A finger to lift your lofty ambitions; climb to the peak on your own lame legs

[The system is making every effort to carry out emergency repairs. Hosts, please remain calm...]

[Since you cannot change it, please enjoy the pinnacle of life your cheat brings you...]

[Finally, we will conclude this announcement with a poem to inspire you all.]

[A finger to lift your lofty ambitions; climb to the peak on your own lame legs. If fate...]

[Apologies, hosts. Too many complaints-no, the signal is too weak. This concludes the announcement.]

Even after the voice in his head disappeared completely, Chen Bei still refused to stop hammering the complaint button.

But the system had no decency whatsoever. It actually withdrew the control panel.

"Motherfucker!"

"Drop dead!"

Chen Bei could not help swearing.

His distraught voice echoed through the bedroom.

He abruptly realized something was wrong, hurriedly covered his mouth, and forced himself to turn around calmly.

Behind him, the CEO's pupils practically shattered. "Special Assistant Chen, were you just... swearing at me?"

Before his confusion could be resolved, however, he saw his usually reserved, composed special assistant, who never let his emotions show, sweep out the door like a whirlwind...

The lead top turned blankly toward the corner. Was what just happened a hallucination?

The lead bottom blinked and turned his face away. What the hell are you looking at? I don't know a damn thing!

Early the next morning, at the old residence on Beijing's outskirts.

Dawn had barely broken when the workers trimming the garden began whispering among themselves.

"Did you hear? Special Assistant Chen gave the young master a dressing-down last night! He really tore into him!"

"How could I not know about something that big? The servants were all stunned. They said they'd never seen Special Assistant Chen act like that!"

"Maybe he couldn't take the young master being so overbearing, domineering, and out of his mind? Several special assistants before him quit, after all..."

"Shh, keep it down. The old master's coming!"

The heads huddled together swiftly drew apart, and the workers continued trimming the branches and leaves with their tools.

"Would you like me to teach them a lesson?" the steward pushing the wheelchair asked quietly, bending down.

"No need." The stern-faced old man waved a hand. "Call Chen over first."

"Sir, although Chen went too far this time..."

The steward could not quite bear it and circled around in front of the old man to plead for him, only to be driven back by a piercing look a moment later. He could only say respectfully, "Yes, I'll contact him right away."

Half an hour later, in the study of the old residence.

The air was filled with agarwood incense and silence.

Chen Bei stood before the desk with his head lowered, his eyes fixed on his toes.

Opposite him sat Luo Zhenhua, the legendary Top Alpha who had started from nothing at twenty and founded the Luo Group, now worth a hundred billion. Even now, he held the reins of power and remained firmly among the top three on the Forbes list.

"Don't you owe me an explanation for what happened yesterday?" Old Luo spoke first, his tone unreadable.

Chen Bei slowly raised his head. His already fair face was now even paler and more drawn, and dark shadows lay beneath eyes that had once sparkled with life, concealed only by his glasses.

He looked exactly like someone who had worked overtime all night and worn himself into the ground.

Old Luo swept a glance over him, then set his teacup on the desk. "Actually..."

"Actually, I wanted to go to the hospital this morning to get a fake medical record saying prolonged work-related stress had caused problems with my language faculties, which was why I started cursing President Luo the moment I opened my mouth. But I didn't get there in time."

Unable to control himself, Chen Bei picked up where he had left off and blurted out the whole thing.

At the same time, he cursed inwardly.

Fuck!

Garbage Truth-Telling System.

Old Luo froze briefly after hearing this, then laughed. "Special Assistant Chen, you really are honest, aren't you?"

Chen Bei sighed. "Old Luo, if you want to fire me, I have no objections, as long as I get N+3 severance. I don't want to go through labor arbitration. It's too much trouble."

"Who said I was going to fire you?" Old Luo raised an eyebrow. "Not only am I not firing you, I'm going to reward you!"

Chen Bei's eyes lit up. There's actually a deal that good?

Old Luo said, "Those grandsons of mine are utterly lawless. Sooner or later, they'll squander the family fortune. I'd feel more at ease with you disciplining them for me."

Chen Bei straightened his back a little.

"Tell them off more often. If any of them dares talk back, come straight to me. I'll back you up. Let's see who dares step out of line."

Chen Bei lifted his head and puffed out his chest fully.

"Stick close to Luo Chen during that livestream variety show in a couple of days. Without you keeping him in check, I'm worried he'll go crazy again."

Chen Bei tilted his head.

What livestream?

He struggled to recall the plot and blurted out, "Could it be... 'Oh My, So This Is What a Rich Young Master Is Really Like'?"

"The show hasn't even been finalized, and you already know? Hiss..." Old Luo narrowed his eyes. "Come to think of it, that's a good title."

He turned to the steward beside him. "Write that down and send it to the supervising producer."

Then he tipped his chin at Chen Bei again. "Go back and get ready."

"Old Luo, I..." Chen Bei looked troubled.

"Your monthly salary will go up to 180k. Go to finance yourself and sign a new contract."

"Yes, sir." Chen Bei obediently stood at attention.

The steward escorted him out of the old residence. Before they parted, he patted Chen Bei's shoulder and said earnestly, "Special Assistant Chen, this has been hard on you."

Chen Bei smiled. "As long as the pay's right, none of it's a problem."

His blunt words startled the steward, but a moment later, he inwardly praised him.

Although the old Special Assistant Chen had been refined, sharp, and capable, his cautious words and actions had always made him feel distant.

Now that he was a little less stiff when he spoke, he actually felt more approachable...

And so the hand on Chen Bei's shoulder patted him with a little more enthusiasm and force. "Special Assistant Chen, keep this up, and you're sure to continue earning the old master's appreciation!"

Chen Bei: Heh, has the world finally gone crazy just the way I wanted?

He had barely stepped through the old residence's flower-covered gates and had yet to find his footing when a Bentley came speeding over, stopping one centimeter from the tips of Chen Bei's shoes.

The window slowly rolled down, revealing an extremely handsome face. "Sorry, Special Assistant Chen. I didn't notice you just now and nearly caused an accident. Good thing you're all right, or I wouldn't know how to explain it to the old man and my big brother."

It sounded like an apology, but mockery lurked beneath it.

This was Old Luo's second grandson, Luo Ming.

He was just as unhinged as his older brother, Luo Chen.

The difference was...

Luo Ming had a bit of a brain and ran his mouth more.

Chen Bei looked utterly sincere. "What a shame you didn't cause an accident. I could've collected a work injury payout and taken paid leave in the hospital."

"Steward Li, I'll be going." He turned back and waved, not intending to prolong the fight.

After all, a working stiff had plenty of thoughts running through his head, and the slightest lapse could let them spill out.

Steward Li nodded. "Take care."

The two said their goodbyes, completely ignoring Luo Ming, who was still sitting stunned inside the Bentley.

Once Chen Bei started walking away, Luo Ming got out and stood beside Steward Li. His unfathomable gaze fell on the raised spot at the nape of a certain omega's neck, and he said teasingly,

"Is that really Special Assistant Chen?"

"Why does that sharp tongue make him seem like a completely different person?"

"I really want a taste of his pheromones."

"See if their flavor's changed too."

Steward Li looked over in confusion. "Have you bitten Special Assistant Chen's gland before?"

"Of course he hasn't." Chen Bei suddenly turned back around. "You actually believe his bullshit?"

Steward Li: "..."

Wasn't this a little too damn approachable and nukely kind?!