124: Chapter 124 It Seems Like an Old Friend Has Arrived

Xue Haixin went back to work overtime with a bitter face,

but he was in no state to work at all.

Looking at the brightly lit city outside the window,

he thought about how every family should be happy and harmonious right now.

Looking around at the desolation of his own office,

a wave of nameless anger rose in his heart.

On the other hand, Bai Jingqing was here,

talking and laughing with a group of people.

While eating, drinking, and chatting,

they watched the Spring Festival Gala.

The atmosphere was very lively and harmonious.

However, Bai Jingqing didn't really want to drink,

so even when people came to toast him,

he generally substituted tea for wine.

After all, he was the boss of the company,

the person with the highest status among everyone present today.

Even if he substituted tea for wine,

no one would say anything.

Moreover, he had clearly expressed his opposition to toxic drinking culture.

Those who wanted to drink could have some,

and those who didn't shouldn't be forced.

In short, everyone drank voluntarily as they saw fit.

The eating and drinking continued until midnight,

and quite a few people were already tipsy.

With Bai Jingqing there to keep things in check,

they didn't dare to act out in a drunken frenzy.

Soon, the time was approaching midnight.

All the employees present watched the Spring Festival Gala,

following the host to start the countdown together.

"10!"

"9!"

"8!"

"7!"

"6!"

"5!"

"4!"

"3!"

"2!"

"1!"

"Dong! Dong! Dong! Dong! Dong!"

The New Year's bell rang.

"Happy New Year!"

"Happy New Year!"

"May you be prosperous!"

"Happy New Year!"

The group of people cupped their hands to each other,

offering blessings for the new year.

At that very moment,

the "crack-crack" of firecrackers sounded outside,

along with the "bang-bang" of Double-bang Crackers,

and the "sizzle-whoosh" of fireworks.

Bai Jingqing had naturally bought plenty of fireworks and firecrackers.

"Does anyone want to go out and set off fireworks together?

Follow me!"

Bai Jingqing took the lead,

walking out of the Administration Building

to the warehouse in the back,

where he directed everyone to carry out several boxes of fireworks and firecrackers.

He took these employees along

to set off fireworks and firecrackers in various corners of the factory,

symbolizing the driving away of evil, protecting the home, and avoiding disasters.

This was also the custom in Shi City.

In this era, regulations on fireworks and firecrackers were still relatively loose.

Everyone usually set off some crackers during the New Year,

so the New Year atmosphere in this era was still very strong.

This was the only reason Bai Jingqing felt the present was better than the future.

Everyone laughed and played.

The brave ones took firecrackers

and set off a few Double-bang Crackers,

while the more timid ones covered their ears and watched from the side.

Some people used their phones to record videos,

capturing the brilliance of the fireworks in the sky,

just like celebrating the New Year at home with family.

Bai Jingqing was still worried about accidents,

so he repeatedly reminded them

to pay attention to safety.

Afterward, he emphasized safety again to the management among these employees,

telling them to keep a close watch

and ensure that no accidents occurred.

Having done all this,

he prepared to leave.

Ringing in the New Year with these employees

was enough.

Now he was also a bit sleepy.

He would go back, take a shower, and sleep;

the rest could wait until the next day.

He didn't have the habit of staying up all night for the New Year.

However, as he walked to the gate preparing to leave,

he suddenly noticed a security guard shaking his phone frantically.

Bai Jingqing didn't need to guess to know what he was doing;

he was clearly using his phone to grab red packets from Douyin.

"Why didn't this person go inside to make and eat dumplings with them?"

Although Bai Jingqing was a little puzzled,

he figured it must be the Security Captain's arrangement;

it was reasonable to leave someone on duty outside.

He shook his head with a smile,

ignored it,

and prepared to leave.

But in a blur,

under the dim yellow streetlights at the factory gate,

he looked at the security guard's profile

and actually felt he looked a bit familiar.

Just then,

the security guard also clearly noticed Bai Jingqing.

He was very flustered,

quickly stopped shaking his phone,

stuffed the phone into the pocket of his security uniform,

and then stood up straight,

looking straight ahead.

After Bai Jingqing saw the man's face clearly,

he immediately walked up to him with a cold face.

"Playing with your phone during work hours,

50 yuan will be deducted from your salary."

He said coldly.

The security guard repeatedly bowed and scraped with a smile,

saying, "Sorry, sorry,

I won't dare to do it again."

At this moment, someone also came out of the security booth nearby,

repeatedly coming over to apologize as well.

"Little Boss Bai, this is a newcomer,

he doesn't know the rules.

Please don't lower yourself to his level.

Don't worry, I will educate him properly later!

This time, please be magnanimous and overlook his faults,

and let him off the hook."

Bai Jingqing nodded,

said nothing,

and continued walking out of the factory.

The person who had just come out of the security booth was the captain of the Security Team.

He turned back and pretentiously scolded the guard who had been grabbing Douyin red packets: "Stand your post properly!

Stop looking at your phone!"

Then he hurriedly followed Little Boss Bai,

wanting to see him off.

Bai Jingqing's car was parked in the parking lot designated next to the factory.

The Security Captain followed him all the way to the parking lot.

Seeing the Security Captain follow,

Bai Jingqing sat in the car,

rolled down the window, and asked, "Who recruited that security guard just now?"

The Security Captain was stunned for a moment

and quickly said, "Oh, it was me!

He was just recruited during these past few days of the New Year."

Bai Jingqing nodded: "Did he pass all the qualifications?"

The Security Captain was a bit confused: "What qualifications do you need to be a security guard?

Oh, I saw this kid was quite agile,

and there were no problems with his body.

He passed the physical exam

and has all the health certificates.

But the main reason I recruited him

was that he said he knew you,

that he was once your neighbor."

Bai Jingqing: "Oh? What else did he say?"

The Security Captain continued: "He told me he's at his wit's end now,

very miserable,

so he could only come to seek your help.

He also said he lost a lot of money in business,

even mortgaging his house, car, and previous shop,

and as a result, he couldn't get them back.

He's now a penniless pauper who has nothing.

And what's even worse,

his wife saw he had lost his influence

and started making a fuss about a divorce.

He naturally didn't agree,

and then his wife just quietly ran away.

Now he still has a seven or eight-year-old daughter to raise.

To pay off his debts,

he sold everything in his house that was still worth something,

and then for the time being, he's working as a security guard in our factory.

He heard the benefits at our factory are very good,

so he came here because of its reputation.

You see, I couldn't just drive him away!

And more importantly,

he really is quite pitiful right now,

plus he knows you

and was your former neighbor,

so I kept him.

Of course, this is all according to him.

If there's anything wrong with what he said,

Little Boss Bai, just let me know.

If you want to fire him,

I'll go take care of it right away!"