"A little." Chen Lizhou replied.

Director Xing sat down opposite Chen Lizhou, habitually glancing at Chen Lizhou's notebook as people in the workplace do.

[Scene: Shi Chuxin called to urge layoffs.]

[Feeling: Breathing rapidly...]

[...]

Before Director Xing could read more on the notebook, Chen Lizhou had already closed the book.

"Your computer is beeping; you've got emails," Director Xing reminded again.

From his angle, he couldn't see what was on the computer screen.

Chen Lizhou glanced over, noticing yet another email titled "[Hello Mr. Chen, I am Teacher Su's student...]" at the start.

He didn't think much of it, and as before, directly canceled the email notifications.

Then Chen Lizhou turned to face Director Xing directly: "What's up?"

"I came to chat with you." Director Xing said.

The weather was rather dry, and Director Xing occasionally sniffed his bulbous nose.

He suddenly realized that since coming in, Chen Lizhou hadn't offered any water.

This kind of behavior lacking workplace social etiquette might annoy Director Xing if it were someone else.

But currently, Director Xing said nothing; instead, he walked over to the water dispenser by himself, poured water for both himself and Chen Lizhou, and returned to his seat.

"I came over to chat... How have you been lately?"

"Pretty good." Chen Lizhou replied concisely.

A cross-department director visiting obviously meant there was serious business to discuss.

And before discussing genuine matters, chatting about unrelated topics to foster some rapport as a prelude is also a part of workplace social etiquette.

Though for Director Xing, this prelude may be one of the reasons he came over today.

"I've heard... heard something." Director Xing carefully chose his words, "You've been late quite a few times recently, haven't you?"

"Several from our department have seen you only around noon, saying you look a bit unkempt, just like someone who stayed up all night with clients and rushed in late in the morning, hahaha..."

Saying this, Director Xing surreptitiously sized up Chen Lizhou, his gaze sweeping over his outfit.

Compared to some time ago, today's Chen Lizhou seemed even more unkempt. Not only was he sporting a patchy stubble, but he wasn't wearing a suit; he simply threw on a jacket over his shirt.

The sales department is arguably the most image-conscious department in the company. After all, proper attire is crucial when meeting clients.

And the current state of Chen Lizhou seemed he had decided to settle in the office, oversee operations, and wouldn't take a step outside the company.

"..." Chen Lizhou didn't respond, just stared directly at Director Xing's face.

Director Xing blinked, sniffed his nose as he continued: "Then I've also heard you're not personally handling any of your projects now, instead passing everything to your subordinates? Leading to slow progress?"

"I'm not saying it's like you're just waiting to earn your subordinate's profits?" Director Xing said jokingly.

However, his next statement turned serious: "Old Chen, you transitioned from a technical position, so I've always felt that we have good conversations. But your current state... isn't right."

"Although in our position, logically layoffs shouldn't concern us, recently the company's changes are significant; many things are unpredictable."

"Have you heard they laid off several from legal the other day? Typically, who would touch the legal team? While there's some outside mess, who can say it's not used as an excuse?" 𝗳𝚛𝚎𝚎𝘄𝕖𝕓𝕟𝕠𝚟𝚎𝕝.𝗰𝕠𝐦

"I felt it affected a crucial part. With fewer legal personnel, it complicates company operations, maybe giving us a breather, don't you think... No, what's wrong with you?"

Director Xing's serious talk didn't elicit the expected reaction.

Chen Lizhou still stared straight at Director Xing, seemingly lost in thought.

"Old Chen? Old Chen?"

Director Xing couldn't help but wave his hand twice in front of the other: "Chen Lizhou!"

The technical sales director snapped back, looking at the unusual expression on Director Xing's face.

After a moment, Chen Lizhou spoke slowly: "Is your nose very dry? I've noticed you've been sniffing..."

"Why don't I introduce you to a reliable doctor?"

I'm analyzing the company's current situation, and you ask about my dry nose?

You're quite nice! So concerned about me?!

Just now, Director Xing wasn't upset by all of Chen Lizhou's impolite actions.

Instead, he was slightly annoyed now.

His limited patience exhausted, Director Xing took a deep breath and decided to skip the relationship-building prelude.

"Let's talk business," Director Xing said.

"You know—recently, the company took on many projects at once, and our department is short-staffed. But the company isn't hiring, so many of our programmers are handling multiple tasks, now feeling stretched thin."

Director Xing said, "Those projects were brought in by you; you're familiar with the clients. I thought maybe you could help negotiate for some extension. After all, the company is in a special period; I'm genuinely worried HR might find a reason."

"My team members have it tough; many are over thirty with families..."

At this point, even if Director Xing felt uneasy, he still suppressed his emotions, trying to speak as gently as possible.

Yet, Chen Lizhou started staring firmly at Director Xing again, saying nothing.

Director Xing took a deep breath: "Old Chen, I've always thought of you as a standard."

"You're known for treating your subordinates well in the company."

"Help me this time, let my team get through this hurdle. I'll return the favor later. When you bring orders, isn't it our department doing the actual work? Our two departments help each other..."

Chen Lizhou suddenly reacted.

"You're worried your staff might get laid off?"

"... Yes." Director Xing blinked.

Chen Lizhou said, "You care a lot about your subordinates."

This comment made Director Xing suddenly a bit embarrassed: "Why are you saying that now... cough, actually, that seminar by Teacher Nan, I was..."

Before Director Xing could finish, Chen Lizhou leaned forward sharply.

Since Director Xing entered the office, this was the first time Chen Lizhou showed strong emotion.

"When you feel your projects are delayed and your staff might be targeted by HR, what's your mood? Can you tell me? Can you?"

This remark was even more impolite than before.

But perhaps Chen Lizhou's curiosity was too evident, and the urgency in his words too strong, Director Xing was somewhat intimidated.

He instinctively stammered, "Ah? I... um, it's worry? Guilt?"

"Worry, guilt." Chen Lizhou repeated Director Xing's words.

Director Xing awkwardly scratched his face: "After all... feels like if I don't help them, it's like betraying someone. You know... sigh, everyone knows, actually, well, I..."

Director Xing's words were interrupted by Chen Lizhou.

"And when you feel worried, guilty, how does your body feel? Can you tell me?"

This remark made Director Xing awkward again: "Why are you asking this..."

"You tell me, and I'll reach out to the clients!"

Director Xing took a deep breath: "If that's the case..."

"Uh... it's like a blockage in my chest."

"Okay, a blockage in the chest, what else?"

Director Xing saw Chen Lizhou suddenly open the notebook he had seen earlier, starting to record quickly.