The Warmth and Coldness of Human Relations
3 p. m.
Sunlight streamed in from outside the glass curtain wall on the west side.
Many colleagues made themselves a steaming cup of coffee and began their daily routine of slacking off.
The entire office area felt quiet and warm.
A new message suddenly appeared in the technical department's work group.
Director Chen Yunteng: "@Backend Developer Tang Song, today you are officially leaving the company. Thank you for your hard work over the past few months."
At first, only a few people saw it.
Soon, the entire technical department office area became noisy.
"Tang Song is resigning!?"
"What happened?! Didn't she just get promoted not long ago? Why is she suddenly resigning?"
"Tang Song, have you found someone else yet?"
"Could it be that this corporate financing is targeting our technology department?"
"Layoffs? Don't scare me, my wife just lost her job!"
The news of Tang Song's departure came too suddenly, it can be said to have come without any warning.
It instantly ignited this ordinary Tuesday afternoon.
Some people were concerned about his situation, some were afraid of being affected, and of course, some were gloating.
Just then, Chen Yunteng, the director with thinning hair, walked out of his office.
Everyone immediately shut their mouths and stared intently at their computer screens.
Chen Yunteng glanced in Tang Song's direction and said in a calm tone, "Chaoyang, you should first hand over your work to Tang Song. A new colleague will be joining the company after the May Day holiday, and you can then hand over the project to him."
"Yes, President Chen," Wang Chaoyang quickly replied.
Chen Yunteng nodded slightly, then turned and left.
The colleagues exchanged glances, all realizing that something was wrong.
Although President Chen didn't say anything offensive, his attitude and demeanor clearly showed that Tang Song had offended him.
When a colleague leaves, Chen Yunteng, as the director, would take the initiative to arrange a meal or drinks after work.
But this time, he seemed unusually indifferent, simply making arrangements for the handover process.
For a moment, the entire office area became very quiet, and no one dared to talk about it anymore.
"Ding-dong—" Another message came in the department's group chat.
Director Chen Yunteng: "Everyone, focus on your work and don't let your minds wander. The company is in a period of rapid development, and we've already begun restructuring major departments. The Technical Support Department will announce the specific plan after the May Day holiday. This is a great opportunity for everyone, so keep up the good work!"
After a short while, colleagues responded one after another.
Developer Du Shaokai: "Received! Keep it up!"
Frontend developer Zhao Yue: "Received! (#Keep it up!)"
Frontend - Hu Mingli: "Received!"
This put everyone's minds at ease, assuring them that the company would not lay off any employees, and many people breathed a sigh of relief.
Brocade Business is a large company with good benefits.
Many people have worked at the company for several years and have entered their comfort zone, so they are very worried about being laid off.
After glancing at the messages in the group, Tang Song left the group chat.
Then he left all the other work group chats.
He frequently received inquiries from close colleagues on WeChat about why he had resigned.
Tang Song did not elaborate on his conflict with Du Shaokai, but only briefly mentioned the salary reduction and layoffs.
Just before the end of the workday, Liu Huihui from hR came over.
Tang Song handed over all the company's Access Card, laptops, mice, and other office supplies, and signed to confirm receipt.
The resignation process is now complete.
He opened his backpack and packed all his personal belongings inside, including a water bottle, tissues, snacks, and a charger.
Looking at the empty desk, I felt a strange sense of loss, but more than that, I was full of ambition for the future.
"Xiao Song, let's find a place to get together." Guo Peng patted him on the shoulder and said with a sigh, "I really will miss you. You're a good person and you're very skilled. If you leave, there will be no one to help me monitor the server when I take leave."
Tang Songchao's Brother Guo smiled, stood up and said, "Comrades, thank you all for your continued support. I'm treating everyone to a buffet at Lanting Teppanyaki. Those who want to go, please sign up now."
Hu Mingli quickly interjected, "Did you quit your job or strike it rich? 299 yuan per person for a buffet is too extravagant. If you ask me, let's go to the Northeast Restaurant next door and have a big, lively stew."
Guo Peng chimed in, "Don't be so stubborn, kid. You just bought a car and quit your job. Are you trying to kill yourself?"
Tang Song shook his head and smiled, "We'll have fewer opportunities to meet after I leave the company, so it's only right that I treat everyone to a good meal. Don't worry, I have the money."
"Um, I'm not feeling well today, so I won't be going," a colleague suddenly said.
"My wife and I had planned to take the kids shopping, but we can't go now."
"I'm on a diet right now, you guys go ahead, Xiao Song, I'll ask you out for drinks another day."
Others followed suit, offering various reasons to decline the invitation to the dinner.
Zhao Yue hesitated for a while, then said apologetically, "Brother Song, I have a few bugs to fix. If I can finish fixing them before 7 o'clock, I'll come and join you guys, but I don't think it'll be easy. You guys eat and drink well, take lots of pictures and post them in the group so I can have a little something to look forward to."
Her impression of Tang Song had just changed, and she was originally thinking of developing a deeper relationship with him, but unexpectedly he resigned and offended Director Chen.
Although it was a pity, she still made the right choice.
Tang Song glanced around and noticed that most of his colleagues were avoiding his gaze.
I could guess the reason in my heart.
Chen Yunteng had always organized the farewell dinner for the technical department, but he didn't bring it up this time, which clearly showed that he had a lot of opinions about Tang Song.
This is a critical juncture in the restructuring of the technology department, and everyone has the opportunity for promotion.
If Chen Yunteng notices this, we might lose this valuable opportunity.
Ultimately, they were just colleagues, and since Tang Song had already left the company, they were unwilling to take any risks.
Such is the fickle nature of human relationships.
Tang Song pursed his lips and smiled nonchalantly, "It's okay, those who have things to do can continue, and those who are going can get ready to leave."
Guo Peng closed his laptop, stood up, and said, "Let's go, let's go! I've always wanted to have a meal at Lanting Teppanyaki Buffet, and today I can finally do it."
"I'll go too. I've never ridden in your Wuling Hongguang before. We don't live far apart, so I can hitch a ride back." Hu Mingli picked up her bag and waved to him.
The Technical Support Department, which had 16 people, ended up with only two, creating an awkward atmosphere.
Du Shaokai stretched out his arm and waved, saying with a smile, "Old Song, don't forget to come back and visit us when you have time! I'll miss you."
Wang Chaoyang, who was standing next to Tang Song, scratched his head and stood up somewhat embarrassedly. He helped Tang Song put on the lumbar support and said, "Tang Song, let me see you off and help you with some things."
He and Tang Song were colleagues who joined the company in the same batch and were about the same age. They had always had a good relationship.
Now that the person is leaving the company, it's one thing not to attend the dinner party, but they didn't even send him a farewell gift, which makes him feel a bit uneasy.
Hu Mingli patted Zhao Yue on the shoulder, "Little Yue, aren't you going to see them off? They've helped you a lot before."
He glanced at Hu Mingli, then at Tang Song.
Zhao Yue bit her lip, stood up and said, "Then I'll go see them off too. I'll fix the bug when I get back."