After resting at home for over forty days, I was nearly driven stir-crazy. On the second day of my full recovery, I eagerly returned to work, feeling a love for my job like never before.
The morning sun was exceptionally bright and vibrant, radiating vitality as it smiled kindly at me from behind the thin clouds.
Driving to work with the car window wide open, I let the breeze brush against my face. The fresh air filled me with immense comfort and freedom.
As I drove, I pondered how to approach the conversation with Liu Wei later, and before I knew it, I had arrived at the company.
As soon as I entered, I saw many colleagues gathered in the lobby, craning their necks toward the office area and whispering among themselves about something.
"What's going on?" I asked.
Li Meng, who was also caught up in the commotion, turned around at the sound of my voice. Seeing me, she looked surprised but quickly smiled. "You're finally back, Brother Liao! Are you fully recovered?"
I nodded and continued, "What's everyone gathered here for?"
Li Meng suddenly remembered something and hurriedly said, "You should go check it out. Liu Wei and Manager Wang are having a big argument."
"What?" I exclaimed in surprise and rushed toward Wang Di's office.
Wang Di and Liu Wei had never really gotten along, but Liu Wei was a reasonable person who had always tolerated it. For them to argue today, something must have happened.
Bang!
As soon as I reached the office door, I heard the sound of a hand slamming on a table, followed by Liu Wei's angry voice: "Fine, fine, you're the manager, you're the boss. I quit!"
I quickly pushed the door open and asked, "What's going on?"
I hadn't informed Wang Di about my return to work today, so he looked a bit surprised to see me, a flicker of embarrassment in his eyes. But he quickly regained his composure and said to me, "Someone here says they're quitting."
"Brother Liao, you came at the right time. Come, take a look at this." Liu Wei grabbed me and pulled out a pay stub from his pocket.
"Take a look at how our Manager Wang is screwing me over. Smoking in the office—200 yuan deduction. Using my phone during work hours—200 yuan deduction. Those are fair, I accept them. But look at these: spreading negative influence—200 yuan deduction, poor work attitude—200 yuan deduction. And the most infuriating one—flirting with female colleagues three times, 600 yuan deduction. Is this a fucking joke?" Liu Wei was seething with anger, his voice growing louder as he spoke, even cursing outright, clearly beyond furious.
The situation was already clear. Anyone with half a brain could see that Wang Di was deliberately making things difficult for Liu Wei.
"Manager Wang, Old Liu has been with the company for a long time. Isn't this a bit too much?" I frowned.
"Sorry, the payroll has already been submitted to headquarters. It can't be changed," Wang Di replied coldly, her attitude already clear.
I was about to plead on his behalf when Liu Wei cut me off, raising his voice. "Brother Liao, don't bother begging her. I've had enough of this lousy company anyway."
Without waiting for me to respond, he stormed out, slamming the door behind him.
"Manager Wang, what you're doing is really unfair," I said, my own temper flaring.
"Liao Fan, you're a smart person. I already told you, it's been submitted to headquarters, and headquarters has approved these ridiculous deductions. Don't you get it?" Wang Di shot me a disdainful look.
I stared at her, confused. Wasn't it you who submitted it? What am I supposed to understand?
"Headquarters is cleaning house, got it? Liu Wei is a long-term employee, so they can't fire him outright. They have to use these tactics instead. And as the branch manager, I'm the one who has to take the blame and deal with the fallout," Wang Di suddenly sounded weary, her voice tinged with exhaustion.
"But the company's performance has been pretty good, hasn't it? Why are they cleaning house?" I asked.
"It's graduation season. The company wants to bring in a batch of highly educated, energetic young people. Naturally, some have to make room. You learned about survival of the fittest in school, didn't you?" Wang Di explained.
"Survival of the fittest? I'd say it's more like killing the goose that lays the golden eggs," I said, disappointed with the company's approach.
"Call it whatever you want. It's headquarters' decision. I can't interfere," Wang Di lowered her head, massaging her temples. I could hear the helplessness in her tone.
"Then let Old Liu stay, and I'll leave. I'll make room for the company," I said without hesitation, the words tumbling out.
Liu Wei and I were the closest in the entire company. Between our friendship and everything we'd been through, I considered him a true friend. He and Tian Xiaomo were ordinary people, with elderly parents and children to support, living under immense pressure. At forty-two, finding another suitable job would be tough for him. He needed this job more than I did.
As for me, it didn't matter much. I'd just turned thirty, and finding a job would be easy. Even if I couldn't find the right one right away, I could always rely on my wife for a while. With such an amazing wife, it's not like I'd starve, right?
Survival was never an issue.
"Impossible. I won't agree to that," Wang Di flatly refused.
She looked up at me and continued, "You're younger than Liu Wei, more driven, and at least you get along well with your colleagues. Look at him—which female colleague hasn't he flirted with? How many people in the entire company are even willing to talk to him? When he's treated so unfairly, besides you, has anyone else spoken up for him?"
I was left speechless by Wang Di's words. Liu Wei had always been fond of making inappropriate jokes with female colleagues, which indeed bordered on harassing decent women. Even the male colleagues couldn't stand him.
When I first joined the company, I didn't want to have much to do with him either. But since we worked in the same office, I had no choice but to interact with him. Over time, however, I gradually realized that he wasn't a bad person at heart, and we eventually became friends.
The problem was, Liu Wei had such a terrible reputation in the company that no one believed me when I tried to explain. Wang Di certainly wouldn't believe it either.
"From a personal standpoint, I wouldn't agree to your request either, understand?" Wang Di's gaze suddenly softened as she looked at me, sighing as she spoke.
Her expression made me feel inexplicably guilty, and I was immediately reminded of the incident at the hospital, which only added to my embarrassment.
Since Liu Wei's situation was already beyond saving, there was no point in saying more. I quickly found an excuse to leave. This woman was far too serious about matters of principle, and I didn't dare provoke her. It was better to keep my distance as much as possible.
When I returned to my office, Liu Wei was packing up his personal belongings.
"Are you really quitting?" I asked.
Given Liu Wei's seniority, no one could force him to leave if he didn't want to.
"You saw it yourself," Liu Wei replied, still seething with anger. "That damn Wang Di is clearly trying to force me out. If I stubbornly stayed, wouldn't I just be shamelessly clinging on? I can't stand being humiliated like this."
"What are your plans after you leave?" I continued.
"I'm going to do something big," Liu Wei said without looking up as he packed his things.
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