Chapter 2: What goes around comes around ②
Translator: Aafkee
Proofreader: ChaiTea
The next morning, Chen Yifei received a call from his lover* as soon as he arrived at the company. Since he had been busy with his family issues recently, Chen Yifei had not met up with his lover for a while now. Just as Chen Yifei wanted to apologise, the word “break up” came out within the first two sentences of their conversation.
(T/N*: The word used in the novel is “恋人”, which means your significant other. However, this word does not indicate the gender of the other person, which is why I translated it as “lover” instead of “girlfriend” or “boyfriend”.)
After ending the call, Chen Yifei stood at the balcony alone, watching the continuous flow of traffic downstairs, gloomily.
Yan Yu happened to walk out to the balcony at that moment. Seeing that Chen Yifei was standing there alone, looking slightly depressed, he walked up to Chen Yifei and asked, “What’s wrong, President Chen?”
“I got ditched.”
“You had a girlfriend?” Yan Yu paused. He was a bit surprised, “By any chance, could it be the one from year 3? The girl from the class next door who would send you a love letter every day…”
“No, of course not.” Chen Yifei replied helplessly, “Why do you still remember such useless details?”
Yan Yu did not want to admit to having paid extra attention to Chen Yifei at that time, and so he changed topics, “Don’t worry, ditching you is her loss. Let’s go, I’ll send you guys to the training myself.”
Chen Yifei sighed lightly and let out a helpless laugh.
It was the first day of training. The three candidates were brought to one of the office buildings under Yan Yu’s business. In the following month, there will be no one else other than the three candidates and their trainers.
Before the start of the training, Yan Yu said to the three candidates, “In the following month, you guys need to learn how to be my assistant and how to manage all the tasks that will be assigned to you. Training for yacht driving will start around the middle of the month. I will be announcing the location of that training next time. I have asked for the other necessary information to be sent out to you guys, so have a good look at it.”
Chen Yifei quickly browsed through their schedule: training times were from eight in the morning until six in the evening. The gym upstairs was free to be used during their free time, and they had a day of rest every ten days.
Yan Yu continued, “As for actually driving the yacht, you will have ample time to practice, so don’t worry about it. I have no requirements for other modes of transport.”
Learning to drive a yacht was relatively easy, and it would only take about a week.
“The schedule has been sent to you guys with the other information. I will not be checking in. It is about time for the training to start. Then, I’ll see you next time.”
The month of training was both intense and dry. Chen Yifei had not been using his brainpower as much as he did now, since graduating from university. He never had experience in the business industry nor as an assistant, so he had a lot more to learn as compared to the others.
Yan Yu stopped by once, half a month into the training. Chen Yifei was practising driving a yacht at the beach near the Seascape Office Building (海景写字楼). Yan Yu did not call for Chen Yifei when he arrived, and instead, watched him quietly and even sunbathed at the beach in passing.
When Chen Yifei suddenly saw Yan Yu wearing a pair of sunglasses and floral shorts, he was so surprised that he nearly lost control, the water almost splashed on Yan Yu.
Yan Yu was shocked, “What the heck are you doing?! You don’t want the job, huh?!”
Chen Yifei stopped the yacht and alighted, “My bad; beginner*.”
(T/N*: Chen Yifei is not calling Yan Yu a beginner. He only said the word “beginner”, with no other elaborations or subjects, but he was referring to himself.)
Yan Yu looked him over, “But I see that you are learning pretty quickly.”
Yan Yu could not deny Chen Yifei’s beauty, especially the moment Chen Yifei stepped down from the yacht. Even his messy hair from the ocean breeze had a hint of arrogance and beauty.
Yan Yu took out his mobile phone, “Shall I help take a photo of you and send it to your ex-girlfriend? Maybe she’ll be envious.”
Chen Yifei did not understand how a chairman of the board could be so free, “There is no need.”
Yu Yan frowned, “You sure? This is a really good opportunity though.”
“There will be plenty of opportunities in the future.”
Yan Yu whistled, “Aren’t you a confident one. Well, that’ll depend on your performance.”
While adding fuel to the yacht, Chen Yifei replied, “That’s why you should go quickly and stop disturbing my practice. I would not be able to pay for your expensive trousers if I splash water on them accidentally.”
Yan Yu was slightly offended, but could not find any words to rebut him. He sneakily took a photo of Chen Yifei anyway and watched as Chen Yifei drove the yacht away.
Since that day, Chen Yifei realised that Yan Yu, who was supposed to be a chairman of the board, had been frequenting their training sessions often, especially to watch his training. Thinking that Yan Yu is, after all, his potential boss, Chen Yifei tolerated this and let it pass.
However, Chen Yifei realised how much Yan Yu deserved a good beating. Yan Yu had remained unchanged since his elementary school days. No wonder the seniors from their elementary school days had frequently asked Yan Yu out for brawls.
As Chen Yifei was trying his hardest at remembering industry-related data, Yan Yu would sit beside him, enjoying his snacks; Yan Yu even prepared a big parasol at the beach where Chen Yifei would practice driving the yacht, just so he could watch Chen Yifei’s training with pleasure.
Thankfully, Chen Yifei had a pretty good temperament. He could ignore Yan Yu’s childish behaviours without flying off the handle.
Once, Chen Yifei ran twenty kilometres on the running machine during his break and was resting on the chair, dripping with sweat. Yan Yu, impeccably dressed in his suit, walked over with two cans of drinks in his hands, “Do you want Mai Dong* or Red Bull?”
(T/N*: Mai Dong (脉动) is a vitamin drink.)
Chen Yifei wanted Mai Dong, but instead, he replied, “Red Bull.”
Yan Yu smiled as he threw a can towards Chen Yifei, “Mai Dong, it is.”
Chen Yifei reached out to catch the can.
Realising Chen Yifei’s subtle expression, Yan Yu leaned on the glass window and opened his can of Red Bull, displeased, “What? Are you thinking that I’m childish?”
Chen Yifei was surprised that Yan Yu could tell. It seemed like he had, indeed, grown quite a lot over the years. He replied, laughing lightly, “Yup.”
Yan Yu frowned, “Even so, you dare to say it to my face?”
Chen Yifei returned, “Would you* rather I flatter you?”
(T/N*: Reminder that Chen Yifei is still addressing Yan Yu politely, using 您 [formal] instead of 你 [casual].)
Yan Yu was going to fly off his handle initially, but once he heard “You” (您) coming from Chen Yifei’s mouth, he felt as if his whole body was floating in the clouds*. He hmphed and refused to say another word.
(T/N*: Basically, it means that Yan Yu is enjoying how Chen Yifei is addressing him respectfully, a lot. 😏)
At that moment, the two other candidates came out of the training room one after the other. They were barely seen relaxing, even during their breaks. They had a book each under their elbows, expressions heavy. Spotting Yan Yu in the room, both of them greeted him respectfully.
Yan Yu nodded with a smile on his face but sighed when the other two walked away, “Seems like those two are similar to Xiao-Zheng. Being serious is good and all, but they lack vitality.”
Chen Yifei raised his eyebrows, “So, are you going to choose me behind closed doors?”
Yan Yu’s eyes widened in surprise, “Did I hear you wrong? Our model student, President Chen, is asking to enter from the back door through connections?”
Chen Yifei did not know what type of misunderstanding Yan Yu had against him, “I have never said that about myself.” He had only said that casually, with no real intentions of taking advantage of their connections.
Yan Yu replied, “You will never understand how impossible it was for people to strive to be like you during those times. You were the first in, literally, everything, even the girl I liked, liked you. You have no idea how much I hated you back then.”
Chen Yifei swallowed, “Then, I guess I am sorry.”
“Aren’t you more pleased with yourself if you apologise?” Yan Yu huffed, “Which secondary school did you end up in? I’ve had no news of you since then.”
“I went back to my hometown.”
“Oh, did you continue to study hard, get first place in your level every year, liked by all the teachers in school, and then enrolled in some top university easily?” Yan Yu continued, “I don’t believe you have not met a single obstacle.”
Chen Yifei shrugged, “Nope. Just as you described; I studied hard, got my first place, and enrolled in a top university.”
Yan Yu groaned, “How, the hell, can your life be so smooth-sailing? I didn’t continue with my studies for long after those years. My parents didn’t think I was made for that anyway, so I was out making a living for myself early. I’ve been here and there, been tricked, and have been taken advantage of. I bet you were still doing your self-study in your classroom when I was out and about.”
“Yes, yes.” Chen Yifei answered grudgingly. But he did admire the bravery Yan Yu had. It was not something that everyone had, “Have you not settled down yet?”
“Aren’t you the same?” Yan Yu glared at him, “If I wanted it, it would be easy to… Never mind, I shall not say any more than that in front of a poor thing that had just broken up.”
To be honest, Chen Yifei did not dwell on his break-up for too long. Thinking back, it was probably because his feelings towards his ex had begun to fade earlier on -- which could not be helped given that they were unable to meet often.
Chen Yifei finished up his drink and threw the can into the bin, standing up, “I am going to run a little longer.”
Yan Yu teased, “What’s wrong? Did I touch your sore spot?”
“Not really.”
“Talk to her properly and win her back if you really like her that much.”
Chen Yifei brushed off his advice, “You are thinking too much about it.”
Watching Chen Yifei’s back as he was running on the machine, Yan Yu was adamant that Chen Yifei was unable to let his past relationship go. Yan Yu thought that given their relationship, he was willing and could at least introduce some young ladies from rich families to him.
A month of training went by very quickly. Although Chen Yifei did not get first in all aspects, his overall performance was easily the best out of all the candidates. Even his driving skills were praised by the experienced coach.
Given his splendid performance, there would be no one questioning his capabilities for this job. Yan Yu, who wanted to be called “boss” by Chen Yifei, was both happy and jealous. Why must Chen Yifei be so good at everything he does?
At night, Chen Yifei packed up his things and prepared to go home. Yan Yu drove his red sports car over like he was going to give Chen Yifei a lift. Chen Yifei did not decline his good intentions. Returning after putting his things in the car boot, he realised Yan Yu had already switched to the front passenger seat.
Chen Yifei asked, “What are you doing?”
After adjusting his seat, Yan Yu rested his head on his hand and looked at Chen Yifei, “What do you mean by ‘what are you doing’? You are my driver from now on, of course you’ll drive.”
Chen Yifei gave him a look and moved to the driver’s seat.
At a traffic light, Yan Yu instructed, “Turn left.”
Chen Yifei frowned, “My house is on the right.”
“I have arranged new accommodations for you.” Yan Yu replied, “It’ll be more convenient for you to fetch me in the morning.”
Chen Yifei had not gotten used to the fact that he is now Yan Yu’s assistant. After driving for another ten minutes or so, Yan Yu stopped Chen Yifei in front of a mansion, “Stop here. This is where I live, number 13 on the left side. I have already informed security, so you can come in straight away next time.”
After alighting the car, Yan Yu pointed at a high-class apartment building not far away, “You’ll stay there, on the top floor. There is already someone there waiting for you, keys and everything else has all been prepared. You can go there directly.”
Chen Yifei asked, “Didn’t you say that your house was on the way to mine last time?”
Yan Yu was momentarily at a loss for words. Having been exposed by Chen Yifei, Yan Yu blushed, reluctant to admit that he had lied, “I remembered wrong; pretend I didn’t say it.”
Chen Yifei could not be bothered to question him further regarding that matter. Going all the way in the opposite direction just to show off to him… definitely seems like something Yan Yu would do.
Instead, Chen Yifei replied, “See you tomorrow, boss.”
Thanks for translating! This seems interesting, looking forward to reading more!
ReplyDeleteGlad that you are enjoying it! xo
DeleteEnjoying the novel and your translation, a lot.
ReplyDeleteThank you
Thank youuu 🥺🥺
DeleteLooks like they are actually a good match and even though he likes to brag and kind of mocks ML's way of life. I kind of like him
ReplyDelete