CHAPTER 242: CHAPTER 242: TOP EMPLOYEE OF THE YEAR

Upon hearing this, the people around, who had been reluctantly trying to get through the workday, immediately became excited.

Zhang Yulan hurriedly said to Su Xiaoxiao and Qin Shuang, "Come on, we have a few minutes before work starts, let’s go check it out quickly."

Su Xiaoxiao wasn’t particularly interested in the title of excellent salesperson. The meager bonus wasn’t enough to spark her interest.

She waved her hand, "Sister Zhang, you and Shuangshuang go ahead. I’ll pass. I won’t be chosen anyway, so looking is pointless."

"How do you know you won’t be chosen? You’ve gotten sponsorships for our department store and organized training for events. If you’re not chosen, then no one will be."

Zhang Yulan looked at her with a face of frustration, "Xiaoxiao, I’ve got to tell you, everyone else is fighting for this honor, and here you are, not even remotely enthusiastic about such a prestigious moment."

Without further ado, Zhang Yulan dragged her into the crowd.

The place where the announcement was posted was already crowded, with people layered three deep inside and out, making quite a commotion.

Su Xiaoxiao, feeling hopeless, was wedged between Zhang Yulan and Qin Shuang as they pushed their way through the crowd, feeling like she was going to be squished into a meat patty.

Just then, someone exclaimed, "Oh my god! I got selected!"

Immediately following this, another shout rang in her ears, making Su Xiaoxiao feel like she might go deaf.

At that moment, the three finally made it to the innermost part of the crowd.

Feeling dizzy from the pushing, Su Xiaoxiao lifted her head in despair to see Zhang Yulan and Qin Shuang nervously scanning the list of selected names from back to front.

Suddenly, both of them shouted in unison, "We made it, we got selected!"

Su Xiaoxiao wasn’t surprised that the two of them were selected.

Zhang Yulan was a veteran at the department store, diligent in her work, without the usual airs of seniority, and she treated people warmly. If she weren’t selected, it would be unjust.

As for Qin Shuang, she had backing from higher-ups; even if the leadership didn’t care about the personnel, they had to respect their connections.

"Alright, since we’ve seen it, let’s..."

She had barely started speaking when the two exclaimed again, "Xiaoxiao, not only were you chosen, but you’re also in first place!"

"Huh?"

Su Xiaoxiao uttered a single sound, her expression frozen in surprise.

"The top three get to go on stage to receive an award, complete with a big red flower, and personally receive a certificate from leadership. What an honor that is! Xiaoxiao, you’re amazing!"

Zhang Yulan shook her arm excitedly, while Qin Shuang looked on with admiration.

Su Xiaoxiao’s mind slowly pieced together the scene of her going on stage to receive an award with a big red flower, and the corner of her mouth twitched uncontrollably. How was this an honor? It felt more like public embarrassment.

Just thinking about that scene made her vision go black.

"Can I refuse this first place?"

Zhang Yulan looked at her like she was an idiot, "Are you dumb? Such an honor, and others can’t even dream of it, yet here you are not wanting it? Don’t you know how many people are green with envy?"

"Then Sister Zhang, you can go up on my behalf; I really don’t want this honor at all."

Zhang Yulan: "..."

She indeed wanted to go up, but her ranking was too low to have a chance.

"Not only do you gain face in front of the leadership, but you might also get noticed by higher-ups. This is a tremendous opportunity; aren’t you even a little tempted?"

Zhang Yulan stared at her in disbelief, thinking Su Xiaoxiao must be crazy or simply didn’t understand the weight of being in first place.

Su Xiaoxiao was about to reply, "Not tempted."

When she saw the general manager, Yan Guohua, walking over with calculated steps.

She immediately changed her tune, "I just feel that I’m still a newcomer, with too little experience to deserve such an honor. It should go to a more dedicated senior employee, like Sister Zhang, who is more qualified."

"You silly girl, everyone can see your hard work. You deserve this first place."

To be honest, seeing a newcomer like Su Xiaoxiao getting first place made Zhang Yulan feel a bit envious, but since they were on good terms, she kept it to herself.

Hearing Su Xiaoxiao say this, she couldn’t help but feel touched.

Little Xiaoxiao was just too naive.

Just then, a loud clapping sound came from behind, "Well said, well done! This is the kind of thoughtful and aware comrade we need. Everyone should learn from Comrade Su—humble, calm, and hardworking."

Yan Guohua looked at Su Xiaoxiao with appreciation and led the applause.

The hall erupted in thunderous clapping.

"Comrade Su, humility is a virtue, but you truly deserve this first place."

Having said that, he marched off with his distinctive gait.

Su Xiaoxiao: "..."

She really didn’t want this first place at all. She had hoped to seize the opportunity to give it to a senior employee when the general manager walked over.

After all, being in first place meant standing in the center spot during an embarrassing public award ceremony, without any real benefits.

Even the bonus and certificate were the same as those for tenth place.

But the general manager had obviously misunderstood.

What awareness? She just thought it was embarrassing, okay?

Just as she was feeling frustrated, a crowd gathered around her to congratulate her.

"Comrade Su, you’re amazing! As a new employee, you set an unprecedented record for our department store."

"That’s right. In previous years, the top three were always taken by the long-timers. Now, our new employees finally have something to celebrate."

"Not only does Comrade Su excel in business skills, but she’s also so modest. Truly a role model for us all!"

Su Xiaoxiao: "..."

She didn’t want to be a role model at all!

In her mind, she was already planning that if nothing else worked, she could fake a stomachache on the award day, or maybe feign a fever or cold.

Just then, someone shouted, "The store is about to open, everyone get back to your places."

With that, the onlookers quickly dispersed.

Su Xiaoxiao rushed to return to her spot but unexpectedly, just two steps in, someone bumped heavily into her shoulder.

The force nearly knocked Su Xiaoxiao to the ground, causing her to almost fall hard on her backside. It was clearly intentional.

Zhang Yulan frowned and looked over, "Chen Xiaohong, what are you doing? Are you blind? Why crash into someone when there’s plenty of space?"

"I want to, what’s it to you?"

Chen Xiaohong retorted, lifting her chin as she walked past Su Xiaoxiao. As they brushed by, she whispered, "Don’t get too cocky, the higher you are, the harder you fall!"

As she finished speaking and was about to leave, her arm was suddenly grabbed.

Chen Xiaohong frowned and glared at Su Xiaoxiao, "What? Want to bump back?"

She instinctively thought Su Xiaoxiao was challenging her, but what she heard next from Su Xiaoxiao was completely unexpected.