Zhao Xiaofeng was adamant about not backing down this time, firmly talking back with resolve.
Wu Qiong frowned. According to his plans, Zhao Xiaofeng was an instrumental workhorse. Without him, the deadline promised to the leadership would definitely be delayed, something Wu Qiong could not tolerate!
“Xiaofeng, I advise you to reconsider!”
“If it were something like your parents being sick, I would not hesitate to give you time off!”
“But I can’t give you time off for your grandfather’s birthday. If you insist on taking leave, it will only count as absenteeism!”
Wu Qiong, holding his coffee cup in both hands, continuously glanced at Zhao Xiaofeng while speaking, calculating in his mind whether his subordinate would dare to defy him.
From what he knew about Zhao Xiaofeng, a little pressure would have made him yield. However, his response today was beyond Wu’s expectations.
Suddenly, Zhao Xiaofeng stood up and spoke in a chilling tone, “Director Wu, I have the right to refuse overtime!”
“As for today’s shift, whoever wants to work it can work. I’m certainly not doing it!”
“If you want to mark it as unauthorized leave, then go ahead!”
With that, Zhao Xiaofeng strode confidently from the pantry. He had a strong dislike for Wu Qiong, but had previously swallowed insults just to make a living.
In his previous roles, he had been diligent and toiled hard, being the most supportive person in the team for Wu Qiong’s projects.
But it really was true—good nature is often taken advantage of!
His compliance had only resulted in being squeezed even more, to the extent that he was never allowed to take leave.
It even brought him threats!
Zhao Xiaofeng’s reaction took Wu Qiong by surprise. He was momentarily stunned, then shouted at Zhao’s retreating figure: “Zhao Xiaofeng, I think you no longer want this job!”
“Don’t bother asking for leave; just go ahead and complete the resignation process!”
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Zhao Xiaofeng didn’t respond to the roar behind him; instead, he returned straight to his desk and opened the ticket booking app on his phone.
Initially, he was not overly insistent about attending his grandfather’s 80th birthday, although he did want to strengthen his relationship with Yang Hao.
But he knew that such things weren’t always within his control; even if he went to Xiangyang City and met Yang Hao, it might not lead to any significant change.
However, now he was determined, primarily out of spite against Wu Qiong.
At the same time, he felt somewhat fortunate that he hadn’t bought a house and taken on a heavy mortgage. If he resigned, his savings would support him for a long time.
Worst case, he could take his savings and return to his hometown. With the 300,000 he had saved, he could outright buy a house in the county town.
He could just coast by; life would still go on.
He checked the time and purchased tickets for the earliest high-speed train he could catch.
After paying for the tickets, he settled into his seat and stretched lazily, exhaling deeply a long sigh of relief, suddenly feeling a great burden lifted.
“Brother Feng, what’s up?”
“You seem off?”
His desk neighbor, Jin Minghe, noticed Zhao Xiaofeng’s unusual behavior. He leaned over and whispered.
The two had a good relationship, both being technical mainstays in their group, rare friends he could make at work.
“It’s nothing. I took a leave.”
“Going to Xiangyang for my grandfather’s 80th birthday.”
Zhao Xiaofeng replied truthfully.
“You took leave?”
“Isn’t there supposed to be overtime?”
“Will Wu Qiong allow it?”
Jin Minghe muttered softly.
“He can give it or not!”
Zhao Xiaofeng shrugged, uncharacteristically firm.
Jin Minghe was shocked by this attitude as Zhao Xiaofeng had always worked overtime without complaint, never showing such defiance.
“Brother Feng, what’s gotten into you?”
Facing his friend’s unusual reaction, Jin Minghe appeared confused.
Meanwhile, Wu Qiong walked into the office with a stern face. He first coldly glanced at Zhao Xiaofeng, then announced, “Tonight and tomorrow, everyone has to work overtime. No one is allowed to take leave.”
“You all know the project’s situation; the timeline is extremely tight. Taking leave at this time would be deliberate sabotage!”
“Don’t even bother taking leave; just resign proactively!”
After saying this, Wu Qiong gave another menacing look at Zhao Xiaofeng.
Around the office, a collective sigh sounded. Although overtime was commonplace for everyone, none wished for it. News of added shifts inevitably prompted complaints.
Zhao Xiaofeng then stood up abruptly, quickly packed up his belongings, strapped on his everyday backpack, and walked briskly out of the office area under the shocked gazes of everyone.
“Zhao Xiaofeng!”
“If you leave, don’t come back!”
Wu Qiong had thought that emphasizing again in front of so many people would make Zhao Xiaofeng submit.
But unexpectedly, not only did he not submit, he had fiercely slapped him in the face in front of everyone!
He had just declared that no one was allowed to take any leave!
His frantic anger did not bring Zhao Xiaofeng back; instead, the latter walked out of the office area, strode to the elevator, took it downstairs, and hailed a cab straight to the high-speed train station.
Wu Qiong returned to his office with a livid face, wondering how to deal with Zhao Xiaofeng.
After the two individuals had left.
The office area immediately exploded.
Zhao Xiaofeng was usually very easygoing and never clashed with the leaders.
“Fuck, what’s going on?”
“What happened to Brother Feng?”
“Brother Feng looked so cool today, actually, I want to leave too!”
“It looks like Brother Feng is not planning to stay; otherwise, he wouldn’t have done this!”
“Jin, you’re close with Brother Feng, do you know what’s going on? Share with us!”
Someone, eager for gossip, leaned into Jin Minghe.
“Hmm, let’s talk in the smoking room!”
Jin Minghe had no idea about the situation either, but this was a good chance to mooch some cigarettes, he needed at least two to enjoy.
As for the inside story!
It wasn’t true that he knew absolutely nothing. Zhao Xiaofeng had told him he was going to attend his grandfather’s 80th birthday!
Xiangyang Steel Plant family residence.
After Kang Huimin finished the call with her son, she dialed her daughter, Zhao Yanyan, who also worked in Hucheng as a makeup artist at a fairly large studio.
She was applying makeup to a client when her mother called, so she hung up the first time the phone rang.
When the phone rang again, and it seemed persistent, she apologized to her client, saying, “Sorry, I need to take a call.”
After addressing the client, Zhao Yanyan moved aside to answer the call, “Mom, is it something urgent? I’m at work!”
“Isn’t your grandfather’s 80th birthday tomorrow?”
“Buy your ticket and come over right now!”
Kang Huimin said bluntly.
“Didn’t we say we weren’t going earlier?”
“And I have work tomorrow; I really don’t have the time!”
Zhao Yanyan was a bit speechless; she thought her mother had something important to say but it was just about her grandfather’s 80th birthday, which she and her brother, Zhao Xiaofeng, had already discussed not attending.
This was already settled.
“There has been a change of plans.”
“Yang Hao, Manshu’s ex-husband, will be at your grandfather’s place soon, and I think you should meet him, even just to get acquainted!”
“If you could connect with him, that would be even better!”
Kang Huimin made her intentions clear without beating around the bush.
“Yang Hao?”
“The billionaire who’s all over the internet today?”
Zhao Yanyan was shocked, knowing how popular Yang Hao had been on the internet these past few days, and she too saw him on Kuaiyin.
At that time, she thought, isn’t that cousin Li Manshu’s ex-husband?
But she was a bit hesitant to recognize him because the Yang Hao in the video seemed much handsomer than the man she remembered.
“Yes, that’s him!”
“I just spoke to him on the phone; he will be there in three hours.”
“Yanyan, you’ve got to seize such opportunities!”
“He’s a billionaire worth billions; normally, you wouldn’t even get the chance to meet him!”
Kang Huimin spoke with deep sincerity.
“Okay, I understand.”
“I’ll come over later.”
Zhao Yanyan was no fool; she knew this was a rare opportunity, as work was something she had to do all her life!
But if she missed this chance with Yang Hao, she would most likely lose any opportunity to have a close encounter with the billionaire.