Li Li's Dream Shattered

"I think that for the company to turn a profit, we need to increase revenue and cut costs."

"Some black sheep have to be cleaned out."

"Ningya, do you understand what I mean?"

She understood. All too well.

Those two had offended the chairman, and he wanted them gone.

"Understood. I'll notify the Human Resources Department immediately to begin a staff cost-cutting optimization campaign. We'll put those two on the list first."

Shen Ningya immediately sent a message to the Human Resources Department.

She thought this was an excellent opportunity. She could use it to get rid of some of the old nepotistic hires, build her own authority, and consolidate her position.

"Chairman, besides cutting costs, are there any outstanding talents you'd like us to recruit into the company?"

Shen Ningya asked.

Put another way, did he have any of his own connections he wanted to squeeze in?

Luo Feng nodded. He had previously lent 60,000 to a high school classmate of his. The man had graduated from a top university, yet was still driving for Didi day and night. He was divorced and raising a child.

"I sent you the information. He graduated from a top university—I think he's a talent," Luo Feng said.

If the chairman thought so, then it had to be right.

Shen Ningya nodded. "Received. I'll have the Human Resources Department contact him right away. Such an outstanding talent must be brought into the company as soon as possible."

She hadn't expected the chairman to only bring in one person. That was already very restrained.

For the previous chairman, all his fingers and toes combined wouldn't have been enough to count them.

Once those people were cleared out, there would be three vacant middle-management positions in the department. She could reserve one cushy post for one of the chairman's connections, while the rest would be hers to decide.

The taste of power was truly wonderful!

"Chairman, is there anything else you need arranged? There are still twenty minutes until the tentatively scheduled meeting."

Shen Ningya walked over to Luo Feng's side and bent down as she asked.

Luo Feng's hand had been resting on the armrest, and the edge of her buttocks brushed against his fingers.

That pale, ample cleft was once again clearly displayed before his eyes.

Luo Feng's heart immediately began to itch.

"Nothing for now, but..."

"Ningya, you've been massaging me for so long. I want to give you a massage too!"

Shen Ningya's beautiful eyes met Luo Feng's gaze, and his burning look made her body heat up all over.

"Chairman, then I'll gladly accept."

"Use more force. I can take it."

Shen Ningya placed his left hand on her buttocks and his right hand on the pale expanse.

Naturally, Luo Feng did not hold back.

Her full buttocks were round, soft, and springy, while the pale flesh could be molded into all kinds of shapes.

"A C-cup really does feel amazing to hold..."

"Yang Qing, there's a pre-meeting discussion. You and Li Li need to come to the conference room on the fifth floor."

Yang Qing had gone downstairs to buy medicine. He had just returned to the office and sat down when the Human Resources Department manager called.

"Huh? What discussion?"

"There are only ten minutes left. I need to attend the company-wide meeting."

Yang Qing asked in confusion.

"By President Shen's order, you don't need to attend that meeting," the Human Resources Department manager said flatly.

"Is this about Li Li being promoted to Senior Specialist?" Yang Qing asked.

"You'll find out when you and Li Li get here."

"Fine."

Yang Qing hung up, picked up his laptop, and walked out of his office.

"Li Li, come with me to the Human Resources Department."

Yang Qing said to Li Li, who was sitting at her workstation.

After thinking it over, he figured it was most likely about Li Li's promotion. The Human Resources Department just loved being mysterious.

He just didn't know why they had called him along as well.

Could he possibly be getting promoted too? Or perhaps his position would remain unchanged, but his pay grade would be adjusted?

He was filled with anticipation!

"Okay, Manager Yang, give me ten seconds. Let me put on some lipstick."

Li Li did not need to think twice to assume it was about her promotion. She had not expected the Human Resources Department to be so efficient.

Though perhaps it was a pre-promotion meeting.

"Congratulations, Sister Li! Don't forget to treat us to a meal after you get promoted!"

"No, we should be treating Sister Li. We'll need Sister Li to look after us more in the future."

"Right, right, right. My political awareness is way too low!"

As Li Li walked out of the office, several colleagues smiled and congratulated her, showering her with flattery.

Li Li felt as if her heart were bursting with joy. This was the life she wanted.

What was the point of being with a loser like Luo Feng?

Beaming with satisfaction, she said to her colleagues, "Thank you, everyone. I'll treat you all to milk tea when I get back, and dinner tonight."

"Sister Li is so generous!"

"Sister Li, you're too kind!"

"Thank you, Sister Li!"

"Sister Li is beautiful and kind-hearted. Whoever marries you will be blessed for the rest of his life."

That last bit of flattery was far too blatant. The expressions of the others nearly cracked, but Li Li's smile only grew sweeter.

"Alright, hurry up. Anyone who didn't know better would think you'd been promoted to manager."

Yang Qing found her smug look rather amusing, but he did not take it seriously. Those people did not have the ability to ruin anything anyway.

Once the two had gone far enough away, the people in the office changed their tune.

"Li Li hasn't even been with the company for a year, and she's already becoming a Senior Specialist. It's so unfair!"

"Haven't you figured it out? She and Yang Qing got together ages ago!"

"Heh, fucking disgusting. Sleeping her way to the top."

"A Senior Specialist makes 300,000 a year, right? Fuck, I work my ass off doing so much, and I don't even make 100,000 a year!"

"Tell me about it. Li Li clearly messed up that proposal last month, but Yang Qing insisted on pinning the blame on me!"

"Ha... what's the point of saying any of this..."

Conference room on the fifth floor of the Human Resources Department.

"Hey, where's your manager?" Yang Qing asked in confusion when he saw that the one receiving him was a Senior HR from the Human Resources Department.

"The manager went to attend the company meeting."

The Senior HR then looked at Li Li. "Li Li, your meeting is in the conference room next door."

Li Li nodded with a radiant smile and headed toward the other side.

Yang Qing found it strange. Why were they being spoken to separately?

After Li Li left and closed the door, the Senior HR opened a folder and began, "In accordance with the company leadership's arrangements, we will now conduct pre-dismissal talks with personnel selected for cost-cutting optimization..."

Cost-cutting!

Optimization!

Yang Qing's eyes widened, and his mind went blank.

Why?!

Just as Li Li walked out and was about to enter the other conference room, she saw the company's General Manager smiling brightly beside a middle-aged man.

The middle-aged man merely nodded and smiled faintly, while the General Manager wore an ingratiating expression.

The scene lasted only two seconds before the General Manager and the man disappeared around the corner.

"Why did that man look a little like Luo Feng?"

Li Li shook her head and thought, What am I thinking? What kind of person is Luo Feng? How could he possibly be with the General Manager? And judging by the General Manager's attitude, that man was obviously someone important.

Why bother worrying about that? She was about to be promoted!

She checked herself in the mirror, adjusted her posture, put on her most perfect smile, and pushed open the door.

"Hello, I'm Li Li."

"Have a seat."

An HR said expressionlessly.

"You're Li Li, employee number 039513, correct?"

"Yes," Li Li replied respectfully.

Li Li was somewhat speechless. Why was an ordinary HR from the Human Resources Department acting so coldly?

Once I become a Senior Specialist, my annual salary will be more than twice yours!

"In accordance with the company leadership's arrangements, we will now conduct pre-dismissal talks with personnel selected for cost-cutting optimization."

"What conversation?"

Li Li's smile froze.

"The cost-cutting optimization conversation!" HR repeated.

"Me?"

"Yes!"