Friday
Around ten in the morning, Jack, who had just received a task from Director Zane's office, sat back at his desk.
He frowned at the thick document in his hand, looking annoyed.
He stood up and walked over to Johny Lee, who was busy making a spreadsheet.
Jack dropped the heavy document onto Johny's desk with a thud.
"Johny, you're not busy, are you? Proofread this document. Director Zane said there are too many typos.and make the necessary changes and hurry up; the Director needs it this afternoon."
Isn't this your job? Johny thought.
But Johny wanted to maintain good relationships with his colleagues, so he smiled politely.
"Okay, I'll get right on it."
Jack nodded approvingly, like a master satisfied with a servant. He sat back down at his own desk, crossed his legs, and started sipping tea, looking very relaxed and leisurely.
At half-past eleven, Johny and Tammy went upstairs to deliver a file.
On the way, Tammy checked to make sure no one was around and whispered, "Jack made you do his work again, didn't he?"
Johny grunted.
"We're colleagues. It's normal to help each other out."
"Hmph. What's normal about it? Let me tell you, Jack relies on his father's relationship with the Bureau Commissioner to act like the King of the General Office.
He orders new recruits around as if he is the Director. When I first arrived, I helped him run errands constantly.
He's really annoying."
Tammy lowered her voice even further. "Before you and Samson came to the General Office, there was a pretty capable young guy here. Jack squeezed him out. He made the poor guy do his grunt work all day long until he couldn't stand it anymore and quit."
Johny was startled. "Is that true?"
"Why would I lie to you?" Tammy shook her head. "Just be careful."
"Mm.Thanks for the reminder."
Johny sighed inwardly, Government agencies and universities really were two different worlds.
Lunch Break
Johny returned the proofread document to Jack. "Jack, it's done."
Jack didn't say anything. He took it and casually flipped through a few pages. Finally, he nodded with a smile. "Alright, thanks for your hard work."
Seeing Paul, Jane, and the others heading out to the cafeteria, Jack patted the empty seat beside him.
"Johny, sit down. Let's have a chat, brother to brother."
Johny looked suspicious for a moment, then slowly sat down.
"Go ahead."
Only when they were the only two left in the General Office did Jack drop the smile and lean in.
"I think you're quite sharp, Johny. Much better than that lumbering giant, Samson. So, what direction do you plan to develop in the future? Have you thought about it? Do you have any goals?"
He had the air of a senior leader having a heart-to-heart with a subordinate.
Johny cursed inwardly but verbally brushed it off.
"Not really. It's hard to say if I can even hold onto this civil servant position. I just want to do a good job and achieve something small."
It wasn't a guaranteed comfortable life just because one passed the exam.
According to regulations, if a civil servant received poor evaluations from their superiors for two consecutive years, they could be dismissed.
While rare, it happened if you offended the wrong people.
Jack chuckled. "Let's not play games. You've been in the General Office for a few days now. You've heard the rumors, right?"
He was obviously referring to his various connections with the Commissioner.
"Johny, as long as you follow me from now on, everything will be easy. At the latest, I should be promoted next year. By then, pulling you up the ladder will be a simple matter, won't it? I guarantee you won't suffer any losses!"
His words were very blunt.
Uh, what does this mean? Trying to win me over? Follow you?
You're not a leader yet, so why would I become your henchman?
Johny understood the subtext immediately. If he agreed to follow.Jack, he would become Jack's lackey.
Jack would work him to death, making him carry bags, pour tea, and do all the hard labor.
As for promotion? Nonsense.
With what power would you promote me? And what if you just toss me aside after using me? This is just an empty promise drawing a cake to satisfy my hunger.
Johny wanted to get promoted, but he wasn't blind.
After a calm analysis, he carefully phrased his words.
"Jack, thank you for your trust, but I've just joined the General Office and haven't even figured out the basic workflow yet.
Right now, I just want to diligently do the work at hand. You see...."
A tactful refusal was unavoidable. Johny didn't want to offend anyone, especially someone with connections, but he couldn't accept this deal.
Upon hearing this, Jack's expression hardened. "The opportunity is right in front of you. Have you thought it through?"
Jack was currently lobbying the Commissioner to help him secure a leadership position within the bureau.
If he successfully took office next year, he needed a loyal dog to help him establish authority.
He never expected a rookie like Johny to reject him. It caused him to lose massive face.
Johny hesitated, then held his ground. "Thank you, Jack, but I... ..."
Jack's face darkened. Without waiting for Johny to finish, he flung his hand dismissively and stood up.
"You don't know what's good for you!"
He stormed off toward the cafeteria.
He had come to hate Johny Lee. Johny slapped his forehead.
Great... I just joined the agency and already offended a colleague with a powerful backer!
2:00 PM.
After Jack walked out of Director Zane's private office, he didn't even return to his own seat.
He went directly to Johny's computer and threw a stack of documents at him with a stern face.
"Print five copies of each. Don't mess up the order. They're needed before four this afternoon!"
It was a commanding tone, loud enough for the whole office to hear.
Everyone in the General Office looked over with concern, not understanding how Johny had offended Jack during the lunch break.
Johny felt a surge of anger.
Only now did he truly see Jack's true colors. He wished he could kick him!
If I follow you, I have to be your lackey.
If I don't follow you, I still have to do your work. You don't even give me a choice.
Isn't that too overbearing?!
What kind of person is this?!
A while later, Jack went out to the restroom to smoke.
Tammy and Samson leaned over, asking with concern, "Johny, what's wrong?"
Johny forced a smile.
"Nothing."
Seeing that he didn't want to talk, Tammy and Samson didn't press further, returning to their own tasks.
Paul, who sat nearby, glanced at Johny's face, his eyes darting around like a ferret.
He sensed blood in the water.
"Johny, you're not too busy, are you?"
Paul pointed to a heavy cardboard box at his feet. "There's something you can help deliver to the Finance Department later. I'm tied up here, so I'm leaving it to you."
Seeing that Johny was easy to order around and that Jack was already bullying him ,Paul decided to pile on.
After dumping the work, Paul knocked on Director Zane's door and went inside, fawning over the leader by making tea with an eager expression.
You bastard!!
Is this never-ending?!
Johny almost cursed out loud. Jack and Paul...neither of them were good people!
He was truly experiencing what it meant for "nice guys to finish last."
Clenching his fist under the desk, Johny felt it was necessary to do something.
He couldn't always be the doormat.
If he kept passively taking a beating, he would never have a chance to turn things around in the future!
Authors Note:-
Our buddy is struggling.
Support him with power stones and collections.