Humiliated for Winning a Golden Seat, I Moved Next Door to the Chairman

Ryan tore the slip into four pieces and threw them in my face. “You’re just logistics. You think you deserve to sit here?” I stood still without moving.

The scraps fell beside my feet, and two pieces landed on the tops of my dress shoes. I lowered my head to look, then bent down and picked them up one by one.

Ryan let out a laugh. “Still picking them up? What are you going to do after you pick them up? Tape them back together and keep sitting there?” I said nothing.

He shoved his hands into his trouser pockets and lifted his chin toward the desk in the corner. “From now on, you sit there.” That was the spot right by the restroom door.

The desk was an old model from twenty years ago, its surface full of dents, and one drawer handle had fallen off.

That spot had been empty for three years, and no one wanted to sit there, so it had become a corner for piling junk.

There were thirtyseven people in the office, and no one raised their head. I saw Ethan staring at his computer screen, his fingers clattering rapidly over the keyboard.

Martin raised his mug toward his mouth, his eyes looking at the sky outside the window.

Kyle, who sat at the workstation across from me, buried his head very low, leaving only the tips of his ears visible.

I clenched the scraps of paper I had picked up in my palm and walked over to that broken desk. A layer of dust had settled on the tabletop.

I put down my bag and went to the restroom to find a rag.

As I passed Ryan’s office door, it was open, and he had one leg crossed over the other while talking on the phone in a loud voice. “Don’t worry.

What trouble can a logistics guy cause?

I’m trying to establish authority, and this kind of pushover is perfect for it.” I stood at the restroom entrance washing the rag, and the water was very cold.

When I came back, I wiped the desk clean, and the chair creaked when I sat on it.

He stood by the water dispenser and turned back to Harold from Finance. “Logistics people are tough. Give them anything, and they’ll use it.” Harold smiled but did not respond.

In the afternoon meeting, Ryan chaired the meeting. Everyone in the department sat in the large conference room, while I sat on a plastic stool in the last row by the door.

The projector showed the quarterly report, and Ryan stood at the front talking about next year’s budget.

Halfway through, he stopped and tapped the projection screen with the laser pointer. “For logistics, this year’s office expenses exceeded the budget by fifteen percent.

Who signed off on that?” No one spoke. His gaze swept around the room and landed on me. “Logistics is under you, right?

What’s going on with the expenses?” I stood up. “Last year’s computer purchase was approved by Manager Brooks, eight units in total, and it went through a special budget.” “Manager Brooks was transferred, but the accounts stayed.

Special budget, special budget—does that mean it can go over?” He slammed the folder onto the table. “By tomorrow, sort out every purchase list and reimbursement receipt from logistics for the past three years and put them on my desk before the end of the workday.” I said, “All right.” When the meeting ended, Kyle passed by me and lowered his voice. “Walter, he’s clearly picking on you on purpose.” I did not make a sound.

I returned to my workstation and turned on the computer. When the screen lit up, it flickered twice and let out a buzzing sound.

I dug out all the accounts from the past three years from the cabinet and stacked them on the desk one book at a time until the pile was half as tall as a person.

At seven in the evening, everyone in the office had left. The light in Ryan’s office was still on, and he was on the phone with someone, laughing loudly.

I sat at my old spot by the restroom entrance and flipped through the reimbursement forms from the third year.

At eightthirty, he came out carrying his bag and stopped when he passed me. “You still haven’t left?” “Almost done.” He lowered his head and looked at the documents I had sorted out, then kicked the top folder with his foot. “Put it on my desk on time tomorrow.

Not one minute late.” I said, “Got it.” He left. I finished organizing the forms and locked them in the drawer.

When I stood up, my waist felt a little sore, and I checked the time: nineforty. The hallway lights were off, and I felt along the wall as I walked to the elevator.

When I got home, my wife still had not gone to bed. She asked why I was home so late, and I said I had worked overtime.

She did not ask more and went to the kitchen to heat up food for me. I sat on the sofa and took the four scraps of paper out of my pocket.

When I pieced them together, three characters were written on them: No. 12. The spot by the window was No. 12.

At seventhirty the next morning, I placed the sorted accounts on Ryan’s desk. At eightten, he arrived.

He tossed his bag onto the desk, picked up the top folder, flipped through it, and suddenly raised his head. “That’s it?” I said, “Everything from the past three years is here.” “Where is last year’s computer purchase order?” I turned to the third folder, pulled out that purchase order, and handed it to him.

He took it, glanced at it twice, and slapped it onto the desk. “How did you verify this price back then?” “We compared quotes from three vendors and chose the lowest one.” “The lowest?” He sneered and pushed the order in front of me. “The same Dell model is $620 on Amazon, and your purchase price was $610.

You saved ten bucks and have the nerve to call that a price comparison?” I said nothing.

He threw a sheet of paper out from the drawer. “These are the new rules for this year.” “From now on, every logistics purchase must have a budget submitted first, and the process can only move forward after I sign off.” “For any amount over five thousand, three vendor comparison sheets must be attached, and not one can be missing.” I looked at the paper, then raised my head and said, “Previously, anything under five thousand didn’t require...” “Previously was previously.” He cut me off. “I’m in charge of this department now, so we follow my rules.

Any problem?” I said, “No problem.” I took the sheet of paper back to my workstation, and Kyle leaned over and whispered: “Walter, he’s targeting you.

Yesterday I heard him tell someone that logistics is basically a retirement home and needs to be cleaned up.” I did not raise my head and pressed that rule under the glass panel on my desk.

At three in the afternoon, Administration delivered a new batch of office supplies. Notebooks, pens, and folders filled two large cardboard boxes.

The delivery guy asked where to put them, and I said to leave them with me so I could hand them out.

Ryan happened to come in from outside, and when he saw the two boxes, he walked over and rummaged through them. “Who ordered this batch of stuff?” I said, “According to the quarterly plan, it’s time to distribute them.” He picked up a notebook, flipped through it, and tossed it back into the box. “How much is one of these notebooks?” “Two dollars and thirty cents.” “Too expensive.

From now on, buy all consumables like this for under a dollar fifty.” He looked at me. “You spend too freely in logistics.” I said, “The supplier was chosen through last year’s bidding process, and the price is the contract price...” “Can the contract be changed or not?” He cut me off again. “Do I have the final say, or does the contract?” I stood there without moving.

He waited two seconds, and when he saw that I did not speak, he walked toward his office. When he reached the door, he turned back again. “Move that box of good ones to my office.

I happen to be short on notebooks over there.” I moved a box of notebooks and placed it beside his desk.

He sat in his chair looking at his phone and said without raising his head: “From now on, let me take a look before Administration distributes anything.

Don’t move every piece of junk into the supply room.” I said, “All right.” When I came out, Harold from Finance was smoking in the hallway. When he saw me, he nodded.

I nodded too and walked past. Behind me, he said, “Walter, just endure it.

New bosses always want to make a show.” I turned back and smiled. “It’s fine.” Back at my workstation, the computer tower buzzed loudly, and the screen flickered twice.

I patted the case, but it kept buzzing. Kyle poked his head over from next door. “Walter, you should replace that computer.

Even the one I retired is better than this thing.” I said, “It still works.” At four in the afternoon, Leonard, the supply room keeper, called and said this month’s cleaning supplies were almost gone and needed restocking.

I flipped through the inventory sheet and called him back. “Restock next week according to the plan, and make do for two more days.” After I hung up, my phone rang again.

It was Building Management, saying the exterior walls of the office building needed cleaning and asking when to schedule it.

I said next week, since this week’s budget had not been approved yet.

I had just put down my phone when Ryan’s secretary, Chloe, came over and said Manager Miller wanted me to stop by. I knocked on the door.

Ryan was talking to two people, one man and one woman, both unfamiliar faces. When he saw me, he beckoned. “Walter, these are two new colleagues.

Logistics needs to help them get office supplies arranged.” “Desks, chairs, computers, phones—have everything ready before work tomorrow.” I said, “There are desks and chairs in the supply room, but computers need a purchase request.” “How long does purchasing take?” “If we follow the process, about a week.” Ryan frowned. “A week?

They need computers for work tomorrow.” I said nothing.

He thought for a moment and pointed toward the door. “Move the two computers from the conference room over for them to use first.

Hurry up with the purchase request.” I said, “Those two computers in the conference room are for shared use...” “What shared use?

How often does the conference room even use them?” He waved his hand. “That’s it.

Go.” I returned to my workstation, and Kyle asked in a low voice, “What happened?” I did not make a sound and went to the conference room to move the computers.

Both computers were newly equipped last year, with systems installed, and they had been sitting unused in the conference room.

I moved them to the two empty workstations and set up the network cables.

When I returned, Ryan was standing beside my workstation, holding a sheet of paper. “Walter, what’s going on with your attendance record this month?” He raised the paper. “On the afternoon of the third, you left early?” I said, “That afternoon, I went to the supply room to do inventory.” “Inventory?

Who told you to go?” “Routine inventory is done on the third of every month, and it has always been at that time.” He slapped the paper onto my desk. “From now on, submit a report in advance before inventory.

If you’re not at your workstation, people can’t find you when they need something.” I said, “Got it.” After he left, Kyle leaned over and said: “Walter, on the afternoon of the third, he went out for lunch with someone and wasn’t even in the office.” I continued sorting out the things on my desk and said nothing.

When it was time to get off work, the cleaning lady came to empty the trash. When she passed my workstation, she stopped. “Mr. Clark, you’re sitting here?

Isn’t this the spot no one sits in?” I said, “I moved over.” She shook her head and pushed her cart toward the restroom.

After taking two steps, she turned back again. “This spot smells bad, and it’s even worse in summer.” I said, “It’s fine.” When I got home that night, my wife asked how my day was.

I said it was okay. She said, “You’ve spent your whole life only knowing how to say it’s okay.” I smiled and did not respond.

On the morning of the third day, Ryan was already there when I arrived at the office. He stood beside my workstation, holding a document.

When he saw me, he threw the document onto the desk. “What is this?” I picked it up and looked at it, and it was the monthly logistics work plan. “The plan we submit on the fifth of every month.” He took the document back, scribbled a few words on it, and threw it back to me. “Rewrite it.

I want to see specific data, comparisons with the same period last year, and this year’s budget execution rate.” “Don’t bring out this garbage and try to fool people.” He took one step forward and lowered his voice. “Let me tell you, I’m not sitting in this position for nothing.” “The higherups sent me here to clear out people like you who are just coasting along.

How many years have you been in this department?” “Fifteen years.” “Fifteen years.” He repeated it once. “And after fifteen years, this is all you’ve amounted to?

Do you know how many useless people a place like logistics has kept alive?” I looked at him and said nothing. He patted my shoulder. “Write the plan properly.

If you can’t, someone else can handle logistics from now on.” He left. I stood in place, and the people at the surrounding workstations all kept their heads lowered.

Kyle raised his head, looking like he wanted to say something but stopped himself. I returned to my seat and turned on the computer. The screen flickered and went black.

I pressed the power button, but there was no response. I pressed it again, and there was still no response.

Kyle ran over and took a look for me. “Walter, the power supply burned out.” I said, “Can it be fixed?” He shook his head. “This antique?

You’re better off replacing it than fixing it.” I thought for a moment, then stood up and went to find Ryan. He was on the phone, and when he saw me knock, he waved for me to wait.

I stood at the door for five minutes, and after he finished the call, he finally lifted his chin at me. “What is it?” “My computer broke, and the power supply burned out.” “If it’s broken, fix it.

Why come to me?” “There are no spare machines in the supply room, and purchasing requires going through the process.” He leaned back in his chair and looked me over. “Then what do you want?” I said nothing.

He took a form out of the drawer, scribbled a few words, and handed it to me. “Go borrow one from Administration, and return it when you’re done.” I looked at the form, and it said: Approved to borrow one computer for one week.

I said, “One week may not be enough.” He said, “Then submit a purchase request.

Before the request process is complete, use the borrowed one first.” I took the form to Administration. The young woman in Administration looked at it and said quietly, “Mr.

Clark, borrowing a computer requires a deposit.” “How much?” “Two thousand.” I touched my pocket and did not have that much money on me.

The young woman said, “Why don’t you come back this afternoon after getting the money?” I said okay. Back at my workstation, Kyle asked if I had borrowed one.

I said I would bring money in the afternoon to borrow it.

He thought for a moment, then dug five hundred dollars out of his drawer and handed it to me. “Walter, this is all I have on hand. Take it first.” I said there was no need.

He shoved it into my hand. “Just use it first and pay me back later.” In the afternoon, I went to Administration, paid the deposit, and borrowed a laptop back.

I powered it on and installed software, and after messing with it until almost time to get off work, I finally got it working.

Ryan came out of his office, and when he saw the laptop on my desk, he walked over and tapped it. “You borrowed it?” I said, “I did.” He glanced at the brand and clicked his tongue. “Dell?

Why does Administration use nothing but Dell?” I said nothing.

When he reached the door, he turned back again. “By the way, people from headquarters are coming tomorrow for an inspection, so logistics needs to clean up.” “The restrooms, hallways, and conference room all need to be clean.

Especially the restrooms. They smell awful.” I said, “All right.” He left. I checked the time, and it was fiveforty. The cleaning lady got off work at six.

I went downstairs to find the cleaning lady and explained it to her. She said okay and that she would come early tomorrow to give everything a thorough cleaning again.

When I got home that night, my wife asked how my day was. I said it was okay. She glanced at me and said nothing. After dinner, I sat on the balcony and smoked.

My wife walked over and stood beside me. “Has something happened to you lately?” I said, “No.” She said, “You’ve smoked for so many years, and even when you were trying to quit, I never saw you smoke this hard.” I looked at the cigarette in my hand, and half of it was still left.

I put it out and tossed it into the ashtray. She said, “If something is going on, say it.

Don’t keep it bottled up.” I said, “There’s really nothing.” The next morning, I arrived at the office at sixthirty.

The cleaning lady was already there and was mopping the hallway. In the restroom, she had placed two air fresheners and sprayed room deodorizer.

I checked it once, and there really was no smell anymore. At sevenfifty, Ryan arrived.

Before entering his office, he deliberately walked around to the restroom entrance and sniffed. “Not bad,” he said. “Do it like this every day from now on.” I said, “The cleaning lady can’t handle all that alone, and doing this every day isn’t realistic.” He turned back to look at me. “Did I ask you to do this every day?” I said nothing.

He stared at me for two seconds and suddenly smiled. “Walter Clark, do you think I’m that easy to talk to?” I said, “No.” He said, “Then do as I say.

Before work every day, the restroom must have no smell. Any problem?” I said, “No problem.” At ten in the morning, the inspection team from headquarters arrived.

Ryan accompanied them around for a tour and held a twohour meeting in the conference room. When the meeting ended, I happened to be passing through the hallway.

Ryan escorted them out, and when he ran into me, he froze for a moment before smiling and saying: “This is Walter from our logistics department, and he’s been here for fifteen years.” The leader of the team glanced at me and nodded.

I nodded too.

After Ryan saw them off, he passed me on his way back and lowered his voice. “At least you knew your place and didn’t run your mouth.” I stood there and watched him walk into his office.

At three in the afternoon, Kyle suddenly ran over, his expression off. “Walter, have you heard?” I said, “Heard what?” “Logistics is cutting staff.

The quota came from above, a twenty percent reduction.” I said nothing. He said, “I heard Ryan proposed it, saying he wants to optimize the personnel structure.

The list has already been submitted.” I asked, “Who’s on the list?” He shook his head. “It hasn’t been announced yet. But it must include some of the older logistics staff.

He’s been saying for a while that logistics keeps useless people around.” I sat back in my chair and looked at the borrowed laptop. At five, Ryan told me to go to his office.

He sat in his chair, holding a list.

When he saw me come in, he flipped the list over and placed it face down on the desk. “Walter, there’s something I need to talk to you about.” I stood still without moving.

He leaned back in his chair. “The higherups require us to optimize the personnel structure, and logistics needs to cut two people.

I thought about it, and you have the longest tenure, so you can get a decent severance package. Do you want to consider it?” I said, “Consider what?” He said, “Early retirement.

Take a lump sum and go home to enjoy life. Isn’t that better than being treated badly here?” I looked into his eyes and said nothing.

He looked at me too, and after waiting a few seconds, he smiled. “Fine, if you won’t consider it, forget it.

I’ll submit the list first, and when the notice comes down, don’t blame me for not giving you a headsup.” I turned and walked out.

Behind me, he said, “By the way, Administration is asking for that borrowed computer back.” “I still haven’t approved your purchase request, so figure it out yourself.” I paused for a moment, then continued walking out.

The next day, my workstation was empty. When Kyle saw me come in, he lowered his voice and said: “Walter, Ryan had someone move everything last night.

He said Administration needed to take back the computer and that he was taking the account books to review.” I stood there and looked at the empty desktop.

There was only one thing left on the desk, and it was the sheet of paper pressed under the glass panel—the new purchasing rules.

I pulled it out, folded it, and put it into my pocket.

Kyle asked softly, “Walter, what are you going to do?” I said, “It’s fine.” I walked to the door of Ryan’s office, and the door was closed. I knocked, but no one inside answered.

The young woman from Administration passed by and said Manager Miller had gone out early and would not be back until the afternoon. At noon, I went to the cafeteria for lunch.

I got two dishes and found a corner to sit in. Halfway through my meal, Ryan came over with his tray and sat across from me.

He looked at my tray and clicked his tongue. “That’s all you’re eating?” I said nothing.

He picked up a bite of food and said while chewing: “Walter, I thought about it, and maybe I was too impatient about yesterday’s matter.” “How about this?

Write an application, and I’ll approve one month of leave for you. Go home and rest, then come back after this storm blows over.” I looked at him.

He smiled. “Really, I’m not lying to you.” “For an oldtimer like you, I don’t want to make things too hard either. But you have to understand me.

A new boss has to make some moves.” I said, “Has the list been submitted?” He said, “It has.” I said, “Am I on the list?” The hand he used to pick up food paused, and he said nothing.

I lowered my head and continued eating. He threw his fork onto the tray and stood up. “Fine, if you insist on being this stubborn, don’t blame me.” He left.

I finished the last bite of my food and took the tray to the return station. At threethirty, the department held a meeting.

Everyone in the department was there, and Ryan sat at the front, holding a document. “Today, I’m going to talk about something regarding personnel optimization.” He paused, and his gaze swept around the room. “The higherups approved it, and logistics will cut two people.

The list has already been finalized.” No one in the meeting room spoke. He read two names, and neither was mine. I was stunned for a moment.

After he finished reading, he closed the document and smiled at me. “Walter, you’re lucky. You’re not included this time.” I said nothing.

After the meeting ended, Kyle ran over excitedly. “Walter, everything’s fine now!” I said, “Yeah.” Seeing that my reaction was off, he asked softly, “What’s wrong?” I did not explain.

At fivethirty, the endofwork bell rang. I began packing my things and put those folders into a cardboard box.

When Kyle saw it, he ran over and asked, “Walter, what are you doing?” I said, “Moving to the storage room.” He froze.

I picked up the cardboard box and walked toward the end of the hallway.

The storage room was next to the chairman’s office, and it had always been locked, with useless old desks, chairs, and empty boxes piled inside.

I had found the key in the supply room before and had never returned it. I opened the door, and the inside was a mess. I put the box by the door and started cleaning up.

At sixthirty, Ryan got off work and passed through the hallway, where he saw the storage room light on.

He walked over, stood at the doorway, and froze. “What are you doing?” I righted an old desk and ignored him.

He walked in, looked around, and suddenly laughed. “Walter Clark, do you have a fucking death wish?” I straightened up and looked at him.

He pointed at the door. “Get the hell out.” I stood still without moving.

He took one step forward, and his finger almost jabbed into my face. “You’re just logistics, and you dare take over this room?

Do you know whose office this is next to?” I said, “I know.” He froze, then became even angrier. “You know, and you still dare? Fine, wait here.

I’m calling security right now.” He took out his phone and had just pressed two buttons when someone suddenly spoke outside the door. “Ryan, what’s going on?” Ryan turned back, and his face changed.

The chairman stood at the doorway. He was silent for two seconds, then walked over and patted my shoulder. “Dad, why did you move here?”