When they were leaving the office, the three of them took the elevator together. Dong Hui smiled and said, “Luckily, Lu Nan is volunteering for that event. Otherwise, out of the three of us, only two could go, which would be really unfair.” 

Lu Nan and Xiang Feifei exchanged a glance, then Lu Nan said indifferently, “If it doesn’t work this time, there will be another chance. Manager Li will make sure everything is arranged.” 

“That’s true, but the one left out will definitely feel uncomfortable,” Dong Hui let out an exaggerated sigh. “I was just thinking, if the number limit had kept you from coming with us, that would have really been awkward.” 

You didn’t seem awkward when you were quick to volunteer earlier.  

Lu Nan didn’t want to listen to Dong Hui’s veiled remarks about ‘three people, two spots’, nor did she want to argue about why she would be the one left out. So, she turned to Xiang Feifei and said, “Remember to bring your business cards tomorrow.” 

Xiang Feifei nodded. As someone who was new to the workforce, she hadn’t developed the habit of handing out business cards yet. Lu Nan’s reminder came at the perfect time.  

Lu Nan added, “But before exchanging business cards, pay attention to Manager Li’s signals. Not everyone in the club is our target audience. There are many people like us who are just looking for opportunities.” 

Dong Hui quietly took note of what Lu Nan said. 

Lu Nan didn’t mind; it wasn’t a secret. In time, everyone would come to understand these common practices. 

… 

On Sunday morning, Lu Nan arrived at the Shangrila Hotel lobby on time. Soon, a dozen volunteers had all gathered. 

The volunteer leader was one of the secretaries from the Reading Club (Lu Nan thought he looked somewhat familiar). After checking the number of people, he began assigning tasks according to the list.  

Large items like tables, tablecloths, and chairs would be set up by the hotel staff. Volunteers only needed to place printed name tags on the front row seats, count the badges to be used that day, and package the host’s gift bags for the event.  

It was all small tasks.  

Lunch was also consisted of boxed meals, and after eating, they would assist with testing sound and lighting equipment, among other things. 

While Lu Nan was counting the badges, she heard someone call her name. She looked up and saw the familiar volunteer leader. She couldn’t recall his name, but she wasn’t bothered. She smiled and said, “What, you’re here to supervise again?” 

“No, I just haven’t seen you in a while. My uncle said you quit your job? Where are you working now?” As soon as he spoke, Lu Nan remembered who he was — Xiao Song, nicknamed Big Bear, the nephew of Mr. Song from CIMC Logistics. He worked for his uncle’s personal training company. Lu Nan had met him a few times when she came to club activities with Mr. Song. 

Lu Nan didn’t know much about Xiao Song, but his slightly pretentious attitude had left a deep impression. 

“I’m not doing anything impressive, just getting by,” Lu Nan responded vaguely. “Why are you here in person this time?” 

It turned out that Lu Nan wasn’t mistaken—Xiao Song wasn’t at all interested in her current job. He quickly continued, “My uncle said that today’s main speaker was introduced to the club by him. He told me to make sure I oversee the setup and join them for dinner afterward.”  

He spoke as if he had many social engagements and was very reluctant, but Lu Nan knew that Xiao Song was just tagging along with Mr. Song to get acquainted with other leaders and executives. 

However, from what Xiao Song revealed, Lu Nan had a guess about today’s main speaker. 

“So today’s speaker must be quite influential,” she raised an eyebrow and walked over to the pile of gift bags. The neatly stacked brown paper bags had the logo of today’s sponsoring company printed at the bottom: 

China Warrior Quality Development Training Co., Ltd. 

It was the company of Yuan Shengli, whom Lu Nan had met a couple of times. 

Then the main speaker was most likely Mr. Yuan. 

 “Well, what a coincidence!” Lu Nan thought to herself. 

Xiao Song continued to enthusiastically talk about how impressive today’s main speaker was in the industry, while Lu Nan only half-listened, occasionally responding to keep the conversation going. 

After finishing what she was doing, she gave Xiao Song a quick goodbye. 

Although Li Li had instructed Dong Hui and Xiang Feifei to wait for her in the hotel lobby, Lu Nan still made sure to head to the lobby to meet with Li Li at 1:05 PM. “Manager Li, the registration desk is on the third floor, to the right after the elevator. The first two rows are reserved, but the rest of the seats are free for anyone to choose.” 

Dong Hui curiously asked, “Lu Nan, where will you sit later? Wearing this…” She pointed at Lu Nan’s red T-shirt, which clearly marked her as staff, “Are you standing at the back of the venue? Isn’t that a bit too much?” 

Lu Nan almost rolled her eyes in her mind: Some people really can’t survive without making a comment. No wonder I almost got into a fight with her in my past life. She’s clearly someone who needs a slap. 

Since what Dong Hui said was really irritating, Lu Nan smiled slightly, deciding to give her a bit of a hard time.  

Originally, she thought about subtly inviting Xiao Song over to show off, but then… she found a better option. 

Lu Nan turned sideways with a delighted smile and enthusiastically greeted the person who had just entered the hotel lobby behind Li Li: “Mr. Song, Mr. Yuan.” 

“It’s Lu Nan.” Mr. Song nodded at Lu Nan in acknowledgment, but to his surprise, Mr. Yuan walked over with great interest.  

Mr. Yuan, still dressed in a suit, with a bald head and black-framed glasses without lenses, laughed heartily when he saw Lu Nan: “Lu Nan? Xiao Nan, are you participating in today’s event too? Wow, a volunteer, very nice! See, I told you we were destined to meet!” 

Mr. Yuan obviously had a very friendly personality. His familiarity in calling Lu Nan “Xiao Nan” played perfectly into her plan to impress—at least Dong Hui, who had just been sarcastically suggesting Lu Nan would have to stand at the event, was now left speechless. 

Lu Nan smiled and said, “I heard from Big Bear (Xiao Song’s nickname, which Lu Nan had finally remembered) that today’s speaker was recommended by Mr. Song. Later, when I saw the sponsor’s name on the gift bags, I guessed it was you, Mr. Yuan.  

“By the way, Mr. Yuan, Mr. Song, let me introduce my current supervisor, Manager Li. Manager Li, this is Mr. Song, the Vice President of CIMC Logistics, and his friend, Mr. Yuan, who is today’s speaker and the CEO of China Warrior Quality Development Training Co., Ltd.” 

Li Li hadn’t expected Lu Nan’s social circle to include such influential figures, nor did she expect Lu Nan to be so perceptive in introducing them to her. She smiled and seized the opportunity to hand her business card to both executives. 

 Out of politeness, Mr. Song and Mr. Yuan reciprocated with their own cards.  

Mr. Yuan even made a point of saying to Li Li, “Manager Li, your company’s Xiao Nan is truly talented. I wanted to invite her to my company last time, but it’s clear she feels very loyal to your Yuan Chuan Group. I wonder how I could get her to consider the position of lecturer at our company.”  

It was clear he hadn’t given up on trying to recruit her.  

Li Li smiled proudly, as if Lu Nan were indeed the outstanding lecturer she had personally trained for a long time: “Lu Nan’s work ability is indeed exceptional. Mr. Yuan, you have a keen eye for talent.” 

Seeing that Dong Hui seemed to want to approach for a conversation, Lu Nan subtly moved half a step forward, just enough to block her: “Mr. Yuan, with such high praise, Manager Li will surely give me a raise—afraid I might really jump ship to Warrior. So my promotion and raise at Yuan Chuan Brewery now depends on you, Mr. Yuan.” 

Everyone laughed. 

In reality, Li Li had no authority to give Lu Nan a promotion or raise, but that didn’t matter. It was just polite conversation. 

“Xiao Nan is great at chatting. It’s enjoyable talking with her. Last time, I heard her discussing Yuan Chuan’s corporate culture and the culture of your beverages—it was fascinating. Xiao Nan, can you stay after the event and join us for dinner?” 

Lu Nan glanced at Li Li, who gave a slight nod. So, she smiled and said, “Mr. Yuan, you’ve invited such esteemed guests today. I’m not important enough to join the table.” 

“Nonsense, it’s just a gathering of a few familiar faces. Xiao Song will be there too,” Mr. Yuan turned to Mr. Song and said, “Right?” 

At this point, Mr. Song, of course, wouldn’t contradict Mr. Yuan: “Lu Nan, come join us.”  

With both executives inviting her, Lu Nan finally said, “I can’t just enjoy a free meal. How about this: let our Manager Li sponsor the wine for tonight’s dinner? Of course, I’m just borrowing flowers to present the Buddha.” 

Everyone laughed again. 

So, it was settled. Mr. Yuan nodded: “Alright, then I formally invite Manager Li and Xiao Nan to our dinner.”  

After exchanging a few more pleasantries, Mr. Yuan had to go backstage to prepare—Xiao Song had come to hurry him along, so both sides temporarily said their goodbyes. 

Li Li turned to Dong Hui and said, “I’ll call He Manlin to have a case of our classic 15-year-old wine released from the warehouse. It’s urgent, so take a taxi to the provincial office’s backup warehouse now.” 

Lu Nan didn’t care about Dong Hui’s feelings at this moment. If you start something, you better be prepared for the consequences. She hadn’t even truly retaliated, and this person was already out of the game—what’s the point? 

…  

The sharing session began. Objectively speaking, Mr. Yuan’s presentation was quite interesting. As a professional trainer, he skillfully controlled the pacing, maintained the atmosphere, and knew when to add humor.  

He discussed four different personality traits from a psychological perspective: sanguine, choleric, phlegmatic, and melancholic. 

This theory was something Lu Nan had studied during her university courses, and reviewing it again was quite interesting. 

For example, Mr. Yuan cleverly summarized: “When interacting with people, you should quickly understand and judge their temperament based on their speech, appearance, behavior, and posture. Then, according to your judgment and combining these personal traits, handle the interaction flexibly, so that you can ‘handle it with ease’ and achieve the result of ‘winning with one decisive move.'” 

As for what Mr. Yuan had said, Lu Nan had some insights from dealing with Dong Hui earlier, but she still needed to keep learning.  

Standing at the back of the venue, she could tell from the few people leaving midway that Mr. Yuan’s presentation had been a success. After today, many people would likely remember his name and the name of his company.