These days, Su Mu was focused on cultivation at night, while Zhou Lei couldn't find a drinking buddy last night, so he ended up drinking alone in the dormitory, getting thoroughly drunk.
He had just woken up and his head still hurt a bit.
He got up to brush his teeth, and while groggily looking at his phone, suddenly felt a jolt through his body.
"Captain Su is absent from the meeting... Sun Jianren suggested to fire Captain Su... and wants to report the matter to Director Li at the Logistics Department!"
Zhou Lei instantly became clear-headed.
This matter has blown up, as their Security Department is under the management of the Logistics Department, and Director Li is their direct superior.
And lately, he had heard some rumors saying Director Li is Sun Jianren's uncle, which is also why Sun Jianren was elected as team leader.
As for Zhou Lei himself, though unwilling to admit it, he suspected that the reason for his election was probably because of that person stepping in.
"Was Captain Su always this hot-tempered? Usually, he is very gentle, it shouldn't be like this."
"Sun Jianren must have done something excessive."
Zhou Lei couldn't help doubting this, but more than one person had mentioned it to him, including some from the third team, and indeed there were records in the group chat.
He tried calling Su Mu, only to be prompted that the phone was turned off.
"This matter can't be allowed to escalate, at least Captain Su can't be fired."
Zhou Lei thought of someone, though he didn't want to find this person, it seemed he had no choice now as long as that person could step in, this matter would surely be suppressed.
"There's a Grinding Iron Cafe outside the school, I want to talk to you."
"Alright."
Dean Lin hung up the phone, showing a hint of joy, that kid actually proposed to see him on his own initiative.
"I want you to do me a favor, for you it's just a trivial matter."
"Go ahead."
"I want you to show up and vouch for Captain Su."
Immediately, Zhou Lei explained the whole situation, after listening Dean Lin frowned, "The nine thousand Spirit Stones you borrowed last time were lent to him, right, you've helped him enough."
"And when asking someone for help, at the very least, they should be present, this is not an attitude of asking for help."
Zhou Lei was at a loss for words, he couldn't very well say that Su Mu himself might not even be aware, and he couldn't reach him.
"Captain Su is a very good friend of mine, we are brothers."
"Brothers? He only gets close to you for money, last time I saw you came back reeking of alcohol, you are just drinking buddies."
"Captain Su is definitely not that kind of person."
Dean Lin took a sip of coffee, and didn't speak anymore.
Zhou Lei gritted his teeth, his tone became pleading, "Then what would make you willing to step in? It's just a small matter for you."
"To me, it is indeed just a small matter, but why should I help him? Since you say he isn't like that, then prove it to me."
"How do you want me to prove it?"
"He should return the Spirit Stones you lent him in full."
"You, you..."
Watching Zhou Lei angrily leave, Dean Lin remained unfazed. After finishing his coffee, he suddenly sighed.
...
In the phone shop, Su Mu, the person directly involved in the incident, was completely unaware of Sun Jianren's intention to fire him, he even forgot about the meeting, at the moment he was negotiating with the shop assistant.
He wasn't picky about phones, but he was used to his old one, it was a gift from his wife when he got into college, so this time he specifically sought out a Huaxia brand phone.
"Just 25 Spirit Stones, otherwise I'm leaving."
Seeing Su Mu really about to leave, the shop assistant looked troubled, gritted his teeth and agreed.
"Alright, 25 Spirit Stones it is."
Getting the new phone, Su Mu just switched his SIM card and was about to transfer the data from his old phone when it started up, receiving a flurry of urgent messages, followed by the ringtone.
It was Zhou Lei calling, with over ten missed calls displayed, from Zhou Lei and Li Lei among others.
"Captain Su, I've been worried sick, do you know what just happened? Where are you now?"
"I don't know."
Then Zhou Lei began recounting the events, hearing Sun Jianren exploiting the situation to propose his dismissal to Director Li, Su Mu frowned but didn't get too angry, he quietly listened and pondered for a while.
"Captain Su, what do you plan to do now?"
"Good buddy, thanks, I'll handle this myself. Have you eaten? Want to go grab a meal together?"
"Captain Su, you, you still have the mood to eat? Do you really want to be fired?"
"No worries, leave it to me."
Zhou Lei, hot-tempered, quickly hung up the phone, Su Mu laughed, truly he had found a good buddy.
As for Sun Jianren, true to his name, he's an absolute bastard.
Su Mu wasn't being impulsive, rather he now had self-assurance, currently being a Third Level Middle Stage Martial Artist certified by the association, his monthly subsidy matched his previous salary as team leader.
Now that there's a backup plan, what does it matter if I lose my job? The monthly subsidy for a Third Level Martial Artist is enough to support a family.
No longer bound by work, why should Su Mu bow to life? In an instant, he felt the burden lifted, like a bird soaring into the sky, or a fish diving into the sea, free from constraints, finally able to stretch his wings.
"Since you're determined to disgust me, I'll play this game with you!"
Su Mu took a deep breath and silently vowed.
He had previously hinted to his wife that there might be changes in his job, just in case, mentioning that it would be best if he became a counselor.
If it didn't work out, a Third Level Martial Artist wouldn't have trouble finding a job. At worst, he'd go back to the Linjiang Base. Although the potential for growth wasn't high, a Third Level Martial Artist would have no problem becoming an official in a small town.
And as a man, as a father, he had to keep his words.
He promised his daughter Xiaoyue they'd go back home this summer, and he intended to keep that promise.
Ironically, Sun Jianren wanting to fire him actually gave Su Mu some guidance. He had already used his mid-year vacation days to push for becoming a Third Level Martial Artist.
Judging by that jerk's personality, even if he wasn't fired, getting time off in the summer would be nearly impossible.
So, whether or not he became a counselor, Su Mu would resign from this job.
After figuring this out, Su Mu smiled, feeling like he'd returned to when he was eighteen, standing out among over a hundred thousand exam candidates from Linjiang Base, winning the beauty's heart, full of youthful vigor.
"Damn it, might as well go out with a bang!"
Back at school, Su Mu filled in the Martial Arts Cultivation section of the counselor application form with: Third Level Middle Stage.
Then he handwrote a resignation letter, the content simple and direct: I'm not doing this anymore.
Afterward, he glanced at the news from the big group chat and learned that the jerk was currently in the cafeteria.
Su Mu swaggered into the cafeteria, which was bustling during lunchtime.
The moment Sun Jianren saw Su Mu, his eyes filled with rage, and those around could immediately feel the tension.
"Su Mu, how dare you show up here..."
Bang!
Before he could finish, Su Mu strode forward and slapped a piece of paper on Sun Jianren's table, using Qi and Blood to create a loud noise.
Everyone turned to look.
"What are you doing?" Sun Jianren's face changed, suddenly remembering that Su Mu's Martial Arts Cultivation was above his, causing his demeanor to deflate.
"Can't you see for yourself? Are you blind?"
Seeing that Sun Jianren hadn't yet caused trouble for Su Mu, Su Mu aggressively confronted him, leaving Li Lei and the others around dumbfounded—had the world turned upside down?
Once they snapped back to reality, they quickly got up, wanting to intervene.
"Hmph, you think you can stop me?"
Li Lei and the others looked at each other in disbelief. Over the years, Su Mu had always been mild-tempered in their eyes, and they were now a bit scared seeing this gentle person suddenly turn so fiery.
Did Su Mu eat something explosive today, why was his temper so fiery?
And what did he mean by his last sentence?
Did he really think they couldn't stop him alone?
Had Su Mu gone mad?
"A resignation letter?!"
Hearing this, Li Lei and the others were incredulous—had Su Mu really gone mad? They peered at the resignation letter in Sun Jianren's hand, stunned by the eight bold characters.
The top read resignation letter.
Below, it said: I'm not doing this anymore!
Immediately, everyone was dumbfounded.
"I, Su Mu, will leave on my own terms, no need to bother you, Sun... Jianren," Su Mu deliberately emphasized the 'Jianren.'
"Jianren? Did I hear wrong, that escalated quickly?"
"Fight, fight!"
The surrounding students, eager for drama, were egging them on.
Sun Jianren, furious, wanted to explode, but seeing Su Mu towering over him, he chickened out—was Su Mu always this assertive? And had he always been this burly?
But then he suddenly remembered something, speaking with a sarcastic tone.
"Oh, Counselor Su, did you submit your counselor application form? Need me to accompany you?"
Applying for counselor?
Crazy, completely crazy!
Li Lei and the others looked at Su Mu, thinking he must've gone crazy—no wonder he was resigning, did he really think he could just whimsically become a counselor?
But did Su Mu have what it takes?
The minimum requirement for a counselor is being a Third Level Martial Artist—did Su Mu qualify?
(PS: The following is a pretty cliché face-slapping plot; the next two chapters aren't well-written. Readers who don't like it can skip to chapter twelve, it almost doesn't affect the reading, thanks!!!!)