Chapter 3: The Small Man Achieves His Ambition

  A penny can be a hero's downfall, this taste Zhao Long has not experienced for the first time. In the past, with low wages and having to support two younger sisters in school, sometimes by the end of the month there was no money left for food, often running to Aunt Li's place to beg for meals. Originally thought that as long as he could get through this year it would be fine, because the company is going to establish a new sales department, Zhao Long might become the head of this department, and everything would be alleviated at that time. But at this most critical moment, having not gone to the company for three days already, being able to avoid being fired was already a stroke of luck.

  Zhao Long secretly sighed in his heart, and this became another obstacle for himself. He had originally wanted to work for a few years, alleviate the difficulties of himself and his family, and save some capital to do something on his own. Zhao Long had never thought of being stuck in a 9-to-5 job forever, but he hadn't had the means before, and his family situation hadn't allowed him to start his own business.

  "Thank you, Aunt Li. I'll think of another way. If it really doesn't work out, I'll come find you and Uncle Li again. Uncle Li is driving a taxi at home and only makes 800 yuan a month. You still have to support Yoyou's education..."

  Before Zhao Long finished speaking, Li Shu's large fan was already slapping on Zhao Long's shoulder: "Don't be polite to me, you can get a scholarship by yourself, and I'm not making less money by doing housework for others now. That fox spirit Yao Mei Li is so annoying. If we say it's good, let's discuss it, even if the rent increases a bit, it's okay, but she doesn't even have a door. When the contract expires, he'll beg us to stay and we won't be here, what a waste of the landlord's kindness."

  Zhao Long listened to Auntie Li's words and was also amused by her. However, he knew that if he let Auntie Li continue talking, it would be fine for an hour or even three to five hours.

  "Li aunt, don't worry, I'll think of a way. I'll go back and change my clothes, then head to the company to take a look." Zhao Long wasn't someone who couldn't bear hardships. Even if it meant spending an extra hour commuting every day, he could still afford a place that cost around 200 yuan per person for a shared rental, even a basement would be fine. However, this was his first time working and earning money to rent a place, and the contract was also a test of his self-worth. As he watched the changes around him, he was constantly proving his point. If he had some money in hand, relying on his understanding of Shuguang Street, Zhao Long was confident that he could earn his first pot of gold. In Zhao Long's heart, Shuguang Street was where he wanted to realize his dreams.

  Aunt Li heard Zhao Long say this and reminded him a few more times before leaving.

  After going through so many things, although he didn't feel anything physically, Zhao Long felt extremely exhausted in his heart, and his mind was also very messy. He didn't continue to communicate with the soul in his left arm, and fell asleep on the bed.

  He slept until the next morning and changed his clothes. He thought that he might have left his phone at the company, and his clothes and wallet should be in the hospital, but now he didn't dare to go back to the hospital. So Zhao Long went out to find a small supermarket and used a public phone to call his good friend Li Feng. Fortunately, there was still some spare change in his room, otherwise it would have been really difficult for him to move around.

  "Fatso, go and take a look at the situation for me. It's best if you can bring my things out for me. Just tell them that I've been taken away by my family, don't worry about anything else. The doctors there are all over the place, they say something about amputation for even minor injuries. Alright, I have to go to the company first. Remember, don't mention my situation to them, just say I went back to my hometown, remember that." Zhao Long was also helpless, Fatso was his university roommate and now the only roommate left with him in Haicheng.

  His ID card and bank card were still in the hospital, which was inconvenient to retrieve. Secondly, Zhao Long was also afraid that they would find him again. His memory was particularly clear now, and he could even remember what he had heard vaguely at the time. He remembered that someone had already paid his medical expenses, probably a relative of the child, otherwise he wouldn't have been able to stay in a single room. This amount didn't need to be borne by him, which would have made things even more difficult. In this way, the hospital could still be somewhat reasonable. Zhao Long's current idea was to try not to contact anyone who knew about his amputation.

  Fortunately, I left my mobile phone in the office that day. Otherwise, they would have used my mobile phone to contact my friends and family, which would be a big trouble now.

  Zhao Long works for a company called Rui Chi, an electric vehicle manufacturer that is a new brand in the south. Three years ago, they set up a sales department in Haicheng to break into the market. At that time, they specifically went to Haicheng University to recruit, but those people from Haicheng University had high expectations and not many applied for the newly established sales department. What surprised everyone at the time was that Zhao Long, a big shot from Haicheng University, actually went to apply. This was quite news at Haicheng University back then. Originally, Zhao Long could have entered a foreign-funded enterprise, but he ended up going to this private company, and it was just a newly established sales department.

  At that time, the electric vehicle market was not very popular, and few people were optimistic. In just a few years, the electric vehicle market has become extremely hot. Zhao Long also became the head of a sales team from an ordinary employee, and if it weren't for the sudden unexpected event, he would have become one of the department heads in Ruiqi's Haiding sales department.

  Rui Chi's headquarters in Haicheng is located in a 5A-grade office building on the city's most prosperous financial street, and has expanded from two offices to an entire floor, with one-third of which is for the newly established sales team.

  As soon as he came in, looking at the newly renovated area, Zhao Long was also deeply moved. At this time, someone else also came up from another elevator with a stack of documents.

  "Hey, where have you been for the past few days? How can you disappear at such a critical moment?" Xiao Yang is a core member of Zhao Long's team and one of the most loyal followers. This time, Zhao Long has already submitted an application to his superiors to let him become the head of a small group in the newly established Sales Department 2. However, looking at his current state, he seems to be doing the work of a newcomer. Xiao Yang said as he took Zhao Long to a corner with one hand holding some documents.

  "I thought something had happened to you, and your phone was in the company, and I couldn't find you anywhere. I've been to your place twice, if only you could have come back a day earlier...” Xiao Yang is not tall, and somewhat thin, with a slender figure that makes women jealous. Seeing Zhao Long, he first felt surprised, then relieved, followed by a face full of disappointment and pain, and couldn't help but feel regretful.

  "Something unexpected happened, has the head of Sales Department 2 been decided?" Zhao Long didn't want to mention these past few days and looked at the newly renovated Sales Department 2, which already had someone entering and exiting.

  "Actually, it wasn't that urgent at first, but our biggest competitor in the domestic market is going to hold a large-scale promotional event in Haicheng, and Wang Shuowang is secretly manipulating things from behind the scenes. The woman he recommended has a close relationship with him, and although there's also a manager sent by the headquarters, they've got everything under control. This guy even submitted a report to the higher-ups asking for your resignation, completely erasing all your years of hard work. But don't worry, boss, the decision hasn't been finalized yet, you should quickly go explain things to them, and if that doesn't work, directly appeal to the headquarters." Xiao Yang spoke rapidly, laying out the entire situation in a flurry of words. His educational background wasn't impressive, but he owed his job at Ruiqi to Zhao Long, who had recruited him at a job fair years ago, and since then he had been working hard alongside Zhao Long at Ruiqi.

  As a salesperson, especially one who is expanding his business, Zhao Long has experienced everything. With his personality, he wouldn't be affected by such things anyway. However, if it were a few days ago, he would not have been so calm and composed listening to Xiao Yang finish telling him about the matter. At this moment, however, he was extremely calm. Thinking about how his arm had been amputated in the hospital, and then regrown, as well as the great soul inside who couldn't even remember his own name, these things didn't seem like a big deal anymore.

  "I'll go take a look first, let's talk again when I get back." Zhao Long patted Xiao Yang, who had only an elementary school education but was extremely clever and most importantly, willing to learn and improve.

  When Zhao Long walked into the sales department, many people froze, some avoided him pretending to be busy. Some nodded and greeted him, those who had a good relationship with him before came over to whisper a few words, asking with concern.

  "Knock...knock..." Zhao Long knocked on Wang Shu Wang's door, who was the head of the sales department and Zhao Long's direct supervisor.

  "Come in..." a voice from inside sounded impatient.

  Zhao Long pushed the door open and went in, only to see Wang Shu Wang with his feet propped up on the office desk, half-reclining against the back of a massive boss chair, holding a phone with a red glow on his face.

  "Baby, I've arranged a celebratory dinner for you, aren't you reassured? That guy sent by headquarters doesn't understand anything, in the future this place will still be our domain..." Wang Shuwang didn't even lift his head, continuing to speak into the phone.

  Zhao Long knew as soon as he heard that he was making a call for someone else, replacing his own woman. It turned out to be Zhang Jing, the head of the third group in the sales department, who was also Wang Shu Wang's old lover.

  "This time I've gone to great lengths, tonight when you go back that new move you have to let me..." Wang Shu Wang said as he spoke, suddenly feeling something was off, why the person who came in hadn't spoken, his eyelids slightly lifted.

  "Whoa......" Wang Shu-wang suddenly saw Zhao Long and was also shocked. His body suddenly jerked back, pulling the phone with him, almost dropping it to the ground, and he nearly fell over as well.

  "Wait a minute...". Wang Shu-wang finally sat down with difficulty, said one sentence on the phone and hung up, then looked at Zhao Long.

  "Haha……" Wang Shu-wang suddenly laughed, casually picked up a cigarette from the side table and lit it, with an air of triumph in his expression. He took a deep drag, exhaled, and leaned on the table, looking at Zhao Long through the smoke: "Our Director Zhao is back, but unfortunately, it's too late. The headquarters has already appointed Zhang Jing as the head of Sales Department 2. And since you've been absent without leave for more than three days, I've already submitted a request to have you fired."

  "I want to settle my salary for this month." Actually, knowing that Zhang Jing had become the head of Sales Department 2, Zhao Long had already had this idea in mind, and staying here was meaningless.

  "You've been absent without leave for so many days, causing the company to lose a major client and fall behind our competitors' promotional plans by a day. Not making you pay compensation is already being lenient. And now you still want your salary..." Wang Shuwang didn't see the expected expression, no anger or outburst, and couldn't help but feel a little disappointed, his words becoming even more biting.

  Wang Shu Wang hadn't finished speaking when Zhao Long suddenly took a step forward, stretched out his hand, and before Wang Shu Wang could react, he was grabbed by the collar. With one swift motion, Zhao Long lifted Wang Shu Wang up over the massive office desk.

  At this moment, Zhao Long truly felt the change in his strength, stretching out his hand to lift a twenty-kilogram object, which was more difficult than lifting fifty kilograms directly, and this was only with his right hand.