Heh...
That Fang Zheng really has no shame!
He could even bow and scrape, calling someone he once looked down on "Boss"!
My cup was empty, so I reached for the thermos to add more water.
Fang Zheng hurried forward. "Boss, let me!"
"Manager Fang, is this about work?"
"Boss, this *is* about work! From now on, whatever you say goes. Whatever you want done, I'll do it. I'll always listen to you!"
"That won't be necessary. Just follow the company's arrangements."
"No, that's not it!"
Fang Zheng said with a serious expression, "Boss, you're the most important. The company comes second!"
I waved my hand. "Go on, get back to your work. I'm busy."
"Alright, Boss. If you need anything, just say the word. I, Old Fang, am willing to be your vanguard!"
'Just get out already. I think I'm going to be sick!'
'I can't believe someone could make me this nauseous!'
And to think Fang Zheng actually thought he was being clever, that his ass-kissing was some kind of high art!
It felt like getting my stomach pumped with dish soap!
"See that? Manager Fang must be in there admitting his mistakes!"
"What else can he do? Wait to get fired?"
"Sigh, only he could stoop so low. After cultivating it for over a decade, his skin is as thick as a castle wall!"
Fang Zheng overheard their discussion but paid it no mind. 'What do they know?' he thought. 'He who understands the times is a wise man.' This was Fang Zheng's philosophy on life!
Suck up to whoever is the boss. That was the secret to his continued success!
It wasn't just him. Almost all of the department managers who had attended Fang Zheng's banquet last night came to "report in."
Yang Hui sent them all away with a few pleasantries, wondering to himself if they would be beating their chests and stamping their feet again once they found out he had resigned.
"Yang Na, come in for a moment!"
"Director, you wanted to see me?"
A dusty blue silk-blend shirt paired with an icy silk hip-hugging skirt.
A silver clavicle chain adorned her collarbone, and the skirt's hemline rested three centimeters above her knees.
As she pushed the door open, the breeze from the air conditioner lifted the hem of her silk shirt, revealing a tantalizing glimpse of skin at her waist.
The third button of her shirt was intentionally left undone, but a hidden clasp secured the V-neck at a perfect, tasteful angle.
Through the slit on the side of her skirt, her legs, wrapped in nude-colored stockings, shimmered with a pearlescent light—the hosiery so sheer you could see the faint blue veins at her ankle.
'Ruijing's own Zhang Bichen is getting better and better at dressing up!'
I had to admit, Yang Na was the prettiest girl at Ruijing. If I didn't live by the principle of "not eating the grass around your own burrow," I wouldn't have ruled out making a move on her.
Twenty-four years old, full of restless passion with nowhere to vent it!
"These are my handover notes. You'll be taking over my position as Manager of the Operations Department."
He had just proposed this to President Zhao and already received his approval.
A gasp escaped her.
The surprise came without any warning!
Everyone had previously assumed Fang Zheng would become the general manager, so no one had even considered that the operations manager position would open up.
And just as the news that Yang Hui had been made regional general manager was making the rounds, while everyone was still trying to digest this earth-shattering development,
most people hadn't even processed the fact that the operations manager position would be vacant—and now it had landed right in her lap!
"Congratulations, Yang Na!"
"Thank you for your faith in me, Director. And congratulations to you on becoming a regional overlord!"
This "regional overlord" was a reference to the post of regional general manager.
I just smiled, not explaining that I was resigning. 'I'll let them know after President Zhao makes the official announcement,' I thought. 'We can have a farewell dinner then, to put a proper end to our two years of working together.'
At noon, President Zhao invited Yang Hui to lunch.
He knew there must be a resolution to the matter.
In a small private room, Yang Hui poured a glass of water and handed it to President Zhao. It was clear the older man was very reluctant to see him go.
"A Hui, are you sure you won't reconsider?"
"President Zhao, you know me. I never go back on a decision I've made."
He sighed and took a sip of water.
"The CEO has already approved it. He also expressed his regret at your departure. This is a huge loss for the company!"
"The leadership is too kind. My performance as operations manager was adequate, but I'm not so sure I could do a good job as regional general manager."
An operations manager handles specific business affairs, while a regional general manager has to oversee the big picture. It demands stronger organizational, coordination, and management skills!
"Since it's come to this, there's no more to be said. I wish you even greater success after you leave. And if you have time, feel free to come find this old man for a chat!"
"I certainly will. I'll come to you for advice often! By the way, I was wondering who the next general manager will be."
President Zhao gave a wry smile. "This was all too sudden. The company was completely unprepared. As things stand, we'll have Fang Zheng act as a temporary replacement for a while. If his performance is outstanding, he'll continue. If his abilities are just so-so, the company will find a new candidate for general manager during that time."
I nodded. 'That's a prudent and farsighted move.'
Fang Zheng was in charge of the Channel Development Department. With him taking over, there shouldn't be any issues with opening new stores or renewing contracts. As for management... well, it wouldn't cause too much of a problem in the short term.
"A Hui, what do you think of Fang Zheng?"
I looked at President Zhao in surprise. 'Everyone knows Fang Zheng and I don't get along. Why would he ask me? My assessment is bound to be biased!'
"Just casual chat. Don't feel pressured."
"His professional skills are very strong."
President Zhao smiled. Yang Hui's words seemed to praise Fang Zheng's professional skills, but by ending it with that one sentence, he implied that *besides* his professional skills, his other qualities were nothing special.
And since the regional general manager position required superior management and organizational abilities, it was clear he didn't think Fang Zheng was a good fit.
And indeed, Yang Hui didn't think highly of him. Forget organizational and management skills—the man was harsh, ungrateful, fawned on his superiors, and bullied his subordinates. I couldn't stand Fang Zheng.
"This afternoon, I'll have Manager Fu handle your resignation paperwork. I've already cleared it with the CEO. Starting tomorrow, you'll be a free man."
"Thank you!"
President Zhao was really efficient. I had been worried I'd be dragged out for another month.
"Don't worry. If Yang Na is unclear about anything, she'll ask me. I won't just wash my hands of everything because I'm not with the company anymore."
"I have no doubt about that!"
President Zhao was a good leader. The two years Yang Hui had worked with him had been very pleasant.
Since it was during work hours, the two couldn't drink alcohol. They would have to wait until after Yang Hui's departure to schedule a time to get properly drunk together.
「4:30 PM」
Ruijing Trading Company, President Zhao's Office.
Manager Fu from HR was called in.
Facing the senior president and the new regional general manager, Manager Fu greeted them with extreme politeness.
"Sir, please go ahead."
"Manager Yang has submitted his resignation for personal reasons, and I have approved it. I need you to process his paperwork this afternoon. Starting tomorrow, Manager Yang will no longer be coming into the office."
Manager Fu was instantly petrified.
'Is this some kind of joke?'
'You're about to be appointed general manager, and you're resigning?'