Chapter 3
Edward Quan ·
“I’m emailing the labor inspection team right now.”
“I’m reporting the company for withholding overtime pay, illegally transferring employees, and deliberately docking performance pay without cause.”
“I’ll attach all my overtime records for the past three years, too.”
My fingers tapped across the keyboard.
“See? I came prepared.”
“My time-clock records, work emails, screenshots of messages—it’s all here.”
Manager Zhao’s expression changed.
“You wouldn’t dare!”
I clicked Send.
“I just did.”
The office fell completely silent.
Everyone stopped what they were doing and looked our way.
Manager Zhao pointed at me.
“You—just you wait!”
He turned and stormed out, slamming the door behind him.
I sat back down.
My hands were shaking.
But I felt incredible.
Wang hurried over.
“Fang Zheng, you really sent it?”
I nodded.
“I really sent it.”
“Holy crap.”
Wang gave me a thumbs-up.
“You’re ruthless.”
Zhang Wei chimed in from the side, his voice dripping with sarcasm.
“So what if you sent it?”
“Just wait until you get fired.”
“Then we’ll see how you cry.”
I glanced at him.
“Zhang Wei, you work overtime all the time too, don’t you?”
“Have you ever calculated how much the company owes you for overtime under the Labor Law?”
Zhang Wei froze.
“I…”
“If you want to calculate it, I can show you how.”
I smiled.
“You might even get more than I do.”
Zhang Wei’s expression shifted several times. In the end, he couldn’t think of a reply and went back to his seat.
At four that afternoon, Chen from Human Resources came to find me.
“Fang Zheng, come with me for a moment.”
I followed her into a small meeting room.
A stack of papers was waiting on the table.
“This is a notice of termination.”
Chen’s expression was blank.
“The company has decided to end your employment.”
I picked up the paper and skimmed it.
Reason for termination: serious violation of company rules and regulations.
I smiled.
“Ms. Chen, what exactly did I seriously violate?”
“Refusing to follow work arrangements and disrupting order at the company.”
She pushed her glasses up.
“It’s all stated in the employee handbook.”
I took out my phone.
“Ms. Chen, are you sure you want to do this?”
“Article 48 of the Labor Contract Law says that if an employer unlawfully terminates a labor contract, the employee can demand reinstatement or compensation.”
“Compensation is twice the statutory severance.”
I set down my phone.
“I’ve worked here for three years, and my monthly salary is twelve thousand.”
“Using the N-plus-one formula, the severance would be forty-eight thousand.”
“So the compensation would be ninety-six thousand.”
“Ms. Chen, are you sure the company wants to pay that?”
Her expression changed.
“You…”
“Also, I’ve already filed a complaint with the labor inspection team.”
“Unpaid overtime, an illegal transfer, and maliciously withheld performance pay.”
“Those three claims together could cost the company well over a hundred thousand.”
“Ms. Chen, would you like to reconsider?”
The meeting room was frighteningly quiet.
Chen stared at me for a long moment.
“Just you wait.”
She picked up the papers and left.
I sat in my chair, my heart pounding.
But it felt great.
Damn, it felt great.
Ten minutes later, Manager Zhao burst in.
“Fang Zheng!”
He slammed his hand on the table.
“What the hell are you trying to do?”
I looked up.
“I’m trying to get back what I’m entitled to.”
“Entitled to?”
He sneered.
“Entitled to my ass!”
“The company supported you for three years, and this is how you repay us?”
“Supported me?”
I stood up.
“Manager Zhao, you know exactly how much work I handle every month.”
“That major project last year—would it have been delivered on time without me?”
“Who spent the weekend fixing the data Zhang Wei ruined?”
“Who revised Manager Li’s proposal eight times?”
“And now you’re telling me the company supported me?”
I stared straight at him.
“Manager Zhao, I’m the one who kept this company afloat.”
He was so angry he couldn’t get the words out.
“You—you…”
“What about me?”
I cut him off.
“I just want to use the Labor Law to get what I’m owed.”
“Is that wrong?”
“Or do you think labor law doesn’t apply to you, Manager Zhao?”
His face turned red.
“Fine. You’re ruthless.”
He pointed at me.
“Then I’ll see you in court!”
“Sure.”
I smiled.
“I’ll be waiting.”
Manager Zhao slammed the door on his way out.
I sat back down, took out my phone, and messaged Old Li.
“Can you recommend a reputable lawyer who knows labor law?”
Old Li replied right away.
“I’ve got one lined up. I’ll send you the contact.”
I looked at my phone screen.
Suddenly, I knew:
The fight had only just begun.
—
【Chapter 5】
Day five.
I went to work as usual.
But the atmosphere at the company had clearly changed.
In the hallway, people took the long way around whenever they saw me.
You’d think I was bad luck.
I didn’t care.
I clocked in, turned on my computer, and got to work.
At ten that morning, Wang crept over.
“Fang Zheng, I ran the numbers last night.”
He lowered his voice.