Chapter 4The Unseen Architect: Why Your "Network" is Your Net Worth

Four days until contract expiration.

Zhang Wei assigned Linda to take over my work.

Perhaps a power play, showing me that a favored employee could easily take over my core work.

Holding the dry list like a royal decree, Linda sat opposite me arrogantly.

"Ethan, start. Tell me each client's quirks, likes, taboos, clearly."

Her tone was more interrogation than handover.

I pointed to the first client. "HuaSheng Group, Procurement Director Chen Jianhua, phone 139xxxxxxxx, public info. Contract terms here, special needs in Annex 3. Next."

"Wait!"

Linda interrupted. "That's it? Who wants this! I want the 'unspoken rules,' stuff not in docs! Like what tea Director Chen likes? What to note when dining?"

I looked at her calmly. "Sorry, my handover is limited to recorded company assets. My personal friendship with Director Chen and communication experience are personal and not within handover obligations."

"You!"

Linda flushed red. "You're uncooperative! Ethan, don't think you're special because you're leaving! You're making things difficult!"

Her voice shrill in the quiet office.

Leaning back, I showed undisguised aggression for the first time. "Which sentence in my document don't you understand? Or is your professional ability insufficient to grasp basic client data?"

A direct hit to her incompetence.

Her face paled, lips trembling, unable to refute.

Whispers started.

Some gloated at Linda's embarrassment; others thought I was too arrogant.

Seeing the situation spiral, Zhang Wei came out to mediate.

"Alright, all colleagues, talk nicely."

He turned to me with an elder's tone. "Ethan, be generous. Linda is doing this for work. Just impart your 'experience.' For the company's good."

Looking at his hypocritical face, I found it funny.

"Boss Zhang,"

I responded calmly, "Experience can't be imparted, only accumulated personally. My obligation is to hand over work, not run a years-long private training for my successor. If Ms. Linda needs hand-holding for basic client relations, I suggest reassessing her competency."

My words, like a sharp knife, cut Linda's face and Zhang Wei's mediation.

Zhang Wei's face darkened completely.

The office fell deathly silent.

In the solidified atmosphere, my phone vibrated.

A WeChat from Director Chen.

An exquisite electronic offer from a new company I'd never heard of: "Value Co-Creation."

Position: Senior Partner.

Salary: A figure I never imagined.

Closing the phone, I looked up at Zhang Wei's gloomy eyes, feeling unprecedented relief.

I'm done with this mess.