Chi Qing, the Pushover, Refused to Give an Inch
With that, Chi Qing stepped on the gas and drove toward the company.
"Chi Qing, do you know how much damage your actions at the office today and the messages you posted in the WeChat group have done to the company? The company has the right to hold you accountable!"
Chi Qing had barely sat down in the meeting room when Manager Wang from Administration went on the offensive.
"Manager Wang, calm down. Let's talk this through," said Cao Jun, the marketing director seated beside him, playing peacemaker. Then he turned to Chi Qing. "Chi Qing, I can understand a young person acting on impulse, but your behavior was highly irresponsible."
Watching them play good cop, bad cop, Chi Qing nearly laughed out loud.
"Let's cut to the chase," Chi Qing said with a smile, folding her arms across her chest.
Both men faltered. Chi Qing was far calmer today than either of them had expected.
Manager Wang launched into a long-winded account of how everything had happened, naturally embellished to paint Chi Qing's actions in a bad light.
He concluded, "Your behavior today has made senior management extremely angry. After an investigation, the company has decided not to hold you accountable for the serious damage your actions caused. Submit your resignation and make sure you hand over your work properly."
"Pfft." At Manager Wang's ultimatum, Chi Qing laughed out loud, leaving the two men across from her stunned.
"What are you laughing at?" Cao Jun was displeased at being shown such disrespect by his own subordinate.
"Gentlemen, let's stop beating around the bush. First, I made myself very clear in the group chat. By penalizing me with a deduction from my performance pay without any evidence, the company is infringing on my lawful rights. After spending the entire afternoon investigating, I'm sure you've figured out whether you actually have any evidence. As for why I got dragged into this, I believe you know better than I do, President Cao."
Seeing Cao Jun about to argue, Chi Qing continued, "President Cao, please let me finish."
After a pause, Chi Qing said, "I'm not getting involved in the company's internal disputes. There was nothing improper about my actions today, and every word I said was true. Whatever impact that had on the company has nothing to do with me. All I'm asking for is what I'm entitled to. The company must apologize to me publicly. I can leave, but it will be because of the company, and I demand the statutory N+1 compensation. I've worked here for four years, so you need to pay me five months' salary in compensation. Otherwise, I'll see you in court."
"Chi Qing, don't burn your bridges. We may cross paths again." Seeing how firm she was, Manager Wang immediately changed tack and tried a gentler approach. "We're all just working for a living. Don't make things difficult for us."
"Manager Wang, I've never made things difficult for anyone. Let me say it again: I'm simply defending my rights. I'm the one in the vulnerable position here," Chi Qing said softly as well. Oh, please. Who couldn't put on an act?
After several rounds of back-and-forth, Chi Qing refused to budge. Finally, Manager Wang said helplessly, "We can give you N+1 compensation, and we won't actually deduct the performance pay mentioned in the notice. But an apology is out of the question. Think about it, Chi Qing. If the company apologizes this time, what authority will its notices have in the future? You're leaving anyway. Whether we apologize won't make any difference to you."
"It affects my reputation, and no amount of money can buy that back," Chi Qing said, still standing firm.
"Chi Qing, you'll have to find another job. You'll still need us when they run a background check," Cao Jun said from beside him, a veiled threat in his words.
"President Cao, you don't need to worry about that. Don't you know who got me dragged into this? Now that you're trying so hard to help the company deal with me, who do you think Manager Wang will be talking to next?" Chi Qing shot back.