Helping Beautiful Women Become Stronger, I Have a Love System

92: Chapter 92 Resigning to Start a BusinessCao Kun was not intimidated, his voice booming, ensuring those outside could hear.

”As for you, Zhang Wei, how much longer do you think you can act so arrogantly? I’m telling you, we’re leaving today, and tomorrow we’ll start our own company!”

”Not only will we start a company, but I’ll also specifically target you—steal your clients, poach your people! I’ll make sure your lousy company can’t survive in Zhongzhou! I mean what I say!”

”Ha ha ha ha!” Zhang Wei laughed as if he had heard the funniest joke in the world, pointing at Cao Kun and doubling over with laughter.

”Start a company? With you? Cao Kun, have you lost your mind? Do you think starting a company is child’s play? Do you have money? Connections? Resources?”

”You’re all talk! And you, Ji Guangli, following this reckless fool around—I think you’ve lost your marbles!”

His mocking laughter echoed through the office.

At that moment, Su Hongliang, hearing the commotion, also approached, leaning against the doorframe with a gloating, sneering smile.

”Well, well, Manager Cao, Director Ji, what’s this performance all about? Going independent? Such lofty ambitions!”

”But Director Zhang is right; starting a business isn’t as simple as just talking about it. Don’t come crawling back when you’ve lost everything, begging for your old jobs back. Xingchen Advertising doesn’t take in trash.”

Su Hongliang’s kicking someone when they were down made Zhang Wei even more smug.

Cao Kun ignored Su Hongliang, that bootlicker. He turned toward the door, his gaze sweeping over the colleagues peeking in with varied expressions, and declared loudly.

”Colleagues, Director Ji and I are leaving Xingchen today because we can’t stand certain people’s dirty, despicable tactics and unfair treatment! We’ve decided to start our own business and establish a new advertising company!”

He paused, his gaze becoming intensely persuasive. ”Now, I formally invite all of you! If anyone feels unhappy working here, feels underutilized, or simply wants a change of environment to pursue better development and fairer treatment, you’re welcome to join us!”

”I, Cao Kun, promise here and now that anyone willing to come with us will receive a salary increase of at least 20% above their current rate at Xingchen!”

”For those with outstanding abilities, salaries will be doubled, and you’ll enjoy project bonuses!”

These words landed with force, stirring ripples in the quiet office area.

Many employees showed signs of interest and surprise in their eyes, exchanging glances with one another.

A 20% raise, or even a doubled salary, plus bonuses? That was quite tempting!

However, as tempting as it was, reality was harsher.

Most just watched in silence. No one stepped forward.

The risks of starting a business were too great. Although Cao Kun had performed well recently, he was still young. Ji Guangli was capable, but running an independent company was a different matter.

Although Zhang Wei was despicable, Xingchen Advertising had been operating in Zhongzhou for many years and had deep roots.

Abandoning a secure job for an uncertain future required immense courage.

Even Ji Guangli’s former subordinates from Sales Department Two kept their heads down now, avoiding her gaze.

They might have been grateful for Ji Guangli’s past mentorship or dissatisfied with Zhang Wei, but in the face of survival pressure, loyalty and indignation seemed so feeble.

Seeing the evasive looks in her former subordinates’ eyes, Ji Guangli felt a pang of disappointment and sorrow, but more than that, understanding.

This society was simply that realistic.

Moreover, the overall environment was tough, and jobs were hard to come by.

Witnessing this, Zhang Wei grew even more smug and arrogant, taunting, ”Well? Cao Kun, see that? No one will follow you to starve!”

”Do you really think landing one lucky deal makes you somebody? What a joke!”

Su Hongliang chimed in, ”Exactly, anyone can spin a grand tale. Cao Kun, I suggest you just find a proper job and stop dreaming!”

Right at that moment, when the room was dead silent and Zhang Wei and Su Hongliang were at their most arrogant—

”Manager Cao, Director Ji! I... I’ll go with you!”

A slightly nervous but firm female voice rang out.

Everyone turned to look and saw Zhang Fangfang from Department Two’s support staff standing up, her face pale but her eyes resolute.

She had endured plenty of mistreatment from Zhang Wei—frequent overtime, low pay, and having her reimbursements deducted on various pretexts. She had long wanted to leave.

Cao Kun’s words earlier, especially his emphasis on fair treatment, had struck a chord with her.

”And me!” Immediately after, Liu Chaopeng, a usually quiet but technically solid young designer from Department Two, also stood up.

”I’ve had enough too! Constantly making those garbage revisions, no creativity at all! Director Ji, Brother Cao, I believe in you! I’ll work with you!”

Zhang Fangfang and Liu Chaopeng stepping forward was like two stones dropped into a calm lake.

Although no third person stood up, this was enough.

Cao Kun and Ji Guangli looked at them, feeling a surge of warmth and gratitude.

When everyone else chose silence and self-preservation, this trust was especially precious.

”Sister Zhang, Xiao Liu, thank you!” Ji Guangli’s voice trembled slightly.

”Good! Welcome aboard!” Cao Kun nodded emphatically, his eyes blazing. ”Don’t worry, we won’t let you down!”

He scanned the room once more, addressing the still-silent colleagues, especially Ji Guangli’s former Department Two members, in a clear voice.

”To each their own; no one is forced. But I hope you won’t regret the choice you made today in the future!”

”With someone like Zhang Wei at the helm, Xingchen Advertising is doomed sooner or later! And we will definitely rise up!”

With that, he ignored Zhang Wei and Su Hongliang’s ugly expressions and said to Ji Guangli, Zhang Fangfang, and Liu Chaopeng, ”Let’s go! Pack up!”

Ji Guangli didn’t have many personal items and was quickly packed.

Zhang Fangfang and Liu Chaopeng had even fewer belongings.

The four of them, holding simple cardboard boxes, walked out of Xingchen Advertising Company with their heads held high, under the complex gazes of the entire office.

The door closed behind them, seemingly shutting away a past filled with frustration and humiliation.

In the elevator, no one spoke for a moment.

Only after walking out of the office building did the afternoon sun feel a bit glaring. A breeze brushed their faces, carrying a sense of freedom.

Ji Guangli took a deep breath, feeling the weight in her chest dissolve.

Zhang Fangfang and Liu Chaopeng also relaxed, smiles appearing on their faces.

”Manager Cao, Director Ji, so... where do we go next?” Liu Chaopeng asked.

”No more ’Manager Cao’ or ’Director Ji,’” Cao Kun said with a smile. ”From now on, we’re partners starting a business together. Just use our names. Guangli, what do you think?”

Ji Guangli nodded, looking at the three people beside her, feeling filled with new strength. ”Right, we’re all one team from now on. Today... thank you.”

”Director Ji... oh, I mean, Guangli, don’t say that,” Zhang Fangfang quickly waved her hands. ”I should be thanking you for giving me this opportunity.”

”Exactly, working with you gives us hope!” Liu Chaopeng also grinned warmly.

Cao Kun checked the time and smiled. ”Perfect, it’s dinnertime. Let’s go, my treat today! To celebrate our escape from that hellhole and our new beginning! You pick the place!”

”Woohoo!” Liu Chaopeng cheered.

”Making Cao Kun spend money,” Zhang Fangfang said, a bit embarrassed.

Ji Guangli looked at Cao Kun’s spirited profile, then at the trusting eyes of Zhang Fangfang and Liu Chaopeng. The gloom in her heart completely dissipated, replaced by a long-lost sense of anticipation and fighting spirit for the future.

”Let’s go,” she said with a smile. ”I know a nice private kitchen. It’s quiet and good for discussing things.”

”We can talk while we eat and properly plan our new company!”

The four exchanged smiles and walked toward the sunset, heading in a new direction.