"The bonus has arrived!"
"I made a killing this month!"
"Squadron Leader, let's drink, come and have a drink with us!"
More than one flyer gleefully broke into the Bear Dance on the tarmac; it was a chaotic dance party.
"[Apocalypse Defense] Pay slip for December for employee (Chen Fei) of Aircrew Base 911: Base Salary +45,000 Star Yuan, Position Bonus +5,000 Star Yuan, Special Skill Allowance +5,000 Star Yuan, Part-time Job 1 Subsidy +3,000 Star Yuan, Part-time Job 2 Subsidy +2,800 Star Yuan, Attendance +1,000 Star Yuan, Food Allowance +600 Star Yuan, Other Bonuses +75,000 Star Yuan, Personal Contribution to Pension Insurance -1,500 Star Yuan, Personal Contribution to Medical Insurance -500 Star Yuan, Reproduction Insurance -200 Star Yuan, Disability Insurance -400 Star Yuan, Accident Insurance -100 Star Yuan, Actual Earnings +134,700 Star Yuan, Deductions -127,965 Star Yuan, Final Income +6,735 Star Yuan, Current Account Balance 7,611 Star Yuan."
Chen Fei's emotions went on a rollercoaster ride as he looked over the salary details in the text message, from surprise to excitement to pride to confusion to bewilderment to dejection to thinking life isn't worth it.
In his first month on the job, he couldn't believe he had earned a salary of over 130,000 Star Yuan. With such an income level, clearing the debt with the credit company seemed right around the corner; it wouldn't take six or seven years to pay it off in full, with interest.
But Chen Fei knew better than to get his hopes up.
Let's not mention that a large portion of this 130,000+ income of the month came from Chekhov Big Bear's self-destruction.
Such windfalls are rare and accidental.
One couldn't expect the Big Bear Squadron Leader to self-destruct again next month to contribute to the whole squadron and benefit all the members; that would be a dream!
Life being so tough, Chen Fei eventually sighed and manually made another payment.
The balance left in his work card account was a neat 611 Star Yuan, relying on this mere change for meals, internet charges, and personal living supplies, and he still needed to save up to replace his old phone— who knows how much longer it would last.
The current total personal debt was 8,565,035 Star Yuan, which had already offset the after-tax bonus of 100,000 Star Yuan.
Among them, 6,765,035 Star Yuan were accredited, 4,765,035 Star Yuan to the credit company, and 2,000,000 Star Yuan to the Apocalypse Defense Group, plus the 1,800,000 Star Yuan verbal account owed to Big Bear Squadron Leader Chekhov, which had ample flexibility.
He could pay back with cash or with guns; if he were lucky enough to find a brand-new factory AK-47 one day, the debt would naturally cancel itself out.
The debt owed to the credit company was subject to interest; although the annual interest was substantial, it wasn't a frighteningly high usury. Otherwise, no matter how high Chen Fei's salary, he would inevitably be trapped to death.
The debts to Apocalypse Defense Group and Chekhov Big Bear had no interest, and he could delay repaying those, focusing on paying off the credit company first, which gave him some breathing room. Otherwise, these huge debts could have suffocated him.
Early in the morning, a small business jet landed on the main runway of Aircrew Base 911.
The psychological counselor, verbally notified by executive manager Hanna Gagel, arrived as promised.
The medical team's large consultation room was occupied by one male and two females who arrived in the business jet. They set up a couch, drew the curtains, and then distributed number cards to all employees of the base, beginning their checks in order.
The pilots from the Combat Flight Squadron Genuine Fragrance, who originally thought the psychological survey was only meant for them, were surprised to find that it involved everyone on the base, including janitorial staff.
Everyone who received a number card was baffled; what exactly was Manager Hanna cooking up in her gourd?
A total of 247 number cards were issued, and Chen Fei received number 74. Benefiting from the Glow of the Combat Flight Squadron Genuine Fragrance, his was relatively upfront.
A full psychological survey of all staff could only cover 40 people a day. To finish everyone, it would take at least a week.
It was finally his turn at three o'clock in the afternoon the next day.
Holding number 73 was Susanna Emma, code-named "Mint", the copilot of Z-9 armed helicopter Scavenger Squad's Unit 2. She walked into the consultation room with a look of curiosity, but came out ten minutes later sobbing, shooting a glance at Chen Fei waiting in line before dashing away.
This left Chen Fei, clutching his little number 74 slip, utterly confused and at a loss.
What could be wrong with this young girl, a year or two younger than himself?
Could it be that the male psychological counselor inside had done something outrageous, something he shouldn't have done, to cause her to burst into tears as she left?
Yet the expression on each person who came out of the consultation room was off, and it wasn't only Susanna Emma who reacted .
If they were bullied, that psychological counselor wouldn't live to see tomorrow's sun.
"Number 74, you may come in now."
A few minutes later, a voice from inside finally called out.
Chen Fei hesitantly walked in, rounded the snow-white curtains, and saw a young man who didn't seem to be much older than himself, sitting on a high barstool. He gestured towards the sofa opposite him.
"Hello, my name is Li Bai; you can call me Little Li, Little Bai, or Doctor Li—whatever you like. Please sit on the couch, no rush, start with a deep breath to relax."
Although Chen Fei's insides were tumultuous, he still made his way to the couch and sat down.
A mild fragrance permeated the room, and with a slight sniff, his unease settled instantly. He saw a slender pale yellow incense stick burning in the corner, trails of green smoke wafting up, the source of the enigmatic scent.
"Please have some tea!"
A voluptuous lady in a green dress brought over a small cup of pale green drink and, after setting the cup down, walked behind the psychological counselor to massage his shoulders.
Another girl, resembling jade of a well-kept household, was sitting behind a table with a laptop in front of her, connected to a camera that was aimed directly at Chen Fei sitting on the sofa.
Following Chen Fei's gaze, the young psychological counselor said with a smile, "This is Qiongya Agarwood, 500 Star Yuan per gram—the scent is calming and refreshing."
Retracting his gaze and looking at the paper cup beside Chen Fei's hand, he continued, "Calming Tea, best to drink it all in one gulp while still hot; it's good for you."
Chen Fei picked up the cup with skepticism and took a sip, savoring the taste.
A faint sweetness, not bitter, somewhat invigorating—decent!
Then, he drank it down in one gulp.
Setting down the cup, he looked again at the psychological counselor Li Bai and asked, "Can we start now?"
"Of course, please look at my hand!"
Li Bai raised his right hand and waved it in front of Chen Fei's eyes, then snapped his fingers with a loud click.
Li Bai nodded and said, "Done!"
Chen Fei couldn't help but ask, "Done what?"
This self-proclaimed Doctor Li was so odd, talking to himself, unsure what he was up to.
Psychological Counselor Li Bai: "..."
Shouldn't the other party be hypnotized by now? But this reaction was really off!
"Uh! Could you please take a deep breath for a minute and then concentrate, looking carefully..."
But Li Bai actually used "you" to address Chen Fei, thought for a moment, then pulled out a Green Jade Gourd strung on a thin red cord and began to gently sway it back and forth in front of him, like a pendulum, left and right, left and right, left and right...
"You've worked hard all day, tired and sleepy, wanting to sleep well. This place is comfortable, warm, a good place to sleep, please slowly close your eyes..."
His voice became softer and softer.
A minute later, the swaying Green Jade Gourd finally stopped.
The young psychological counselor Li Bai stroked his forehead, pretending to flick away the nonexistent sweat.
Chen Fei opened his eyes, bewildered.
Psychological Counselor Li Bai staggered back several steps and sat down on a stool, then looked Chen Fei up and down with eyes as if he were seeing a monster.
Chen Fei looked at himself, not seeing anything unusual.
But the other's expression was very strange indeed.
Li Bai probed, asking, "May I ask... are you human?"
A regular person would have succumbed to the sound of his snap, right on the spot.
Even those with strong willpower could not resist the swinging Green Jade Gourd.
"Of course... do you want to see my ID?"
Whether one is human should be clear from an ID, Chen Fei pretended to reach for his ID to prove himself, but the young psychological counselor Li Bai quickly waved his hand and said, "No need! I believe you!"
"That, Doctor Li Bai, you mean to say...?"
Chen Fei still couldn't figure out what the other was getting at.
"What I mean is, hypnotism seems to have no effect on you."
Upon saying this, the young psychological counselor seemed relieved.
At this juncture, there was no need for obscurity and pretense; life's not worth the charade.