Lu Nan parked the car in a roadside parking space and turned on the hazard lights. 

“Manager Liu, there’s no need to be like this. I didn’t mean any harm by what I said,” Lu Nan turned to look at the other person. “Since Manager Liu has been reassigned and the company’s inspection department has no objections to the expenses in Hua’an City last year, I won’t bring this up again. Otherwise, I could have just called Director Wu this afternoon, no need to waste words negotiating with you.” 

Liu Yang listened, still skeptical. 

“When I first started, you, Liu Yang, also guided me a few times. Later, after you were reassigned, Sister Lu would often mention you in our conversations. She said you were a great roommate—quiet, with a strong sense of boundaries, and really comfortable to be around. Though we didn’t interact much, I think Sister Lu was right,” Lu Nan said, offering a simple, objective evaluation, without intending to form a closer bond. “In Yuan Chuan, there are plenty of people who just go through the motions. As long as they complete their tasks, slacking off isn’t a big deal—remember how Manager Wang turned a blind eye to everyone? Well, I’m the same now.” 

After hearing this, Liu Yang’s tense posture relaxed slightly, and the wariness in her eyes became less noticeable. 

Lu Nan slowly stated her position: “But personally, I don’t think you’re suitable to keep handling Sifang Construction. Considering that there are no other group-purchasing channel distributors in Hua’an City, maybe you could consider submitting a transfer request. I believe there are still many cities in the province that need group-purchasing managers.” 

When she heard this, Liu Yang gave a cold laugh, as if to say, “I knew it.” 

Lu Nan tapped the steering wheel. “I hope you don’t misunderstand. What I’m suggesting has nothing to do with your personal life. And I won’t say anything hypocritical like ‘it’s for your own good.’ I’m making this request for two reasons: first, Sifang Construction doesn’t contribute much to our group-purchasing business, so there’s no need for the city office to assign a group-purchasing manager; second, even though I said I’d let the false expense report slide, you never promised me it wouldn’t happen again. To reduce unnecessary trouble in the future, I think it’s best you don’t stay in Hua’an City.” 

Lu Nan knew her words were harsh, but this was a matter of principle. 

If not for the false expense issue, Lu Nan would’ve simply reassigned Liu Yang to another distributor to avoid suspicion—no need to force her out. 

Liu Yang, silently playing with her long fingernails, the bright red polish accentuating her fair fingers, didn’t respond. Her silence made Lu Nan feel uneasy too. 

Despite this, Lunan continued: “You can check with Zhu Lingling (from the provincial personnel department) to see if any other cities need a group-purchasing manager. As for the reason, I don’t mind if you say that, since I come from a group-purchasing background, I hinted you didn’t need to stay in Hua’an City.” 

Liu Yang didn’t expect Lu Nan to say this. She thought that after Lu Nan warned her tonight, the next step would be for her to report to the provincial office to have her transferred. 

But Lu Nan’s words just now had handed the initiative to her—and now she might end up with a reputation for being overbearing in the provincial office. 

“I need to think about it,” Liu Yang said after a long silence. 

Lu Nan nodded. “Of course. Take your time. Personnel changes before Lunar New Year are common.” 

Afterwards, she drove Liu Yang to her apartment building and then headed back to her rented place. 

Yes, that morning Lu Nan had woken up early and settled the moving-in process. Although a few boxes were still unpacked, the bedding was set up, and she could sleep after freshening up. 

Lying down, she wondered: Would Liu Yang agree to her suggestion to apply for a transfer, or would she choose to resign? 

No matter what choice Liu Yang made, it was a consequence of her actions yesterday. 

In this industry, every contract amount starts in the millions, payments received are tens of thousands at minimum, the price of a single bottle of liquor can equal someone’s monthly living expenses—not to mention all the meals and karaoke sessions at high-end clubs. Watching distributors spend money, it barely seems like real money—just numbers. 

In the liquor industry, especially for group-purchasing managers working with high-end liquor, after being in the business for a while, it’s natural to discover ways to profit—or rather, exploit certain loopholes. 

But a rational person who constantly reflects must understand—some benefits can be taken, others should never be touched. Only then can one survive in this business long term. 

Lu Nan wasn’t a saint. When she gave Liu Yang the choice tonight and implied she could blame everything on her, it wasn’t out of sympathy or regret. 

It was simply because there was no need to burn bridges, and more importantly, it wasn’t a bad thing to give the impression that she had forced Liu Yang out. 

If getting Zhang Fei drunk showed the city managers her sharp side, then “forcing out” Liu Yang would let the city office know she wasn’t someone to mess with. 

*** 

The next day was Friday, the day when Huang Dafang and others were reluctant to submit their “homework.” 

At the morning meeting, Manager Liu didn’t participate at all, almost bringing tears to the eyes of the veterans trying to keep him there. 

This time, however, Lu Nan didn’t make them read their reports aloud—she just collected them and put them into her bag. 

Lu Nan would compare the customer data in these files with the ones Manager Liu had organized, as these were the clients she needed to visit next week. After finishing, Lu Nan said, “This form was also filled out by Supervisor Guo and Supervisor Li. I treat everyone equally. Starting next week, I will take whoever’s customer I visit with me, and if we succeed in attracting business, I will praise you.” 

Huang Dafang and the others didn’t expect to pass so easily today. Lu Nan smiled and said, “Go back to your work. Oh, also, after the meeting tomorrow afternoon, there will be a city office dinner, don’t forget. Zheng Jing, go ahead and book the restaurant.” 

After this, Lu Nan had no further tasks. Now, she was the highest authority in the Hua’an City office, so it was only fair to go back and rest for a bit, right? After all, those few suitcases hadn’t been unpacked yet. 

She was busy for a few hours, then took a nap, and when she woke up, she saw unread messages from an unknown number. 

Opening the message, Lu Nan lightly tapped her forehead: “Oh, it’s Sasha’s childhood friend.” 

That evening, Sasha had given Lu Nan her friend’s contact, but Lu Nan was too tired to respond and fell asleep. The next day, she was too busy with work to reach out to the person. 

What did Sasha say again? Her childhood friend would invite me to dinner this weekend… Weekend? Ah! So, in some people’s eyes, Friday night already counts as the weekend? 

Lu Nan finally realized her mistake. After all, she had been working a single day off for over six months, and subconsciously thought the weekend only meant Sunday. 

The message from the stranger read: “Hello, Lu Nan. I’m Jiang Chutian, a friend of Pan Sasha. She said you’re new to Hua’an City and asked me to look out for you. I’m wondering if you’d be free tonight for a meal? A friend of mine is planning to hold a banquet during the winter season, and I’d love to get your advice.” 

Lu Nan checked the time—it was 2 PM. Jiang Chutian’s invitation wasn’t too forward, so she agreed. 

Jiang Chutian quickly sent the time and place, and Lu Nan politely replied she would be there on time. 

At 4:50 PM, Lu Nan arrived at the destination ten minutes early—it was a local chain restaurant specializing in traditional home-style dishes. 

Lu Nan had started to realize that there was still a big difference between the people of Hua’an City and Hailin City. If people in Hailin City led a somewhat small, sophisticated lifestyle, with tea houses, cafes, and dessert shops everywhere, then Hua’an City was full of various types of eateries. 

Although the economic level here wasn’t as developed as the provincial capital Hailin City, the locals in Hua’an seemed particularly willing to spend money on food. Along the main streets of the city, there were many restaurants of different sizes, and by this time, most of them were already about 70-80% full. 

After entering, Lu Nan told the waiter the name and phone number reserved by Jiang Chutian and followed the waiter into a private room. 

In the room, there was a man around twenty-five or twenty-six years old, wearing a coat over a shirt and tie, with his hair styled in a slicked-back fashion. 

When he saw Lu Nan, he stood up to greet her with a friendly smile. “You must be Lu Nan, as Sasha mentioned. I’m Jiang Chutian. Please, take a seat.” He then added, “My friends haven’t arrived yet, so we’ll have to wait for a bit.” 

“It’s no problem, I arrived early,” Lu Nan said, handing Jiang Chutian a small gift bag. “It’s nice to meet you, I’m Lu Nan. This is just a little something.” 

“You’re too kind, I can’t accept this,” Jiang Chutian replied, slightly taken aback, immediately refusing. 

“It’s just a little something from our company’s exhibition—it looks nice but isn’t worth much,” Lu Nan said with a smile. “Mr. Jiang, if you don’t take it, I might feel bad about having this meal.” 

After hearing Lu Nan, Jiang Chutian finally accepted the gift bag but emphasized, “Please don’t call me ‘Mr. Jiang,’ it makes me feel uncomfortable.” 

Lu Nan readily agreed and started addressing him by his name. 

About ten minutes later, the door to the private room opened again, and the person who entered was Jiang Chutian’s friends—the young couple who were about to get married. 

As the organizer, Jiang Chutian introduced both parties once more. 

The young couple opposite were locals—relocation residents whom Lu Nan admired. 

Lu Nan could tell that the couple seemed a little uncomfortable with their attitude towards her. After thinking for a moment, she decided not to mention her job or the products she worked on. 

When the waiter came over to ask if they were ready for the food and whether they needed drinks, Jiang Chutian asked, “Do you have Yuan Chuan wine?” 

Lu Nan saw the woman in the couple subtly pinch the man’s arm, and the man winced, saying, “I-I’m driving, I can’t drink.” 

“Jiang Chutian, don’t order wine. There are only four of us, and three of us need to drive. Let’s just have drinks instead,” Lu Nan suggested. At this, the woman’s expression visibly darkened.