Every Dirty Trick He Had Was Used on Him

How was someone stuck on an iron gate supposed to save himself?

The problem was that he was half-crouching on top of it, unable to sit down or get down.

He wanted to pull out his phone and call the police, but he dared not let go because he had to keep his balance.

In short, he was miserable.

"Lars!!!"

His final cry for help was piercing and desolate!

Had he been reborn yet again just to die another ridiculous death?

Wasn't that a little too tragic?

Yan Ningke wanted to cry.

Who could possibly have it worse than him?

Two lives, both ending in undeserved deaths.

"Woof!"

A heavenly sound descended from above.

Yan Ningke could hardly believe his ears.

"Woof, woof!"

He followed the sound and looked down.

Beside his newly purchased ride stood a man in a wheelchair and a dog with its tongue hanging out.

The atmosphere was deathly quiet.

Shao Ke wound the leash in his hand around twice, his tone cool. "What are you doing?"

"Woof!"

Poop scooper, what are you playing? Why didn't you bring me along?

Under their piercing gazes, Yan Ningke's face flushed scarlet. "Haha, I just wanted to smell the fresh air up here."

The man and dog watched him in silence.

"Fine, I was just testing whether this gate was burglarproof enough!"

Shao Ke and Lars: "..."

The instant his feet touched the ground, Yan Ningke nearly cried.

People really had to keep their feet on the ground and enter one step at a time. Shortcuts just wouldn't do.

He watched the driver, who had delivered the groceries and brought him a ladder in passing, drive away.

Turning around, he saw Shao Ke take off Lars's collar and let the dog go drink some water before wheeling himself back.

Yan Ningke eagerly sidled up to him. "Mr. Shao, I've just tested it for you. The iron gate's security still needs improvement!"

Any thief with a little skill could definitely climb over it.

"Do you think everyone is like you?"

Yan Ningke was baffled. What did he mean?

Shao Ke let go, allowing him to push him inside. "There are eighteen cameras throughout the villa, covering every angle, and the security system is linked to my phone."

Yan Ningke stared at the whorl of hair on his crown and fell silent for a few seconds.

"So you're saying you already received an alert when I was climbing the gate?"

Shao Ke gave a soft laugh laden with mockery.

Yan Ningke really wanted to tip his wheelchair over.

What are you so proud of? Does being rich make you so special?

"Have you got the money ready?"

Yan Ningke walked around to face him and asked in confusion, "What money?"

Shao Ke tapped his thigh lightly with his fingers, his voice languid. "The penalty for breaching the contract."

"Huh?"

The corners of Shao Ke's lips curved upward. "You didn't come back yesterday as agreed. I thought you were planning to terminate the contract unilaterally."

Yan Ningke hurriedly denied it. "Of course not! Something came up yesterday, and I didn't have your contact details, so I had no choice but to act first and tell you afterward! Don't worry, I absolutely have no intention of terminating the contract!"

Anything was negotiable as long as money wasn't involved!

Doubt lingered in Shao Ke's eyes. "Really?"

Yan Ningke nodded firmly. "That's exactly right!"

"In that case, shouldn't we discuss your absence from work?"

Huh?

Yan Ningke spoke cautiously. "Mr. Shao, please believe me. I really didn't mean to!"

I did it on purpose.

Shao Ke smiled and quietly watched his performance.

"Do you know why I'm so untroubled even though I didn't report to you?"

Yan Ningke crouched on the floor, his eyes brimming with sincerity. "Because I know a big boss like you is broad-minded and sees the bigger picture, with a heart generous enough to hold anything. You'd never hold something against a small fry like me, right?"

"I promise! This is the last time, and the only time! From now on, I'll work hard, fulfill my duties, toil without complaint, and devote myself to your service until my dying breath..."

If he hadn't personally watched Yan Ningke return to his apartment without hesitation last night, Shao Ke would have believed him.

"A five-thousand fine."

WHAT!!!

Yan Ningke let out a piercing shriek!

What kind of heartless, unscrupulous boss was this!

Did the pricing bureau approve those rates!?

As though reading his mind, Shao Ke lowered his head, opened his phone, and enlarged the final clause of the contract.

Yan Ningke leaned closer for a look, and his vision went dark again.

"Shao Ke reserves the right of final interpretation."

A crooked business! He was going to report it!

Shao Ke watched in satisfaction as he slumped on the floor with lifeless eyes. "Oh, by the way, your negligence last night prevented Lars from going to the bathroom in time, damaging his gastrointestinal health. You'll be fully responsible for all subsequent treatment and recovery."

At that moment, the ugly face of a capitalist was laid completely bare.

Yan Ningke pressed the spot above his upper lip and pointed a trembling hand at him. "You're so heartless!"

Shao Ke neither agreed nor disagreed. "The doctor already came this morning. The medical expenses will be deducted from your wages. Any excess will be refunded, and you'll make up any shortfall."

Yan Ningke had lost all desire to live.

His happiness that morning had vanished without a trace.

To think he'd worried that this man had died at home and resolutely climbed the gate to save him, disregarding his own safety.

Yet this man had treated him like some foreigner to be messed with.

Every dirty trick he had was used on him.

Leaving him there in disarray, Shao Ke wheeled himself into the elevator.

As he watched the man sitting on the floor, beating his chest and stamping his feet, an unguarded hint of amusement spilled into his eyes.

Although he resented this capitalist's exploitation of him.

The work still had to be done.

The instincts of a beast of burden were carved into his bones. Once he took the money, he had to work.

After gathering himself, Yan Ningke first went to the yard to have a chat with Lars.

The medical expenses had already been deducted, so that practically made the dog his.

Thinking of it that way made Lars look much more agreeable.

"Are you feeling unwell?"

Lars wagged his tail. "Woof!"

I held my poop in all day. What do you think?

Hearing the indignation in his voice, Yan Ningke quickly rubbed his head. "Don't be angry, don't be angry. I was wrong. I promise I'll treat you well from now on!"

The man and dog soon made up.

Yan Ningke even went to the kitchen for a box of imported blueberries to share with Lars.

"You have to eat something nice when you're sick!"

He didn't know where he'd heard those words, but Yan Ningke had always kept them in mind.

On the few occasions when he had fallen ill, he would always use that excuse to let himself eat something nice.

Perhaps it was psychological comfort, but after eating something delicious, he felt halfway recovered.

So he cared for the dog the same way he cared for himself.

He prepared Lars's lunch first before going to feed his employer.

His rosy view of Shao Ke had yet to recover, so he made a simple seafood noodle soup and a cold side dish.

Though he called it simple, it wasn't that simple. The noodles were hand-rolled, giving them a chewier texture.

Shao Ke sat at the table, looked at the lavish noodle soup placed before him, then raised his eyes and spotted the problem with a glance.

"Are we short on shrimp today?"

Yan Ningke swallowed the noodles in his mouth. "No, there's more in the fridge."

Shao Ke picked up his spoon and took a sip of soup. "Why aren't there any in your bowl?"

"I'm allergic to shrimp."

Aside from shrimp, Yan Ningke could eat all other seafood without any problems.

Upon hearing that answer, Shao Ke looked steadily at him.

Then he lowered his eyes again without betraying anything.

Yan Ningke, engrossed in eating, noticed nothing.