102. Departure

The new wave of resignations triggered by policy changes was nothing short of an avalanche. Coupled with the mid-year salary adjustment announced on Friday—which saw wages slashed dramatically—by Monday, the HR department’s doorway was nearly trampled down by employees lining up to hand in their resignation papers.

Chen Ruowen, however, remained unaware of all this. The two high school seniors around her were both entering the most intense phase of their exam preparations. On Bai Jinyan’s side, things were manageable. On Sunday, Chen Ruowen had gone to the Bai household to accompany him during his studies. Although his movements were still a bit slow, he could already hold a pen normally, and neither of the Bai parents noticed anything amiss.

At home, however, the situation was much more tense. Before the holiday, Guo Jingyuan had mustered her courage to attend the April mock exam at No. 1 High School. The results, however, dealt a heavy blow to her confidence, and since then, she had been burning the midnight oil night after night.

Previously, Chen Ruowen’s attention had been focused on Bai Jinyan, so she failed to notice Guo Jingyuan’s abnormal state. By the time she realized it, the girl had become alarmingly thin, her face marred by dark circles larger than her eyes, looking as if she might collapse at any moment. Startled, Chen Ruowen arranged several days of psychological counseling for her, which brought about some improvement.

That Monday morning, Chen Ruowen only headed to Guangxun after making sure Guo Jingyuan had finished her counseling session.

“Miss, we’ve arrived at the company.”

Mr. Sun, the driver, steadily turned off the car engine, walked around to the back seat, and respectfully opened the car door for Chen Ruowen. He escorted her all the way to the elevator, never leaving her side, and even pressed the button for the upward lift.

“Where’s Old Cui?” While waiting for the elevator, Chen Ruowen asked casually, “I haven’t seen him lately. Where did he go?”

Mr. Sun hesitated for a moment, but chose to tell the truth: “After you were nearly hurt last time, Chairman Chen was very angry, so…”

A driver’s duty didn’t include acting as a bodyguard, but Chen Liwan believed that Old Cui had failed in his responsibilities. He had seen Chen Ruowen exit the elevator but hadn’t come to greet her, and even when she walked away, he didn’t follow. This had given someone like Huang Ge the opportunity to act.

Naturally, Old Cui was dismissed partly because Chen Liwan was furious and wanted to set an example. But as a dedicated driver, it couldn’t be denied that he had indeed neglected his duties.

That was why Mr. Sun had taken the lesson to heart. Every day, he stuck close to Chen Ruowen, escorting her from the elevator to the car—a distance of less than five meters—praying he would never encounter a moment when she was angry.

“Ding!” The indicator light came on and the elevator doors opened. Mr. Sun blocked the edge of the door with one hand, watching Chen Ruowen step inside, and pressed the button for the sixteenth floor.

“Let him come back,” Chen Ruowen said suddenly as Mr. Sun stepped out of the elevator.

“I know my own temperament. At that moment, it was normal for him not to follow me—anyone would have done the same.”

…

Chen Ruowen’s internship was nearly over. According to procedure, she should have submitted her resignation to Yu Yan three days in advance, but before she could do so, she received an invitation from a colleague for a farewell lunch.

Zhang Liling had resigned.

No one knew when she applied. Zhang Liling left quietly, and it wasn’t until Wednesday at noon that she suddenly invited Chen Ruowen out for a farewell meal.

“You’re resigning? Why?”

“Isn’t it obvious?” Zhang Liling, holding a tray of cafeteria food, sat opposite Chen Ruowen. “Guangxun is on its last legs, and Shuangxing has no intention of continuing their support. Why should I stay?”

Chen Ruowen didn’t respond, seemingly indifferent to Zhang Liling’s reasoning.

“It’s not just me. Actually, everyone is thinking about it. It’s just that Li Zichun’s credentials are too weak, Xiaojun only graduated two years ago and hasn’t gained enough experience, and the rest either have mortgages or children to support—they don’t dare quit so easily.”

Zhang Liling had been at Guangxun for four or five years. By rights, her loyalty should have been strong. Typically, such employees would be willing to weather tough times with the company. Yet the moment Guangxun showed signs of decline, Zhang Liling decided to leave.

“You’re quitting just because Guangxun isn’t what it used to be? No other reason?”

“There’s more,” Zhang Liling nodded. “The company’s a joke, and the leadership is even worse.”

Both women laughed.

The restaurant Zhang Liling chose was quite ordinary. Chen Ruowen only picked at her food symbolically. For almost the entire meal, Zhang Liling vented about Yu Yan and Guangxun. Though Chen Ruowen didn’t particularly relate, as colleagues who had worked together for nearly two months, they still found common ground in their work experiences.

“I’m actually surprised you asked me out before leaving.”

“What’s so surprising about that?” Zhang Liling picked up some greens with her chopsticks. “Our whole department only gets along on the surface. We complain together, but not one of us is close enough to speak honestly. Anything you say at the table could be repeated to management in a heartbeat—except for Li Zichun, who’s a bit simpler.”

Though Chen Ruowen didn’t necessarily relate, it wasn’t in her nature to backstab others behind their backs.

As the meal drew to a close, Zhang Liling finally put down her chopsticks and hesitantly brought up the true reason for their lunch.

“I heard you invited Li Zichun to Shuangxing?”

Chen Ruowen didn’t deny it. “She told you?”

“She wouldn’t say that…” Zhang Liling shook her head. “I happened to see your conversation last time… I just found it odd.”

“You find it odd that I approached her and not you?” Chen Ruowen asked directly.

“Yes. In terms of ability, I don’t think I’m any worse than her, and we communicate a lot at work. More importantly, I graduated from a top university—my credentials far surpass hers.”

“Then you can try sending your resume to Shuangxing,” Chen Ruowen said indifferently.

She glanced at her watch, indicating the time to Zhang Liling, and picked up her barely touched tray.

The two of them carried their trays to the dish return area, then walked out of the restaurant together.

Only when Chen Ruowen turned off toward the private elevator in Guangxun’s lobby did Zhang Liling finally call out to her.

“I don’t understand,” Zhang Liling said. “If I’m not lacking, why did you choose her?”

Chen Ruowen pressed the elevator button, turned slightly, and shook her head.

“You actually do understand. You’re just holding on to a shred of hope.”

Zhang Liling went pale.

“Your abilities aren’t lacking, your credentials are strong, and you’re adept at getting along with all the different factions in the office. That’s impressive. But… I just prefer simpler people.”

“Ding!” The elevator indicator lit up, and Chen Ruowen stepped inside, looking out through the closing doors at Guangxun’s once-glorious lobby.

It was time to leave.