Either sign the papers, or get the hell out! (Please vote)

Seniority is a tricky thing, really, and its influence is hard to define. If someone’s climbing the ranks within a bureaucratic system, then seniority is essentially at the heart of everything. Of course, there are a handful of young people who rise to high positions, and while a rare few have abilities impressive enough to transcend seniority, the vast majority are simply riding on the accumulated seniority of the previous generation, enjoying the shelter it provides. The intricacies of this are obvious to those who understand.

But as times have changed, especially in the internet industry, the side effects of seniority have become increasingly subtle. Who’s better: a forty-year-old programmer or a fresh-faced coder in their early twenties? The middle-aged are weighed down by family, children, daily necessities, caring for elderly parents, and the endless trivialities of life. How can they possibly compete with young people unburdened and free? The young can work overtime until the middle of the night, party until dawn, come back and work a full day, then go out to party again and maybe hook up for good measure…

Could a middle-aged person do that? And even if they could, would their spouse agree? When was the last time they fulfilled their marital duties? Does wolfberry tea really work? Seniority? If you can’t endure, what’s the point of discussing seniority? Might as well talk about getting laid off.

As for Wang Zhe’s situation, Zhang Peng had already given Chen Ling a general introduction, so Chen Ling had a pretty clear idea—it was a classic case of an overgrown tail that couldn’t be cut off. Indeed, if Wang Zhe were still in the old stronghold of Oucheng, he could cling to his position like a stubborn leech, and the group really couldn’t do anything about him. But two consecutive years of losses meant that Wang Zhe’s limit had been reached. Anyone can handle smooth sailing, but the true measure of ability is revealed in adversity.

So Zhang Linhan kicked him over to Linjiang City, made him the head of the office there, tasked with assisting Zhang Peng and preparing to set up a branch. This was Wang Zhe’s last chance! If he could carve out new territory for Pengcheng Group in Linjiang City, he might still be considered useful. But if all he knew was to flaunt his seniority, jockey for influence, and engage in power plays, then he had only himself to blame if the boss decided to get rid of him. After all, if the team’s donkey dares to walk the millstone backwards, it won’t be long before it ends up as donkey meat in a bun.

“Xiaopeng, calm down, calm down. What’s happened?” Wang Zhe sat down next to Zhang Peng and handed him a glass of water.

Zhang Peng shook his head. “Director Wang, there’s no need to call me that. We’re in the office, and now we’re colleagues. The general manager is still standing, aren’t you going to acknowledge him?”

Wang Zhe turned and smiled at Chen Ling. “Xiao Chen, you’re here too? My apologies, old habits die hard.”

That repeated use of “Xiao” was both an open and veiled reminder to them: look, I’m your senior, show some respect. As for Zhang Peng’s reminder? The same old story—what could they do to him? Fire him? Not likely.

Chen Ling smiled, unbothered, found a seat and said, “We just came from Sister Dou’s office. She mentioned two new hires that you turned away?”

Wang Zhe raised an eyebrow. Sister Dou? So they’re dropping hints now! Heh, nice try. So what if she was their former counselor? He didn’t even take these two seriously, let alone her.

He nodded. “That’s right. It’s the procedure you set down yourself. Is there a problem?”

Chen Ling narrowed his eyes. “The procedure may not spell it out, but I remember telling you that Sister Dou has the authority to make exceptions.”

“Young man, you’re still inexperienced,” Wang Zhe countered. “I was just about to mention—exceptional authority like that shouldn’t exist in the first place. Today she hires two by exception, tomorrow you do the same, and if this continues, how do we manage the company? Procedures are meant to be followed, not broken. Besides, you set these rules yourself!”

Seeing Chen Ling’s helpless expression, Wang Zhe grew smug and switched to a lecturing tone. “The chairman sent me here because I have experience and can help you young people avoid mistakes.”

“Xiao Chen, I’m not just flaunting my seniority here. It’s good that you young folks are starting your own business, but you need to listen to the advice of us old hands. After all, we’ve seen more and eaten more rice than you ever will, right? But don’t worry, as long as I’m here to keep an eye on things, nothing will go wrong. You just go ahead and do your thing—I’ll watch the house for you.”

The more Wang Zhe spoke, the more he got into his stride, leaning back against the wide office desk, flicking open his lighter with a practiced flourish, striking a pose as he lit his cigarette.

“Are you finished?” Chen Ling asked with a soft chuckle.

“All done, all done. Forgive me, old folks do tend to ramble.”

Wang Zhe glanced at Chen Ling with a playful smile, a flash of contempt in his eyes that didn’t escape Chen Ling’s notice.

“Then sign here,” Chen Ling said, pushing two employment application forms in front of him.

Wang Zhe frowned. “Xiao Chen, I just—”

“Call me Director Chen,” Chen Ling interrupted. “I’m ordering you now: sign.”

“Er, Director Chen, you’re putting me in a difficult position. I’ve already refused once—if you keep changing your orders—”

Chen Ling shook his head impatiently. “Either you sign, or you get out. Your choice.”

Wang Zhe could hardly believe his ears. “What did you just say?” His voice sharpened. “Say it again! Who are you to tell me to get out? Who do you think you are? I was appointed by the group as office director—you can’t just fire me! Even Director Zhang hasn’t said anything!”

He turned to Zhang Peng, hoping to use the young master’s authority to check Chen Ling. He didn’t know how Chen Ling had become general manager, but surely he must have latched onto Zhang Peng’s coattails. Yes, that had to be it! Acting so boldly in front of the boss—he must be looking for trouble.

But Zhang Peng just scratched his head and spread his hands. “Don’t look at me—I’m only the deputy. He’s the boss. I take my orders from him.”

“What?” Wang Zhe was stunned, then turned back to Chen Ling, his face flushed with anger. “I’m not signing today, no matter what! What can you do about it? Even if I leave your lousy company, I’m still Pengcheng Group’s office director in Linjiang City! This is still my turf!”

He stared Chen Ling down, refusing to show weakness. That was the aura he prided himself on.

Yet—why did Chen Ling look at him with pity? What was wrong here?

Chen Ling simply smiled, shook his head, and said, “Clueless.”

With that, he gestured to Zhang Peng.

Zhang Peng immediately took out his phone and called his father.

“Hi Dad? Yeah, I’m at the office. I need to fire someone. Wang Zhe, that’s right. Okay, got it.”

Wang Zhe’s composure crumbled at once! The young master was connecting straight to the emperor—this was beyond saving face now. He tried to keep calm. “Xiaopeng, what did your father say…?”

Zhang Peng grinned. “He said he’s too busy to be bothered with trivialities like this.”

Wang Zhe was at a loss. “Xiaopeng, do you remember? When you were little, I used to carry you…”

“Carry me?” Zhang Peng nodded. “So what? Why not say you changed my diapers too?”

“Uh…”

Wang Zhe was sweating now. He turned to Chen Ling. “Director Chen, I was wrong today. From now on, whatever you say goes!”

“Really? You’ve thought it over?” Chen Ling asked, smiling slyly.

“I mean it, I really mean it!” Wang Zhe bowed slightly. “I was confused today!”

“In that case…” Chen Ling stroked his chin. “You can stay on—as a janitor!”

Wang Zhe’s vision went black.

After Wang Zhe had left, looking utterly defeated, Zhang Peng tossed Chen Ling a cigarette, marveling, “Old Chen, how did you know my dad would agree?”

“You can’t figure it out?” Chen Ling lit up, countering.

Zhang Peng shook his head and analyzed seriously, “Wang Zhe was a big force in the group. When real estate was booming, his department made the group a lot of money. I thought even my dad would hesitate to move against him—he’s got powerful backers. The group’s deputy general manager, my uncle, has always supported him. If he’s fired, my uncle will definitely protest.”

Chen Ling grinned slyly. “Isn’t that perfect? Young people are rash, right? Now you’ve got your excuse. Plus, with continuous losses, why keep him? Your dad brought him here so you could be the one to fire him.”

“Huh?” Zhang Peng was taken aback, then frowned in thought, gradually understanding. “You mean my dad’s using me to weaken my uncle’s faction?”

“What else? You’ve got uncles and relatives all over the place. If he doesn’t help you straighten things out, how will you ever take over? More importantly, it’s a test—will you dare to fire him? If you’re not ruthless, your position won’t be stable.”

Zhang Peng still looked uneasy. “I don’t think it’s that simple. Wang Zhe’s gone, but what about the group…”

“Cleaning up is your dad’s problem, not ours,” Chen Ling said, finishing his cigarette and lighting another.

He was waiting...

He hadn’t been sure about Wang Zhe’s mindset before, but after this confrontation, he had a guess.

A dozen minutes later—

[Ding!]
[Quest Notification: Beginner Task 2—Progress 2/4!]
[Wang Zhe can no longer threaten you!]

Just as expected.

It was probably Zhang Peng’s father who had truly ordered Wang Zhe’s dismissal from the group.

Chen Ling started to understand. Just as he’d suspected, the real objective of this quest wasn’t some obvious villainy, but people who, through direct or indirect entanglements, ended up opposing him. The most dangerous arrows are the ones you can’t see.

If that was the case, after dealing with Zhou Jing and Jin Youde, perhaps he didn’t need to go looking for trouble—it would come to him. Anyone who held a grudge would reveal themselves in time. All he needed to do was go with the flow…

With that thought, he summoned the system interface.

[Using Weight Template D-level factor!]
[Using Wealth Template C-level factor!]

As a beam of light flashed—

[System Message]
[Template factors combined, effect increased by 20%!]
[Auto-matching factor keywords…]
[Match successful!]
[Please proceed to Teaching Building No. 3, Qujiang Institute of Technology, by 9 PM tonight.]