Chapter 318: The Leader is Leaving

Chapter 318: Chapter 218: The Leader is Leaving

‘No, this won’t do. I have to let my aunt know about this. I have to wait until she takes her new post. Then, no one will be able to touch me.’

As if he’d figured it all out, Zhao Rui immediately said, “I don’t accept this. I need time to consider. Ten days isn’t too much to ask, is it?”

The HR representative smiled scornfully. “Zhao Rui, this is the company’s decision. Your consideration is not required. When I asked if you had any issues, it was so I could try to get you a little more compensation, not to negotiate your departure date.

Starting tomorrow, a new colleague will be taking over your duties. I hope you will handle the final handover properly. If there are any problems with the handover, you might not even get your severance package.”

Of course, Zhao Rui couldn’t accept this. With his aunt about to start her new position, his own career was supposed to take off. He might have even become a deputy project manager before long. How could he get fired at a time like this?

“I refuse to accept this! I’m going to report this to the regional office! To the zonal office!”

He stood up in a rage and stormed out of President Zhang’s office without another word.

The HR rep said to President Zhang, “He doesn’t seem to be all there.”

President Zhang chuckled. “I heard he grew up drinking his aunt’s milk.”

After speaking, he noticed the HR rep looking at him strangely and realized the joke had been inappropriate. First, Zhao Rui was his subordinate, after all. Second, wasn’t his aunt that very same President Zhao? President Zhao was only about ten years older than Zhao Rui; how could she have possibly breastfed him?

He gave a couple of dry laughs to cover his embarrassment. He was probably just that fed up with Zhao Rui, or such a thought would never have crossed his mind.

Just as Zhao Rui got out, he saw a call from Han Chao and immediately rejected it. He was in no mood to bullshit with Han Chao right now. If he really got fired this time, it would be a huge embarrassment. It wasn’t just about losing face; his very livelihood was on the line.

Han Chao, assuming he was in a meeting, sent a text. He told Zhao Rui that Li Yang had invited him to Qingzhou for a visit and that he should also mention to President Zhao that Li Yang would be honored to treat her to a meal once she arrived there.

It was the last week of June. That morning, Yang Hui gathered the team for a short meeting.

Among the 35 Airex stores, the ones in Xinyue Square had all met or even exceeded the monthly sales targets set by the company, thanks to the boost from the online store and promotional resources from consumer subsidy coupons.

Only the dozen or so stores in Yida Department Store and a few in other commercial complexes were still struggling. However, the supervisors knew this was already quite good. At least since their new leader had arrived, their own incomes had increased significantly, and most store employees were able to earn a commission bonus.

If the Yida Department Store locations couldn’t make their numbers this month, then so be it. At least they’d hit them last month. Everyone would just have to work harder to meet the target next month.

“Alright everyone, one last thing. For the Yida Department Store locations, report your sales shortfalls to me. I’ve arranged for some group purchase sales with the mall management. You all need to enter them into the system before the end of the workday this weekend.”

“Whoa—Our leader is awesome!”

“You got some for this month too? Boss, you’re a beast! An absolute stud!” Han Ya cheered playfully. The words reached Zhu Jing’s ears, and she found herself agreeing completely. ‘He really is a beast.’

“Boss, let us treat you to lunch! We have to show our thanks.”

Yang Hui stood up. “I have to go out for something. You all can just eat amongst yourselves for lunch. Report all the sales shortfalls to Zhu Jing.”

With that, he picked up his laptop and left the conference room.

Han Ya sighed and said, “Looks like we’re all outsiders here. Only Zhu Jing is the boss’s… insider.”

Normally, Zhu Jing would have pinched her for that, but after the “deep exchange” she’d had with Yang Hui a few days ago, she supposed she really was an insider now. The thought reminded her of Xia Jie’s disappointment. Xia Jie had been all set to make dumplings over the weekend, but their boss claimed he’d drunk too much and just wanted something light to eat for a couple of days, so it got postponed again. Zhu Jing could feel Xia Jie’s disappointment and even wondered what she would think if she knew that Zhu Jing had brought their boss home and stolen a bite for herself.

Just then, Xu Guang suddenly said, “I heard the company hired a new operations manager. He’s in training at the company today. I did some asking around, and they say he’s being assigned to Airex.”

What? The news hit everyone like a bolt from the blue—everyone except Zhu Jing, who was instead carefully observing everyone else’s reactions.

“How could that be? Is our boss being transferred to another brand? No way! He’s only been leading us for a month. Is he abandoning us just when we’re getting back on track?”

“If he leaves, I bet our performance will slide again. We’re screwed. Is our income going to drop again next month?”

At that moment, Han Ya suddenly said, “Did you guys notice that the way our boss ran the meeting today felt a bit like he was… settling his last affairs?”

Zhu Jing reached out and swatted her. “Hey! Don’t say such unlucky things.”

Han Ya giggled. “Getting all protective, are we? I didn’t mean it like *that*. I meant, is it possible he’s leaving the company?”

Now that she mentioned it, the others recalled that the way Yang Hui had assigned tasks today did seem different from usual. It really did have the feel of a “final lesson.”

“It really does seem that way. But what would he do if he left the company now? The market is so bad. A big company like Futong Commerce is much better at weathering the storm.”

“Yeah, exactly. It’s better to stay in the shade of a big tree. If he leaves now, who knows what would happen.”

Just then, Xiang Ling suddenly asked, “Would any of you be willing to follow him if he leaves?”

Everyone immediately fell silent. They all deeply respected Yang Hui, but when it came to their own careers, they couldn’t be so rash. What would they do for a living after they quit?