Chapter Fifteen: The Girl Driving the Ferrari

I didn’t know when I had fallen asleep, only that I was awakened by my sister’s loud knocking, still groggy and far from rested.

“You lazybones, get up for lunch, hurry up!” she shouted.

“Alright, alright, you’re so noisy!” I grumbled, pulling on my clothes with bleary eyes. By the time I’d washed up and made it to the table, everyone else had already started eating.

Mom called me over to sit and eat. I grabbed a bowl, scooped myself some rice, and began to eat as well. She asked, “What time did you get home last night? Your sister was so excited after coming back, she stayed up for ages, but I didn’t see you at all. Where did you go?”

I replied, “Well, she called me to pick her up, but when I got there, she just hopped in a cab and left, leaving me standing there for nothing. But that’s not the worst. At the stadium, I saw three girls about Xiao Ying’s age who couldn’t get a cab either, so I gave them mine. And then…”

My sister, Tang Ying, interrupted, “So you walked home?”

I rolled my eyes. “What else could I do?”

Tang Ying stared at me as if I were a rare creature, clicking her tongue in amazement. “Is it even possible to find someone kinder than my brother? He’d rather suffer himself than inconvenience others. Truly, a rare species.”

Dad started scolding his daughter. “I think your brother did the right thing. People should help each other. If you can help someone in need, why wouldn’t you? One day you might need help too. Back in my day—”

My little sister quickly plugged her ears with her fingers. “Here we go again! Dad, those stories are ancient history. Do you have to repeat them every day? Aren’t you tired of it?”

“What? No matter how old the story is, the principle is the same. If young people today were all like you, where would any warmth in the world come from?”

“What did I do? All I did was say something, and now I’m the root of all evil in society? Isn’t that a bit much?”

“I’m talking about your attitude.”

“What’s wrong with my attitude?”

Seeing that father and daughter were about to argue, Mom finally spoke up. “Enough! Can’t you all be quiet for a bit during meals? Can’t we just eat in peace?”

Mom was the absolute authority at home. The moment she spoke, the two fell silent and focused on eating. Stifling a laugh, I quickly finished two big bowls of rice, feeling satisfied. I moved to the sofa and lit a cigarette, savoring the moment.

I’d barely taken a couple of puffs when my phone rang. The caller ID showed it was Gu Ruoyan, the “Mother Tiger” at work.

“Hello, Tang Qian? President Qi is back from Hainan. I’ve reported your situation to him, and he wants you to come to the company tomorrow to hear the decision.”

“Oh? They’re going to deal with me? Fine, I’ll come tomorrow.”

After hanging up, I didn’t hesitate. I went straight to my room, took out pen and paper, and wrote: “Respected General Manager Qi, Manager Gu of the Marketing Department: I have worked at the company for four years, three of which in sales, but have never achieved good results. I feel I am wasting my youth. In order not to hinder the company and to escape work I dislike, I hereby request to resign and seek another job. Thank you! Yours sincerely, Tang Qian, December 7, 2001.”

With a long sigh, I folded the letter, slipped it into an envelope, and decided that tomorrow morning I’d hand in my resignation before they could announce any disciplinary decisions. Then I’d look for a new job. Surely, as a top graduate from Z University, I wouldn’t be unemployed.

Suddenly, I felt a wave of relief. The indecision that had weighed on me for days was finally resolved. I was happy. From my sister’s room, Xu Shu’s singing began to drift out again, reminding me of last night, of her singing on my back. Drawn by the music, I wandered to my sister’s room.

She hadn’t closed her door. Seeing my odd expression, she asked, “What’s up, brother?”

Trying to sound casual, I asked, “Was last night’s concert any good?”

At the mention of the concert, her face lit up and she gestured excitedly. “It was amazing! You really missed out. Xu Shu last night…”

After enduring her lengthy speech, I finally got to the point: “Is Xu Shu really as good as you say? Let me listen to a few of her albums and see what makes her so irresistible to you.”

Not knowing my real motive, she immediately fetched a few CDs and solemnly warned me, “Be careful with these! Some are impossible to find now.”

“Don’t worry.” I took the CDs back to my room, brewed some tea, lit a cigarette, turned the volume down low, and quietly listened to Xu Shu sing.

From that moment on, this world had one more devoted Xu Shu fan.

The next day was Monday. I put on a suit and tie, threw on an overcoat, and set off with my resignation letter in my pocket. Since I didn’t have to arrive on time, I walked slowly.

At the street corner near the company gate, the roar of an engine suddenly sounded. A red sports car sped past, splashing filthy snow water all over me. The car skidded at the turn and shot toward the sidewalk, where an elderly woman with a shopping basket stood frozen in terror.

Without thinking, I shouted, “Watch out! Stop!” and rushed forward. The driver, realizing the danger, slammed on the brakes and turned the wheel. The car barely missed the old lady, but still knocked her over and sent her basket flying, vegetables scattering everywhere.

I hurried over, lifted the old woman, and checked her for injuries. Then I yelled at the sports car, “Do you even know how to drive? Speeding at a corner—are you trying to kill someone?”

The window rolled down, revealing a pale young woman, her face full of fear. The old lady, fortunately, was unhurt and managed to stand, saying, “That scared me half to death. I thought I was done for.”

Relieved, both the young woman and I exhaled. She rolled up her window, started the car, and was about to drive off.

Seeing she was about to leave without a word, my anger flared. I stepped in front of the car, blocking its path.

The young woman rolled the window down again. “What are you doing? Move, I’m in a hurry.”

“In a hurry? What could be more urgent than a person’s life?”

She grew angry. “What do you mean, a person’s life? Are you trying to scare me? The old lady’s fine, isn’t she?”

“So you think that’s it? You knocked down an old lady, scattered her groceries, and you don’t even apologize? You think you can just walk away?”

“If I need to apologize, the old lady can ask me herself. Who are you to interfere?”

My anger turned to cold laughter. “Interfering? Take a look at my clothes—see this mud and slush all over me? That’s your handiwork. I want an apology. Is that too much to ask?”

She stepped out. Her clothes were expensive, and I finally saw the car’s badge—a Ferrari. Clearly, she was wealthy.

She glanced disdainfully at my cheap coat. “How much do you want? A thousand enough?” She pulled a bag from the car and opened it, showing thick stacks of cash.

Her rudeness made my face darken. “You think having money makes you superior? Keep your filthy money. All I want is an apology. Until you say sorry to me and the old lady, you’re not going anywhere.”

By now, a crowd had gathered, criticizing the young woman. She grew increasingly embarrassed.

The old lady, good-natured, said to me, “Young man, I’m fine. Let’s just let it go.”

I replied, “Ma’am, this woman is too rude. She thinks money gives her the right to do anything. Someone needs to bring her down a notch.”

The girl anxiously checked her watch, clearly in a hurry. “Are you going to let me go or not? A thousand isn’t enough? How about five thousand? Ten thousand? That’s enough to buy a couple dozen of your shabby coats. Still not satisfied? Don’t be so greedy!”

I laughed. “Are you deaf? I don’t want your money. I want you to say sorry—to both me and this lady.”

I stressed the word “sorry.” Seeing my resolve, she grew even more frustrated and desperate, clearly on the verge of tears. “Just name your price, I’ll pay, but hurry up. I really don’t have time for this.”

I just sneered. No apology, no passage. I was determined to teach this rude girl a lesson.

Just then, two patrol officers arrived, seeing the crowd and the blocked road. They pushed through to ask what happened. After understanding the situation, they spent another ten minutes sorting things out. The girl tried a few times to call someone but hesitated each time and gave up.

Once the officers understood, they told her, “You were in the wrong. This man’s request for an apology is reasonable. Since he doesn’t want compensation, you should apologize.”

Her face was livid. After a long pause, she finally turned to the old lady. “Ma’am, I’m sorry for scaring you with my driving. I didn’t mean it.”

The old woman smiled and waved her off. “It’s alright, I’m not hurt anyway.” I gave a heavy cough, reminding the girl she still owed me an apology.

She glared at me, walked over, and muttered, “Sorry I got your clothes dirty, please forgive me.”

I pretended not to hear. “What? I didn’t catch that!”

The crowd burst into laughter. The girl blushed in anger and humiliation, eyes glistening with tears. Through gritted teeth, she whispered, “You’ll regret this,” then shouted, “Sorry, I apologize!” She bit her lip, jumped in her car, and started the engine.

Since she’d apologized, I stepped aside. As she sped past in her Ferrari, she threw me a vicious, “Just wait and see!” and roared off. The crowd, seeing the show was over, quickly dispersed.

I thanked the officers, who took their leave. I helped the old woman gather her groceries. She thanked me repeatedly. Seeing she was truly alright, I bid her goodbye—I still had to go resign.

As I entered my company’s building, I noticed the red Ferrari parked downstairs. Could it be? Was that girl a major client? Not that it mattered—I was leaving anyway, so any consequences would no longer be my concern. What luck!

I went to Gu Ruoyan’s office and placed my resignation letter on her desk. She was surprised, opened the envelope, and after reading it, chuckled. “You’ve really made up your mind?”

I nodded solemnly. “Yes.”

She smiled. “I was about to announce the company’s decision about you, but I guess there’s no need now.”

I was secretly pleased to have acted first and preserved my dignity. But then she said, “Aren’t you curious what the company decided?”

“Is it necessary?”

“If you don’t hear it, you might regret it.”

“Oh?”

She cleared her throat. “The decision is: all your year-end bonuses for this year will be withheld, and you’re being transferred to the Planning Department.”

I was stunned. “What? The Planning Department?”

Gu Ruoyan laughed. “Yes. The Planning Department’s performance hasn’t been great this year, so the company is restructuring. The original manager has been reassigned to the production line, and today the new supervisor starts. You were supposed to report to her right away, but since you handed in your resignation, it’s a pity.”

I was mortified, my face burning, unable to utter a word.

She stood up and scolded, “You, you, you—take your resignation back. I know you too well. Let me tell you, getting you into the Planning Department took a lot of effort. If you don’t do well or get kicked out, I won’t take you back. Then you’ll really be out of a job.” She stuffed my letter back into my hand.

Looking at the manager I’d always thought cold and unfeeling, I was filled with gratitude and disbelief. It was well known that the Planning Department was the top division in the company—the most prestigious, best paid, and most sought after. I’d never imagined I’d someday work on the twelfth floor in that very department. It was like heaven.

Suddenly, Gu Ruoyan no longer seemed distant, but warm and approachable. After all, I should have been laid off after three months of poor performance, but she’d shielded me for six. How had I never noticed her kindness before?

So many words came to mind, but all I could say was, “Manager…”

She waved me off. “Don’t get all sentimental. Just do your best in the Planning Department and don’t embarrass me. Now go to HR and find Director Han; he’ll take you to report on the twelfth floor.”

I promised, “Thank you, Manager. I won’t let you down.”

She picked up the phone, her expression turning frosty again. “That’s it then. Close the door on your way out.”

I left, elated, only to be surrounded by colleagues Zhao Yanjin, Li Xiaoling, and the others, all eager to know my fate. When I told them, they were stunned, almost unable to believe it.

Some cried out that it was unfair, while Zhao and Li both congratulated me and demanded I treat everyone to dinner that night. In my good mood, I immediately agreed and announced to the Marketing Department: “Tonight, dinner’s on me at Zuixian Restaurant next door. Please come!”

The cheers were loud as I happily packed up my things in a large box and headed to HR to find Director Han. He nodded, “The transfer order is ready. Come with me and meet the new Planning Department supervisor and your new colleagues.”

We took the elevator to the twelfth floor. The place was spotless and elegant, everyone dressed in suits and skirts—a true office of white-collar professionals, nothing like the Marketing Department’s chaotic market vibe. I was glad I’d worn a suit today. Did I have a premonition?

Director Han led me to the innermost office, knocked, and entered. “Director Hua, this is the new transfer, Tang Qian. Director Hua Jingjing is our new Executive Vice President and head of Planning. Here’s the transfer letter—I’ll leave it on your desk.”

Behind the desk, a stunning beauty looked up at me. My heart skipped a beat. Wasn’t this the very same girl who had just apologized to me on the street—the one in the red Ferrari?

The Ferrari girl recognized me too, stunned for a moment before breaking into a radiant smile. “So you’re Tang Qian? Wonderful! Truly, a warm welcome!”

I was utterly dismayed, muttering, “Does it have to be this cruel? Heaven, have mercy!”