NOVEL NEXT Chapter 24: The True Essence of Slacking Off
Early the next morning, Young Master Sang took Yan Rouwan up the mountain.
When Tang Yubbing saw the fully trained Yan Rouwan, she couldn’t stop grinning, her beautiful eyes sparkling as she looked at Young Master Sang.
“Young Master Sang, you’re quite skilled, huh? Just one night at home, and you’ve got her wrapped around your finger.”
“Really not interested… want to see my techniques, big sister?”
Every time he faced such questions, Young Master Sang wore an innocent smile.
“Hello, big sister.”
“We’re not on the same page.”
After a whole morning of registration, Yan Rouwan officially became one of the Demon Dao employees.
Unfortunately, she didn’t end up in the Punishment Department.
Instead, she was assigned to the most powerful and crucial department in the Demon Dao.
The Heavenly Punishment Department.
In simpler terms, they were the muscle.
Out in the field, battling against those righteous cultivators alongside the Demon Dao.
Though the risk was high, the pay and benefits were the best.
Especially when Young Master Sang heard that a fresh Demon Cultivator like Yan Rouwan made a salary comparable to what he earned in six months, his face turned purple.
People can be so infuriating!
Damn, I need to find a way for this little rich girl to support me.
When Tang Yubbing took Yan Rouwan down the mountain to see her assigned residence, Yan Rouwan surprisingly displayed a hint of hesitation and loneliness. Was it just Young Master Sang’s imagination?
“Are you dissatisfied with the house, Fairy Yan?”
“No,” Yan Rouwan blinked and suddenly turned to Young Master Sang, “I can’t cook. Can I come over to your house for meals?”
Young Master Sang thought for a moment.
“Just reimburse the food expenses.”
“… You really are a money-grubber.”
Yan Rouwan’s cherry lips puffed up slightly, but her eyes sparkled with laughter, her voice even lighter.
“Okay, it’s settled then!”
“Oh, by the way,” before leaving, Yan Rouwan added, “Jiao Jiao and Hei Xia will be staying with you.”
Young Master Sang: “Huh? Why? Aren’t they your cats? You don’t want them?”
“Secret.”
Yan Rouwan didn’t explain much, just gave a playful smile and followed Tang Yubbing down the mountain.
Leaving Young Master Sang, completely baffled, standing there pondering life.
——
——
But none of that was important.
What mattered was he finally completed the biggest project since joining the company.
The rewards and bonuses were even better than imagined, motivating Young Master Sang to continue working hard.
Next on his agenda?
Shi Qingyan and Si Jingzhu.
Right now, sitting in Si Jingzhu’s cell, Young Master Sang was daydreaming about reaching the pinnacle of success after finishing this task.
In sharp contrast, there was Si Jingzhu, currently locked up in chains, desperately trying to provoke Young Master Sang.
“Hey… hey! Young Master Sang!”
“Youn~g~ Ma~ster~ Sang, are you listening?”
“Are you dead? Can’t understand human language?”
No matter what Si Jingzhu did to poke at him, no matter her harsh words, Young Master Sang seemed utterly oblivious.
It wasn’t until her throat was hoarse that Si Jingzhu finally gave up in despair.
These past few days, Si Jingzhu felt like she was losing her mind.
This Demon Dao prison was nothing like she imagined.
In her mind, a prison should be dark, dirty, and damp, reeking of decay.
The torturer should be a terrifying, perverse monster, constantly dreaming up inhumane ways to torment prisoners.
But the reality was:
Three meals a day, soft beds, and pillows!
The whole place was spotless, with a cleaning auntie sweeping the floors, even asking her to lift her legs as she mopped by.
The windows were spacious and venting, and whenever it rained or blew, someone would come and kindly close them.
Si Jingzhu even had the strange feeling that this place was more comfortable than her home.
And this torturer was even more frustrating.
He couldn’t be said to be incompetent; at least, he wasn’t doing anything.
Every day, he’d clock in at work, but as soon as he entered, he’d plop down on his chair.
Then, he’d slack off.
If he got tired, he’d doze off; if not, he’d play with the Communication Device.
Sometimes, just to pretend to do his job, he’d lazily ask her the same two meaningless questions:
“Are you confessing or not? If not, we might have to punish you severely.”
Si Jingzhu certainly wouldn’t confess.
But after waiting so long, she still hadn’t received her “severe punishment.”
Every time he asked that, Young Master Sang would seriously jot down her answer: No confession.
Then he’d toss the paper aside.
And continue slacking off.
Si Jingzhu was at her wits’ end.
She just couldn’t understand why someone would collect a paycheck doing nothing all day, just hanging around at their post.
How can you face yourself, leeching off your boss like this?
“Young Master Sang, I won’t scold you anymore. Can you answer me one honest question?”
Si Jingzhu’s voice suddenly turned soft and wounded as she blinked at Young Master Sang, looking truly pitiful:
“When you’re at work, are you not planning to actually work?”
“Ahem, don’t misinterpret. I’m a diligent and hardworking employee.”
Young Master Sang proclaimed with a serious demeanor, “But as the saying goes…”
“The paycheck you get when working is what you deserve. Only the money you earn while slacking off counts as truly earning.”
“So, even if I seem to slack off every day, I’m actually making money in every second!”
Si Jingzhu stared at him in stunned silence.
Suddenly, she realized.
This person’s brain didn’t work like normal people’s.
If she wanted to spark some motivation, she had to play by his rules.
Just as Young Master Sang leisurely fiddled with the Communication Device, Si Jingzhu’s coaxing voice echoed in the cell:
“Young Master Sang, let me ask you.”
“Doesn’t the Demon Dao have bonuses and commissions?”
“Of course.” Young Master Sang blinked, “What’s up?”
“You see, you’ve been interrogating me for so long without getting anything from me, your supervisor must be furious.”
Si Jingzhu’s eyes sparkled with mischief, “How about I show some mercy and help you out?”
“Just whip me a few times and create some wounds. I’ll act like I can’t withstand the torture and let slip some secrets of the sect.”
“So, you can handle your duties, get praise when reporting to your supervisor, and it’s a win-win, right?”
Young Master Sang’s eyes lit up, but after a moment of skepticism, he shook his head.
“Wait a minute. There’s no such good deal. You’re definitely trying to trick me.”
“I’ll tell you, I’m a very honest and simple person; if you deceive me, I’m easily fooled!”
Si Jingzhu: “… Then go ahead and fall for it!”
After nearly half an hour of persuasive talk, Si Jingzhu showcased her entire life’s eloquence, and Young Master Sang finally picked up the whip with hesitation and slowly approached her.
“Then, I’ll go for it.”
“Yes, hit me hard!” Si Jingzhu’s eyes sparkled with excitement and flushed red.
Finally, the day has come.
I can’t hold on even a second longer.
Quick, whip me fiercely, don’t hold back!
Young Master Sang mumbled, slowly raising the whip.
Then.
At the gaze full of anticipation from Si Jingzhu.
He slowly lowered the whip again.
“Ah, sorry.”
He glanced at the time, smiled apologetically, “Clocking out time’s up. We’ll continue tomorrow.”
With that, he turned and left.
Leaving behind Si Jingzhu, utterly dumbfounded, standing there for a whole incense stick’s worth of time.
Then she completely snapped, screaming in frustration.
“Ahhhhhhh!!!”
“I can’t take it anymore!!!!”