Tai Jun's thoughts: Retrenchment list

Shin Dong Xian threw my reorganization plan back at me.

"I must tell you this, GM, this is garbage. I want a retrenchment list." He wasted no time on his attack.

I cannot do that, I cannot fire those innocent colleagues without a reason.

"You can't?" He pushed again.

No, I cannot. They are my friends, and they are the people I cared for.

"You can't fire them? Then, do you want to leave the hotel for them?"

I looked, and he was smiling, enjoying himself, "I don't think that is what you mean, right? I want the retrenchment list." Like a spoiled kid who got his mind set on a toy in the shop, he would not leave until he got what he wanted.

I had no room to retreat in Sapphire so I left. You picked up my organization plan and followed me back, did not say a word along the way. I told you not to come to Sapphire with me but you insisted. I do not know what you see in him, but I am sure this is not the side you wanted to see.

Then, Wu jumped at the opportunity to please Shin Dong Xian, and to get rid of the people he did not like.

The list was on the board already when I got there, and I ripped it off. In anger, I rushed to Sapphire. I don't care what Shin Dong Xian is anymore, as the hotel do not need this kind of consultancy.

"What do you think you are doing?" I stormed into Sapphire, demanded an answer but he did not look up.

"I would appreciate some manners and respect here"

Why should I give him any respect? What is he anyway? He is not a guest at the hotel anymore. I am sick of the way he played the game. Do this guy has any feeling for all those innocent people???? Does he care for anyone else but himself????

"It was not my business", he confirmed what I knew all along.

"The hotel is what it is because of the people..." Last time, this is the last time I will try to explain to him.

"There are people everywhere, GM", he was still looking at his document.

I have to hit him where it hurt most, "Maybe I should add, you have a lot of ladies friend too" He finally took his eyes off his paper, and I saw the pain in his eyes when he looked up.

I reminded him about you and that hurt him... The victory was brief and insignificance. Even so, I managed to hurt him, and that pleased me.

You were outside your office when I saw you. "How was it?" How did you know I went to see Shin Dong Xian?

Then, I heard Madam Cui shouting at Wu for posting the retrenchment list up without her approval. Wu insisted that he was doing it to save the hotel, and I heard him said, "I only do this because GM Han Tai Jun did not do anything, and someone has to be the bad guy."

I looked at you, did not know what to do. The pleasure of hurting Shin Dong Xian was now forgotten. I walked back to my office, and you followed.

"If you agree, I will go speak to him." I appreciated that you seek for my approval first this time, but I don't need your help.

"It is my job, I will handle it", I insisted, even though I have no idea how.

"What are you going to do? Things are getting out of control in the hotel..." I know, I know already. I don't need you to remind me. Please leave me alone. I needed to think.

I sat in the office the whole day and decided on what I should do next. I did not want to do this, but Shin Dong Xian has pushed me to the corner. I asked him to meet me at Diamond Villa.

I was there waiting. He came in, my back facing him.

Last time we were here, I was behind him, and his back was facing me. Last time, he declared war here, with you in the bet as well.

This time...

"The hotel is where I grew up... here, I decided that I wanted to be a hotelier... h ere, I met the woman I wanted to spend my life with. ... h ere, I have a lot of memories and friends. I can't let you harm my friends." I turned and faced him, "Please let them go"

He looked puzzled. So a smart man like Shin Dong Xian is now confused.

I left my resignation letter on the table. "Congratulations, you have won."

Last time, he walked off first, left me standing. This time, I got out first, left him standing.

However, I have no time to waste, as I have to start executing my plan. I went back to my office, took off my uniform.

From this moment onwards, I am Han Tai Jun, not GM Han Tai Jun anymore. As Han Tai Jun, I am going into Sapphire to collect evidence against Shin Dong Xian...

Zhen Yin's thoughts: Retrenchment list

The GM, Manager Wu and me were in Sapphire. You have prepared a set of reorganization plans, but not the retrenchment listing. Again, we sat and waited, like in the conference room yesterday. Only difference is now, we know who we are waiting for.

He appeared from his room. He looked straight. Just like yesterday, he didn’t even look at me. Just like yesterday, I looked down, facing neither you nor him nor anyone else. I sat, not moving at all. I listened to you two, arguing. Today, it hurt more than yesterday.

He threw your reorganization plans on the table. He wanted the retrenchment listing, as mentioned in the meeting yesterday. "You can't fire them? Then, do you want to leave the hotel for them?", he suggested. I heard this, more shocked. Things are getting more and more out of hand. No, it hasn’t been in my hands. Is this the "him" I know? I am afraid of this side of him.

With your rejected reorganization plans in my hands, I left Sapphire after you. We didn’t say a word on the way back.

I was sulking at the staff office. Manager Wu is discussing some "plans" with his gang … Manager Wu and Manager Lee are arguing … Can’t you senior managers be more cooperative in this crucial period? I don’t seem to understand the world I used to be familiar anymore.

Manager Lee chose this moment to ask me about him. I am vexed enough. I am angry with the situation, even with myself, … for I am helpless in neither rectifying the hotel crisis, or to him or even to myself ... "Don’t say anymore! I am angry enough!" I took big steps out of the staff room.

The first part of the retrenchment listing has been posted publicly.

I walked out of the staff office. It is getting stuffy inside and I need some air. I saw you, "How’s things? … Not smooth?" Then, we heard the heated argument between Madam Cui and Manager Wu from outside the staff office.

I witnessed the chaotic and highly unstable situation in the hotel that public announcement. The staff has lost the spirit to work. The hotel is in a chaotic state. My concern and worries for the hotel could not be less than yours. I followed you to your office. Inside, your back faced me.

I wanted to do something for the hotel. The last time, although it has been painful, he didn’t pursue that lawsuit after he and I met. "… I will speak to him", I suggested. He may listen to me, I thought. "It is my job, I will handle it", I heard you saying. Don’t you understand I want to do something for the hotel? "What are you going to do? Things are getting out of control in the hotel..." There isn’t any other way out already. You said you needed peace. Your back is still facing me. There is no room for negotiation for me. I stood a moment … turned and left.

Back home, I consoled Jenny, who is concerned about her job. I assured her that you could resolve the problem. After Jenny exited, I sighed. I know there is no way out. I am gravely worried. Chun Qing hinted that he is the only one who can solve the present crisis. Don’t repeat that. I know all that. I sighed, feeling vexed and troubled.

Chun Qing and I went singing at Casablanca to relieve some of the unhappiness.

"I can’t let you leave me like this … I can’t forget you like this … I held on to my tears … I …" as I sang … I cried … What is true love? My tears flowed. Chun Qing and I left Casablanca.

Chun Qing alerted me halfway down the same staircase. I saw him, at his usual seat. He looked up and our eyes met. Chun Qing pulled me upstairs.