Through the screen, Lion could sense Fenix's eagerness.
It seemed the kid was indeed in dire need of money.
He stood in the office and looked around.
The new building had just been renovated and needed time to air out. With tasks such as recruitment and the complexities involved in relocating the headquarters, it would take at least a month even if everything proceeded smoothly.
Lion: "At least a month."
A month!
Fenix wished he could start working immediately, right now, right away!
Even if it meant heading to the Lion Corp. headquarters on the Imperial Planet, he didn't mind!
After all, he was already drifting in a big city; drifting anywhere was the same!
But the boss said it would be a month.
What could Fenix say?
He could only grit his teeth and agree!
Missing out on 8000 yuan!
Sigh.
Fenix felt both pain and joy. The chaotic future brought on by the sudden Awakening seemed to have found a temporary solution with Lion's help.
With the idea of learning more about his future company, Fenix clicked open the Lion Corp.'s website and related news for clean energy development.
After scrolling through a lot of content, he found that Lion had not shown any signs of illness during work hours.
There was not even a rumor about Lion being ill.
Only some gossip mentioned that Lion was a loyal fan of Athena.
Well.
Athena, huh!
I get it.
Fenix glanced at the wildly exaggerated gossip without interest, closed the post, and continued to browse the official website.
As he scrolled down, he stumbled upon the recruitment page.
He looked at it, rubbed his paws, and sent a message to Lion.
Fenix: "Boss."
Lion: "?"
Fenix: "I mean… am I considered a contracted employee?"
Lion: "Yes."
Good.
Fenix let out a breath of relief.
Although Lion came from a pirate background, seeing so many of Athena's complaints about him being sick, it seemed that he still followed standard procedures when it came to the company.
Fenix continued typing:
Fenix: "Boss, the 8000 yuan, is it before or after tax? What about the five insurances and one fund? Am I eligible for them?"
Lion almost laughed out loud when he saw this message.
This kid had quite a nerve.
First asking for credit and now negotiating terms.
The last person who dared to bargain with him now had grass growing three meters tall on their grave.
Lion thought for a moment and glanced at the construction supervisor beside him.
The supervisor, meeting his half-smiling gaze, jumped in surprise. "Mr. Lou, is there a problem?"
Lion remained silent, retracting his gaze from the anxious supervisor.
Seemed his deterrent power hadn't diminished.
The story has been illicitly taken; should you find it on Amazon, report the infringement.
Lion looked at the chat window.
Fenix, not getting a reply, grew anxious.
He tapped the input panel repeatedly.
Fenix: "Boss?"
Fenix: "Are you there?"
Fenix: "Boss? Boss?"
Fenix: "QAQ"
What's with this kid?
Other than the first meeting, he didn't seem to fear him at all.
Lion thought about it and casually replied:
Lion: "After tax, includes five insurances and one fund."
Fenix received the reply and quickly opened a salary calculator, figuring out that to receive 8000 yuan after tax and benefits, the gross salary would be.
11000 yuan.
Oh my God!
It's a real sugar daddy!
Fenix's eyes widened in shock!
Originally, in Fenix's plan, the best he could hope for during his internship was a job paying around 4000 yuan.
He majored in human resources, an industry that valued experience, certificates, and connections. Even with a good degree, his internship salary wouldn't be high.
It was completely different from information engineering, where good grades could land you a job at a big company.
After two years of enthusiastic study, Fenix wished he could go back in time and strangle the past self who chose this major.
But time machines didn't exist, so Fenix could only study hard and earn various certificates during his university years.
With certificates in hand, he could find suitable work; as for salary, as long as he could survive, it was fine.
Fenix's expectations were really low.
If not for this sudden Awakening, his life would have followed his plan steadily.
But now things were different.
Though he had suffered a sudden misfortune!
He had met a sugar daddy!
Amiable! Kind! Friendly!
Most importantly, generous!
Waving away 8000 yuan!
No, 11000 yuan!
Oh my God!
11000 yuan!
At this moment, in Fenix's eyes, even the boss's abs and scars looked exceptionally charming!
As they say:
Misfortune may bring good luck, and good luck may hide misfortune!
Well!
Such a cultured person.
Fenix happily opened the chat window.
Group Chat Room 302 (4 Members)
Fenix: "Brothers, I struck gold!"
Derek: "Oh? What do you mean?"
Fenix: "Derek Bro, it's a long story."
Derek: "Then make it short, we're about to enter the concert! Lancelot Bro is already on oxygen!"
Fenix quickly typed:
Fenix: "Lion is such a good guy!"
Alfred: "How so?"
Fenix: "He gave me a salary of 8000 yuan with five insurances and one fund, after tax. Can you believe it?"
The three brothers were all stunned.
Lancelot, who was nearly dead, sprang up, removed the oxygen mask, and with fierce speed, pulled out his terminal and submitted a resume to Lion Corp., then weakly resumed using the oxygen.
Alfred paused: "Are you okay? I remember Lion Corp.'s headquarters is on the Imperial Planet. As a local of Marina City, why are you submitting a resume?"
Lancelot raised a finger, shaking it.
Derek lowered his head and searched Lion Corp.: "Ah, Lion Corp. is relocating its headquarters to Marina City."
Alfred, hearing this, put on a solemn expression and submitted a resume with reverence.
Then he opened the chat window:
Alfred: "Fenny, can you refer me? Please."
Fenix thought he probably couldn't.
Fenix: "Refer you to be a nanny? Nope."
Alfred slapped his forehead.
He forgot that Fenix was going to be in HR.
Alfred: "Why don't you try applying for a proper job at Lion Corp. instead of being a little manager? Since their headquarters is moving to Marina City."
Fenix: ?
What?
When did this happen?
Fenix reopened the Lion Corp. website and discovered an announcement about the headquarters relocation to Marina City.
Oh?
Moving to Marina City?
That's even better!
Fenix excitedly patted his cat leg.
Great!
Another expense saved—the return flight ticket!
Poor Fenix released his happy dreams:
Fenix: "Wait till Dad gets paid, I'll treat you guys to a big meal!"
The three brothers agreed enthusiastically.
Fenix put down his terminal, looked at the clear sky outside the window, and happily hopped off the sofa.
He wanted to go to the large courtyard outside!
To run! To be joyful!
To be wild! To leap around!
...
Lion sat in his future office, waiting for his bodyguard-cum-assistant to recheck the situation and finalize the takeover.
With his hands clasped, he lightly tapped his chin, watching the white kitten running wildly around the estate, leaving only a blur.
He felt infected by the youthful vitality, becoming lighter and happier himself.
Lion thought this as his gaze shifted between the surveillance projection and the secretary's desk.
Lion's office was large.
Luxurious, with its own tea room, direct elevator access, and rest area.
He didn't need to interact with the staff outside during working hours.
Even management meetings were mostly handled by his assistant, who was also a very perceptive bodyguard.
Lion had a business acumen but lacked patience for dealing with people.
He only set requirements, delegating the rest to subordinates.
If they achieved results, they got bonuses; Lion wasn't short on cash.
If they failed, they got three chances.
Three failures meant immediate dismissal, regardless of experience.
The competition among Lion Corp. employees was intense, but those who survived were highly sought-after elsewhere.
Due to Lion's ruthless style of conducting cold, financial transactions with employees, no one dared to talk to him about personal feelings or dreams.
Thus, those with requests could only try to please him in various ways.
Like this construction supervisor, for example.
Looking at the overly luxurious office, which resembled a luxury hotel suite, Lion clicked his tongue.
He raised his eyes as his bodyguard entered with the sign-off documents and tapped the desk lightly.
"Boss?"
"Remove the secretary's desk, the reception area, and these miscellaneous bookcases and wine cabinets."
"Okay, Boss. How should we change it?"
Lion nonchalantly:
"Cat room."
"?" Even the bodyguard who had been with Lion for over a decade was confused, "Cat room?"
Lion nodded.
The bodyguard paused for a second but responded:
"Okay, Boss. Where should I set up my office..."
Lion pointed outside:
"You can set up your office outside the secretary's area."
"Okay, Boss."
The bodyguard looked solemn.
He was being kicked out of Lion's office.
Thinking about Lion's request, he wondered whom the cat room was for.
First, using the process of elimination.
We can rule out Lion himself.
The bodyguard glanced at the unturned-off surveillance projection.
Done, no need to eliminate.
Seems it's for the kid.
The question was, had the Boss ever shown such interest in anyone else in all these years?
The bodyguard thought seriously.
Not really.
With a serious expression, he reported:
"Boss, this supervisor wants to cooperate with our industrial department."
"No." Lion coldly rejected the proposal.
The bodyguard nodded and left the office.
Lion re-examined the office, glanced at Fenix who was still leaping around, and slowly opened a search engine.
Hmm...
What does one need to prepare for raising a cat?
...
Fenix hopped joyfully behind the dehumidifying robot, extremely happy.
The fresh scent of earth and vegetation after the rain was particularly pleasant with his heightened senses.
Fenix swished his long tail, looking down at the puddles on the ground, dewdrops on grass tips, and flowers washed away by the rain.
These were beautiful.
For Fenix, experiencing the world for the first time as a cat, everything was new and fresh.
The white kitten approached the flower bed, stretched out a paw, and nudged a remaining flower.
The flower shook, and dewdrops fell.
Together with the flower and dewdrops, a giant beetle emerged from the flower bed.
Giant... beetle.
"Meow-AHHHHHHHHHHHHHH!"
The white kitten let out a terrifying scream.
Why is this bug so damn big?!
Fenix was shocked!
Before, this bug didn't seem so big!
Damn, it's bigger than my head!
Fenix backed away frantically!
The beetle's antennae moved, following the ball of white fur.
???!?
Damn!
Go away!
Don't touch me!
Get lost!!!!
Fenix fled in panic, only to find that the beetle ran as fast as him, the Awakened individual!
What the hell is this useless Awakened form?!
Can't even outrun a bug!!!
No, no, no.
Fenix, calm down.
Fenix, think of a solution!
Fenix, hurry up and think of a solution!
Fenix can't think of a solution!!!
AAAAAAAAAAAHHHHHHHHH!!!
Fenix, fight it!!!
Fenix skidded to a halt, let out a fierce battle cry, turned around, and kicked out with a flying kick!
AAAAAAAAAAAHHHHHHHHH!!!
Die, you bastard!!!!
After buying a pile of cat toys, Lion looked up from his shopping cart to see Fenix, tears streaming down his face, jump into the garden fountain.
Then he scrubbed his feet frantically in the fountain, crying all the while.
WAAAAAAHHHHHHH.
I'm dirty!!!!
I'm no longer a clean little kitty!!!!
Lion slowly formed a question mark and played back the surveillance footage.
Let's see what fantastic performance he missed again.