1 Misfortune

"Why hasn't this project been completed yet? I anticipated it would be finished by now!"

"I apologize for the delay, but I've been unable to complete the project as expected."

"I don't want excuses! I assigned you this task with a deadline, and your inability to deliver is causing major setbacks for the entire team. I need this project completed as soon as possible."

"Understood, sir. I will make it my top priority to complete the project as soon as possible."

"I employed you with the intention of generating profits, not to hear excuses. Only profits and money."

"Due to challenging market conditions, we are currently devising strategies to enhance our revenue."

"Strategies? I'm not interested in hearing about strategies; I want tangible profits! Your excuses or market conditions hold no importance to me."

In anticipation, he tapped the small nameplate on the glass table in front of his employee Liu Yang and introduced himself, "I am Wang Jun."

Liu Yang squinted his eyes as he read the nameplate, and his gaze landed on the person occupying the boss's chair. With disheveled hair and plain attire, this individual audaciously referred to himself as Liu Yang's boss. He shifted his gaze back to the nameplate, and quietly uttered the name inscribed on it: 'Huang Lei'.

"Wang Jun"

"Wang Jun"

"Wang Jun"

Suddenly, he was jolted awake as someone vigorously shook him from his slumber.

"What's going on?" he asked, rubbing the sleep from his eyes and repeating his question, still feeling groggy. "Liu Yang, why have you disturbed me so urgently? What catastrophe has occurred that awakened me in such a frenzy?"

"The boss has arrived and summoned you to his office," Liu Yang replied, flashing his row of teeth.

"Is he here?" Wang Jun's eyes, which were only partially open, suddenly widened.

"Yes, and he also has your file," Liu Yang said with a joyful tone, placing his hand on Wang Jun's shoulder. "It seems that your loan will be approved this time."

As Liu Yang's words sank in, Wang Jun felt a sudden rush of excitement. The loan he had been anxiously anticipating, the one that held the potential to rescue his family, was about to be granted. A wave of relief flooded over him, washing away the months of anxiety that had burdened him.

Filled with a newfound optimism, Wang Jun swiftly tidied his appearance, smoothing his shirt and fixing his hair, as he headed towards the boss's office. Along the way, he untangled the jumbled thoughts in his mind and began formulating plans for how he would utilize the loan.

With his hand firmly grasping the doorknob, he glanced at his boss's nameplate, which read 'Huang Lei'. After giving the door a gentle knock, he turned the knob and entered the office.

Huang Lei peered at him from above his glasses and gestured for him to enter. He held a file in his hands, the name clearly written on the front page.

Huang Lei exuded a sense of style, sporting a Dior watch that hinted at his wealth. His age could be estimated from the few wrinkles around his eyes that he would be at least 50 years old. He wasn't one of those people who always wore black and white clothes like an artist in a painting.

"Sir, has my loan been approved?" He inquired about the status of his loan immediately upon arrival.

"I have submitted your application to the chairman, but unfortunately, your loan has been rejected once again," Huang Lei responded.

"But why, sir? I included all my hardships in the application, my mother is currently in the hospital and..."

"Lie!" Huang Lei interjected, raising his voice. "You are deceiving us; your mother passed away six years ago."

Upon hearing this, Wang Jun cast his gaze downward, as he found himself devoid of any further inquiries. He was well aware that he had committed a serious error by concocting his mother's condition. Desperation had clouded his rationality, and now he had to confront the repercussions.

Huang Lei furiously tossed his loan file onto the glass table, his gaze fixed on the computer screen before him. The bright light illuminated his face, revealing his own reflection staring back at him. The expression etched on his face was far from joyful, with his lips tightly pressed together.

Wang Jun collected his file and exited the office with a heavy stride. Each step became increasingly burdensome for him.

"What happened? Did you get a loan?" Liu Yang inquired as he emerged, but his words trailed off upon seeing Wang Jun's expression. "Seriously, again? I don't know how many times you've applied, but still? This Huang Lei is something else." He shook his head in disappointment.

"It's fine," Wang Jun responded, his voice trembling slightly. "I...I'm going home now." He placed the file against Liu Yang's chest and proceeded to pack his belongings from the desk.

Liu Yang seized the file and opened it, his eyes widening in astonishment upon seeing its contents. "10 million?" he exclaimed, glancing at Wang Jun, who wore a vacant expression.

"How were you planning to repay such a substantial loan if you had obtained it?"

Wang Jun silently continued packing his things. He had no answer to Liu Yang's question. Though he appeared composed, Liu Yang could discern the slight trembling in the taller man's hands.

"What's this?" Liu Yang picked up another document from the file and examined it. "A termination letter?" His voice resonated with more anger than surprise towards their boss, Huang Lei.

"How can he terminate your employment simply for requesting a loan? I will speak to him," Wang Jun quickly intervened, holding Liu Yang's hand to prevent him from taking action. "If you get involved, you will also lose your job, so let it go."

"But let me have a conversation with him," Liu Yang insisted, freeing his arm from Wang Jun's grip.

"Actually, it was my mistake," Wang Jun admitted, avoiding eye contact.

"Is it really your fault? How could it be?" Liu Yang attempted to meet Wang Jun's gaze.

"It's entirely my fault. I lied when applying for the loan," Wang Jun confessed.

"You lied?" Liu Yang asked in a hushed tone.

Wang Jun tightly pressed his lips together, unable to bring himself to repeat the admission.

"Well, if you're not ready to share the details now, that's alright," Liu Yang said, observing Wang Jun's face for any signs of sadness, pain, or despair. "Go home and rest, don't stress too much. I will also help you find another job."

"Thank you for being so understanding," Wang Jun managed to utter these few words.

After leaving the office, he stood on the road for a while. When a taxi honked loudly nearby, he looked startled.

"Where would you like to go, sir?" the taxi driver asked as he sat in the back seat.

"Take me home!" he replied, settling into the taxi.

"Yes, of course, but where is your house?" the taxi driver inquired, glancing at the rearview mirror.

"Eldoria," he responded with a single word, falling silent thereafter and gazing out the window at the passing cars. Each vehicle triggered a new memory from his past.

It seemed as though misfortune had followed him since birth. His parents, burdened by poverty, struggled to provide for their family. They could barely afford to put food on the table, let alone offer him any luxuries or opportunities. He was a shy and introverted child, often overlooked by his peers.

His classmates relentlessly teased him, leaving him feeling isolated and alone. Despite his best efforts, he could never seem to fit in or find his place in the world. As the years went by, his misfortunes only multiplied. Six years ago, a fire engulfed his house, resulting in the tragic loss of his mother.

His mind wandered back to that fateful day when the fire consumed their home. The flames danced mercilessly, devouring everything in their path. Wang Jun had tried desperately to save their belongings, but it was all in vain. The fire had taken away not only their material possessions but also his wife's trust in him.

She blamed him for the fire, for their misfortune, and for the never-ending cycle of bad luck that seemed to follow him like a shadow. Wang Jun couldn't help but feel responsible. After all, his father's gambling addiction had left them drowning in debt, and he had foolishly taken on a loan he couldn't repay.

The weight of his failures pressed heavily on his shoulders, crushing his spirit day by day. He had become a prisoner to his own circumstances, trapped in a never-ending cycle of despair. The world outside seemed to move on without him, while he remained stuck in this dark abyss of depression.

Today marked his daughter's sixth birthday, yet he had never heard her voice nor had the chance to meet her in person. The only glimpse he had of her existence was through photographs, which he suspected were sent solely to extract money from him by his wife.

The divorce had been messy, with accusations and blame thrown around like daggers. But amidst all the chaos, his daughter had become a pawn in their twisted game. Fear and desperation consumed him. He couldn't bear the thought of his daughter being used as a bargaining chip.