Chapter 25 - 22: Who Says Darts Can’t Stab People?

Moreover, his tone was incredibly harsh, as if he held immense power, capable of blacklisting Chen Jue from the entire industry with a single word.

If it had been anyone else, they would have been so intimidated that they likely would have signed immediately.

But Chen Jue had been navigating the corporate world until he was nearly 30. He’d seen it all and wasn’t the least bit scared by such verbal threats.

"President Zhou, it’s just a few tens of thousands. There’s no need to make things this ugly."

"Besides, a person should be like this pen: smooth when you need to be, and sharp when it counts." After speaking, Chen Jue picked up the pen from the coffee table and toyed with it in his left hand.

"What do you mean?"

"Are you agreeing to sign?"

Seeing this, Zhou Yong frowned, not quite following Chen Jue’s train of thought.

But in the next second, with a sharp FWIP!, Zhou Yong’s hair stood on end. As if he’d received a massive shock, the teacup in his hand instantly overturned onto the coffee table.

Because the pen Chen Jue had been holding was thrown like a Dart, grazing past Zhou Yong’s cheek before embedding itself directly into the leather sofa behind him.

The pen tip pierced through the sofa’s upholstery, and half the pen’s body sank in.

The power and accuracy of that throw were clear to see!

Not only was Zhou Yong stunned, but even Sister Li, who had been backing him up, trembled and let out a couple of shrieks.

"You... you..."

"What are you trying to do?"

Zhou Yong, after all, had clawed his way up from nothing. Now in his forties, he had been through a lot, so he quickly regained his composure, though his voice trembled as he questioned Chen Jue.

He was completely blindsided. He never expected that Chen Jue, this employee who seemed so honest and introverted, would dare to get physical with him right to his face.

If that pen had been even slightly off, it would have been embedded in his face!

The mere thought sent a chill down Zhou Yong’s spine.

’That wasn’t a pen at all!’

’It was a goddamn lethal Dart!’

"I’m not trying to do anything. I just want to get the severance pay I’m owed."

"Since you threatened me earlier, President Zhou, I figured I’d scare you back. It’s not like I hurt you, so at most, we’re even."

Chen Jue shrugged, even leaning back on the sofa and crossing his legs.

He felt much more refreshed and clear-headed after that throw.

Even the "Skill Level +4" notification that popped up on his panel looked particularly pleasing.

"..."

Hearing Chen Jue’s explanation, Zhou Yong, though still a bit dazed, secretly breathed a sigh of relief.

He was genuinely afraid that Chen Jue would actually hit him.

After all, Zhou Yong had a huge family and business now. As a president worth tens of millions, there was no need for him to risk his life fighting a low-level employee like Chen Jue.

Even if it didn’t cost him his life, getting injured or maimed would be an extremely bad deal.

"Heh heh!"

"You’re right. It’s just a few tens of thousands, no need to make things so ugly." Zhou Yong forced an awkward smile and hurriedly tidied up the coffee table.

"However, the company really doesn’t have the cash right now. We can’t pay you in cash."

"Chen Jue, how about this! I’ve thought of a compromise. You can go to the post-loan department and take a stock vehicle of equivalent value!" Zhou Yong’s attitude had completely changed as he discussed the proper severance compensation.

Hearing that the severance would be a vehicle instead, Chen Jue was stunned for a moment, then nodded in understanding. "Alright, then. That plan works for me! Sister Li, just call me back to sign after you’ve amended the contract."

The terrified Sister Li, standing to the side, didn’t dare say another word and just nodded fearfully in agreement.

...

After leaving the president’s office, Chen Jue suddenly recalled his conversation with Lin Ling at the gym.

’Who says Darts are only for hitting targets?’

’I just grabbed a pen and threw it like a Dart to scare him a little, and didn’t he fall right into line?’

’It works much better than playing the victim!’

As for Zhou Yong and Sister Li, after Chen Jue left, they both stared at the pen embedded in the sofa for a long time, their faces pale with lingering fear.

"This is insane!"

"Truly insane!"

Zhou Yong pulled the pen out and tried throwing it a couple of times himself, but it just bounced off the sofa’s leather.

Seeing this, Zhou Yong became even more convinced that there was more to Chen Jue than met the eye. "Xiaoli, back when we hired Chen Jue, did his resume say anything about him knowing Martial Arts?"

"Martial Arts? I’ve never heard anything about that!"

"We’ve been working together for four years..." Sister Li shook her head, a look of utter confusion on her face.