PDLP Chapter 68 I Was Subjected to Unspoken Rules
Chapter 68 I Was Subjected to Unspoken Rules
Ever since that ambiguous relationship with Tang Xin, Lin Chen has felt that something is off in the office.
It wasn't that Tang Xin was making things difficult for him; on the contrary, she spoke more gently when assigning tasks and would occasionally ask, "Are there any difficulties?"
But Lin Chen couldn't get over it in his heart. He always felt that he had gotten a huge advantage, so he was embarrassed to shirk his responsibilities or be perfunctory when doing work, which made him even more tired than before.
When reporting to her, I didn't dare to linger my gaze, afraid of catching any other meaning from her cold and beautiful face.
Damn it, she was the one who started it, and she even got to enjoy it, but in the end, he felt like a guilty thief. Lin Chen cursed himself inwardly, thinking that he was definitely not cut out to be a scumbag.
That afternoon, everyone in the office was assigned to the warehouse to inventory the supplies, but Lin Chen was slacking off and writing his novel when Tang Xin suddenly came over and carefully placed a form on his desk.
"Fill this out, but don't tell anyone else."
Lin Chen picked it up and saw that it was an application form. It required filling in everything from family relationships and awards to personal work experience and achievements.
He instinctively became wary: "Director Tang, what's this for?"
"Just fill it out, stop talking so much nonsense." Tang Xin's tone was calm, but carried an undeniable force: "Would I harm you? Fill it out carefully." After saying that, she turned around and wiggled her hips as she walked away. For some reason, she seemed even more charming now. She must be asking for a beating again.
Lin Chen had no choice but to bite the bullet and submit it. He finally understood why the ancients often said that rabbits shouldn't eat the grass near their burrows. It was delicious, but too troublesome.
Two days later, Tang Xin clapped her hands as soon as she entered the office: "The provincial company has allocated a quota for 'Advanced Individual in Work,' and Director Song said that it will be selected from our office. Let's discuss who to give it to." After she finished speaking, she glanced at Lin Chen seemingly casually.
This is the advantage of being close to the leaders in the department. That's why people from the water supply stations are scrambling to get to the headquarters. Being close to the water tower gives you an advantage. Being an advanced individual in the provincial company is very prestigious, and there's only one spot available in the county company every few years.
Not only is the prize money several thousand yuan, but it is also a great personal honor. Having this honor will greatly help you in applying for expert positions, promotions, and even job competitions in the future.
Generally, such provincial honors are not allocated to water supply centers or water stations and plants below. There are not enough slots to go around, so it would be inappropriate to give them to anyone.
Upon hearing the news, Lin Chen was not particularly moved. He had no desire to improve himself and his attitude was one of indifference: "If I get it, I'm lucky; if I don't, it's fate."
This requires writing an application form, a self-summary, proof of performance, and comments from the supervisor. It's very annoying.
However, he noticed that Chen Ya sat up slightly, her eyes were shining, and her fingers were unconsciously twisting the hem of her clothes.
Zhang Junmin's expression turned greedy, his mouth practically stretched to his ears; he knew these two really wanted it.
Tang Xin asked everyone to discuss it, but no one spoke up; the atmosphere in the office seemed to have been solidified by some kind of agent.
In Lin Chen's opinion, there was really nothing to discuss.
Tang Xin, you're the director, you have the highest status, so you can make the decision directly. Just tell me who to give it to, and no one needs to have any objections. This way, it won't affect harmony.
If we really let everyone discuss it, they might start fighting.
Seeing that no one was speaking, Tang Xin added, "It seems that everyone in our office is very modest. Otherwise, I should just make the decision internally, and then people will say I'm not democratic."
At this point, Zhang Junmin finally couldn't sit still any longer; he was about to burst out laughing: "Director Tang, the provincial company only produces one advanced individual every few years. This is not just a personal honor; it is also an affirmation of our Suicheng Company's achievements from above."
Tang Xin nodded: "That's right. The fact that the leaders allocated the quota to our office is an affirmation of our department's work. In fact, no matter who gets this honor, it belongs to the office."
Upon hearing this, Zhang Junmin took a deep breath: "Then let me give my personal opinion. I might disagree with anyone else in the office who received this award, but I absolutely agree that Director Tang deserves it. You are our driving force. Without your hard work and guidance, our office would never have achieved such good results in the past year."
That's really good at taking pictures.
Tang Xin immediately shook her head: "The leader said that this honor should be given to you class members, mainly to encourage and motivate you, so Director Liu and I will not participate in the evaluation. You can choose one from among yourselves."
"It seems my position as deputy director isn't as good as yours," Liu Xingliang muttered, stunned. He had thought he was qualified.
Upon hearing Tang Xin's words, Zhang Junmin immediately scanned everyone again, finally focusing his gaze on Old Man Cheng: "If the director doesn't participate in the selection, then according to seniority, I think Master Cheng is the most qualified. He has dedicated himself to the company for so many years; even if he hasn't made any great contributions, he has certainly worked hard. I support him."
Old Cheng quickly waved his hand dismissively: "Don't give me that. I'm retiring in six months. What use is this thing to me? I wouldn't take it even if you gave it to me."
Yes, Old Cheng has six months left before retirement. What's the point of him receiving this award? And we have to make him suffer by going to the provincial company to receive it?
Zhang Junmin knew perfectly well that Old Man Cheng wouldn't want it, but he was just pretending to be important and trying to gain favor.
Song Qiuyu was quite magnanimous, raising her hand directly: "Don't even consider me, I don't want to, I'm not qualified."
Lan Bingyan also stated that she was withdrawing from the competition: "Whoever wants it can take it, it has nothing to do with me."
Both of them are girls who don't have much ambition and don't do much work. They're afraid that if they take the job, people will gossip about them every day, and it will be hard for them to get along in the office in the future.
They know their positions in the office are insignificant and they are at risk of being replaced at any time, so they have to make sacrifices and therefore neither of them nor dare to accept them.
As for Sister Shan, Tan Huasheng's wife, there's no need to say more; she's just a figurehead who receives a salary without ever even lifting her head.
Now there are only three people left: Zhang Junmin, who is eyeing the scene with predatory intent; Chen Ya, who is yearning for something; and Lin Chen, who is indifferent to everything.
Lin Chen really didn't want it, but he didn't want to give the spot to that idiot Zhang Junmin for nothing. The best outcome would be for Chen Ya to take the spot.
After all, they had a very close relationship.
So Lin Chen cleared his throat and said, "I haven't been in the office long and haven't achieved anything yet, so I won't compete for it. However, I think Comrade Chen Ya was the best and most outstanding performer in our office last year, and of course, she worked the hardest. Her abilities are obvious to all. I believe that this award should be given to her without any controversy, and I strongly recommend her."
Upon hearing this, Chen Ya's eyes lit up instantly, as if they held stars. Her cheeks flushed, and her skirt rippled. She looked up at Lin Chen, her eyes filled with surprise and emotion.
He still cares about me and is still willing to speak up for me.
Upon hearing Lin Chen push Chen Ya, Zhang Junmin immediately tensed up and launched into a long, incoherent, and stammering speech, boasting: "Comrade Chen Ya has indeed performed very well, but I don't think I'm any less capable than her. I wrote more articles than her throughout the year, and several of them were featured on the provincial company's website. Besides articles, I also drafted several large-scale plans last year, including a matchmaking event for new employees and a meeting to comfort retired cadres. Of course, I also published several papers. I won't go into the awards I received; it's pointless to talk about them too much and would affect the unity of the team. Chen Ya is one of the women in our office. If you really want her, I, a grown man, won't compete with you. It's really pointless."
Hahahaha, you look like a lovesick woman confined to her chambers, yet you say you don't care and it's pointless. You're so damn fake.
Chen Ya was extremely annoyed by his words, and her face flushed as she angrily retorted, "Stop being sarcastic! Who asked you to give it to me? I don't care. If you want it, just say so. Don't act like you're so great. Just say you want it, and I'll give it to you, okay? I'm really fed up."
Chen Ya hates it most when people bring up gender.
Zhang Junmin was overjoyed inside, but he pretended to be a little embarrassed: "Sister Ya, I really didn't mean that. I meant it sincerely. Never mind, it's no use saying anything now. How about I treat you to dinner tonight?"
If Chen Ya withdraws, the award is his; what's a little money?
"Who cares?" Chen Ya was really angry; her chest even swelled up. She always looked like this when she was angry, and Lin Chen knew this very well. He just needed to soothe her.
"Wait a minute!" Lin Chen suddenly stood up, looking at Zhang Junmin with a half-smile. "If Comrade Chen Ya isn't going to compete, then I will." Lin Chen wanted to disgust Zhang Junmin; seeing this bastard get humiliated was more satisfying than winning the award himself.
Chen Ya was stunned, then felt a warmth in her heart. Looking at Lin Chen's back, she thought he looked incredibly handsome at that moment. How could she have been so willing to break up with him before?
Song Qiuyu and the others also started whispering among themselves, those who were watching the show never wanted it to be any less dramatic.
Zhang Junmin's smile froze instantly as he looked at Lin Chen: "Lin Chen, you're doing this on purpose, aren't you? You're not giving up on yourself."
"I can let Chen Ya's situation slide, but if it's you, I think it's fine."
"What makes you think you can compete with me? In terms of seniority and experience, you're no match for me."
"Can seniority feed you? Can experience be used as an award?" Lin Chen scoffed. "Everyone knows who's capable and who's not, so stop trying to pat yourself on the back."
"You think you can do it? What makes you think you can? You're just picking up bargains."
Just as the two were arguing fiercely, Tang Xin spoke up: "Alright, stop arguing. You two fill out both application forms and give them to me. Director Song will decide on them. Is that fair enough?"
Reasonable and perfectly fair.
Lin Chen took the application form, looked down at it, and almost burst out laughing. Wasn't this the same one that Tang Xin had made him fill out a few days ago?
Not just similar, they're practically identical.
Was I subjected to unspoken rules?
This woman, even though she'd already decided on him, still pulled all these tricks. She's just so adorable.
It seems that my hard work that night was worthwhile, even though it was a bit of a hassle.
People don't hate unspoken rules; they just hate that those rules don't apply to them.
Watching Zhang Junmin fill out the form with utmost care, Lin Chen felt even more pleased.
A few days later, the provincial company announced its "Advanced Individuals".
There were a total of thirty people in the province, and Lin Chen was undoubtedly among them.
Zhang Junmin looked at it carefully again and again, almost spitting out a mouthful of blood. He glared fiercely at Lin Chen, then slammed the door and left.
Lin Chen didn't care about the clown at all, but he saw a familiar name on the list of "advanced individuals" - Bai Xiuyi.
This Bai Xiuyi seems to be quite something as well.
After the incident with the senior engineer, she said she was going to give herself a big gift, but Lin Chen has yet to receive it.
Of course, some people have seen this list.