Ordinary Friends - Chapter 6
The first time I had a direct encounter with Li Qingqing was a week after my conversation with Qin Zheng.
After we broke up, Qin Zheng, who had always refused to make our relationship public on the grounds that “office romances are not good,” started dating Li Qingqing openly and ostentatiously. I saw their affectionate posts on social media.
Countless colleagues from the company left their blessings below, but only the mutual friends Qin Zheng and I had from university messaged me on WeChat, surprised and asking what had happened.
I didn’t reply to any of them.
The day Li Qingqing appeared before me was an ordinary afternoon.
Most people in the office had gone out for lunch or were resting at their desks. I was alone in the pantry, grinding coffee beans with a cup in hand. As the rich aroma of coffee gradually filled the air, Li Qingqing appeared behind me.
I stepped aside to let her pass, but she didn’t walk by. Instead, she stood in front of me, her gaze lingering on me with a hint of meaning, and suddenly said, “I know you dated A Zheng.”
She had a doll-like face and was shorter than me. I looked down at her calmly, raising my eyebrows slightly in a questioning expression.
She looked up at me, her eyes scanning my face. Perhaps not getting the reaction she wanted, her gaze showed a trace of disappointment. After a pause, she continued:
“I saw the playlist he named after you, and ‘Set Sail to Gather Stone Flowers, Hoist the Sail to Pick Up Sea Moon’-your secret relationship wasn’t very well hidden.”
I stayed silent, patiently waiting for her to finish.
She said, “My… my father really likes Qin Zheng, you know. Qin Zheng is young and promising, mature and steady, ambitious and driven. My father says Qin Zheng reminds him of himself when he was young.”
“My father wants to mentor him. Qin Zheng has limitless potential, and as it happens, I really like him, and he likes me too.”
“Now we’re together, but Xiao Shiyue, your presence is quite an eyesore. I hope you’ll be sensible and resign on your own.”
Only then did I understand her intention: first to show off, then to threaten, and finally to gently persuade me to leave on my own.
Holding my cup, I remained composed, my tone calm, even with a hint of a smile. I looked down at her and said, “Miss Li, any personnel changes for employees must go through the proper procedures. I’m not sure if you came to me today to dismiss me or for something else.”
“If you want to fire me, the company has clear regulations. Please have HR come talk to me and inform me of the reason for my dismissal.”
Her face turned pale, perhaps not expecting me to be so unyielding. Before turning to leave, I glanced at her and added:
“By the way, any personnel changes for managers and above require direct approval and reporting to the Chairman. In other words, in this entire company, only the Chairman can dismiss me. Miss Li, you’re just an Intern in Qin Zheng’s department-your reach is a bit too far.”
With that, I couldn’t be bothered to look at her expression and walked out with my cup.
Not long after my conversation with Li Qingqing, Albert’s transfer notice for his appointment in Nanjing was announced.
Before he left, the Chairman prepared a farewell banquet for him. All the company’s management attended-the heads of every department. We all knew that besides sending off Albert, there would also be personnel changes in the core departments at headquarters.
When the manager from HR placed the invitation on my desk, only Bella looked worried.
She was someone I personally mentored. Lying on her desk, she first cheered me on, then solemnly said:
“Shiyue, no matter what happens, our team is behind you. If things don’t work out here, we’ll follow you wherever you go.”
I smiled, gently tapped her forehead with the invitation, and spoke softly, “What are you saying? It’s just a meal. Have you forgotten my life motto?”
“Build bridges when you meet water, carve roads when you meet mountains-what’s there to fear?”
Besides, I’m certain I won’t be the one to lose.
