So It Turns Out You’re a Fox Spirit (GL) - Chapter 6

Mondays were often the day with the lowest morale in the company. After two days off, all sorts of trivial matters piled up, waiting to be handled, and employees were basically on edge.

Normally, to set an example for her team, Le Xiaoyao would appear at the office entrance on Mondays, full of energy. But this time, she looked wilted…

Because of the past weekend—the worst weekend she had experienced all year! All because of a certain woman, she hadn’t slept well! Even though she put on heavy makeup for work, faint traces were still visible around her eyes.

Since yesterday, Le Xiaoyao’s nerves had been tightly wound; she held her phone constantly, and every call or message made her heart race. At first, she comforted herself that it was just boredom making her overthink, and that work would help…

Monday

• State: Distracted and absent-minded

• Behavior: Holding her phone, endlessly locking and unlocking the screen

Tuesday

• State: Listless

• Behavior: Staring at her phone, pouring milk down her neck

Wednesday

• State: Mentally exhausted

• Behavior: Relatively still, in a daze

“Yao, you forgot to meet the client…”
“…Boss, this part is wrong!”
“Team leader, don’t sign with the red pen…”

Le Xiaoyao’s life and work had become a mess, and she didn’t know what was happening to her!

Finally, Thursday arrived. There was still no call from Fu Jin, but her workload had piled up. Suddenly, the phone rang. Le Xiaoyao jolted, fumbling for her phone, and realized it was the company’s internal line.

She answered and it was Assistant Chen, Secretary to General Manager Xu.
“…Team Leader Le, there’s an urgent design department meeting at 2 PM. Please be sure to attend on time.”

An urgent meeting, and she must be on time? Le Xiaoyao began to worry that her recent mistakes had piled up and that a major reprimand awaited. And since it was Secretary Xu calling, it seemed that General Manager Xu himself would preside. Last time, she had unfortunately clashed with the boss—perhaps karma had finally caught up.

“Hello? Mr. Zhou… do you know what the meeting is about?” Le Xiaoyao quickly called Zhou Yi.

Zhou Yi also didn’t know. “It seems it was decided at the last minute. Pretty urgent!”

His tone was sincere! His admission of ignorance complete! His apology touching! Le Xiaoyao was confident that with these three elements—attitude, acknowledgement of mistakes, and remorse—it should be fine. After all, she was an experienced leader; the boss would at least give some face.

That afternoon, Le Xiaoyao arrived early at the meeting hall, bracing for judgment.

Xu Yuan stomped in, her heels striking the floor with sharp clicks, making Le Xiaoyao’s heart race. She sat as far away from Xu Yuan as possible, keeping her head low.

“This emergency design department meeting was called because we have a disagreement with Donghai Real Estate on a joint project…”

The Donghai Holiday Villas were the largest investment project under Donghai Real Estate. Since the opening, the image design and external promotion of the villas had always been led by the team leader. Now, the Donghai representatives proposed deciding the design rights through a bidding process.

It was like having a juicy piece of meat in hand, only for it to suddenly vanish; whether they could reclaim it was uncertain!

Anger surged in Le Xiaoyao. She almost slammed the table. “Donghai Real Estate is our longstanding client, and our department has been responsible for this villa project for three years. How can they just switch us out? Didn’t we sign a contract?”

Yao, I know you’ve been in charge of the Holiday Villas’ image design, and no one has more say than you. But Donghai isn’t saying they want to replace you. They want a fair competition, and in principle, they haven’t violated the contract. The design department has always been the leader’s stronghold; I believe your team has the ability to win the bid!”

Le Xiaoyao didn’t understand why Manager Xu was speaking on the other party’s behalf. The previously tacit agreement was suddenly turned into a competition—wasn’t this just a way of replacing them? And it wasn’t a matter of ability; the leader had invested so much effort into this project, which could now vanish with a single sentence from the client.

“Manager Xu…” Le Xiaoyao stood, her gaze firm. “This isn’t about whether we have the ability or can succeed in a bid. Our department has been handling the Holiday Villas project for two years. Every design outcome represents countless days and nights of effort and devotion from everyone. This isn’t something measured by money alone; it carries our sentiment. What we create isn’t cold, lifeless design! The leader has been able to stand firm in the advertising industry because we put our heart into our work. We create with care!”

Xu Yuan pondered. Of course, she understood all this—but…
Yao, I see your department’s hard work, and you’ve done well these past two years. But from another perspective, maybe this competition isn’t entirely bad; pressure brings motivation…”

Le Xiaoyao refused to yield. “Manager Xu, when is the Donghai competition?”

“About two weeks from now.”

“And if the original two-month project period is shortened to half a month, with everyone under the pressure of a competition, can the plan really be done well? Our team is excellent; they give their all to their work. We don’t need extra external pressure. We advocate a relaxed, free environment, so ideas can flow, and more creative concepts emerge!”

With her personality, it’s all or nothing. She wanted her team to work focused, not walking on eggshells. Frankly, bidding was the one thing she hated most. Producing rushed plans under pressure would require even more thought, which might end up wasted. Although her tone was forceful, her points resonated, and no one contradicted her.

Xu Yuan had to reconsider her impression of Le Xiaoyao—she hadn’t realized this employee had such insight.
“We’ll continue negotiating with Donghai to try and eliminate the bidding process.”

“Either Donghai gives the project entirely to us, or… we withdraw from the bidding!”

Zhou Yi panicked. “Le Xiaoyao!”

Her previous statements were reasonable, but demanding withdrawal was a bit overbearing! The meeting was presided over by Xu Yuan; now that Manager Xu had made concessions, how could a mere team leader press further?

“I’ll consider it. But as you said, your department has worked hard on this project. Whether bidding is needed or not, the design team must take it seriously. Prepare thoroughly. Meeting adjourned!”

The design department held the dominant position, so if there was a bid, the burden would fall on them.

After Xu Yuan left, Zhou Yi hosted an emergency department meeting to discuss the plan, and everyone was prepared to work overtime to the brink of collapse.

Le Xiaoyao left early, citing discomfort.

Black Bar

“Miss, you can’t drink anymore~”

Le Xiaoyao’s face was flushed, holding up five fingers. “Five… only… only five drinks… still…”

The bartender didn’t know what to do. Le Xiaoyao insisted he drink with her, clearly drunk.

She pulled out her phone, scrolling through her call history, spotted Aunt Huang, pressed the button, and called.

“Hello… Aunt Huang… come… come over and have a drink with me, yes… yes…” She forgot the bar’s name, turning to ask the bartender, “Black… Black what…? I’ll wait for you here…”

Gu Jiejun received the call, utterly confused. It was already 11 PM. Surely it was a wrong number. But there were chat records—last Saturday? He tried to recall and realized it was probably Fu Jin’s old classmate!

Gu Jiejun didn’t want to disturb Fu Jin’s rest, but letting Miss Le act recklessly wasn’t an option. Going alone also wasn’t proper, so he decided to contact Fu Jin.

“Huh? So late… what’s up?” After the phone rang several times, Fu Jin answered, still sleepy, probably woken up.

“What?” As soon as Gu Jiejun mentioned that Le Xiaoyao was drunk at the bar, Fu Jin was wide awake and sat up from bed. “Where? I’m coming right away…”

“I know where. I’ll pick you up first, then we can go together.” Gu Jiejun, naturally, didn’t trust Fu Jin to go to the bar alone at night.

“Mm… thanks, Eric…”