Chapter 2451: Chapter 2354: Collective Resignation

"What do you all think about this matter?"

As soon as Zhang Xiaomei said this, everyone was in an uproar. Many faces changed dramatically, and they all looked at Zhang Xiaomei with suspicion.

"Professor Zhang, we absolutely can’t go with this! If the project gets acquired, then what about us?"

"Exactly, no way. President Zhou clearly has bad intentions. We can’t compromise. We’ve been pushing this project for so long; we’re used to it. Who knows, we might succeed any day now. We can’t let someone named Zhou reap the benefits at this point!"

"At worst, we can still scrimp on the budget or find a way to get some extra funds. We’ve endured for more than a decade. We can’t accept giving up now!"

The first few to speak were Zhang Xiaomei’s staunch supporters. They all knew her dedication and sacrifice for the project, so almost no one agreed with selling it.

But after those few spoke, someone immediately countered:

"It’s not about saying it like that. We’ve been at this for over a decade with no light in sight. It might be better to sell to another company. At least we could get some of the money back."

"That President Zhou is willing to be the scapegoat, so why not sell? Why not?"

"Exactly, President Zhou seems easy to talk to. Even if he acquires our project, he’d still take on the entire team. It’s not like we can’t continue the work."

"Yes, and he might even increase the investment. Wouldn’t that be even better for our project? We’d have a big company backing us. The benefits would surely be better than now."

"..."

Zhang Xiaomei didn’t interrupt, smiling as she let them chatter away. She just tapped her fingers on the table, smiling as she observed each person’s expression and words.

It wasn’t until they were in a heated argument, clearly divided into two camps and faces were red with anger, that Zhang Xiaomei interrupted directly:

"Alright! Stop arguing!"

Hearing Zhang Xiaomei’s voice, everyone snapped out of it and turned to look at her.

Zhang Xiaomei smiled at those advocating for selling the project and said casually:

"I forgot to tell you something. Professor Wang Yaoguo has just submitted his resignation to me. He plans to join Zhou Qiwen’s company and offered to lead you into the new company’s research team to continue studying the silkworm breeding project."

"I’m not the stubborn, harsh employer. You all have been with me through this. I understand your dedication and perseverance. It’s not been easy for anyone."

"Now that Professor Wang Yaoguo has offered you a brighter path with more prospects, if you wish to follow him, I won’t stop you. You can just submit your resignation to me here, and I’ll sign it right away, no questions asked!"

"But if you miss today, I can’t guarantee I’ll agree in the future."

Everyone was stunned right then. After a moment of silence, those who originally advocated for selling the project looked at each other, somewhat undecided.

They observed the reactions of those around them while shooting questioning looks at Zhang Xiaomei, as if trying to read something from her face.

Zhang Xiaomei allowed them to scrutinize her, looking calm and composed, with a smile that showed no displeasure.

Perhaps afraid they might hesitate to resign on the spot, Zhang Xiaomei even encouraged them with her words:

"You’ve worked with me for so many years. There’s definitely a bond. As the saying goes, water flows downwards while people aim high. If you want to soar, I, Zhang Xiaomei, only have my blessings for you. I would never agree to your face and trip you up behind your back."

"I believe you’ve had enough experience with me to know that once I give my promise, I will never go back on my word!"

Zhang Xiaomei’s words were firm and reassuring, instilling confidence in everyone. Not to mention those who had already decided to leave with Wang Yaoguo, even the hesitant ones found resolution.

They exchanged glances until someone finally grit his teeth and stepped forward:

"Professor Zhang, I’m resigning. You know my situation; my child is about to be born. I can’t hold on anymore. Even if I could wait, my child can’t!"

The speaker was a man in his thirties. He seemed to have prepared his resignation long before, pulling it from his inner pocket and placing it in front of Zhang Xiaomei in front of everyone.

Zhang Xiaomei’s expression didn’t change. She still smiled and said, "Oh, you came prepared."

Her words weren’t offensive. She picked up the resignation without even glancing at it, swiftly signing ’Approved’ and putting down her own name.

The man didn’t stick around the meeting room, taking his resignation and leaving without looking back at his colleagues.

With someone leading the way and Zhang Xiaomei showing no signs of making things difficult, the rest got active, those who had long prepared their resignations quickly took them out.

The reasons they presented were varied: a mother needing surgery costs, a wife needing a car for marriage, school fees for choosing schools for children. Zhang Xiaomei didn’t bother to listen, signing them as they came, not a word of retention, letting them all go.

Zhang Xiaomei couldn’t care less, but those core members who supported her turned red with anger at seeing so many resign, glaring with rage at the departing ones.

"All of them are ingrates. When they were in trouble, it was Professor Zhang who lent them a helping hand and invited them to this lab. Now they only remember the lab doesn’t offer them better benefits and completely forget how Professor Zhang treated them back then!"

The core members were seething with indignation, nearly rushing up to tear into the ones leaving.

However, with Zhang Xiaomei’s attitude, those loyal members, always respectful of her, naturally wouldn’t undermine her in such a situation.

Seeing those with resignation letters leave smoothly, the remaining ones who hadn’t submitted were itching to handwrite their resignations on A4 sheets without delay.

Of course, a few who had been neutral, after some hesitation, decided not to resign and rejoined Zhang Xiaomei’s camp.

If you find any errors ( broken links, non-standard content, etc.. ), Please let us know < report chapter > so we can fix it as soon as possible.