Volume One: High School Days Chapter 082: Choosing a Ride

"Director Liu, you wanted to see me?" The HR Director asked as she pushed open the door, then, noticing Ren Xiadong sitting nearby, quickly added, "President Ren, you're here too."

"How long have you been with the company?" Liu Sheng asked her directly.

"Ten years," the HR Director answered at once. "I've been in this position for five years."

Liu Sheng nodded with satisfaction and gestured for her to sit. Once she was seated across from him, he continued, "That means you know our company's personnel matters inside and out. I have two tasks for you—are you willing to take them on?"

"Whatever you assign, as an employee, I won't refuse. Please go ahead."

"Good." Liu Sheng's tone grew stern. "First, I want you to fill all our current vacancies as quickly as possible. There are too many open positions right now. To avoid unnecessary losses for the company, you need to act fast."

The HR Director replied without hesitation, "Don't worry, Director Liu. I'll have it done in the shortest time possible. And honestly, you needn't worry—even without those vice presidents and executives, we won't suffer losses. In fact, our returns will probably improve."

"Why is that?" Ren Xiadong interjected.

Liu Sheng replied coolly, "Greed."

"That's Director Liu for you—sharp as ever! And what's the second task?" the HR Director asked.

Liu Sheng lit a cigarette before speaking. "I just realized I don't know your name. Could you introduce yourself?"

"My name is Zhou Jin, thirty-two years old. I joined Myer—no, the Li Yao World Film Company—when I was twenty-two, so it's been ten years now. I'm currently—"

Liu Sheng interrupted her mid-sentence. "That professional habit of yours shows you're conscientious about your work. I only wanted to know your name."

Zhou Jin smiled, saying nothing more, waiting for Liu Sheng to reveal her second task.

Snuffing out his cigarette, Liu Sheng continued, "Of the vice presidents I just dismissed, who had the most power?"

"Director Wang," Zhou Jin answered. "He was essentially the company's second-in-command. Director Liu rarely made decisions; Wang handled almost everything and owned five percent of the company's shares."

"Do all the people I let go have shares in the company?" Liu Sheng asked.

Zhou Jin nodded. "Yes, to varying degrees."

"Alright. When their replacements are in place, make sure the new hires receive the same shares—not one percent less." Liu Sheng paused, then added, "Consider your self-introduction an interview. I'm formally notifying you: you've passed. From now on, you'll take over Director Wang's position. Whatever salary he was drawing, that's what you'll get."

Zhou Jin's eyes widened, and she covered her mouth with both hands, struggling not to gasp out loud. After a long moment, she finally managed, "How could such good fortune just fall from the sky—straight into my lap!"

"Don't celebrate too soon; you'll be working hard. I still haven't finished my studies, so you'll be overseeing everything from now on," Liu Sheng said, intending to leave.

But Zhou Jin spoke up, "Director Liu, rest assured. Since you trust me with this responsibility, I won't let you down."

Liu Sheng, already at the door, turned back at her words. "I trust you because of your character. Since I came here, you're the only one who hasn't made things difficult for me. And keep an eye on that Secretary Ruan."

After Liu Sheng and Ren Xiadong walked out of the building, Liu Sheng could no longer contain his excitement. Clenching his fists and gritting his teeth, he exclaimed, "Damn! This is the thrill of power! No matter who they are, however impressive, here they have to listen to me!"

That evening, Liu Sheng and Ren Xiadong moved into the villa gifted to them by Old Master Hu. The city was surrounded by mountains, and even the streets were arranged by elevation. If you asked for directions, people might say, "The road you're looking for is the lower one."

Their new home was in a gated villa community renowned for its greenery and management—one of the city’s best. Their neighbors were all prominent figures.

Inside, Ren Xiadong announced, "I'm taking the entire second floor. It's mine!"

The villa had three floors and came with a chef and two housekeepers. The first floor was for the staff, the second floor was Ren Xiadong’s domain, so Liu Sheng had to settle for the third.

Both were deeply satisfied with their new home—not just for its luxury or tranquility, but because it had everything they could need.

The next morning, Liu Sheng put on a thick coat and left with Ren Xiadong. They were excited, as today they would be picking out their new cars. Given their current status, relying on taxis was out of the question.

Neither knew much about cars, but both wanted something impressive, so they entered the Audi dealership full of anticipation.

However, looking like students, they didn’t seem like serious buyers, so even after wandering for a while, not a single staff member approached them.

Having seen Chief Zhu’s A6 before, Liu Sheng circled around the A6, inspecting it closely. A staff member was wiping down the car but paid Liu Sheng no mind.

"Why is everyone here so arrogant?" Ren Xiadong complained.

Liu Sheng, still focused on the A6, replied, "Maybe they don't think you can afford it."

Ren Xiadong bristled at this, shouting, "I'm buying a car!"

Yet even after this declaration, no staff paid them any attention. Liu Sheng opened the A6’s door, which prompted the staff member cleaning it to snap, "What are you doing? If you scratch it, you won’t be able to afford the repair!"

Liu Sheng smiled, "I just want to take a look. Could you tell me about the car’s features? If you could—"

Before he could finish, the staff member sneered, "I only explain things to my customers. Talking to you is a waste of my time and breath. If you really want a rundown, put down twenty thousand as a deposit."

Liu Sheng and Ren Xiadong said nothing. They genuinely wanted to buy a car and didn’t want to waste time arguing with such a petty man.

Liu Sheng slid into the driver’s seat, accidentally honking the horn. The staff member yanked him out and said, "Are you buying or not? If so, pay up—if not, don’t touch anything! Do you have any idea how much repairs cost? You probably can’t even afford a pair of side mirrors!"

Normally, Ren Xiadong would have had something to say, but this time she was silent—she had been captivated by a sports car in the showroom: the R8.

It was cordoned off, but Ren Xiadong jumped over the barrier and shouted to Liu Sheng, "I want this one!"

Seeing her jump inside, all the staff hurried over, exclaiming, "Get out of there! Can't you read the sign? Do you know how much that car costs?"

Ren Xiadong glanced at the sign: “R8: Display Only, Do Not Enter.”

“Only for display? Is it a model?” she asked, puzzled.

“It’s a real car. You need to get out! Even we can’t go in, let alone you. Come on out!” a staff member urged.

Liu Sheng walked over. "If you like it, try it—see if it’s comfortable."

But the door wouldn’t open without keys. Ren Xiadong looked at Liu Sheng, who then asked the staff, "Where are the keys? We want a test drive."

They ignored him, instead jumping over to drag Ren Xiadong out. "Just leave! Stop making trouble!" they said, pushing the pair toward the exit.

But Liu Sheng and Ren Xiadong stood their ground—Liu Sheng wanted the A6, and Ren Xiadong only had eyes for the R8. Exasperated, Liu Sheng declared, "We’re really buying these cars!"

"Quit pretending," the staff scoffed. "That A6 costs over half a million, and the R8 is more than two million! Get lost. If you were looking at an A4 or something, maybe I’d believe you, but the R8? If I believed you, I’d have to be brain-dead!"

With no other option, Liu Sheng pulled out a card and shouted at the staff member shoving him, "I have money! I’ll pay for both cars in full!"

The staff member was briefly stunned, then sneered, "Yeah right. Who knows if there’s any money on that card?"

"That’s not important. What matters is I’m buying today, but I want a full explanation of both cars’ features first!"

The staff took it as a joke, convinced Liu Sheng was just wasting his time. "Pay first, or I’m not telling you anything!"

"Who pays before knowing what they’re buying? Do your job and I’ll buy. Why should I pay when I don’t know anything?"

At that moment, a young salesman approached and said to his senior, "Let me explain things to them."

"Are you out of your mind? How many times have I told you—you have to judge who can afford what. Don’t waste time on nobodies!" the senior retorted.

"Give me a chance, Master, just for practice," the young man pleaded.

The senior walked away, muttering, "Fine, you’ll learn the hard way if you don’t listen!"

Once his mentor left, the young salesman apologized, "Sorry for my supervisor’s attitude. I’ve only been here a week, so if I make any mistakes, please forgive me."

"That’s the right way to talk. Let’s begin," Liu Sheng replied.

Under the mocking stares of his colleagues, the young salesman began his explanation. He made several mistakes, but Liu Sheng didn’t criticize—after all, everyone starts somewhere.

When the explanation was over, Liu Sheng said, "You’re excellent. You’ll surpass your mentor one day."

His mentor overheard and snorted.

Liu Sheng continued, "A newcomer needs confidence. That’s important. Today, I’ll give you some encouragement—I'll take both cars. We’ll drive them away today."

The young salesman was incredulous. Liu Sheng, seeing his hesitation, asked, "Stunned by money?"

The young man stammered, "Aren’t you going to bargain?"

Liu Sheng shook his head.

"I’ll give you the best discount I can," the young man said.

As Liu Sheng entered his payment, every staff member stared. When the password went through, the cashier said, "Congratulations, gentlemen, on your new cars."

Suddenly, the staff burst into regretful exclamations: "Why didn’t I greet them when they came in?" "Me neither! I could kick myself!"

The young salesman’s mentor looked sour, as if he’d lost a fortune.

After some tea, the young salesman brought over the contracts and keys. "Everything’s ready—you can drive away now. Any other questions?"

"No, you’re outstanding," Liu Sheng replied, and the two each drove their new cars out of the dealership.

The R8 was a sports car and quickly left Liu Sheng far behind. He watched Ren Xiadong disappear into the distance with a smile, unaware that as he left, a car pulled out behind him and began to follow.