The People’s Republic of Desire

72 A Woman Warrior or a Demure Bride?

The depressed economy is making everyone at Lulu's workplace nervous. A new policy has been introduced, requiring workers to evaluate each other's performance regularly. Suddenly, the atmosphere in the office has changed from friendly to antagonistic.

Everyone pays attention to what time others start work and leave the office and who they talk to or don't talk to.

Office politics don't bother Lulu. She tries to stay above it. She is a high-calibre editor, a quick writer, and a first-class interviewer. After the magazine's editor is forced to retire at fifty-five, the rumor mill says that Lulu may be promoted as the new editor. She also feels confident that she is the best choice. But to her disappointment, it turns out that Jenny, who is junior to Lulu, is named editor-in-chief.

Everyone in the office speaks privately in support of Lulu, saying the owner's decision is unfair. The truth is, nobody likes Jenny.

She is relatively new but arrogant. She talks only to those whom she thinks are useful, and she treats her subordinates coldly.

One of the colleagues, Little Ma, tells Lulu, "Do you know how Jenny got the job? I've heard she is the owner's mistress."

"I can't believe it. I'll go and ask her!" Lulu says in anger.

"Are you out of your mind? She is your boss now. She can hire you or fire you. You can't just march into her office and ask her this type of question. If you dislike her, bide your time-a little sabotage here and there-and give her a hard time, but not so she notices," Little Ma says.

"I can't do things like that. I have to find out why and hear it from her own mouth," Lulu says.

"You got the subsidized apartment and she gets the editor-in-chief job. So why do you have to make her hate you? You should come to terms with life," Little Ma says.

Lulu ignores Little Ma, and rushes off to Jenny's big corner office with glass windows facing Beijing 's Avenue of Eternal Peace.

Jenny looks at Lulu. "You come in without even knocking! What's so urgent?"

Lulu, clearly in a huff, asks directly, "Is it true that you and the owner are lovers?"

Jenny doesn't show any surprise or irritation with such a provocative question. She answers calmly: "We're good friends. I know what you are thinking. You can say I got the editor position because of our friendship, but it doesn't matter. Nowadays, corporate culture demands emphasis on end results. How you get these results is not the priority."

"But you're married. Does your husband know?" Lulu asks Jenny, who replies: "He's broad-minded and understanding."

Jenny's audacity makes Lulu think of the Chinese saying sizhu bupa reshui tang:dead pigs aren't afraid of boiling water.

"I'd rather you cover it up. It seems to me that you don't really care if your coworkers know about this scandal," Lulu says as she throws her arms up in frustration.

Jenny smiles again. "I can't really seal their lips, can I? Gossip is their right. After all, maybe it's not too bad for them to know, so they won't mess with me. If they don't like me or care for my work style, they can take a hike. One thing China doesn't lack is people."

Lulu listens with growing disbelief and anger. "Jenny, I guess with the owner's support, you have a free hand. In that case, I quit."

"No. I didn't mean you," Jenny immediately replies. "You can't quit. I really like you. I plan to give you a forty percent raise. Lulu, don't go sour on me. I'm your friend. Unlike others, you're a real treasure. I'll do whatever I can to keep you." Jenny softens her tone. Bossy and sympathetic at the same time, she certainly knows how to use both carrots and sticks.

Before Lulu can respond, Jenny adds: "Lulu, don't rush your decision. Take a few days to think clearly and then come back to me. I really think you'll like working with me." Jenny smiles like a boss. Lulu sees that smile, and immediately thinks of a crocodile.

Lulu nods, ready to leave.

"Wait." Jenny stops Lulu. "Now as a true friend, I want to give you some womanly advice."

"What?" Lulu almost feels like crying. This is so humiliating.

"You're smart and beautiful. You could easily win the world if you wanted to."

"Win the world? How?"

"Make use of what you have to get what you don't. Remember, you won't always be this young." Jenny sounds like a mother.

"I guess I can never be as talented as you are," Lulu says, and leaves Jenny's office, muttering "You bitch" under her breath. She is not in Jenny's league when it comes to office politics. Should she accept Jenny's condescending offer of the 40 percent raise or should she just quit? If she quits, who is going to support her and her mother? Neither of them has a husband to rely on. Luckily, she had already bought the subsidized apartment and it was a done deal.

She calls me. "Should I make husband searching my fulltime job or should I get the book How to Succeed in the Dirty Games of Office Politics? "

"Be a woman warrior instead of a demure bride," I say firmly.

SIZHU BUPA RESHUI TANG: Dead pigs aren't afraid of boiling water.