Chapter 304: Chili Peppers Burn at Both Ends!
Lin Yibai wasn’t sure if she was just imagining things...
But lately, work had been feeling really heavy!
Besides her main job as a recruiter, she had now been asked to also handle employee orientation. This made her already tight schedule even more packed and stressful.
Even her coworkers noticed and couldn’t help but whisper quietly, “Baiyi, is he picking on you?”
Lin Yibai gave an awkward smile and said, “I don’t think he’s targeting me. I just don’t know how to say no, and I feel like maybe I can handle it?”
But honestly, this wasn’t exactly a good quality.
Not knowing how to say no often leads to being taken advantage of. That had already shown up clearly in how things were going with Xia Changyu.
Still, it wasn’t the worst thing in the world.
As long as you realize your problem early and fix it, you can avoid bigger losses later on.
After finishing her tasks, Lin Yibai went to talk to her manager.
She had solid reasons and said firmly, “I don’t think the way you’re assigning work is fair. Hiring and training may both be part of the HR department, but they’re totally different jobs.”
Manager Yang didn’t sound too happy. He tapped his finger on the desk and asked, “This is part of the company’s way of helping you grow. Every manager here learned all the department’s work before getting promoted. So what are you really trying to say?”
Lin Yibai shook her head and replied, “All I’m saying is that your arrangement is unfair. I’m being paid for one job, but you’re asking me to do two. I’m sorry, but I can’t accept that.”
Trying to “target” me? No way!
Do I look like one of those overworked guys who’s either grinding or getting used by others?
I don’t need to suck up to get promoted. Worst case? I’ve got a boyfriend I can count on!
That’s called confidence.
That’s one of the good things about being a girl.
Manager Yang was furious. He slammed his hand on the desk and exploded, “So now it’s my fault for trying to help you grow? In the workplace, if you don’t work hard, there’s always someone else who will. If you don’t want to do it, someone else will!”
Sure, Lin Yibai had a good temper. But that didn’t mean she was a pushover.
You’ve got the nerve to target me and yell at me too? Seriously?
She slapped the stack of documents in her hands onto the desk, papers flew everywhere.
Then she pointed straight at Manager Yang and said sharply, “Oh, so you think my labor isn’t good enough, huh? You said someone else will do it if I don’t? Fine, go find someone else to replace me!”
Manager Yang was shaking with rage. “You—! What kind of attitude is that?”
Lin Yibai scoffed and shot back, “What? You think you’re all that? This is my attitude. If you don’t like it, go ahead and fire me! Seriously… what a joke!”
Was it really that hard to assign work fairly?
Why give two completely different jobs to one person? Was it because Lin Yibai seemed easygoing and easy to push around?
Workers shouldn’t be treated like this.
But it’s always a few awful people who make everyone’s work life harder.
The loud argument coming from the office...
Made the entire HR department go silent.
People looked at each other nervously, and someone whispered, “Wow, Baiyi, you’re really brave! You actually dared to blow up at Manager Yang?”
Lin Yibai sighed and replied with a helpless look, “Hey, I want to play nice. I want to be someone who gets along. But some people just insist on messing with you. What can I do? I can’t be working a job that pays a few thousand while doing work worth ten or twenty thousand!”
Everyone knew that Manager Yang had started giving Lin Yibai trouble because she turned him down when he tried to chase after her. He was upset and angry, so he took it out on her with petty behavior. But no one expected Lin Yibai to be so bold!
She didn’t want to put up with unfair treatment even for a second, she spoke up right away.
A coworker kindly warned her, “Baiyi, you should be more careful from now on. It might be hard to keep working here.”
Lin Yibai just shrugged and smiled, “It’s fine. I believe I’ve always taken my job seriously and given it my best. If even that’s not enough to keep going here, then maybe this place just isn’t right for me.”
As for her main job, Lin Yibai truly believed she had done her part with a clear conscience.
Ask around in other departments, anyone who was hired by Lin Yibai personally, is there anyone who wasn’t happy with her choices?
Some department heads even secretly said they only wanted new staff recommended by her. That’s how seriously she took her work.
Even now that she had become a woman, she still wanted to be a hardworking and responsible person!
And since the incident, Lin Yibai decided she wouldn’t pretend anymore.
Before, she would wait for her coworkers to finish before going home, not wanting to leave first out of politeness.
But now?
As soon as the clock hit the end of her shift, and as long as she had finished her own tasks, she was out. No more staying late for extra work!
As for that idea of “working overtime helps you grow”?
Whoever wants to “grow,” let them stay late!
She even went to the grocery store and bought lots of fresh food.
After letting go of all those worries, Lin Yibai felt pretty good and said cheerfully, “Today, let’s make some spicy fish slices in hot oil!”
Xia Changyu rushed over, and when he saw that she was in a good mood, he felt happy too. But he still gave a little warning, “Don’t eat too much spicy stuff. You know how chili peppers are... spicy both ways!”
Lin Yibai: “???”
Wait a second, since when did Xia Changyu talk like this?
And she swore they were in a totally normal, clean relationship!
No need to be thinking about what “spicy both ways” might mean!
Not long after, in their cozy little apartment—
With a sizzle sound as oil hit the pan, a delicious, spicy, and fragrant plate of poached fish slices was placed on the table.
She also made a side of stir-fried spinach and a bowl of tofu and clam soup.
Xia Changyu’s eyes turned dreamy as a wave of happiness filled him.
Love doesn’t always need sweet words.
Sometimes, love is just this. A warm, everyday feeling of sharing a meal together.
His belly was starting to round out a bit, hiding the abs he once had. But that didn’t stop him from devouring a big bowl of rice.
“Oh right,” he said while eating, “You got home kind of early today. You usually don’t make it back until 7 or 8.”
Lin Yibai shrugged, “Well, I’m done dealing with that annoying boss of mine!”
Xia Changyu frowned, “He’s still giving you trouble?”
Lin Yibai replied, “Not exactly… just playing sneaky little tricks behind the scenes. It makes me feel gross.”
Xia Changyu snorted angrily, “I’ll go beat him up tomorrow.”
Lin Yibai quickly stopped him, “Hey, don’t! I’m getting ready to take the provincial exam soon. Actually, it’s kind of good to have a fight with my boss right now. If I pass the exam and get hired somewhere new, it’ll be easier to quit and avoid all this drama.”
Xia Changyu kept eating and muttered, “But I just hate seeing you get treated like that...”
You might be able to take it.
I can’t stand it.