Era of Mist

Shi Tiexin looked at the young man, his curiosity mixed with a feeling that the kid was—out of place.

That’s right, out of place.

This young man was brimming with a sunny confidence and vibrant energy, a stark contrast to the people around him. All the workers from the Meat Processing Plant, including the silent security guards shoveling down their food, carried a more or less gloomy and somber air. It was an aura naturally cultivated from a life of long-term pressure and hopelessness—something that could neither be faked nor erased.

But this young man was different. He had a radiant, pure air about him. His smile was untainted, and his eyes held a certain naivete about the ways of the world.

With just one glance, Shi Tiexin knew the young man must come from a good family. At the very least, he had never truly suffered or endured great hardship. Glancing at his skin, then at his knuckles, Shi Tiexin judged that this Si Chongtian must live a life of comfort—a typical young master.

However, the young man seemed to have been raised well. His gaze toward Shi Tiexin held only curiosity, even a bit of innocence, with no trace of condescending contempt or disdain.

This was a young master from a rich family.

But he wasn’t dislikable.

Shi Tiexin gave him a small smile and a friendly nod. "Hello, I’m Shi Tiexin. I’m no senior. Like you, I only just got here a few days ago. We’re both new."

"So you’re Brother Shi! Speaking of which, our surnames sound pretty similar. It’s a bit easy to mix them up!" This Si Chongtian seemed to be a natural at getting friendly, and he eagerly leaned in to ask, "Brother Shi, what post were you assigned to?"

"I’m on security check duty at Plant Two."

"That’s great, you’ve been assigned a specific post! Not like me, just sitting in a room, drinking tea and reading the paper. I’m bored to death." Si Chongtian seemed troubled, little knowing that Shi Tiexin’s eyes were practically red with envy.

’I’m the one who wants the tea-drinking, paper-reading job! Let’s switch!’

Of course, he knew that was impossible.

From Si Chongtian’s speech and behavior, Shi Tiexin was now mostly certain that the guy’s family background was quite impressive. He was probably just here as a security guard to experience life for a bit. With someone high up looking out for him, there was no way he’d end up doing security checks at the gate of Plant Two.

But Si Chongtian seemed very interested. "What do you do at the security checkpoint?"

"Strictly check for all prohibited items and prevent any risk sources from entering the plant area." Shi Tiexin had just finished a night shift, but he wasn’t too sleepy and didn’t mind chatting a bit more with the young man. So he gave Si Chongtian a good rundown on the responsibilities, risks, difficulties, and requirements of the security check post.

The information Xiaoli hoarded like a treasure, Shi Tiexin shared freely. ’Does he really think a phoenix just passing by would stoop to fight a crow for rotten meat? Xiaoli might be a crow, and for now, I’m stuck fighting with crows for scraps. But this Si Chongtian? He doesn’t have a single crow’s feather on him.’

"Oh, oh, that’s a huge responsibility! That’s how it should be! This is the kind of work a person ought to do!"

Si Chongtian was quite interested, and before long, he and Shi Tiexin were deep in a back-and-forth conversation. The guy seemed to have boundless energy, and his voice wasn’t quiet either, making for a surprisingly lively chat.

This naive guy couldn’t help but remind Shi Tiexin of the high school students from another world-line—just as naive, just as ignorant of the world, and for the most part, full of wonderful expectations and perceptions about life.

Shi Tiexin didn’t dislike guys like him. After all, who wouldn’t like such vibrant, youthful energy, aside from those with a dark and gloomy mindset?

Just then, a series of respectful greetings suddenly erupted at the cafeteria entrance. Cries of "Hello, President Liu!" went off one after another, like a string of firecrackers.

Shi Tiexin glanced over and saw a man who looked to be in his forties walking over, his face cold and imposing.

Shi Tiexin recognized the man. To be precise, he had seen him appear in the Meat Processing Plant’s internal news. If you wanted to get by here, it was impossible not to know him. He was the top dog at the Meat Processing Plant, General Manager Liu Qigang.

Liu Qigang usually put on great airs and was extremely strict with his subordinates. He was a big reason this place had become a sweatshop.

’Why would he come to the ordinary workers’ cafeteria today?’

As Shi Tiexin was wondering, Liu Qigang walked straight toward his table, amidst the chorus of greetings and the gazes of the crowd.

Huh?

Oh!

Shi Tiexin glanced at Si Chongtian next to him. Liu Qigang certainly wasn’t here to see him, so the most likely possibility was that he was here for this young man.

It seemed Si Chongtian’s status was even higher than he had imagined. If he were just some ordinary person with connections, Liu Qigang would have at most summoned him to his office. A slightly more formal meeting might involve a private dinner. For Liu Qigang to come running over here personally, Si Chongtian’s identity had to be quite extraordinary.

Sure enough, Liu Qigang immediately sat down opposite Si Chongtian. An assistant and secretary at his side gestured for Shi Tiexin to scram, but Liu Qigang raised a hand to stop them.

He didn’t even glance at Shi Tiexin. A rare touch of softness appeared on his harsh face. "Chongtian, my dear nephew, you came to visit your uncle, yet you didn’t say a word in advance. You’ve given your uncle quite a surprise."

"Uncle Liu, I didn’t want to bother you." Si Chongtian patted his security uniform. "Dad told me to come here for a work-study program. I’m here to work as a security guard to earn my tuition."

Liu Qigang’s face was not very expressive—this was already him at his most amiable. He nodded and then asked, "So, how does it feel?"

"Boring. Nothing ever happens. It’s totally different from what I imagined. But my workplace seniors are pretty cool," Si Chongtian said, clapping Shi Tiexin on the back. "This is Brother Shi, Shi Tiexin. He’s my workplace senior. He just taught me a lot of stuff. He’s really enthusiastic!"

’Workplace senior, my ass! Does this kid have some kind of warped understanding of the term "workplace senior"?’ Shi Tiexin broke out in a cold sweat.

’But... looking at the situation, could it be? Am I about to live out one of those trashy web novels, where I randomly meet the company’s big boss by coincidence, get into his good graces, escape this Sea of Suffering, and reach the pinnacle of life? A life where I could just beckon with my finger and have Old Wei serve me tea?’

’Xiaosi, hurry up and praise me some more! Maybe the cliché will come true~’

But Liu Qigang remained expressionless, still not even sparing Shi Tiexin a glance.

No, not just expressionless. President Liu’s expression had actually grown a little more solemn.

"My nephew, I can guess why your father sent you to me. You’ve lived a life of privilege since you were a child, well-fed and well-clothed. Your thinking is simple, and you don’t know the hardships of life or the dangers of the world. Of course, none of that really matters. But because you don’t know just how miserable the lives of the wretched can be, you naturally have no motivation to strive upwards."

"You are about to break through to the Second Layer of Power Technique, and this juncture is very important for you. A breakthrough requires you to burst forth with a sharp, unstoppable momentum. You’ve lived a privileged life, as if in a greenhouse. You have no sense of urgency, no sense of crisis. How can you possibly possess the kind of spirit needed to burn your bridges?"

"That is why you are here. The main reason is to see for yourself what a dog’s life these worthless, cultivation-less lowlifes live. If you don’t want to live like a dog, if you want to break free from this kind of life, then you will find your sharp edge."

’A breakthrough?’

Shi Tiexin shot a surprised glance at Si Chongtian. This soft, pampered-looking young man was already about to surpass him by an entire major layer?

’A young master is a young master, after all.’