C17 Intentionally Making Things Difficult

"Vice Director Tang is treating everyone! Starting this month, everyone's salary is going up by $150. Hurry up and thank Vice Director Tang!"

A raise of $150 might not be a fortune, but it's certainly better than nothing.

Colleagues began showering Tang Li with compliments, almost putting her on a pedestal.

"Vice Director Tang is so generous, unlike our previous boss, who was stingy and tight-fisted. Looks like we have good days ahead!"

Tang Yan quietly held her thermos, listening to her coworkers' endless praise for the new Vice Director, and took a sip of water. She had to admit, Tang Li had a knack for winning people over.

In just half a day, she had managed to win the entire design department's favor with a $150 raise. Even Lee Weiwei, who hadn't been fond of her, was happily counting what she could buy with the extra money.

Tang Yan lowered her head and focused on her work.

In the afternoon, she was called into Tang Li's office again. As soon as she entered, a thick stack of blueprints was tossed in front of her.

"Are these the drafts you completed earlier?"

Tang Li smirked, fiddling with her freshly done nails.

"I really don't understand how someone with your skills got hired here. The client was completely dissatisfied with these drafts. There's no originality in the theme or concept. Is this how you approach your work?"

Tang Yan crouched down, slowly organizing the portfolio she had tossed onto the table, her expression unchanged.

“If the client has any issues, I’ll make the necessary changes. As for why I was hired, it’s because the company recognized my skills.”

Seeing her composed demeanor, Tang Li felt a surge of irritation. She sneered, “Alright then! I’ll give you a chance to prove your skills. Take this design back and make all the revisions based on the client’s feedback. Since you’re so capable, you should be able to finish by the end of the day, right?”

Even though she knew Tang Li was deliberately making things difficult, Tang Yan agreed without hesitation. “Sure.”

She wouldn’t show weakness in front of Tang Li; that would only encourage more bullying. But once she returned to her desk and saw the thick stack of designs, regret started to creep in.

She was deeply invested in this project and had designed over a dozen drafts. If she had to revise each one, there was no way she’d finish by the end of the day. Tang Yan sighed and buried herself in her work.

As expected, by the time the workday ended, she hadn’t even completed half of it.

“So, this is what you call skill? It seems like Group Leader Tang’s efficiency is a bit lacking. Are you not focused on your work, or are you just ignoring my requests?”

She was busy revising the designs when, unexpectedly, Tang Li came around to give her trouble again. Tang Yan gritted her teeth, glancing at the stack of mostly unfinished drafts, and explained, "Vice Director Tang, there are too many drafts in this initial design set to finish in one night. If the client isn't in a rush, could we possibly submit them by tomorrow?"

Tang Li, holding her bag, looked at her with disdain, her eyebrows slightly furrowed. "This isn't a flea market where you can haggle, Tang Yan. If you claim to be competent, then show me your skills. Don't use these as excuses."

With a mocking smile, she added, "I want to see the revised drafts sent to me by midnight." With that, she strutted out of the office in her three-inch heels.

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