Hana took the wireless keyboard and mouse from in front of me. With a few clicks she opened a document stored on the memory card. It was her initial design draft. She then went through Mr. Zhang's suggestions one by one. My mind went blank as I sat there silently, watching Mr. Zhang nodding his head in satisfaction and looking at Hana with appreciation from time to time. The occasional feedbacks from other users were also filled with joy and praise, and the atmosphere in the meeting room was more lively than before.139Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfmfWum3ZxG
But I had lost interest in the discussion. I only knew that when Hana finished explaining, Mr. Zhang politely thanked her and hoped that we could revise the project timeline as soon as possible, so he could plan ahead and pre-assign colleagues to participate in the user acceptance test. I nodded my head in agreement like a heartless robot, and the meeting ended officially. Our department head instructed Hana, me, and other attendees to leave first, as he and Mr. Zhang had other matters to discuss.139Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMakxl1iX9G
"As the wisemen once said, 'The waves behind the Yangtze River push the waves ahead'. I admire your energy! You are just like Jan, or even better I should say. Keep it up." This was what Mr. Zhang said to Hana before she left.139Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLtyZ0aEtUr
Perhaps Mr. Zhang didn't mean to be offensive, but I was definitely, deeply hurt. So when I returned to my workspace, I immediately threw my notebook onto the desk and began pounding on the keyboard. Since it was lunchtime, the office was empty, and no one witnessed my outburst.139Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡazFdUfQU3S
"Did the keyboard offend you?" Hana was standing next to me.139Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKj6nLovAqT
I turned around and saw her smiling, which made me even angrier.
"What's so funny? Stop that stupid expression!" I shouted, "Why didn't you ask for my permission first? Instead, you took it upon yourself to make the decision? Have you forgotten that I'm your supervisor?"
"What's the difference?" Hana stopped smiling. "Please don't get angry at me. I just wanted to help..."
"Help? You mean help? So now I'm supposed to thank you?" I interrupted her. "Why didn't you let me handle it? Why didn't you let me explain and do the prioritisation? Do you know how much pressure this so-called 'help' will bring me? You are not helping, you are definitely pulling my leg! Do you understand?"
"Sorry, I don't know about these things..." Hana pleaded, "Please don't scold me, all I had back there was good intentions...."139Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1LnA970zFv
"Good intentions? Have you ever heard the saying 'the road to hell is paved with good intentions'?" I continued to shout. "And don't give me this bloody nonsense! If you don't know anything, you shouldn't do anything or say anything, that's common sense! It's common sense that every person should have!"139Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFjNVu70anS
"I'm really, really sorry. I really didn't know," Hana's eyes were turning red and she was obviously apologetic. "Please forgive me. I promise there won't be a next time..."139Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡs9Nrh6kDVM
"Forgive you? No next time? Hey, are you naive or pretending to be stupid?" I continued to yell. "Do you think what you did back there could be made up with a couple of stupid apologies from your damn mouth? Do you know where this place is? Let me tell you, this is a cut-throat business society, take one misstep you can be devoured without a trace. You are right about one thing though: You really don't know anything. You don't know about interpersonal relationships and bloody office politics... Wait, I know what you are - you are a pampered Kid! A spoiled child!"139Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡm7IYUkHwuN
At this point, I realised I had gone too far and stopped abruptly.139Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOwyytfvxjM
Tears streamed down Hana's face. She murmured in a hoarse voice and then turned and left.139Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPtGyCRo9dy
"I'm a spoiled and pampered kid? No, You're the selfish one who doesn't know anything!"139Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCjwVy3fXx6
Oh shit, shit, shit.139Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWuStGYghQy
I stood there in a daze, feeling a sharp pain in my heart, until my department head came back and brought me back to reality.
"Jan, Hana just told me she's taking the afternoon off. Is everything okay with her?"
"I think she has a cold," I stammered.
"This is what young people are like nowadays. Maybe she's going for a job interview," he said indifferently. "Hey, remember to update the project schedule by EOB today and let me take a look, okay?"
"Got it. I'll do it right after lunch."
I mechanically replied to his order, but my mind was full of thoughts of Hana, who was in tears. Over the years, my department head had only cared about project progresses and his own interests. I remembered the day my parents were hospitalised, and his cold text message.139Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡm3eNnErpba
"Please tell me about the progress of Project A - I need to report to management tomorrow."139Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡESz9FuGRnK
His selfishness and lack of empathy occasionally made me feel frustrated, but I was never surprised. People who only care about themselves will eventually face retribution. I understand the price he has paid to get to where he is today.
Right now, I'm most worried about Hana. But apart from worrying, there's nothing I can do because I don't have her phone number yet.139Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBz93ByuvTX
And so be it.
After work, I took the bus home and had dinner with my mom as usual. Ever since breaking up with Lolly, in addition to attending sessions by Becky as recommended by Kevin and Penny, I also followed their advice and hired a caregiver to take care of my mom at night, which gave me more free time to reduce stress. Because I live in Shatin (*a district in Hong Kong renowned for its location for long walks and runs nearby the Shing Mun River), I always take advantage of the free time at night to take a walk and sit by river. I like to observe the people on the street, especially the runners. I used to love sports during high school and at university, but I rarely have the time for it since graduation due to busy work. However, as I observed the persistence and enthusiasm of these runners, I can always recall the carefree and happy days of the past. After dinner today, I went to the Shing Mun River alone and sat on a bench, thinking about if I should, and how to cope with Hana by possibly doing some ice-breaking tomorrow. Suddenly, a familiar voice interrupted my thoughts.139Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVOys9G1FjF
"Brother Janny?"
I looked up and saw Hana.139Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpevzAnTuGc
