Zhao Yinian’s words had everyone on the edge of their seats.
The entire staff’s eyes were fixed on her.
Chen Siyan was the first to lose his patience: “Don’t beat around the bush like a leaky faucet—dribbling and dragging it out. Spit it out, I’m busy here. I’ve got a livestream class to get back to, making my contribution to the company.”
Zhao Yinian: “You know so much about leaky faucets and all—guess you’ve had personal experience?”
Chen Siyan: “Absolutely not. I’ve got a powerhouse kidney and prostate.”
Zhao Yinian: “Can’t you live without bragging?”
Chen Siyan: “I never brag, just speak the truth. I’m the spokesman for my mighty kidney and prostate.”
The meeting room burst into cheerful laughter.
Only Zhao Yinian wasn’t laughing.
She slammed the table hard: “Quiet down. Let’s continue the meeting.”
The crowd stifled their laughter and refocused on the matter at hand: “a major announcement to be made.”
Zhao Yinian glanced at Song Xinya, then at Chen Siyan, who was practically glued to her side, and began to speak.
“Our company is selecting a Golden Instructor this year. In previous years, you had to have worked here for over five years to qualify.”
“This year, to embrace diversity, break the old routine of ‘eating from the same big pot’ and racking up seniority, and fully embody the new concept of rewarding the capable and giving opportunities to the talented, the qualification criteria have changed: the top three in performance can all apply.”
“Those who become Golden Instructors will get a 30% salary increase, plus a certain number of company shares—Qin Group shares, which carry serious weight.”
Chen Siyan’s eyes lit up: “Finally, the chance to compete for Golden Instructor is here. I’m the company’s number one in performance—of course, I’m signing up!”
Zhao Yinian smiled and said: “Manager Chen is so outstanding, you definitely should sign up.”
She cast a provocative look at Song Xinya: “The waves behind drive the waves ahead, and the front ones get washed up on the shore. Teacher Song hasn’t been here long, but she’s already ranked second company-wide in performance. I assume she’ll also sign up for the Golden Instructor selection?”
Chen Siyan looked at Song Xinya with gleaming eyes.
Song Xinya returned his gaze, followed her own heart, and didn’t hide her true thoughts. She answered honestly: “I will sign up.”
Zhao Yinian smiled.
What “break the old rules” and “give talented people more opportunities”? The real reason Zhao Yinian changed the criteria was to make Chen Siyan and Song Xinya turn against each other.
Creating discord is a common workplace tactic. Leaders don’t like it when employees get along too well.
Because it weakens the leader’s authority and makes it easy to be bypassed.
By making Chen Siyan and Song Xinya clash, they’d be at odds, competing and resenting each other, which would make the leader indispensable—balancing power by pushing one and pulling the other.
That’s workplace politics: the leader making things hard for employees.
Zhao Yinian smirked to herself. “Still planning to grab barbecue together after work? Let’s see if you two can even stomach it.”
In the evening, at the end of the workday, as soon as five o’clock hit, Chen Siyan threw his backpack over his shoulder and swung it on.
“Folks, if today’s work isn’t done, leave it for tomorrow. Life’s too short—let’s go grab some barbecue!”
He walked over to Song Xinya’s desk and knocked on it: “The company belongs to the boss, not you. Why work so hard? Slack off, and the boss’s fishbone turns into fried rice. Dog it, and the boss’s BMW turns into a shared bike.”
“Life’s all about food and drink. Of all the world’s affairs, only good food and love are unbeatable.”
Chen Siyan raised his arm in a cheer, and the crowd responded. Everyone dropped their tasks and headed out for barbecue.
At the barbecue stand, Song Xinya and Chen Siyan sat across from each other.
The waiter brought over a plate of skewers sizzling and dripping with oil on the charcoal fire, placing it in the center of the table.
“There’s a big crowd today, so the skewers are a bit short. You two dig in for now; the rest will follow.”
The skewers were wrapped in a spicy, smoky fragrance. The meat gleamed with oil, the outer skin slightly crispy. With one bite, the hot, savory juices burst on the tongue, layering with spicy and fresh flavors.
Chen Siyan grabbed a skewer and took a bite, then handed the only chicken wing to Song Xinya: “Here, eat.”
Song Xinya took it: “Thanks, Brother Yan.”
Chen Siyan wolfed down the skewers in big, unrestrained bites, eating with gusto: “Don’t mention it. We’re the best two monkeys in the world.”
Song Xinya smiled as she watched him, then turned serious and said: “Brother Yan, I want to talk to you about signing up for the Golden Instructor selection.”
Chen Siyan picked up his beer, took a gulp, and swallowed the meat in his mouth.
“You’re not feeling awkward about competing with me for Golden Instructor, are you?”
People are not made of wood or stone; feelings are inevitable.
Song Xinya indeed felt a little awkward.
Chen Siyan was the best friend she had made since joining this company.
He had shared his livestreaming experience and tips with her without holding anything back.
Back when she went to visit young master Jin Ruizhi, Chen Siyan was worried she’d have a rough time alone as a woman, so he set aside his own work to go with her—giving her courage, accompanying her to the market, helping her a lot.
In an instant, they’d gone from close friends to competitors.
This shift in roles often brought with it a cooling and distancing of the relationship.
Song Xinya felt it was necessary to have a good talk with Chen Siyan.
“Brother Yan, I know that being selected as Golden Instructor has always been your dream…”
Chen Siyan cut her off: “And I know it’s always been your dream too…”
He put down his skewer, wiped his mouth, and said seriously: “Teacher Song, rest assured, even if we’re competitors, it won’t affect our friendship.”
“Wuliangye never badmouths Moutai, and Moutai doesn’t trash Wuliangye—they both became world-famous spirits.”
“At BMW’s centennial celebration in 2016, Mercedes sent a message of gratitude, thanking them for 100 years of competition.”
“The strong support each other; the weak tear each other down. Only with a big heart can you stand tall in the world.”
“We’re only temporarily in a competitive relationship. Take the long view—it’s not like we’ll be rivals forever.”
“New people come and old ones go in a company, but at the end of the day, it’s just work. As long as you’re in the workplace, you’ll inevitably face competition. It’s unavoidable, and there’s no need to dodge it. Just accept it—naturally, calmly, and openly.”
“Let each of us show our skills. Whoever has the ability gets to be Golden Instructor. If you don’t win, it’s no big deal—just keep trying next time.”
“Don’t turn a competitor into an enemy because of one contest. That’s narrow-minded, and it’s not how a real man does things. Let’s get along as usual, hang out as usual, and work as usual.”
“If I get selected this time, I’ll cheer for myself. If you get selected, I’ll cheer for you. Either way, it’s a win-win.”
“Everyone wants a promotion and a raise. Everyone wants a better life. It’s only human. No need to yield, no need to feel awkward, Teacher Song. Competing or not, we’re still good friends.”
Chen Siyan looked at Song Xinya: "Teacher Song, now do you see my point?"
Song Xinya: "Actually, that's my point too."
The waiter brought over another plate of skewers, and Chen Siyan once again handed the only chicken wing skewer to Song Xinya.
"See, that's why we're good friends—same values, both straightforward people."
After finishing the topic about competing for the gold medal lecturer position, Chen Siyan said, "Teacher Song, you have a boyfriend, but I'm still single."
Song Xinya pulled out her phone: "I'll call Tiantianquan over for you."
She dialed, and said into the phone: "Quanquan, come over for some barbecue."
Tiantianquan: "Sparks fly from an iron tree, dumb people talk, rivers flow backward, stones sprout, the sun rises from the west—my fair-weather bestie who forgets friends for romance, you actually thought of me on your own! Ahhh!"
Song Xinya: "Because my husband is on a business trip."
Tiantianquan: "So I'm just Plan E, option B, a split end, the foam from a washing machine, a crushed cookie in the supermarket, the benchwarmer sitting in the corner of the basketball court—finally getting to play?"
Song Xinya: "You don't want to come?"
Tiantianquan: "If I just show up because you asked, that's no fun. I'm busy today, sis. Not going."
Song Xinya: "There's a hot guy here. High nose bridge, long fingers, nice butt, great stamina, strong prostate, and a really impressive package—20 centimeters."
Tiantianquan ran out the door: "I'm on my way!"
