Chapter Thirty-Four: None of My Business

After returning home, Yang Jiekai was just about to share his news with his wife, but found only Wang Ma in the house. From her, he learned that Han Ning and Han Wei had urgent business in another city and wouldn't be back until tomorrow afternoon.

Still, Wang Ma was overjoyed when she heard that Yang Jiekai had found a job. She looked him up and down repeatedly, making him rather self-conscious. "It's just a job," he thought, "why does she act as if I've returned home in glory?"

"Wang Ma, it's just a security guard position," he confessed, scratching the back of his head awkwardly. Seeing her so delighted, she probably thought he’d landed some multi-million-yuan CEO role.

Wang Ma beamed at him and said, "I know, and still, it’s wonderful that you managed to find this kind of work." Her words were full of genuine excitement.

Yang Jiekai couldn’t help but feel a little pang in his heart—so in her eyes, was he really that hopeless?

Sensing his feelings, Wang Ma chuckled, "Son-in-law, I don’t mean that being a security guard is a bad job. I’m truly happy for you. I believe it’s not how much a man earns that matters most, but that he doesn’t idle his life away doing nothing. I used to worry that Xiao Ning married a lazy man drifting through life, but today, seeing you have a job, I know you’re not that kind of person. I’m glad for her, and for you. There’s nothing shameful about being a security guard. As long as you work hard, earn an honest living, and take responsibility for your family, you’re a real man in my eyes!"

A warm smile spread across Yang Jiekai’s face. Looking at this weathered old woman, he felt a rare tenderness rise within him. Many people spend their entire lives unable to grasp such simple yet genuine truths, losing themselves in the pursuit of money and neglecting what truly matters—only to end up with less understanding than this elderly lady.

It doesn’t matter how much you earn. Working diligently, feeding yourself with your own labor, and taking responsibility for your family, that’s what makes a real man!

To celebrate his new job, Wang Ma made several extra meat dishes in the kitchen. Yang Jiekai’s spirits soared, and so did his appetite—he didn’t stop until he was stuffed.

That night, Yang Jiekai slept especially well. He had a faint sense that this simple, steady life was exactly what he’d always hoped for. If only it could last, he thought. If only fate would stop playing tricks on him.

The next morning, Yang Jiekai arrived at the company’s Human Resources Department in high spirits and on time. After a brief onboarding process, he changed into a brand-new security uniform and officially started his job!

The HR staff gave him a quick rundown of his duties, which Yang Jiekai found entirely satisfactory. The responsibilities matched his expectations: though he’d have to work the night shift from time to time, the tasks were straightforward—patrolling the premises, registering visitors and vehicles. Nothing mentally taxing, no messy office politics.

Silk Petal Trading Group was a company specializing in the production and sales of women’s products. In Anhai City, it was neither especially large nor small—solidly medium-sized. Still, achieving that scale in such a prosperous city was no small feat. The company’s offices occupied an entire high-rise, its golden-lettered name gleaming on the glass facade.

Standing at the entrance, Yang Jiekai gazed up at the elegantly decorated building and felt a surge of pride. He too was now part of the workforce—a man earning a living for his wife and family. He was so moved, he nearly burst into verse to express his feelings.

“Hey there, you must be the new guy HR mentioned yesterday!”

A voice snapped him back to reality. He turned to see three men in security uniforms. The one who’d spoken was a fair-skinned, scholarly-looking young man, his almond-shaped eyes so striking that “handsome” seemed the only word to describe him.

Yang Jiekai nodded. “My name is Yang Jiekai. I’ll be relying on you gentlemen for guidance.”

“Enough of that!” The man with the striking eyes waved him off. “No need for pleasantries—got any smokes?”

Yang Jiekai smiled, unfazed by the interruption. In fact, he rather liked this directness.

“I usually smoke these,” he said, pulling out a pack of cheap, unfiltered cigarettes and offering them around.

“Well, Old Stick, looks like this kid shares your taste for unfiltered cigarettes,” said the man with the striking eyes, turning to a swarthy, square-faced man.

Old Stick took a cigarette and grinned. “Unfiltered’s got a kick—feels right.”

“What’s right about it? It’s harsh as hell. A Zhonghua would be real comfort,” muttered the man next to Old Stick, yet he still lit up.

The almond-eyed man laughed. “Come on, Gongsun, be glad you even have cigarettes. Better than your usual butts, isn’t it?”

“Says you! You’re the one always smoking leftovers,” Gongsun shot back.

Yang Jiekai enjoyed the banter. Unlike those self-important types who spouted empty, sanctimonious words, these men were blunt and genuine.

“Gongsun? That’s a fine surname!” Yang Jiekai looked the man over and couldn’t help but smile.

The name Gongsun often conjured images of rich heirs or handsome young men, but the owner here was nothing of the sort—barely one-sixty tall, stocky, with a weather-beaten, reddish face bristling with stubble, he looked more like a rough-hewn farmer.

Hearing his name praised, the almond-eyed man gave a knowing smile. “Gongsun, why don’t you introduce yourself to our new colleague?”

Gongsun shot him a glare, then grinned at Yang Jiekai. “Just call me Gongsun.”

“I’m Qin Feng,” said the almond-eyed man. He pointed at Old Stick and Gongsun, then at himself. “No need to be too formal—we’re all about the same age here.” Nodding at Old Stick, he added, “He’s Old Stick, our team leader. Call him ‘Team Leader’ in front of management, but just ‘Old Stick’ the rest of the time. He looks older than he is—he’s our age.”

“Nice to meet you, Team Leader,” Yang Jiekai greeted politely.

Old Stick leaned against the wall, puffing away, and gave a noncommittal grunt through his nose.

Qin Feng noticed Yang Jiekai’s slight frown and laughed. “Don’t take it to heart. He’s like that with everyone. You’ll get used to it.”

Yang Jiekai just smiled, unbothered by Old Stick’s brusqueness.

After chatting for a while, Yang Jiekai got a feel for their personalities. Qin Feng was the outgoing type, always talking, easily befriending everyone, and with those almond eyes and smooth looks, he often exchanged glances with the company’s female staff. Old Stick was a man of few words, always with a stern face, slow to warm up to people, and unhurried in all things. Gongsun was the quintessential “everyman”—stingy, from a remote mountain area, so frugal he’d smoke a cigarette in two sittings.

“All right, time to work!” Old Stick flicked away his cigarette and spoke in his deep voice, finally prompting everyone to lazily begin their day’s tasks.

Their job was simple: register visitors and vehicles during their shifts, and patrol the premises. That day, it was Yang Jiekai’s team’s turn to patrol. After Old Stick gave his routine instructions, everyone split up to circle the building.

Yang Jiekai’s looks were average—he could easily vanish in a crowd—but his lean frame made him a natural clothes hanger. In uniform, he cut a striking figure, and the poise honed from years in the military lent him an air that drew a few extra glances from the young women during his rounds.

“Good morning, ladies!” Yang Jiekai greeted the passing women with a warm smile. As the applicants had said, the company was full of young female staff—most of them fashionable and well-groomed, perhaps due to their profession. It was the height of summer, and everywhere he looked were long, shapely legs in dark or sheer stockings, dazzling his eyes.

“Good morning, handsome,” some replied with equal warmth. Salespeople tended to be outgoing, and Yang Jiekai’s crisp uniform and energetic demeanor made him especially approachable.

“This is the life!” Walking amid a sea of beautiful women, inhaling their fragrant scent, Yang Jiekai felt that life was truly blissful.

After a circuit, he returned to the main entrance and noticed a change in the mood. The women, who’d been smiling moments ago, were now suddenly serious. What had happened?

Puzzled, Yang Jiekai looked around and his eyes lit up at what he saw.

“Well, I’ll be—didn’t expect to see such a stunner here!” he muttered, swallowing hard, his gaze fixed.

A woman in a deep black business suit approached, her figure graceful and alluring, heels clicking on the floor, her long legs sheathed in sheer stockings especially captivating.

Yang Jiekai didn’t hesitate to rate her a solid ninety-five out of a hundred!

“Good morning, Assistant Lin!” the women greeted as she passed.

The woman—Assistant Lin—kept her gaze straight ahead, offering no response, her stride brisk and sharp, exuding the perfect aura of a professional office lady.

Yang Jiekai’s eyes followed her as she drew near, catching a faint scent of gardenia as she passed.

“What’s going on here?” Assistant Lin stopped a few steps away, her expression frosty as she eyed a small pile of fruit peels in the corner.

The young women nearby hardly dared to breathe—clearly, Assistant Lin was not someone to cross.

“Let Logistics know to find out whose shift it was today, and dock half a month’s wages!” she said coldly when no one responded. As she turned, she caught sight of Yang Jiekai standing there, smacking his lips.

“You!” She pointed at him and ordered, “Clean up this mess immediately!” Without waiting for a reply, she strode away toward the elevator. But after a few steps, she was halted by a quiet, drawling voice behind her.

“Not my problem!”