Bab 3: This skirt is too expensive

Wen Qinxi only left the office when he was done fixing the script for 'Flagship' and only left when he was sure there were no mistakes after compiling it into a program. Tomorrow they were going to run a trial on 'Flagship' so he had to be up early.

He left the comfort of a cosy office heading straight into the cold snowy night. Wen Qinxi ordered a ride and dinner from an app off his phone before crossing the street waiting for the car. Normally he would have taken the bus home but it was too late and didn't feel like spending two hours in transit.

The ride didn't take time to arrive so he didn't have to endure the cold breeze for long. He hopped into the car and lazily leaned back as he removed his glasses before rubbing his sore eyes. Spending the entire day looking at a screen wasn't doing his eyesight any good but he loved his job and wouldn't give it up for anything.

While he was taking some time to unwind, he got a call from his younger brother, Wen Danzhe whom he chatted with all the way till he got to his shabby apartment.

"What the fuck bro? You got yourself tangled with a green tea bitch!" yelled Wen Danzhe through the phone when Wen Qinxi retold his terrible day. His brother was so loud that he instinctively removed his ear phones and opted for the loudspeaker instead.

Wen Qinxi let out an angry laugh while receiving his food delivery. "How messed up is that right? Anyway it doesn't matter at least it didn't get me into trouble," he said tossing the bag of food on the kitchen counter.

He took off his coat listening to his brother rehash how ruthless women are these days but Wen Qinxi was barely attentive settling down in the couch while opening his laptop. Because he was so busy today he hadn't checked his emails and needed to confirm his schedule for tomorrow.

While looking through his inbox sorting for an email about 'Flagship', an odd-looking email with the subject 'Notification of bonus cut back for Mr Wen Qinxi grasped his attention. He froze when he read the heading and suddenly cursed out loud, "What the fuck! Shit, shit, shit!" while opening the email his fingers trembling like a leaf.

His reaction startled his brother who was still rambling on about women. "What's wrong? Qi why you are not answering, what the fuck happened?" asked a panic-stricken Wen Da.

Wen Qinxi didn't respond for half a day thoroughly reading through the email which mentioned how he had disobeyed orders frolicking around when he had an incomplete top priority project. The penalty was getting his bonus slashed in half but to him, that was a bucket load of money.

He had a sibling and mother to take care of yet Qie Ranzhe had to go on being petty and screw things over for him. Curses rung the entire fourth-floor as Wen Qinxi vented his frustration. He was so loud that the neighbour had to knock on his door to shut him up.

"Dage now that's a fuckin expensive skirt and you didn't even get to hold her hand. I think this is the most you have ever spent on a woman," said Wen Danzhe sympathising with his brother.

"Shit! I am so fuckin pissed but I can't deal with it till we finalise project 'Flagship' otherwise he might ruthlessly slash the other half," said Wen Qinxi suddenly opening up the fridge to grab a beer. He normally wouldn't drink during the week but he was just too angry to care.

That night Wen Qinxi barely slept and woke up feeling heavy like he weighed a ton. Qie Ranzhe had really screwed him over but was powerless till at least after handing over the project.

He literally dragged his feet all the way to the office with prominent panda eyes. He wasn't in the mood to be here but he had no choice and so Wen Qinxi got straight to work. By the time the rest of the team arrived he had already run his program in the gaming capsule. The man was like a zombie downing tons of coffee but even as a zombie, he was still highly efficient.

While the team was conducting a trial run they were unaware that the CEO was behind a one-way mirror watching them as the project manager reported their progress. Though attentive, Qie Ranzhe was more interested in the zombie with panda eyes who seemed as though he was running the show.

Observing the little scammer now, made him feel a sense of familiarity as though they had met before but he couldn't put his finger on it. "That Wen Qinxi is he any good?" asked Qie Ranzhe pointing at the nerdy guy currently pushing up his glasses while typing at light speed.

The project manager's face crumpled hearing the CEO personally ask about Wen Qinxi especially after the rumours he heard that were flying around the office. Wen Qinxi's former manager had warned him to be wary of that young man but he never thought much about it till now. "He seems okay. Sir if he doesn't meet the standard I can replace him," said the manager unable to read Qie Ranzhe's face.

"You chose him for this project, if he doesn't meet your standard then do what you think is best. I don't give a damn who is in your team as long as you hand over the project by next week," replied Qie Ranzhe before walking out of the door. What he didn't know was that the manager took his words to heart, resulting in Wen Qinxi being kicked off the project the very next hour.

When Wen Qinxi heard that he had been replaced as lead programmer and kicked off the team, he was so livid that the jerk of a manager had kicked him out just when the project was being finalised.

He couldn't help but blame Qie Ranzhe and his stupid assistant for screwing with him over a trivial matter. The man didn't take it so well throwing a fuss in his office till he eventually calmed down.

The office suddenly felt stuffy, he just wanted a break from this crappy place otherwise he might say something he would regret. He regained his composure and opened his laptop applying for a five-day leave. Since it was a Friday and Wen Qinxi no longer had an urgent project, he packed his things and left without looking back.