One o’clock in the afternoon.

Zhongcheng Group headquarters building, Food and Beverage Business Department.

Ding Furong hummed a song, carrying a cup of Luckin coffee, and walked briskly into the semi-open office in the corner.

He warmly placed the coffee on the table, smiling as he said, "Brother Feng, your coconut latte, hot."

"Hmm, just leave it there."

Gao Junfeng didn’t even lift his head, still focused on the data reporting on his computer screen, his tone flat.

Ding Furong didn’t mind, he quickly returned to his workstation, tore open a packet of instant three-in-one and made himself a cup of coffee.

Then he happily leaned back in his ergonomic chair and started browsing short videos.

Management at Zhongcheng Group wasn’t particularly strict, especially for positions like theirs that lean towards sales. As long as they can secure clients, day-to-day work is relatively free.

Moreover, he had Gao Junfeng backing him up, a promising future in sight.

Thinking about this, Ding Furong’s mood became all the more pleasant.

Approaching two o’clock in the afternoon.

"Ding dong—" The corporate WeChat notification sounded.

[HRBP-Li Xin: "Ding Furong, please come to Meeting Room 3 on the 6th floor, there’s something we need to discuss."]

Upon seeing the message, Ding Furong’s heart skipped a beat.

What’s this about? Is there a contract that hasn’t been signed?

He tidied his collar, harboring a mix of apprehension and anticipation, knocked on the meeting room door.

What came into view was HRBP Li Xin’s face, always wearing a professional smile.

After a brief exchange of pleasantries, Ding Furong sat down cautiously: "Sister Li, what’s the matter you needed me for?"

Li Xin looked at him and without extra preamble, directly cut to the chase and said: "Ding Furong, after an assessment by the Business Department and your immediate supervisor, we believe that your overall abilities significantly differ from the needs of our company’s channel business specialist position. So... I’m sorry to inform you that you did not pass the probationary period."

The smile on Ding Furong’s face froze instantly, a chill rushed up from his feet.

"This, this is impossible! Sister Li, could there be some mistake..."

"This is a decision made by the company after comprehensive consideration," Li Xin’s tone was firm, "You can now initiate your resignation application, and we will handle your severance compensation in accordance with labor laws..."

A few minutes passed.

Ding Furong walked out of the meeting room dazed, his mind buzzing.

Suddenly, he seemed to remember something and quickly rushed to Gao Junfeng’s office.

It was empty inside, his "big support" Gao Junfeng wasn’t there.

Ding Furong immediately took out his phone, dialing.

"Beep beep beep—" The call rang twice and was disconnected.

Calling again, it went into an unanswered status.

Ding Furong was sweating profusely, pacing back and forth in the small office area.

Waiting anxiously for over ten minutes.

Finally, Gao Junfeng appeared outside the office door.

His face was pale, walking unsteadily, his overall condition was worse than Ding Furong.

However, Ding Furong didn’t notice these details and immediately approached.

Speaking urgently: "Brother Feng! Something’s happened! I just got an HR notification saying I failed my probation period and was laid off! You have to help me—"

Before he could finish, Gao Junfeng suddenly turned his head and with a hoarse voice interrupted: "Shut up!"

Ding Furong was startled by his demeanor, his momentum instantly weakened, but he still spoke softly, unwilling to give up: "Sorry Brother Feng, I was too anxious. It’s mainly because you know it took a lot for me to get into Zhongcheng, you... you must help me..."

Gao Junfeng took a deep breath, gritting his teeth: "Help you my ass, I’m getting kicked out myself!"

"What?" Ding Furong’s eyes widened in disbelief, "You... you’re also laid off?"

Gao Junfeng clenched his fist, his face red with humiliation and anger, "Just got the notice that within this week, I have to complete all work handovers."

Upon hearing that Ding Furong was also laid off, he had already vaguely guessed the reason.

It must be because of Zhang Lei’s matter.

He never thought such a trivial issue would escalate to this extent.

At 26, an assistant to the Group Vice President, holding certain personnel advising powers, with a bright future ahead.

He originally thought his life was just beginning to take off.

But now it’s all become a joke.

Whether it was Su Ping or Qin Hua, they’ve completely shown a different side now.

Ding Furong’s expression changed several times, then he immediately thought of a more important matter, "Junfeng, that two thousand benefit fee you took from me earlier, shouldn’t you return it first."

Gao Junfeng, annoyed, said: "I already helped you get hired, I fulfilled what I promised, you’re still asking me for money?"

Upon hearing this, Ding Furong’s face turned cold.

Stepping forward, he tightly grabbed Gao Junfeng’s arm.

"Fengzi, don’t even think about defaulting! If you don’t return my money, neither of us will be better off!"

...

TC Private Club.

After finishing a full body essential oil SPA, Xie Shuyu changed into a soft silk bathrobe, heading to the nearby tea break area.

Next to the exquisite bone china tea set, freshly cut fruits and low-calorie yogurt mousse were arranged.

She had just sat down on the sofa.

"Ring—" Her phone suddenly rang.

[Meng Ran]

Connecting the call, Xie Shuyu said gently: "Hello, Ranran, what’s up?"

"Shuyu, am I interrupting your rest? There’s good news; I had to notify you first." On the other end, Meng Ran’s voice was brisk yet excited.

"Oh? What’s it about?"

"You’ve been worrying about Glimmer Coffee’s nationwide expansion and having a hard time securing high-quality cold chain dairy suppliers in the Southwest region, right?" Meng Ran didn’t keep her in suspense, directly getting to the point, "At the end of the month, our ’First Finance’ Southwest Business Department is hosting a private closed-door session in Rong City in conjunction with other organizations. I just got the final invitation list, and the Vice Presidents from the two Southwest dairy giants, New Hope and Ju Le, will personally lead teams to attend."