“…That concludes all the work I’ve done and the insights I’ve gained over the past six months in Hailin City. Lastly, I’d like to thank the leadership for giving me the opportunity to participate in the interview. Regardless of the outcome, I’ll continue to work hard.” After finishing, Lu Nan gave a slight bow before taking her seat. 

The position of General Director at the provincial office in Qianjiang Province was still vacant, so Lu Nan delivered her presentation in front of Zhu Lingling from the HR department in person, while others including Director Tong from the regional office attended via video. 

Wang Xinglong paced back and forth in the hallway outside, frustrated by the excellent soundproofing of the small meeting room. 

Chen Xiao’s office door was wide open. After watching Manager Wang walk back and forth three times, he stood up and quietly called out at the doorway, “Brother Wang?” 

Holding his cup, Wang Xinglong gave an awkward laugh, “Just getting some water, just getting some water.” 

Leaning casually against the door, Chen Xiao only smiled without speaking. 

Feeling a bit embarrassed under Chen Xiao’s gaze, Wang Xinglong lowered his voice and said, “I’m just curious.” 

“It’s part of the company process,” Chen Xiao explained. “The competition results will be announced within a week, followed by a three-day public notice. If there are no objections, the appointment is finalized. Being curious now is a bit early, don’t you think?” 

Wang Xinglong shook his head. “I’m not curious about the outcome. Based on Lu Nan’s abilities—aside from her slightly shorter tenure— she’s strong in every other area. The company has been valuing talent in recent years. Other cities have also promoted fresh graduates in exceptional cases—but they’ve all been men.” 

In fact, what he didn’t say out loud was: With you and Director Tong both intending to recommend Lu Nan, her appointment as a city manager seems all but certain; the only question is which city she’ll go to. 

What he was truly interested in was, “I’m just curious to see how someone well-educated gives a competitive presentation.” He thought it might be something worth learning, especially since the internal competition system had only been introduced in recent years. 

Chen Xiao chuckled and said, “Why not just ask her for a copy of her speech?” 

“Right…” Wang Xinglong muttered, finally returning to his office, though somewhat reluctantly. 

Chen Xiao sighed quietly as he looked at the tightly closed door of the small meeting room: Hopefully the materials he sent Lu Nan after returning from headquarters was of some help to her. 

… 

Inside the meeting room, Zhu Lingling proceeded with the standard questions, asking Lu Nan if she was willing to be reassigned, if she was open to working in different cities, and so on. 

Lu Nan nodded, answering quickly and decisively, clearly having given it prior thought. “Since I decided to compete for the role, these issues are not concerns for me.” 

While listening, Zhu Lingling made notes on the form, asked a few more routine questions, and then concluded the HR portion of the interview. 

Through the video, Director Tong from the regional headquarters posed a scenario to Lu Nan: “Suppose there are two cities with vacant city manager positions. City A has a strong local liquor culture but dominant local brands; Yuan Chuan has been struggling for years with only small-scale distributors. City B has a weaker liquor culture, but there is a medium-sized distributor whose contract is about to expire and who is unwilling to renew. If you had to choose, in which market would you have more confidence?” 

Lu Nan was well-prepared for this. 

A few days prior, Chen Xiao had emailed her a list of possible upcoming vacancies among city manager roles within the province. Lu Nan had done her homework accordingly and even obtained additional internal materials from He Manlin at the provincial office. 

It was clear to her that City A and City B were Jujiang City and Hua’an City respectively. 

In her previous life, Lu Nan had been transferred to Jujiang City the following year, cultivated the market for three years, and became city manager by her second year there. Jujiang City, to her, was like a completed level in a familiar game. Hua’an City, however, remained a mystery—she had never worked there but had heard various reports about its market conditions. 

For Lu Nan, either city was acceptable. Thus, she answered confidently, “I am willing to accept the company’s assignment. Regardless of which city or what challenges arise, I am confident I can overcome them.” 

On the video call, Director Tong and the HR representative exchanged a glance. Director Tong then announced that Lu Nan’s interview had concluded, and that she should now wait for further notice. 

When Lu Nan stepped out of the meeting room, Manager Wang was no longer pacing the hallway—probably too embarrassed to continue after Chen Xiao’s remarks earlier. 

But Chen Xiao ‘just happened’ to be out getting water. Holding a cup, he asked, “Finished with the interview?” 

Lu Nan nodded. 

He cleared his throat and said, “Mr. Yang from Feixiang just called regarding the brand consultant’s New Year’s liquor gift campaign… Could you come over? Mr. Yang isn’t sure how many brand consultants they have.” 

“Sure, Brother Xiao. But, can I use the restroom first?” 

Chen Xiao gave a brief nod. 

When Lu Nan returned, Xu Yao appeared in the hallway, also holding a cup—why was everyone using water-fetching as an excuse today? 

Xu Yao said, “Brother Xiao’s still giving you tasks?” Implying: Aren’t you about to move up to city manager? 

Lu Nan smiled. “I’m still officially under Brother Xiao, after all.” 

Xu Yao, never able to dig anything out of Lu Nan, mock-applauded her: “High level of awareness.” 

Lu Nan put a hand to her forehead. “Yao Yao, don’t be like that. The praise is stressing me out.” 

From inside his slightly ajar office, Chen Xiao called, “Lu Nan?” 

“Coming,” Lu Nan said, gesturing apologetically to Xu Yao before heading over. 

Xu Yao returned to the girls’ shared office space and said to Zhu Lingling, “Lingling, can’t you satisfy my curiosity just a little?” 

Zhu Lingling zipped her lips with an imaginary zipper. “I have professional ethics.” 

Inside the office, Lu Nan apologized, “Xu Yao held me up a bit.” 

Chen Xiao shrugged indifferently. “I figured.” 

Both of them couldn’t help but laugh quietly. It seemed everyone was familiar with Xu Yao’s love of gossip. 

“Mr. Yang currently has twelve brand consultants,” Lu Nan said, sitting down and getting ready to take notes. “The New Year liquor gift campaign will probably start at the end of January. Should we start preparing now?” 

But Chen Xiao said, “I made a mistake. No rush.” 

Huh? Alright then, let’s pretend you got it wrong. Lu Nan put her notebook back, sat up straight, and waited to hear what he really wanted to say. 

“Did you read the email I sent you the other day?” Chen Xiao asked casually. 

“I did. Thank you, Brother Xiao!” Lu Nan responded naturally. Receiving information from a superior wasn’t considered favoritism; anyone with good relationships could gather similar insights. 

“And…?” 

Feeling awkward, Lu Nan asked straightforwardly, “Brother Xiao, are you asking whether I’d prefer Jujiang or Hua’an?” 

Chen Xiao nodded. 

Lu Nan absentmindedly tapped her fingers twice on the table before answering, “Regional Director Tong asked the same question.” She didn’t keep him guessing and continued, “I said either is fine. I’ll follow the company’s arrangements.” 

It was once again something that caught Chen Xiao off guard, yet made perfect sense. 

If Lu Nan were the type to be picky and avoid hard work, then she wouldn’t be Lu Nan. 

“Tell me your thoughts,” Chen Xiao encouraged. 

Lu Nan didn’t hold back. “Jujiang City has a strong liquor culture. Although our company’s products haven’t gained exposure yet, if the new city manager puts in two years of solid effort, there will definitely be results. As for Hua’an City, the situation with the medium-sized distributor needs deeper investigation, but if it’s just a matter of non-renewal, it can still be negotiated. It shouldn’t be worse than the situation we had with Green Trading.” 

“I understand,” Chen Xiao said with a smile. “Alright, you go ahead and get back to work.” 

You understand? Understand what exactly? Lu Nan thought to herself but didn’t say anything aloud. She then left the city office. 

… 

The competitive interview was over. It would take about a week for results to be announced. In the meantime, Lu Nan continued fulfilling her current job duties. 

At Feixiang, the shipment of liquor valued at one million yuan (paid before New Year’s) had arrived and passed through inventory smoothly. As she was about to leave, Pei Xuedong hesitated and asked, “Manager Lu, are you getting promoted?” 

Lu Nan was briefly stunned, then replied, “Did one of my colleagues say that?” 

When Lu Nan mentioned this matter to Mr. and Mrs. Yang before New Year’s Day, she had earnestly requested them to keep it confidential, and they readily agreed and kept their word. 

Since Pei Xuedong was still unaware just a few days ago, it seems unlikely that Mr. and Mrs. Yang would suddenly tell him now. It is more probable that the news came from someone on Yuan Chuan’s side. 

Pei Xuedong rubbed his nose awkwardly. 

“I do hope to take a step forward in my career, but nothing’s certain yet. I already gave a heads-up to Mr. Yang and Sister Pei. If I do get reassigned because of the job change, I’ll make sure to properly hand everything over. You can rest assured about that, Brother Pei,” Lu Nan said sincerely. 

Pei Xuedong replied, “I understand, Manager Lu. It just feels a bit sudden, hahaha.” 

He let out an awkward laugh. “Since the Yangs know, then it’s fine. I was worried earlier that they might not be aware of it.” 

Lu Nan smiled, “I asked Mr. Yang to help keep it under wraps for the time being. Mainly because nothing is finalized yet, and it wouldn’t be good to spread it around too early…” 

“You’re right, Manager Lu,” Pei Xuedong nodded, “In that case, let me wish you all the best in advancing your career and achieving your goals.” 

After leaving Feixiang, Lu Nan tapped lightly on the steering wheel, thinking: Such an ‘enthusiastic’ colleague could only be Zhou Lei. Or perhaps Zhou Lei had steered Yi Wei—who can’t keep a secret—into leaking the news to Pei Xuedong. Hah, if I hadn’t spoken to Mr. and Mrs. Yang in advance, the situation would be so much more passive now. 

Zhou Lei—he doesn’t have the ability or courage to compete for the role himself and instead resorts to underhanded tactics. Truly disgusting! 

However, since their work rarely overlapped, Lu Nan decided he wouldn’t jeopardize the supply channels managed by Mr. Yang just to retaliate against Zhou Lei. 

For now, she would have to endure it. 

Two days later, Haortei Wine, the distributor managed by Xiang Feifei, sent out a dinner invitation to several leaders from the Hailin city office. 

Although Haortei only handled about one-million-yuan worth of Yuan Chuan Classic liquor in the restaurant channel, the company’s main business was actually in wine, and their wine sales were quite impressive. Yuan Chuan’s classic liquor was just a side business for them. 

Now that Haortei’s boss suddenly pulled this move, even Wang Xinglong was a little confused. 

Probably only Chen Xiao and Lu Nan truly understood what was going on: Wang Xinglong really has a stroke of dumb luck, huh? 

Haortei Wines must be feeling the pressure. 

Feixiang had been gaining momentum at an incredible pace. With sales numbers across all channels surging in just six months, Haortei—despite having the early advantage in signing—was beginning to worry about losing restaurant channel market share to Feixiang. 

By initiating a dinner invitation for the city office leaders, Haortei signaled they were willing to negotiate higher contract amounts. 

Of course, Haortei didn’t invite everyone from the Hailin City Office. Aside from Wang Xinglong, Chen Xiao, and Li Li from the provincial office, the attendees included three people from the group-purchasing channel (Lu Nan, Xiang Feifei, and Lin Yan) and three from the dining channel (Supervisor Xu Longchang, and sales reps Li Yue and Zhao Peng). 

The dinner was hosted at Haortei’s display store— located at the entrance of a high-end residential complex, with signage under a foreign wine brand. 

When Wang Xinglong led everyone in, he couldn’t help showing off a little, boasting to the city office team about how professional Haortei’s Director Chen was when it came to wine. 

Xiang Feifei whispered to Lu Nan, “Every time I’ve dealt with them before, I went to the CIMC Building to meet Sister Ying (the boss’s wife). I’ve never been here before.” Her tone carried a hint of awe, because the decor of the wine collection space was undeniably upscale. The lighting was dim and moody, creating a high-class ambiance. As they walked deeper inside, it revealed clever design—there was a second floor above, a wine cellar below, and even a kitchen further in. Haortei’s boss had hired a chef specifically to entertain clients here. 

Lu Nan was impressed too: a private banquet venue with great privacy. Director Chen of Haortei was truly had great foresight when it came to hosting clients.