Chapter 143: You're Different!
Now that the matter was fully out in the open, Zhou Tianqi no longer held back. "Li Tang has already packed up all his personal belongings. To be honest, rather than saying Li Tang resigned, it's more accurate to say he kicked Wukuang Group to the curb!"
BANG!
Niu Fu kicked the leg of his desk, then pointed a shaking finger at Zhou Tianqi, practically gnashing his teeth.
"This is all your doing!"
"I didn't do anything!" Zhou felt completely wronged. "Li Tang is just a young guy. Why would I ever pick a fight with someone like him?"
"Still denying it! You think he'd leave if you hadn't reported Qin Jianshe and Li Tang to the Supervisory Board?!"
Niu was so angry his forehead was red, fists clenched like he might punch Zhou right then and there.
"Li Tang spends all year in the field, sweating blood to get things done.
And when he finally comes back to the office, someone stabs him in the back. Of course he'd feel betrayed!"
"President Niu, you're falsely accusing me again," Zhou said, still denying the whistleblowing.
"Get out!"
Niu pointed to the door.
"President Niu, calm down."
Zhou sighed, full of bitterness, and walked out slowly.
After he left, the secretary, who had heard the shouting, came in. "President Niu, is everything alright?"
"I'm fine. Get back to work."
Niu was still fuming, but he hadn't lost control. He sat back down with Li Tang's resignation letter, reading it over and over.
He couldn't calm down.
This kid—how could he just up and leave like that?
It had happened so suddenly. Could there be someone behind the scenes encouraging him?
And the timing—right before the end-of-year recognition ceremony.
Li Tang was supposed to be the star of that event.
Both the chairman and the ministry's leadership were eager to meet this promising young talent.
More importantly, the discovery of Qinglong Copper Mine had once again proven that Li Tang's mineral exploration abilities were truly exceptional.
Even the ministry had marked him as a key figure for development.
After thinking long and hard, Niu didn't call Li Tang. Instead, he took the resignation letter next door.
Ou Pingguo was surprised to see Niu coming to him directly.
Usually, if something needed to be discussed, the secretary would summon him to the general manager's office.
Seeing Niu's serious expression, he didn't overthink it. He was used to this kind of demeanor.
"President Niu, something urgent?" he greeted with a smile.
Without a word, Niu handed over the resignation letter.
"What kind of important document is this?"
Ou received it with both hands and skimmed it quickly—then his eyes widened.
"Li Tang resigned?"
"Surprised?"
Niu stared intently at Ou's expression, analyzing every nuance.
"Very surprised!"
Ou hadn't had much personal contact with Li Tang, but who at Wukuang hadn't heard of him?
"You didn't know in advance?" Niu's sharp gaze didn't waver.
Inside his steel-tower frame, Ou Pingguo's mind was shrewd and flexible.
Realizing that Niu suspected him of scheming behind the scenes, he quickly clarified,
"I just found out. I honestly didn't expect Li Tang to resign so suddenly.
Tell you what—I'll ask Zhao Hepu to talk to him. Maybe a promotion or pay raise could help. A talent like Li Tang deserves more support."
"He hasn't come to work in several days," Niu replied.
"He's gone? Back to Qianzhou?"
Ou was caught off guard.
Niu couldn't read Ou's true intentions. They were both old hands at this—cool and composed no matter what. You couldn't just read their faces.
"I don't know if he's gone back to Qianzhou. But he left the company days ago."
"President Niu, this is my fault."
Ou genuinely didn't know what was going on.
"If you hadn't told me, I'd still be in the dark. That's a failure on my part.
I'll look into the full story behind his resignation and write a thorough review."
"No need for a review."
Niu had no patience for bureaucratic formalities. He slumped onto the couch, exhausted.
"The chairman told me recently that he wants to talk to Li Tang in person. He's really curious about the kid—and values him highly.
The ministry does too."
"Having so many leaders take an interest in him is a blessing for Li Tang.
He's young, maybe just too rash," Ou remarked.
"You've heard about Qinglong Copper Mine, right?" Niu asked.
"I've heard some things," Ou nodded, still standing tall like a statue.
"Qinglong belongs to Zise Mining, so technically it's not our business.
But it's the largest copper deposit ever discovered in China. It's another testament to Li Tang's abilities."
"Yes, people all over the company are talking about it.
Some think it's a huge win for China's non-ferrous metals industry.
Others think Li Tang should've brought the Qinglong project to Wukuang…"
"Idle gossip like that is poison to team morale," Niu grunted.
"Yes, yes—people's words can be dangerous," Ou agreed, watching Niu carefully.
Niu paused in thought, then made a decision.
"Here's what we'll do: no matter what, find a way to get Li Tang back."
"Absolutely," Ou nodded.
"A talent like Li Tang shouldn't be made to feel mistreated. We need to win him back."
"If you pull this off, I'll seriously consider your personnel recommendation at the upcoming leadership meeting."
With that, Niu stood up and walked out.
Ou froze for a second—then realized what Niu meant.
If he brought Li Tang back, his nomination would likely get approved by the party committee.
Which meant—Qin Jianshe would officially replace Zhou Tianqi as general manager.
…
Li Tang was picking out furniture and appliances when Zhao Hepu called him.
His apartment was fully renovated. Now it just needed to be furnished.
Once aired out, it would be ready to move into after the New Year.
The office renovation still needed some finishing touches.
When Zhao said that Luo Qinzhong and Qian Hao were in town and invited him to dinner, Li Tang didn't refuse.
Since leaving Wukuang, he'd been staying at a hotel—no longer sleeping in the dorms.
But He Runqi was still staying in the company dorm.
Li Tang dropped by and brought him along.
When He saw him, he looked anxious.
"Director Zhou and Director Qin both came to talk to me today.
They kept asking where you were."
"Let them ask," Li Tang laughed. "Just tell the truth. What's there to be afraid of?"
"They said you won't answer their calls."
"They've been calling nonstop. I already told them I'm not coming back. They just don't believe me."
"You're really quitting?"
"Of course. I haven't even told my parents yet—you're the first."
He threw an arm around He's shoulders. "So? You decide yet? Want to quit and join me?"
"I just wrote home promising to work hard and bring honor to the family…"
He Runqi was still torn.
"I've already set up Zhenguan Exploration Tech.
If you join, you're vice general manager. Salary—triple your current one."
Li Tang didn't push. He just laid out the facts.
"You still owe me 150,000.
At your current pace, it'll take years to pay off."
"Don't threaten me! I might just default!" He barked back, half-joking.
"I wouldn't dare threaten you. I'm investing in talent!
We're a dynamic duo. Together, we'll make our mark!"
"Yeah, yeah, dream on."
He was clearly reluctant to give up his "iron rice bowl."
But hearing the words "vice general manager" stirred something in him.
"Seriously? Vice GM?"
"Of course. If I'm lying, I'm a dog."
"But I don't know how to be a leader."
"No one does at first. It's easy—you sit in a chair and point fingers."
"How many people would I manage?"
"Right now, just me. If you join, we'll be a legendary duo."
"You're messing with me!"
He felt duped.
"You said I'd be vice GM, but there's only two of us?"
"We'll hire more soon.
Then you'll command a legion of elite warriors—unstoppable!"
"Let me think about it."
They arrived at Lao Wang's BBQ.
"You're here!" Zhao Hepu, seated facing the door, spotted them and nudged Qin Jianshe.
Qin turned and saw Li Tang—his emotions all over the place.
"You're finally here! I thought you'd gone back to Qianzhou!"
"I've been here—just too busy to return to the office," Li Tang apologized.
"Everyone at HQ is freaking out over you!" Qin sighed.
"For me?" Li Tang smiled. "Not worth it. The world keeps spinning."
"You're different," Zhao Hepu said sincerely.
Just then, Luo Qinzhong and Qian Hao arrived.
Luo was smiling as always. Qian Hao wore a flashy suit with bell-bottom pants trailing like mops.
He wrinkled his nose at the smoky smell of grilled meat. "Zhao Hepu! Again with this BBQ joint?!"
He plopped into a seat and grumbled,
"You keep bringing us here! Yanjing is full of luxury spots. But no—always this dump!
You're stingier than my aunt!"
"This place has the best grilled lamb kidneys. Super nutritious," Zhao laughed, unfazed.
"I've had it before. Every time we visit, you drag us here!"
Qian complained, but once he sat, his mood perked up, and he chatted happily with everyone.
As the food arrived and the beers flowed, Zhao tapped a skewer and said,
"This kid's leaving."
"Leaving?" Luo asked, confused.
"Going where?" Qian didn't get it either.
"He resigned," Li Tang admitted.
"No way," Qian stared at him in disbelief.
"I submitted my resignation. Management didn't approve it, but it doesn't matter—my one-year contract is up," Li Tang said casually.
"What's your plan?" Luo asked, setting down his food and wiping his hands.
"We'll see where the road takes me," Li Tang replied.
Even with his forward-looking vision, he knew the world was complex.
Any path involving personal gain was full of risk—one wrong move, and it could all come crashing down.
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