Chapter 65: One Heart

The New Year was over, and Shang Zhitao’s efficiency improvement project officially entered the execution phase. She reported the implementation plan to Luan Nian over the phone. Luan Nian didn’t have much feedback, but as he hung up, he asked her, “Do you like any jewelry?”

Shang Zhitao hesitated for a moment and said, “I don’t know much about jewelry.” Then she added, “You don’t need to give me anything. I don’t lack anything.” She wasn’t particularly materialistic, and because she was young, she looked good in whatever she wore. A fresh, clean girl standing there, with a gentle breeze brushing past her—no jewelry or bag could replace that.

Luan Nian grunted an acknowledgment and ended the call.

Shang Zhitao’s efficiency model had been running for four months. Luan Nian requested that she pull all the core data to review the project results.

She had already run the data in advance; now it was just a matter of analysis.

Improving efficiency in market-related projects was actually quite difficult. It involved changing the entire company’s previous behavioral inertia to operate according to the new model, helping everyone understand why they needed to do things this way, and solving various issues that arose during the process. Every day, Shang Zhitao was studying process optimization. During that time, she called Zhang Lei daily to consult on various solutions.

At first, whether it was day or night, her phone kept ringing nonstop—calls from sales, planning, creative teams, technical departments, and even colleagues from the marketing department who didn’t understand what was going on. Shang Zhitao was deeply troubled. Even when she was with Luan Nian, she couldn’t focus properly. Sometimes, when they were in the middle of something intimate, the phone would ring.

Luan Nian was so frustrated that he considered smashing Shang Zhitao’s phone.

Shang Zhitao was also confused. “Everyone doesn’t know how to operate or why we’re doing this. What should I do?”

“What is Tracy there for?” Luan Nian asked her. Seeing her not catching on, he continued, “Are you only managing business projects? For cross-departmental projects like this, shouldn’t Tracy’s team organize training and exams?”

“Training?”

“What else? Should we disband the training department?”

“Oh, oh.”

Shang Zhitao finally remembered that the company had such a hidden department. That same day, she contacted Tracy and explained the requirements. Tracy acted quickly, arranging for the training department to conduct needs surveys, develop courses, create exam questions, and monitor progress cyclically. Sure enough, it worked, and Shang Zhitao’s phone fell silent.

With her problem resolved, the next time they finally had some uninterrupted intimacy, Luan Nian seriously told her, “Shang Zhitao, your level of thinking isn’t high enough.”

He never sugarcoated his words. He could have said, “Shang Zhitao, if you did this or that, it would be better,” but he didn’t.

Shang Zhitao was used to it. She sat up straight to listen to his guidance. Luan Nian was amused by her serious demeanor but continued, “You need to think from a higher perspective. Your methods for solving problems should be diverse, and you should understand the functions of all departments in the company—even the cleaning staff—and how they can help solve your problems. Don’t stay confined to your little corner.”

Shang Zhitao thought Luan Nian was right. She took his advice to heart and began studying the functions of the company’s various departments and even started researching interpersonal relationships within the company. As she studied, she developed the idea of wanting to transfer to the planning department.

She obtained a job description (JD) for the planning department and studied it carefully. Only then did she realize how high the standards were for the planning department, especially the requirement that “overseas work experience is preferred,” which shut her out completely.

One day, she ran into Tracy in the pantry and earnestly asked her, “Tracy, may I ask you something? When HR says ‘preferred’ for certain experiences in job postings, does that mean candidates without those experiences definitely won’t be considered?”

“If someone excels in other areas, it’s not impossible. It’s not absolute.” Then Tracy asked Shang Zhitao, “Are you thinking of switching jobs?”

“No.” Shang Zhitao waved her hand dismissively, then nodded, “Yes.”

“Looking for opportunities outside the company?”

“I want to transfer to the planning department.”

Tracy nodded. “I think it’s not difficult. It’s just an internal transfer. But the current head of the planning department has just taken office, and the department’s headcount (HC) is still locked. You can wait and see.”

“Okay. Thank you, Tracy.”

Shang Zhitao had mentioned her thoughts to Lumi, who naturally supported her. As Lumi put it, “You’ve done everything there is to do in the marketing department—it’s just a bunch of nonsense, nothing left to do. Moving to the planning department is a good idea. But it’s not easy to get in. Before, Luke was in charge, and now Dony has arrived. We’re not sure what kind of person he is yet.”

“Should we wait a bit longer?”

“Let’s wait.”

Shang Zhitao was very receptive to advice. She knew Lumi was reliable—though she seemed laid-back, her judgment of people and situations was sharp. If Lumi said to wait, then it was truly worth waiting. Dony was someone directly appointed by the board of directors—young, accomplished, with credentials comparable to Luan Nian’s and a strong background. Management required balance; no single person could dominate.

A couple of times, Shang Zhitao considered asking Luan Nian for his opinion, but she held back each time. She didn’t want to bring it up; she wanted to rely on herself.

Shang Zhitao had grown much stronger.

She was responsible for budget process management and supplier management in the marketing department—a position many envied. Only those who had done the job knew how exhausting it really was. Managing budgets meant that every department with expenses treated you as an enemy. Their excuses for discrepancies were endless, but when they were audited internally, their defense was always the same: “It’s been approved by the marketing department.”

Supplier management was even worse. With so many suppliers, every tender process nearly killed Shang Zhitao.

Burdened by work, she finally couldn’t take it anymore. On a Friday night, at Luan Nian’s house, she had a conversation with him.

The scene of their talk was somewhat comical.

By then, Luke was six months old. Every weekend, he came to Luan Nian’s house, clearly thinking he was familiar with the place. Upon arrival, he would patrol upstairs and downstairs, sniffing here and there to check if there were any other dogs. He was transforming—his face resembling a little monkey’s, one ear upright while the other remained droopy. Luan Nian always mocked Luke: “I’ve never seen such an ugly dog!”

Luke tilted his head left and right, finally realizing: You think I’m ugly? I’m not ugly! I’m the best-looking! He jumped onto Luan Nian, licking his face and clawing at him.

Whenever this happened, Luan Nian would angrily yell, “Shang Zhitao! Control your damn dog!” His disdain was evident as he grabbed Luke by the throat: “Get off!”

Shang Zhitao rushed over to separate them, picking up Luke. She watched Luan Nian brush off the fur from his clothes while exchanging verbal jabs with Luke: “So ugly, shedding everywhere, utterly useless.”

Luke would get angry, barking loudly in Shang Zhitao’s arms, baring his teeth and trying to charge at Luan Nian for a duel.

Annoyed by their antics, Shang Zhitao lightly patted Luke’s head: “No more barking!” Then she glared at Luan Nian: “Don’t bully Luke!”

That day, when she discussed work with Luan Nian, he had just finished fighting with Luke. Man and dog were glaring at each other, neither backing down. Luan Nian was covered in dog hair, and Luke, upset, had peed in a corner of the living room.

Shang Zhitao said, “I want to talk to you about Luke.”

“You talk to your Luke first!” Luan Nian eyed Luke’s irritating expression, contemplating turning him into stew.

“I’m talking about work. I can’t discuss work with Luke.”

“I thought your Luke was omnipotent!”

Luan Nian disdainfully glanced at Luke again before addressing Shang Zhitao: “What is it, Flora?” Calling her Flora signaled that it was time to talk business.

“I’m overwhelmed. I want to hire someone. I’ve already consulted Tracy, and she said that since you’re temporarily overseeing the marketing department, you need to approve the HC (headcount).” Shang Zhitao carefully calculated her workload and her colleagues’ workloads, presenting facts and reasoning before concluding, “I can’t handle everything. No one has the capacity to help share the load. I need an assistant.”

“Alright. I’ll allocate two outsourced HCs to you.”

“Really?” Shang Zhitao hadn’t expected it to be so easy. She had prepared answers for questions like, “What will you do once you hire outsourced help?” but Luan Nian didn’t ask.

“Have I ever lied to you?”

“No.”

“Then contact HR to post the positions by next Monday.”

“Thank you.”

Managing two outsourced employees would eventually lead to managing one or two permanent positions, then leading a small team. Slowly, she would become a manager. Barring any unforeseen circumstances, her career blueprint would unfold step by step. Shang Zhitao realized that after stumbling through her journey to this point, she now had the opportunity to lead a person or two. She suddenly felt that work, in most cases, didn’t deceive. All her efforts were worthwhile.

Happy, she rested her head on Luan Nian’s lap, propped her legs up on the sofa backrest, and playfully acted spoiled beside him. Luan Nian gently ran his fingers through her hair, smoothing it out. Rarely so tender, Shang Zhitao pushed her luck a bit further: “Slower, slower; gentler, gentler, yes, just like that.” She fell asleep.

Luan Nian checked the time, looked at the sleeping Shang Zhitao, and then at Luke, who was happily chewing on a ball in the corner. Finally, he pinched Shang Zhitao’s cheek hard: “Get up! Your stupid dog hasn’t been walked yet!” Shang Zhitao groggily stood up, grabbed the leash, attached it to Luke, and took him out. The villa area was quiet at night, with lush greenery. Luke clearly showed a preference for luxury, sniffing this grass and that tree, leisurely enjoying himself. Shang Zhitao enjoyed the gentle night breeze, feeling comfortable. Hearing footsteps behind her, she turned around to see Luan Nian: “Why did you come out?”

“To get some air.” Luan Nian stood beside Shang Zhitao, looking down at Luke digging a hole in the ground: “What’s he doing?”

“I don’t know. He’s been acting like this for a few days.”

“He’s probably an idiot, isn’t he?” Luan Nian mocked Luke again. Luke seemed to understand, stood up with dirt still on his nose, and charged toward Luan Nian. Luan Nian took a few steps back: “Get away! Stupid dog!” Luke didn’t listen and chased him.

One chasing, one running—they circled the villa area twice before heading home. By then, Luke was thoroughly exhausted. As soon as they got inside, he ate his dog food, drank half a bowl of water, and collapsed into sleep.

Shang Zhitao was shocked. Normally, Luke didn’t eat well, and she had to coax him every mealtime: “If you don’t eat, you won’t grow big. Be good.” Luan Nian had witnessed this twice and mocked her inability to manage the dog. Shang Zhitao couldn’t figure out how something she had worried about for so long was solved by Luan Nian taking Luke for a couple of runs. Following Luan Nian, who was about to shower, she asked, “What happened? Did you spark Luke’s fighting spirit? Does he want to grow up quickly to defeat you?”

Luan Nian took off his T-shirt and tossed it to Shang Zhitao: “Wash it for me.”

“Why should I?”

“Either wash my clothes or wash you. Your choice.” Upon hearing this, Shang Zhitao grabbed the clothes and ran. She didn’t like being in the bathroom. Different kinds of happiness could still feel suffocating—it was too hot. Luan Nian shouted after her, “Not a single dog hair allowed!”

Watching Shang Zhitao flee from his sight, he couldn’t help but laugh.

Luke slept like a dead dog. Despite Shang Zhitao’s loud movements, he didn’t come to patrol. Uninterrupted, Luan Nian finally had a peaceful moment. He traced circles on Shang Zhitao’s shoulder: “Next time, I’ll accompany you to walk the dog.” Having tasted sweet success, he thought, If I’d known that taking that stupid dog for a few runs would buy me a night of peace, I would’ve done it ages ago.

“Sure. I’m so glad Luke is eating more.” Shang Zhitao didn’t grasp Luan Nian’s meaning, focusing solely on Luke’s eating habits.

“How will you repay me?” Luan Nian’s hand slipped under her pajamas. His lips pressed against her ear, his teeth nibbling her earlobe as he whispered, “Do you want to take Luke to the mountains tomorrow?”

The mountains were a good idea. Find a secluded spot and let Luke run wild—he’d surely love it. Shang Zhitao’s attention was on Luan Nian’s fingertips. She mumbled a vague “okay,” buried her head in the pillow, placed her hand over Luan Nian’s, and breathed heavily, exhaling a soft “yes.” Luan Nian’s heart softened. He pulled her close, his chest pressing against her back, and devotedly pleased her.

The next day, they really took Luke to the mountains and visited Luan Nian’s bar. The renovation of Luan Nian’s bar was complete, and it was about to officially open. Before it was finished, Shang Zhitao couldn’t imagine what it would look like, but upon completion, she realized that Luan Nian’s aesthetic sense was impeccable. Unlike bars in bustling areas, Luan Nian’s bar exuded elegance and artistic flair. Shang Zhitao finally understood how Luan Nian planned to make money with this bar—private clubs and salons.

Luke ran around the bar, seemingly delighted. Luan Nian asked Shang Zhitao, “What do you think?”

“It’s beautiful.”

“Once the barware arrives, you’ll be the first guest here. Drink the first cocktail mixed by the bartender.”

“Already hired a bartender?”

Luan Nian raised his eyebrows.

“Do you know how to mix drinks?” Shang Zhitao was surprised. She had always known Luan Nian appreciated life, but she didn’t realize he was knowledgeable enough to mix cocktails.

“Just the basics.” Luan Nian took two bottles of mineral water from the trunk and handed them to Shang Zhitao: “No cocktails today, just a bottle of specially mixed water.”

“What’s the name of this special water?” Shang Zhitao asked.

“One Heart.” Luan Nian took a sip and then said to her, “Wanting to join the planning department is a good thing—people aim for higher places. But the head of the planning department has a complex background. If you go there and others ask you to pick sides, will you choose? If you side with them, you might become my enemy in the future. If you don’t, you might get eliminated.”

“So?”

“So, drink this water and be one with me.”