Chapter 276: Chapter 168: Resignation
"Youâre resigning?"
Sun Mingliâs brow furrowed. The other executives in the conference room perked up their ears as if theyâd just heard some earth-shattering news, ready to enjoy the show.
"Isnât this exactly what you wanted?"
In a rare break from character, Qin Yuenan offered a breathtakingly beautiful, faint smile, but it was laced with a chilling coldness.
Hearing this, Sun Mingli clenched and unclenched her fists under the table.
Indeed, Qin Yuenan was right.
But from the companyâs perspective, she didnât want Qin Yuenan to resign.
Sun Mingliâs feelings toward Qin Yuenan were complicated; it was a love-hate relationship.
She "hated" that Qin Yuenan had no sense of tact, didnât respect seniority, and constantly challenged her.
But she also "loved" that Qin Yuenanâs professional skills and work ethic were a massive asset to the company.
Otherwise, there was no way she would have become the Marketing Director at only twenty-eight years old.
As much as she hated to admit it, Qin Yuenanâs excellence was undeniable.
Sun Mingliâs words from yesterdayâ"I could find anyone to replace you as Marketing Director"âhad been said purely out of anger.
She had only wanted to knock Qin Yuenanâs arrogance down a peg, lest her achievements outshine her superiorâs.
But who would have thought she would actually get so angry that sheâd just quit?
This was a ruthless killing blow, putting Sun Mingli in a complete checkmate.
She wasnât yet familiar with the operations in the East China Region, and the companyâs internal structure was still undergoing adjustments and optimization.
If Qin Yuenan were to leave now, it would be a devastating blow to Pet Guardian Homeâs Modu branch!
Setting aside the difficulty of finding another marketing director to take her place, just think of the network of contacts and marketing data she controlled. If any other company in the pet industry managed to recruit her, wouldnât that be like handing a massive gift to a competitor?
But even knowing that Qin Yuenanâs resignation would cause endless problems for the company, Sun Mingli was too proud to say anything conciliatory. Her expression only grew darker.
She knew perfectly well that by resigning at this moment, in front of all the companyâs senior executives, Qin Yuenan was making a power play to put her in her place.
âIf I back down now, how will I ever be able to lead this team?â
âHow will I manage these insubordinate troublemakers?â
"Hmph. Suit yourself."
Sun Mingli snorted, deciding to try a different, more indirect approach to see if she could get Qin Yuenan to stay.
"I donât know which company has extended you an olive branch, but thereâs hardly a company in the entire pet industry that pays better than Pet Guardian Home."
"Besides, with your non-compete agreement, if you resign, you wonât be able to work for a full year!"
"Oh, but I never signed a contract like that."
As if she had expected Sun Mingli to bring up the non-compete agreement, a smirk played on Qin Yuenanâs lips.
"Just as you said, anyone can do marketing. There are no so-called âsecrets,â which is why headquarters never had me sign a non-compete agreement."
"Of course, you can rest assured that in accordance with corporate law, I wonât be leaking too many of Pet Guardian Homeâs core secrets."
"So you really have found a new employer!"
Sun Mingli seethed.
She couldnât believe their own company hadnât signed a non-compete agreement with Qin Yuenan!
âWasnât that just an open invitation for someone to poach her?â
Sun Mingliâs grave expression was deeply satisfying to Qin Yuenan.
After spending so much time with Lin Shen, she had also picked up his playful, teasing way of speaking.
"You canât stop me from pursuing a better future, can you?"
"Hmph. Do you really think anyone in this country can compete with Pet Guardian Home in the pet industry?"
Sun Mingli sneered.
"Iâve seen people leave for better opportunities, but this is the first time Iâve seen someone leave for a worse one."
"I hope the company youâre going to can put up a good fight. Do you need us to charitably toss them a sliver of the market?"
"Letâs hope you can still talk to me like this the next time we meet."
Qin Yuenan couldnât be bothered to argue anymore. She turned and left.
She left behind an ashen-faced Sun Mingli and a crowd of gawking onlookers.
âQin Yuenan was resigning?â
The news was a bombshell dropped into still water.
Although Qin Yuenanâs icy personality and rigorous work ethic were frequent topics of complaint...
...there was no denying she was gorgeous.
And as everyone knows, good looks are a powerful motivator for subordinates.
Getting chewed out by a top-tier beauty with long legs like Qin Yuenan was one thing. But if someone ugly was pressuring you every day, who would have any motivation to come to work?
For that reason, many employees in the company actually had a good impression of Qin Yuenan, and some were even her loyal followers.
After all, beauty is justice!
Combine that with her outstanding professional skills and capabilities, and it was only natural that she had everyoneâs respect.
Therefore, her resignation would likely send shockwaves through the entire company...
All eyes turned to Sun Mingli, and a seed of resentment toward her began to sprout in their hearts.
âBringing a personal grudge to work is going too far.â
âAfter all, if she could force a workaholic like Qin Yuenan to quit, whoâs to say one of us wonât be next?â
A sense of unease and self-preservation began to spread, but Sun Mingli was completely oblivious.
She scanned the room and said coldly.
"Not a word of what happened today leaves this room. If it does, youâll face the consequences. Meeting adjourned."
â"Face the consequences?"â
âThat old hag is so damn annoying when she talks!â
Everyone grumbled internally. As they got up and filed out of the conference room, only a few people that Sun Mingli had brought from headquarters approached her to ask with concern.
"President Sun, are you all right?"
"President Sun, donât mind that stone-faced woman. Isnât her resignation a good thing for you? Now the whole company can finally work together as one, and efficiency will improve!"