Friday.
At about 10 am, Guo Shunjie returned to his desk after receiving a task from Chief Zhou in his office. He looked at the thick stack of documents and frowned. He then stood up and walked towards Dong Xuebing, who was doing some data entries. He smiled and place the stack of papers on the desk: “Xiao Dong, are you busy? Go through these documents. Chief Zhou said that there were too many spelling mistakes. You need to amend it. He needs it by noon.”
Should this be your job?
But Dong Xuebing wanted to maintain a good relationship with his colleagues. “Ok. I will do it now.”
Guo Shunjie nodded and returned to his desk. He crossed his legs and sat there drinking his tea.
11.30 am. Dong Xuebing and Tan Limei went upstairs to deliver a document.
On the way, Tan Limei asked softly: “Guo Shunjie asked you to do his task for him again?”
Dong Xuebing nodded. “We are colleagues, and we should help each other.”
“Hmph! What help each other? Guo Shunjie likes to order the newcomers around because he knows the District Political Commissar. He acts as if he is the leader in the office. When I just arrived here, he had also asked me for lots of things. It’s so sickening.” Tan Limei grumbled. “Oh, before you and Sun Zhuang came, there was a hardworking young man. But he left because of Guo Shunjie. Who can tolerate being ordered around by him?”
Dong Xuebing was surprised. “Really?”
“Why should I lie to you?” Tan Limei did not say any more. “Just be careful.”
“I will. Thanks for telling me.” Dong Xuebing was thinking. Being in an organization was so much different than in school.
During lunch, Dong Xuebing passed the documents back to Guo Shunjie. “Brother Guo, it’s done.”
Guo Shunjie did not say anything and flipped the document and read a few pages. He nodded. “Good. Thank you.” Guo Shunjie saw Guo Panwei, Changjuan and the rest going out for lunch, he patted the empty seat beside him. “Xiao Dong, sit. Let’s have a chat.”
Dong Xuebing sat down: “What is it?”
When both were the only ones left in the office, Guo Shunjie smiled and said: “I think you are a smart person. You are much smarter than Sun Zhuang. What are your plans for your future? Have you have thought about it? Do you have any goals?” Guo Shunjie’s tone was like a leader asking his subordinate.
Dong Xuebing cursed in his heart and half-heartedly replied: “No. I still do not know if I could keep my position as a staff member. I think I need to have some good results first.” Not everyone who became a civil servant will have an iron rice bowl. According to the rules, if a newly posted civil servant received “Bad” appraisal continuously for 2 years, he will be asked to go. Of course, very few agencies will do this unless the person’s performance was atrocious, or he had offended some leaders.
Guo Shunjie laughed. “Stop your pretenses. You have entered this office for a few days, and you should have heard about it.” He was referring to his relationships with the leaders. “Xiao Dong, if you follow me I can help you. I should be promoted latest by next year. When the time comes, I can easily give you a helping hand. There is nothing to lose.” He was very straightforward.
Huh? What’s the meaning of this? He tries to pull me over to his side? Follow him?
But you are also not a leader. Do I need to follow you?
Dong Xuebing knew that if he became Guo Shunjie’s follower, Guo Shunjie would surely order him around. He might even have to serve him tea. Promotion? He does not have the authority to promote anybody. Also if he had the power to promote someone and he refuses to promote Dong Xuebing, there was nothing Dong Xuebing could do. This was like a blank cheque.
Dong Xuebing wants to be promoted, but he was not stupid. After thinking for a while, he replied: “Brother Guo, thank you for thinking so highly of me. But I have just entered the General Affairs Department, and I am still learning the ropes. I just want to focus on the tasks on hand. I hope……” Dong Xuebing had to reject Guo Shunjie nicely. Dong Xuebing also did not want to offend anyone, especially those with backgrounds.
Guo Shunjie’s face changes instantly. “I have given you a chance. Have you thought it through?” He had asked the District’s Political Commissar committee for a promotion. He was thinking of how to get his own men to be transferred over to the new department if he got promoted next year. Bringing his own men to the new workplace would make his job easier. This was why he wanted to rope Dong Xuebing in. But Dong Xuebing rejected him, and he felt he had lost face.
Dong Xuebing hesitated for a while and replied: “I really thank you for your offer, but I……”
Guo Shunjie immediately stood up with a grimace face: “You don’t know what’s good for you!” Dong Xuebing had successfully aggroed him.
Dong Xuebing slapped his forehead. Damn. In less than a week, I had offended my colleague.
2 pm.
Guo Shunjie walked out of Chief Zhou’s room and walked straight to Dong Xuebing’s desk. He threw a stack of documents on the desk: “Copy 5 sets. Don’t mess up the pages. I want it before 4 pm.” Guo Shunjie’s tone was like a superior giving order to a subordinate.
Everyone in the office looked over. All of them wondered how did Dong Xuebing offend Guo Shunjie.
Dong Xuebing was furious. This was Guo Shunjie’s true colors. He really wanted to give him a kick in his face.
If I follow you, I will be your underlings. If I don’t follow you, I still have to do your work. What other choices do I have? Damn. I had never seen anyone so unreasonable.
What a bitch.
After a while, Guo Shunjie went to the restroom for a smoke. Tan Limei and Zhuang Zhi asked: “Xuebing, what happened?”
Dong Xuebing replied with a forced smile: “Nothing.”
Both saw that Dong Xuebing was not willing to say and they did not press on further. They returned back to their tasks.
Guo Panwei who was sitting nearby, looked at Dong Xuebing: “Xiao Dong, are you busy?” He pointed to a box beside him. “I am busy now. Help me bring these to the Finance Department later.” Guo Panwei saw Dong Xuebing could be bullied and he also passed him his tasks. After that, he entered Chief Zhou’s office to brew tea for him.
Damn it!
When will this ever stop?
Dong Xuebing almost cursed out loud. Both Guo Shunjie and Guo Panwei were assholes.
Dong Xuebing finally understood “Being nice will be bullied.” He clenched his fist tightly. He knew that he must do something to get out of this. If not, he will have to remain as a lowly staff member forever.
