The programmer and his woman

Suddenly, Xiaolin, the head of the HR department, hurriedly informed me to attend a meeting. I was a little surprised because it was rare for me, a non-HR department employee, to be invited to a HR meeting. However, as the meeting progressed, I felt that this meeting seemed to be closely related to me.

Walking into the meeting room, I found that in addition to the personnel department members, there were also grassroots employees from various departments. It is worth noting that the supervisors of various departments were not present, and as the only supervisor here, I couldn't help but feel a little confused. What is Xiaolin's real intention in calling this meeting?

Just as I was immersed in my own thoughts, Xiaolin's voice broke the silence: "Everyone here is a grassroots employee. The theme of our meeting today is to introduce the company's organizational structure in detail. Just now, we have learned in detail the responsibilities and requirements of grassroots positions. Next, we will further discuss management positions."

She looked around, as if looking for the supervisor here. I laughed in my heart. As a human resources supervisor, she should know everyone who attends the meeting. Why bother? However, her eyes finally fell on me, and there was a hint of respect in her voice: "This is Director Wang of our company. He is the only management cadre here. In the company's organizational structure, he reports directly to the general manager and deputy general manager of the company. I believe that everyone must be looking forward to Director Wang sharing some experience and insights with us. Let's welcome Director Wang with warm applause!"

When I heard her say this, I suddenly realized that the meaning of her words couldn't be more obvious. She wanted to unite all the grassroots employees and isolate me. But why did she do this? I really couldn't figure it out, so I could only think hard about this confusing question with a blank look on my face.

I pointed at myself and cast a questioning look at Xiaolin, the HR manager. When she saw me, she smiled and nodded slightly, as if to say, "Don't ask any more questions, just stand up and speak." Perhaps she felt that the atmosphere was not good enough, so she raised her hands and clapped them vigorously, and shouted at the same time: "It seems that our applause is not warm enough! Let's welcome Director Wang to speak to us with even warmer applause!" As she finished speaking, thunderous applause rang out at the scene.

I was a little caught off guard and whispered to her, "I haven't prepared anything, what do you want me to say?" After hearing this, a sly smile flashed across her face, and then she announced loudly, "Director Wang just told me that he didn't know what to say. It seems that our Director Wang still has room for improvement in public speaking! But it doesn't matter, we can ask Director Wang to talk about the rules and regulations of our human resources department. Everyone is welcome!" As soon as she finished speaking, she took the lead in applauding.

Hearing her say this, my face instantly turned red, and I thought to myself: How could this Xiaolin be so unreasonable! I just whispered to her, just to tell her that I didn't intend to speak, but she actually spread the matter in public. Faced with such an embarrassing situation, I could only stand up helplessly.

I cleared my throat and tried my best to organize my words: "Well, when it comes to the rules and regulations of the Human Resources Department, there is no doubt that this department is indeed very important to the company. Well, its main responsibility is recruitment, right?" Before I finished speaking, Xiaolin immediately took over: "Director Wang, who are you asking? I asked you to explain the rules and regulations." There was a hint of teasing in her tone.

Seeing Xiaolin speaking with such an attitude, I couldn't help but feel angry, so I responded angrily: "How can I know the specific rules and regulations of your human resources department?" This unexpected remark not only put me in an embarrassing dilemma, but also made me more doubtful about the real purpose of this meeting.

"As an employee of the company, everyone should be familiar with the company's personnel rules and regulations. This is basic professional accomplishment." Xiaolin's voice echoed in the conference room with a hint of unquestionable firmness. She looked straight at me, as if she wanted to see through me. "As a member of the management, you know nothing about this. This can only mean that you are negligent in your work. As an employee of the company, I think you are not competent."

I frowned and retorted, "So what you mean is that everyone here is familiar with the rules and regulations of your human resources department?" I looked around, trying to find some support from other employees.

Xiaolin seemed to be well prepared. She smiled and turned to the seat next to her. "I can't say I know everything, but I believe our employees are serious and responsible. If you don't believe me, I can call a colleague and ask him to try to explain it."

As soon as she finished speaking, she pointed to a young programmer in the R&D department. The programmer was obviously prepared, but he still stood up, took a deep breath, and began to speak fluently: "The Human Resources Department is responsible for assisting various departments in handling personnel recruitment, employment and dismissal procedures. It is responsible for the establishment, implementation and revision of the company's personnel management system. It is responsible for the company's daily labor discipline and attendance management..." He listed the main responsibilities and rules and regulations of the Human Resources Department in one breath, with clear words and strict logic.

"This colleague explained it very well." Xiaolin nodded with satisfaction and turned to me. "Director Wang, please listen to this. This is what our ordinary employees know about the personnel rules and regulations. So, do you think he explained it better, or you, the director, explained it better?"

I stood there like a wooden chicken, my lips trembling but I couldn't say a word. I could only stand there like a statue, silently enduring the stares of everyone who looked like a thorn in my back. At this moment, the whole conference room was noisy and noisy, people were whispering to each other, as if discussing something important. Although I couldn't hear what everyone said specifically, from their expressions and tones, it was nothing more than some criticism and accusations. For example, someone complained: "Even an ordinary employee can speak so well, but as a leader, he knows nothing about it. Such a leader is really derelict in his duty!" Someone else echoed: "Yeah, I don't know how this person became the director?"

Xiao Lin stood aside, listening to everyone's discussion with a smile on her face, which was full of pride and satisfaction. She seemed to be very satisfied with all that she had carefully planned, because her goal seemed to have been achieved. At this moment, she cleared her throat and shouted loudly: "Okay, let's end the meeting today, adjourn!" As her voice fell, the meeting room suddenly became silent, and everyone began to pack up and prepare to leave.

As the crowd dispersed, I sat there awkwardly, feeling mixed emotions. I called out to Xiaolin, who was about to leave, "Please stay."

She stopped and looked back at me with a hint of sarcasm in her eyes: "Hey, Director Wang, are you looking for me?"

I took a deep breath and tried to calm myself down: "Yes, I think today's meeting was a bit weird. Is there any misunderstanding between us?"

Xiao Lin sneered, "Misunderstanding? No, how dare I have any misunderstanding with Director Wang. You hold such a high position and are such a gossiper. If I provoke you, how can I live a good life?"

I was stunned by her words, and I asked, "What do you mean? What gossip?"

Xiaolin didn't answer, she just glanced at me coldly and turned away. Her back disappeared at the end of the corridor, leaving me alone in a daze.

Back in the office, I fell into deep thought. Suddenly, a piece of information flashed in my mind - Lao Gao. I remembered that he had mentioned the birthmark on Xiaolin's buttocks before, and this secret seemed to be known only to a few people. I was moved. Could it be that Lao Gao was taking revenge on me? He must have used some tricks to make Xiaolin think that I was spreading her embarrassing story.

Thinking of this, I was filled with uneasiness and anxiety. I knew that this incident not only made me notorious in the HR department, but also spread throughout the company in just a few days. I accidentally learned that the meeting was specially selected to include the most gossipy grassroots employees in each department, which undoubtedly accelerated the speed and scope of information dissemination.

My story seemed to have become a farce, and it was widely spread among the employees, and even exaggerated into various versions. Every time I walked in the corridor, I could feel those strange looks and whispers. I became their after-dinner joke, as if overnight, all my efforts and achievements were wiped out by this misunderstanding.

However, what worries me most is not just the damage to my reputation. Since this incident, I have gradually discovered that many department leaders have become interested in me. They have begun to find various excuses to contact me, trying to get information from me or gain some improper benefits.

I know these leaders' minds very well. They don't really appreciate me or value my abilities, but want to use me to achieve their own goals. I feel very helpless and frustrated because I know that I can't stop their behavior or change their views on me.

That afternoon, the head of the marketing department came to me in a hurry. He was the first person to find me. At that time, I didn't know what they were thinking. He had an anxious expression on his face, obviously asking for something from me.

He explained to me that he often needs to use automated processing functions in his daily work, but the software on the market can never meet his specific needs. He hopes that our product department can tailor a small program for him to help him complete his daily work more efficiently.

I took the requirement document from him and read it carefully. In fact, his requirement was not complicated. It was just a small program that could simplify the workflow and improve work efficiency. I have always been willing to help others, especially after seeing that his requirement could really bring practical benefits to our company, I decided to help him personally.

So, I took some time and, based on my previous program development experience, quickly wrote a small program that met his requirements and handed it to him.

When he saw that I had finished the program so quickly, he showed an expression of disbelief on his face. He asked in surprise, "Aren't programs for your product department usually handed over to the R&D department for development? How come you have finished it so quickly after I just told you about the requirements? Is the cooperation between your product department and R&D department so tacit? This is really unbelievable."

I smiled and explained, "Oh, actually I used to be a programmer. Your program requirement is not complicated, so I just wrote it for you."

After hearing this, he thanked me repeatedly and said with emotion: "It seems that those rumors about the company are really not to be believed. I always thought that you had no ability as the company said, but I didn't expect that you have such strong technical ability. I won't hide it from you. Our department did spread some rumors that were unfavorable to you before, but from today on, I will never believe them again."

I smiled to show my gratitude for his trust. However, he reminded me, "But you should be aware that these rumors are not only spread in our department, but also in other departments. You may need to find a way to clarify them."

After seeing off the head of the marketing department, I breathed a sigh of relief and prepared to go back to the office to continue my work. However, before I even got to the office, the head of the customer service department suddenly appeared in front of me and greeted me with a smile: "You are Director Wang from the product department, right?"

I stopped and responded, "Yes, it's me."

"Oh, hello, I'm the head of the customer service department, my last name is Ren." She extended her hand enthusiastically to shake hands with me.

I shook her hand politely and asked curiously, "Manager Ren, what can I do for you?"

Manager Ren smiled and explained, "It's like this. Our department is about to hold a meeting. I hope Director Wang can attend and provide us with some valuable opinions and suggestions."

I felt a little surprised and asked in confusion, "Your department's meeting invited me to attend?" I couldn't help but wonder, this seemed similar to what Xiaolin, the head of the human resources department, had done before. Did I accidentally offend the head of the customer service department?

Manager Ren seemed to see my confusion and quickly explained, "Oh, Director Wang, please don't misunderstand me. The content of today's meeting is very important and is also closely related to the product department. I have already reported it to the boss, and the boss is very supportive and agrees that you can attend."

"Is this what the boss meant? You didn't lie to me?" I asked half-doubtfully.

"Of course it was the boss's intention. How could I lie to you? I don't have the courage to do that." Manager Ren said with a smile, his tone full of sincerity.

I thought about it and decided that since the boss had agreed, it would be fine to attend. So I asked, "Oh, okay, when does the meeting start?" I was actually curious to see what they were up to.

"Right now, the head of our department and other colleagues are waiting for you to attend the meeting in the conference room." Manager Ren said.

I joked, "Wow, it seems like you guys have already burned the firewood and set up the pot, and are just waiting for me, the 'rabbit', to be put into the pot?"

Manager Ren was amused by what I said, and quickly waved his hand and said, "Oh, Director Wang, you are such a joker. It must be a good thing that we asked you to come, so don't worry about it."

So we went to the meeting room together. When I opened the door, I saw that there were already seven or eight people sitting inside, all colleagues from the customer service department. When they saw me coming in, they all nodded in a friendly manner. I found an empty seat and sat down, ready to listen to the content of the meeting.