Since the two people from the market department appeared, Shen Xuecheng had been frowning while looking at them.

——After all, their demands were really too presumptuous.

But when Chen Lizhou started speaking, Shen Xuecheng’s surprise shifted to him.

As a department director who felt offended, saying something this unsympathetic was, in principle, actually not a problem.

Shen Xuecheng was surprised that the aura of Chen Lizhou at this moment was completely different compared to just now.

And if even Shen Xuecheng had this expression, it goes without saying that the duo in front of Chen Lizhou would too.

The man with the ink-stained badge had his hopeful expression freeze instantly: "Brother Chen, uh... we just wanted to trouble you to pass a message, after all, we used to... and now we’re really having a hard time..."

It seemed that their cooperation before was quite pleasant, even a bit pretentious.

There was no fluctuation in Chen Lizhou’s expression: "I fully understand what you mean, and the meaning in my words should also be clear."

Ignoring the changes in the expression of the man with the ink-stained badge, seeing that the duo had no intention of leaving, Chen Lizhou continued: "To be honest, I don’t know the significance of you looking for me, do you really think it’s useful?"

"I know you want compensation, but after all, the company has clear regulations that compensation for layoffs must be according to the standards set by the human resources department; and the standards of the human resources department are definitely made according to the leadership’s intentions."

"I am the sales director, originally unable to intervene in these matters across departments. Communicating with the people over at human resources may not do you any good, let alone me."

Shen Xuecheng felt a bit dazed, only thinking that the Chen Lizhou in front of him seemed more and more peculiar.

He was not very familiar with Chen Lizhou, after all, today was their first meeting.

However, from the description by Teacher Su Fangfang of Chen Lizhou during her lifetime, and even from their brief conversation just now, Chen Lizhou shouldn’t be like this.

His expressions and emotions turned so cold, yet he spoke so much—why does it feel like he’s finding an excuse to vent something?

The man with the ink-stained badge gripped his chopsticks tightly, beginning to breathe heavily.

And it didn’t end there, as Chen Lizhou continued: "Besides, even if I speak for you, it’s useless. Your layoff compensation standards are also decided by the higher-ups, I have no authority to interfere with company decisions."

Sentence after sentence, without a pause, let alone a break.

Shen Xuecheng thought that if he were in this place—on the premise of not knowing that Chen Lizhou was Teacher Su Fangfang’s husband—he would definitely have already started hitting someone.

"I understand your difficulties, anyone encountering your current situation would not feel good. But rather than seeking me, you should look for your departmental superior, or directly submit a written request to the boss, and feedback your appeal according to the process, that’s the right path."

"At least it’s more useful than seeking me now."

Expressing understanding of emotions, displaying inadequate ability, further providing solutions.

This series of processes seems to have no problem.

But under Chen Lizhou’s current state, saying these words, there is a big problem.

The people listening to these words opposite him are not without issues.

Hearing these words, the man with the ink-stained badge did not immediately respond, just lowered his head, his body trembling suspiciously. Although his companion’s expression was stiff, he managed to awkwardly say a few words of apology, dragging the ink-stained man to leave.

"Director Chen, we sincerely came to seek your advice, to ask for your help. If not, then not, we apologize to you." After a while, the ink-stained man said with a dark face.

Every word seemed to be squeezed out from between his teeth: "But you’re still using these Tai Chi words to perfunctorily brush us off, making us continue running around confusedly, this isn’t right, is it?"

"We also cooperated before, you know I am a veteran employee, yet you’re using these lines to dupe newcomers to block us—"

The ink-stained man suddenly gripped his chopsticks as if holding a knife, with his other hand violently pounding the table.

——Bam!

His voice also reached a peak: "Who do you think you’re looking down on?!"

...

"Old Mo, Old Mo? Let’s go!" The companion who came with him tried to pull up the man with the ink-stained badge, desperately trying to control the situation, but was flung aside with a swing of the arm.

The commotion here almost instantly attracted the attention of everyone in the cafeteria.

Some employees were already paying attention here, initially thinking something was wrong with Chen Lizhou’s health, contemplating whether to help;

After the duo with the ink-stained badge appeared, they thought there might be some gossip to hear, so they began to watch for entertainment.

And the current scenario seemed to have already transcended mere verbal communication.

Those onlookers watched the man with the ink-stained badge gripping his chopsticks, his whole body almost trembling.

It looked like a fight was about to break out!

"We were laid off, yet we can’t get the compensation we should have, we just want what belongs to us, is that wrong?" The man with the ink-stained badge surged forward a step, "What gives you the right to speak to us like this!"

Those who thought earlier that perhaps Chen Lizhou was unwell and needed help were not rushing forward anymore, instead exchanging seemingly worried looks with others.

Throughout the venue, only Chen Lizhou seemed unaffected.

No matter the reaction of the man with the ink-stained badge before him, or what was said, he maintained the same expression from the beginning.

——No, to speak diligently, there was still a slight change.

Chen Lizhou displayed a puzzled expression: "What I said, you should already know, so is there something wrong?"

...

Beside him, Shen Xuecheng faintly seemed to hear a "boom" sound.

He watched the face of the man with the ink-stained badge become red as if something exploded inside.

Shen Xuecheng was still puzzled inside—was Teacher Su’s husband really such a person?

But seeing that the man with the ink-stained badge was already picking up a tray, ready to throw it.

Shen Xuecheng himself didn’t know why he instinctively stood up.

"Mo... Brother Mo, right? Brother Mo, Brother Mo!"

He held onto the arm of the man with the ink-stained badge, getting half of his body soaked with the flying food and soup.

"Who are you?!" The man with the ink-stained badge shouted.

"I... I am Mr. Chen’s student..." After stepping forward, Shen Xuecheng himself was bewildered.

Just like how he came to "comfort" Chen Lizhou today, he merely wanted to take this action, but once it began, he had no plan on what to actually do or say. 𝓯𝓻𝒆𝙚𝒘𝓮𝙗𝓷𝒐𝓿𝙚𝒍.𝙘𝓸𝙢

But given the current circumstances, there wasn’t much room for thought.

"I am... Teacher Su’s student, Mrs. Chen, recent new hire." For some reason, Shen Xuecheng added.