Chapter 9 — The Whole Company Knows

Before I could hesitate, he already knew the details of my non-compete agreement. "Okay." I raised my cup, "Make friends." Touch the cup. The news naturally reached Tham Quoc Luong's ears. The next day, Secretary Tran called. “Brother Co, Chairman Tham wanted to ask what you were thinking?” “What?” “It's back to Tham Thi.” I count the days. Tham Quoc Luong's invitation with no time limit has been given for nearly three weeks. “You told Secretary Tran that I was still thinking.” "Okay. But Chairman Tham asked me to convey that his invitation will not be valid forever." "I know." I hung up. Five minutes later, another message was sent. Tham Niem Duong: "I heard you went to eat with Tien Minh Hien?" "YES." "Are you crazy? My father will think you want to transfer to Thinh Khai." “I don't plan to change jobs.” “But you go eat with him!” “Just making friends.” “My dad wouldn't think like that.” “That's your father's problem.” The other end was silent for a moment. Then: "Co Bac, did you do it on purpose?" “What are you trying to do?” "You go eat with Tien Minh Hien first, then make my father impatient. That way he will give you better conditions." I looked at that message and couldn't help but laugh. "Miss Tham, you're thinking too much. I'm really just making friends." “Does someone like you even make friends?” “What do you mean by ‘people like me’?” "It's... the type of person like you. Everything must be clearly calculated." “Isn't it good to calculate clearly?” "...Okay. But can you please stop causing more trouble for me? My father was angry at home for half a day today." “That's because you put my name on the layoff list.” The other end did not respond. Read. No response. I put down the phone. Continue viewing houses. 【Chapter 10】 One month later. I have made a decision. See you Tham Quoc Luong. Still the twenty-eighth floor office. This time he poured two cups of tea and sat on the sofa waiting for me. Don't sit behind a desk. The atmosphere was much more comfortable than last time. “Are you done thinking?” I sat down. “I'm done thinking.” “Say it.” "I accepted your invitation. Two years later, I returned to Tham Thi to become project director." Tham Quoc Luong nodded, not looking surprised. “But I have three conditions.” His tea cup was halfway raised when it stopped. “You say it.” "First, the annual salary will not be doubled but tripled. After returning, it will be applied immediately." "Reason?" "Two years later, the profession will change. When you came to me to talk, I was still Co Bac with a salary of three hundred thousand. Two years later, I was Co Bac, received three million six hundred thousand in compensation, had meals with Tien Minh Hien and was fought over by four headhunting companies. The market prices are not the same." He put down the tea cup. "Continue." "Second, the project director's authority must be real authority. Not a nominal position. I must have the right to choose projects, the right to form teams, budgets under thirty million do not need to be brought to the meeting for approval." “You're not polite at all.” "You once said I was a serious person. Serious people who want to work need space." He didn't say yes, nor did he say no. “Third thing?” “Third thing…” I looked at him, “I do not report work to Trieu Nghien Kieu.” Tham Quoc Luong slightly raised his eyebrows. “Did you have a disagreement with him?” "No. But now he is the deputy general director of the project. According to the structure, after returning I must be under his management. I do not accept it." "Why?" "No reason. Just don't want to." This was the only time during the conversation that I did not give a commercial reason. Tham Quoc Luong looked at me for five seconds. Then burst out laughing. "Okay. In principle, I agree to all three conditions. The specific details are for the legal department to discuss with you." He stood up, once again holding out his hand. “Welcome back, Director Co.” I grabbed his hand. “See you again in two years.” Leaving the building, I sent a text message to Lam Vien Chu. "Let's go out to dinner tonight. I invite you." He answered immediately: "Mr. Bac invited guests? Does the sun rise from the west?"

” “Rarely. Take advantage while I have money.” "Where to go?" “You decide.” “Then I will choose an expensive place!” "Okay." After sending the message, I stood in front of the company building. Look up at the twenty-eighth floor window. The sunset shines on the glass, glowing yellow. A month ago, I was “laid off” from my desk on the twelfth floor. Now I am receiving compensation of one hundred and fifty thousand per month, have a guarantee in hand with a fine of twenty million, and have booked the position of director after two years. The whole company knows that the story of layoffs is fake. Only I don't know. But sometimes… Not knowing is quite good. Serious people will not suffer losses. The only difference is whether you earn more or less. I stuffed my phone in my pocket and walked towards the subway station. While passing by the convenience store down the block, I bought a bottle of iced Americano. Very bitter.