Chapter Sixteen: You Look So Unpleasant When You're Angry

After Director Han left, I was left alone in the office of the Ferrari Girl, anxiously awaiting her arrangement of my position and duties. The Ferrari Girl—more precisely, Miss Hua Jingjing, the company's Deputy General Manager and the new Head of the Planning Department—kept casting glances at me, her delicate, straight nose emitting a constant mocking snicker. Hearing it made my hair stand on end, and I could already foresee the miserable fate awaiting me in the Planning Department.

I felt a twinge of regret for not resigning earlier; now that I realized I had boarded a pirate ship, it was too late. I knew Manager Gu had worked hard for my transfer, and backing out now would be a betrayal of her goodwill. Besides, all my colleagues knew I was being transferred to the Planning Department; countless eyes were watching me. How could I run away just because I feared a woman's revenge?

I would be laughed at for the rest of my life!

Moreover, my conscience was clear; I had done nothing wrong and could stand upright in the Planning Department. If the Ferrari Girl tried to make things difficult for me, so be it. I would not retreat; I would fight for my dignity, even if it cost me my job.

Once I made up my mind, my heart became calm. I smiled and looked at my supervisor, Miss Hua Jingjing, waiting to see how she would deal with me.

Hua Jingjing held my transfer order, pacing around me with obvious satisfaction on her face. Suddenly, she stopped in front of me, her gaze full of contempt, like a cat toying with a mouse. She said, "You didn’t expect to face retribution so soon, did you? I bet you’re trembling with fear and deeply regretting offending me—your superior. You must be afraid I’ll fire you right away, make you leave, aren’t you?"

Without waiting for my reply, she continued, "Relax, I won’t fire you immediately. If I did, how could I get my revenge? I am someone who repays kindness and exacts vengeance. Unless I torment you to the brink of despair, I won’t be satisfied after being humiliated in public."

I smiled slightly, having anticipated her words. I looked her straight in the eye without fear and said calmly, "I have a clear conscience and nothing to fear. Whatever tricks you have, go ahead."

Hua Jingjing was stunned, not expecting me to be so bold. Not seeing the expected plea for mercy, she was furious and snapped, "What did you say? Are you calling me a ghost?"

I replied, "Whether you’re a ghost is not for me to say. Manager Hua, since you’re not planning to fire me, shouldn’t you assign me a desk and specific duties? I’ve been standing here for quite a while now."

Hua Jingjing’s mouth fell open, her face full of disbelief, so angry she could only stammer, "You... you...." After a long moment, she pressed her teeth together and said, "Fine! Keep being stubborn, it doesn’t matter. Time is on my side; I have plenty of patience. I want to see how long you can keep this up. I’ll make life unbearable for you."

She trembled with rage, turned back to her desk, and began stacking some files randomly. I reminded her again, "Manager Hua, you’re not planning to have me work in your office, are you? My position isn’t high enough for that."

Hua Jingjing glared at me, about to explode, but then remembered where she was and quickly closed her eyes, took a deep breath, and tried not to lose her composure. I watched her with amusement, feeling a strange satisfaction at having provoked my superior.

It took Hua Jingjing some effort to calm herself. She sneered, "You want a desk? Don’t be impatient. I’ve just arrived myself and am not fully acquainted with the company’s setup. Go find a corner to squat in for now. The Planning Department will have a welcome meeting soon; afterward, I’ll find a position that suits you best. Now, get out of my office and out of my sight."

I laughed heartily, turned and opened the door behind me, then suddenly thought of something and turned back, calling, "Manager!" Hua Jingjing thought I was finally about to yield and struck a proud pose, looking at me expectantly. "What is it?"

I said, "There’s something I’m not sure if I should tell you."

A pleased smile appeared on Hua Jingjing’s face. "It’s fine, I welcome your honesty."

With exaggerated seriousness, I said, "I’ve noticed how you look when you’re angry." I shook my head dramatically and continued, "It’s really quite unattractive!" As soon as I finished, I slipped out of the office and closed the door behind me.

A second later, I heard Hua Jingjing’s deep roar, followed by a clatter as she threw something in a fit. Chuckling to myself, I quickly left the vicinity of her door.

Taking advantage of the moment, I took a look around the twelfth floor.

The Planning Department was divided into three major sections: Advertising and Communications Planning, Market Planning, and Product Operations Planning. There were seven offices, a conference room, and a large open workspace, with about twenty staff, most graduates from prestigious universities, and mainly young people. Each section had a supervisor at the level of Deputy Manager. Since I had worked in a different department, though faces were familiar, I could hardly recall any names.

Everyone in the Planning Department seemed busy, either hurrying about or engrossed in paperwork. Despite the numbers, the sound level was low—only phones ringing, fax machines grinding, and keyboards clicking. It was very different from the Marketing Department, where there was either nobody present or everyone was joking and laughing.

Most employees who saw me wandering around with a box simply nodded and went back to their own work. No one greeted me, and I had no idea where to stand. I found an empty desk and set my things down.

The room was well heated. I took off my coat, lit a cigarette, and had barely taken two puffs when someone tapped my shoulder lightly with a pen. I turned to see a short-haired young woman with delicate features. With her pen, she pointed to the wall, where a banner declared "No Smoking" in bold letters, beside a picture of a lit cigarette crossed out.

I quickly stubbed out my cigarette and tossed it in the trash. I thought, "No smoking here? For a smoker like me, this is torment!"

Imagining I’d have to sneak a smoke in the restroom from now on, I couldn’t help but feel gloomy—even without Hua Jingjing making trouble, this rule alone was enough to make me miserable.

Sighing and frowning, I looked despondent.

The short-haired girl who had pointed out the no-smoking sign suddenly chuckled and asked, "I see you carrying a big box and looking around. Are you new here?"

Finally, someone spoke to me—I perked up and said, "Yes, I used to be in the Marketing Department, but starting today I’m working in Planning. My name is Tang Qian. Nice to meet you!"

The short-haired girl said, "Nice to meet you! I’m Cheng Jia. Welcome to the Planning Department. Didn’t you report to the new manager?"

I replied, "I did. The manager said she’d assign my duties after the welcome meeting."

Cheng Jia nodded and checked her watch. "The notice said the meeting’s at ten-thirty, and it’s almost time. Why don’t I take you to the conference room?"

I said, "Thank you, that’s very kind."

She smiled. "No need to be formal. We’re colleagues now."

Cheng Jia was very friendly; after bringing me to the conference room, she even made me a cup of tea. The warmth in my heart replaced all the oppression I’d felt in the manager’s office. After all, there are more good people in this world.

Cheng Jia told me, "Just wait here for a bit. I need to fax some documents, but in a few minutes, everyone from the Planning Department will be here."

I quickly said, "Go ahead. I’ll be fine alone."

Cheng Jia smiled again and left the room.

I glanced around the conference room; it was quite ordinary, with a large oval table in the center, enough for about twenty people. The walls were adorned with banners and plaques, as if all conference rooms in the world were cast from the same mold.

I sipped my tea and was tempted to reach for a cigarette, but after a fierce internal struggle, I managed to resist.

Soon, I heard voices outside: "Let’s go, time for the meeting." People put down their work and entered the room in twos and threes.

Within five minutes, nearly all the staff had arrived. I deliberately chose the farthest seat, and, as luck would have it, the person next to me was Cheng Jia.

Cheng Jia nodded and smiled at me again, whispering, "Just now, another new employee went to the supervisor’s office, accompanied by President Qi himself. She seems to have quite a background."

I whispered back, "Really? Male or female?"

Cheng Jia replied, "Female, and quite pretty."

I wanted to ask more, but suddenly the conference room quieted. I looked up to see the General Manager Qi Dingyuan, Deputy General Manager Hua Jingjing, and a tall, smiling, beautiful woman entering together.