Is stupidity contagious too?

They had parted on bad terms in the small hours, and before they knew it, the next day had arrived.

At seven in the morning, four familiar figures appeared right on time on the rubber running track around the garden.

The poor souls stuck with eight o'clock starts opened the livestream and were immediately amused.

[Wait, they argued until two in the morning last night and still managed to crawl out of bed to run laps? Are they wound up like clockwork?]

[Seeing Top Alphas working this hard suddenly makes being a wage slave feel less miserable.]

[LMAO, they get hundreds of millions for their hard work. What do you get? Three thousand a month?]

[Stop, (: claps hands tightly over mouth. Reality is too cruel. I want to cry!]

[Why isn't Qin Yufan at morning exercise today? Did he get roasted so badly he's afraid to come out?]

Qin Yufan had debuted late to begin with. Although his Top Omega halo had given him an existing fan base, the winds of the entertainment industry shifted incredibly fast.

A diehard fan today could turn into a casual observer tomorrow.

A casual observer tomorrow could mutate into a keyboard warrior the day after, waving a banner and firing off abuse.

And that went double for a beloved ideal like Qin Yufan, who had started showing off his manipulative innocent act before he had even established a foothold in the industry.

Naturally, he fell into obscurity even faster.

Gradually, fewer and fewer comments in the live chat spoke up for him. Most were sneering and sarcastic.

Qin Yufan himself was no fool. When he logged into Weibo last night and saw the flood of abuse in the comments, he immediately realized something was wrong and decided to change tactics-

Since they all wanted to keep Assistant Chen, why not get on good terms with him?

If he married into the Luo Family, he would have someone to look out for him,

and win Old Luo's favor along the way.

With so many benefits in one move, Qin Yufan stopped obsessing over driving him away. He washed up early, then went to Chen Bei's room and knocked and knocked.

"Assistant Chen, are you awake?"

"If you are, let's take a walk in the garden."

"The morning air is especially fresh."

"Assistant Chen-"

The door opened from inside, revealing a cool, world-weary face.

Qin Yufan froze.

He knew Assistant Chen was good-looking, but he had never expected him to be so distinctively beautiful without his black-rimmed glasses, like a lotus gently swaying as the breeze rippled the lake, washed clean yet free of gaudiness...

"Is something seriously wrong with you?"

The crisp rebuke snapped Qin Yufan out of his daze. "Huh?"

"Do we look close enough to stroll around the garden together?"

"I really wish I were a gardener so I could plant some fucking self-awareness in you."

Chen Bei turned and shut the door, his last words drifting through the gap.

"Fucking bad luck first thing in the morning."

Qin Yufan had not managed to get a single word in. His face went livid with anger, and it took him a full minute to react. Turning, he vented his anger on the cameraman. "With manners like that, what's there to film? Get lost!"

[Ooh, someone's lashing out in embarrassment!]

[Assistant Chen didn't say anything wrong. What kind of relationship do you have with him that you'd go strolling in the garden together?]

[He's obviously cranky from being woken up. Who likes being disturbed when they're sleeping soundly?]

[You didn't even call before coming, just started pounding on his door? Ever heard of boundaries?]

[...]

The four young masters grew increasingly distracted as they ran, frequently glancing toward the first-floor balcony.

Normally, they would have finished by now and gone back inside to shower and get ready to eat,

but today, contrary to their usual behavior, they refused to leave.

After another lap, Luo Ming could not resist checking his watch, silently muttering to himself. It's past his wake-up time. Why hasn't Assistant Chen appeared yet?

Did he oversleep?

Well, that made sense.

For a petite, physically delicate omega who needed an alpha's wholehearted protection, the occasional beauty sleep was no big deal.

Once I poach him for my department, I'll let him start work in the afternoon every day...

As Luo Ming thought about it, the corners of his mouth curled up involuntarily. He had barely run a few steps past the balcony before turning back.

The other three did the same, in perfect unspoken agreement.

[Are they seriously going to keep running until Assistant Chen shows up?!]

[So the strategy is to focus on the key area and save time and energy?]

[LMAO, he's already gone to breakfast, okay?]

Meng Han pulled back the curtain and saw the four of them running extremely short shuttles. Shock covered his face. "Oh no. Is stupidity contagious too?"

As soon as he said it, he hurriedly covered his mouth. Shit, I forgot about the cameras.

[Haha, little innocent flower, I heard that!]

Chen Bei was leisurely eating the little wontons specially prepared by Aunt Yu, the housekeeper.

Just then, several seething cast members entered the dining room.

"Assistant Chen, why didn't you go stretch on the balcony today?" Luo Chen marched up to Chen Bei with great fanfare. "I'm still waiting for your self-criticism and the corresponding corrective action report!"

Chen Bei did not look up. "What report? Don't think I don't know that stuff affects my performance review."

Luo Chen snapped, "Do you only work for money?"

Chen Bei gave him a smile that did not reach his eyes. "Would it be for you instead?"

Luo Ming, who had also intended to question him, burst out laughing. "Pfft-"

Luo Chen glared at him and opened his mouth to curse, but Chen Bei had already stood up. "I'm done. Carry on. You have three minutes to finish eating, then meet in the living room."

"Three minutes? Are you insane?" Luo Chen shot back.

Chen Bei glanced back, lifting his eyelids. "What, President Chen can't meet the efficiency standards he demands himself?"

Luo Chen was speechless. Fine, fine, fine. So this is where you were waiting to catch me out?

Luo Ming sat down. "That's why you should always leave some leeway, big brother. Look at me. I usually give him one working day."

Luo Chen was speechless. Fine, fine, fine. You're not even in the same department yet, and you're already joining forces as a pair of assholes?

After Chen Bei left, Qin Yufan slowly settled into a chair. Finish in three minutes? How is that possible? Only an idiot would let Assistant Chen order him around, right?

Yet the moment he picked up his chopsticks, he saw the four young masters wolfing down their food like a whirlwind.

"I'm done."

"Me too!"

"Shall we go?"

"Stop shoving me!"

And so, before Qin Yufan's dumbfounded eyes, the figures opposite him swiftly departed. "Holy shit, even trained dogs aren't that quick, are they?"

He could not help marveling aloud.

Once they reached the living room, they waited a little longer for the guest participants.

Only then were the new day's tasks officially announced. Holding a megaphone, Chen Bei spoke at an unhurried pace. "Once yesterday's last-place finisher completes all his punishments, we'll begin the opening of today's task..."

"I know." Old Luo Third raised his hand to interrupt. "It's just horse racing, isn't it? We don't need to warm up. Why bother with an opening? Let's just race."

He often attended horse-racing events abroad with his fourth brother,

and was very confident in an event he excelled at.

At the very least, he could secure a top-two finish.

Chen Bei cast him an indifferent glance. "Who told you today's task was horse racing?"

Old Luo Third froze. "Isn't it?"

Chen Bei said, "Your task today is to work as caddies and attend to distinguished guests."

Luo Chen was speechless. Fuck, another day as a wage slave?!

Luo Yu was speechless. He's actually not following the order of Grandpa's autobiography?!

Luo Chenghai was speechless. This man is deeply calculating. He could be useful!

Luo Ming was speechless. Will he favor me today?

Ah, sometimes being too charming is a burden.

Happy Christmas Eve, cuties! Remember to eat an apple!