It was a sunny morning, and I was called to the office by the company's leaders, and I thought that a good thing about a promotion and a salary increase was about to befall me. However, I didn't expect this joy to be poured cold by the sudden cold water.
"Xiao Zhang, you were the only one to be the department manager this time, but the company has recently received some negative news about you, do you know what's going on?" said the leader earnestly.
My eyes widened and I was confused for a moment. At this time, the mobile phone rang suddenly, and it was my aunt calling.
"Nephew, I heard you're going to be promoted lately? I thought you'd have forgotten about our poor relatives. The aunt's tone was yin and yang.
I suddenly understood everything, it turned out to be her!
"Auntie, why are you slandering me behind my back, where am I sorry for you?" I held back the anger in my heart.
"Hmph, you kid won't take care of us if he is promoted, it's better to make your promotion hopeless, and everyone will be poor and happy together. "My aunt's words made me dumbfounded.
I hung up the phone helplessly and returned to the leader's office with a heavy heart.
"Leader, I know who is behind the slander, I will solve this problem as soon as possible, please give me a chance. I said sincerely.
Back at home, I thought over and over how I could salvage the situation. Suddenly, I had an idea and decided to take the initiative to find my aunt.
"Auntie, I know you have a misunderstanding of me, but I have always respected you. This promotion is important to me, so please hold your hands high. "I tried to convince her.
My aunt's eyes widened and she looked at me: "Do you really value this position so much? That's fine, unless you promise me a condition." ”
"What conditions?" I asked, confused.
"Give me half of your salary, and I'll help you clear up the misunderstanding. The aunt lion opened her mouth.
I was stunned, I didn't expect my aunt to make such an unreasonable request. But for the sake of promotion, I had to agree to her.
Sure enough, my aunt kept her promise, and the news of slandering me gradually subsided. And I was successfully promoted and raised.
However, this is only the beginning of the nightmare. My aunt started to inch in, not only asking me to give her money, but also asking me to help her with all kinds of chores. I endured the humiliation and promised her one by one in order to keep my position.
Finally, one day, my sister-in-law called me again: "Nephew, you have to do me a big favor this time, my son is getting married, and you have to pay a large amount of money." ”
I couldn't bear it anymore and decided to resist: "Auntie, I've had enough of your blackmail! I will never agree to you this time!"
The aunt was angry: "You dare! I will let you be promoted and blocked, and I can also make you demote and lose face!"
I hung up angrily, filled with remorse. Why did I agree to her unreasonable demands in the first place? Now I am in a dilemma, and I don't know how to end it.
Just as I was struggling in pain, the leader suddenly found me: "Xiao Zhang, I have investigated your previous misunderstanding. You deserve this promotion. ”
My eyes widened and I couldn't believe my ears.
"However, you have to remember that the workplace is like a battlefield, and you have to learn to protect yourself. This time it's the god of luck who favors you, and next time you won't be so lucky. The leader said earnestly.
I nodded gratefully, and secretly resolved in my heart that I must be cautious in my words and deeds in the future, and no longer let a villain like my aunt take advantage of it. This experience also made me deeply aware of the complexity of human nature and the difficulties of the workplace.
The moment I hung up the phone, I felt like I had been lifted from a heavy burden, but at the same time, I knew that the struggle had just begun. My aunt's words hung like a sharp knife in my heart, keeping me awake at night.
The next day, I decided to take the initiative. I approached the company's HR department and asked them about workplace extortion. They told me that I could file a formal complaint, but it needed to be hard to prove. I silently wrote it down, and I had a plan in mind.
I started to collect all the records of my correspondence with my sister-in-law, including transfer records and call recordings. With sufficient evidence, I filed a formal complaint with the company. The company took the matter very seriously and immediately launched an investigation.
Soon after, the sister-in-law was interviewed by the company. She clearly didn't expect me to take such a move, her face pale and incoherent. After the results of the investigation, the sister-in-law was forced to quit her part-time job at the company.
I thought it was over and I could finally breathe a sigh of relief. However, the aunt did not give up. She began spreading rumors in the family that I was ungrateful and framed relatives. My parents were worried, and my relatives avoided me.
Faced with such a situation, I wavered for a moment, wondering if I had really done something wrong. But every time I see the department manager sign in the office, I stand firm in my convictions: I'm not wrong, I'm just defending my rights.
One weekend, I went back to my hometown and decided to talk to my parents about it.
"Mom, I know you're sad right now, but I'm going to tell you the truth. I spoke firmly.
"Your aunt has been blackmailing me, and I have to take action. I know this seems to you to be a big rebellion, but I don't regret it. I looked at my mother's eyes, full of determination.
Mom was silent for a long time, and finally sighed deeply: "Child, Mom understands." You're doing the right thing, and you can't let such people get their way. ”
With the support of my parents, I felt like I had more courage. Back in the company, I worked harder and used my strength to block those voices that doubted.
And the aunt, she lost her job and lost her position in the family. Occasionally I hear about her and she's not doing well. But I no longer sympathize, because all of this is her own choice.
As time passed, I achieved more in my work. The turmoil faded into oblivion, and I learned to protect myself in the workplace.
It's just that every time in the dead of night, I still think of my aunt's words: "You dare!" I will let you be promoted and blocked, and I can also make you demote and lose face!" This sentence has become my eternal warning, reminding me that on this road, I must always be vigilant and never relax myself. Because in this game, once you relax, you can become someone else's pawn. And I don't want to be anyone's pawn anymore.
As the days passed, I became more calm and cautious. In my work, I approach every project with a more professional attitude, and every decision is well thought out. I know that this is the only way to be invincible in this game.
However, life is always full of surprises. That day, I was in the conference room for an important negotiation with a client, and the assistant hurriedly came in and handed me a note: "Xiao Zhang, your parents are here and say they have something urgent to look for you." ”
My heart tightened, and I immediately ended the meeting and hurried to the reception room. The parents sat there, pale, apparently having experienced some major blow.
"Mom, Dad, what's wrong?" I asked anxiously.
Dad sighed and handed me a newspaper: "Look, it's news this morning. ”
I picked up the newspaper and my eyes fell on the headlines – "Local entrepreneur arrested on suspicion of economic crimes, company facing bankruptcy". The name of that entrepreneur, which I am all too familiar with, is my cousin, the son of my aunt.
I was stunned and couldn't accept the news for a while. The aunt did whatever it took for her son's wedding, but now she ended up like this.
"Your aunt, she's in the hospital now, and she said she had a heart attack. Mom said in a heavy tone.
I was silent for a moment, then stood up: "I'll go see her." ”
In the hospital, the aunt was lying on the hospital bed, her face pale, and her once arrogant momentum was long gone. When she saw me come in, a trace of mixed emotions flashed in her eyes.
"Nephew, I was wrong, I shouldn't have done that to you. She said in a weak voice.
I stood by the bed, with mixed feelings. Once upon a time, how I hated her, hated her vexatiousness, hated her every inch of inches. But now, seeing her like this, I can't hate it.
"Auntie, it's all over. I whispered, "Take care of your illness and everything will be fine." ”
Coming out of the hospital, I took a deep breath. Life is like a play, always full of ups and downs and twists. I learned that no matter what comes your way, you have to stay calm and sensible, because this is the only way to stay resilient and optimistic in the face of life's twists and turns.
Back at the company, I continued to devote myself to my work. The matter of my aunt made me cherish everything I have now, and I also understand more that power and status are not the whole of life, and family and affection are our most valuable wealth.
I started to care more about my parents and would come home every once in a while to see them. I also try to help relatives who have been hurt by their aunts and make them feel warm and cared for.
As for the aunt, she eventually recovered and was discharged from the hospital, and she also realized her mistake. She began to live a low-key life, occasionally calling me to ask how I was doing. The grievances between us, it seems, were finally reconciled at that moment.
I know that there is still a long way to go in life, and there will be more challenges ahead of me. But at least now, I've learned how to face it, how to take responsibility. In this world full of uncertainties, I just want to be myself and protect those people and things that are worth cherishing.
Over time, my position in the company has also become stronger. As a department manager, I started to take on more responsibilities and gained more trust and respect at the same time. I have led the team to complete one major project after another, and the company's performance has continued to climb as a result. I understand that what I have achieved is not only an individual honor, but also a joint effort of the team. Therefore, I always maintain a humble and grateful attitude and thank each team member for their dedication and efforts.
Outside of work, I haven't forgotten about my family. I spend more time with my parents, care about their lives, and do my best to make up for the family affection that I neglected in the past due to my busy work. I also often go home to visit my aunt, and although our relationship has changed, I always believe that family affection is inseparable. My aunt is gradually becoming more cheerful, and the estrangement between us is slowly dissolving.
However, just as I was basking in the double joy of my career and family, an unexpected challenge lay ahead of me. The company decided to transfer me to an overseas branch to take on a higher position and be responsible for expanding overseas markets. This is undoubtedly a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity for me, but it is also a huge challenge.
I hesitated. On the one hand, I was eager to take on the challenge and strive for higher achievements, but on the other hand, I was worried that I would be far away from home and unable to take care of my elderly parents and newly recovered aunt. I was caught between a rock and a hard place.
"Xiao Zhang, this is a good opportunity, you must seize it. The leader encouraged me to say.
"However, my parents are old and my aunt needs to be taken care of, and I am worried that they will be lonely. "I was honest about my concerns.
"You can consider having them come along, or find a professional nursing facility. I believe that you will be able to manage the relationship between work and family properly. "The leader gave me pertinent advice.
I thought about it for a long time and finally made a decision. I took on the challenge and made arrangements to make sure my family was taken care of. I understand that life is always full of choices, and every choice means giving up and sacrificing. But as long as there is love and responsibility in the heart, you will definitely be able to find the motivation to move forward.
Bidding farewell to my hometown, I embarked on a new journey. Life overseas is full of unknowns and challenges, but I am not afraid, because I know that no matter where I go, as long as I have love and responsibility in my heart, I will never be alone. In this strange land, I will continue to work hard to achieve higher goals, while also protecting my most cherished family.