The Early Spring - Chapter 65

Chapter 65 - Of One Mind 

With the New Year concluded, Shang Zhitao's efficiency-boosting project officially entered its execution phase. She reported the execution plan to Luan Nian over the phone, and since Luan Nian had no particular objections, he simply asked her as they were about to hang up, "Is there any jewelry you like?"

Shang Zhitao paused for a moment and replied, "I don't really study jewelry much." Then she added, "Please don't buy me things; I'm not lacking anything." She didn't have exorbitant material demands, partly because she was young and looked great in whatever she wore. With her fresh, vibrant, and clean appearance standing right there, carried by a gentle breeze, no amount of jewelry or designer bags could ever match it.

Luan Nian uttered a soft "Mmhmm" and ended the call.

Shang Zhitao's efficiency model had been running for four months, and Luan Nian demanded that she pull all core data so he could review the project results.

She had already run the data ahead of time; she just needed to analyze it.

Carrying out marketing-related efficiency projects was actually a daunting task. It required shifting the entire company's established behavioral inertia to operate according to the new model, making everyone understand the reasoning behind the changes, and resolving all sorts of unexpected issues encountered along the procedural workflows. Every single day, Shang Zhitao poured her energy into process optimization, making daily phone calls to Zhang Lee to consult on various troubleshooting solutions.

At first, day or night, her phone rang incessantly—sales, planning, creative, tech, and even her own colleagues in the marketing department failed to understand the new system. Plagued by endless trouble, Shang Zhitao found herself unable to focus even when she was with Luan Nian; sometimes, just as the two of them were getting intimate, a phone call would break through.

There were moments when Luan Nian felt tempted to smash Shang Zhitao's phone to pieces.

Shang Zhitao was equally perplexed: "No one knows how to operate this, or why we're doing it this way—what should I do?"

"What are we paying Tracy for?" Luan Nian asked. Seeing that she didn't immediately catch on, he elaborated, "Do you think managing a business project just means handling operational tasks? Shouldn't a cross-departmental project of this scale require Tracy's side to organize training sessions and assessments?"

"Training?"

"What else? Should we just fire the entire training department?"

"Oh, oh."

Shang Zhitao finally remembered that such an invisible department existed within the company, and she contacted Tracy that very day to lay out her requirements. Tracy responded swiftly, prompting the training department to conduct needs assessments, develop courses, write exams, and run cyclic monitoring. Sure enough, it worked—Shang Zhitao's phone finally quieted down.

With her problem solved, the next time she could finally enjoy being intimate with Luan Nian in peace, he looked at her seriously and told her, "Shang Zhitao, your level of strategic thinking is still too low."

He never minced words; he could easily have phrased it as, "Shang Zhitao, it would be better if you did things this way," but he never did.

Accustomed to his style, Shang Zhitao sat up straight to receive his lecture. Amused by her look of facing an impending battle, Luan Nian chuckled, yet continued regardless: "You need to think from a higher vantage point. Your problem-solving methods should be diversified, and you should thoroughly understand the functions of every department in the company—down to the janitorial staff—and know what problems they can solve for you. Don't trap yourself inside your own tiny acre of land."

Shang Zhitao felt that Luan Nian was right, and she humbly accepted his instruction. She genuinely began studying the functions of each corporate department and even started analyzing the company's internal interpersonal dynamics. In the midst of this research, a bold thought began to take root: she wanted to transfer to the planning department.

She asked around for a copy of the planning department's job description and studied it meticulously. It was only then that she realized the planning department's hiring standards were exceptionally high, especially the requirement stating "candidates with overseas work experience preferred," which instantly blocked Shang Zhitao from even applying.

One day, she ran into Tracy in the pantry and earnestly asked, "Tracy, I'd like to ask for your advice. When HR states that candidates with certain experience are preferred, does that mean lacking that specific experience instantly disqualifies you?"

"If someone's experience in other areas is exceptionally outstanding, it's not entirely out of the question. It's not that absolute." Tracy then looked at her. "Are you looking to change jobs?"

"Not exactly." Shang Zhitao waved her hand, then nodded. "Well, yes."

"Are you looking at opportunities outside the company, or...?"

"I want to transfer to the planning department."

Tracy nodded. "I don't think that's too difficult—it would just be an internal transfer. But the planning department's new head has only just taken over, and departmental headcounts are currently frozen. You might have to wait and see."

"Got it. Thank you, Tracy."

Shang Zhitao had previously mentioned her thoughts to Lumi, who naturally supported her. In Lumi's words: "You've already done every job in the marketing department; there's nothing left there worth doing. Moving to the planning department is a great idea. But it's tough to get into; it used to be run by Luke, and we still don't know what kind of background the newly arrived Dony has."

"Should I wait a bit longer?"

"Wait a bit longer."

Shang Zhitao was very receptive to advice. Knowing Lumi was reliable—though carefree, her judgment of people and situations was always spot-on—if Lumi said to wait, she would genuinely hold off. Dony had been directly appointed by the board of directors. He was young and promising, boasting a resume on par with Luan Nian's and an impressive background. Corporate management was all about balance; no single individual could be allowed to hold absolute dominance.

There were a couple of times when Shang Zhitao felt tempted to ask Luan Nian for advice, but she ultimately resisted the impulse. She didn't want to ask; she wanted to make it on her own.

Shang Zhitao had grown considerably formidable by now.

She was responsible for the marketing department's budget process management and vendor management, tasks that outsiders considered cushy, lucrative gigs. Only those who had actually done the work understood how exhausting these two responsibilities truly were. In budget management, every department with expenses treated you like an enemy; whenever you questioned why certain figures looked off, their pretexts were wildly bizarre. Yet whenever they were subjected to internal audits, their unified script was always: The marketing department approved it.

Vendor management was even worse. With so many suppliers on the roster, every single round of bidding nearly worked Shang Zhitao to death.

Overwhelmed by the crushing weight of her workload every day, she finally reached her breaking point on a Friday evening while at Luan Nian's place, and decided to have a serious talk with him.

The scene of their conversation was somewhat comical.

By that time, Luke was already six months old and clearly considered itself quite familiar with Luan Nian's home. The moment it arrived, it would patrol the place upstairs and down, sniffing here and there to check if any other dogs had invaded the premises. It was going through an awkward phase of development, sporting a little monkey-like face with one ear perked up while the other stubbornly flopped downward. Luan Nian mocked Luke every single time: "I've never seen such an ugly dog!"

Luke would tilt its head left, then right, finally processing the insult: You're calling me ugly? I am not ugly at all! I am the prettiest! With a sudden bound, it would leap onto Luan Nian, licking his face and scratching at his clothes with its paws.

Whenever this happened, Luan Nian would roar in frustration: "Shang Zhitao! Control your damn dog!" Disgust plastered all over his face, he would put Luke in a one-arm headlock and bark, "Get away!"

Shang Zhitao would sprint over to separate them, scoop Luke up into her arms, and watch as Luan Nian brushed the dog hair off his clothes with a look of extreme aversion, trading petty insults with Luke the entire time: "So ugly, sheds like crazy, completely useless."

Luke would grow intensely indignant, yapping furiously in Shang Zhitao's arms, baring its little teeth as it lunged toward Luan Nian for a duel to the death.

Giving herself a headache from their constant bickering, Shang Zhitao would pat Luke on the head and scold, "Stop barking!" Then she would glare at Luan Nian. "Stop bullying Luke!"

On the day she talked to Luan Nian about work matters, he had just finished another brawl with Luke. Man and dog were glaring dabs at each other, neither willing to yield. Luan Nian was covered in dog hair, and an outraged Luke had just deposited a fresh puddle in the corner of the living room.

"I want to talk to you about Luke," Shang Zhitao began.

"You should talk to your Luke first!" Luan Nian stared at Luke's punchable face, seriously contemplating tossing it into a stew pot.

"I'm here to talk about work, you can't talk business with Luke."

"And here I thought your Luke was omnipotent!"

Luan Nian cast one more disgusted, sidelong glance at Luke before turning his attention to Shang Zhitao. "What is it, Flora?" Using the name Flora meant it was time to talk business.

"I'm completely overwhelmed, I need to hire people. I checked with Tracy, and she said since you're currently overseeing the marketing department, we need your approval for headcount." Earnestly laying out her own workload alongside her colleagues', Shang Zhitao presented her facts and reasoning before delivering her conclusion: "I can't handle it all myself, and everyone else is too swamped to share the load. I need an assistant."

"Fine. I'll allocate two outsourced headcount slots to you."

"Really?" Shang Zhitao hadn't expected it to go through so easily. She had anticipated Luan Nian asking a barrage of questions, such as what she planned to do once she hired outsourcers—she had even prepared her answers in advance, but Luan Nian didn't ask a single one.

"Have I ever lied to you?"

"No."

"Then contact HR on Monday to post the job openings."

"Thank you."

Managing a couple of outsourced workers first, followed by one or two permanent hires, eventually managing a small team—step by step, this was how one evolved into a manager. Barring any accidents, the blueprint of a career path unfolded just like this. Feeling that despite stumbling and falling her way to the present, she finally had the chance to lead a couple of people, Shang Zhitao realized that work rarely truly betrayed you in the end; all her hard work had finally paid off.

Elated, she rested her head on Luan Nian's lap, hooking her legs over the back of the sofa as she lounged shamelessly beside him. Luan Nian slipped his fingers through her hair, smoothing it down. Such gentleness was a rare sight, and Shang Zhitao decided to push her luck: "Slower, slower; softer, softer. Yes, right there." And then she fell asleep.

Luan Nian checked the time, glanced at the soundly sleeping Shang Zhitao, and then looked over at Luke, which was panting as it chewed happily on a ball. Finally, he reached out and gave Shang Zhitao's cheek a firm pinch. "Wake up, you haven't walked your stupid dog yet!" Half-asleep and swaying on her feet, Shang Zhitao staggered up, clipped the leash onto Luke, and took it outside. The residential villa area was quiet in the deep of night, and with its lush greenery, Luke acted like a little snob, sniffing this blade of grass and that tree with leisurely contentment. Breathing in the gentle night breeze, Shang Zhitao felt thoroughly relaxed until she heard footsteps behind her and turned to see Luan Nian. "Why did you come out?"

"Just came out for some air." Luan Nian stood beside Shang Zhitao, looking down as that dimwitted Luke dug a hole in the dirt. "What is it doing?"

"I have no idea, it's been doing that these past few days."

"Is it half-witted or something?" Luan Nian taunted Luke once more. As if understanding the insult, Luke stopped digging, stood up with dirt smeared across its little snout, and bolted straight toward Luan Nian. Luan Nian took a couple of steps back. "Get away, you stupid dog!" Ignoring him, Luke chased right after him.

One chasing, one running, they circled the villa compound twice before finally heading back inside. Luke was thoroughly exercised by that point; the moment they stepped through the door, it wolfed down its kibble, polished off half a bowl of water, and crashed instantly.

Shang Zhitao stared in wide-eyed shock. Usually, Luke was a picky eater, requiring Shang Zhitao to hold its bowl and coax it: "You won't grow up if you don't eat, be a good boy." Luan Nian had witnessed her struggle twice and mocked her incompetence at managing a dog. Unable to figure out how a problem that had stressed her out for days was solved simply by letting Luan Nian run it in circles, she followed Luan Nian toward the bathroom as he prepared to shower and asked, "What happened? Did you ignite Luke's fighting spirit, making it want to grow up fast so it can beat you up?"

Luan Nian stripped off his T-shirt and tossed it to Shang Zhitao. "Wash this for me."

"Why should I?"

"Either wash my clothes, or wash yourself—take your pick." Seizing the clothes, Shang Zhitao bolted. She didn't enjoy the bathroom; the kinds of happiness found there were different, yet they left her feeling equally breathless. It was simply too hot. Luan Nian called out after her, "I better not find a single strand of dog hair on it!"

Watching Shang Zhitao flee his line of sight like a startled hare, he couldn't help but chuckle.

Luke was sleeping like a log; despite Shang Zhitao's loud voice, it didn't even wander over to patrol. Left undisturbed at last, Luan Nian thoroughly indulged himself, tracing circles on Shang Zhitao's shoulder with his fingertips. Having tasted the sweetness of success—had he known that letting that stupid dog run a few laps could buy him an entire night of uninterrupted peace—he would have done it much sooner.

"Alright. I'm so relieved Luke is finally eating properly." Missing the underlying implication of Luan Nian's words entirely, Shang Zhitao remained single-mindedly focused on Luke's appetite.

"How are you going to repay me?" Luan Nian's hand slid beneath her pajamas, his lips pressing behind her ear as his teeth grazed her earlobe, whispering against her skin: "Do you want to take Luke up into the mountains to play tomorrow?"

The mountains sounded great; finding a remote spot without crowds where Luke could run wild would surely make the puppy ecstatic. With her attention entirely hijacked by Luan Nian's fingertips, Shang Zhitao murmured a vague assent, burying her face into the pillow while pressing her hand over the back of Luan Nian's hand, breathing heavily as she choked out another single-word agreement. Luan Nian's heart softened, locking her securely in his embrace with his chest pressed tight against her spine as he tenderly doted on her.

The next day, they actually brought Luke up to the mountains to visit the bar. Luan Nian's bar had completed its renovations and was gearing up for its grand opening. While construction was still underway, Shang Zhitao couldn't picture what it would look like, but seeing it finished, she realized Luan Nian's aesthetic was truly exceptional. Unlike downtown bars steeped in chaos, Luan Nian's establishment exuded elegance and artistic flavor. Shang Zhitao finally understood how Luan Nian planned to monetize this venue: through private memberships and exclusive salons.

Luke scurried back and forth inside the bar, appearing to thoroughly enjoy itself. Luan Nian asked Shang Zhitao, "What do you think?"

"It's stunning."

"When the glassware arrives, I'll let you be the very first customer here. You'll drink the first cocktail shaken by our bartender."

"You've already hired a bartender?"

Luan Nian raised an eyebrow.

"You know how to bartend?" Shang Zhitao asked in astonishment. She had always known Luan Nian understood how to live well, but she hadn't realized he was skilled enough to actually mix drinks.

"I know a thing or two." Luan Nian pulled two bottles of mineral water from the trunk and handed one to Shang Zhitao. "Today there are no cocktails, just a bottle of specially blended water."

"What is this specially blended water called?" Shang Zhitao asked him.

"Of One Mind." Luan Nian took a sip, then looked at her. "Wanting to transfer to the planning department is a good thing; people should always strive to climb higher. But the planning department's head has a complicated background. If you go there and people ask you to pick a side, will you do it? If you pick a side, you might become my enemy in the future; if you don't, you'll end up getting crushed."

"So?"

"So, finish this bottle of water, and be of one mind with me."