Wang Yiwen had no objections to Chu Zhishui's decision. After all, she had already established herself firmly at New Perspective, and even if others jumped ship to join them, their positions wouldn't outrank hers. This essentially strengthened her power within the company, so she naturally supported Chu Zhishui's approach wholeheartedly.
During her time at Long Zhi, Wang Yiwen had been gradually pushed out of the core circle due to her previous close association with Chu Zhishui. Combined with her time away after switching to New Perspective, she was no longer privy to many developments.
When Chu Zhishui was in contact with others, she casually inquired about the situation at Long Zhi, indirectly gathering quite a bit of intelligence.
"Long Zhi is planning to promote small and medium brands?" Chu Zhishui was surprised, "Didn't they previously focus on premium luxury brands?"
"Because New Perspective's recent promotional event data looked good, and the current trend is towards downgraded consumption, we're also turning our attention to domestic brands," the other party explained. "By the way, Ms. Chu, do you follow New Perspective's sales rankings? We're analyzing brands based on that, and there are a couple of impressive ones. We're planning to launch similar products to compete head-to-head with New Perspective."
At this point, Chu Zhishui understood everything she needed to know. Company information about the Observation Bureau could be found online, and Li Longke probably already knew about her collaboration with New Perspective, pretending to be clueless while probing about Wang Yiwen's situation during their meeting.
If Chu Zhishui agreed to cooperate with him, he would smoothly accept and sever the deep connections between the Observation Bureau and New Perspective.
But if she didn't agree, he was equally prepared, having already gathered a wave of snack and cosmetic brands internally, planning to launch a brand to compete with New Perspective by benchmarking against the Observation Bureau.
Such a familiar approach.
Li Longke had done the same thing before - letting her run operations while secretly assembling a new operations team, waiting for the right moment to attempt a coup. It was the same old trick.
Chu Zhishui didn't understand why he feared her so much that he would benchmark against the Observation Bureau's recommended brands. Li Longke should have been fighting with Qi Chang, yet his attention always followed her, as if she was the one who had elevated Qi Chang to power, making her the real puppet master behind the scenes.
If Long Zhi promoted competing brands, it would inevitably impact the Observation Bureau, but Chu Zhishui was quite confident that this wouldn't pose too great a challenge.
Firstly, the Observation Bureau's products had extremely low costs, with their core competitiveness being genuine quality, plus the forced labor of the three spirit beings (yellow, black, and white) effectively reduced labor costs compared to similar products. Secondly, the Observation Bureau's company system was healthy - as long as the direct stores operated smoothly, it would be difficult to collapse in a short time, and the biggest problem of store rent had been resolved.
Even if the Observation Bureau encountered rough waters in the short term, as long as they weathered the first wave, they would be fine. Even without Li Longke pushing competing products, there were countless competitors in the market. The market was about survival of the fittest, seeing who could last the longest.
The talent poached from Long Zhi needed time to resign, and the Observation Bureau's direct stores also needed time to plan. Perhaps the next confrontation would be an all-out arm-wrestling match, basically around the time when the direct stores officially opened.
Inside the Yinhai Observation Bureau, after unremitting efforts, Ye Huayu and other spirit beings finally prevented Chu Zhishui from being poached, avoiding a situation where the divine lord would remain in Yinhai.
Before leaving, Hu Chenrui gave a meaningful warning: "Chief Ye, you mustn't let your guard down. Keep a close eye on the store renovations. If the direct stores fail, little Chu might leave again, returning to Yinhai if she can't make it in Huaijiang."
"Why do young people always want to struggle in big cities? It's so hard!" Ye Huayu exclaimed, "Old Hu, you should persuade her - the Huaijiang bureau is stable, much better than the outside world!"
Hu Chenrui replied leisurely: "I'd like to persuade her, but young people have their own ideas."
Ye Huayu pondered: "Why don't you help solve her personal problems? They say people become less likely to job-hop after settling down."
"?"
After the business trip ended, Hu Chenrui returned with business funds and store locations, while Chu Zhishui was unexpectedly promoted to deputy director, immediately starting the formal process of electoral meetings back at the bureau.
Chu Zhishui's promotion was exceptional - normally, her tenure wouldn't qualify for such rapid advancement in ordinary units, but given the Observation Bureau's significant performance improvement over the past year, coupled with the spirits' numbness to time, it somehow passed unanimously.
After all, human colleagues only work for forty or fifty years, so the spirit colleagues felt embarrassed to block her progress - it was indeed too short for them.
Such exceptional promotions had precedents nationwide, so although Chu Zhishui's procedures were complex, they went relatively smoothly.
Soon after, the Economic Development Department was upgraded, and Chu Zhishui was officially elected as deputy director, completing the remaining procedures with Hong Ximing.
In the personnel office, a window was cracked open for ventilation, letting in a slightly cold breeze that dispersed the winter heating's drowsiness.
Chu Zhishui sat on the sofa waiting, hearing the clicking sounds beside her ear, wondering whether she should return to the Economic Development Department first and come back to collect the relevant forms after Hong Ximing finished.
Hong Ximing sat working at the computer, seemingly noticing Chu Zhishui's hesitation. While typing swiftly on the keyboard, she chatted enthusiastically: "Little Chu, don't rush, I'll be done soon."
"Alright, Sister Hong, I'm not in a hurry, please take your time," Chu Zhishui replied, feeling obliged to continue sitting and waiting.
"You're truly accomplished at such a young age, becoming deputy director so young. I was promoted in Yinhai, come to think of it, that was several hundred years ago. Of course, it wasn't called deputy director then; we used a different ranking system," Hong Ximing recalled nostalgically, her hands never stopping their work on the keyboard.
Spirits occasionally used terms characteristic of their era, like how the yellow, black, and white spirit trio still called people "master" and "divine lord," not having shed some traces of time.
"You used to work in Yinhai?" Chu Zhishui asked curiously, "I thought you'd always been in Huaijiang."
"Yes, our Observation Bureau has an unwritten rule that if you want to be promoted, you generally need to do a stint in Huaijiang," Hong Ximing explained. "Huaijiang bureau has the most positions - look at Wu Changgong, he came from Qi Wu and got promoted."
Chu Zhishui suddenly understood - it seemed Huaijiang bureau had long been a high-risk frontier area, not only containing a quarter of the dragon gods but also housing complete bamboo spirits. No wonder Director Hu felt resentful about being dispatched here.
Although the Huaijiang Observation Bureau nominally maintained stability, truthfully they were no match for the deified spirits. In case of conflict, they would be the first to fall. Fortunately, Xin Yunmao was a carefree homebody with no interest in gathering followers or expanding influence, completely different from the dragon gods who once dominated.
Perhaps plants were all peace lovers, usually only passionate about watering flowers and farming.
Chu Zhishui and Hong Ximing chatted casually about various topics. Conversations between humans follow certain patterns, and conversations between humans and spirits were similar. Inevitably, the topic drifted to classic office matters.
This was an unavoidable aspect of countless institutional units, but Chu Zhishui, considering the Observation Bureau's special nature, hadn't paid much attention to it until Hong Ximing brought it up.
"Little Chu, any developments in your love life lately?"
Chu Zhishui was bewildered by the sudden topic change: "Huh?"
"You're so excellent at your work, haven't you thought about personal matters?" Hong Ximing smiled, "Why not consider settling down?"
"..."
No way, human leaders gossip about being single, but spirit leaders do too?
Chu Zhishui forced a smile: "The Economic Development Department is very busy, and we're about to open direct stores, I really can't spare time for these things."
Hong Ximing pondered: "That's true, you are indeed very busy. I remember during your events, you were burning the midnight oil, leaving even later than me."
Chu Zhishui breathed a slight sigh of relief, responding officially: "Yes, so I'm not thinking about these things. I want to focus on bureau work first, having just been promoted, I can't let everyone's trust down."
"We feel guilty seeing you so devoted to the bureau," Hong Ximing said warmly. "How about this - I'll introduce some potential matches to you, help you keep this matter in mind. Do you have any requirements?"
Chu Zhishui: "?"
Chu Zhishui anxiously declined: "That's too much trouble for you, Sister Hong. You have your own work to do, don't worry about these things."
Hong Ximing: "It's no trouble at all, just something I can do on the side!"
Chu Zhishui swallowed uncomfortably: "Mainly, I think this matter is too difficult, requiring too much energy..."
"How can any difficulty compare to the Cowherd and Weaver Girl?" Hong Ximing said straightforwardly. "Our species has rich experience in matchmaking, Little Chu, you can totally trust me. Just tell me your requirements, we can find anyone for you!"
"..."
Is this the confidence of a magpie? The courage to build bridges even under the pressure of the Queen Mother of Heaven?
Chu Zhishui silently recited that being single was great, but she didn't want to dampen the mood, so she deliberately made things difficult: "I don't have high requirements for a partner, just someone who's good-looking, filial to my parents, can do housework, and earn money to support the family..."
Hong Ximing responded readily: "Great, I'll find someone for you!"
Chu Zhishui steeled herself and added through gritted teeth: "...and must be able to bear children!"
Hong Ximing: "?"
Seeing the hesitation on Hong's face, Chu Zhishui knew she'd hit a crucial point and pressed on: "Sister Hong, I've always felt I'm no less capable than men, but facing the risks of childbirth is such a disadvantage and would interfere with my work at the bureau. If we could solve this issue, I think everything else would be fine."
Hong Ximing had a moment of realization: "I see, that makes sense."
Chu Zhishui smiled with satisfaction: "So thank you for thinking of me, Sister Hong, but this problem is quite difficult to solve..."
"This problem isn't difficult to solve at all." Hong Ximing suddenly remembered something and clapped her hands excitedly, seeming to have an epiphany. "The one in your office can bear children! Why don't you just admit you like him!"
"???"
Chu Zhishui was stunned: "Jin Yu and I aren't suitable."
Hong Ximing winked at her teasingly: "Who said anything about Jin Yu? There's someone else."
Chu Zhishui nearly jumped off the sofa, her face burning red from Hong Ximing's suggestive gaze: "How could he possibly bear children? He's a man!"
"Little Chu, that's just human thinking. Animals and plants are different," Hong Ximing explained patiently. "When animal spirits take human form, their gender is indeed related to their original form, but plant spirits are mostly hermaphroditic. They choose their gender based on their characteristics, and while their human form is completely identical to males, they retain some features of their original form."
"If they don't want to use those features, they can be completely human-like, but you can discuss it and use the plant spirit's original characteristics. It's not a big deal."
"..."
When spirits take human form, they're no different from normal men and women, except that plant spirits have both pistils and stamens and can use their original form for reproduction.
No wonder Xin Yunmao was so embarrassed watching that documentary. She had thought he was overreacting since it had nothing to do with him, but now his panic made perfect sense.
Chu Zhishui's face grew hot, feeling like she was having an adult conversation with Director Hong. She squirmed uncomfortably, not knowing where to put her hands and feet. The spirit world's biological knowledge shocked her deeply, making her blood rush from her feet to her head in embarrassment.
What strange knowledge she had gained.
After Hong finished with the paperwork, she grabbed the forms and fled, not daring to stay in the Personnel Office any longer.
Back at the Economic Development Department, Chu Zhishui returned late since her paperwork had taken longer. Jin Yu and Chen Zhuhui seemed to have gone to lunch already, leaving only Xin Yunmao setting up tableware in the office.
He turned when he heard movement: "I thought you'd be much longer."
Seeing him now made Chu Zhishui even more flustered. Her whole body felt hot as she noticed the food on the table: "Did you get lunch for me?"
"Mm-hmm."
"Thanks, want to eat together?" Chu Zhishui saw his eyes light up and quickly added, "Of course, we'll divide the food first. Don't wait until I'm done to pick at the leftovers!"
Xin Yunmao pouted but separated the rice into two portions.
The human and spirit opened their lunch boxes directly on Chu Zhishui's desk and sat side by side to eat.
Xin Yunmao pulled his chair over, habitually sitting beside Chu Zhishui, his long legs stretching out casually, his knee occasionally brushing against hers. Sitting so close together in the limited space meant they were quite near each other.
The fresh scent of bamboo leaves wafted over, tickling her nose - not the fragrance of flowers, but a crisp freshness that instantly brought to mind bamboo standing proudly in the wind, along with his tall, handsome figure.
Through the fabric of their clothes, Chu Zhishui felt an intermittent tingling sensation on her leg. She discreetly contained her movements and slid her chair slightly to the side.
Xin Yunmao noticed her moving far away and frowned, asking strangely: "Why are you moving so far away?"
"I just learned something, and I think we should be careful," she coughed lightly. "It's for your protection too."
Xin Yunmao grew more puzzled: "Protect me?"
"...Yes."
She was afraid of accidentally touching him and inadvertently causing artificial pollination - that would be quite the mishap.
