They make it through another month of slow, steady progress.
Xiao Lirong is off at night school, the occasional bill from the bursar and excited MMS of high-scoring practice tests the only communication between them. Wei Qing’s happy for him; he’s happier that he’s gone. Call it cowardice. They hire a new (competent) research assistant; Ms. Li is so invigorated that she looks almost ready to kiss Wei Qing before dragging the fresh college graduate away to her planning dungeon– Mr. Zhao hurries after, more composed but with a similarly manic gleam in his eye.
Heh. Seems like they really were being neglected, left with Xiao Lirong and all. They’d been polite enough about it (no use pissing off the boss about his obvious nepotism), but their excitement over having someone with actual experience to slog through their research and ideas… well, it says everything their polite silence hadn’t.
Wei Qing feels a little bad about it, maybe he should give them a raise? Or at least move the espresso machine into the community kitchen… But then someone other than Yue Fei would touch it, and it wouldn’t be theirs anymore. …Eh, the only thing to do is buy a second one and put a bow on it. This way, he’s showing his sincerity and protecting all his little half-imagined intimacies with Yue Fei. What a good compromise, everyone wins! Except maybe the suddenly busy accountants processing all these new expenses.
Wei Qing has this boss stuff in the bag.
—
With the right people hired and fired, and a boss that shows up on a schedule, even if it’s only three days a week, Wei Securities R&D finally starts actually researching. Real things, real innovations, instead of market trends that they never do anything with. At this rate, they might someday even be able to develop something. How unexpected.
And Wei Qing is older now.
Old enough to realize that, for whatever reason, the last thing his brother wants is for him to contribute anything at all to the company that bears their name. But that’s fine. (It’s not, but Wei Qing refuses to constantly spiral, so he pretends it is). He can work in the gaps in his brother’s surveillance. Big contracts and huge pivots require approval from the board and president, which he clearly won’t get, but Wei Qing wouldn’t be much of a department head if he didn’t have any leeway or power. So he just works within that. Finds a crevasse to plant his small dreams in and hopes they sprout.
R&D has a budget and a mandate– to innovate at least enough to keep their offerings from becoming outdated. No one will pay for time clock employee management when they can install RFID gates instead. No one wants to host floors of servers if they can securely outsource to a cloud farm. Over the last three years, Wei Securities R&D has been in survival mode– only doing the bare minimum to keep up with industry standards and retain their old guard clients.
But the young blood has already started to pour away, into other companies with wilder ideas– some that fail, some that succeed, but all of which are at least exciting enough to catch attention in this ADD age. Wei Qing is committed to staunching the bleed if nothing else. And he can do so without Wei Qiwan ever even noticing. Probably?
Logically, President Wei has no reason (or time) to interfere. Micromanaging every sub-million project is too ridiculous even for his petty, megalomaniacal ass. It would be like wanting to track the food waste in the cafeteria or the number of visitor badges that go missing. Sure, those are important things that someone is in charge of– but not President Wei. There are dozens of other departments to oversee, after all. So Wei Qing checks his budget and the org chart and finds those narrow canyons, where he can do his fucking job without an obstructionist idiot looking over his shoulder.
Ms. Li’s been muttering about her robot babies for weeks now; it’s a good place to start.
Nothing too fancy, of course. They must stay under the budgetary radar. But proof of concept combined with a passion project and an assistant who doesn’t know how to say no yet means that she can accomplish quite a lot while billing as if she’s playing with network security settings and data packets, nothing more.
The accounting team will cry if they ever find out, but that’s not Wei Qing’s concern.
He wants to create something so bright and brilliant that Wei Qiwan won’t be able to dim it, no matter how many harsh words he spits out. Wants to accumulate these small victories until there are enough of them that he can build a tower, stand on equal footing, and ask why he’s not good enough.
What he did so wrong, to turn his idol into his biggest detractor; to make him so very easy to wash his hands of.
Probably, there is something unethical about using an entire division to have a pissing contest with his brother. Probably, this is not very adult. But Wei Qing believes that actions matter more than motives, and as long as everyone is happy and doing their job, what do his reasons matter? He’s not such a narcissist, to think that his inner world makes an appreciable difference. He’s not the protagonist, and this isn’t a novel. As far as motives? They aren’t acid; no matter how self-serving his reasons, they won’t corrode the fabric of this place. Certainly not more than his lazy cold war already had.
So he just smiles and nods at the daily ritual that is Li Daiyu prepping their new research assistant using something that could most accurately be described as a mean-spirited game show, complete with riddles to solve and puzzles to unravel and even a talent portion, if you count making the poor girl code a perimeter metric, out loud, with no reference materials.
Well, at least they can be sure she knows the difference between meiosis and mitosis, at least. Not that it should come up unless Li Daiyu makes apocalyptic progress with her little army of drones. Research assistant (and hostage) Wu Fenju attempts to blink out a morse code SOS; Wei Qing gives her a muffin instead. Li Daiyu steals half of it.
(Wu Fenju: I deeply feel capitalism’s malice).
—
Finally, it’s time for Li Daiyu’s first presentation.
We’re sorry for MTLers or people who like using reading mode, but our translations keep getting stolen by aggregators so we’re going to bring back the copy protection. If you need to MTL please retype the gibberish parts.
Which, oddly enough, she schedules for ten PM on a Friday. Wei Qing is confused, but with his Mojavean social calendar, it’s no imposition to attend. Anyway, he’s eager to see what all that chaotic energy has been building up to and to finally get a win that doesn’t involve restraining his libido. Although, given how helpful Ms. Wu had been, even this development might be tangentially tied to his recovery. Whatever, robots are cool, he’s interested.
Pr la jqqgbqgljaf ab yglcu qbqmbgc ab j afmt vfwbcragjalbc?
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“Take a bag if you want one.”
Wei Qing turns and sees Yue Fei standing behind them, a makeshift whiteboard-turned-tray laden with bags of the same store-bought popcorn he was just disdaining. He feels his own cheeks warm… really, how did he wind up with someone so good? In the time it took him to realize that his image was being ruined, Yue Fei had disappeared and fixed it– turned this into a fun departmental bonus instead of a potential sore spot. Hadn’t asked for permission or praise, not like him. Just- saw a problem looming, and addressed it. Just because.
Wei Qing feels his heart go as syrupy as the popcorn that he no longer has to share or hide away. It’s silly and stupid but… He’s always melted at the slightest spoiling. Even if Yue Fei never means it that way. It’s enough that he does it at all. As he said, motives aren’t important. Actions are.
(He won’t ask for more; doesn’t need it).
—
Li Daiyu’s presentation– starts a little strangely. She invites them all to the conference room (everyone showed up, Wei Qing thinks they must have had a staff dinner at some karaoke bar ahead of time, because otherwise, who stays ‘til ten?) But with all the hoopla and popcorn-munching, it’s a little strange, when no PowerPoint starts up, no little scale models are displayed on the table, nothing at all presentational seems to exist.
Wei Qing’s had dreams like this before, but he was in his college lecture hall, and very naked.
He makes a note to check the corporate health plan and see how well it covers mental health treatment. If Li Daiyu has forgotten or hallucinated her entire three-month project, she’ll probably need support coming back from the psychic equivalent of a miscarriage. Lord knows he had.
Still… might as well sit down and look supportive (in between handfuls of popcorn that occasionally, shyly shared with Yue Fei).
Or this could be a kidnapping. There’s also that. It’s been awhile since someone’s tried to kidnap him.
“Thank you all for coming. Now, I’m going to take over this entire office.”
Wait, what?
Li Daiyu gives a little villain laugh that she’s been practicing in the bathroom since Wednesday (Wei Qing hadn’t asked), and takes out her trusted hacktop to disable the powerbanked floor security, while Wu Fenju (who is in a black hoodie and clearly hyperventilating despite having a security guard next to her, assuring her it’s okay) ‘cuts’ main power to the floor.
Sure enough, Floor 17 goes dark, and the backup systems don’t come back on.
“Obviously, we’re a more specialized company; this kind of plan executed against Wei Securities requires at least an inside man to overcome redundancies. But most of our clients can’t or won’t invest like that. And even if they’re interested, if they don’t own their own building, they have limited control of the mainline systems.”
She brandishes a lightsaber and coughs apologetically.
“I asked for a fake gun, but security would only give me this… Anyway, imagine it’s more dramatic than it is. I could certainly seize everything on this floor, or kill people, or whatever, and the average client would have no recourse other than begging the police to check the security cameras of other buildings, or the traffic cameras on the main roads. Not very effective, and a real concern in this world of corporate espionage. With all the data theft, people are starting to return to physical authenticators.”
Wei Qing is intrigued enough that he forgets to eat his snacks; Yue Fei reaches in and steals a handful instead.
“Totally helpless, until now!” Li Daiyu has the power restored, plugs in something that looks like a particularly ugly air freshener, and orders the power cut again. (Wu Fenju is reduced to being led in breathing exercises by the Concerned Security Uncle).
Wei Qing re-commits to checking on the healthcare plan.
This time, as the floor plunges into darkness, a series of whirs and pops echo through the office and a skeletonized Roomba starts circling them. It bumps into a few walls, but it’s doing its best!
Li Daiyu uses a laser light to draw their attention to all the places those whirs and pops had originated. A spike poking out of the potted peace lily by reception, a digital photo frame that is softly glowing, a webcam that has turned on. The Roomba with what looks like a miniature boom mic stuck to its head.
“Small scale, power-independent and client-controlled backup surveillance systems. Like a nanny cam that only activates when the child starts crying, hidden in common office implements. Video, audio, even direct calling to the police, although obviously, we didn’t do that just to demo it.”
Li Daiyu brings the power back up and, since Wu Fenju is busy crying and hugging the Very Paternal Security Uncle, gathers her own misfit robot children for closer examination. The scripted part of the reveal over, she shows more nervousness.
“I know it’s ugly now, but obviously, if we move forward, we’d custom-make parts and streamline it–” She pats the Roomba-that-fucked-a-Furby and assures them that her children aren’t normally this hideous. “But these aren’t even the core idea, though selling peripherals seems to be the way of the market. Really, what we’d be offering is the software and set up for monitoring and reactions that fit the needs and abilities of the client. Surveillance or deterrence, there’s plenty of ways to expand.”
The Little Roomba that Couldn’t cracks a tiny bit; she’s too nervous. Li Daiyu bows, face as red as the streaks in her punk-goth hair.
“Vice President Wei, I know this isn’t the most innovative, but I believe that there is a market and that this fits the perimeters you set. I hope boss is not too disappointed.”
“Disappointed? Why would I be disappointed?” He’s really not. He’s already on board, even though he should probably be a little more withholding– ah, fuck it! “Aren’t the best innovations those that fit seamlessly into our lives? The market, the production costs, the customizability– Ms. Li has exceeded my expectations.” He slightly coughs and tilts his head in order to enter the frame of the video call that was still broadcasting terrified good-girl Wu Fenju. “As has Ms. Wu. Ms. Wu did a very good job in helping with this research, and monitoring our power situation.”
Ms. Wu falls ass-first into a flowerbed. Well, he tried.
He very politely leans back and pretends she didn’t just embarrass herself. It’s the right thing to do.
“Although-” Oh no, Ms. Li has stopped breathing again, better make it quick. “I do hope that we can keep that one around as a mascot, even if his future progeny are a little more stylish. Ms. Xiao, wouldn’t he make a cute sleigh for Santa Cactus come Christmas?”
He points at the death-gripped Roomba, trying to save it from being yeeted into the trash as soon as this meeting is over. What can he say, damaged and imperfect first attempts have a spot in his heart, him seeing his last life as one, and all.
It could be cute in a little vest and with some googly eyes slapped on. He trusts Ms. Xiao’s vision.
—
There are congratulations and calls for drinks butWei Qing restrains himself to more encouragement and a promise that they’ll get into the brass tacks of what a proper, executive-level presentation might look like come Wednesday morning (even such momentum is not enough to make him commit to a full workweek; this is the privilege of the rich). Li Daiyu is still coming off the high of this messy presentation going well and naturally doesn’t object.
As far as drinks and the benefits of bonding with one’s employee? Well, with the way Yue Fei froze when he was invited out– was intriguing, but Wei Qing felt he better not to push it. Probably, the man is just worried that he’ll find a new subordinate to hook up with, or create one via a lovely bar boy. Better to go home and wash up and maybe have the privilege of being called a good boy instead.
Yes, he’s basically a golden retriever. But since he was an alley cat in his last life, he still feels he’s making forward progress. Who knows, with a few more goes, he might even become a functional person or at least an intelligent chimpanzee! Wouldn’t that be something?
In this somewhat absurdist good mood, Wei Qing parts from his reveling employees and follows Yue Fei into the parking garage. Arms swinging at his sides, he’s practically skipping with positivity.
“Yue Fei, it’s good right? I mean, we won’t win any leadership awards, but I can certainly see a market, nevermind we have most of those manufacturing capabilities already. Boutique Security– maybe not the most impressive or aggressive line of business, but one that won’t ever dry up!”
He rolls up his sleeves and laughs.
“And Wei Qiwan can’t do shit about it, no overstepping here, no?”
“Don’t jinx things. But yes, the scale seems… encouraging. Appropriate.” Yue Fei’s voice is softer than the words imply, and Wei Qing rides that high all the way to the executive lot of the deserted garage.
—
Yue Fei summons the car, opens the door, and stuffs his master in before he can decide he wants karaoke after all. In this effervescent mood, Yue Fei wouldn’t put it past Wei Qing to explore his limits some more. And while he doesn’t mind it; even understands that eventually, Wei Qing will want to have that kind of youthful fun again, he’d rather the first attempt not involve people whose respect he is trying to re-earn.
After all, based on how affectionate he’d gotten off of two cocktails and most of a bottle of wine… Well, Yue Fei thinks it’s better that only he sees such things. For now. After all, if Wei Qing is going to drunkenly kiss anyone, it should be him. Not because he likes it, or still dreams about it, or wonders why he can’t escape these feelings… No, just because he only trusts himself not to take it personally.
Not to expect more, or feel anger at Wei Qing when he can’t offer it.
Really, this is for everyone’s protection. Only he is equipped to not get his hopes up when teased by such a god.
Still-
Even with all the complications coming their way, Yue Fei is glad Wei Qing has something to be glad about. Even if the pure emotion is polluted by the spreading oil slick that is Wei Qing’s relationship with Wei Qiwan, and his continual need for his approval, even as he claims to disdain it. It’s not enough to overturn the entire ocean. Rome was not built in a day and forests of brotherly affection cannot regrow overnight. It’s enough that Wei Qing is still trying; it is enough that he warned Wei Qiwan not to push too far this time.
It helps that Wei Qiwan… seems to be listening?
After all, Yue Fei knows that the past Wei Qing was not what Wei Qiwan wanted when he took those steps. For all his (their) shittiness in trying to achieve it, what Wei Qiwan wanted was a safe, spoiled, somewhat lazy little ancestor to jet off to Ibiza and overspend on modern art while sending him the bill. Not this self-destructive little incubus who ruined his body and heart in some bizarre, misfired revenge fantasy. Wei Qing coming back to work was Wei Qiwan’s chance to try again. To be softer in his rejection.
It’s an odd thing to root for, but Yue Fei hopes it works out for him. For all of them.
It would be best, of course, if they could eliminate the need for such-
“Penny for your thoughts?” Wei Qing’s voice drifts out of the back seat and into Yue Fei’s deep musings.
“Mm?” He raises an eyebrow and uses the rearview to look back at his improperly-sitting charge. He’s got his seatbelt on, but that’s about all that can be said for the slouching man, with his legs spread confidently outward and his head thrown back.
“You’re driving like a sleepwalker-” Wei Qing stops and waves his hands, unwilling to be misunderstood, “No, I mean, the technique is fine! Just that you seem to be somewhere else…?”
“I am thinking of how grown-up Master Wei has become, and how proud he should be of himself.” Even if Wei Qing behaves better when dealt with sternly, there’s nothing wrong with being honest about his successes. Yue Fei hopes.
Wei Qing covers his face with his hands, but the smile leaks out through his fingers and in his words. “Ah?! Yue- Yue Fei, you can’t just say such things! I’ll jerk the wheel and we’ll have an accident!”
“You are not the one driving.” Yue Fei’s amusement grows at the silliness of it. The innocence.
“Still! It won’t matter with how overwhelmed I’ll be by favor~” Oop, there’s the concubine voice back in full, lilting force! Yue Fei finds it cute, but he rolls his eyes all the same. He has an image to maintain, after all. Not that he succeeds. Not when the lines of his face soften with every glance back.
He keeps the conversation going, where once, he would have pulled back.
“His highness is watching palace dramas again when he should be sleeping, I take it?” Yue Fei (barely) manages to avoid laughing, but there is indeed favor in his tone. More than even he is aware of. Wei Qing positively preens at the pleasant atmosphere, leaning into this sort of lighthearted and unstudied closeness.
“Just a little bit, just a little bit, hey, don’t worry, you don’t need to take my tablet!”
At no point do either of them realize how flirtatious they’re being. If anyone else entered, they’d positively choke on the pink-bubble atmosphere, but the men at the center stay charmingly unaware. Poor idiots. At least they’re having fun. The drive home alone is already better than an entire weekend of debauchery.
Things only improve once they reach the penthouse.
What a cliffhanger ! I’m so happy for them ~
Agreed. Evil authors and their cliffhangers. You need a spankin author 😂
Thanks for the chapter~
I love Ms. Li and her lil robots!!!! Poor research assistant, praying for her success and survivial 🙏What’s gonna happen once they reach the penthouse??? 👀👀👀
thanks for the chapter! 😍
Oh no, not the concubine voice! Be strong, Yue Fei! Wait, don’t. Yue Fei deserves a good concubine 😄.
thanks for the chapter <3
Aiyaa… their so cute
They’re * I know English … okay?
I want to see a pic of that roomba
🤭🤭🤭
Why do I feel pike the author dissing the both of them for not realising the current situation ╮(￣▽￣)╭
The poor lil assistant breaking down Σ(￣∇￣”)