After five laps, Su He's legs were numb and she could barely walk. Her chest ached intensely, and her throat felt as if it were on fire, leaving her unable to utter a single word.
This was truly a killer!
Su He had to lean on the wall to get back upstairs. Once inside, a pile of chores awaited her: laundry, cooking, cleaning, and organizing documents for Lu Yanbei. These were all her responsibilities.
Su He felt she must have had her head stuck in a door at the time to agree to repay her debt in such a manner.
"Ring ring~" Before she could catch her breath, her phone began to ring incessantly.
"Susu, why didn't you come to work today? The director will definitely make you write a self-criticism if he doesn't see you soon," the caller was her colleague Xiao Li, who, perhaps fearing being overheard, deliberately lowered her voice.
Su He's mind went blank.
No wonder she felt she had forgotten something important! It was this!
Good heavens, she had forgotten to ask for leave from the company!
She had signed an agreement with Lu Yanbei, stating that as long as his quality of life was not affected, she had freedom in her schedule. Consequently, when she got busy, she completely forgot about this.
"If the director asks, please help me ask for leave first. Say... I'm not feeling well," Su He patted her forehead, needing to find an excuse to cope for now.
As soon as she finished speaking, a sharp voice boomed from the other end of the line. "Xiao Li, it's working hours! Who gave you permission to make personal calls?"
"Where is Su He? She dares to be late, does she still want this job?"
"Tell her, if she's not here within thirty minutes, she'll be considered absent without leave. Pack your bags and leave immediately!"
Xiao Li was startled by Director Zhang's loud voice and hastily hung up.
Su He sighed helplessly and struggled to get up from the floor. The studio wasn't far from here; a taxi ride of twenty minutes should get her there.
However, after her run, her legs were somewhat unresponsive. She forced herself back into her room, changed into work attire, and gritted her teeth, arriving at the studio in the last minute.
"You finally decided to show up?" Director Zhang looked at her, dripping with sweat, her eyes filled with disdain. "You're the only one in the entire company who's late. Utterly undisciplined!"
Su He couldn't be bothered to listen to her nagging and went straight to her workstation.
"What is that attitude!" Ignored, Director Zhang's face grew even more sullen.
"I've already requested leave," Su He explained calmly.
"Last-minute leave doesn't count," Director Zhang stated imperiously. "If everyone were like you, how would the company operate?"
"Fine. I'm late, my salary will be deducted. I accept the penalty." Su He couldn't be bothered to argue further. She opened her computer and prepared to work.
Director Zhang, however, was relentless. "Su He, what is that attitude!"
Su He rubbed her temples. "Then what else does Director Zhang want me to do? Should I kowtow and apologize?"
"You truly have no upbringing. No wonder Young Master Lu dislikes you and wants a divorce!" Director Zhang, seemingly enraged, began to curse.
"During work hours, discussing personal matters. It seems the director's own qualities aren't that high either," Su He was no pushover who could be trampled on by anyone.
She didn't even bat an eye at the Lu family; why would she be afraid of this woman?
"You! You dare to talk back to your superior?!" Director Zhang, failing to assert her authority, instead became a laughingstock among the subordinates, and her anger surged. "An employee like you doesn't deserve to stay in our company at all! You, now, immediately, get out!"
Su He let out a scoff. "Whether I leave or stay isn't up to you."
"What are you two arguing about?" At this moment, the boss, who had been playing games in his office, ambled over slowly.
Director Zhang struck first, pointing a finger at Su He's nose. "It's Su He! She's half an hour late and refuses to be disciplined. I say one thing, she retorts ten. Such a rotten apple will surely tarnish the company's image if she remains. I suggest she be fired immediately."
The boss was a nice guy, always one to mediate.
Su He was capable and an old employee of the company. Of course, he didn't want such talent to be lost. Especially when competitors had repeatedly tried to poach her, firing her would be handing over an advantage for free.
No, no, he couldn't make such a losing deal.
"Ahem... Don't get so worked up... Su He was just half an hour late. She doesn't have many projects on hand recently, it's not a big deal."
"But she violated company rules and should be punished. I only said a few words to her, and she talked back..." Director Zhang, in order to establish her authority, was determined to drive Su He out of the studio at all costs.
"Rules are dead, people are alive. There's no need for all this. Su He has worked tirelessly for the company all these years, with outstanding business abilities. What's wrong with being a little late? Besides, isn't she having her salary and bonus deducted? That's considered punishment. Dwelling on such a minor issue makes you, as a leader, appear petty."
"I..." Director Zhang widened her eyes in disbelief.
"Alright, let's both take a step back. Su He, you also offer a soft word to Director Zhang, and this matter will be settled. Harmony brings wealth," the boss thought his mediation was fair and that he was managing his subordinates well.
Su He, however, disagreed. "I admit my mistake at work! But Director Zhang has already resorted to personal attacks. Shouldn't she also apologize to me?"
"What personal attacks? Don't spout nonsense!" Director Zhang retorted haughtily. "A clear conscience fears no slander! If you had no issues, why would you give people something to talk about!"
Su He glanced at her with a fake smile. "Don't think I don't know you're a fan of Song Yan. What, are you willing to break the rules for your idol? You'd better think carefully..."
"Don't bring up irrelevant things! We're talking about your problem right now!" Director Zhang's face flickered with surprise and embarrassment as Su He exposed her. She hadn't expected Su He to find out!
"Alright, we're all colleagues, let's say less," the boss said, not wanting their argument to disrupt the work atmosphere in the office area. "Everyone go back to work. I'll treat everyone to lunch at noon."
Su He suddenly felt a chill in her heart.
She was one of the earliest employees in the studio, having worked alongside the boss since the company's inception. She had stayed up late to finish manuscripts without any complaints.
Back then, the boss had promised to share profits once the company grew, but this agreement was later canceled for various reasons. She hadn't said anything, assuming the company had difficulties, and she understood.
However, with several new employees being parachuted in, Su He began to dislike the atmosphere more and more. They knew nothing yet, but always liked to give orders. If they didn't like someone, they'd nitpick endlessly, turning what was once a perfectly good comic studio into a mess.
Even so, she could tolerate it because she loved her job. But the boss's favoritism and indulgence had turned the once happy working atmosphere into a dull, lifeless one.
Su He wondered, was this still the life she wanted?
The matter was left unresolved, and Director Zhang's triumphant smile returned. "Su He, no matter how good your work ability is, don't you still have to apologize obediently? As long as I'm in the company, your life won't be easy!"
Those threatening words and that nauseating demeanor were as annoying as they could possibly be.
Su He curved her lips and suddenly smiled.
She leaned on the back of her chair and sat down, opened a document, and her fingers began to type nimbly on the keyboard.
Xiao Li, at the next desk, leaned over to take a look and saw – a resignation letter.