Chapter 35: I’m Quitting—Do Whatever You Want

Zhou Jie sneered inwardly at Zhao Qiang, that fool. He had offended Zhang Zihao without even realizing it; his firing was already a certainty.

"Big Brother, don't listen to him. This brat just needs to be taught a lesson," Zhang Feiyang said, glaring viciously at Zhao Qiang. "He cheated five million out of me earlier; you have to help me get it back..."

"Shut up!" Zhang Zihao snapped, kicking Zhang Feiyang and cursing silently. He couldn't even begin to describe this idiot. Giving someone five million so easily only to be swindled until he didn't even have his underwear left—he regretted bringing Zhang Feiyang here more than anything.

How was he supposed to get it back now? Zhang Zihao didn't care about the measly five million, but he realized that if he wanted to use money to threaten Zhao Qiang in the future, it wouldn't work anymore. Zhao Qiang would have had to work his entire life to earn that much, and usually, a small raise would have been enough to make him grovel in gratitude. But now, with five million in his pocket, he could quit at any time. In other words, Zhao Qiang was no longer under his control. Manipulating Zhao Qiang's life was going to become very difficult.

"Fine. I will tell everyone my phone number," Zhang Zihao said, gritting his teeth. Since he had already said it, he had to follow through, or he would lose all face. Although everyone took it as a joke, it was the boss's personal number—how often does one get that? They immediately took out their phones to save it. What if it was real? What if they actually needed to reach the boss for something?

Just as everyone was finishing saving the digits, Zhao Qiang dialed the number directly.

"Zhao Qiang, what are you doing?" Zhou Jie had just saved the number, hoping for a once-in-a-lifetime chance to climb the social ladder.

"Can't you see? I'm calling him!" Zhao Qiang said nonchalantly as the dial tone sounded from his phone.

Everyone was stunned. This move was simply invincible. Was he trying to verify if the boss's number was real? Zhang Zihao’s expression shifted violently; that was a number he had discarded long ago. He never expected Zhao Qiang to call on the spot—wasn't this a slap to his face?

*Beep, beep, beep...*

"The number you have dialed is not in service. Please check and dial again," the automated voice replied. Zhao Qiang had turned on the speakerphone, and the entire office heard it loud and clear.

The boss's number was a dead line? Zhang Zihao’s face turned livid.

Zhao Qiang wore a mocking smile and raised his voice. "Mr. Zhang, is this the number you gave us? It's out of service! Are you playing games with us?"

A commotion broke out. The employees, who had been filled with admiration for Zhang Zihao just a moment ago, now looked embarrassed and suspicious. Zhang Zihao’s face turned bright red. "This... this might be a mistake on my part."

"That must have been my old number; I don't remember it clearly," he added.

Zhou Jie immediately chimed in, "Exactly, exactly! Mr. Zhang is a busy man; it's only natural to misremember a number." Everyone else echoed him; it was clear to everyone that the boss simply didn't want to give it out.

Misremembered? No one believed that for a second. It was obvious he just didn't want to share it!

Zhao Qiang didn't leave Zhang Zihao an ounce of face. He was determined to provoke this big boss behind the scenes. The grievances from his past life would be settled slowly in this one. This was just the beginning; the real show was yet to come.

Lin Meina quickly stepped in to smooth things over. "Zhao Qiang, Mr. Zhang probably just had a momentary lapse. Don't harp on it." She leaned toward Zhao Qiang and whispered a string of digits. "I have Mr. Zhang's number. I'll give it to you."

How could a boss's number be given out so easily?

"Mr. Zhang is a busy man, it's understandable to misremember. I understand," Zhao Qiang said with a nod.

Lin Meina gritted her teeth; she could see the fury in Zhang Zihao’s eyes. This Zhao Qiang was truly insane, and he was going to be the death of her.

"Everyone listen up, Mr. Zhang's number is 1772332..."

Lin Meina’s face went pale. This Zhao Qiang was truly daring!

"Did everyone get it?" Zhao Qiang dialed the new number Lin Meina had given him. This time, the call went through. Zhang Zihao’s phone began to ring. He didn't see the dark look on Zhang Zihao’s face, but the once mature and steady man was now burning with rage.

"Mr. Zhang, looks like this one is real. Now everyone has your number. You'll be able to receive plenty of holiday greeting texts," Zhao Qiang said with a faint smile.

The office fell into a deathly silence. The other employees were terrified, not even daring to breathe. He was crazy, completely crazy!

"I have business to attend to. I'm leaving," Zhang Zihao said, his face so dark it looked like it could drip ink. He didn't expect Zhao Qiang to disregard him so thoroughly and embarrass him in public. He even began to wonder if his true identity had been exposed to Zhao Qiang. Otherwise, how could Zhao Qiang react this way?

"Mr. Zhang, let me see you out!" Lin Meina’s legs felt like jelly; she felt an impending disaster. That damnable Zhao Qiang!

"No need for you. Let Zhao Qiang see me out. I have things to say to him."

Zhang Zihao suspected that Zhao Qiang might already know his true identity. Everyone knew exactly what was happening; Zhao Qiang was likely going to be berated to hell in private by the boss, or perhaps even fired on the spot!

Zhou Jie curled his lips. Getting fired would be a well-deserved fate; after offending the boss, he wouldn't even know how he died.

"Sure, I'm on leave today anyway. I'll see you out, Mr. Zhang," Zhao Qiang agreed instantly, knowing exactly what Zhang Zihao wanted to talk about.

The onlookers were stunned, their mouths agape. A warrior—Zhao Qiang was a true warrior. Lin Meina followed them out, worried that things would escalate. After being humiliated in front of so many people, she too wanted to fire Zhao Qiang.

The three of them reached the ground floor, and Zhang Zihao, unable to hold back any longer, finally snapped. "Zhao Qiang, what were you doing back there? Are you trying to embarrass me on purpose?" He suppressed his rage, but with no one else around, his ugly true colors were laid bare.

Zhao Qiang, however, was relaxed. He no longer wanted to serve this "Mr. Zhang."

"Mr. Zhang, I was just confirming the number, wasn't I? It would be bad if I couldn't reach you later." Zhao Qiang continued, "You should keep a tighter leash on your third brother. It’s lucky he offended someone like me—penniless and powerless. If he offended someone else, he might end up with broken limbs."

This was a blatant threat, and a warning to Zhang Zihao to control Zhang Feiyang. If he crossed the line again, he wouldn't show mercy.

"Are you threatening me?" Zhang Zihao glared at him.

Zhao Qiang raised his voice. "Mr. Zhang, you're overthinking it. I'm just a nobody. It's a great honor to have seen your majestic presence today; how would I dare to be presumptuous?"

"Everyone knows I've worked diligently for this company, yet certain people have always tried to make things difficult for me. Mr. Zhang, since you're here today, don't I deserve an explanation?"

Lin Meina panicked. Was Zhao Qiang planning to flip the table today? "Zhao Qiang, don't spout nonsense!" She was the one who had made things difficult for Zhao Qiang under Zhang Zihao's orders, so she had to take the blame.

Zhao Qiang sneered. "Manager Lin, don't think I don't know what you've been up to. And Manager Zhou acts like a tyrant in the office—shouldn't that be addressed?"

To report a manager to the boss, right in front of the boss! There was only one outcome: he didn't want to keep his job.

"If you don't want to deal with it, Mr. Zhang, just fire me! Give me some compensation, and I'll walk out right now."

Zhao Qiang laid his cards on the table while Zhang Zihao was right there. If Zhang Zihao wanted to keep enslaving him, it wouldn't be so easy anymore. He had shown his hand—he was done.