Struggling to Survive in Hell Difficulty

Chapter 127.

After finishing up the data correction work and started the data integrity checking, I took out my smartphone and checked the current time... only to find out it was already 7 P.M. Perhaps I did not realize it as there was no window leading outside to see that the sun had sunk into the horizon... and that there was nothing but the sound of people typing on keyboards and occasional groans from those same people.

However, as this was the last step necessary to check the database, most of these people had gone out of the meeting room, heading to their respective working areas and computers to do their last job. Only the remaining few who were still working on their databases or doing their own final checks remained in this place... as well as Nahja herself.

...then again, the reason those people left immediately without saying anything might also be attributed to her silent pressure...

"...oh?"

At this point, a notification came into my phone. It was just a message saying that quite a lot of funds were transferred into my account, presumably from my manager who just transferred the overtime emergency money for today.

With this, at the very least, some of my expenses for the month or two were secured...

"...alright. The checkup for this one is done."

I opened the report log from the system, only to find that there was no problem whatsoever. There seemed to be some mistakes in labeling the tables, but that was the issue with their team, so I did not rectify it on my own

"...adding it to the notes... and... sent."

Just as the notification for uploading the database was over, the sound of cheering erupted from outside the meeting room. Seeing their lethargic yet discernable happiness, it seemed like they were really glad to be released from the yoke of despair known as consecutive overtime.

I could only hope that they still read the note I sent before they uploaded the database to at least correct the labeling... but that was honestly not my problem at this point.

"...this one is done. No errors and warnings..."

It took around half an hour before I could send all of the checked databases, and all the while I watched as those groups of people erupted in cheers as they then started their own preparation to go home.

"...if only they could be this enthusiastic at work..."

Though, someone here seemed to be the only person who did not feel happy while the others were celebrating their freedom.

"They did not seem to care that their laidback attitude is the reason why they had to work this late, which also forced the company to stop working for a full day." Nahja voiced her frustration in a subdued voice, perhaps making sure it was not heard to the others around. "...maybe I should just start screening and firing them..."

"......I don't think that is a good idea."

...I thought I had said that with a weak voice, but seeing Nahja suddenly turning her attention to me, it seemed like I had failed to do that.

"...do you seriously not think that? Even when you are the one forced to work extra today because of them?"

This time, her voice was loud enough that everyone present in the area could hear her words. And obviously, the attention of those people ended up falling to the person she was looking at... which was me.

"...I already got the extra payment for emergency overtime services, along with the approval for a permanent work from home permit."

"...hoo..."

"And even if I did not receive all that, I would still have the same answer."

"......can you tell me why?"

I had no idea whether her interest in me was something good or bad, but at least she was not as pressuring as she had been back in the morning. I could only hope that the fact that her mouth was making a mild smile, as if she was watching something funny... was not her idea of grilling me in public.

"...as much as I have no idea what they could do, most of the people working here are older than me. Maybe five or six years my senior." I paused for a moment, trying to gather my thoughts before continuing. "...if you fired any of them, you will have to find more people to replace them. And that will take time."

"Don't you think that is a necessary investment for the future?"

"Maybe, but not by firing everyone immediately before finding new employees. Without any proper senior to guide them, they would just be stressed and unable to work properly, perhaps even becoming a burden for others. This would undoubtedly create a problem for... well, the company's growth, at the very least."

"......so you are saying that I should hire more people first to do proper handover of job and duties before firing the old ones?"

"...I did not say anything. All I want is proper reimbursement for my job, along with my rights and demands being met by the company. And I do not want to suffer needlessly because of improper actions or hastily made decisions without any considerations to how it would affect others at the bottom of the company, like me."

"...hmmm......"

I had no idea what that meant. And I had no idea why her smile was getting wider as she stared at me. But all I knew was that the remaining people around me seemed to look at me with fear in their eyes, as if I had done something terribly wrong.

And before I could ask about it, the last database to be checked was finally over, prompting me to send the files to the respective team... which was unexpectedly the same group of people that still remained in this room.

"......alright. The data in here is already done."

Unlike before where the group made a loud cheer, this group merely maintained their silence as they high-fived each other and made their way out from the meeting room immediately. They were obviously restraining themselves, trying not to attract Nahja's attention as they made their escape.

Eventually, only Nahja and I remained in the meeting room. She seemed to be doing something on her laptop (which I did not know when it appeared), while I was terminating the connections from my FIS-HUB before turning off my computer and plugging off the cable connection.

"...alright. Now-"

"You are done now, right?"

...was she waiting for me to pack up? Or had she been waiting until my job was done?

Regardless, Nahja suddenly stood up as she pushed the chair away from her legs loudly, prompting me to look at her. She slowly walked around the table and stopped next to me, watching me closely as she stood quite close to me.

"Then you're coming with me. I will drive you home-"

"...sorry, but no. I still have things to do."