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Shang Zhitao handled her emotions well, but as she approached work time, she began to worry. She looked around after getting off the bus and, seeing no sign of Luan Nian, felt relieved. She dashed into the office building.
No one had taught her how to handle a one-night stand with her boss. She had secretly searched online the day before, where it said: pretend nothing happened, and neither of you will feel awkward.
Nervously waiting until the afternoon, during the weekly meeting, she heard Alex tell Lumi: “We’ll have an online meeting with Luke later to go over the Q4 budget. You and Flora should attend.”
“Not in person?” Lumi thought communicating with Luan Nian face-to-face was slightly easier; remote meetings always prompted him to raise various questions to keep everyone on their toes.
“He’s on a business trip. Advertising industry summit.”
“Alright.”
Shang Zhitao breathed a sigh of relief nearby, took the spreadsheet from Lumi, and started writing formulas to calculate the budget. Lumi sat beside her, watching Shang Zhitao write Excel formulas without pause, patted her shoulder, and gave her a thumbs-up: “Tao Tao, you’re amazing.”
“Huh?” Shang Zhitao didn’t understand.
“I dare say your Excel skills rank fifth in the company. The top four are those commercial analysis wizards.”
Shang Zhitao’s cheeks reddened slightly.
She had worked hard at it. At first, she only knew simple formulas, which were enough to handle her tasks, but she felt it wasn’t good enough. So she started systematic learning. Sun Yuanzhu recommended books to her, and sometimes held late-night classes for her and Sun Yu. Shang Zhitao even considered studying data visualization.
“I just think being proficient can improve efficiency.”
“You’re absolutely right.”
Lumi sat beside her, helping her organize the data. In fact, Shang Zhitao hardly needed guidance anymore; she had already done most of the basic work in the marketing department. She was diligent, carefully organizing every task she completed, keeping everything clear in her mind. Lumi trusted her completely.
Both of them didn’t have time to go out for lunch, finally managing to finish organizing the data and send it to Alex before the afternoon meeting.
Generally, in budget meetings, only the boss and project leaders communicated, while others simply attended. Shang Zhitao heard Luan Nian say: “Sorry, my last meeting just ended, I’m late.”
“No problem, we’ve just finished organizing. Is Hong Kong hot?” Alec asked Luan Nian.
“It’s okay. A bit hotter than Beijing. Who are the attendees today?” Luan Nian asked.
The planning and marketing departments introduced their respective attendees, and the meeting began.
Shang Zhitao opened her notebook to take meeting minutes. Everyone present was more experienced than her, so there was no need for special assignment; she would take the initiative to do it. Moreover, taking meeting minutes could actually teach her a lot, especially when attending meetings with Luan Nian. He was clear-headed, concise in language, and always pointed directly to the issues without dragging things out. Shang Zhitao quietly learned from him.
Sometimes she wondered, how great would it be if she could become someone like Luke?
Today’s budget discussion became somewhat intense. From the first project, Luan Nian started asking about ROI estimates. The first project was the sales department’s industry exchange conference, to be held in Beijing, Shanghai, Guangzhou, Shenzhen, Hong Kong, Chongqing, and Xiamen, inviting different industry clients for discussions. The purpose was client relationship maintenance. The total budget was 17 million yuan.
“Do you have a list of proposed clients?” Luan Nian asked.
Apollo from the sales department replied: “Yes, let me send it.” The invited clients were all top-tier industry clients.
After a few seconds of silence, Luan Nian said: “There is a problem with the project goal. If it’s client relationship maintenance, just taking them out for drinks and dinner would suffice. Fifty thousand yuan would be enough to achieve that goal better. Why spend 17 million on something that can be achieved with 50 thousand?”
Everyone in the meeting room exchanged glances. The industry exchange salon was an annual essential project for Lingmei, aimed at building industry influence. No one expected Luan Nian to target this project first.
“So what does Luke suggest we adjust?”
“My suggestion is: if you can’t figure it out, cut it.”
Selkie from finance shrugged at them. She had warned them before the meeting about risk control with Luan Nian, knowing how strict he was. However, the big bosses present didn’t believe it, thinking that his young age meant he lacked such determination. They underestimated this young man; although younger than them, his decisive actions were not to be underestimated.
“Is this acceptable?” Alex tried to smooth things over: “Apollo, take your team back to re-discuss this project. Client relationship maintenance is just a small part; building industry influence is still necessary.”
“If it’s about building industry influence, then I want to see what reports might be released and what conclusions will be drawn. Which experts can be invited, and how many potential customers they can bring. Last meeting, we discussed the company’s business transformation, and short-term, high-frequency projects for medium-sized clients can also be accepted. Include these clients in the invitation list.” Luan Nian directly made the request: “First, clarify these points, then consider whether to proceed. Next project.”
Shang Zhitao noticed that Apollo, the boss of the sales department, wasn’t happy. She was curious about how they would react if Luan Nian were facing them directly. Deep down, she agreed with the issues Luan Nian raised. After a few months in marketing, she gradually developed a sense of budgeting—those were real funds being spent, and every penny should make an impact.
“Shall we discuss the next budget?” Alex asked.
“Sure.” Shang Zhitao heard Luan Nian drinking water, the sound reminding her of the rolling of his Adam’s apple when he kissed her. Would Luan Nian occasionally think of that day too?
This meeting was too stimulating. Lumi kicked Shang Zhitao under the table and sent her a message: “Cutting everything, hahaha, not spending a penny from now on.”
“I’m scared to death.”
The atmosphere in the meeting room was heavy, and no one was happy except for Lumi, who found it hilarious. Lumi didn’t care; it wasn’t her money being spent or saved. She just found it satisfying. As she put it in her local slang: “These old foxes needed a good scolding.” Lumi hadn’t been short of arguments with these big bosses over money—spending lavishly and dodging responsibility during internal audits, pretending to be friendly on the surface but bad-mouthing you behind your back. With Luan Nian stepping in, everyone would likely rein themselves in a bit.
Luan Nian wasn’t foolish; he knew this meeting would earn him plenty of criticism. But he didn’t care. Even so, he sent a message to Alex: “Your department may have to work overtime to control the budget, but you must understand, in this matter, I am helping you.”
“I know, thank you.” Alex wasn’t stupid either; Luan Nian’s actions made his job much easier.
“The marketing department is the company’s money god. Controlling the budget well prevents you from being caught. This year’s headquarters internal audit is stricter. If audited thoroughly, how many here could pass? Minor ones get notified, serious ones get fired, and the worst-case scenario could land someone in jail.”
“I’ve heard about this. Thank you, Luke, for playing the bad cop.” Alex understood Luan Nian’s goodwill. He probably realized that although he managed the marketing department, he couldn’t do much about those people. So Luan Nian stepping in today to tidy up the budget wasn’t a power move—it was simply making a statement.
Lumi sent another message to Shang Zhitao: “This guy Luke is so sexy. Every time he’s so sharp, I want to strip him and see what makes him different from other men.”
Stop imagining, I’ve seen it; it’s different. Shang Zhitao thought to herself. As if she’d seen many men—she only had shallow experience with Xin Zhaozhou.
“Kitty said this morning our internal chats might be monitored,” Shang Zhitao replied to Lumi, worried their discussion about Luan Nian might be seen.
Lumi laughed: “Don’t worry, they won’t monitor us. Some people talk worse.”
“Oh, oh.”
This meeting was unbearable. Luan Nian kept firing shots, and everyone struggled to keep up. Shang Zhitao suddenly felt that what she had experienced in the past few months couldn’t be called workplace life—today was the real deal. Sharp confrontations, deliberate restraint, apparent agreement, yet underlying tension. Finally, enduring until the meeting ended, Luan Nian suddenly asked: “Who took the meeting minutes?”
Alex glanced at Shang Zhitao: “Flora did.”
“Send it to all attendees after the meeting, CC me. I have a banquet tonight, so that’s all for today. Everyone worked hard.” Luan Nian ended the call.
Shang Zhitao closed her laptop and left the meeting room, seeing a notification pop up on her phone. Opening it, it was from Luan Nian: “Confirm the second reporting node with them and synchronize it in the meeting minutes.”
“Okay.”
No further messages.
Luan Nian’s businesslike attitude made Shang Zhitao breathe a sigh of relief. Would this prevent future awkwardness? She suddenly wondered, does pretending nothing happened make one appear dignified? Probably. Look at Luke, acting as if nothing happened. His handling of this matter was so skillful, clearly showing his high level of expertise.
She went to confirm the next reporting time with the bosses. Clearly upset, they brushed her off: “I need to deeply communicate with my team. This change isn’t minor; it’s equivalent to restarting the project. Let me think about it.” They wouldn’t say when they could finish.
Shang Zhitao found it difficult, sitting at her desk struggling with wording, feeling this task was too hot to handle. About half an hour later, Luan Nian had already finished his first drink at the banquet but hadn’t received the meeting minutes from Shang Zhitao, so he asked her: “Why haven’t you sent it yet?”
“The bosses haven’t confirmed the next reporting time.” Shang Zhitao tried to phrase it gently.
Luan Nian probably understood; Shang Zhitao was being manipulated by them. Where was the courage she once had to honestly write the interview record of Luke advising her resignation? Luan Nian frowned, then said in the executive group chat: “I’ve reconsidered. Despite the significant changes, the budget must be finalized this week. Please have the secretary schedule a meeting for Wednesday afternoon. Teams without new proposals by then will be considered to have forfeited their budgets.” Then continued: “Alex, have the colleague in your department who took the meeting minutes send out the content. I need to review it again.”
“Okay.” Alex replied quickly, then told Shang Zhitao: “Send it as is.”
Shang Zhitao nodded and sent out the meeting minutes. Looking up, she saw Lumi signaling to her. Both of them looked towards the corridor where a stunning woman walked beside Tracy into Tracy’s office.
“Who?” Shang Zhitao mouthed to Lumi.
Lumi took out her phone and messaged her: “Don’t you recognize her? Luke’s ex-girlfriend, the one from the email.”
“She’s even prettier in person than in the photos.” Shang Zhitao replied.
“I heard her family background is excellent too.”
“Oh.”
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