Chapter 38: I Just Want to Bully You, What Are You Going to Do About It?

Lin Meina cursed Zhou Jie inwardly for being an absolute fool; why would he provoke Zhao Qiang at a time like this?

"Everyone, listen up. It is true that Zhao Qiang has just been promoted."

"To reward Manager Zhao for his long-standing dedication and hard work, the head office has appointed him as our company's Vice President."

"Let’s give him a round of applause!"

Lin Meina’s mouth twitched violently. She had originally intended to recommend Zhou Jie for this vice-presidential position. Now, the situation had completely spiraled out of her control—it had even exceeded her worst expectations.

As Lin Meina made the announcement, the smile froze on Zhou Jie’s face.

"How is this possible?"

Zhao Qiang had been promoted? He was currently just a team leader, while Zhao Qiang had been promoted to Vice President, leaping two full ranks above him. He had spent so much time mocking and bullying Zhao Qiang in the past; how was he supposed to survive in the company now? Wouldn't Zhao Qiang crush him mercilessly?

"Zhao Qiang, just because you’ve been promoted doesn't mean you can run wild in this company. Do you hear me?" Lin Meina said.

"If a lowly manager like Zhou Jie can run wild, why can’t I?" Zhao Qiang chuckled. This old woman was notorious for shielding her pet boy, Zhou Jie.

"Director Lin, your double standards are showing. Are you saying it’s only acceptable for Zhou Jie to act like a tyrant, but not for me to finally stand tall?"

"Zhou Jie, do you still want to work here?"

"If you don't, then get out right now!"

He wouldn't be in this position for long; once the engagement banquet was over, Zhang Zihao would turn against him. Therefore, he had plenty of opportunities right now to teach Zhou Jie a lesson—ideally by driving him out of the company entirely. Aside from sucking up to that old woman, this guy was utterly useless. A little time spent grinding in the real world would show him just how pathetic he truly was.

"If you still want to keep your job, then apologize and admit your wrongs. Perhaps I’ll be magnanimous enough to forgive you. Otherwise, pack your things and get lost!"

Zhou Jie’s face turned deathly pale, cold sweat beading on his forehead. He knew he had kicked a steel plate this time. Moreover, it seemed the old woman couldn't help him either; he was on his own.

"Vice President Zhao, I was blind and failed to recognize your stature. Please be the bigger person and don't hold it against me," Zhou Jie said, his voice low and submissive. When under someone else's roof, one has no choice but to bow. If he stayed in the company, there might still be a chance for a comeback, but if he left, he would be defeated completely.

Lin Meina stood to the side, her expression ghastly, yet she dared not intervene. She knew Zhao Qiang was establishing his authority with the backing of President Zhang.

"Vice President Zhao? It seems Team Leader Zhou is quite dissatisfied with my promotion!" Zhao Qiang’s lips curled upward as he gave Zhou Jie’s handsome face a sharp, resounding slap.

He knew Zhou Jie was resentful, but what could he do about it?

"I didn't... I’m not..."

Before Zhou Jie could finish his sentence, he sensed that Zhao Qiang wouldn't let him off so easily.

"Weren't you very arrogant before? Didn't you always look for trouble with me?"

The others in the office were silent as cicadas in late autumn; no one dared to make a sound.

"I won't do it again. I won't, I promise." Zhou Jie waved his hands repeatedly; this was pure humiliation. Even if he had broken teeth, he had to swallow them along with the blood.

"Then what are you standing there for? Is your project proposal finished? Or have you forgotten that our clients are still waiting for you to hand it in?" Zhao Qiang challenged. The most painful thing for this deadbeat was actually doing the work.

"Don't tell me you handed the proposal off for someone else to do again?"

Zhou Jie was a spineless coward. Without Lin Meina’s protection, he was nothing. He was a complete freeloader in the company; expecting him to draft a proposal was a joke.

"Who in the company is responsible for Zhou Jie’s proposal? Step forward!" Zhao Qiang roared. A middle-aged man wearing glasses soon stepped out.

"It’s me, Vice President Zhao."

It was Zheng Haitao, the team leader who worked under Zhou Jie—an honest man. He had been with the company for years and was still just a team leader, faring even worse than Zhao Qiang. Not only that, but he often took the blame for Zhou Jie’s failures. If not for the fact that he was middle-aged and couldn't afford to quit, he likely would have left long ago. In his previous life, Zheng Haitao had been laid off early. In this life, he wanted to help this honest man.

"Director Lin, I’d like to ask, now that Zhou Jie has been demoted, do you have any new candidates for his position?" Zhao Qiang asked.

"What are you trying to do..."

Before Lin Meina could finish, Zhao Qiang cut her off: "Since Director Lin doesn't have a candidate, I have one."

"Team Leader Zheng, from today on, you are the department manager. You’re getting a promotion and a raise."

With a single sentence, Zhao Qiang appointed Zheng Haitao as the department manager.

"Zhao Qiang, since when do you get to decide company appointments!" Lin Meina was beside herself with rage. Zhao Qiang was completely disregarding her. She had planned to leave the position vacant and promote Zhou Jie after a while. Now, Zhao Qiang had hijacked her authority.

"Director Lin, Team Leader Zheng is a veteran employee who actually does the work. If he can't get a promotion and a raise, should we give it to those who only know how to kiss up? Or were you planning to let Zhou Jie take the spot in a while?"

Zhao Qiang’s retort left Lin Meina speechless, as that was exactly what she had been thinking. The onlookers began to whisper, making Lin Meina’s expression even more hideous.

"Hmph!" Lin Meina let out a cold snort and stormed into her office.

"Thank you, Vice President Zhao." Zheng Haitao was endlessly grateful. At his age, if he couldn't take another step forward, his career would essentially be over. He might even face the risk of being laid off at any moment. Now that Zhao Qiang had promoted him, it was a lifeline.

"Zhou Jie, from now on, Zheng Haitao is your superior. You will listen to him, and don't you dare defy him, or I will have no choice but to fire you." He spoke loudly, effectively slapping Zhou Jie in the face while warning everyone else not to think about helping him.

What could a measly team leader command now? Everyone knew Zhou Jie had more than one enemy in the company. Now that he had fallen, he would be met with the scorn of the entire office.

"Go do your proposal. And remember to share half of your project commission with your superior, Manager Zheng."

Zhou Jie clenched his fists, glaring viciously at Zhao Qiang. He didn't know how to write a proposal; he had always dumped the work on others. Now that Zhao Qiang had cut off his escape route, how could he stand it?

"What’s wrong? Are you dissatisfied with my arrangement?"

"If you're not happy, you can choose to resign!" Zhao Qiang’s lips curled, relentlessly provoking Zhou Jie.

"Zhao Qiang, don't push me too far!" Zhou Jie roared, his fists trembling.

"Push you too far? How am I pushing you too far? Sharing half your commission with your superior—isn't that the tradition in your department?" Over the years, Zhou Jie had made a fortune by skimming off the commissions of others, earning a salary far higher than Zhao Qiang’s. This was no secret in the company.

"Screw this! I quit!" Zhou Jie couldn't take it anymore; he ripped off his employee badge and slammed it onto the floor.

"Ha! You quit? There are plenty of people who would love to take your place!" Zhao Qiang said coldly, his eyes filled with disdain. This outcome was exactly what Zhou Jie deserved. He had no skills and had spent so long in the company doing nothing but sucking up to that old woman, Lin Meina. He was utterly worthless.