Chapter 4: Aloof and Lonely

Lin Ran was startled and immediately opened Tencent Meeting to log in. The tech lead succinctly outlined the development issue: an unnoticed bug in the previous code had just been discovered during a colleague’s testing. It required completely overturning the existing work and starting over.

Before the explanation was finished, Lin Ran’s eyebrows furrowed tightly like caterpillars. Overhauling everything? The workload would be immense. Could the project still be delivered on schedule?

The tech lead then shared his estimate: delivery would be delayed by at least two weeks.

Lin Ran’s pupils dilated slightly, her forehead throbbed, and she couldn’t hold back from unmuting herself. “Mr. Zhang, I just assured the client on Friday that we’d deliver within a week. Now you’re telling me it’ll take two more weeks. The client won’t be happy.”

As the project manager, Lin Ran’s role involved balancing internal and external communications. Externally, she had to maintain client satisfaction, often by promising results. Internally, she had to allocate resources and schedule tasks effectively.

Project delays weren’t unheard of, but situations like this—where a firm guarantee was made to the client only to be immediately rescinded—were rare.

This was Lin Ran’s first such experience since joining Xinruan Technologies a year ago.

The tech lead, Mr. Zhang, sighed helplessly. “It’s already happened. There’s no other option but to communicate with the client again. My apologies.”

Although Lin Ran was frustrated, hearing Zhang’s words dissipated most of her anger.

Yes, it had already happened. Getting upset wouldn’t help. The priority was resolving the issue.

As her subway arrived at the station, Lin Ran swiped her card and exited. Walking towards her office, she mulled over how to approach the client to minimize their dissatisfaction—or at least ensure their reaction wasn’t too severe.

By the time she reached her desk, her mind was clearer, and her panic had subsided.

Since she was already at work, she decided to open her laptop and draft a summary of the project updates to share during Monday’s meeting.

Halfway through her writing, someone knocked on the office door. A pleasant voice stood out in the quiet corridor. “Lin Ran, do you have a moment? I have a question for you.”

It was the young General Manager, Zhou Xu.

Lin Ran paused her typing, stood up, and nodded. “Of course, I’ll come right over.”

Zhou Xu smiled warmly. “Great, I’ll be in the conference room.”

Lin Ran picked up her notebook and headed to the meeting room.

Inside, Zhou Xu’s demeanor was humble. “Lin Ran, you probably know my background. I just returned from the U.S. to take over Xinruan Technologies, but I’m completely unfamiliar with the company’s projects. I’ll need to rely on you, as a veteran here, to guide me.”

Xinruan Technologies, founded over a decade ago by Zhou Xu’s father, employed about 300 staff members and specialized in financial software development. It was a leading domestic software provider, recently listed and thriving.

Earlier this year, however, the elder Zhou’s health had suddenly declined, prompting Zhou Xu to leave his job as an engineer at a major U.S. company to inherit the family business. Lacking management experience, he could only humbly seek guidance from the staff.

Lin Ran met Zhou Xu’s warm gaze and smiled faintly. “You’re too kind. If there’s anything you need to know, just ask, and I’ll do my best to help.”

Zhou Xu chuckled. “You’re being too polite. We’re about the same age—no need for such formality. It makes me feel old.”

Lin Ran’s face flushed slightly, and she quickly agreed. “Alright, alright.”

Inwardly, she marveled at how Zhou Xu, with his overseas experience, seemed free of the rigid air that often characterized domestic managers. He appeared approachable and grounded.

Suddenly, she thought of someone else who had also returned from the U.S. The difference was striking. After six years, that person remained as aloof and lonely as ever.