Chapter 1 — Before Retirement, I Was Demoted to Work as a Laborer

One day before my retirement, I was demoted to work as a janitor. I smiled and worked all day... by night the whole company panicked. I have been devoted to this company for thirty-two years. Only one day left until retirement. Yet that morning, the human resources department suddenly gave me a transfer decision.

"From today, you will be transferred to the position of... cleaning staff."

I looked at the decision in my hand. Then smiled softly. All my colleagues thought I would get angry, smash the table and leave. But no. I quietly picked up the mop. Starting from the general manager's office. Floor by floor. Every little corner. Everywhere I went was clean, shiny and spotless. By 11 p.m. The chairman of the board of directors suddenly came to the company to inspect. He conveniently picked up the timesheet and looked at it. As soon as he saw my name... His hand holding the sign began to tremble. Twenty minutes later. A phone call caused the entire management team at home to rush back to the company. In the meeting room. The chairman threw my employee card onto the table, his eyes cold as ice.

"Who signed this transfer decision?"

"Get out for me right now!"

I have worked at Vien Thai Group for thirty-two years. From a small clerk in the second floor storage room, gradually became the head of the General Administration Department. Tomorrow... Is the day I officially retire. 8:40 am. I had just finished putting the last batch of handover documents in the closet when La Thien from the human resources department walked over. The new pair of high heels clicked on the tile floor every time, every sound. It sounded like he was deliberately typing for me to hear.

"Tan Ngoc Tran, go to the meeting room."

I closed the closet door.

"What now?"

She didn't call me Ms. Tan. In Vien Thai... This is a very rare thing. I followed her to the small conference room. There were already three people sitting in the room. La Thien, Human Resources Director. Trinh Hoai Nhan, Deputy General in charge of administration. And Phan Minh, Deputy Manager of Finance Department. Phan Minh didn't dare look straight at me. On the contrary, Trinh Hoai Nhan still smiled calmly. There is a piece of paper on the table. La Thien pushed it towards me.

"Based on the need to optimize human resources, the company decided to adjust her position."

I bowed my head and looked. The decision is written very clearly. From today, Ms. Tan Ngoc Tran was transferred to the position of logistics cleaner, working at the headquarters building of Vien Thai Group. Below is the seal of the human resources department. The approval section bears the seal of the Administrative Center. I read it again and again three times. Then burst out laughing. La Thien frowned.

"What are you laughing at?"

I smoothed the paper.

"The writing is very clear."

Trinh Hoai Nhan leaned back in his chair.

"Chief Qin, the company is only following the rules. Anyway, you will retire tomorrow, your old job has been handed over. The cleaning department is short of people, letting you change for one day is not being cruel."

I raised my head to look at him.

"Just change for one day?"

"Just one day."

He deliberately emphasized two words a day very lightly. Sounds like you're offering me a way out. But it's like pushing me off a cliff. La Thien added another sentence.

"If you don't like it, you can file a complaint."

She conveniently threw a pen over.

"But today we still have to comply with the previous transfer decision."

I didn't pick up the pen. Phan Minh said softly:

"Miss Tan... you should just sign first. Tomorrow is off anyway, don't make a fuss."

I looked at him. He immediately bowed his head. Thirty-two years ago... I used to help him adjust the books. Each time he was inspected, he took responsibility. When his mother was hospitalized, I even paid for the hospital bills to help. But today... What he said was just that.

"Don't make a big deal out of it."

I picked up the pen. La Thien's eyes flashed with relief. Trinh Hoai Nhan also smiled. I signed the transfer confirmation form. Tan Ngoc Tran. Every stroke, every stroke. No shaking hands. La Thien took back the decision.

"Cleaning equipment is in the cleaning room on the B1 floor. You must be there before nine thirty."

I stood up.

"Scope of work?"

La Thien was stunned. Trinh Hoai Nhan burst out laughing.

"You're serious."

I don't laugh.

"If you are transferred, there must also be a job description."

Trinh Hoai Nhan turned to look at La Thien. La Thien turned over a temporary assignment sheet.

"Entire public areas from the first to twenty-eighth floors of the headquarters building. Focus on cleaning the leadership offices, meeting rooms, hallways, tea rooms and restrooms."

I nodded.

"Is the General Director's office also within range?"

La Thien paused.

"Of course."

"What about the Chairman's room?"

The entire meeting room suddenly fell silent for a second. Trinh Hoai Nhan's fingers gently tapped on the table.

"The president doesn't work at the headquarters all year round, so you don't need to clean that floor."

I picked up the assignment sheet and looked at it. Twenty-ninth floor. The Chairman's office area... Someone used a black pen to cross it out. I put the paper back on the table.

"So I'll start from the twenty-eighth floor."

La Thien smiled faintly. I turned around and left. In the hallway, many people were secretly watching. Someone pretended to go get water. Someone pretended to look at their phone. More people... Are staring at the transfer decision in my hand. Ms. Vuong hurriedly ran from work.

"Ngoc Tran, they are bullying you too much! Don't sign!"

I calmly replied:

"I signed it."

Her eyes immediately turned red.

"Tomorrow you retire and they still treat you like that. It's obvious they want to force you to retire first so you don't have to pay benefits."

I gently patted her hand.

"Don't cry."

Ms. Vuong lowered her voice.

"Go find the union. Find the inspection board. Or go straight to the President's Office."

I looked towards the end of the hallway. The Chairman's Office sign is still hanging there. The door is closed all year round.

"I'll go to work first."

Ms. Vuong was stunned.

"Are you... really going to clean the floor?"

I smiled.

"The transfer decision stated so."

"Then I will."

I went down to floor B1. The cleaning room smelled strongly of disinfectant. The corner is filled with mops, towels, cleaning carts and a gray uniform. The young janitor who had just joined the job was flustered when she saw me.

"Chief Qin... why are you down here?"

I picked up the uniform.

"From now on, just call me Miss Tan."

The girl rolled her eyes.

"Who... who made you do this?"

I don't answer. Quietly change into uniform. Then pin your employee card on your chest. Tan Ngoc Tran. The card still clearly states. Head of General Administration Department. Those four words... Haven't been changed yet. I pushed the cleaning cart and walked in elevator. In the elevator there were several young employees. As soon as they saw the uniform on me, everyone stopped. Then they bowed their heads in unison. The phone screen is still bright. Someone is typing a message in the group chat. I accidentally saw two lines.

"Ms. Tan was really transferred to work as a janitor."

"This time, General Manager Trinh's actions are truly evil."

The elevator stops on the twenty-eighth floor.