34 years old, technical director with an annual salary of 300,000 yuan. Yesterday, he was replaced by a 25-year-old overseas student, the reason being that he needed to make room for younger people. The year-end bonus of 700,000 yuan plus stock options were all revoked. But they didn’t know that only I knew the core system password of the entire company. There had been no handover in the past year, and the 20 million project’s closing algorithm was all in my encrypted partition.
Without me, they couldn’t even start the system. If they don’t hand it over today, then this company will be completely paralyzed. Friday afternoon, I was frowning at the server monitoring data. The system reported an error again, so I’ll probably have to work overtime tonight. Are you free, Ms. Li? Human Resources Manager Liu suddenly appeared beside my desk.
General Manager Zhang wants to talk to you. I was stunned, the year was almost over, was it time for a promotion and salary increase? After all, our engineering department had been doing well this year, and I was in charge of several major projects. Now? I glanced at the screen, where the error message was still flashing. Yes, right now, the manager was very rude, so I had to save my work and follow her to the general manager’s office.
When I passed by Xiao Wang, I noticed that he was secretly looking at me. This brat had been sneaking around lately, and I didn’t know what he was up to. Opening the door to the general manager’s office, General Manager Zhang was sitting behind his desk. On the table was a stack of documents with a cover that clearly stated the personnel optimization plan. My heart stopped for a moment.
Optimization? What optimization? Wu Tong, sit down. General Manager Zhang pointed to the chair opposite. His voice was very calm, but I always felt that something was wrong. It was like this, the company was recently adjusting its organizational structure. He opened the document, we decided to rejuvenate the team a little. My hand unconsciously tightened.
Rejuvenate, I’m only 34 years old, how come I’m not young anymore? You’ve worked in the company for 5 years, and have made many contributions. General Manager Zhang continued to speak. But now the company needs to develop, it needs a more dynamic team. My heart started to pound. General Manager Zhang, what he meant was that he hoped you could cooperate with the company’s adjustments.
General Manager Zhang pushed his glasses, but the position was given to a younger colleague, you would also have more time to rest. How many projects a year would I handle, how many overtimes, he didn’t know in his heart. But recently my work performance, recently I really saw that you were a little tired.
General Manager didn’t interrupt me. Maybe you’re getting old, you don’t have enough strength anymore. What do you mean you don’t have enough strength? Last night I stayed up until 3am to deal with the emergency. We have already chosen your replacement. General Manager Zhang glanced at the door. Xiao Wang pushed the door open and walked in, holding a stack of blank forms.

I immediately understood, so that’s it. Xiao Wang is young, has ideas, and is not bad at technique. General Manager Zhang smiled and said. Xiao Wang smiled shyly at me, “Sister Li, I hope to receive your guidance in the future.” “What guidance? You came to take my position, why are you being so polite with me? Today is your last day of work.”

General Manager Zhang looked at his watch, please hand over the work, tomorrow is not needed. What? Today is the last day, I haven’t agreed yet. Wait, what about my year-end bonus? I suddenly remembered that. At the end of December, the company will issue a year-end bonus of 200,000 yuan, and my stock options worth 500,000 yuan are also about to be redeemable. That, General Manager Zhang’s expression became unnatural. According to the company’s regulations, those who leave due to personnel optimization will not receive a year-end bonus. The stock options will also be automatically invalidated. My head exploded, and 700,000 yuan was just lost. It was too unreasonable. I stood up.
I did not do anything wrong to be fired. Why can’t I get a year-end bonus? That’s the company’s regulations. The manager beside me interrupted. Sister Li, please write down the system password. Xiao Wang has already pushed the anti-work form in front of me, as well as the server access rights and database accounts, please write them down.
Looking at the white knife table form in front of me, my hand trembled slightly. Not because of anger, but because of anger to the point of laughter, wanting me to train the replacement for free, and also wanting to take away my 700,000 yuan, dream on. I took a deep breath, picked up the pen, then wrote a few unimportant test accounts on the handover form. That’s all.
Xiao Wang looked at the few lines of text on the paper with suspicion. Yes, that’s all. I said calmly. Where is the main system password? General Manager Zhang frowned. I forgot. I put down the pen, stood up. Yes. Okay, my memory is bad, I hope the general manager understands. After speaking, I picked up my bag, didn’t even turn back, and walked straight away.
I hugged the cardboard box and walked towards the underground parking lot. Five years of work, now all wrapped up in a cardboard boxtorn. Xiao Li, behind me a familiar voice rang out. I turned around, it was Lao Li, he had just been optimized last month. Lao Li, what are you doing here? Come get some things. He smiled awkwardly, shaking the key chain in his hand.
You were optimized too? I nodded. Lao Li sighed. This was already the ninth person. What? What ninth person? It was the ninth person this month who was fired for being over 35 or about to be 35. Lao Li leaned against the car and lit a cigarette. Lao Wang from the technical department, Xiao Liu from the product department, and also Ms. Zhang from the finance department, they were all pillars who worked hard, they were all about to receive year-end bonuses.
My heart sank. It turned out that it wasn’t just me, they were systematically purge. Lao Li exhaled a room of cigarette smoke. At the end of the year, they fired all the long-time employees, saving the year-end bonuses. The newly recruited young employees had salaries that were only half of ours. I calculated, just me, they saved 700,000N, nine people must be several million. General Manager Zhang must have calculated this very carefully, there is an even dirtier matter. Old Li lowered his voice, they just signed a big project worth 20 million, it must start in January next year, they are in dire need of technical support. I kept the person who needed technical support but fired all the core engineers.
They want to take advantage of our skills to train a replacement and then kick him out. Old Li put out his cigarette. Old Li, what are you going to do now? What else? Go find a job. He shook his head. 35 years old, it is not easy to find a job. Looking at Old Li’s lonely back, a wave of anger rose in my heart. Bastards. I remembered the little king’s expression of pressing for the password just now.
And also General Manager Zhang’s natural face. What do they think of us? A free training machine? I suddenly wanted to go back and get some words. Old Li, I’ll go first. Bao Zhong, Xiao Li. I took the elevator back to the office. The company was very quiet, most of the people had left work. I quietly walked to my desk.
Xiao Wang was sitting on my chair, flipping through my technical documents. His computer screen was full of lines of text copying my documents. The old employees’ writing was really messy. Xiao Wang said to the colleague next to him. But it’s okay, I’ll just rearrange it.
I stood in the corner of the room, looking at him coldly. Rearrange? Do you understand? I walked over, pretending to go back and get the USB I forgot. Xiao Wang saw that I was a little embarrassed. Sister Li, why did you come back? Just take your head. I glanced at his computer screen. Sure enough, it was all surface documents.
He couldn’t find the real core code at all. Oh right, Sister Li, you haven’t written down the master password of the database. You are listening to the story on Pitch Audio. Xiao Wang handed over the handover paper, and also the withdrawal rights of the production server. I looked at his expectant eyes and wanted to laugh. For the past year, I was the only one responsible for maintaining all the core systems.
The database password was in my head. The server access rights were also in my head. Without me, they wouldn’t be able to boot the system. Sorry, I really forgot. I took the USB and walked out the door. Sister Li Xiao Wang called out from behind. Tomorrow the system needs to be upgraded, at least tell me the boot password.
I turned around and smiled at him. Tomorrow I would no longer be a company employee. According to General Manager Zhang Shi, I no longer had enough energy and my memory was bad. After I finished speaking, I walked away without looking back. Xiao Wang was so angry that his legs were growing thick behind him. Want me to train your replacement for free? Dream on.
Early the next morning, I leisurely sat at home drinking coffee. The phone rang, it was Xiao Chen from the technical department calling. “Sister Li, you’re here.” The phone rang with an urgent voice. The customer management system couldn’t be logged in. I slowly took a sip of coffee. Oh. Really? That’s strange. Where is Xiao Wang? Tell him to handle it.
Xiao Wang said the password was wrong and he couldn’t enter the system. I secretly laughed in my heart. Of course it was wrong. I gave all the passwords that were useless in the test environment. Xiao Chen, you’re no longer a company employee. My voice was very calm. If there’s any problem with the system, find General Manager Zhang to solve it.
I hung up and turned on the TV to watch the morning news. At 10:00 am, Manager Liu called me. Sister Li, can you come back and help fix the system problem? Her voice carried a clear pleading tone, completely opposite from yesterday’s arrogance. “Manager Liu, I also want to help.” I deliberately acted awkward, sighing.
“But I’m not a company employee anymore. Participating in company work will violate the rules.” “This.” Manager Liu was speechless. “Yesterday, I said I couldn’t keep up with the pace, but today I’m in a hurry to ask for help. Let Xiao Wang handle it. He’s young, full of energy, he can definitely do it.” After saying that, I decisively hung up and continued watching TV.
At noon, I was preparing lunch. The phone rang continuously. This time, it was the general manager

Director Zhang personally called Wu Tong. There must have been some misunderstanding yesterday. General Manager Zhang’s tone was surprisingly gentle, completely different from yesterday. There is no misunderstanding. General Manager Zhang. I calmly said.
You said it very clearly, I can’t keep up with the company’s pace, but I need younger people to fill the positions. Don’t take that to heart. General Manager Zhang started to smile awkwardly. The company’s system is having some problems now, why don’t you come back and fix it first. We can discuss other things.
I laughed coldly in my heart. You only know how to negotiate now? Why didn’t you say it earlier yesterday? General Manager Zhang, I understand the company’s difficulties. I pretend to sympathize, but I really can’t help you. I was optimized yesterday, participating in the work today is a violation of the rules. Do you want me to break the rules? The other end of the line was silent for a few seconds.
So what must you do to get her to help? Here it is. Very simple. Restore my job. Return my 700,000 year-end bonus and stock options. Only then can I be a full-time employee who can legally support the company. That is a company rule that cannot be changed arbitrarily. The CEO started to push it all.
Then let the little king handle it. I bluntly replied. He has good technique, is young and has initiative. Yesterday you praised him. Wait a minute. Wu Tong. Beep beep beep. I decisively hung up. At 3:00 pm, my phone was completely silent. It must be that General Manager Zhang was in an emergency meeting. At 4 o’clock, I received a push notification.
A technology company had a system problem. Many customers complained about service interruptions. Seeing this, I burst out laughing. At 5:30, General Manager Zhang called again. Wu Tong, a big customer who signed a 20 million contract, was about to cancel the contract. His voice was full of anxiety and panic. They doubt our technical ability.
General Manager Zhang, what does this have to do with me? I calmly replied while scrolling through my phone. I have not been an employee of the company since yesterday. Isn’t it the responsibility of the little king if the customer cancels the contract? The little king can’t handle it at all. The general manager almost shouted. Then replace him. I sighed and said.
The company still has many young and energetic employees. If it doesn’t work, then outsource it, spend a little money and it will be solved. The other end of the line came the sound of general manager Zhang’s panting. The Outsourcing company said it would take at least a month to get used to the system for a month. The project is 20 million or more a month.
The customers have definitely run away. Then just wait. I pretended to reply gently. The system is the little king’s responsibility anyway. Tell him to work overtime and try to learn more. Young people learn quickly. The general manager was silent for a long time on the phone. Wu Tong, what do you want? His voice carried a hint of despair. I knew he was starting to panic. I don’t want anything, General Manager Zhang. I just want to rest at home, I’m getting old anyway, my health can’t keep up anymore.” After saying that, I hung up. Looking at the sunset outside the window, I felt very relaxed, wanting to use my skills for free.
Dream on. 8:00 pm, the doorbell rang. I looked through the peephole. General Manager Zhang and Manager Liu were standing outside the door. Both of them looked exhausted and tired. I opened the door. Director Li. General Manager Zhong smiled flatteringly. I’m bothering you to rest. Director Li, yesterday you called me Wu Tong, today you’re Director Li? What’s the matter? I leaned against the door frame and asked.
It’s like this, today’s matter might have been a bit of a misunderstanding. General Manager Zhang rubbed his hands and said, “How can the company lack a technical expert like you?” Manager Liu standing next to me nodded like pounded garlic. “It’s all because I miscommunicated General Manager Zhang’s meaning. General Manager Zhang has always valued you very much.

I almost laughed out loud. Yesterday, I was told to give up my seat to the young people, but today I have become a technical expert. Then please come in. I gave way. Both of them were amnesty and immediately entered the living room. General Manager Zhang looked around, as if this was his first time here. Your house is beautifully decorated.
Thank you for the compliment. I poured them two glasses of water. Tell me straight, what’s the matter? General Manager Zhang took a sip of water and cleared his throat. It’s like this, we want to invite you to be a technical consultant for the company. Consultant? Yes. To guide the young people from afar a bit. Manager Liu continued, “You don’t need to come to the company every day, just support from home is fine.
I understand, you want me to solve the problem for free and then train the little king. “How much is the consultation fee?” I asked directly, is 5,000 yuan a month okay? General Manager Zhang tried to probe. 5,000 before my salary was 20,000 a month. General Manager Zhang, let’s talk frankly. I put down my glass of water. The company system is currently paralyzed, right? General Manager Zhang nodded.
A big client is about to cancel the contract, right?” He nodded again. “Xiao Wang can’t handle it, right?” The general manager’s face was a little awkward

I looked at him but still nodded. “Then my conditions are very simple. I held up three fingers. First, restore my old position. Second, compensate me 1 million,000 yuan.
Third, publicly apologize to me.” The general manager’s expression immediately changed. “1 million?” Isn’t it only 700,000? Yesterday it was 700,000, today it’s 1 million. I calmly said, “Every day it increases by 700,000 yuan, tomorrow it will be 2 million.” “Are you blackmailing me?” General Manager Zhang stood up. “Blackmail? I also stood up.
Who is the one who broke the law and fired the employee? Who is the one who withheld the year-end bonus? Who is the one who forced the employee to train the replacement for free?” General Manager Zhang’s face turned red. “You are threatening the company. I will sue you.” “Sue me for what?” I laughed coldly. “Sue me for not handing over the system password.
” Well, first explain why you fired the employee illegally, why you withheld the year-end bonus that I should have received. General Manager Zhang opened his mouth but couldn’t say anything. The manager beside him tugged his sleeve lightly. General Manager Zhang, let’s negotiate more. There’s nothing left to negotiate. I walked to the door.
Three conditions that cannot be missing. If you accept, we will cooperate, if you don’t accept, please leave. I opened the door, tomorrow the price will be 2 million, you can consider it yourself. General Manager Zhang was so angry that his face turned pale, but in the end, he still didn’t say anything. The two of them quietly retreated. I closed the door, leaned against the door and laughed.
Want to take advantage of me for free? No way. The next morning, I received new news. On the second day, a technology company’s system was paralyzed, and its stock price fell 15%. It seems that General Manager Zhang’s troubles have only just begun. On the morning of the third day, the doorbell rang again. I thought General Manager Zhang came to beg again.
I opened the door and saw a strange middle-aged man. His suit was neat and his demeanor was extraordinary. May I ask if you are Director Li Wutong? It’s me. I am Wang Zhiyuan, CEO of the Science Spirit. He handed me a gold-plated business card. Can I come in and talk for a bit? Science Spirit.
I’ve heard that it’s one of the top three companies in the industry, and it’s also a competitor of my old company. Please come in. General Manager Wang walked in and looked around the living room. Don’t come in like this, I’m sorry. I heard that you just quit your job, so I nodded. Our company is in need of a technical expert like you.
He took out a stack of documents from his briefcase. This is our job offer. I took it and looked at it, dumbfounded. Salary 5000 plus stock options. The position is technical director. Director Wang is a talented person. Director Wang smiled very frankly. Your technical ability has been famous in our industry for a long time.
The spirit of science and technology really needs talented people like you. I looked at the job proposal, and complex emotions arose in my heart. Just the other day I was criticized for being old, but today I am considered a treasure. This contrast is really too obvious. Director Wang, how did you know I quit? The news spread quickly. Director Wang shrugged. There are rumors in the industry that a company fired a core engineer just to save on the year-end bonus.
Many people in the industry shook their heads in dismay. It seems that General Manager Zhang’s reputation has completely collapsed. In addition, we also heard about the system failure over there. Director Wang’s expression was somewhat meaningful. All the technical people understand that system maintenance is not something that can be handed over to anyone.
I laughed secretly in my heart, it really cannot be handed over to outsiders. Director Wang, I still have some trouble to deal with. What kind of trouble? The matter with the old company has not been completely resolved. Director Wang nodded, “I understand, this proposal is valid for one month, you can contact me anytime.” He stood up and prepared to leave. “Oh, right, tomorrow we will hold a new product launch at the Hill Hotel. If you are interested, welcome to attend. It is also an opportunity for you to learn more about the technical capabilities of the spirit of science and technology. After Director Wang left, I held the job offer, stunned. The salary is 500,000 per year, twice as high as my old salary, and there is also the position of technical director. While I was thinking, the phone rang, it was an unknown number. Sister Li, this is Xiao Chen. The system is completely down now, even the employees cannot clock in. The payroll system cannot log in, this month’s salary cannot be paid. I frowned, even the salary cannot be paid. Xiao Chen, I have already talked about this with General Manager Zhang Chang. The General Manager told us to make an advance payment. Advance payment? The employees pay their own money. General Manager Zhang is really crazy. Sister Li, can’t you really come back to help? Voice Xiao Chen choked up as if he was about to cry. He still had to pay the mortgage.

I let out a sigh. Xiao Chen, I understand your hardship, but this really isn’t my fault. I’m no longer an employee of the company. I hung up,

The heart was a little heavy. The innocent employee was implicated, but it wasn’t my fault, it was because General Manager Zhang was too greedy, wanting to swallow everything.
3:00 PM, General Manager Zhang called Wu Tong again. His voice sounded very tired. The customer signed a 20 million contract and officially canceled it, and they also asked us to compensate for the breach of contract. I listened silently. Now I can’t even pay the employee’s salary. Can’t you help out of our old colleague’s friendship? General Manager Zhang, I made it clear yesterday, three conditions cannot be missing one, but now the company’s account is completely lacking 2,000.
The General Manager almost cried. Then go borrow money. I replied coldly. Or sell the house, sell the car. There’s always a way. You can’t force me like this. You forced me first. I won’t give in. Yesterday you threatened to sue me, and today you’re begging me?” General Manager Zhang was silent for a long time on the phone. “Wu Tong, we really have no choice.
How about you name a price, as long as the company can afford it.” I glanced at the job offer from the technical spirit on the table. “General Manager Zhang, actually I have no choice either.” “What do you mean?” “Today the technical spirit came to me. They invited me to be the technical director.” Annual salary 500,000N.
The other end of the line suddenly fell silent. After a long while, General Manager Zhang asked with a trembling voice. “Are you planning to change jobs?” “I’m considering it.” I calmly replied, “After all, people always aim for a better place.” “Wait, you can’t go.” The general manager’s voice became sharp. “If you go, the company will really be ruined. What does that have to do with me? You’re the ones who don’t need me first.
“Regret it now?” After saying that, I hung up. Looking at the sunset outside the window, I felt strangely calm. Tomorrow, I’ll go to the product launch of the spirit of science and technology. It’s time to think about my own future. The next day, I went to the Hen Hotel. The press conference for the product launch of the spirit of science and technology was packed with people.
I randomly found a place and sat down. On the stage, Director Wang was introducing the company’s new product. Our intelligent management system is integrated. The technologies he presented are exactly the areas I’m best at. Compared to my company’s old system, it must be at least 3 years more advanced.
After the press conference ended, Director Wang walked over to me. Director Li, how does it feel? Very good. I replied sincerely. The technical architecture is very advanced, the team is also very professional. So what do you think? I looked around at the busy staff. Everyone’s face was focused and enthusiastic, different with the gloomy atmosphere in my old company.
Director Wang, I agree to join the spirit of science and technology. A smile appeared on his face. Welcome, you can come and do the joining procedures tomorrow. The private office is also ready. I nodded, and was about to leave when the phone rang repeatedly. It was General Manager Zhang calling.
Wu Tong, where are you? His voice sounded like he was about to collapse. I have something to do outside. Outside? Are you in the spirit of science and technology? I paused for a moment. How did you know? I saw it on the news. General Manager Zhang Ru’s voice was about to cry. You were in the photo of the spirit of science and technology press conference.
Are you really going to jump ship? I looked at Director Wang, he understood and nodded. General Manager Zhang, I have signed the contract, tomorrow I will officially join the spirit of science and technology. The other end of the line was a breathless silence. No, you can’t go. General Manager Zhang suddenly shouted. 5 million, I will pay you 5 million.
Please come back. 5 million. I almost burst out laughing. Yesterday I said the company had no money, but today I was able to give 5 million. General Manager Zhang, where did this money come from? I already mortgaged my house.” His voice trembled. He even sold his car and borrowed from friends. My heart was filled with a hundred thoughts.
In order to keep me, he even mortgaged his house. Unfortunately, it was too late. General Manager Zhang, I already signed the contract. The contract has been signed, it cannot be changed. Then I will find the spirit of science and technology. General Manager Zhang suddenly shouted. I will go to them and ask them to release him. General Manager, don’t do this. I helplessly shook my head.
The business world is like a battlefield, it is very normal to recruit talented people. It is useless for you to make a fuss. “Then what should I do?” His voice was filled with despair. The company is really doomed without her. The system can’t be fixed, customers have left, and employees’ salaries can’t be paid.

I was silent for a few seconds. General Manager, these things could have been avoided. If you hadn’t been so greedy in the first place. I know I was wrong. General Manager Zhang interrupted me. I really know I was wrong. But what’s the use of saying anything now? I sighed, “General Manager, there’s no such thing as ‘if’ in business. I hope you’ll take care of yourself.” After saying that, I decisively hung up the phone.

. Director Wang beside heard the whole conversation, is that her old boss? I nodded. It seems he is very panic. Director Wang smiled, only now realizing her value. A week later, I officially joined the spirit of the technical department, the private office for the technical director, the professional development team.
On the contract worth 500,000 yuan per year, there is the red seal of the company. This feeling of being appreciated is really good. When I was getting used to the new working environment, assistant Xiao Liu knocked on the door and entered. Director Li had someone looking for her. I looked up and looked at her in amazement. It was Xiao Wang, the 25-year-old young man who had replaced me.
Sister Li stood nervously at the door. Xiao Wang, why are you here? I came for an interview. He lowered his head and did not dare to look me in the eye. Our company went bankrupt. Did it go bankrupt so quickly? When did it happen? Yesterday, Xiao Wang’s voice was very low, General Manager Zhang announced the company’s bankruptcy, all the employees were laid off, and he had nowhere to hide.
I was a little confused. Although I had predicted this outcome, everything that happened so quickly still surprised me. Xiao Wang, sit down. I pointed to the chair opposite. Xiao Wang timidly sat down. Sister Li, I want to apologize to you. Back then, I was too naive, thinking that doing engineering was a simple matter.
Only now do I understand how important the things you hold in your hands are. I looked at the young man in front of me. A month ago, he was still criticizing my source code without mercy. Now he was sitting in front of me, earnestly apologizing. Xiao Wang, my technical background is actually not bad, I just lack experience. Xiao Wang’s eyes lit up, Sister Li, what you mean is that I can give you a chance, but you have to start from a junior engineer position.
Okay, no problem. Xiao Wang quickly nodded. I’m willing to start over. Looking at his excited appearance, I remembered myself in the past. Also young, full of enthusiasm, but easy to take advantage of. Remember, the most important thing for a technical person is steadfastness. Don’t always dream of shortcuts.
Xiao Wang nodded vigorously. Three months later, the new project of the spirit of science and technology was officially launched. The intelligent management system that I was in charge of received the highest praise from the entire industry. The company awarded me a 100,000 yuan project bonus. That night, I passed by the old company building, the upper floor was dark, the signboard had been taken down.
I heard that General Manager Zhang is currently hiding from debt in his hometown, his house has been sealed by the court, and his wife has also divorced. From a powerful CEO to a debt-ridden loser. This change took less than two months. I stood under the building and thought for a long time. If the greedy CEO Truong Khong knew how to value his employees, the outcome might have been completely different.

But there is no “if” in the business world, there are only choices and the consequences of those choices. I took out my phone and texted Director Vuong. Director Vuong, I will be in charge of tomorrow’s technical sharing session. The topic will be the value and dignity of technical people. Very quickly, Director Vuong sent back a thumbs up.
I smiled and turned to leave. The night wind was cold, but my heart was very warm. Because I knew I was in a company that truly respected technology. Here, my value would be recognized and my dignity would never be trampled. M.