Chapter 34

Shen Zhizhe was destined to get little reaction from Chu Yu.

Chu Yu glanced at Shen Zhizhe calmly, then responded with a flat “Oh,” completely unbothered by Shen Zhizhe’s emotions.

Shen Zhizhe closed the door and walked towards them, not even bothering to sit in his own office chair. Instead, he pulled out the chair next to Chu Yu and plopped down. His gaze lingered on the coffee in Chi Xiting’s hand for a moment before shifting to the coffee in Chu Yu’s hand. In a tone dripping with sarcasm, he said, “Well, well, Chu Yu, it’s one thing to steal my people, but now you’re even taking my coffee?”

As if he had overheard some juicy gossip, Chi Xiting, who had been quietly trying to be invisible, sneakily glanced up.

Chu Yu said, “I wouldn’t call it stealing. The decision isn’t in my hands.”

After speaking, Chu Yu looked at Chi Xiting.

Caught off guard, Chi Xiting felt a bit uneasy as his smile slowly faded when their gazes met.

Sure enough, Shen Zhizhe also looked over.

Chi Xiting shifted slightly in his seat, feeling like he was sitting on pins and needles.

“A couple of days ago, our department had a meeting,” Shen Zhizhe said to Chi Xiting. “We made some adjustments to the interns’ work assignments. You missed it because you were on a business trip, so I’ll give you a brief rundown.”

Chi Xiting looked at Shen Zhizhe.

When Shen Zhizhe talked about work, his usual carefree expression disappeared. “Panpan recently took on a new project, and I plan to promote her to C-group leader. She’ll be quite busy, so she won’t be able to mentor interns anymore.”

Chi Xiting remained silent.

He already had a hunch about what was coming.

“So my current plan is to reassign a few interns to me,” Shen Zhizhe said, quickly summarizing the meeting’s outcome. “The ones selected are you, Li Yang, and Huo Youshen.”

Chi Xiting: “…”

—

The ominous feeling he had was confirmed.

Last time he confronted Shen Zhizhe, he hadn’t gotten a response. It turned out Shen Zhizhe was just holding back.

Shen Zhizhe continued, “You know I have a project I want you to work on. I’ve already given you the project details and the complete project proposal.”

“Now, it’s only logical for you to take the project directly from me, right?”

Chi Xiting: “… Manager Shen, I’m just an intern.”

Why does he have to do something beyond his capacity?

Shen Zhizhe shook his head, looking at Chi Xiting with a hint of complex emotions. After a moment, he said, “That’s true, but we’re not fools. Your performance doesn’t resemble that of an intern.”

Chi Xiting was taken aback. He glanced at Shen Zhizhe and then turned to look at Chu Yu.

Chu Yu put down his coffee and did not deny Shen Zhizhe’s words, implying his agreement.

“I don’t know what’s going on with you. You’re the first person I’ve encountered like this,” Shen Zhizhe said, rubbing his chin. “Your resume is ordinary, without any outstanding strengths, yet your performance at Chushi has been consistently…”

“Unexpectedly good.”

Shen Zhizhe thought for a moment before finding the right words to describe his impression.

Chi Xiting was a peculiar individual.

Having abilities that don’t match what’s on paper is common. Many people spend time and effort embellishing their resumes, making them look impressive, only to reveal their true capabilities shortly after joining a company.

Someone who can barely do something might write it down as proficient.

But Chi Xiting was the opposite.

Shen Zhizhe added, “I don’t know why you’re so resistant to taking on projects, but since you’re here, why not make the most of this internship and avoid any regrets? Besides, we all believe you have the ability to do well.”

Shen Zhizhe’s words were impeccable.

Although he was expressing confidence in Chi Xiting’s abilities, he never mentioned converting the internship into a full-time position. Not even a hint, leaving the matter of potential regret vague.

Chi Xiting lowered his gaze.

He hadn’t really thought about these issues.

In retrospect, his behavior was full of inconsistencies.

An unrealistically mature demeanor, resistance to taking on important projects alone, looking lifeless at work every day—anyone paying attention would sense something was off.

Especially someone as perceptive as Shen Zhizhe.

Clearly, acting wasn’t his strong suit.

Chi Xiting sighed quietly.

Seeing his reaction, Shen Zhizhe finally dropped his stern expression and smiled again, leaning forward mischievously. “President Chu also has a project for you.”

Chi Xiting turned to look at Chu Yu.

Chu Yu seemed busy, his gaze fixed on his phone screen, brows slightly furrowed as if he had encountered something troublesome. He only looked up at Chi Xiting when he heard Shen Zhizhe’s words.

Shen Zhizhe said, “Both projects have tight deadlines. It’s unrealistic to take on both. So, who will you choose, me or President Chu?”

Perhaps to save time, Shen Zhizhe kept it brief.

The question sounded rather odd.

Chi Xiting scratched his chin, feeling increasingly awkward. After a moment of inner conflict, his professional ethics took over, and he set aside the odd-sounding question to focus on the projects themselves.

Chu Yu’s project is Ruifeng’s, which is relatively familiar and interesting to Chi Xiting.

The project itself is not very difficult. When Chi Xiting inspected the factory at Ruifeng, he already had a rough idea of the project plan in mind. However, some details that need to be implemented still require more precise information to perfect.

The challenge lies in the fact that the client does not agree with extending the promotion time and prefers to see immediate results.

Chi Xiting can understand this since, when he used to make proposals, nine out of ten clients would specifically ask about the implementation effects.

When can we see results? Can the expected results be achieved? How long will the effects last?

These questions are the hardest to answer.

After all, it’s just a prediction. When it comes to actual promotion, different problems and obstacles will inevitably arise. As soon as there’s a slight deviation, the predictions written in the proposal become inaccurate.

As for the project Shen Zhizhe is handling.

It’s about the targeted creation of a business model for medical devices.

It’s quite a large project, and judging by Shen Zhizhe’s attitude, he clearly places great importance on it.

However, Chi Xiting is not interested at all.

First, although he doesn’t know much about the medical device sector, he knows that under the current environment, the future development of medical devices is limited. Secondly, this project involves creating a business model, with the products and companies being in the initial stages of development or not even started yet. The time frame and costs are enormous.

If he took it on, it wouldn’t just be a one-stage job but a long-term, extended period of work. The scope also involves areas beyond the control of a single marketing department employee.

How the company operates, product and service development, marketing and sales strategies, and even managing costs and maintaining customer relationships all require coordination with employees from other departments.

In short, the cost-performance ratio is not high.

Chi Xiting considered this for a while before looking up at the two of them. His gaze barely brushed over Shen Zhizhe before landing in Chu Yu’s eyes.

Chu Yu’s eyes behind the glasses were as dark as ink, with a slightly deep look in them. When he caught Chi Xiting’s gaze, his pupils flickered slightly before he nonchalantly took a sip of his coffee.

Chi Xiting spoke, “I choose Mr. Chu.”

After speaking, Chi Xiting paused suddenly.

Hmm?

Why did he follow Shen Zhizhe?

“…the project,” Chi Xiting hastily added.

Shen Zhizhe turned back to Chu Yu with a somewhat gloomy look. “Didn’t you say you weren’t stealing my person?”

He chose you.

He’s clearly someone from my marketing department.

Chu Yu raised an eyebrow slightly, and the corners of his lips seemed to tug upwards, looking quite pleased. He just picked up the document from the table and said, “So what if I did?”

With that, Chu Yu handed the document to Chi Xiting across from him, saying, “Come to my office later after this is over.”

The document was Ruifeng’s project proposal.

Clearly, Chu Yu had already concluded that Chi Xiting would choose him when he came to Shen Zhizhe’s office.

Chi Xiting accepted it and gave a brief acknowledgment.

—-

After handing over the document, Chu Yu checked his watch, then left without lingering.

After Chu Yu left, Shen Zhizhe remained silent, just staring at Chi Xiting with a hint of resentment in his eyes.

Chi Xiting: “…”

“Aren’t you going to say something to me?” Shen Zhizhe asked.

Chi Xiting thought for a moment and honestly replied, “Mr. Chu drank your coffee. Will you still reimburse me for mine?”

Shen Zhizhe: “…Get out.”

The ungrateful kid.

Chi Xiting obeyed, immediately standing up to leave.

Before Chi Xiting could turn the corner of the sofa, Shen Zhizhe called out again, “What do you think of Li Yang’s abilities?”

Chi Xiting paused, looking back at Shen Zhizhe, seemingly unsure why Shen Zhizhe would ask such a sensitive question.

It’s taboo for colleagues to evaluate each other.

There’s always a risk that the comments will be passed on to others.

One spreads to ten, ten to a hundred.

Adding some embellishments along the way.

Whether it’s praise or criticism, when it reaches the person in question, it won’t be a completely positive thing.

“Why are you so tense?” Seeing Chi Xiting’s guarded look, Shen Zhizhe shook his head helplessly, “You’re really abnormal.”

A newly graduated intern shouldn’t be so scheming.

Chi Xiting’s expression relaxed a little.

“Don’t overthink it.” Shen Zhizhe leaned back on the sofa, lazily stretching, “The project in my hands has to be handed over. Since you’re not taking it, I have to give it to someone else.”

Chi Xiting’s expression returned to normal as he withdrew his gaze, contemplating briefly before giving a non-committal response, “Quite capable.”

Shen Zhizhe didn’t comment on Chi Xiting’s words, then asked, “What about Huo Youshen?”

Chi Xiting continued to be vague, “Also quite capable.”

Shen Zhizhe smirked, “Who do you think I should give it to?”

Chi Xiting smiled, opened the door, and said to Shen Zhizhe, “Haven’t you already decided? Why ask me?”

Since his true nature had been revealed.

Chi Xiting couldn’t be bothered to pretend anymore.

Shen Zhizhe chuckled, waving his hand at Chi Xiting, “Alright, alright, go ahead. I’ll transfer the coffee money to your WeChat later.”

Chi Xiting smiled back at Shen Zhizhe, this time with more genuine warmth.

Despite his tendency to set traps, Shen Zhizhe was generally decent.

But in the workplace.

Chi Xiting wearily put away his smile and headed straight for the elevator, pressing the button for the 35th floor.

Everyone wears a mask to disguise themselves.

Whether acting or speaking, it seems like one must always be vigilant, afraid that a single misstep could plant a ticking time bomb.

Not sure if it will explode.

Not sure when it will explode.

Just thinking about it is exhausting.

Chi Xiting stepped out of the elevator, and what lay before him was the entire floor dedicated to the CEO’s office.

If he’s going to live this life, why not let him live it as a rich second-generation heir?

Then he wouldn’t have to work his ass off!