Chi Qing, the pushover, refused to budge (2)
Cao Jun and Manager Wang both looked embarrassed. Indeed, before long, it might be Manager Wang having a talk with Cao Jun.
In the end, after Manager Wang went out twice to make calls to report and discuss the matter, the administration department posted a thinly veiled apology in the company group chat, though without using the word "apology." That was Manager Wang's final insistence. The gist was that the disciplinary decision in the previous notice was withdrawn, but everyone was still required to take their work seriously and carefully check documents before submitting them.
Taken together with the earlier messages in the company group chat, it amounted to clearing Chi Qing's name in a roundabout way. The seasoned office veterans who saw the company notice immediately worked out what had really happened. They all marveled that Chi Qing had dared to stand her ground-and had actually won.
Some admired and supported what Chi Qing had done, believing she was right. But more felt that she was still young: after making such a fuss, she couldn't possibly stay at the company. Jobs were already hard to find in the current climate, especially with the New Year approaching. Sigh, reality forced people to bow.
Regardless of their view, though, everyone had to admit that Chi Qing's actions were very much in the spirit of the post-2000 generation. It was a textbook case of putting the workplace in its place, and immensely satisfying-though, of course, the price was enormous too.
"Sister Ping, I'll start handling my resignation next, so let's do my handover during that time. You already know what my work involves." When Chi Qing returned to the office, neither Liu Ping nor Li Yan had left yet.
"Sure, no problem," Liu Ping replied. "What are your plans after this?" Li Yan asked from beside her. "I'll take tomorrow off first, then come in the day after to do the handover and sign the separation agreement," Chi Qing said. "Then I'll happily get ready for the New Year. Hehe, I won't be staying here as a corporate slave with you two anymore."
Seeing that Chi Qing's mood hadn't suffered at all and that she was actually quite happy, the two felt relieved. Still, they said, "We'll keep an eye out for new job opportunities for you. Come back and chat with us when you have time."
After work, Liu Ping, as the little group's supervisor, insisted on treating Chi Qing to a farewell dinner, so the three went to Xiaolongkan for hot pot.
Inevitably, they talked again about the industry's slump. Although they were all still at the company, they were uncertain about the road ahead. The other two, in particular, were both middle-aged. If they lost their jobs, they really wouldn't know what else they could do.
They had entered real estate straight after graduation. Their decade-plus of corporate experience looked glamorous, but in truth, being kept within that enclosure had left them without the ability to survive in society. All they knew was going to work and doing the little bit of work they were good at, day after day.
The industry's sudden collapse made these real estate workers feel as though the walls protecting them had abruptly vanished, exposing both the cruelty of the outside world and their own weakness.
Chatting and having a little alcohol, the three ate, drank, and talked until late. It was already past eleven when Chi Qing got home. After washing up, she fell straight into bed and went to sleep.
The moment Chi Qing opened her eyes in the morning, she reached for her phone to check her balance as usual. 1.76 million, yay! The system's notification also sounded in her ears. Its somewhat cold, mechanical voice sounded especially reassuring to Chi Qing: her rating was still 1, and her balance was 880,000 × 2 × 1 = 1.76 million.
Looks like I need to figure out how to raise my rating so I can get more money. With that thought, Chi Qing briskly got out of bed and got ready.
Remembering to bring a mask, Chi Qing hailed a cab and headed straight to the dealership.
The car's previous owner, a man in his forties surnamed Zhang, was already waiting at the dealership. Chi Qing promptly transferred the remaining 1.17 million to him, and Brother Zhang happily took her to find Sister Xin, the salesperson, for the vehicle handover ceremony.