Chapter 732: Won’t Do It
Editor: EndlessFantasy Translation
“Gu Zi, isn’t it?” The words hung in the air, a statement rather than a question. “Since you’ve already greeted us, you’re now part of the Guangcheng Daily. As a newcomer, you should be eager to learn and contribute. Conveniently, our printing department is swamped today. Don’t just stand there, hurry down to the first floor and help out. Clear out the accumulated waste paper from the printing department and the archives. I’ll come to inspect later.”
At Director Zhao’s words, the room fell into an immediate silence. Everyone lowered their heads, not wanting to draw attention. They all knew Director Zhao too well – his penchant for grandstanding, his love for making things difficult for his subordinates. Working under him was a terrifying ordeal. At the Guangcheng Daily Newspaper, everyone expressed their dissatisfaction in secret, dubbing him ‘Zhao the Monster’.
However, what puzzled everyone was Director Zhao’s unusual behavior that day. While it was true that he loved to nitpick his subordinates, he usually targeted those in the printing department, rarely those from other departments.
Why was he so blatantly targeting Gu Zi today? Gu Zi wasn’t part of the printing department, was she?
Despite their sense of injustice and sympathy for Gu Zi, they could only keep their thoughts to themselves, not daring to voice them out loud.
Director Zhao had been working at the Guangcheng Daily for many years. Even without merits, he had put in the hard work. The higher-ups didn’t deal with him, and no one dared to risk impeaching him. Let alone for a newcomer, no one would dare to openly contradict him.
Besides, apart from the unpleasant factor that was Director Zhao, the Guangcheng Newspaper was otherwise a great place to work. Everyone felt they could tolerate him.
While others could remain silent, Gu Zi, as the person involved, naturally couldn’t. But Gu Zi could go home now, should she follow Director Zhao’s orders? That certainly wasn’t her style. She chose to refuse outright. “Indeed, I am Gu Zi. However, I won’t be clearing waste paper. I am a foreign language editor, not a laborer in the printing department.”
Everyone looked at Gu Zi with admiration. This newcomer was bold, daring to refuse outright!
Director Zhao had assumed that once he gave his orders, Gu Zi would comply. However, Gu Zi’s reaction was not what he expected. His face immediately darkened, his feigned benevolence replaced by a gloomy expression. He stared at Gu Zi and sternly said, “Is this the attitude of a newcomer? You’re completely out of line. You must finish your work today before you leave.”
Gu Zi had her cross-body bag neatly packed and ready to go. She responded with a tone of certainty, “I’m sorry, but I definitely won’t be doing it today. Not just today, but in the future, I won’t be doing anything beyond my job responsibilities.”
With that, Gu Zi turned and briskly walked away. Director Zhao chased after her, angrily saying, “If you won’t do it, then don’t bother coming to work here!”
Director Zhao thought this would intimidate Gu Zi, but to his surprise, she merely responded indifferently and left without looking back.
Director Zhao stood there, momentarily at a loss for a response. He didn’t have the authority he pretended to have; he was merely putting on airs to scare people. All he could do was storm out of the second-floor office area in a huff.
Once Director Zhao had left, the others began to excitedly discuss the incident. One person mimicked Gu Zi’s earlier assertiveness, casually repeating her final retort, “I can quit working here. Just remember to fire me, Director Zhao. Once I receive the termination notice from the newspaper, I won’t come back.”
“My God, she’s so cool and impressive. No wonder reporter Guan Xin took a liking to her. I’ve decided, I want to befriend Gu Zi…”
Outside the main office area, Director Jiang stood. She had just stepped out to make some tea because she was thirsty and had happened to witness Director Zhao giving Gu Zi a hard time. She couldn’t help but recall that when Gu Zi had come to her for work assignments earlier, her first impression had been quite good because Gu Zi was very professional and thorough in her work.
She thought that perhaps Guan Xin had told Gu Zi that she liked peace and quiet, especially when working, and didn’t like to be disturbed. So when Gu Zi had come in, she hadn’t greeted her directly, but had still been polite. She had written a small note to say hello and had only left after receiving her assignment.
When she saw Gu Zi being harassed earlier, she had thought that Gu Zi would come up with a tactful way to handle it. But to her surprise, Gu Zi had flatly refused Director Zhao’s unreasonable demand. Seeing Gu Zi’s refusal to be bullied, she thought highly of her.
Gu Zi was principled, which made Director Jiang respect her even more. Guan Xin really had a good eye for talent; she had recruited a great subordinate.