At the entrance to the HR department, Manager Sun from HR handed me the dismissal notice for Xiang Qiufeng as the first thing.
Holding that notice, I suddenly felt much more confident.
Manager Sun then said, "Leave him here first. He needs to undergo three days of training in HR. After that, I will personally send him to your sales department."
It seemed Manager Sun was also an expert at office politics, skilled at readjusting according to the situation.
Since he was so courteous, I couldn't be rude. I said, "Thank you very much, Manager Sun."
Back in the sales department, the first thing I had to do was hold a meeting.
Now that I had Xiang Qiufeng's dismissal notice, my confidence soared.
The meeting was again chaired by Liu Jing. It seemed that woman still regarded me as her puppet.
I didn't know what she had been doing that Sunday—surely Zhang Zhiyuan had said something to her?
I have to say, Liu Jing's opening remarks were all empty boasts and meaningless fluff.
Then came the specific tasks, basically telling everyone to work hard.
I knew that working like this, the sales department would never improve.
Just as Liu Jing was about to call the meeting to an end, I said, "Wait."
Everyone turned to look at me.
Xiang Qiufeng threw the meeting notes onto the table and snapped, "Manager Zhao, you just arrived in sales and know nothing. What else do you want to say?"
It was obvious this guy was bullying me because he thought I was a rookie.
I knew Liu Jing was backing him. Perhaps in his mind, once Liu Jing got promoted, he might become an assistant manager.
But they were naïve, and I would never give them that chance.
I said to Xiang Qiufeng, "Sorry to remind you, but you have already been fired by the company. You have no right to speak here."
Then I placed the dismissal notice in front of him.
When Xiang saw the notice, he seemed unwilling to believe it was real.
"Zhao Jian, I have a permanent labor contract. You have no authority to fire me!" he roared.
I replied, "If you want the truth, go to HR. After all, I didn't issue this notice."
Xiang gawked at me and said, "Fine. When I get back from HR, we'll settle this."
When he left, the sales department fell into stunned silence, not quite believing it.
I then said to all sales staff, "Let's continue the meeting."
This time, no one spoke. Even Liu Jing's face was extremely sour.
She was a smart woman and sensed that things were not as simple as she thought.
From then on, my work proceeded much more smoothly, and nobody voiced opposition.
The main focus was the afternoon's report to Yuxing Group, so I planned to hold discussions within sales.
Liu Jing realized things were going far beyond her expectations and immediately backed down.
For example, Zhang Zhiyuan had never mentioned this afternoon's report to her.
She didn't even know when the contract had been signed.
Ren Tingting and Fu Xin knew what was going on but chose to remain silent.
Although I knew my affair with Shen Minhong would eventually be known throughout Xingchang, it certainly wasn't today.
Maybe when that day comes, Liu Jing will fear me even more!
In fact, I had planned the report since yesterday and decided to take Ren Tingting and Fu Xin with me.
They were very happy to see me trusting them so much.
After lunch in Xingchang's cafeteria, we headed straight to Yuxing Group.
Leading the team for the first time, I was truly nervous. Especially since our client was one of Nanzhou's top companies, Yuxing Group, I felt immense pressure.
Although I knew Shen Minhong was the company's CEO and this business would go to Xingchang, I still had to do my job well.
At Yuxing's gate, a security guard stopped me.
The security here was much better than at Xingchang—for example, the guards stood still and alert.
They were all young men, looking very energetic.
After explaining I wanted to meet Shen Minhong, the guard asked, "Do you have an appointment letter?"
I shook my head, indicating I didn't.
The guard said, "You must have an appointment to see the CEO. Otherwise, she won't meet anyone."
From this, I could imagine how arrogant Shen Minhong was in her own company.
I frowned and immediately called Shen Minhong.
As soon as she answered, I said, "Isn't your company holding a product presentation for us today? I'm at your gate now but was stopped by security who said I can't enter without your permission."
Shen Minhong laughed, "Ah, I've been so busy I almost forgot. I'll have my secretary arrange for you to come in."
After hanging up, the guard received notification and let us in.
Because it was a major company, its rules seemed stricter than Xingchang's.
In the reception room, a young and beautiful lady greeted us. She introduced herself, "I'm Ms. Shao, CEO Shen's secretary. She is in a meeting but will be here soon."
Although she said that, I wondered where Shen Minhong was wandering off to.
Being a top executive, why did Gu Xiaofi describe her as a bitter woman? That puzzled me.
I remembered the first time I met Shen Minhong—she really seemed like a woman scorned, a restless temptress.
About ten minutes later, Shen Minhong suddenly appeared before me.
"Sorry to keep you waiting."
Her apology made Ren Tingting and Fu Xin uneasy. Being older, Ren Tingting said, "CEO Shen, that's nothing. Waiting for you is only proper."
Only I knew Shen Minhong said that to save face for me.
Then Shen Minhong told her secretary, "Xiao Shao, take these two to meet Manager Zhu from purchasing. I have something to discuss with Manager Zhao."
After they left, Shen Minhong said to me, "Zhao Jian, this isn't the place to talk. Come to my office."
It seemed she truly regarded me as a close confidant.
I followed Shen Minhong to her office.
The CEO's office was indeed impressive. When I entered, I felt the grandeur.
The entire office must have been about 100 square meters—roughly the size of a three-bedroom apartment.
We sat down on the sofa, and Shen Minhong poured me a glass of water.
I suddenly sensed her invitation was a pretense; she had something real to say.
Apparently, Xingchang's business meant little to her.
After settling in, Shen Minhong spoke plainly: "Zhao Jian, you must wonder why I'm helping Xingchang."
Indeed, I was curious. Gu Xiaofi once said it was her scheme, but now seeing Shen Minhong's style, she was no less formidable.
Why would Shen Minhong listen to Gu Xiaofi?
She continued, "Although Gu and I appear to be friends, we're actually competitors. I know she used cunning to try to take over Xingchang, but I won't let it fall into her hands."
I finally understood. Basically, I was a pawn between two women.
Yet, judging by the circumstances, I seemed to be the beneficiary.
Shen Minhong added, "Zhao Jian, I've been watching you. I think you're a man with a conscience."
I smiled bitterly. "How can you tell?"
She said, "When we had that hotel room together, you seemed hesitant. It was clear you still had feelings for your wife."
Shen Minhong continued, "Nowadays, everyone faces great pressure. People with a conscience like you are rare."
I didn't know why she said that. She seemed odd—not like the shrewd businesswoman I expected.
I thought for a moment and asked, "Was it you who sent my wife to catch me with you?"
She laughed and said, "You're smart to guess it. It was a plot I and Gu Xiaofi hatched together."
Damn it. In the end, they just treated me like a plaything.
In anger, I asked, "What good did that do for you?"
She shook her head. "Actually, none. We just wanted to experience the thrill of playing tricks."
If Shen Minhong weren't an important client, if I didn't still have to rely on her, I might have lost my temper already.
She had no idea how much damage that stunt did to my family. I was just an ordinary man trying my best to protect it.
Suppressing my anger, I asked, "Did that make you happy?"
Seeing my tone was hostile, she said, "Zhao Jian, I admit it was my fault. I promise it won't happen again."
I thought, 'Again? You've already made my life miserable.'
She said, "Actually, Gu Xiaofi and I are destined for war. One of us will fall. If you had to choose, which side would you take?"
I thought to myself, you're both troublemakers. I won't take either side.
But I couldn't say that aloud, and the question was hard to answer.
It seemed Shen Minhong's purpose today was to get me to show my position.
I truly couldn't understand why I was always their target. What was the reason behind this?