Chapter 18

It was nearing 10 PM.

The thick night had swallowed the entire city, and the bustling commercial areas that were lively during the day seemed to be frozen at this hour, with people and traffic thinning out.

However, most of the floors in the Chu Corporation building were still brightly lit.

Other big companies around the Chu Corporation building hadn’t closed yet either, and the lights from the commercial buildings were the most eye-catching in the entire business district.

Almost everyone passing by couldn’t help but glance up and snap a photo for their social media.

So, they deserved to earn money.

Still working at this hour.

They were all a group of emotionless, “chosen ones” of labor.

The lights in Chu Yu’s office were also still on.

The project proposal for M City had already been delivered to Chu Yu’s desk. He spent some time going over the proposal, pausing for a long while on the last page but never signing his name in the bottom corner.

Shen Zhizhe knocked twice on the door.

Chu Yu, who had been lost in thought, lifted his eyelids and glanced at him, then said in a deep voice, “Come in.”

Shen Zhizhe pushed open the office door, walked up to the desk, and without ceremony, pulled out a chair and sat down.

“Why aren’t you leaving yet?” Shen Zhizhe asked, propping his chin up while his eyes already drifted to the documents on the desk, “Has the project proposal arrived?”

Chu Yu set his pen down, and the sound of the pen hitting the folder was muffled.

“Mm,” Chu Yu didn’t deny it.

Shen Zhizhe, knowing where the conversation was going, didn’t ask for specifics. He merely studied Chu Yu’s expression and tentatively asked, “Not satisfied?”

Judging by his expression, it seemed like he wasn’t happy.

And most likely, he hadn’t signed it.

Chu Yu, still showing no emotion, lowered his gaze, slowly took off his glasses, and began wiping them carefully with the cloth. He furrowed his brows slightly, and after a while, he spoke: “I’ll go to M City next Monday to handle this project.”

Shen Zhizhe nodded, indicating he understood.

“I’ll send this project proposal back,” Chu Yu continued, tapping his finger on the leg of his glasses. He looked up at Shen Zhizhe and said directly, “I’m planning to have this project done by your team.”

Chu Yu had already been considering this.

But this project involved cooperation with a third party. The partners insisted on handling the marketing plan themselves, claiming their team understood the product, market, and promotions, and that the plan they produced would definitely meet Chu Yu’s requirements and the market’s needs.

Chu Yu wasn’t someone who made decisions unilaterally. Despite his doubts, he had agreed to their proposal.

However, the results they brought back didn’t satisfy him.

Shen Zhizhe, as expected, said “Oh,” then rubbed his chin, thinking aloud, “But my team doesn’t know much about the project’s progress and product. We need to give them some time to get familiar with it.”

And the bad news was that he had just reprimanded them today, sending many projects back for revision. At this time, there were not many people who could spare time to take on new projects.

Chu Yu said slowly, “So, I need to borrow someone from you for this business trip.”

Shen Zhizhe paused, turned to look at Chu Yu, and asked, “Are you bringing someone with you to City M?”

Chu Yu nodded in response.

Shen Zhizhe said, “Ah, let me think about it, let me think.”

Going on a business trip with Chu Yu.

That wouldn’t just be about professional ability; psychological resilience would also have to be in check.

What if seeing Chu Yu’s deadpan face made him too intimidated to speak? How would he get the job done then?

And…

Shen Zhizhe’s mind was quickly working.

Chu Yu surely wasn’t just considering the project; he was likely also assessing their department’s employees’ abilities.

Although Shen Zhizhe had a good relationship with Chu Yu, they were still superior and subordinate. Chu Yu wouldn’t interfere with his management, but since they were both employees of the Chu Corporation, Chu Yu would inevitably check in on the business periodically.

—–

The last department to be reviewed was the Product Department.

Ugh.

This is troublesome.

Shen Zhizhe’s hand subconsciously clenched, his fingers twisting together. After a moment, he tentatively spoke up, “How about bringing an intern?”

Interns are available.

And there’s an old saying, “A young bull is not afraid of a tiger.” Maybe they’d perform better in front of Chu Yu than the seasoned employees.

Besides, the purpose was just to understand the products and projects; who would actually take on the project was still uncertain. It would mostly be a task for running errands.

An intern would be more than enough.

Sure enough, Chu Yu did not reject the idea. He raised his eyebrows and after pressing his lips together, he said, “Alright.”

Shen Zhizhe thought for a moment.

If it were an intern, he was mainly considering Chi Xiting, Li Yang, and Huo Youshen.

Li Yang… was already going to help the Product Department.

As for Chi Xiting…

No, that wouldn’t do.

Shen Zhizhe quickly brainstormed.

The project in City C still had to be handled by Chi Xiting. Although the completion deadline was before Chu Yu’s business trip, Shen Zhizhe had a tricky task he wanted to assign to him.

If Chi Xiting left, his plans would need to be revised.

“Well, in that case…” Shen Zhizhe slapped his thigh and said, “What about Huo Youshen…”

“Chi Xiting.”

Shen Zhizhe and Chu Yu spoke at the same time.

Shen Zhizhe: “…”

Chu Yu looked up at Shen Zhizhe, his eyes behind the lenses unreadable. After a moment, he calmly spoke again.

“I want Chi Xiting.”