kexing, “Yes, but I want to make a deal with you.” At Kexing’s raised brow, Zishu continues, “I get him to stay with me, but I don’t know the first thing about raising a kid, I need you to take care of him. I will pay for everything, but you have to care for him. Okay?”
“Why me?” Kexing asks, surprised at the man’s demands. “Do you see anyone else lining up in the interest of the boy? Plus the only reason I am taking him with me is so that you stop throwing tantrums when you please.” Zishu says nonchalantly.
Kexing’s mouth opens and closes a couple of times before he says with a grin on his face, “I knew it, a beauty like you has to be soft-hearted and caring.”
“Who is soft-hearted?” Zishu swats the man lightly on his arms before standing up. “I should get going. Take your time coming to the office tomorrow. We will go collect Chengling in the second half.”
“Zishu,” Kexing calls the man before he leaves. Zishu turns around with a small smile on his face. “Hmm?”
“Thank you,” Kexing replies with sincerity. Zishu nods at him and walks away, closing the door behind him.