Perhaps because I had learned Liu Jing's enormous secret, I felt exceptionally good while driving to work.
When I arrived at the company, I noticed a new security guard at the entrance. As my car passed by, he even saluted me.
Entering the sales department, all the employees greeted me warmly.
At that moment, a sudden sense of pride swelled inside me.
Maybe this is what it means to be a winner in life—at least on the surface.
The first task at work was the company's routine morning meeting. I started by reporting the incidents that had occurred yesterday.
Next was the assignment of work tasks. In truth, I had already carefully planned these before the meeting began.
The whole process was almost entirely controlled by me—no one dared to voice any opposition.
Liu Jing, who had been boldly challenging me just yesterday, didn't say a single word today, which was strangely unbelievable.
Although we were in a meeting, my eyes kept watching Liu Jing.
From my impression, Liu Jing always dressed appropriately. I couldn't associate her with a woman of questionable morals.
Even though I knew she had something going on with General Manager Zhang, in my heart, she was not the type to behave recklessly.
When the meeting concluded, I felt very proud—I had truly become the captain steering this department.
Just as I sat in my office daydreaming about a bright future, a familiar figure suddenly appeared before me.
I initially thought it was Shen Xue, but it turned out to be Zhang Zhiyuan's secretary, Fang Xinyi.
Though I considered myself competent at work, Fang Xinyi's arrival gave me a bad feeling.
That young woman always had a very powerful presence; I wasn't sure why.
"Manager Zhao, General Manager Zhang wants to see you."
I pondered the fact that Zhang Zhiyuan personally sent Fang Xinyi—it definitely meant something serious.
I felt a bit anxious but couldn't figure out why.
Following Fang Xinyi, I went to Zhang Zhiyuan's office and saw him deeply troubled, chain-smoking.
When he noticed me, he beckoned me over and said, "Xiao Zhao, I called you here to discuss something important."
With that serious tone, I sensed trouble.
I asked, "General Manager Zhang, please tell me what it is. I will do my best."
Honestly, that was probably the most sincere thing I had said because I still relied on Zhang Zhiyuan's support for a bright future.
Zhang Zhiyuan patted my shoulder and said, "Xiao Zhao, appointing you as sales manager in the first place was an oversight. You lack experience, and some matters have been mishandled. So I want to give you a different position. What do you think?"
His words stunned me.
I had only been sales manager for a week. If I stepped down now, how would the employees at Xingchang see me?
It would shatter all my hopes for the future.
Obviously, I could not accept this.
At that moment, I recalled what Liu Jing said to me yesterday—and now I understood its meaning. This was her trump card.
Although I didn't know the specifics, the fact that Zhang Zhiyuan would make this decision meant it was no trivial issue.
It might even determine the company's survival.
Seeing my displeased expression, Zhang Zhiyuan continued, "Xiao Zhao, I know you tried your best. But considering your lack of sales experience, I've decided to move you to be the manager of the administrative department. What do you think?"
I knew in my heart that the administrative manager was a meaningless position—by far the least significant supervisor role. Once there, my prospects basically vanished.
I thought for a moment and asked, "General Manager Zhang, could you explain why you are replacing me?"
Zhang Zhiyuan smiled and replied, "It's because you're young and inexperienced, isn't it?"
I knew that wasn't the real reason.
Since he didn't intend to be honest, I might as well be straightforward.
I said, "General Manager Zhang, you know very well whose idea it was to put me in the sales manager's seat."
His face darkened, clearly the last thing he wanted to hear.
"Even if you're someone sent by that Gu Xiaofei woman, this company—Xingchang—is still under my control. Everything here is decided by me," he thundered angrily.
So I couldn't understand why, at such a critical moment for Xingchang's survival, Zhang Zhiyuan would make such a wrong decision.
I looked at him and said, "Fine. Then tell me everything. Why exactly are you removing me?"
Zhang Zhiyuan thought a bit and said, "Alright, I'll be honest. Our biggest client, Hengxia Group, has terminated its purchasing contract with us."
While learning the sales system before, I had seen every transaction between Xingchang and Hengxia. They were a major client.
Losing such a client would be a huge blow to Xingchang.
My expression turned grave. I asked, "Why did they do that?"
Zhang Zhiyuan said, "Yesterday, a batch of products we delivered to Hengxia had problems. When the client inspected the quantity, they found we cut corners. They think we're dishonest, so they ended cooperation."
I had a vague feeling they were deliberately picking a fight.
Zhang Zhiyuan's next sentence confirmed my suspicion.
He said, "Originally, Liu Jing handled the Hengxia account for us. I think she is better suited to be the sales manager."
Now I finally understood Liu Jing's big move: she was using the client against me.
I frowned and thought hard, but suddenly I realized I couldn't find a way to fight back against Liu Jing.
Having Zhang Zhiyuan give up Hengxia was impossible.
He went on, "Xiao Zhao, although you won't be sales manager anymore, don't worry. You'll still be paid your salary. Also, I have an important task for you—you'll handle the Yuxing Group's account."
I had to admire Zhang Zhiyuan's shrewdness: on one hand he stabilized Hengxia, and on the other he used me to take over Yuxing's business.
I couldn't understand how such a clever person could lose to Gu Xiaofei.
From the current situation, Zhang Zhiyuan clearly treated me like a pawn to manipulate at will.
Maybe when I no longer served a purpose, he'd just toss me aside.
Working for a boss like this made me feel cold inside.
If I didn't stand firm now, I might never get another chance.
I said, "General Manager Zhang, I don't agree to this transfer."
He looked at me with surprise—he never expected this.
Perhaps he thought I was a docile person who would never resist.
Now he realized he didn't know me at all anymore—maybe this was the start of our falling out.
Still, he patiently said, "Xiao Zhao, listen. The Hengxia business concerns our company's survival. Without that client, Xingchang will soon collapse."
I understood Zhang Zhiyuan's difficulties. But I also believed that if Liu Jing became sales manager, he was heading for a dead end—and Xingchang would be finished.
That corrupt chain of interests was eroding Xingchang's profits. If it wasn't cut off, there'd be no future.
But I couldn't say this to Zhang Zhiyuan. Without solid evidence, speaking out rashly would only bring me attacks from everyone in the sales department.
When it came to interests, everyone was a slave to them—no one would speak up for me.
So now I just had to wait. Wait until Zhao Hu became mature like a nail firmly driven into the sales department's heart—then I could take action.
But I couldn't tell Zhang Zhiyuan any of this—none of it was suitable for the public.
Although I appeared confident as manager, I knew countless eyes were watching me.
I thought a moment and said, "The Yuxing contract has been signed. As long as we keep that client, it doesn't matter if we lose Hengxia."
Zhang Zhiyuan's face looked troubled. He said, "That may be, but Yuxing hasn't given us any purchase orders yet. It's uncertain."
Clearly, when choosing between the present and the future, Zhang Zhiyuan chose the present—because it was the tangible benefit.
Nothing seemed able to shake his opinion, but I was unwilling to give up.
I said, "General Manager Zhang, I want to take a day off today. I'll come back tomorrow to discuss this."
Seeing my stubbornness, I knew Zhang Zhiyuan was also worried—after all, I had a powerful backer.
After some thought, he said, "If you really aren't satisfied with this transfer, you can talk to Gu Xiaofei."
From his tone, he was clearly angry. I knew it was best to say no more and left the general manager's office.
As I walked out, my mood was very bad. I was almost in tears.
That bastard Zhang Zhiyuan—I thought I was doing my best for him, and this was the result.
Maybe my expression aroused Fang Xinyi's suspicion. That clever girl approached me and said, "Manager Zhao, are you alright?"
I waved my hand, trying to control my emotions. "I'm fine."
After leaving the general manager's office, I didn't dare go to the sales department—it made me feel defeated.
I got in my BMW X1 and drove straight out of the company.
At the entrance, I saw the security guard specially salute me again.
Suddenly, I felt it was a naked mockery directed at me.