"Lobotomy Corporation…" Gregor caught the distinction in Zhou Zhuang's explanation. Scratching at his hair, he voiced the guess forming in his mind.
"Um, Manager… from the way you put it, are the Lobotomy Corporation you're talking about and the current Lobotomy Corporation two different companies?"
Having finished off the last of the vegetables in front of him, Zhou Zhuang leaned back into his chair and slumped against it in relaxation. Hearing Gregor's question, he answered this freshly acquired SSR employee honestly.
"You could say they are, and you could also say they aren't," Zhou Zhuang began ambiguously, then continued slowly.
"Its address is in L Nest, and my company's address is also in L Nest. The functions it has, my company has too. And the functions it doesn't have, my company still does. The only real difference between the two Lobotomy Corporations is that theirs has already been in operation for ten years, while mine has only been open for less than three days."
"Oh, so it's still the same old story—breaking the Wing already sitting in that seat and using its blood as the sacrifice for your own ascent." After hearing Zhou Zhuang's explanation, Gregor instinctively placed the two companies into the same sort of rivalry as the opposing sides in the Smoke War.
Hearing Gregor's interpretation, Zhou Zhuang waved a hand dismissively.
"Why would we need to do something that brutal? If you want to rise, you can talk things out properly. Take the Smoke War as an example: Smog Company just didn't have enough strength, but still wanted to cling to the seat under its own ass, and then suddenly a brand-new Lobotomy Corporation appeared that produced energy more efficiently and more cleanly.
"Normally, when a Wing company runs into that kind of situation, there are three possible solutions: wine and dine them, take off their head, or put them on a leash and make them your dog. As for why the two sides back then skipped the other two options entirely and went straight to war, I don't know. Of course, what I understand and what you personally experienced may differ, so let's just call the reason for the war unclear. As for the result, Lobotomy rose successfully, while the former L Corp and G Corp fell."
"But our situation now is different from back then. Lobotomy had someone stab them in the back, which caused the company to collapse from the inside and break apart. We, on the other hand, can just pop out after things have calmed down, step in seamlessly, and smoothly take over the legacy of everything they leave behind. And they definitely won't have a word to say about it."
The more Zhou Zhuang spoke, the more excited he became, and the more carried away he got. Seeing that no one present interrupted him, Zhou Zhuang took a drink of water to moisten his throat and kept going.
"Besides, even if they don't let our company rise to become a Wing… uh… even if they don't, we can still live happily and stylishly in the City like a Wing anyway."
The moment Zhou Zhuang reached the limits of what he could imagine about the future, his grand vision abruptly stalled. The excitement blazing through him visibly guttered out.
Watching the leader of the company he had just joined paint such a futureless picture with his own mouth, Gregor let out a long, deep sigh. But what else could he do? He had already joined the company and become part of that bleak future himself, so all he could do now was accept it.
Seeing Gregor shut his eyes as if he had suffered a heavy blow, Zhou Zhuang felt a bit awkward too. After thinking it over, he tried to console him.
"Um, Gregor, don't feel like the company's future is hopeless or anything. Actually, the company still has plenty of ways to guarantee that it can definitely become a Wing in the future."
The instant Gregor heard that there was backing behind the company, he snapped his eyes open in delight.
"Ah, really, Manager? I've never heard of any kind of backing that could guarantee a company becomes a Wing. Don't tell me… the company has connections to A Corp?"
"More or less." Zhou Zhuang scratched his head awkwardly. If you didn't look too closely, then Garion inside the company probably did count as one of A Corp's Heads, right?
Seeing that they had rested enough, Zhou Zhuang pulled out his phone and checked the time. Hm. They had spent nearly two hours eating barbecue.
Then he turned toward Gregor, who was still reeling from the revelation that the company had that kind of "connection," and asked,
"By the way, Gregor. Are you going home first to pack your things, or are you coming with us to report in at the company?"
Still shaken by the news that the company apparently had a Head behind it, Gregor fell silent for a moment. Then he spoke in a tone of complete indifference.
"Since you said earlier that the company provides food and lodging, I'll just go straight to the company with you and move in on the spot. Pretty much everything I need is already on me."
Gregor touched the identity tag in his pocket. There were only a few things left worth keeping close.
Hearing that Gregor intended to head back with them, Zhou Zhuang flashed him an OK sign to show he got it, then stood and walked toward the old man, who was still tidying things up. On the way over, Zhou Zhuang pulled out the old man's employment form and glanced at the name written on it.
Mm. Walter.
Then Zhou Zhuang looked further down, wanting to see what past experience the old man had written. Former participant in the Smoke War. Zhou Zhuang nodded. Mm, already knew that one.
Then his eyes moved to the next line.
Had once obtained Grade 4 Fixer certification.
Mm, only Grade 4, huh… Zhou Zhuang swept past it casually and even sighed about it in his head—then abruptly stopped in place and froze.
Wait. Had he just seen something incredible?
He quickly moved his gaze back.
Grade 4.
Grade 4?!
After confirming it, Zhou Zhuang lifted his head and stared at the old man working at the stall, screaming inwardly.
Holy shit, did I step in dog crap on my way out today or something? Not only did I run into Bug Uncle from the Thirteen Sinners tonight, I even picked up an old veteran who used to be a Grade 4 Fixer too!
Filled with excitement, he hurriedly read on through the second half of old Walter's life experience. But the next few words in black and white instantly calmed him right back down.
During the war, he had suffered irreversible injuries and now only retained strength barely at the level of a Grade 7.
The moment Zhou Zhuang saw that line, his surging excitement flattened at once.
Sigh. Here I was thinking I'd be able to AFK my work from now on. Looks like I'll still have to manual-control things myself for quite a while yet.
After reading Walter's application, Zhou Zhuang continued toward the barbecue grill.
As the distance between the two of them steadily shrank, Zhou Zhuang patted his own cheeks.
What kind of thinking was that supposed to be? Even if old Walter no longer had the strength he once did, couldn't his experience and insight still become a huge help to you?
Zhou Zhuang reflected inwardly on the exploiter mindset he had just revealed.
Besides, if the ability is gone, then he can just train it back. It's not like the old man is doomed to stay stuck at this level for the rest of his life.
Still caught in self-reflection, Zhou Zhuang arrived at Walter's side. Seeing how busy he was, Zhou Zhuang did not speak up to interrupt him. But even without saying anything, Zhou Zhuang's completely undisguised gaze and presence were, to Walter's perception, as glaring and impossible to ignore as the sun in the middle of the night.
Walter stopped what he was doing, turned to face Zhou Zhuang, and asked,
"Young man—ah, no, that's not right. Since I've already joined, I should address you by your position. Manager, is there something you need me to do?"
Seeing how respectful Walter suddenly was, Zhou Zhuang seemed to shiver slightly.
Ah, I know. There's already a wall between us now.
Smack. In his head, Zhou Zhuang gave his own cringeworthy heart a slap.
"Oh, um, I just wanted to ask… do you want to go home and pack some things first? Or maybe inform your family about what's going on?"
Hearing Zhou Zhuang's question, Walter stood in place and thought for a moment. Then he carefully opened his mouth.
"Manager, I have a request."
....
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