Huang Dafang was the type of person who could make friends easily, someone you could now describe with a trending term: “socially fearless.” 

Even though Liu Yang usually didn’t interact much with the male sales staff from the city office’s distribution channels, Huang Dafang could easily join their conversations: “Why are you quitting when everything’s going fine—are you going home to get married?” 

Liu Yang gave a casual smile and replied, a bit sharply, “Does resigning automatically mean getting married?” 

“Well, women doing alcohol sales… Might as well go home, focus on family, raise kids,” Huang Dafang replied cheerfully, not at all bothered by her tone. 

Liu Yang gave him a sidelong glance. “Try saying that in front of Manager Lu. That would be impressive.” 

“Whoa, no thanks! I was wrong, totally wrong,” Huang Dafang quickly backed off. 

Liu Yang ended the conversation with a cold snort and walked out of the city office with poise. 

Huang Dafang turned to ask, “What’s with her? Did she eat gunpowder today or what?” 

The person he randomly grabbed for a comment was Li Bin from the distribution channel. Li Bin shook his head mysteriously. “She’s resigning now… it’s a strange time. Looks like two tigers can’t share one mountain.” 

“No way! Sure, Manager Lu is a woman, but she’s the city manager now, not the group purchasing manager. She wouldn’t force Liu Yang out, would she?” Luo Junjie couldn’t help chiming in. 

“Young man, I didn’t say a thing,” Li Bin quickly raised his hands in surrender when he saw Zheng Jing walk in. 

Luo Junjie fell silent under Zheng Jing’s disapproving look. 

… 

Dinner was arranged at a homestyle restaurant called “Jiangnan Home,” a familiar gathering place for the city office. 

Including Old Liu, there were twelve people at one large round table. 

Lu Nan had asked Zheng Jing to bring four bottles of 15-year classic liquor in advance—each bottle retailing at 988 yuan, a solid choice. 

Qian Xin from the distribution sales team opened the bottles and poured each into seven decanters, filling them halfway—about 75 ml each. 

He placed the row of decanters along the edge of the rotating table for everyone to help themselves. 

When the tray reached Lu Nan, Qian Xin hesitated and asked, “Manager Lu, are you driving?” 

On their first day, everyone saw through the window that the new city manager arrived in a Mercedes! 

Huang Dafang immediately chimed in, “Come on, Manager Lu, just have a little! We’re sending off Manager Liu and welcoming you. You’re one of the main guests today!” 

Old Liu gave Huang Dafang a side glance, as if looking at a “true daredevil,” which made Huang Dafang uneasy. Did calling it a send-off make Old Liu feel sentimental? 

“Sure, I’ll have a little. It’s fine—I’ll just get a designated driver,” Lu Nan said, taking a decanter. Then she turned to the hesitant Zheng Jing, “It’s just us tonight, take it easy. If you like drinking, go ahead. If not, order a juice. Zheng Jing, want red date rice milk or corn juice? Just tell the server.” 

Zheng Jing hadn’t expected this. She happened to be on her period and was debating whether to drink. 

Lu Nan gave her another encouraging look, so Zheng Jing didn’t hold back: “Thanks, Manager Lu.” She then ordered a hot red date drink. 

No one minded whether the admin staff drank or not; their attention was entirely on Manager Lu. Even though Yuan Chuan Liquor Sales Co. didn’t officially require leaders to be heavy drinkers, there was an unspoken rule: 

“A good drinker isn’t always a leader, but a leader must be a good drinker.” 

No one knew if this would apply to Manager Lu. 

Huang Dafang looked eager to test her. 

Old Liu slowly took a decanter for himself. No matter who got too drunk tonight, he wouldn’t stop them. 

But realistically, as subordinates, how could they actually try to pressure their new boss? 

When toasting, everyone made sure to say, “I’ll drink it all, Manager Lu, you take your time.” 

Lu Nan was straightforward. Every time, she drank hers in one go. 

After one round of toasts, she had finished 75 ml of liquor without batting an eye. Huang Dafang, an old hand, got the message: Manager Lu can hold her liquor—don’t mess with her. 

Huang Dafang backed off, but Guo Yu, the catering channel supervisor, got excited. A Northerner with a naturally hearty style, he didn’t mean harm—probably just appreciated drinking with someone who could match him. 

Lu Nan was perceptive to emotions and sensed no bad intent from Guo Yu, so she kept matching him drink for drink. 

They drank most of the first bottle, and the second one too. 

By the time Qian Xin opened the third, and they finished another toast, Guo Yu, face flushed and speech slightly slurred, said, “Manager Lu, whatever else, when it comes to drinking—you’re the best!” 

He gave her a thumbs-up and continued, “I respect people with real skills. Your drinking skills—I’m impressed! Uh—” He hiccuped, then sheepishly added, “If I said anything out of line, I hope you won’t mind.” 

Lu Nan guessed he probably meant to say: “I’ve seen your drinking ability—hope your work skills match or surpass it.” 

Seeing Guo Yu nearly drunk, Old Liu grinned and finally shared her record at a provincial meeting: Two and a half jin (1.25 liters) of liquor and a dozen beers. 

Defeated long ago, Huang Dafang smiled awkwardly and flatteringly, “Manager Lu, you’ve got a serious capacity!” 

“Just average,” Lu Nan replied modestly. Then she smiled and shook her head, “Supervisor Guo, eat something to soak up the alcohol. Like I said, it’s just us tonight. No need to push yourself if you can’t drink.” 

When she said this, her speech was clear, logic intact, and without a trace of slurring—her empty decanter in front of her the only evidence. A perfect display of effortless strength. 

Compared to the flushed Guo Yu, the contrast was stark—and made the others a bit wary. 

With one bottle left, they finally remembered the other guest of honor: Manager Liu. So they turned their attention to him and went to toast him. 

Old Liu was happy. With eight or nine people splitting one bottle, each person only had to drink five or six tiny cups—easy! 

But then… “Liu Yang, why aren’t you drinking either? Go toast Manager Lu,” Old Liu nudged her, still hoping his cousin could make a good impression. 

Unexpectedly, Liu Yang ignored him and continued sipping corn juice. 

Huang Dafang (thinking he was being discreet) whispered to Old Liu, “Liu Yang’s planning to resign.” 

Meaning: if she’s leaving anyway, why would she bother flattering the new young boss? 

Old Liu was shocked. “What?! Why didn’t I know about this?” 

His reaction drew everyone’s curiosity. Liu Yang resigning—why was that his business? Isn’t he leaving too? Unless…??? 

Their gazes were too obvious. Realizing gossip might run wild tomorrow, Old Liu decided there was no point hiding it anymore: “Sorry I didn’t mention it earlier. Didn’t want to cause speculation—Liu Yang is my cousin.” 

Lu Nan wasn’t particularly surprised, but others were. 

Huang Dafang looked at them in disbelief. 

They did share a surname, sure, but they didn’t really look alike. 

Lu Nan chuckled and said to the wide-eyed Huang Dafang, “If you compare their facial features, you can spot some resemblance. But most importantly, listen to their accents—they clearly come from the same region.” 

Huang Dafang replied blankly, “I couldn’t spot any resemblance. Manager Lu, you’ve got sharp eyes and ears.” 

Maybe it was her drinking prowess that left such an impression, but the old-timer was now acting overly respectful and eager to flatter. 

Since the secret was out, Old Liu stopped holding back and began nagging Liu Yang—perhaps the alcohol made him forget how firmly she usually kept him in check: “Why resign? Isn’t Yuan Chuan a good place? The pay’s good, the work’s easy—where else can you find that? Don’t listen to her nonsense, Manager Lu.” 

Lu Nan lightly coughed to remind him, “Manager Liu, it’s a dinner. Let’s not get into that.” 

Old Liu, seeing Liu Yang’s unhappy expression, felt a chill and backed off. “Right, right—let’s eat and drink!” 

The Hua’an City team didn’t leave until after ten. Zheng Jing went to the counter to pay and get a receipt. 

Lu Nan didn’t think an afterparty was necessary. 

She stood at the restaurant entrance and asked everyone which direction they were heading, whether they could share rides—especially checking on Zheng Jing. Upon hearing her boyfriend was picking her up and would arrive soon, Lu Nan nodded with relief. 

Once everything was settled, Lu Nan told everyone, “Alright, message me once you’re home. Have a good rest Sunday—we’ll meet at the city office on Monday.” 

Everyone said goodbye to her in turn. 

While waiting for a designated driver, Lu Nan noticed Liu Yang and her cousin seemingly arguing in a corner. She walked over with deliberate steps and asked, “Liu Yang and I are heading the same way. Would you like me to take you home?” 

Liu Yang was momentarily stunned, then lowered her gaze and replied, “Thank you, but that won’t be necessary.” 

“Alright then, I’ll head off first.” 

… 

After returning home, Lu Nan freshened up. By the time she came out of the bathroom, it was nearly midnight. 

She thought for a moment, then opened her tablet and sent Chen Xiao an email. In it, she briefly outlined the importance of city managers promptly signing non-compete agreements, and suggested increasing both the compensation and penalty clauses. 

Lu Nan figured Chen Xiao was likely asleep by now. No matter how dedicated he was, he’d probably only see the email in the morning. So she put the tablet aside and began her skincare routine. 

To her surprise, he responded right away: “Explain in detail — what prompted this suggestion all of a sudden?” 

Since he was still awake, Lu Nan decided to take advantage of the moment and asked somewhat playfully: “Brother Xiao, is it convenient for a call?” 

There was quite a bit to discuss, and typing it all out would be tiring. 

“Sure.” 

Tsk, has he gone cold and aloof ever since he returned to headquarters? Lu Nan silently complained, then hit the call button. 

He picked up quickly and asked, “Still not asleep at this hour?” 

“I had dinner with some colleagues from the Hua’an City office — it was a farewell for Manager Liu, so I got home a bit late. And aren’t you still up too, Brother Xiao?” 

Lu Nan’s sincere tone was rather endearing, and whatever minor irritation Chen Xiao had been feeling earlier quietly melted away. 

He chuckled and asked, returning to the main topic, “…So what made you suddenly think about the non-compete agreement?” 

Since that was her original purpose tonight, Lu Nan answered honestly: “Well, I realized I still haven’t signed mine since the promotion, so I got curious about the contents. I checked the standard template with the admin team and noticed that the cost of leaving Yuan Chuan to join a competitor seems pretty low. Anyone who makes it to city manager level should be earning at least 200,000 yuan annually, yet the penalty amount is so small… Our Legal team being too generous.” 

Even the way she seriously criticizes Legal is cute. Chen Xiao could easily imagine Lu Nan saying those words with a slight frown of disapproval—maybe even a hint of disdain in her eyes that she herself wouldn’t notice. Disdain at how unprofessional Legal’s contract was. 

Chen Xiao let out a soft laugh on the other end of the line. 

With that laugh, the earlier seriousness and edge in his tone faded. 

Lu Nan relaxed a little — looks like he’s in a good mood! Given that she’d just brought up a “loyal” suggestion for the benefit of the company, maybe he’d be willing to play along when she asked to borrow his authority later? 

“You’re not that old, yet you worry like a veteran. Don’t forget, you’re a city manager now too. If a competing firm offers you double pay in the future, you’ll have shut your own exit route,” Chen Xiao said with a smile. “So, how are things in Hua’an City?” 

“Double pay isn’t enough to tempt me. A person should have integrity and honor their contracts,” Lu Nan said casually. “Things are going a bit better than expected. How about you? The young master parachuting into the Classic Liquor Brand Division — how’s that working out?” 

Chen Xiao had meant to say it was fine, but what came out was: “Not great.” 

Although “integrity and honoring contracts” weren’t exactly the words Chen Xiao had hoped to hear, the fact that Lu Nan said them meant she was willing to stay with Yuan Chuan. Both personally and professionally, that pleased him — enough to speak frankly in return: not great. 

Lu Nan thought for a moment. “Is it the senior executives acting like elders and trying to tell you what to do? Or are there conflicts between your vision and theirs?” 

Even if not 100% accurate, she’d hit the mark about 90%. 

Chen Xiao gave a bitter laugh. “Yeah. I may be a deputy general manager of the brand division, but I don’t really have capable people under me. And the headquarters… has too many idle staff. It’s much harder to get anything done than it was in Hailin City.” 

Without thinking, Lu Nan offered some advice: “Brother Xiao, you’ve just returned — sometimes staying put is better than making sudden moves. A lot of people are still watching from the sidelines. If you act too aggressively now, sure, you might attract some younger people, but their influence is limited and scattered. Not much use to you at this stage.” 

“Oh?” Chen Xiao asked with interest. “Then what should I do?” 

“I think you should take advantage of your age — play the innocent or deferential card with the senior shareholders and executives on small matters. As for the big moves… actually, better to hold off for now. First, try to build good relationships with their sons and daughters…” Lu Nan offered sincerely.