Chapter 35: Old Tang’s Reminder
Translator: Nyoi-Bo Studio Editor: Nyoi-Bo Studio
Chen Xu went to Old Wang and told him about agreeing to transfer to the new department. He definitely had to notify his direct superior first about this sort of thing.
Then, he thanked Old Wang for his care over the past year.
“Honestly, I’m kind of reluctant to let you go.” Old Wang patted Chen Xu’s shoulders and said, half-smiling, “It’s almost the end of the year, the busiest time of all. We’ll all be tied up once you leave. But you have a better future that awaits you. I can’t be stalling you from moving forward.”
Chen Xu smiled, not knowing how to respond. In all honesty, Old Wang was a pretty nice man and was a good superior.
Old Wang suggested, “Why don’t we get everyone together for a dinner party tonight to celebrate you leaving for the new department?”
Chen Xu quickly dispelled his idea and said, “Mr. Wang, I think we better not. That would be too high-profile.”
Old Wang agreed after some thought. The whole company was closely watching the establishment of the new department. Doing things in such a big way would have a bad effect on those developments. With a little regret, he said, “That’s unfortunate. We must make up for it another time.”
“Alright, alright.” Chen Xu could neither cry nor laugh as he had never met someone who liked to party so much.
“Let’s go. Go say goodbye to your colleagues.” Old Wang took him outside.
When Old Wang announced to the staff in the advertising department that Chen Xu was being transferred to the new department, they were all surprised. Some were envious, some were jealous, and all kinds of emotions were expressed by Chen Xu’s colleagues.
Everyone congratulated him, whether sincere or not. No one said anything strange. They only bugged him to treat them to a meal.
Chen Xu could only say, “I will, next time.”
After bustling for a while, the crowd dispersed, and only Old Tang stayed by his side. Chen Xu knew that of all people, Old Tang might be the only one who was truly happy for him.
Soon, it was lunch break.
Chen Xu and Old Tang went to that restaurant they often visited.
“So, what is all this about you changing jobs?” Seeing that there were no associates around, Old Tang brought up the question in a quiet tone.
Chen Xu, “I’m scrapping the plan. I’ll stick to this job for now.”
Old Tang nodded, then said with some heartfelt emotions, “Both Old Lao and Old Guo went to Old Wang, requesting to be transferred to the new department. Old Wang asked them to write an application, but they were both rejected by the HR department. I never thought that you’d be transferred that abruptly.”
Only then did Chen Xu understand why those two looked so upset earlier on. He said, “Actually, I find it ridiculous as well. Why me of all people?”
Old Tang pondered for a moment and said, “Maybe it’s because your resume is relatively clean.”
“Why did you say that?” Chen Xu was puzzled.
“Well, that’s my guess.” Old Tang said, “Mr. Liu came to office just last year. Even back then, there were rumors that he was here to take over Mr. Zhou’s position. This time, the establishment of the new department was courtesy of Mr. Liu’s effort. He is surely aiming to accomplish something. People with a relatively clean resume like you will naturally be his first choice.”
“So that’s the case.” Chen Xu listened to his analysis and felt that it was quite reasonable.
“But be careful in the new department.” Old Tang reminded him, “The new department’s establishment is in an uproar. I think that something bad might happen.”
Chen Xu nodded. Some things weren’t hard to guess at. In the past, the company had run solely on Mr. Zhou’s words. But since Mr. Liu came, the situation had changed. That was the rhythm of power seizing. Could Mr. Zhou keep up with it?
Nevertheless, these things had had nothing to do with him in the past and would remain so in the present. He didn’t really care.
…
After lunch, Chen Xu returned to his office and began packing his personal belongings to report to the new department.
His company was made of money. The entire floor belonged to his company alone. The advertising department was located in the most northwest corner, while his new department was in the southeast. He had been working here for almost two years but had yet to explore that area.
When he went over, a new signboard had already been hung up. It wasn’t of the rumored marketing department, but the “Electronic Sales Department”.
There were several people in the office, probably his new colleagues. He knocked on the door, walked in, and introduced himself.
Thereafter, new colleagues kept coming in.
Chen Xu was observing passively from the side-lines. He found out that most of them were youngsters, and only a few were older than thirty.
When everyone had arrived, he did a headcount. Including himself, there was a total of 14 people.
After a while, CEO Mr. Liu appeared, and along with him, a person that Chen Xu would never have expected: Luo Xiyun.
He suddenly remembered that she had come to the company at about the same time as Mr. Liu. The two of them needing to cooperate as coworkers wasn’t a huge surprise.
Mr. Liu took everyone to the conference room and held a meeting.
Mr. Liu’s full name was Liu Kun. He was about 34 to 35 years old and was quite handsome. He was certainly blessed with a gift for speaking. He stood and spoke with fervor and assurance. Looking at him, Chen Xu felt a little envious. Previously, what he desired the most was to become a successful person like Mr. Liu. To become a person like Liu Kun was the goal he was still striving for.
Unfortunately, the cruelness of reality had made him aware that he could never become someone like Liu Kun. Things like a person’s abilities weren’t notable. But Liu Kun, on the other hand, graduated from a prestigious university and had also studied abroad. Based on this solely, he was already out of Chen Xu’s league.
Liu Kun had started at a renowned foreign bank and only came to the company after working there for a few years. He, in his thirties, was already qualified to become the CEO of any large company.
Promptly, Chen Xu suppressed these interrupting thoughts and focused on Liu Kun’s speech. After a while, he was able to comprehend what this new department was for.
Liu Kun was planning to establish an online channel to expand the customer base within the supermarket. To put it simply, they would be doing e-commerce.
Specifically, the first step was to provide home delivery services within a certain range, relying on the company’s ten supermarket franchises.
Everyone in the room was a youngster who often shopped online. They could understand the concept with ease.
Next, Liu Kun began arranging jobs and positions for everyone. The work that Chen Xu was responsible for was almost the same as what he had before. It was to do with advertising. He was relieved. He was already very familiar with his job and was able to jump right into it.
The last person to be assigned was Luo Xiyun. She was still a director but now specifically for the electronic sales department. After all, Liu Kun was the company’s vice CEO. He still had a pile of tasks to complete. He couldn’t always be sitting around looking after the department. When he wasn’t around, Luo Xiyun would have the final say.
Although Chen Xu had already been expecting this, he still frowned at the fact that she had ended up being his superior.
Next, it was Luo Xiyun’s turn to deliver her speech.
As Chen Xu looked at Luo Xiyun, he thought she seemed completely different from who she was in his dream. His self-confidence, strong presence, and concentration slightly wavered his mind.
Was she in reality the same person as the version of her in the dream?
The meeting went on for the entire afternoon.
After work, Liu Kun suggested that the whole department have dinner together to celebrate the new department’s establishment.
Naturally, there were no objections.