Chapter Sixty-One: Resigning in Anger

Chu Dong cared little whether Wang Dongliang could take it or not. His face was taut, wearing an expression that disowned everyone, and his hand slapped the table with loud, resounding thuds. "What, you think I’m joking?"

"What are you saying? What does it mean to say even a dog would do it for a cake? If I gave you a cake, could you do it?" Tan Xue was starting to feel uneasy. After all, Wang Dongliang had come here for her, and he performed well in his post, relying on his connections to secure considerable benefits for Silver Dragon. This reduced Silver Dragon’s costs below those of other developers, allowing them to set lower prices and sell houses quickly. If all the blame were placed on Wang Dongliang as Chu Dong suggested, Tan Xue herself felt it would be unfair.

"I meant giving him a cake." Chu Dong wasn’t about to take a scolding for nothing. Cunning as a monkey, he never let himself suffer a loss. Pointing at Wang Dongliang’s nose, he spoke deliberately, "Do you think I’m wrong? Should I spell out your methods step by step and see if your position is as I say?"

"You—you're slandering me!" Wang Dongliang was indeed feeling guilty, but still put on a brave front to defend himself. "Don’t think you can bite everyone just because you have some connections. I’m not someone to be bullied, you know."

"Oh, getting angry, are we? Let me see, let me see—how does this overseas-educated intellectual get so worked up? Wow, your face has gone pale—that’s what they mean by a pale-faced scholar, isn’t it?" Chu Dong smacked his lips, circling Wang Dongliang a couple of times. "So that’s what being shamed into anger looks like. I’ve really seen it now."

"Enough! You were brought in to help. If I’d known you’d make things worse instead of better, I’d have let you sleep at home all day." Tan Xue didn’t want to say too much to Chu Dong in front of outsiders, and needed to save face for Wang Dongliang, so she loudly stopped Chu Dong.

"In truth, I’d really prefer it. When I sleep, my mind is completely relaxed, my brain resting—saves a lot of brain cells. Here, I have to work seriously; just think how many walnuts I’d need to eat to replenish my protein." He walked over to the sofa and sat down, crossed his legs, reached for an apple from the fruit tray on the coffee table, and bit into it heartily.

"Xue, you’ve seen it yourself. This person comes to the company and immediately starts spouting nonsense. Even if I haven’t contributed, fine, but according to him, I came to Silver Dragon just to seek personal gain. Think about it—if it were all for myself, why would I go to such lengths? If you agree with him, I’ll resign right now. Otherwise, he should leave Silver Dragon. Either he stays or I stay—"

"That’s normal, him without you. As for you—what are you, some big shot?" Chu Dong chewed his apple, mocking Wang Dongliang’s impassioned speech.

"You... Hmph!" Wang Dongliang, furious, flung his sleeve and slammed the office door aside as he stormed out.

Tan Xue also felt Chu Dong had gone too far, but the points he’d raised last time were indeed factual. Still, Chu Dong had no proof that Wang Dongliang was behind them. Besides, Wang Dongliang had left his family business to join Silver Dragon and genuinely brought considerable profits. She couldn’t put all the blame on him. For a moment, she didn’t know what to say, watching helplessly as Wang Dongliang left, seething with anger.

"You—sigh..." Seeing Chu Dong’s triumphant expression, Tan Xue could only sigh and turn away from him.

"Pretty lady, why are you sighing? Someone like him isn’t worth it. Let me tell you, with candidates like him, I could pick a basketful at the market. If he really leaves, it’ll be quiet. I might as well step in as the director myself." Chu Dong shook his head as if he’d won a great victory.

"You?" Tan Xue was speechless with frustration. She couldn’t understand how Chu Dong had such luck, making a lot of money in a short time. Yet, with his bandit-like way of eating and hooligan-like manner of speaking, she’d never believe he could find someone to replace Wang Dongliang, let alone take over his work himself.

"Don’t believe me? Listen, he takes shortcuts. If it’s about doing marketing by the book, I’m not sure how I’d do. But if I get to improvise, even seven or eight Wang Dongliangs would only be good enough to carry my shoes." Chu Dong accurately tossed the apple core into the large crystal ashtray on the coffee table, stood up, and said, "I’m not keen on his job—it’s no challenge for me. I’d rather come to work with my wife; that’s much more interesting," he said, curling his lip and sitting at his small computer desk.

"Shut your filthy mouth." With a rebuke, Tan Xue fell into deep thought. Chu Dong didn’t retort, instead leisurely launching a solo game of King of Fighters. Aside from the sound of his keystrokes, the office was silent.

Tan Xue understood that Silver Dragon’s declining performance had many causes: construction quality, style, apartment layout—all lagged behind the big real estate groups. Even the reputation of newly formed real estate companies surpassed theirs. So, the marketing department bore undeniable responsibility, and Wang Dongliang, as marketing director, also held the purchasing authority. All material purchases had to go through him, as it was convenient to deal with his family.

Most procured materials were fine, though there were several instances of subpar quality. Wang Dongliang would say that price advantages made houses sell well, and focusing too much on minor issues wasn’t worthwhile.

Events had indeed unfolded as Wang Dongliang predicted. Though there were quality flaws, the price advantage ensured that Silver Dragon’s developments sold out quickly. Tan Xue hadn’t paid much attention, but now realized she’d overlooked Wang Dongliang’s handling of smaller matters in the past, blinded by impressive sales figures.

Wang Dongliang was deeply aggrieved by Chu Dong’s provocation. He couldn’t be as blunt in front of Tan Xue as Chu Dong was, preferring to maintain some gentlemanly demeanor. The more he did, the less Chu Dong respected him, and all the anger just simmered inside, causing him discomfort. Returning to his office, he kicked the sofa a dozen times before his chest felt less tight, thinking Tan Xue would soon come to explain. He quickly pushed the sofa back into place, sat at his computer, and pretended to start a resignation letter.

He began with a few words, listened to the quiet corridor, and felt that just a few words lacked impact. He waited, but Tan Xue never appeared. He finished writing, but still didn’t see her. In frustration, he hit print, gathered his few belongings from the desk, packed them in a storage box, and left. Staff who saw his furious expression didn’t dare ask questions, quickly stepping aside to let him pass.

ps: Brothers, sorry the first update is only coming now. My computer had issues last night. The second update will be posted by 8 p.m.!