Chapter 3 — I Just Followed the Process Correctly

He understands. I'm not negative about work. I was using the same weapon that he personally gave me... turned around and stabbed him in the throat. The office fell into a long silence. So quiet that I could hear the air conditioning gently blowing. A long time later, Chu Khai Minh opened his mouth.

“I give you one more chance.”

"Let's go back to work on the plan now. I'll specifically let you skip the other procedures."

I bowed slightly, my attitude extremely humble.

“Thank you, General Manager Chu, for your understanding.”

“But I can't do that.”

"Company regulations are the iron discipline of the company. As the general director, you must take the lead in maintaining them."

“If you still ask me to skip the process…”

“So to protect myself, also so that the company's orders are communicated clearly and transparently…”

“I need you to give me a ‘special approval’ document in black and white.”

I looked straight at him, every word clear:

“You need to sign it yourself.”

“And the seal of the general manager's office.”

Chu Khai Minh's jaw line was terrifyingly tight. His eyes were like two poisoned blades, wishing they could gouge me right then and there. The air in the office froze into ice. I could even clearly hear the second hand on the wall clock moving. Each sound sounded like it was hitting Chu Khai Minh's nerves that were about to break. Of course he couldn't write me that special document. Doing so was like handing me evidence that he considered the company's regulations a joke, proving how arbitrary and chaotic his management style was. Once that thing is exposed, the old foxes on the board will definitely eat him alive. But he also couldn't let me continue to "follow the rules". The West Area project is his life. He is the only trump card that this year he boldly promised the board of directors to create achievements. This project… cannot last. More importantly, he knows very well that I will not just "tell the rules" on this project alone. My approach is like a virus. It started with the West area project, then quickly spread to every job I touched, every process I participated in. Ultimately causing the entire company's performance to fall into a state of complete paralysis. Chu Khai Minh - a high-ranking general manager - will be forced to death right in the middle of the chessboard by the rules he sets himself, along with an ant like me. He couldn't move forward. Going back is not enough.

“Trinh Suong.”

Finally he opened his mouth again, his voice filled with suppressed anger like a volcano about to erupt.

“Are you sure you want to go this far?”

This is a choice question. A is for bow. Obediently go back and make a plan, praying that he will show compassion later. B is to stand straight and continue to use the rules to confront him to the end. I choose B.

“General Manager Chu, I was just doing my duty as an employee.”

I lowered my eyes slightly, my tone was so respectful that I couldn't find any mistakes.

“Complying with company regulations is my responsibility.”

Chu Khai Minh suddenly burst out laughing. That cold, dark smile sent chills down my spine.

“Trinh Suong, I miss you.”

He stood up and walked over in front of me. He was a head taller than me, his shadow fell over my entire body.

“If you like to talk about rules like that…”

“Then I will tell you enough.”

“From today, you no longer need to be in charge of any specific projects of the number one sales department.”

My heart sank slightly.

“Your new position…”

He almost gritted his teeth as he said every word.

“A process optimization specialist.”

"From now on, the entire inter-departmental approval process in the company is responsible for preliminary inspection and monitoring."

“I want you to make sure that every process is flawless, consistent with that thick Management Manual.”

“Isn't this what you meant?”

He leaned closer, his voice so low that only the two of us could hear.

“I spoil you.”

My heart sank. This is an extremely cruel trap. Process optimization specialist. It sounds majestic. But in fact he is a public enemy of the entire company. I will be the one to urge all directors to sign the papers. Is the person who, just because of a small formatting error, returns the application for approval. He is the one who slows down the progress of all projects in the company. Chu Khai Minh is trying to put me on the fire and roast me. He wanted to gather all the company's resentment and dump it on me. I want to use everyone's hand to force me to get the hell out of here.

“Don't you dare accept it?”

He looked at me with contemptuous eyes, sure that I would be scared to death by this hot potato. I raised my head, meeting his eyes. I laughed. A genuine smile, so brilliant that even I felt relieved.

“Thank you, General Manager Chu.”

“This is the position I have always dreamed of.”

“I will definitely not disappoint your expectations.”

The expression of certainty of victory on Chu Khai Minh's face immediately stiffened. He didn't expect me to agree so quickly. I turned around and pulled open the office door. Outside, dozens of ears that were secretly listening in on what was going on immediately withdrew back. I returned to my seat, in front of everyone, and started packing. Vuong Le happily walked forward.

"What? Got fired?"

I held the cardboard box and walked past her, suddenly stopping. I looked at her, smiling gently.

“I got promoted.”

“From now on, remember to call me… expert Trinh.”

Having finished speaking, amidst her stunned eyes, I walked to the corner of the office that had been vacant for a long time, covered in dust. That location is directly opposite the door of the general manager's office. I put down my things and opened the computer. The first thing I did was send the unfinished 《City West Area Project Start-up Application》 to the OA system. I hit send. First point of approval: Director of legal affairs department — Ly Ve. Second point: Director of finance department — Truong Hai. Third point… Seventh point: General manager's office — Chu Khai Minh. Zhou Kaiming. Now… it's your turn to sign. Having finished everything, I leaned back in the chair and slowly exhaled a long breath. At that moment, the phone vibrated. It's a text message from an unknown number. The content is very short.

"Be careful of Truong Hai in the finance department. He is manager Liu's person, the books are not clean."