The First Order

Chapter 1016: Dismissed

Translator: Legge

“Y’know, the things the people are critical of the authorities for are behaviors like indolence, sloppiness, and passing the buck?” Wang Yuexi said, “But as long as everyone is working under the same roof, with an inspection board appointed, which doesn’t need too many members on it, it’s enough to make the employees who try to slack off behind the counter put on their best behavior.”

Ren Xiaosu took a good look at Wang Yuexi and thought to himself that he had not expected this chubby middle-aged man to be such an ambitious person.

Wang Yuexi continued, “Of course, this was all thanks to Fortress 178. When the Zong Consortium was still running this place, the various departments were all headed by their own relatives. Even if the department heads didn’t work hard, there was nothing we could do about them. But it’s different now. If the department heads don’t stand up to scrutiny, they’ll be fired. So, Xiaomi, remember this. Although I recommended you for this job, you had better not cause any trouble. Otherwise, I’ll personally fire you.”

“Don’t worry, Mr. Wang. I’m not that sort of person,” Ren Xiaosu said with a smile.

“Mhm.” Wang Yuexi nodded. “I heard the new director of the inspection board will be taking office soon. Some people say he’s an even stricter person who abhors unnecessary bureaucracy. There’s still some parasites left behind by the Zong Consortium in the ranks of the management. When he gets here, he’ll probably be able to get rid of all of them.”

Ren Xiaosu was stunned. “Who is that? He’s that powerful?”

“I heard that his name is Ji Zi’ang.” Wang Yuexi said, “That man is a superhuman and fought alongside the future commander at Mt. Zuoyun. He’s a hero of the Northwest. Rumor has it that he was persecuted by the Zhou Consortium’s officials and their relatives back then. After he was saved by the future commander, he remained by his side since. He’s the future commander’s trusted aide. As long as he gives the word to dismiss those who are just wasting resources, I’m sure it’ll be carried out. He’s someone who kills people like flies, and it’s said that his nickname in the military is Qin Shihuang.1 I don’t know why they gave him that nickname. Maybe it’s because he really believes in legalism and is stricter than most?”

Wang Yuexi looked at Ren Xiaosu and realized he had a strange expression on his face. Then he said, “Don’t worry, as long as you work hard, no one can do anything to you.”

Wang Yuexi thought Ren Xiaosu was just afraid, but what was going through Ren Xiaosu’s mind was amazement that Ji Zi’ang’s nickname had become so well-known.

Besides, didn’t Ji Zi’ang go to Fortress 178 to reunite with his wife and child? Why was he going back to work so quickly?

Actually, according to the original plan, Ji Zi’ang was supposed to remain at Fortress 178. But after he went there, he felt a little lonely without the Great Hoodwinker, Wang Yun, and P5092 around him. He felt he was lacking the partners he had built chemistry with. So he decided to bring his wife and child to Stronghold 144.

Ren Xiaosu wondered when Ji Zi’ang would take over his new role. When Ji Zi’ang arrived and saw him, he would probably go, “Hey, isn’t that the future commander? Why’s he sitting behind the counter?”

It would be really interesting if that happened.

Ren Xiaosu wondered if he should cook up an excuse and go back to doing nothing for a while longer. Ren Xiaosu was already conceiving the thought to do so. After all, his leisurely life with Yang Xiaojin had only just begun!

Wang Yuexi led Ren Xiaosu to the Civil Affairs Division’s counter window and said to a woman inside, “Ms. Li, I’ve brought the new guy to you. You can allocate some work to him. Feel free to assign the tough tasks to him. There’s no need to take me into consideration. If he doesn’t do his job well, please report it to me immediately.”

Ms. Li greeted Wang Yuexi enthusiastically, “Don’t worry, I’ll arrange work for him right away.”

It was now office hours in the administrative center. When the residents lining up outside entered, Wang Yuexi made a few remarks before leaving.

Ms. Li took Ren Xiaosu to his station and said, “There isn’t much to handle here other than making registrations for divorces and marriages. We originally had four employees working on rotation, but two of them are pregnant and went on maternity leave at the same time. That’s why we hired a temporary staffer. Let’s wait for the residents at the counter. If someone comes to register their marriage, you can handle it for them. If they’re here for a divorce, I’ll handle it. After all, getting a divorce is a more complicated process, so it’s better to leave that to me. Getting married is much simpler. You just have to fill out the forms for them, then take them into the room for photos and have them recite their vows.”

As they spoke, a couple came to the counter pushing and shoving at each other. Then they said coldly, “Applying for a divorce.”

Ms. Li picked up their marriage certificate and read it. Then she asked, “Why are you two getting a divorce?”

“I can’t stand this person anymore!” The woman said, “How unlucky of me to be married to this good-for-nothing!”

Ms. Li advised, “You two have been married for over a decade. Do you want to reconsider?”

Ren Xiaosu looked on and felt that everything was very new to him. So it turned out there were certificates issued for marriages and divorces in the stronghold. There were no such practice in town.

Ms. Li tried to persuade them out of goodwill, but the couple insisted on getting a divorce. No matter how hard Ms. Li tried to talk them out of it, it was to no avail. As such, she could only handle the divorce proceedings for them.

After they were done, the two of them did not leave the administrative center. Instead, they headed further inside. Ren Xiaosu wondered, “Where are they going?”

“Oh, they must’ve gone to handle the estate division and ownership transfer.” Ms. Li sighed and said, “The administrative center makes everything really convenient. Now that the Civil Affairs Division and Estate Affairs Division are housed in the same building, once a couple gets a divorce, they can go straight to the next department to divide their assets. How efficient.”

Ren Xiaosu was speechless. Ren Xiaosu thought that Wang Yuexi probably did not expect that someone would lament the efficiency of the administrative center from such an angle.

While he was in contemplation, several people came to the counter. Some of them were here to get a divorce, while others were applying to get married.

Ms. Li said to Ren Xiaosu, “Go serve the couple who wants to get married. I’ll handle the rest. Don’t panic, just do as I did just now. Make some small talk and then guide them to fill out the forms. After that, take them to the back room for photos and recital of their vows.”

Ren Xiaosu nodded and said to the couple, “Are the two of you here to register your marriage? Please fill out the form here.”

Ren Xiaosu recalled what Ms. Li had told him. “Make some small talk.”

While the couple in front of him was filling out the form, Ren Xiaosu asked curiously, “What does it feel like to get married?”

The man said with a smile, “We’ve been in a relationship for six years, so we’re ready to commit ourselves. I’m ready to give her a family. Here, the form’s filled out.”

Ren Xiaosu took the form and started going through the motions just like Ms. Li. “Um… since you two have been dating for six years, do you want to reconsider?”

1

The couple was surprised.

As such, Ren Xiaosu was dismissed on his first day of work. To be precise, he was dismissed after less than an hour at work.

Ren Xiaosu felt a sense of relief. But it was such a waste of the suits Yang Xiaojin had bought for him.

When Ren Xiaosu returned home and told Yang Xiaojin about everything, she kept laughing for over an hour. Her hands were trembling as she stir-fried vegetables.

1

Later, Yang Xiaojin even stopped cooking and just sat on the couch to laugh. She laughed so hard Ren Xiaosu’s face turned dark.