Lu Yanming thought this and acted accordingly.
The next day, Li Zhen walked to work.
The apartment was located not far from the company, just a ten minute walk.
She couldn't understand why Lu Yanming, who was perfectly able-bodied, needed Fei Chao to drive him even such a short distance.
"Achoo!" A cold gust of wind blew by and Li Zhen was surprised she could still catch a cold in summer.
She felt chilled to the bone, as if today would be an unlucky day.
In the elevator at the company, Li Zhen was suddenly bumped into by a man.
"Excuse me, let me in too."
Li Zhen was shoved by this impatient man and nearly didn't make it into the elevator.
At the last moment, the man held the elevator door open and enthusiastically said, "You're Li Zhen, right?"
"And you are?" Li Zhen looked over this stranger.
"I'm Tian Pingwei, the new marketing specialist." After Tian Pingwei saw Li Zhen enter, he closed the elevator door.
Realizing he was from the marketing department, Li Zhen stiffened for a moment. "Nice to meet you."
"I just started here, there's still so much I don't understand. I'll have to rely on your guidance!" Tian Pingwei gave a wide grin and reached out his hand.
"We can learn from each other." Li Zhen reluctantly shook his hand, not expecting to meet such an extrovert so early in the morning.
There were colleagues from various departments in the elevator, and they all stared curiously at Tian Pingwei. In this day and age where everyone tried to minimize social interaction, an extrovert like him was rare.
But Tian Pingwei paid them no mind, and kept chatting with Li Zhen.
In the office, Zhao Yan saw the delighted Tian Pingwei and called out, "What's got you in such a good mood?"
"Uncle, I just met that Li Zhen you mentioned, the one President Yu likes. I got to talk with her!" Tian Pingwei said breezily with a broad smile.
"You brat, who told you to go talk to her! Stay away from her in the future." Zhao Yan's expression changed slightly, and he added coldly, "Also, don't call me uncle in the office!"
If everyone knew he had such a grown nephew, where would he put his face?
"Got it." Tian Pingwei muttered unhappily.
"Oh right, for tonight's dinner party, go get a model from the advertising department to attend."
"I'll get it done, Unc...Manager Zhao!"
Tian Pingwei went to the advertising department to find Ren Zongxian.
Ren Zongxian brought him into his office and had him take a seat, before stepping out again to pour him some tea.
The advertising department had to tiptoe around the marketing department for many matters, so the advertising managers were always deferential to the marketing staff.
Ren Zongxian had just finished pouring the tea when he was immediately surrounded.
"Manager, is this for a marketing department dinner?"
"I haven't been picked in so long, it should be my turn this time."
"I've never gone before, you can't play favorites Manager."
Ren Zongxian was annoyed by the chattering women giving him a headache. "Stop it, the marketing guy is still in my office. Don't embarrass us."
The marketing department would occasionally borrow people from advertising for important occasions, to better showcase their products to clients.
Most people tried to avoid these dinners. But the marketing department was very generous, giving 18,888 yuan as a "hardship fee" to anyone they brought along.
If they encountered clients who forced drinking, the attendee would get double the fee for enduring some mistreatment.
Everyone wanted the chance to go.
"Alright, alright, back to work everyone." Ren Zongxian waved them away.
As the crowd dispersed, Jiang Kegeng sidled up to him. "Manager, I want to go this time. Can you help me with that?"
Ren Zongxian was surprised. "You're usually not too keen on these things?"
These were usually very important marketing dinners, and President Yu attended 8 or 9 out of 10 times.
Jiang Kegeng was currently scheming for a chance to get close to President Yu, "That was before, now is now, Manager."
"This isn't my call, nothing I can do." After speaking, Ren Zongxian quickly brought the tea into his office.
Tian Pingwei stood up to receive it from him. "You're too kind, Manager Ren."
Ren Zongxian said, "Little Tian, what time is it scheduled? Let me know who you pick, and I'll have her leave early to avoid traffic and delays."
Tian Pingwei was taken aback. He thought his uncle just wanted him to confirm the time and details.
He had to pick the person himself?
From what his uncle said, the advertising department got a big red envelope for this, and just now so many people were begging Manager Ren to let them go. So this was a good thing! He should give this opportunity to Li Zhen!
But he couldn't make it too obvious.
Tian Pingwei said, "Then let me take a look at who's free and not too busy today to join us."
"Sure, sure." Ren Zongxian promptly led Tian Pingwei out of the manager's office.
As soon as Tian Pingwei emerged, everyone immediately sprang to their feet, beaming at him coquettishly or sweetly.
Jiang Kegeng marched right up to him, but before she got halfway, she heard Tian Pingwei say, "How about that long-haired girl in the corner on her phone?"
All eyes instantly turned to Li Zhen in the corner.
Li Zhen, who had been happily slacking off since she had no tasks today, suddenly noticed the office go silent.
When she looked up, everyone was staring at her.
She quickly put her phone down. Shoot, she got caught slacking.
"Li Zhen, bring the Starry Night collection samples after work and accompany the marketing department to a dinner." Ren Zongxian's voice rang out.
Li Zhen thought...what just happened?
That evening.
Outside the hotel's private room, Yu Sheng wore an all-black suit, broad-shouldered and long-legged, exuding a cold aura.
Zhao Yan deferentially stood behind him.
A woman with an expensive handbag sashayed over to Yu Sheng. "President Yu, you're so early."
"It's rare that Miss Du helped arrange this meeting with Director Li. Of course I had to arrive early to show my sincerity." Yu Sheng nodded slightly.
"It was nothing, why so polite President Yu?" Du Baifeng linked her arm with Yu Sheng's and whispered intimately in his ear, "President Yu, after sharing a drink last time, I've dreamt about marrying you several times."
Zhao Yan quickly averted his eyes, not daring to look further. She was the daughter of the governor of Jinghai Province, having just invested in building a large mall in Jin City last year. It was constructed on an old, run-down site in the most prime location in the southern city center.
With that location and her background, the mall's success was guaranteed. All the brands desperately wanted to secure good spots there.
Miss Du had a proud temperament and no one could get on her good side. Yet she took a particular liking to President Yu.
Last time, in order to secure the best storefront on the first floor of the mall for Honghai Corporation, President Yu suffered all kinds of mistreatment from Miss Du, though he did manage to sign the long-term contract at a normal price in the end.
The mall was opening tomorrow, and Honghai's jewelry sales were projected to increase over 25% this year.
"Miss Du, I'm merely an employee. Drinking with you again would really upset my wife." Yu Sheng allowed her to cling to his arm.
"President Yu, you're such a spoilsport, always bringing up your wife. This movie Director Li is working on now will be a guaranteed hit. So many people want the product placement advertising, yet I got Director Li to meet with Honghai today. And not for Honghai's sake."
Yu Sheng raised his brows and smirked. "Miss Du, I understand. Manager Zhao has a set of our latest SCC brand jewelry ready in the trunk of his car. He'll bring it to your car later."
"Yes Miss Du, I hope it's to your liking." Zhao Yan tactfully followed up right away.
Du Baifeng snorted inwardly. Yu Sheng adeptly deflected her words.
The only man she wanted, why didn't he want her?
He was just an executive, yet so arrogant.
Yu Sheng glanced at his watch. "Director Li should arrive in 10 minutes. Where is the person from the advertising department?"
"Let me check." Zhao Yan was about to call Tian Pingwei when he saw Tian Pingwei coming up the stairs carrying a box of red wine.
He pulled Tian Pingwei into the private room. "Where's the person you were supposed to meet today? Did you clearly tell them the time and location? Why aren't they here yet?"
Zhao Yan set the red wine down on the table and wiped his sweat. "I just contacted Li Zhen. She said she's on her way."
Li Zhen?
Did he hear that right?
Zhao Yan's heart skipped a beat.
Yu Sheng, who was entering with Du Baifeng, halted his footsteps as his eyes instantly chilled. "Who did you say is coming?"
"It's Li Zhen, President Yu." Seeing Yu Sheng react to her name, Tian Pingwei's brows rose in satisfaction.
Look, wasn't he great at flattering the boss!
This was getting face time right in front of the top leader!
