Chapter 2 — The whole company flew to France, but I alone did not have a plane ticket

What a familiar set of words. Don't think about the big picture. That hat, from the day I joined the company until now, he has worn on my head countless times. I worked overtime until midnight to fix the mistakes he made. He said it was for the big cause. I offered the entire core algorithm that I wrote with all my heart and soul for him to sign. He said it was for the big cause. I watched helplessly as he took my achievements to receive awards, promotions, and glory. And I don't even have a penny of bonus money. He told young people to know how to contribute and to look at the big picture. He used the same trick to force me.

“An Nhien, the core module ‘Sunset’ has always been maintained by me.”

“Now that such a big incident has happened, how can I tell the president?”

He started to get used to implying that the fault that caused the system to collapse this time was my responsibility. My mind immediately flashed countless long nights. I sit alone in an empty office. Faced with a screen filled with lines of code. Repeated countless times. What about Chu Nghi? He just needs to upload the results report I sent the next morning. Delete my name. Replace it with his name. Then enthusiastically walked into the president's office to receive credit. The "Sunset" system architecture is the result that took me a full year to build. From the initial idea. Down to every line of foundational code. Everything has my stamp on it. But last month, at a company-wide technical sharing conference, Chu Nghi stood under the spotlight. Facing the architectural diagram I designed myself on the presentation screen. He unceasingly declared:

“This is a masterpiece that I studied in isolation for three months and completed independently.”

I sat in the most hidden corner of the hall. Applause echoed throughout the auditorium. Each round of applause was like countless slaps hitting my face. But this time. His tone on the phone became increasingly heavier. Hidden threat that cannot be hidden.

“Hua An Nhien, stop being a child!”

“The whole company, the entire technical department is in France looking at this!”

“How much do you intend to make me lose face?!”

“Tell me the solution!”

“If not, I won't be able to bear this responsibility!”

I finally spoke up. The voice was so cold that it carried no temperature at all. Sharp as a surgical blade.

“Director Chu.”

“First, 'Sunset' architecture is a project that last month, right at the company conference, you personally announced that you 'completed independently'."

“If so, when an incident occurs, logically you should understand the cause better than me — someone who only does ‘maintenance’ is correct.”

The other end of the line immediately went silent. I continue.

“In my computer, I still have the entire development log of the Hoang Sunset project, the history of updated versions, and all source code submission records from the project's launch to its official operation.”

“Or should I now package all those documents and send them to the company's general chat group?”

“Let everyone evaluate, in the end, who is the real person in charge of this project?”

The other side was completely silent. Even the sound of artificial breathing disappeared. I can imagine his face right now. Certainly more unsightly than just swallowing must be flies. A few seconds later. A curse full of aggression but lacking confidence rang out.

“Hua An Nhien, just wait!”

Then he quickly hung up. Just like a clown having his mask stripped off right in front of the public. Struggled to run away from the stage. I looked at the phone screen again in darkness. The disgust and disgust in my heart finally turned into a sneer full of contempt. I also really want to see... What else can you expect. Chu Nghi's call had just ended when Chairman Co's phone rang again. This time, he clearly discussed with Chu Nghi and also roughly grasped the situation. As soon as the call was connected, the temper and shouting from earlier disappeared. Instead, there was a moderate tone that was deliberately restrained.

“An Nhien, it's me.”

"What just happened... I was so impatient that my words were a bit harsh. Don't take them to heart."

His voice sounded tired, but still carried a sense of command that allowed no refusal. It seems that just saying a gentle apology like that is a huge blessing.

"Right now the company is in an extremely urgent situation. Every minute that passes is burning money."

“I am a long-time employee of the company, also an expert in charge of the Hoang Hoan system.”

“Now only you can help the company overcome this hurdle.”

He started to put on my high hat. I am no longer the new graduate student who just needed a few compliments to make me so moved that I forgot my direction. I did not respond. Just listen quietly. Seeing that I didn't react, Chairman Co began to lose patience. He threw out the first bait.

“This is it, An Nhien.”

“Let's finish handling this incident.”

“I will reward you with 100,000 yuan out of my own pocket.”

“Consider it a bit of my sincerity.”

100,000 yuan. I laughed. Not a cold laugh. It's not even a mocking laugh. But it really feels so ridiculous. My laughter came through the phone so clearly that he couldn't ignore it.

“Chairman Co.”

“I clearly remember the system pressure and risk assessment report I submitted in the past.”

“I clearly stated in it that if the Sunset system is paralyzed due to a core error, the total direct damage and indirect brand loss is estimated at 4.9 billion yuan.”

I stopped for a moment. The corners of the lips curled slightly.

“And now, you intend to use 100,000 yuan to order someone who can help you save 4.9 billion yuan?”

“This deal has a profit margin of forty-nine thousand times.”

“Chairman Co is truly an extremely wise businessman.”

The other end of the line immediately heard heavy breathing. Obviously my words made him choke. After a while, he asked in a low voice:

“So how much do you want?”

Let's talk about the main story. I leaned back against the headboard and slowly raised five fingers in front of me. It's like talking about something very normal.

“5,000,000 yuan.”

“Actual money received after taxes.”

“Not one penny is missing.”

“I'm not negotiating with you.”

“I was just making an announcement.”

“Transfer money in advance.”

“Work later.”

Chairman Co's voice immediately soared. Just like a cat whose tail was stepped on.

"Hua An Nhien! Are you crazy?!"

“You have plenty of water left to fish!”

“Did you steal the money?!”

“I stole money?”

I laughed.