Chapter 41: Isn't taking the throne the most powerful slap in the face?
The elevator doors closed.
Bai Yeke stood there for quite a while.
It's not that I'm spacing out or anything, I just don't want to move.
I don't have the strength to press the buttons, and I don't have the strength to walk.
After a while, another group of people left, and Bai Yeke finally pressed the elevator up button.
With a "ding," the elevator arrived. She followed the unfamiliar crowd into the elevator, going up floor by floor. The crowd gradually thinned out, and finally, Bai Yeke left after the elevator indicated she was on the 19th floor.
The new house has a fingerprint lock; Baiye can press her thumb on it and push down the handle to open the door.
Her movements were mechanical, driven entirely by instinct and memory; her mind was blank.
That's why she froze in the entryway after entering, as if she had crashed.
Darkness enveloped the entire house, and the air had a cold and somewhat unfamiliar feel.
Unlike Yi Sheng's home, which has a constant temperature 24 hours a day, the only advantage here over outdoors is that there's hardly any wind.
Baiye can press the switch on the living room ceiling light and walk to the sofa to sit down.
The seat wasn't particularly hard, but it just didn't feel very comfortable. Bai Ye wasn't a fussy person, and she figured she was probably just not used to it yet.
I'm not used to my current situation.
She closed her eyes, wanting to rest on the sofa for a while, but her whole body felt tense and uncomfortable, so she had to get up to wash up and go back to her bedroom to rest early.
The four-piece bedding set was brand new. She threw it into the washing machine before leaving at noon, and then put it on the bed again after coming here with Yi Sheng with her suitcase.
Baiye used to use the same laundry detergent, a scent that had been with her for many years.
But now, lying in the soft, warm, and familiar scent of my blankets, I still feel a little strange, a distant strangeness.
The next day, the morning meeting proceeded as planned, with nothing new to report.
However, rumors were flying around among the various departments of the store.
"Have you heard? General Manager Lü has returned to headquarters!" He Xin was doing some stretching exercises during her work break when she ended up next to Bai Yeke.
"I think I've heard some things about it." Bai Yeke overheard several salespeople talking about this while she was communicating with customers in the lobby. However, she was busy with her work and only half-listened to a few words, so she didn't get a clear picture of the whole situation.
Bai Ye thought for a moment, "It seems he stayed at headquarters."
"Right? We all guessed that it was because Vice President Lü didn't trust him and kept him under his nose." He Xin sighed, "I wonder what the father and son were arguing about. President Lü has been confined for so long, this time it can be considered a compromise and freedom."
"By the way, headquarters plans to launch an event at the end of the year!" He Xin changed the subject, looking excited.
"What kind of event?" Bai Ye asked casually. "Another promotion?"
"No way, I heard there's something big going on!"
"A big move?"
"Well, actually I heard that Mr. Lü will be in charge of some large-scale event..."
"Uh, praising him..." Bai Ye was a little speechless and lost interest.
Come to think of it, Vice President Lü only has one son. He's not doing well at the store, and he's getting on in years. If he's brought back to headquarters, they'll definitely be eager to give him resources and promote him.
"Well, even so, all the stores can participate. I wonder what kind of event it will be like," He Xin chuckled. "We might be able to join in the fun and have some fun too!"
"You just love joining in the fun," Bai Yeke chuckled.
"What do you mean?!" A suppressed roar suddenly rang out from the side and behind.
Everyone turned around, and Bai Yeke and He Xin also looked over.
That was the innermost part of the design department, surrounded by other workstations. It was a place where the only two computer screens were out of sight of outsiders, a place where you could relax and do nothing. It was also the core location of the design department in the past.
Qiu Dabai held a stack of documents in his hand, still sitting in the same posture as before, looking up at a burly man with sword-like eyebrows in front of him.
That man with the sword-like eyebrows is considered a core member of the company. He's not as veteran as the duo, but he's been there for several years and has solid design skills, so he carries some weight in the store.
He had been under a lot of pressure from the duo, but a wise man knows when to yield, and he even became subservient to them.
Recently, the duo's momentum has plummeted, and everyone is getting restless. Especially after Bai Yeke's test last time, everyone saw that this duo, which looks like a paper tiger, is actually just barely hanging on, while Bai Yeke is undoubtedly a rising star.
These days, everyone continues as usual. The duo doesn't deliberately make things difficult for anyone; they simply divide up the daily work as usual, and everyone accepts and does it as usual.
Only today, the man with sword-like eyebrows wants to break this stable situation in one fell swoop.
"This is your own job, why should I get a share?!" The man with the sword-like eyebrows refused to budge an inch.
Qiu Dabai's face turned ashen. "This has always been the arrangement—"
Before he could finish speaking, the man with the sword-like eyebrows interrupted, "Is it right just because it's that way?"
He used a famous quote as a selling point, which, while not entirely accurate, was enough to impress people temporarily.
An eerie silence fell over everyone.
There's an unwritten rule in the world: when there's a lot to do, everyone should share the burden.
Originally, the duo was the core of the design department, and they would delegate many of the scattered details because they didn't have time to handle them.
Even now, though they have lost their core positions, their established reputation remains, and they still have a heavy workload. Therefore, everyone tacitly approves of their continued actions.
The man with the sword-like eyebrows couldn't contain himself. He wanted to be the first to try something new and establish his own image during this period of dynastic change.
Qiu Dabai and he were locked in a stalemate.
Neither of them was willing to back down.
If Qiu Dabai regresses, he will lose his last shred of dignity—not only will he lose his established status, but he will also lose face compared to an ordinary designer.
Furthermore, he took on a workload that was difficult for him to bear, and even more difficult for anyone else to bear.
The man with the sword-like eyebrows retreated, and with that step, he was ruined. He would find it even harder to have the courage to rise again, and he would be looked down upon by others.
"A fence-sitter," He Xin muttered to Bai Yeke.
Bai Yeke frowned as well.
She had the deepest grudge against the duo; before she could even have a real conflict with them, this person rushed at her impatiently.
Besides, now is not a good time.
As per the store manager's plan, this is currently a transitional period. Baiye can gradually stabilize the team, and the duo can smoothly withdraw and return to being ordinary designers.
Why insist on creating a tragic scene where the old guard falls and the newcomers charge forward? Isn't that unsightly?
This makes the newlyweds seem petty, and even if they are right, they seem wrong.
"I need to add some details to these cases I have," Bai Yeke said in a voice that was neither too loud nor too soft, instantly attracting everyone's attention.
Actually, what she said was quite ordinary. She had the heaviest workload. Apart from personally handling the key designs, every case she worked on would go through at least two people to further refine the details.
So, a few up-and-coming designers naturally came over.
"Hehe." The man with the sword-like eyebrows quickly walked over and said, "Designer Bai, let me help you a little."
This situation can be interpreted in any way; it can be seen as normal, or it can be seen as a warning.
The man with the sword-like eyebrows felt guilty, fearing that his behavior of criticizing the duo would make Bai Yeke feel threatened. To prove that he only despised the old forces and was absolutely loyal to the new forces, he took the lead in taking over Bai Yeke's chores.
Bai Ye then handed him the case in her hand, saying, "Thanks."
The man with the sword-like eyebrows smiled happily, "It's nothing."
Bai Yeke gestured for several up-and-coming designers to collect Qiu Dabai's documents.
Everything returned to calm.
"Sigh, it's really heartbreaking," He Xin sighed.
"how?"
“Look at Lao Qiu’s face. The person you arranged to take his case is in an even worse state than when he was being rebuffed earlier.”
The heated exchanges in a head-on confrontation often ignite passion, inspiring people to fight tooth and nail even when faced with a dilemma.
At worst, Qiu Dabai could bravely roar back and make a scene, resulting in a lose-lose situation.
But Bai Yeke's attempt to appease him only made him feel extremely frustrated.
At this point, he could no longer be tragic; if he tried to roar in anger, it would be seen as unreasonable.
What's most heartbreaking is that the person who came to "rescue" him from this predicament was none other than Bai Yeke, the very person he used to target the most.
They tried so hard, so desperately, just to outdo Bai Yeke.
Isn't this the most powerful slap in the face right now?
During lunch break, Bai Yeke was called to the store manager's office alone again.
"You really didn't disappoint me." The shop manager smiled kindly at her. "Have a seat."
Baiye can sit down at the table.
"What do you think should be done with Zhang and Qiu?" the shopkeeper asked, as if seeking her opinion.
"Manager, I'm a designer, I'm no expert in human resources." Bai Yeke smiled slightly, still as introverted and obedient as ever.
"Heh." A faint wariness flashed in the store manager's eyes, but his smile remained unchanged. "That's right, it's not your business. I was just asking for your opinion. You know our store is very democratic."
“Yes, that’s right,” Bai Yeke agreed.
How could she not know that the two of them had formed a powerful force, which the shop manager feared? And if someone replaced them and formed the next powerful force, the shop manager would also be wary.
Now, the downfall of the duo is obvious, and Bai Yeke's momentum is at its peak.
It's impossible for the store manager to be completely unsuspecting.
Even though Bai Yeke's rise to power was largely facilitated by him.
"Don't worry." The store manager continued with a smile, as if chatting with a capable subordinate about a trivial matter. "I was just asking you. After all, it's a matter for the design department. Whether these two stay or leave is something we need to consult with you."
Bai Ye was momentarily stunned.
She originally thought that the personnel changes would only involve demotion or transfer to other stores.
The store manager's meaning was that the employee could either stay or be fired.
That's true. The duo is a well-established brand, and if they were placed in other stores, the store manager would definitely feel it's a loss.
Those who remain are not worthy of their positions, and the departmental structure is prone to imbalance.
It's really useless.
Seeing that the store manager was determined to get her an answer, Bai Yeke was too lazy to play games and dodge anymore.
She has always been the type to avoid trouble, but she finds the kind of interpersonal interaction that involves playing Tai Chi even more annoying.
"I think it's okay to keep him," Bai Yeke stated.
"Oh?" The store manager was quite surprised by her attitude.
So, the store manager originally intended to let people leave, but insisted that Bai Yeke say it out loud?
The store manager then asked, "What's the reason?"
"It's simple. They are experienced designers with professional and skilled techniques. Why should we let them go?"
That's what they say.
But everyone knows things can never be the same as before.
First, the store manager is unwilling and will no longer cultivate and promote them; second, their momentum has waned, and they are no longer able to command respect.
Most importantly, if we help them up again, where will that leave Baiye? The store manager's hard work will have been wasted.
So, keep them, but don't use them like you used to.
The store manager chuckled, seemingly oblivious. "Then how do you use it?"
"Make the most of everything," Bai Yeke said bluntly.
They can only be used for whatever else they can, they no longer have any special privileges, and they are reduced to manual labor.
Switching from a top-tier designer to an ordinary designer is like that man with the sword-like eyebrows, or even more physically demanding.
"Oh, that's quite unpleasant." The store manager seemed quite satisfied.
"Let them be, shall we?" Bai Yeke retorted.
Bai Yeke actually felt a little sad about the death of a fellow rabbit, but only a little.
As fellow working people, seeing them end up like this makes me want to plan for my own future.
A truly mature and humane company should make reasonable adjustments to its work schedule and provide for the care of its former employees.
However, the duo were indeed quite clueless.
Even if a more benevolent boss were to take over, it would be impossible to continue to tolerate their bad influence, as this would damage the morale of the entire team.
Even if a respected senior employee can't be a trendsetter, he shouldn't be a troublemaker.
Bai Yeke's opinion is just that—an opinion. Whether it's adopted or not is up to the HR and store manager. Even if it's arranged this way, it depends on how the duo chooses to proceed.
Should I stay here and do manual labor, or find a new job?
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