Suppression!

That morning.

Dong Xuebin sat in the office, secretly downloading a stock quote program from Galaxy Securities and analyzing stocks.

It wasn't as if Dong Xuebin didn't want to make money, but after thinking it over, he still felt stock trading wasn't a viable way to get rich. Setting aside the fact that he had no money, even if he did, the rules of the Shanghai and Shenzhen Stock Exchanges meant that stocks bought that day could not be sold until at least the next trading day—the so-called T+1 rule. Dong Xuebin's BACK could only rewind one minute. During that window, he could ensure a stock would rise, but he had no way of predicting the late-session close or the next day's opening. The risk was simply too great.

Take the Hainan Rubber stock he had picked for Zhou Changchun that day. Yes, it had opened up from its limit-down price and risen quite a bit within a minute, and Director Zhou had been pleased. But near the close, it had fallen again, and the next day it opened slightly lower and kept dropping. In the end, Zhou had barely made any money and had nearly taken a loss.

The only securities that allowed T+0 trading—buying and selling on the same day—were warrants. But now there was only one warrant left: Changhong cwb1. It was like a dead fish, dropping a few points every day, with not even an opportunity for swing trading. So Dong Xuebin could only abandon the idea of making money through stocks and focus on analyzing the market for Zhou Changchun. He could not guarantee that Director Zhou would profit, but at least he could make him happy in the moment. That would also bring Dong Xuebin much closer to his superior.

Dong Xuebin, Dong Xuebin, work hard.

Everything was for a promotion.

"Heh, Binzi, you're pretty early today?"

"Morning, everyone."

"Good morning."

One by one, everyone arrived at the office.

Dong Xuebin greeted his colleagues and quickly shut down the stock program.

Before long, Guo Shunjie arrived last. Seeing dust on the floor, he said, "Didn't we just mop? Why is it dirty again? The sanitation inspectors are coming today." Zhou Changchun had not been feeling well lately and was always late to the General Office, so Guo Panwei had become too lazy to put on a show by doing the cleaning in the mornings. Recently, it had all fallen to Dong Xuebin. With that, Guo Shunjie set his bag on his desk, glanced sideways at Dong Xuebin, and said, "Little Dong, sweep the floor."

Why the hell is it me again?

Dong Xuebin wasn't afraid of work. Compared to the impoverished life he and his mother had lived all these years, what was a little fatigue?

What he couldn't stand was Guo Shunjie's arrogant manner. He couldn't stand taking this kind of abuse.

Guo Shunjie had suppressed him again and again, and Dong Xuebin was nearly driven mad with anger.

But when he thought about how he had only just integrated into the big family of the General Office, how a newcomer really shouldn't oppose an old hand with powerful backing, Dong Xuebin gritted his teeth and endured it. Rolling up his sleeves, he strode to the back of the door, grabbed a broom, and began sweeping. He could tell that Guo Shunjie had found him increasingly unpleasant these past two days. He could roughly guess why: he had just arrived at the office but had stolen the old hand's thunder, solving a difficult problem Guo Shunjie couldn't handle. Guo Shunjie was probably jealous.

Chang Juan and Guo Panwei pretended not to see it.

Tan Limei and Zhuangzi could not bear to watch any longer. They got up and picked up cleaning tools to help Dong Xuebin.

Guo Shunjie looked at the three of them, curled his lip, and began browsing forums and chatting online.

Dong Xuebin was truly exhausted today. He bent down to sweep the corner by the wall, and his lower back started aching. It couldn't be helped. Over the past few days, he had not only needed to keep the office clean and complete his own work, but even the drafts Guo Shunjie was supposed to type had all been pushed onto him. He barely had a moment to rest.

"Binzi, go take a break. I've got this," Zhuangzi said honestly.

Dong Xuebin lowered the hand rubbing his waist and forced a smile. "I'm not tired. Thanks."

Tan Limei secretly jerked her chin toward Guo Shunjie and whispered, "He just can't stand seeing other people do well." Tanzi had a big mouth and dared to say anything, but that didn't mean she had no sense of propriety. She was angry at Guo Shunjie's bossy attitude toward Dong Xuebin, but she could not say too much openly.

Guo Shunjie had enough seniority, and he also had connections in the bureau. If they could avoid offending him, no one wanted to offend him.

Ten minutes later, Dong Xuebin finally finished the work. Panting, he sat down in his office chair and prepared to type up a draft he had not finished yesterday.

But before he could even catch his breath, Guo Shunjie, who had gone to the water dispenser and poured himself a cup, pointed at the empty water jug. "We're out of water. Little Dong, go bring back a jug." Guo Shunjie was very dissatisfied with the way Dong Xuebin had looked like he wanted to glare him down earlier. His father had a close relationship with the political commissar, and even Director Li Qing and Zhou Changchun treated him politely. What gave Dong Xuebin the right?

Dong Xuebin immediately flared up. "Bring water?" Ignoring you only makes you push it further, doesn't it?

Guo Shunjie looked at him coldly. "Yes."

Lao Yan felt Guo Shunjie had gone too far. Frowning, he put down his newspaper. "Little Dong is tired too. Call Lao Wang from sanitation. Doesn't he bring it over every time?" Lao Yan had offended leaders two ranks higher than the political commissar, so he was not afraid of offending a few more people.

Guo Shunjie did not even turn around to look at Lao Yan. "Lao Wang is busy cleaning at this hour. How would he have time to come over?"

Dong Xuebin said, "You know he's busy without even calling him?"

"What?" Guo Shunjie glared at him. "What's so hard about asking you to carry a jug of water? I can't order you around anymore? Do you understand the rules, kid? These are jobs newcomers are supposed to do. What, you expect Pan Wei, Lao Yan, or me to carry it instead?"

Chang Juan tried to smooth things over. "Director Zhou should be here soon. Let's all say less."

Tan Limei shot Guo Shunjie a disgusted look. "By the way, you have the documents Director Li Qing asked for, right? I ran into Director Li this morning, and he said to get them to him as soon as possible."

Guo Shunjie gave a noncommittal hum and pulled a Kraft Paper Bag from his desk. Then he turned to Dong Xuebin with a dark expression. "I refuse to believe I can't order you around. No one is allowed to help him. Let him carry it himself." As he brushed past Dong Xuebin, Guo Shunjie said viciously in a low voice, "If the water hasn't been changed by the time I get back, just you wait."

"I'm waiting." Dong Xuebin had completely reached the end of his patience. With a cold laugh, he said, "I'm not changing the damn water today. What are you going to do, bite me?"

Guo Shunjie laughed in extreme anger. "Fine. Try it if you've got the guts."

With a bang, Guo Shunjie slammed the office door shut as he went out to deliver the documents.

The tense atmosphere paused for a moment. Just as Tan Limei and the others were about to say something, the door opened again.

"Hm? What's wrong with everyone?" Zhou Changchun came in for work, a briefcase tucked under his arm.

Chang Juan hurriedly said, "Nothing, nothing. Good morning, Director Zhou."

Zhou Changchun nodded. He was just about to turn toward his private office when he remembered something. "Right, Little Dong, come to my office."