In a small apartment, the cooling wind slipped through the curtains, easing the warm air.
The takeout of the previous day filled the dustbin, where its scent still lingered.
Scrolling down on the mouse, Zimo's eyes were fixed on the computer, slouching in the chair and moving from side to side. Wearing a white shoulder cut t-shirt and short grey pants.
His eyes were focused on the screen but his vision was a blur. While his body remained in the room, his thoughts wandered off to places that demanded his full attention.
Zimo obtained two degrees and had worked multiple jobs, but still he ended up in this dumpster. He had ambition and potential but nothing ever seemed to be going his way, until… he got the chance to enter the Gu company.
He didn't waste time on it, nor did he rely on luck. It was as if heaven gave him this opportunity to finally get what he wanted. And relentlessly he took the bait.
A knock on the door brought him back to reality. He dragged himself to his feet,
opened it,
but BANGED it loudly again.
When he went to sit down, the door slowly opened. A man entered, wearing a black suit and stood behind him in complete silence before saying, "Your father is still waiting."
"Get out." Zimo said in a calm voice. Intentionally being uninterested in what the person has to say.
"You're making things difficult." The man continued.
"I said, get out."
"Since you don't want to follow orders, let me give you the message…"
"Get out!" He shouted, jumping to his feet and pushing the man outside before shutting the door with force.
He took a deep breath as he leaned his head against the door to calm down. His jaw locked as he gritted his teeth.
Slowly looking up. Looking at the investigation sketch he had drawn a long time ago. The ink was fading and the paper had turned yellow already. Even the ends had started to crumble away.
Zimo straightened his body. With more attention he looked at every piece he had gathered over the years. All the pieces marked with red, holding his most important information.
And everything was circling back to the picture in the middle. The picture that was too blurry to make out.
Turning dark.
* * *
Morning rose
"Mr Gu"
"Good Morning sir"
Every employee greeted Gu Yuxuan as he walked past, till he entered his office.
He placed his coffee cup on the desk, which quickly filled the air with its scent.
Not long after, Mr Li and Zimo entered.
Gu Yuxuan was standing, looking over the buildings outside.
"Sir, the three week trial has come to an end. Have you made a decision?" Mr Li asked.
Gu Yuxuan remained with his back towards them.
And Mr Li gave Zimo an uncertain glance, yet Zimo kept calmly waiting on Gu Yuxuan.
"He hasn't proved anything. I can't trust him." Gu Yuxuan finally spoke.
Mr Li looked at Zimo and asked softly, "Can you give us a minute?"
Zimo nodded and stepped outside.
"Sir… if you'll allow me, I would like to say something."
Gu Yuxuan kept quiet.
Mr Li looked at him while fidgeting with his hands, getting the words ready.
He had worked for Gu Yuxuan for over ten years since the very beginning of Gu Yuxuan's career.
Although Gu Yuxuan never expressed his feelings, Mr Li was one of the few closest people he had, and he had long considered him as his family.
Letting Mr Li go was like cutting ties with family… once again.
"I know you've always been selective about everything you do." Mr Li said, taking a deep breath. "You take risks and have setbacks knowing you have everything in your control. Your courage comes from already knowing the next move."
Mr Li felt how the heaviness cleared from his heart.
"But it's exhausting you, right"
He looked up, making sure it's still safe.
"I know Mr Zimo is not in your control now and that makes you anxious. But why not try to breathe for a moment and give space for new opportunities to enter? Accept a little help instead of doing everything on your own. Who are you fooling? Me, of course. I know you kept me by your side because I'm stupid."
Gu Yuxuan flashed a smile.
"You never really relied on me, which makes me easy to control. But I don't care at all. Spending my years with you, serving you in the way I'm capable of, has been the best experience. I wouldn't change it for the world. But I've also seen your struggle and it broke my heart that I wasn't capable of helping you in any way."
Gu Yuxuan turned to him with twinkling eyes.
"Your years ahead are still bright and having support will just make it easier on yourself."
"Are you done now?" Gu Yuxuan asked annoyingly.
"I'm done." Mr Li answered.
Gu Yuxuan smiled. A genuine smile coming from his heart. The hate and bitterness couldn't compare to the feeling that someone was there for him, taking care of him, and loving him like their own son.
"Go home", he said.
And an instant fluster swelled on Mr Li's cheeks, his chest tightened and a knot formed in his throat, knowing he'll be hearing those two words for the last time.
Memories that couldn't be relived crept into his mind. The day he met Gu Yuxuan for the first time, when he had just graduated from high school.
That day he handed all his savings to buy his crappy two room apartment in a neighbourhood that wasn't even decent to live in.
Money that was probably saved over his high school years, yet he still couldn't even afford to buy the cheapest apartment you'll ever find. He still sorted forty percent of it.
If he didn't believe in that young man that day, it would've been his life long regret. Starting from a small two room apartment to owning millions of assets. He didn't just dream, he worked for it.
As Mr Li closed the door behind him, Gu Yuxuan just took a deep breath and looked outside. Whatever he was feeling at that moment, was discreetly hidden within. A facade that has become a part of his personality.
"Thank you" he whispered, as everything went quiet. No sound was heard from anywhere on the 18th floor.
Like the wind suddenly deciding to hold its breath.