Chapter 140: I'm Sorry
His smile froze instantly.
For several seconds, he simply sat there in silence. Then he slowly picked up the reading glasses resting on his desk and put them on. Only then did he carefully read through the heartfelt resignation letter.
Whoosh—
After finishing, he laid the paper flat on the desk, gently smoothing the creased corners with his wrinkled palm. Removing his glasses, he bowed his head in silence for a long while. When he finally looked up, his voice was hoarse:
"You've been with the company for just over a year and have already been promoted exceptionally to team leader. And this year, another promotion to department head. As the company's top executive, I'd say you've been treated well. All your due benefits have been honored. And you—you're now one of the most promising talents in the company, even in the entire group. And now you come to me with a resignation. Tell me—does this honor the investment the company and group have made in you?"
"Director Zhou, my resignation has nothing to do with the company," Li Tang replied sincerely. "Over the past year, the company has supported me tremendously. My colleagues have cared for me, and the leadership has been kind and approachable. Honestly, I've grown very attached to everyone here, and the thought of leaving saddens me."
No matter the situation, Li Tang respected the elderly man before him.
"My decision to resign is entirely personal…"
"What personal reason?" Zhou demanded.
"I just feel I'm not suited to continue working in the system."
"You're still young! You say you're not suited—so what do you think you're suited for, then?"
Zhou's expression turned stormy with disappointment.
"You don't know anything. You don't know how to cherish what you have!"
"I do understand," Li Tang answered firmly, decisively.
"You understand nothing!"
Zhou couldn't hold back. He slammed the desk and shouted:
"Do you know how many people want to join Wukuang Group? They can't even get through the door!
Every day people pull strings, offer gifts, just for a shot at a stable job!
Joining Wukuang is a blessing—a source of pride!
Look around at your colleagues—how many have worked tirelessly for years and still haven't had a chance to move up even once?"
"Director Zhou—"
"You've been incredibly lucky! You've already gained so much, and you're still not satisfied!
You have no idea how many people would kill for what you have!
You're throwing it away, chasing some vague, unrealistic dream!"
"Director Zhou, I truly am grateful. I've thought long and hard about this decision—it's not impulsive."
"No! You don't know yourself. You don't understand how cruel the world out there really is!"
"Director Zhou!"
Li Tang raised his voice, cutting off Zhou Tianqi's tirade. He met the older man's fiery gaze without backing down.
"I know my sudden resignation disappoints the leadership and those who've supported me. But I've made up my mind. This is final."
Zhou stared at him for a long time. His anger gradually cooled, though his lips remained tightly pressed, showing how hard it was for him to accept this.
This resignation—clear, final—had completely disrupted his plans.
He had handled many resignations over the years, but never had one affected him like this.
He placed the letter firmly on the desk, voice raspy:
"I will not sign this."
He knew the truth all too well.
This young man wasn't just some random team leader—not even just a department head.
Li Tang had the potential for a much larger stage.
High-level figures had been watching him, shaping his path upward.
Even Niu Fu and other senior leaders had personally expressed support for him.
If Zhou Tianqi signed this resignation, it would look like he was deliberately pushing out a young prodigy.
How small-minded would one have to be to drive away someone with such rare ability?
Maybe Li Tang didn't understand the full reason behind Zhou's anger. Maybe he thought it was just about being valued and not wanting to let him go.
But every decision has unseen layers of complexity.
If Li Tang had submitted this letter a few days earlier, perhaps Zhou wouldn't have reacted so emotionally.
Li Tang truly believed that Zhou was reluctant to lose a promising talent—that's why he had reacted so harshly.
That belief gave him a sense of guilt.
He really did feel like he'd let everyone down.
"Director Zhou, my contract with the company already expired. I signed a one-year term last year."
As he stepped out the door, he sighed. "I'm sorry."
At the office doorway, he suddenly noticed that every office along the hallway had people poking their heads out, silently watching.
They had all heard Zhou's outburst—it had been loud.
Since the company's founding, no one had ever seen Zhou Tianqi so furious.
As they saw Li Tang walk out of the general manager's office, murmurs spread and speculation ran wild.
What had happened to enrage the boss like that?
"Li Tang!"
Qin Jianshe's office was right next door. He had heard the yelling but stayed put out of respect for appearances.
When Li Tang passed by, he immediately called out.
"Director Qin," Li Tang greeted him at the door.
"What happened?" Qin asked. He already knew where Li Tang had just come from.
"Nothing."
Li Tang shook his head and kept walking, soon passing Yang Xueping, who was leaning against her doorframe watching. He nodded and kept going.
…
The Supervisory Board had more or less pieced together the full story behind Zhou Tianqi's report.
Only a few details remained that needed confirmation from the individuals involved.
Xu Zexue called in both Qin Jianshe and Li Tang.
The meeting was scheduled in a small conference room at the group's headquarters.
Qin called for Li Tang, and the two chose to walk up the stairs rather than take the elevator.
"Routine meeting?"
Li Tang wasn't sure why the board had suddenly summoned him.
He'd heard from colleagues that sometimes the board did random staff interviews, just a few basic questions.
But Qin's face was tense, full of concern.
The investigation had been handled as discreetly as possible, but word had already shaken the company.
As one of the core figures in the Mining and Metallurgy Division, Qin couldn't be unaware—he even knew part of the findings.
Watching Li Tang climb the stairs so lightly, he didn't know how to start explaining.
That day, he had urgently summoned Li Tang back from Jian'an, intending to tell him everything, but had swallowed the words when the time came.
"You and Director Zhou had a fight?" he asked.
"Not exactly. Just a difference of opinion," Li Tang said.
"Director Zhou doesn't get this upset easily."
Qin couldn't believe it was just a small disagreement.
"What did he talk to you about?"
He suspected it had something to do with the Supervisory Board's investigation.
Everyone knew someone had reported misconduct.
But the whistleblower's identity remained unknown.
Still, people had their suspicions.
The list of possible suspects was short.
"I'm leaving."
When Li Tang had walked out of the general manager's office that day, he hadn't told Qin the truth—he himself had been unsure.
But after reflecting, he realized this was what he truly wanted.
So now, he told Qin the truth.
By all rights, he should have discussed it with Qin first.
After all, Qin was the person who had helped him the most.
The one who deserved an apology wasn't Zhou Tianqi—but Qin Jianshe.
"Where are you going?" Qin hadn't caught on yet. He didn't realize Li Tang meant resignation.
"I'm leaving the company. Leaving Wukuang Group." Li Tang said it plainly.
Qin froze in place, one foot still on the stair. He stood motionless, as if time had stopped.
He stared at Li Tang in stunned silence.
"Come on, we're almost late for the meeting."
Li Tang looked back and saw Qin still standing there but didn't explain further. He just kept walking.
Qin gathered himself and followed. He remained silent—but his silence spoke volumes.
At the moment of parting, Li Tang unexpectedly felt a lump in his throat.
Almost at the top, Qin suddenly said, "Li Tang, wait."
"What is it?" Li Tang turned back.
"So you knew about the Supervisory Board investigation already?"
Qin had been thinking hard and finally sorted some things out.
"You and Director Zhou had a shouting match. Now you're resigning.
I get it. In our kind of system, there are always internal struggles—sometimes even dirty tricks.
But listen to me: don't act out of anger. During the interview, don't say anything unnecessary. Speak less."
"Investigating what?" Li Tang was completely confused.
"When I was younger, I was falsely accused. I got so angry I acted recklessly."
Qin caught up, placing a hand on Li Tang's shoulder.
"If you act on impulse now, you'll be playing right into their hands. Stay calm. Don't let anger drive you. Resigning—quitting—that's weakness."
He walked past Li Tang and kept climbing.
Watching his back, Li Tang couldn't explain it, but he sensed something tragic, something heroic, in Qin's words.
What the hell is going on?
He scratched his head, feeling like Qin had just spoken in riddles.
No matter how he turned it over in his mind, he couldn't figure it out.
So he gave up and continued upstairs.
At the small conference room, the door was already open. The Supervisory Board was waiting inside.
"Li Tang, come in first," someone called.
Qin paused, surprised—he had arrived earlier, but they were taking Li Tang first.
No big deal. He patted Li Tang on the shoulder and whispered, "Say as little as possible."
Li Tang nodded, then stepped through the door as if walking onto a battlefield.
The door shut behind him with a click that sounded like a verdict.
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