Sobering

On the second morning, Chen Xu was still yawning when he walked into the edifice his office was located in.

Ever since he discovered his possession of the "Throwing Precision" talent, he kept on throwing stuff all night. He literally couldn't stop. Because he was too excited, he went to bed at some time past three at midnight.

He almost couldn't get up in the morning and was yawning along the way.

In his current state, he had an urge to grab every convenient thing he saw and throw it.

He walked to the elevator and saw a few of his colleagues chattering in a low voice. It would seem that they were talking about the new department that was about to be established.

As he was still sleepy, he didn't pay attention.

After a while, the elevator arrived. When he went in, those several colleagues of his saw him and greeted him.

"Morning," he answered with a smile.

The door of the elevator closed slowly.

Colleague A asked, "Chen Xu, have you heard it? The company is establishing a new department."

Chen Xu nodded. "Yeah, I've heard of it."

Colleague B continued, "Is there an inside story about this new department? I see that many people are working hard as they wish to be transferred to this new department."

Colleague C said whisperingly, "I heard that this new department was proposed by Mr. Liu at the annual strategy conference. He convinced the other senior executives to make it as next year's key strategic project and allow him to lead the department himself. This new department will, of course, be popular."

Colleague A added, "I heard from my friend in HR that in order to show support for the new department, as soon as somebody is transferred over there, their salary will be raised by more than 20 percent."

Colleague B said with envy, "No wonder so many wanted to go there. It's a 20 percent salary increase after all. The benefits are too enticing."

Colleague A sighed, "Yeah right, who wouldn't want to go there with that instant raise? But too bad that we will mostly not get the chance. Those who have ties with the higher-ups would have booked their slots since ages ago."

"You can't be sure about that."

Colleague C, who was an information monger, said, "I heard that Director Luo will be the one who decides on the final candidates. It won't be easy to get past her. Perhaps we really do have a chance."

Chen Xu was drowsy, but when he heard them mention the name 'Director Luo', some emotions rippled through his heart, sobering him up.

"She's back from her business trip?"

In the company, there was only one director with the surname Luo. The Director Luo they mentioned would naturally be Luo Xiyun.

Over the past week, she was out on a business trip. The two had yet to have bumped into each other.

As more and more details about the dream came back to him, his frame of mind became somewhat subtle.

With a ding, the elevator arrived.

He put away his thoughts and followed his colleagues out of the elevator.

...

Chen Xu walked into the office and saw everyone gathered together discussing the new department. The atmosphere was very enthusiastic.

Evidently, the news about the salary raise after transferring to the new department had spread, thus arousing the enthusiasm of his colleagues.

He didn't go and join them. He put his things away, took out some tea leaves, and made himself a cup of tea in front of the kettle. When he returned to his seat, all of a sudden, the whole office plunged into silence.

He felt a little strange. Why did everyone stop talking suddenly?

He looked up and saw everyone looking behind him.

Behind him was a corridor.

Before he could turn his head, he heard the click-clacking of high heels tapping on the ground.

An extremely familiar figure instantly cropped up in his mind. He turned around and saw Luo Xiyun coming in, wearing a black trench coat. She was wearing light makeup, and her long scarlet hair was fluttering with pride along with her footsteps.

"Good morning, Director Luo."

His colleagues in the office greeted her warmly.

She waved her hands lightly as she walked directly to her office without looking towards his direction.

She'd reverted to the unattainable Director Luo.

Chen Xu looked back casually, raised his cup, gently puffed on the tea powder floating on the surface, and took a sip.

The slightly bitter texture slowly permeated his entire mouth.

After seeing her in person, she shattered the only glimpse of fantasy in his heart.

There was no miracle. Her attitude was no different from her previously, both of which simply regarded him as air.

"Everything that happened in the dream is only a dream," he said quietly in his heart.

Deep in his bones, he was a very pragmatic person.

He already had a taste in the dream about how difficult it was to woo Luo Xiyun. Even when there were only the two of them left in the world, she didn't even develop a liking for him in the beginning, let alone in reality.

Since he knew that it was impossible, he was reluctant to waste time, money, and emotion.

He let out a long sigh. He put down the cup in his hand and shifted his attention to his work.

Now, the most important thing for him was to make money and improve his and his family's lives. Other things would have to wait.

...

"Chen Xu, come for a moment."

Approaching noon, Old Wang suddenly called Chen Xu over. "Let's go. Old He from the HR department wants to meet you."

Old He was the director of the human resource department. He was in his early forties. He was tall, thin, and bespectacled. When he saw Chen Xu, his expression was a little serious.

"I have seen your resume. You came to the company as soon as you graduated and have worked here for almost two years. Director Wang has spoken highly of you. The company plans on transferring you to the new department. Now, the company has the intention of establishing a new department and transferring you over there. Are you willing to go?"

As soon as he arrived, Director He went straight into business.

Chen Xu said straightforwardly, "What adjustments will be made to my welfare if I go to the new department?"

A tinge of discontent flashed through Director He's eyes. As he was dealing with human resources, he often talked about welfare with employees. However, he did not fancy the attitude of this young man before his eyes. He didn't care about the contents of his new job at all and asked directly about welfare, thus leaving a bad impression.

His tone became substantially sterner as he said, "The company considers work at new department relatively heavy. In principle, the salary of employees transferred to the new department will be raised by 20% on the existing basis."

Chen Xu nodded and said, "Then I have no problem with it."

Director He frowned and said, "Are you not going to ask about your job scope at the new department?"

Chen Xu said, "I follow orders."

His impression in Director He's heart became even lower. Reluctant to speak to him any longer, Director He said, "You may go out now. Pack your stuff and go report at the new department in the afternoon."

Chen Xu left the office. It wasn't that he didn't notice Director He had developed opinions about him; he simply didn't care. After discovering the emergence of the "Throwing Precision" talent he had on himself, something changed in his way of thinking.

He could acquire more talents and learn more skills from within the dream world. He didn't really need to go to work. After conditions matured, he could absolutely start his own business or opt for a better career.

With this idea in mind, he didn't want to torture himself any longer. Job hopping would bring forth a heap of troublesome issues. Hence, he would rather stay here for the time being. It just so happened that there was an opportunity for him to get a raise that strengthened his thought of staying back.