Chapter 13 — After Ten Years of Silence, the Whole Industry Sees Me

He patted my arm.

“Think carefully and call me back.”

After he left. I stood alone in the hallway for a long time. An hour later. I booked a plane ticket back to Hai Thanh. During the flight. I only have three names in mind. Tong Chi Vien. Hua Uyen Thanh. Thinh Hang Media. The next morning. I returned to the company. Just entered the hall. The girl at the front desk saw me, her expression a bit complicated.

“Director... Director Tham, I'm home.”

I went to the fourth floor. The area of the creative room remains unchanged. Only the sign in front of my office has been changed. It says: Office of the Deputy Director of Brand Development. Ha Than is waiting outside the door.

“I kept all of your belongings.”

“Don't let anyone touch it.”

“Thank you.”

“Hua Uyen Thanh has moved to the big office next door.”

“This morning at ten o'clock a meeting will be held to establish a new department.”

“All employees must participate.”

"What time is it?"

“Nine forty.”

I looked at the clock. Then close the document in your hand.

“Let's go to the meeting.”

The large meeting room was full of people. More than thirty employees from the creative department and strategy department were present. Tong Chi Vien sat on the chairman's podium. Hua Uyen Thanh sat on his right. She wears a new suit. Makeup is neat. Looking calm like a winner. When I entered. All eyes in the room turned to me. The smile on Tong Chi Vien's face stopped for a moment.

“Deputy Director Tham.”

“Are you back?”

“General Tong.”

I don't sit. But standing right in the middle of the meeting room.

“There is one thing.”

“I want to make it clear in front of everyone.”

Tong Chi Vien frowned.

“Let's talk about it later in the meeting if there's something wrong.”

“It can't be left behind.”

I looked straight at him.

“Because after this meeting.”

“You will consider that an established fact.”

“By then I wouldn't even have the chance to refute.”

The entire meeting room immediately fell silent. I turned around. Facing all staff.

“The people sitting here.”

“Those who have worked with me know it very well.”

“The past ten years.”

“Who creates the majority of the creative department's output.”

“Who brings in the big customers.”

“Who makes the award-winning works?”

No one spoke up.

“While I was in Beijing participating in the industry award defense round.”

“The company has canceled my position as Creative Director.”

“I want to ask.”

“Among those sitting here.”

“How many people knew that in advance?”

Still silent.

“No one knows.”

I nodded.

“Because President Tong never discussed it with anyone.”

“He made the decision himself.”

The rhythm of Tong Chi Vien's fingers tapping on the table became faster and faster.

“Tham Nhuoc Tinh.”

“Pay attention to your attitude.”

“My attitude is very good.”

I looked at him.

“I just want to ask a question.”

“If today the person who is dismissed is not me.”

“But any of you here.”

“Can you guys accept it?”

From below, quiet chatter began to sound.

“Ten years ago.”

“When I joined Thinh Hang.”

“The company's annual revenue is only about 30,000,000 yuan.”

“Annual revenue has reached 200,000,000 yuan.”

“During that time.”

“My team alone has generated at least 500,000,000 yuan in cumulative revenue for the company.”

My voice is not loud. But every word rang out clearly.

“I didn't come here to cause trouble.”

“I just want to tell everyone the truth.”

I took out a document from my pocket. Place on the table.

“This is an invitation to attend the National Brand Innovation Summit.”

“Sent directly to me by the National Advertising Association.”

“Next week.”

“I will participate as a field speaker of the topic forum.”

I looked towards Hua Uyen Thanh.

“This invitation is sent on a personal basis.”

“Not related to Thinh Hang Media.”

“So Mr. Tong can rest assured.”

“I won't embarrass the company.”

The smile on Hua Uyen Thanh's lips began to no longer hold.

“There's one more thing.”

I took out my phone. Open a website. Then projected directly onto the large screen of the meeting room. That's the home page of the Advertising Association. List of nominees for Best Innovator of the Year. My name is in first place.

“This award.”

“Next month the final results will be announced.”

“Until then.”

“Whether I'm still in Thinh Hang or not.”

“That honor also belongs to me personally.”

“Does not belong to the company.”

“It doesn't belong to anyone who wants to take it.”

More than thirty eyes continuously glanced back and forth between me and Hua Uyen Thanh. Her hand hidden under the table was clenched so tightly that it turned white. Tong Chi Vien stood up.

“Tham Nhuoc Tinh.”

“Are you done talking yet?”

"Done."

“Then let me say something.”

His voice was cold.

“Adjusting the organizational structure is the decision of the board of directors.”

“It's not something you can veto if you want to veto it alone.”

“If you are not satisfied.”

“A formal complaint process could be followed.”

“But standing at the all-employee meeting to publicly question things like this.”

“It is not according to regulations.”

I looked straight into his eyes.

“So while I'm on a business trip.”

“Silently dismiss me.”

“So is it according to the regulations?”

The entire meeting room simultaneously inhaled a cold breath. Tong Chi Vien's face immediately turned red.