After the morning meeting, District Director Tong spoke with General Director Xiang, Manager Wang, and Chen Xiao. The four of them went into Director Xiang’s office, while Liu Tao, on the other hand, wanted to meet with the new and old group purchase managers from the provincial and municipal offices and talk to them one-on-one. 

No one specified the order for the group purchase managers from the provincial and municipal offices to see Manager Liu, but everyone had already decided their own arrangement. 

Li Li, Zhou Tian, Liu Yang, Chen Lu, Sasha, Wang Xiaoxue, Lu Nan… they went in one by one. 

The district group purchase manager looked quite young, and indeed she was; she was younger than Li Li and Zhou Tian. Despite her age, she appeared very capable and had a strong presence. 

Knowing that Liu Tao would never interfere with the specific work of the Hailin municipal group purchases, Lu Nan felt much more relaxed this time compared to her previous life when facing Liu Tao. She talked about the specifics of her job after joining and her feelings. 

Liu Tao nodded in satisfaction after listening, “Very good. No wonder Manager Wang and Manager Li have high regard for you.” In fact, Liu Tao also gathered from Lu Nan’s work report that Chen Xiao was also optimistic about this newcomer; otherwise, why would he have assigned her the task of coordinating with Feixiang (though it wasn’t announced yet?) 

“I’m still a newcomer and have many shortcomings. I’m very grateful for the opportunity given by the leaders for training.” Of course, she had to say some polite words. 

“Do your best. I have high hopes for you; you have limitless potential in Yuan Chuan.” At the end of the conversation, Liu Tao stood up and shook hands with Lu Nan. 

Lu Nan nodded earnestly. 

Of course, anyone who takes a leader’s words too seriously is a big fool. 

When Lu Nan came out, she saw Dong Hui pestering Wang Xiaoxue to ask what happened after she went in. However, as soon as she saw Lu Nan coming out, Dong Hui stood up, straightened her clothes, and then walked past Lu Nan in a heroic and arrogant manner. 

After Dong Hui entered the room, she sat down in the chair opposite Liu Tao and pulled it forward a little to shorten the distance between herself and the district group purchasing manager. 

Liu Tao asked a few questions to get an understanding of her general condition since joining and inquired about her views and opinions on the company. 

Dong Hui eagerly mentioned that Yuan Chuan Classic Liquor had a great reputation, and she had always seen advertisements on TV, hinting that she really wanted to join the Classic Liquor group purchase department. 

This newcomer’s ambition was clear in her eyes. 

At the end of the conversation, Liu Tao smiled reassuringly, “Manager Wang will certainly place the right person in the right position.” 

Outside the door. 

“Next week, we’ll find out who among us will be responsible for Classic Liquor group purchases and who will handle Harmony Liquor Wine, right?” Xiang Feifei whispered to Lu Nan. 

Lu Nan nodded, “It should be.” 

“I hope we all have good luck.” 

Lu Nan smiled. 

After a few words, Dong Hui also came out, smiling broadly and saying to Wang Xiaoxue, “Manager Liu has such a great presence, and her skin looks so good, you can’t even see pores up close. I really want to know what skincare products she uses. But she must have been born beautiful. After all, if your natural condition isn’t good, no amount of effort later can achieve that level.” 

Everyone knew Lu Nan had a fair complexion and liked using an umbrella when she went out. She ignored Dong Hui’s words and focused on her phone. 

— 

While Liu Tao was having a polite conversation, General Director Xiang and Manager Wang were dealing with a serious issue. 

Before District Director Tong praised his subordinates, he needed to address a problem—Hailin City’s Harmony Liquor distributor, Green Trading, called to end their partnership. 

“What did you say on the phone last time? That you would fix the Green Trading issue quickly. And what happened? Your attitude was passive, and now they’ve come directly to me!” Director Tong said coldly. 

Manager Wang glanced at Director Xiang. 

While reviewing the fact that the office did not actively assist with shipments and urge payment, General Director Xiang also criticized Green Trading for its lack of cooperation and the group purchasing staff for being unable to carry out their business. 

In short, it was a tactful way of shifting blame. 

The first half of the blame was placed on the Hailin Office, specifically Manager Wang, because Green Trading was a distributor for the municipal office. 

The latter part was directed at the client—since they didn’t let the manufacturer’s people participate in tasting events, resulting in low sales. 

After hearing this, Director Tong responded with an “oh” and then asked, “One more thing: When Green Trading reported that their people were selling goods in the channel, the owners of famous tobacco and hotels all expressed no interest. What’s going on? Do you know?” 

Director Xiang looked innocent, “Logically, it shouldn’t be possible. Our Yuan Chuan products have always had good sales in the market. I really don’t know about the situation you mentioned. You’d need to ask Old Wang.” 

So, Manager Wang stepped forward again and said that he would definitely investigate the channel situation of Yuan Chuan Harmony Wine. 

The issue with Green Trading had nothing to do with Chen Xiao, who was the brand specialist for Yuan Chuan Classic Liquor. However, after hearing Director Xiang’s irresponsible comments, Chen Xiao couldn’t help but mentally criticize Manager Wang, thinking that with a superior who prioritized taking credit and shifting blame, Manager Wang’s luck must be really bad. 

Clearly, Director Xiang and Manager Wang’s explanations did not satisfy Director Tong. “It’s very damaging for a distributor to terminate our partnership before the contract expires. I hope you handle this properly. Otherwise, after the annual meeting at the end of the year, it’s not impossible for someone else to sit in your positions.” 

Director Xiang and Manager Wang’s expressions both changed. 

Chen Xiao noticed the awkward atmosphere and spoke up to smooth things over. 

Liu Tao also came over after finishing up, and luckily, at that moment, Director Tong had already started asking about Feixiang, otherwise, Director Xiang and Manager Wang would have been embarrassed in front of Liu Tao. 

Liu Tao greeted General Director Xiang and Manager Wang, and called Chen Xiao in a familiar manner, “Brother Xiao, long time no see.” 

Director Tong immediately laughed, “You’re a year older than Chen Xiao, yet you still call him Brother Xiao.” 

Chen Xiao also laughed, “Since Manager Liu calls me that, I can’t accept it.” 

The atmosphere immediately became lively. 

General Director Xiang and Manager Wang were considering something. They heard that Chen Xiao has strong connections and that his relationship with Director Tong is indeed good. Otherwise, how would Director Tong remember his age? 

Director Tong said, “I pretty much know the situation. How about we go to Feixiang this afternoon?” 

Chen Xiao nodded, “I told Mr. Yang yesterday that you would come today. Mr. Yang said that he must host you well tonight and let you try the local specialties of Hailin.” 

“Okay, Feixiang will serve the dishes and I will provide the wine.” District Director Tong was not polite either. Apparently, it was normal for distributors to invite him to dinner – he was responsible for the sales of Yuan Chuan Liquor in the entire East China region and held the real power. He had the full authority to decide whether to allocate goods to distributors, what kind of goods to allocate, and how much fees to allocate to distributors. He really deserved such treatment. 

Director Tong and the others decided to go to Feixiang in the afternoon to sit and talk, but Chen Xiao did not call Lu Nan at this time. 

Tonight’s dinner would only include Mr. Yang and his wife, along with his brother-in-law and two key account managers, who would host Director Tong and Liu Tao. 

General Director Xiang, Manager Wang, and Chen Xiao were just there to accompany them. 

The wine served today was the Classic Wine 20-Year-Old Dream of Han and Tang Dynasties, a fine vintage. 

The two key account managers at Feixiang, Liu Yuhan and Meng Lusi, skillfully praised it with lines like “doesn’t cause a headache or dry the mouth” and “the fragrance lingers even in an empty glass.” 

Seeing the product being praised, Director Tong was clearly pleased, “These two ladies are very professional. Mr. Yang really hires excellent people.” 

Mr. Yang said, “Your company’s training is also quite good. I followed it for two days and found it both professional and amusing!” 

“Chen Xiao, is the training conducted by Manager Li?” Director Tong asked. 

Chen Xiao answered, “No… it’s done by the group purchasing manager Lu Nan from the city office.” 

Manager Wang added, “Lu Nan is meticulous. Mr. Yang has recognized her work ability from the beginning.” 

Is she a newcomer? Director Tong glanced at Liu Tao, who nodded slightly, so he nodded in approval to show appreciation. “Hailin City Office is full of talent. Introduce me to some of them tomorrow.” 

Chen Xiao and Manager Wang exchanged a look. It was clear that Lu Nan’s handling of the Feixiang matter had passed Director Tong’s scrutiny, so there was no need to worry about Director Xiang interfering with the city office matters after Director Tong left. 

No wonder it’s said that good things happen when leaders come. They’re not sure whether Director Tong was genuinely getting along with Mr. Yang or he wants to give face to Hailin City, or because he’s supporting Chen Xiao’s work, but he made a promise at the wine table: there are still six months left this year, and Feixiang will be given an additional tasting event every month, from five to six, with the corresponding increase in meal expenses (2,000 per meal) and wine (three bottles per meal, the new session uses the classic 20-year-old Dream Back to Han and Tang, with a market terminal price of 1,588 and an ex-factory price of nearly 800). In total, Feixiang has been given an additional fee of 26,000 to 27,000.” 

The dinner was a complete success. 

… 

At the same time. 

Sasha and Lu Nan were eating noodle soup at the entrance of Xinguang Yipin. 

“This morning, Yi Wei seemed a bit strange. Didn’t he used to sit next to you?” 

“He confessed his feelings to me. But I rejected him.” Sasha glanced around and said quietly, “In matters of the heart, you can’t force things, and he really doesn’t match my aesthetic at all…” 

Lu Nan nodded in agreement; if there’s no feeling, it’s better to just refuse. 

“Let’s not talk about him. Ah, I’m moving back next week. I really don’t want to leave you, Nan Nan. It’s the first time I’ve met such a like-minded friend at Yuan Chuan.” Sasha felt reluctant. 

“Fengyun County is only an hour’s drive from the city, and you have to come back every Saturday for the weekly meeting. It’s not that bad.” 

“You’re really cold-hearted.” 

“Out of the seven days in a week, I only allow myself to eat carbs two nights a week. Half of this week is dedicated to you. If this is not love, then let’s go eat salad, the kind without sauce,” Lu Nan said calmly. 

“No, no need. I know your feelings for me.” Sasha took a sip of her noodles. “But you’re too persistent, aren’t you? It’s okay to indulge occasionally. You’re not fat at all.” 

A thousand-mile dam is destroyed by an ant hole; the fat on your body is accumulated bite by bite. 

Lu Nan stared at Sasha with a blank expression. “Think about tomorrow night, when the office is hosting Director Tong and also treating you and Liu Yang. We’ll be eating high-sugar, high-oil, high-calorie food and drinking. Does the noodle in your mouth still taste good?” 

“Not anymore.” Internal social gatherings in the company are even less pleasant than entertaining clients. But what can she do? Even if Sasha wanted to quit, her family still had a dealership contract for Yuan Chuan Classic Wine. It wouldn’t be right to ignore Director Tong and the office leaders. “I won’t eat anymore. Let’s go.” 

“Wait a minute, I’ll pack this up.” Lu Nan asked the owner for a paper box. 

Sasha wiped her mouth, “You really have a soft spot for stray cats, don’t you?” 

No, not really. I’m probably just hypocritical. True love would be taking them home or at least buying them cat food and cans. I only have this much ability, or rather, I’m only willing to give this little bit of affection. Anything more, I don’t have. Lu Nan smiled and shook her head, “Leftovers? Then my ‘true love’ is a bit cheap.” 

Sasha said seriously, “Nan Nan, some things can’t be measured like that. Your love for stray cats shouldn’t be judged by how much money you spend. Look at me—I’m financially comfortable, and I have two Persian cats at home. I spend quite a bit on their food, drinks, and toys every month. Of course, I love them, but that’s because they are my possessions. When you feed stray cats with leftover food, you may not spend extra money, but it’s still your heartfelt effort. There are many people who have the ability but are unwilling to do what they can. Your willingness to give a little is already very good—better than many people.” 

Hearing Sasha’s heartfelt words, Lu Nan was slightly stunned. 

She realized that, over time, her view had changed. She had started to see love that didn’t cost money as somewhat cheap, perhaps because she was getting older and more realistic, or maybe due to too many negative messages. Hearing Sasha’s words today, Lu Nan was suddenly shocked. 

Have I started to measure everything in terms of money? 

Is it true that people unconsciously become the kind of person they dislike? 

Fortunately, Lu Nan realized in time that her thinking had become narrow, so she admitted frankly, “You’re right, I was narrow-minded.” 

“It’s not narrow-minded. You just—just have a bit of…” Sasha struggled to find the right words, “A bit of negativity? Yes, negativity! Don’t be upset with me for saying this, but I’ve noticed that you seem to hold a negative and pessimistic attitude towards ‘feelings.’ You always emphasize that you haven’t made any effort, and therefore don’t expect to gain anything. It seems like you’re very carefree and strong, but in reality, while you keep others from getting close, you’re also not giving yourself a chance to move forward.” 

For some reason, even though the person across from her was smiling, Sasha felt her sadness. She couldn’t help but pat Lu Nan on the head, “Nan Nan, you need to open your heart a little more. It’s actually okay to give a little first; the process of giving isn’t to get something in return but to avoid having regrets.” 

Although the latter part of Sasha’s persuasion wasn’t very convincing, Lu Nan knew that Sasha meant well, so she pretended to listen seriously, “I’ll give it a try. Okay, let’s go. The little kitty is still waiting for my love.” 

“Sure, let’s go!” 

“By the way, I wanted to say…” 

“Hmm? No need to thank me. It’s rare for me to be a caring big sister.” 

“Not that. I wanted to say, you touched my head without washing your hands after eating. That’s a bit too much.” 

“Ah! Nan Nan, I didn’t eat with my hands! I used chopsticks! Okay, with chopsticks!”