Chapter 4

translated by astrid83

This middle-aged woman wore a black suit and had a full head of curls that were so fluffy it almost seemed like an explosion, appearing competent and also not to be trifled with. A slightly flattering smile was plastered on her face, the moment he approached, her tone became not too good-natured: “Little Cheng, didn’t you realise you forgot something?”

Cheng Yanqing thought back to all of his work content, and confirmed that he left work only after finishing all of it. He had a hunch about the answer in his heart and didn’t speak, waiting for her to continue.

Sure enough, Wu Lin sneered, and did not let him off: “The statement that was tasked to you, why has it not been handed in for this long? Hmph, instead, you run off really quick once work ends…… Why? Are there any seriously ill elderlyleft at home that need care…… or a disabled girlfriend who can’t use her hands and legs and is waiting for you to return and cook ah ?”

Cheng Yanqing had already been pointed at and scolded once in the afternoon. As of now, whenever he heard her voice, he only felt irritation, so he went straight to the point: “……What statement?”

“You have even forgotten what statement–––?” Wu Lin showed an exaggerated expression, “Cheng Yanqing, you’re not an intern on their first day at work…… Isn’t reporting the Accounts Receivable breakdown to the Operations Department what you’re supposed to do every month? I really don’t know what you do sitting in front of the computer everyday……”

He did have to update the Accounts Receivable breakdown every month and report it to the Operations Department for calculations.

However, just before he got off work, the Operations Assistant, Xiao Liu, had specially come up to him to inform him that there would be changes to the worksheets subsequently. Thus, he did not need to submit it for the time being this month.

Cheng Yanqing froze: “But didn’t you guys say——”

Wu Lin’s eyes darted side to side, as if eager to cover something up, and quickly interrupted him: “I’ve said it hundreds of times, Chairman Cai wants to see it today, see it today…… You ah , don’t put in much effort into work. How fortunate that no Corporate Treasurer was recruited, and there’s no one to manage you…… If Xiao Liu was exactly like you, draggy and inattentive, I would have told her to scram much earlier……”

Cheng Yanqing did not have time to retort before Chairman Cai spoke immediately after: “Little Cheng, our company has a system of job responsibility: if you’ve completed your work, you can rest, if you’ve not, you need to stay behind to complete it before leaving. You are occupying this position with a take-home monthly salary that isn’t low, but yet you still procrastinate on your work without even some sense of responsibility. If this happens again next time, I’m sorry, your salary will be deducted directly!”

Cheng Yanqing’s mind was thrown into confusion: “Chairman Cai, Wu——”

His words were quickly overshadowed by Wu Lin’s loud voice: “Little Cheng, it’s useless to quibble. If you have this much time to waste, you might as well go back and finish the job first.”

“…… I had already done it.”

In any case, no matter what his explanation was, Wu Lin would interrupt it.

Cheng Yanqing pushed down his anger and stood up: “I’ll print it out for you both right now.”

Not sure if it was because his emotions were stirred up, but Chairman Cai’s tone also seemed to be tinged with animosity: “Since it was already done, you should have handed it over to the leader earlier. Hiding and tucking it away, being all so secretive, what kind of attitude is that?”

……

When he walked out of the conference room, Cheng Yanqing’s facial expression was already dark.

After the data was printed and sent to them,Charmain Cai checked the numbers one by one, as if he was deliberately making trouble for him.

The Chairman only had a half-baked knowledge about finance.

Even if he did not find any mistakes, he had still pointed to the data in the report and raised questions on every single one. Cheng Yanqing had no other choice but to explain for two whole hours. By the time Chairman Cai had agreed to release him, the streetlamps outside were all lit up.

Not only that, but before he left, he also thoroughly criticized Cheng Yanqing.

Not proactive in his job, unproficient in his service, not meticulous in his work; basically everything he could accuse him of, was raised.

He had heard from early on that Wu Lin was selfish and was very good at sowing discord. Only she was allowed to look down on others, and others were not allowed to offend here. Otherwise, once she grabs onto any opening, she would stretch the truth and make up tales in front of the General Manager and HR Supervisor. 1 Normal people would be so tired from their work; who would have the energy to be locked in constant strife 2 with her? They would usually just resign to end it all.

Now that he had experienced it first-hand, he felt that Wu Lin’s prestigious reputation indeed was justified.

From afternoon till now, Cheng Yanqing’s anger had finally reached its peak.

He went to the toilet to splash water on his face, then stared hard at his reflection in the mirror.

If worst comes the worst, he could just quit his job——

This sort of boss, this sort of leader, whoever wants to serve them just let them do so.

Did they really think that if he left this company, he would not be able to live on?

Cheng Yanqing gritted his teeth, and was about to go back and offer his resignation while he was still hotheaded.

But he had second thoughts, and remembered about the rent he had to pay every month, the living expenses he had to send back home. The pandemic this year would make resigning and finding another job difficult; although the company had an oppressive atmosphere, at least the wages were reasonable, and he did not need to work overtime……

This year, the rent had gone up, the price of pork had gone up, even vegetables almost cost 6 dollars per half kilo……

In just a few short minutes, his emotions had been raised up and dropped down.

On one hand he was spurning himself for being useless, but on the other hand there was also nothing anyone could do about it.

The feeling of frustration and powerlessness was eating away at his body.

Cheng Yanqing realised that he simply did not have the capital to resign.

……

“……Little Cheng?”

After an unknown amount of time, a call from behind him brought him back from his thoughts.

Low, husky, and pleasant; Cheng Yanqing was very familiar with it.

It was Manager Li’s voice. As he walked over, he asked: “Still not off work yet?”

Cheng Yanqing raised his eyes. A pair of dripping wet black pupils looked through the mirror, meeting Manager Li’s deep, clear eyes.

“How come you are crying?”

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Footnotes

reminder bc I also forgot but the General Manager is the younger brother while the HR Supervisor is the older sister, both uh… equally useless 勾心斗角 — lit. hook hearts and clash horns