57: Chapter 57 Enemies are bound to meet
The Sales Department employees on this business trip to Guangcheng were almost all Wang Liguo's cronies; only Sun Nana was President Ma's confidant, so she was ostracized and very much disliked.
Sun Nana didn't care at all; ever since she had confirmed her relationship with Chen Hao the previous night, her attitude toward the company had become increasingly cold.
She especially targeted Lin Xiaomeng; because of Chen Hao, seeing her was more nauseating than looking at a toilet.
"Deduct it then, go ahead. That's all you're good at, you shortsighted person!"
"You!"
Just as Lin Xiaomeng was about to lose her temper, she was held back by other colleagues who tried to talk her down with a flurry of advice.
Sun Nana wasn't about to indulge her; she fanned herself to cool down in the sweltering summer heat while retorting with petty sarcasm.
"Are you angry? Was I wrong to say you're petty and shortsighted?"
This was like lighting Lin Xiaomeng's powder keg.
"Sun Nana, I'll tear that mouth of yours apart!"
Just as the two women were at each other's throats and about to come to blows...
"Enough! What's with all this noise? Aren't you embarrassed?"
After Wang Liguo spoke up, he glared at Sun Nana and accused her with sharp words.
"If you stir up more trouble, watch out or I'll deduct your performance bonus!"
Sun Nana didn't indulge Wang Liguo either; she crossed her arms and said mockingly,
"Deducting money from those who speak the truth while those who violate the rules get off scot-free? Vice President Wang, you really have double standards, don't you?"
Wang Liguo suppressed his anger and shouted,
"I am the Vice President and your leader. For talking back to your superior, a performance deduction is the least you deserve."
Sun Nana rolled her eyes.
"Understood. You're the Vice President, so you have the final say. Deduct it if you want; there's no need to find so many excuses."
Just as the tension here reached its peak, Ma Botao finally spoke up.
"Both of you, stop it. Wang Liguo, scolding employees in public is embarrassing enough as it is."
There were indeed many people watching the drama nearby, pointing and gossiping about their small group.
"I'll settle the score with you later!"
Wang Liguo had no choice but to push down his anger and remain silent.
Another HR colleague whispered to Lin Xiaomeng,
"Are we still deducting Nana's performance? Should I make a note of it?"
"We're only responsible for recording it; whether it's deducted or not is up to the leader."
The two of them muttered to each other and made another note against Sun Nana.
Sun Nana had originally wanted to find more faults, but when she saw a familiar local-licensed audi car enter her field of vision and pull into the parking lot, she instantly beamed with joy.
Why was Chen Hao here too?
She stared intently as the car door opened and Chen Hao stepped out elegantly, looking high-spirited and strikingly handsome.
Sun Nana couldn't help herself and waved, shouting,
"Brother Hao!"
At her shout, everyone turned to look.
President Ma's eyes were full of expectation, Vice President Wang's were full of hatred, and the company colleagues were all chirping with gossip; Lin Xiaomeng's face, in particular, instantly fell.
Chen Hao knew Ma Botao was in Guangcheng to attend the Business Development Forum, so it was inevitable they would run into each other.
Since he was here, he might as well make the best of it; if he couldn't avoid it, he would face the difficulty head-on.
Chen Hao stepped forward to meet them, encountering several acquaintances along the way who were all suppliers he had worked with before.
"President Chen, long time no see. When did you arrive in Guangcheng? Why didn't you say hello?"
"Oh, President Chen, hello, hello!"
Since they were business partners, the superficial pleasantries had to be maintained; Chen Hao shook hands and exchanged greetings with each of them.
That bastard Wang Liguo was narrow-minded and couldn't stand to see others doing well; seeing Chen Hao being treated like a star surrounded by moons as they approached, he said sarcastically,
"He's just an ordinary employee, yet he dares to call himself 'President Chen'. He really puts on quite a show."
Wang Liguo's words made several of the businessmen feel quite embarrassed.
People in business care about face; regardless of the actual position, adding 'President' after a surname is a sign of respect, just like calling a taxi driver or a chef 'Master'.
Wang Liguo was nitpicking, and by being so petty, he had essentially slapped everyone's hypocritical faces.
In the eyes of business people, this was called being ignorant; even if they were to collaborate, they wouldn't do so with such a petty person.
Ma Botao was a peacemaker and stepped forward, saying with a smile,
"Chen Hao, you're here?"
He was still putting on airs; this was a habit formed over four years that he couldn't change.
"President Ma, long time no see."
Chen Hao shook hands with Ma Botao, polite on the surface but lacking the closeness they once had.
"Since we've met in Guangcheng, there's no better time than the present; let's continue the handover today."
Chen Hao shrugged.
"As long as the money is right, I don't care."
After the hollow pleasantries, Ma Botao waved Sun Nana forward and instructed,
"Many partners will be coming today. You two handle the handover on-site and try to speed up the progress today."
Sun Nana crossed her arms and said pretentiously,
"I'm not feeling well today, so I might not be able to give it my all."
Ma Botao clicked his tongue in annoyance but forced himself to swallow his words.
Chen Hao knew Sun Nana was playing along and put on a puzzled expression.
"What's wrong? Where do you feel unwell?"
"My heart feels unwell. I just yawned and had a hundred yuan docked from my attendance bonus. Then some bitch was gossiping behind my back, and when I argued back, Vice President Wang wanted to deduct my performance bonus again. So, my mood isn't great."
Chen Hao looked at Ma Botao.
"President Ma, you can't blame me for this then."
Wang Liguo was right there, and upon hearing this, he said furiously,
"Sun Nana, if you keep making such a big deal out of this, I'll deduct your entire performance bonus for the month!"
Sun Nana retorted,
"You get what you pay for. If you dock all my performance pay for no reason, why should I do any work?"
Wang Liguo became even more enraged.
"Don't push your luck. The company won't fail without you. Believe it or not, I'll fire you!"
"Wang Liguo!"
Ma Botao finally spoke up.
"You should consider the master before you strike the dog. Haven't you caused enough trouble by firing Chen Hao?"
Wang Liguo said sharply,
"As the boss, how can you be held hostage by an employee? The company doesn't just have her; others can handle the handover just as well."
As he spoke, the other nine salespeople and Lin Xiaomeng all stepped forward; Lin Xiaomeng, in particular, said righteously,
"If she's not feeling well, she can go cool off somewhere. It's the same if I handle the handover with Chen Hao."
"Heh, do you think I'd even give you the time of day?"
Chen Hao mocked her coldly.
Lin Xiaomeng said with a stern face,
"Why wouldn't it work? If you can work with her, why can't you work with me? Chen Hao, tell the truth, are you two having an affair?"
She was trying to play the victim and accuse him first, but Chen Hao had no intention of indulging her.
"Lin Xiaomeng, I'm trying to save you some face, so don't push your luck!"
"Chen Hao, are you even a man?"
Lin Xiaomeng was about to throw a tantrum.
Sun Nana interrupted and asked,
"Leader, bringing personal feelings into work violates the company's rules and regulations. Doesn't that warrant a bonus deduction? Or do the rules only apply to me?"
"Sun Nana, don't go too far!"
"Shut up, stop making a fool of yourself."
Vice President Wang was about to continue scolding, but President Ma spoke up to support Sun Nana.
"Lin Xiaomeng violated the company's rules and regulations; deduct three days' worth of her bonus."
With that, the atmosphere on the scene became exceptionally strange.