After I Lost My Memory, My Wife Started To Chase Me - Chapter 11
Chapter 11: The Double Standard
In the high-level conference room at Kuangye Company, over a dozen senior executives were present. Beige sat in the center, reviewing the progress of each department. Her work style was concise and effective, her methods sharp, and her system of rewards and punishments was fair, earning her a lot of respect. She had started the company herself during university, and though it was young, it was highly efficient. Each department reported their work in an orderly manner, saving Beige a lot of energy.
“We plan to do a trial run of ‘cycle’ on a small scale next month. The marketing plan and platform collaborations are ready… We’re just missing the brand’s design drafts.” The head of the “cycle” sub-brand finished his report. The head of the already-launched sub-brand “dimon” looked up. “Are we using the same design studio? We also commissioned them for dimon’s new trademark design, and they haven’t submitted the drafts either.”
Cycle was the last item on the agenda, and after the report, everyone began a free discussion.
“Cycle is set for a trial run next month. If the designs aren’t submitted, what are we supposed to use for promotion?” The head of the marketing department, Hua Ni, tapped her papers fiercely. “I was against outsourcing the design to a third party from the start. Our company isn’t without designers. Now what? The third party can’t deliver the designs. What do we do?”
The general manager, whose role was to oversee strategy, frowned. “The data from HR shows that your department’s design skills and experience aren’t enough to support a new brand launch. And this year, dimon needed a new trademark, so we had to find a company at the same level as the one that did the original design. Do you want me to give that to a new graduate with only three years of experience?”
The design fees were high, and the bonuses were large, so Hua Ni naturally fought back. “If you won’t let us do it, fine. But the company you hired, regardless of their skill level, can’t even deliver on time. At least if we do it, we can work overtime and give you a plan. What about them?”
The general manager was left speechless and turned to the cycle head. “What’s the situation over there? When can they submit the designs? Will it delay the trial run?”
The manager originally wanted to say there would be no problem, as the studio, Shu Se, often collaborated with the company and their designers were highly skilled. But after the heated argument, he didn’t dare to give his word.
Hua Ni sneered and turned to Beige. “Ms. Bei, how do you want us to proceed with the marketing?”
Marketing had to be done first. The delayed designs were indeed holding up their work. Cycle was a cybersecurity software that could accurately identify suspicious signals like networked cameras, listening devices, and trackers within a thirty-square-meter radius. Its primary promotion would be online. The outsourced designs included the brand’s logo, posters, and various elements—more than thirty in total. Without the designs, they couldn’t promote the software, which would significantly impact its rollout.
Beige thought for a few seconds, weighing the pros and cons. “Let the marketing department produce a draft first. As for the third party that failed to deliver on time, we reserve the right to pursue legal action.”
“Let’s end the discussion here. Everyone, a fifteen-minute break.” Beige glanced at her phone and left the meeting.
With Beige’s approval, Hua Ni looked smug and immediately sent a notice to her team chat. “All personnel will work overtime this week to rush the cycle designs. Vice-director, assign the tasks. I want the first draft by tomorrow.”
The head of the disciplinary department looked down at his phone and then up at Hua Ni with a helpless expression. “Hua-jie, your department’s overtime hours for this month are already over the limit. And a draft by tomorrow? Are you trying to squeeze your people dry?”
Hua Ni casually tilted her head. “I’m not refusing to pay overtime.”
The general manager said in a low voice, “Your department’s turnover rate has been consistently high since you became director. Be more mindful of your leadership style.”
Hua Ni raised an eyebrow. “Thanks for the reminder. Don’t worry about it. My department can manage itself.” The general manager didn’t bother to argue with her anymore.
In the pantry, Beige opened Weishu’s chat. Weishu had sent a picture of her working overtime, followed by a bunch of other pictures. They were all of the cat, Ding-Dong: one with her sprawled on her back, captioned “Am I pretty?”; another of her stretching with her bottom in the air, captioned “online flirt”; and a series of basic emoticons with captions like “Hmph,” “Need a hug,” “Love you,” “Angry,” and “Crying.”
Beige tapped on all of them, saving them to her collection. The pictures of Ding-Dong were much better than the ones she had taken herself. It seems that even little cats need to know how to pose for a good photo. This made Beige wonder if Weishu had disliked Ding-Dong because Beige hadn’t taken a good first picture of her. This bad first impression was what led to her never getting Weishu’s affection. This thought made Beige feel a little guilty. She had given Ding-Dong to Weishu, knowing that Weishu had a lynx abroad that she missed after returning home. Beige had secretly seen the lynx before; it was like a small tiger, big and strong and beautiful. But it was illegal to own a lynx in the country, so she had picked out a large Ragdoll for her instead. Weishu hadn’t liked it, and Beige had always felt bad about it. Seeing that Weishu was willing to take pictures of Ding-Dong and even make emoticons, it seemed that Weishu must like the cat a little bit, right?
With that thought, Beige sent a “pat-on-the-head” emoticon of Ding-Dong.
Beige scrolled up, reading all of Weishu’s rambling complaints, and finally stopped at the very first photo she had sent. On the computer screen in the photo were two compressed folders, one labeled “cycle design draft” and the other “dimon trademark.” Below it was the text: “Sobbing, so much work.”
Cycle and dimon hired the Shu Se Studio for their designs? Beige rarely paid attention to the smaller projects, which were only worth a few hundred thousand, and was surprised by this coincidence. A mental image of Weishu’s distressed face instantly appeared in her mind. A soft, fuzzy warmth rose in her heart, like a fluffy dandelion lightly brushing against her. It was an unbearable itch to defend Weishu. She’s not even well yet, and she’s already working.
Fifteen minutes later, the meeting resumed. Each department reported on their plans for the next quarter, waiting for Beige’s final summary.
Hua Ni handed her a document for the next quarter’s marketing budget, a knowing smile on her face. “Ms. Bei, please take a look. This is our adjusted budget.”
Budgets were usually set at the end of the year for the next. Even if there were changes, they were mostly finalized at the beginning of the year. The document Hua Ni pulled out was clearly prepared in advance. Her motive was simple: she wanted more money.
Before Beige could speak, the general manager had already sensed something was wrong. “Minister Hua, this wasn’t on the meeting agenda.”
Hua Ni gave a fake smile. “This is a part of the marketing department’s report.”
Hua Ni had gone to him before the meeting to ask for a larger marketing budget, but he had shut her down. The marketing budget was already very high and had been increasing every year. This year, it was already August, and there should be more than enough funds left. Unless Hua Ni wanted to add a huge amount to the budget, which was clearly what she was doing. The displeasure in the general manager’s eyes had turned to anger, but he couldn’t act on it with Beige present.
Hua Ni took advantage of Beige’s focus on the report. “Ms. Bei just mentioned handing over the ‘cycle’ and ‘dimon’ designs to us. We have to do both marketing and design. Of course, we have to outsource the time-consuming parts. Every penny counts.”
The general manager replied coolly, “So you’re saying that letting your department handle the designs won’t save the company money, but will increase spending?”
Hua Ni was relentless. “How can we not spend money on promoting a new brand? I don’t need to tell you how important marketing is for a cybersecurity company. You can’t be so stingy, General Manager…”
Beige put the document down and glanced at the general manager. He immediately fell silent, though his face still showed his resentment. Ms. Bei had been the one to propose giving the designs to marketing. She wouldn’t go back on her word. Hua Ni was taking advantage of the situation, striking while the iron was hot. She was clearly well-prepared. Hua Ni was a capable employee, but she was always fighting for more and more. The company’s budget was fixed; it couldn’t all go to marketing. The thought made the general manager feel incredibly frustrated.
Beige handed the document back to Hua Ni. “When is the trial run for cycle?”
The manager immediately replied, “The twenty-third of next month.”
Beige looked at the date, then up again, her voice as calm as water. “Hmm. Since it’s not until the end of next month, we’re not in a hurry. The designs will still be done by the Shu Se Studio.”
At her words, not only the cycle manager but also the dimon manager were stunned. Beige nodded to him, her expression still unreadable. “It’s even less urgent to change dimon’s trademark. This year is fine. And you are not to rush them.”
The smile on Hua Ni’s face completely froze. She looked at Beige in disbelief. Only then did Beige’s gaze fall on her, her voice filled with displeasure. “Design requires talent and experience. I just saw the drafts the general manager sent me. Was this done by your department? This? The basic color grading is off, the composition is mediocre, and the cleverness is average. It’s barely passable. You’re right, our company needs marketing. So you should stick to marketing.”
By the end, her words held a clear warning.
“Meeting adjourned.”