Chapter 2 — The entire department's salary is 39,000 yuan, just me 5,800 yuan

The next morning, as usual, I arrived at the company half an hour early. I cleaned up my desk, watered the betel pot in the corner and then replaced a new bottle of pure water for the department's water plant. These things are not my responsibility. But over the past three years, they have become a habit. Colleagues came to the company one after another. Ly Vy walked past me and didn't even say "thank you". She conveniently placed the empty coffee cup on the corner of my table.

"Chu Nhien, help me wash this cup. I need it later in the meeting."

I didn't say anything, picked up the cup and walked towards the tea room. As if this were as natural as changing a water bottle. The regular morning meeting was as long and boring as always. Vuong Le stood in front summarizing last month's achievements, praising Trieu Vu - the division's sales champion, and also listing several new projects. And I still sit in the last row. Holding a notebook in hand, quietly jot down important contents of the meeting. After the meeting is over, I will organize them into minutes and send them to each person. But most people don't even bother to open it. As the meeting was about to end, the phone in my pocket vibrated slightly. I secretly took a look under the table. It's mom's WeChat message.

"Chu Nhien, I've made an appointment for an examination, this afternoon at three-thirty. Don't be late."

I replied with one word: Recently, my mother's heart has not been healthy. This afternoon's specialist examination has been scheduled for a long time, I must definitely go along. Because of that, last night I worked overtime until late, just to pre-process all the work that might arise today. Including the report that Ly Vy pushed to me. I have calculated very carefully. Just leave the company before three o'clock in the afternoon. As soon as the meeting ended, Vuong Le called me back.

“Chu Nhien, come into my office for a moment.”

My heart sank slightly. But his expression remained calm as usual. In Vuong Le's office, the air conditioner is very cold. She pointed to the chair opposite.

“Miss Vuong, why are you looking for me?”

Vuong Le pulled out a file from the stack and pushed it in front of me.

"New project in the west of the city, today I will arrange all the documents for you. You need to use them tomorrow morning."

I looked at the thick stack of documents in front of me. It takes at least three to four hours to complete the process. I took a deep breath, trying to keep my tone peaceful.

"Ms. Vuong, can I do this part this afternoon? I have urgent work today at 3:00 p.m. so I want to take two hours off."

This is the first time in the past three years that I proactively asked for a leave of absence. Vuong Le leaned back in her chair, as if she had just heard something extremely unbelievable, her eyebrows immediately furrowed.

“Please leave?”

“What's the urgent matter?”

“My mother is not feeling well, I have to take her to the hospital to be examined.”

I explained softly. But Vuong Le's expression did not soften at all. On the contrary, it's even more annoying.

"Can't your father or other relatives leave things at home?"

"Now that the project is as busy as this, who in the department doesn't work hard? Who doesn't have personal matters at home?"

Her voice is not loud. But it carries a sense of oppression that makes it impossible for others to refute.

“I'm a company employee so I have to get a job important.”

“This project is very important, it will be needed tomorrow morning. Now you're telling me you want to quit?"

I clasped my hands on my knees.

"Miss Vuong, last night I finished all the work at hand, including Ly Vy's report."

"I promise to complete this document tomorrow morning before work and send it to you, absolutely not slowing down the progress."

I think my concessions and commitments can be exchanged for a little understanding. But I was wrong. Mentioning the name "Ly Vy", Vuong Le's face immediately became more unsightly.

“Do you still dare to mention Ly Vy? How about helping colleagues share a bit of work? Why are young people calculating so much?

“What I give you to do is your job!”

Vuong Le stood up and looked down at me from above.

“Chu Nhien, I'll tell you, as a person you have to know moderation.”

“The company pays your salary not for you to come here to bargain for conditions.”

“At three thirty this afternoon, I want to see the preliminary summary report of this project in the meeting room.”

“Let's just decide.”

Having finished speaking, Vuong Le did not look at me again. She bowed her head and processed her documents, as if I no longer existed. Sitting in the chair, I felt my blood freeze in that moment. Looking at Vuong Le's cold, sideways face, all the self-pity, patience and fatigue that had accumulated over the past three years were like a floodwater breaking a dike, instantly sweeping away the last line of defense in my heart. I always think that I just need to do enough. It will be seen sooner or later. Just don't cause trouble. Don't complain. I will be able to stay here in peace. It turned out that in their eyes, my understanding was just a cheap thing. My concession is natural. All my efforts and dedication couldn't even replace two hours of personal time off. Even my mother's health is not as important as a set of documents that are not urgent at all. I slowly stood up. No more arguing. No more explanation. Didn't even look at Vuong Le one more time.

“I understand.”

I said three words softly. His voice was as calm as the surface of dead water. Then, I turned around and walked out of the office. Back at my desk, I sent my mother a WeChat message:

“Mom, let your cousin come with you. I have an urgent matter so I can't go."

Mom quickly replied:

“Work is more important, don't overdo it.”

Looking at those words, my eyes were so dry that they hurt. I don't cry. Just sit down quietly and turn on the computer. I did not touch the documents of the new project in the west of the city. Instead, I opened a folder hidden very deep in drive D. The folder name was:

“Backup”.

Inside there is only one file.

“Resignation letter.docx”

I opened the file. Calmly change the date above to today's date. Then I opened another folder. The folder name is:

“New beginning”.

Inside were the resumes I had silently sent out during lunch breaks and late nights. Along with that is each interview notification email. I opened the latest letter. The email title appears clearly on the screen:

“Offer Letter – XX Technology Company – Senior Project Manager”

My eyes stopped at the salary section reward in the message content. A long while. I quietly closed all the windows. Then continue working as usual. Like everything that just happened... Never existed.