Long Time No See (GL) - Chapter 17 Workplace

The client-side waters run deep, and the interpersonal relationships are far more complex than those on the vendor side. Although Gu Weiran hasn’t seen it, she has heard all sorts of bizarre incidents. Frequent changes in leadership and teams are the norm, and taking sides is a necessity.

Minde in Xuan’an has now formed two factions. One wants to cling to Yun Shu, seize opportunities to show off, and get a chance for promotion. The other side is Wang Sen; he has been with the company for a long time, and his position is deeply rooted. Those seeking stability will lean towards him, especially since Yun Shu’s position is too high, making it difficult to gain her attention and appreciation.

Gu Weiran’s situation is awkward. She is the only newcomer Yun Shu has brought in. How to interact with these veteran employees and how to deal with Wang Sen’s attempts to test her is a question worth pondering.

Yun Shu hasn’t come to the office yet, so Gu Weiran is busy with her own matters. Today, the Feng Qi team is coming for a meeting to have an in-depth exchange on the project launch.

Gu Weiran was originally the main writer of the proposal and was fully prepared, but with Yun Shu’s sudden interference, she had to hand the entire responsibility over to Yang Ou.

Minde’s brand reputation is severely damaged now, and this promotion is crucial. If done well, Lu Jingyan’s positive image coupled with the publicity can salvage some of Minde’s image. If done poorly, Lu Jingyan will be negatively affected by Minde, and her own reputation will suffer.

This matter is tricky and is the first major event for Feng Qi since taking on the Minde project. It will determine whether their team’s future work will go smoothly and is also key to Feng Qi’s ability to establish itself in the industry.

Gu Weiran’s heart is not in her work; she keeps thinking that once she gets through this period, things will return to normal, and she can get back on track with her own company.

But the mention of three months by Wang Sen is disheartening. It turns out that Yun Shu’s three-month agreement with her was because, no matter what, she would be leaving anyway.

She guessed correctly. Yun Shu’s return was like a journey; after a brief stop, she would still depart.

She propped her chin on her hand and stared blankly at the computer. Yun Shu’s voice came from the next room: “The project managers’ meeting is moved up to one o’clock. Send out a notice. Also, when does the planning company’s meeting start?”

“It’s scheduled for three o’clock,” that was the voice of Yun Shu’s chief assistant, Lü Xin.

“The two meeting times might overlap. Have the Planning Department host the Feng Qi meeting and report the results to me afterward. Also, hurry up the contract process at headquarters. Feng Qi has been working for nearly two weeks; what’s the deal with them not having a contract yet?”

“Yes, I understand.”

Hearing Yun Shu’s voice, Gu Weiran’s spirit lifted, and her mood felt as comfortable as being bathed in warm sunshine.

“Where is Weiran?”

Suddenly called out, Gu Weiran quickly responded, “I’m here.”

“Come over.”

Gu Weiran obediently walked out. Yun Shu was dressed in a khaki color-block long suit dress, with a light khaki top and a dark khaki long skirt, paired with high-heeled ankle boots, perfectly showcasing a woman’s elegance and intellect. When she wasn’t smiling, she had a cold, imposing deterrent force, an inherently strong, older-sister aura.

Her clothing and makeup always stunned Gu Weiran. Even at home in her pajamas, she looked like a model in a street shoot. Gu Weiran didn’t know when, but Yun Shu had become increasingly pleasing to the eye, always making it hard for Gu Weiran to look away.

“Are you adjusting well?” Her expression softened, and her smile was as refreshing as a gentle breeze, just like in the past.

“Adjusting to what? Just getting to know people and learning their names would take a whole day. You know my situation is very awkward, right?”

“Oh? How is it awkward?”

Yun Shu smiled and walked to the office bar. Lü Xin took out the coffee beans for her and then quietly left.

“Yesterday I was your collaborating partner, and today I’m your employee. Feng Qi is coming for a meeting today, and I was the main writer of the proposal, but today I have to sit in the client’s seat and listen to them present.”

“You don’t need to attend the Feng Qi meeting.”

“Why?” Gu Weiran was confused. Even if she was Yun Shu’s assistant, her expertise was still in planning. Shouldn’t she be involved in that area of work?

“No reason. You need to sit in on the regional management meeting at one o’clock this afternoon.”

Gu Weiran was surprised: “Are you sure you haven’t got it backward?” It was a meeting for senior management. What was a small assistant doing there? Serving tea and water?

Yun Shu focused on grinding the coffee beans, a gentle smile on her face: “I’m not so confused that I can’t tell the priority of the two meetings, am I, kid?”

“So, are you saying I won’t be involved in planning matters anymore?”

“Not entirely. Just follow my instructions.” Yun Shu only gave orders but didn’t explain, leaving Gu Weiran unable to guess her intentions.

Sure enough, this agreement felt like signing a deed of servitude; what she said went. But now, what should she be doing?

She hadn’t slept well again last night. Thinking of that embarrassing dream, Gu Weiran’s face started to flush.

“Why are you blushing?” Yun Shu noticed the change in her expression and teased, “You’re not so shy that just talking to me makes you blush, are you?”

“Shy about what? The air conditioning is too high. I’m hot.”

Gu Weiran felt like her inner thoughts had been seen through and dared not meet Yun Shu’s gaze out of guilt.

Yun Shu chuckled, adjusting the filter and pouring out the brewed coffee, then adding some milk and sugar. “You don’t like coffee, but this cup definitely won’t be bitter. You look like you didn’t sleep well last night. It’s time to change that jet-lagged work style. From now on, you must sleep by eleven p.m. Minde requires you to be on time, unlike your planning company’s relaxed style. You need to adjust properly.”

“That’s all thanks to you. Sleep by eleven p.m.? Sometimes we haven’t even finished work by eleven.”

“So, it needs to change.”

“Change, change, change. Whatever you say.” Gu Weiran finished speaking and yawned. Her work habits in the past few years had indeed been poor. She often stayed up until the middle of the night and only went to work around noon the next day. This was a peculiar habit of the industry, and it seemed hard to change.

Sometimes, her inspiration was better at night than during the day, and her work state and efficiency were also high. Over time, Gu Weiran developed the habit of sleeping late.

“The coffee is hot. Drink slowly.” Yun Shu smiled warmly and brewed herself a strong black coffee.

Gu Weiran held the coffee cup and nodded. “Well, if there’s nothing else, I’ll head back to my office.”

“Mmm.” Yun Shu returned to her desk, focusing on her work. A pile of work reports and documents awaited her approval. She was beautiful when focused. Gu Weiran couldn’t help but look back at her.

Yun Shu didn’t look up, seeming already immersed in her work, undistracted.

At noon, the receptionist Wu Xiaoxiao came to call her for lunch. Gu Weiran hadn’t familiarized herself with all the department personnel yet, but some people actively came over to introduce themselves, stating their department and name.

There were also some who completely ignored her.

The division between middle management and basic staff could be discerned from where they sat. Of course, it was also possible that some people were deliberately testing her. Staying alert was the right approach.

“Little Gu, I heard you and General Manager Yun are old acquaintances?” Personnel Manager Liu Yun, a veteran Minde employee, actively struck up a conversation with her. What was her motive?

That day during the bidding, Yun Shu’s “Long time no see” in front of so many people was enough to prove everything. Wu Xiaoxiao had also seen Yun Shu putting a band-aid on her foot that day. Perhaps all sorts of gossip had already spread throughout the office.

“General Manager Yun was my mother’s student.” Gu Weiran answered honestly, observing everyone’s reactions. They all seemed surprised, but she didn’t know which expressions were feigned and which were genuine.

“No wonder General Manager Yun was looking everywhere for a band-aid for your foot that day. She’s really good to you.” Wu Xiaoxiao was quite straightforward and also very gossipy. The relationship between Gu Weiran and Yun Shu had been spread through her.

“Maybe it’s for my mom’s sake.” Gu Weiran answered perfunctorily. She didn’t want to rack her brain over these things. Where there are many people, there is much gossip, and she understood the principle that speaking too much leads to mistakes.

She focused on eating, but then heard Wu Xiaoxiao quietly say, “Look, look, is that General Manager Yun and General Manager Bai?”

“It really is. The management meeting doesn’t start until one o’clock. General Manager Bai is here so early. Did he rush over specifically to have lunch with General Manager Yun?”

“It seems the rumors are true. General Manager Yun and General Manager Bai have something going on…”

“Cough, cough, cough…” Liu Yun coughed violently a few times, interrupting the people who were chattering away. They glanced at Gu Weiran, quickly lowered their heads to eat, and dared not say more.

Gu Weiran understood that if their discussions about their leader behind her back were overheard by someone with ulterior motives and spread, it would cause trouble. Since Gu Weiran was Yun Shu’s “confidante,” they were naturally cautious.

She suddenly felt that she should take the opportunity to delve deeper. Perhaps she could sort out the interpersonal relationships within the company, which would be helpful to Yun Shu.

Which people could be utilized and which ones were unreliable could be summarized through contact.

“Ah, really? What other gossip is there about General Manager Yun? Alas, I haven’t seen her in many years, only once when I was a child, so I’m not really familiar with her. I’m honestly quite nervous working with her now. Could you ladies please help me out, please?” Gu Weiran pretended to be a workplace newbie, hoping they would drop their guard around her.

She genuinely wanted to understand these people at Minde, and she also genuinely wanted to know more about Yun Shu.

Liu Yun smiled: “Actually, it’s nothing much. General Manager Bai is the best performing among the project managers in Xuan’an. He was the one who brought General Manager Yun into the industry. Now that General Manager Yun has surpassed him, she’s definitely going to promote him after coming back.”

“Manager Liu, that’s not the most important thing. Look, General Manager Bai is a genuine gaofushuai (tall, rich, handsome) guy. He’s 35 and still single. They say he’s waiting for General Manager Yun to say yes. They’ve known each other for so many years, and General Manager Bai hasn’t found a partner. Wow, it’s like the tragic male lead in a Mary Sue drama.”

“Are you crazy? General Manager Yun might be the Chairman’s woman…”

“Don’t talk nonsense!” Mentioning the sensitive topic, Liu Yun glared at them. “Eat more, talk less.”

This Bai Jie was Yun Shu’s old colleague and former superior. When Yun Shu worked in sales, he was her manager and taught her a lot of experience.

Bai Jie had indeed pursued Yun Shu but was rejected. He always thought he had a chance as long as Yun Shu was single and kept waiting for her, never expecting that what he finally waited for was Yun Shu’s transfer to the group headquarters and the rumors of her relationship with the Chairman.

The matter between Yun Shu and Ming Shangdong was virtually an open secret, but it was never officially confirmed. Minde’s internal employees treated these as casual topics of conversation after meals, not daring to mention them excessively in the company. If they accidentally misspoke and the words reached the higher-ups, their jobs would be at risk.

Not far away, Yun Shu and Bai Jie were chatting and laughing while selecting their meals. Bai Jie was dressed in a suit, tall and handsome. They looked very compatible standing together.

The food in Gu Weiran’s bowl suddenly lost its appeal. Every piece of gossip sounded grating. Every matter concerning Yun Shu seemed capable of penetrating her tough exterior and hitting her heart directly.

“I have to say, General Manager Yun’s private life is really a bit…” Wu Xiaoxiao whispered, “Rich and colorful.”

Rich and colorful, huh, what a sarcastic term.

Gu Weiran didn’t understand why Yun Shu had so many misunderstood male-female relationships. She was criticized because of her father in the past, and now she was still the subject of gossip. Was she really so unconcerned about her personal reputation?

“Everyone, enjoy your meal. I’m going back to the office now.”

She had no mood to socialize with these people anymore, and the food was hard to swallow. She was ready to leave this depressing place, adopting the philosophy of “out of sight, out of mind.”

The management dining area was in the VIP section near the entrance. Gu Weiran had to pass through there to leave, hoping Yun Shu wouldn’t see her.

Gu Weiran walked quickly, pretending not to see Yun Shu, but just as she reached the door, she heard someone call “Weiran.”

Yun Shu’s voice was like a spell; as soon as she called her name, Gu Weiran couldn’t move.

Gu Weiran tightly closed her eyes. It was true that what you feared the most happened.

“General Manager Yun.” She turned around, forcing a polite smile.

Yun Shu beckoned to her, “Come here.”

“Uh, perhaps you should finish your meal first. If there’s anything, we can discuss it back in the office.” Gu Weiran definitely didn’t want to sit between the two of them. She didn’t want to see Yun Shu getting close to anyone, and even less did she want to be in the middle of it.

It would make her feel uncomfortable.

Yun Shu put down her chopsticks, put away her smile, and said seriously, “I asked you to come over.”