Financial Workplace Survival Guide – CH 008

Chapter 8 ☆, People’s hearts have changed, and the world is fickle.

It took Xin Xin several days to realize that Zheng Zaochuan was angry. That day, after they had finished their hot pot, Xin Xin returned home to find Zheng Zaochuan had sent her a message.

“Why didn’t you reply to my WeChat?”

Xin Xin only saw the previous message after receiving this new one. At that time, there was a constant stream of people offering their get-well wishes and seeking information. Frustrated at work and feeling unwell, she naturally didn’t reply to any of them.

Zheng Zaochuan’s message was mixed in with the other messages, so she didn’t notice it. But she didn’t take it seriously. Although Zheng Zaochuan was very self-centered and assertive, he was also very generous.

“I didn’t see it. Sorry.”

But Zheng Zaochuan wouldn’t give up. As soon as the message went through, Xin Xin called.

“Xin Xin.”

The moment the other person spoke, Xin Xin felt a little strange. Zheng Zaochuan always spoke with a touch of joking. In all the years they had known each other, she could never remember him addressing her by name so seriously.

“Mr. Zheng, did you drink milk tea tonight and still not feel sleepy?”

Zheng Zaochuan said sternly, “I’m angry, Xin Xin. For all these years, in your heart, I’ve been just an ordinary customer.”

His words were so incoherent that Xin Xin didn’t understand what he was saying, so she read and replied without thinking.

“Not really. You’re a familiar and important client to me.”

Zheng Zaochuan hung up the phone in anger. “Think it over before you talk to me.”

Xin Xin was confused and baffled. They used to exchange WeChat messages frequently, but because they were both busy, they’d call when things needed to happen, and it was common for them to forget to reply when they had nothing else to chat about.

But this was the first time Zheng Zaochuan got angry because she forgot to reply.

Xin Xin thought about it and decided it wasn’t her fault. She probably just felt bad because something had happened with Zheng Zaochuan, so she didn’t take it personally.

After Zheng Zaochuan repeatedly shared various stories about the coldness of human nature and the wickedness of the world on his WeChat Moments, Xin Xin belatedly realized he was making insinuations.

She had seen the conversation between Zheng Zaochuan and Chen Lisha.

“Mr. Zheng has been very elegant lately.”

“Sometimes you think of others as friends, but they might not see it that way.”

Xin Xin finally understood the incoherence of this statement, but somehow, instead of feeling angry, she found it a little amusing, even endearing.

Xin Xin replied, “Not necessarily. Everyone treats friends differently.”

Zheng Zaochuan couldn’t stand it anymore. As soon as Xin Xin replied, his WeChat message followed: “Have you figured it out?”

Xin Xin smiled. No matter how impulsive, mischievous, and erratic Zheng Zaochuan might seem to others, in her eyes, he always had a certain innocence.

“Mr. Zheng, don’t be angry. I was just teasing. I’ve always considered you a friend. I’ve been so frustrated lately that I haven’t contacted anyone.”

Zheng Zaochuan responded with a fierce expression. “I believe you, but I’ll believe you if you don’t call me Mr. Zheng in private.”

“Okay.”

She had originally planned to treat Zheng Zaochuan to dinner to appease him. Soon, however, Xin Xin had no time to dwell on these matters.

Lin Xiao resigned, and the paperwork was handled swiftly. It was as if she had already endured enough torture at the company to not be able to endure even a single day there. Xin Xin was still debating whether to transfer Zhang Qiao from the Risk Management Department, and she hadn’t even had time to consult with anyone. Someone under her had turned on her, bypassing her, following the upper echelons, and insisting on transferring to Fu Meng’s position in the Investment Banking Department.

Xin Xin might not have cared much about anyone else’s departure, but the person leaving now was no ordinary employee.

To expand their client base, the Haining City sales department set up a livestreaming business consultation room for interactive customer service. Each session featured guests from different departments sharing investment tips and offering small gifts.

Thanks to Chen Lisha’s effective management, this livestream became incredibly popular, becoming a nationally recognized online sensation in the financial community.

In addition to the necessary operational planning and traffic promotion, the livestream host, Yang Manman, also played a crucial role.

Yang Manman wasn’t very old, but she was very thoughtful about her work. Furthermore, she possessed an undeniably stunning appearance. The sensation and attention she generated was no less than that of Mary.

If Mary’s beauty was characterized by an aggressive flamboyance, Yang Manman’s was a sweet and charming appeal.

She had many devoted fans and a large following, and her sales department’s performance was also far ahead of the curve.

Xin Xin didn’t know her very well, but she vaguely remembered that one of the people she’d caught gossiping about her behind her back was Yang Manman.

With Lin Xiao gone, and then Yang Manman’s departure, Xin Xin was left with the loss of two very important people. The vice president position could still be vacant, but with Yang Manman gone, finding another such person in the entire company would be incredibly difficult.

Xin Xin was distraught and decided to talk things over with Yang first. “Manman, come in first.”

Yang Manman walked in confidently and greeted him openly, “Ms. Xin.”

Xin Xin got straight to the point: “Manman, I heard you’re thinking of leaving the sales department for investment banking? I’d like to know your thoughts. I’ve reviewed your performance review, and you’re doing very well in the sales department.”

Yang Manman looked her straight in the eye. “Ms. Xin, let’s be frank. I was wrong to talk behind your back before. But it’s really my bad luck that you overheard this.”

Xin Xin was speechless. She wanted to say she didn’t care, but that felt awkward. Saying she did care would only further push her away.

Yang Manman was forthright. “There are no ifs in life. I’ve always admired you, but I’ve already made a mistake. If I continue to work under you, I’m afraid we’ll have further conflicts. I also know we can’t find new talent for the studio right now. Don’t worry, I’ll stay for another month so you can find the next anchor.”

Xin Xin saw that Yang Manman had thought clearly. Fu Meng had also decided to hire someone, and Chen Lisha had said they’d see for themselves. She had wanted to persuade her, but Yang Manman was so determined that she didn’t feel comfortable forcing her to stay.

Who knew she’d lose so much to Fu Meng just after taking the job?

Xin Xin was helpless, but having been outmaneuvered, she could only offer kind words and wish Yang Manman good luck in her career.

As soon as Yang Manman left, Xin Xin had no choice but to go to Chen Lisha to ask for someone else. Chen Lisha was happy to watch them fight, and she took advantage of the situation to allow them to establish a balance.

“Who do you want?”

“Zhang Qiao.”

Chen Lisha readily said, “No problem, you guys negotiate.”

With that, the ball was thrown back to Xin Xin. Helpless, and with her limited social network, Xin Xin had to turn to Mary. “Sister, I need your help.”

Upon hearing this, Mary said nonchalantly, “Zhang Qiao? That guy’s good; I know him. Well, I’ll ask him for his opinion.”

Xin Xin burst into tears of gratitude, but after hearing Mary’s next words, she practically bowed down to her. “As for your livestreaming room question, I can give you my support. I’ll look for new candidates, and you can check them out yourself. If they don’t work out, we can transfer from the lower ranks. With so many sales departments, new talent is popping up like mushrooms after rain. I don’t believe we can’t find someone who can replace Yang Manman.”

Xin Xin’s eyes flushed. “Thank you.”

As soon as she said that, she felt a lump in her throat.

Mary was most afraid of her being sentimental. “It’s not a big deal. We’re close friends. It’s not worth it for such a small thing. If you come and be my bridesmaid, all the favors will be repaid.”

Being a bridesmaid had been agreed upon previously, and Xin Xin knew Mary didn’t want her to feel burdened. So, she suppressed her feelings of gratitude and tenderness. “I’ll take care of you. I’ll make you the most beautiful bride in the world.”

Mary proved reliable, and the next day, Zhang Qiao took the initiative to find Xin Xin.

Xin Xin’s eyes lit up when he arrived. She hadn’t initially recognized Zhang Qiao’s name, but now, almost at first sight, she was already impressed.

Zhang Qiao was a handsome young man, tall and handsome, wearing black-framed glasses. He looked very serious and reserved.

“Ms. Xin, Mary said yesterday you’d like me to come to the Sales Department. I thought it might be more appropriate for me to come and talk to you in person, so I’m here.”

Xin Xin nodded. “Yes, I wanted to ask your opinion first. I’ve already consulted the General Manager on this matter. If you’re willing, I can go talk to Xixi.”

Zhang Qiao placed a stack of documents he was holding on Xin Xin’s desk. “Ms. Xin, take a look. This is my primary responsibility in the Risk Department.”

Xin Xin flipped through them and understood everything. Zhang Qiao’s work was just preliminary drafts, but in the eyes of everyone at the company, it was all Xixi’s work.

Zhang Qiao was ostensibly demonstrating his abilities, but in reality, he was also expressing his disapproval of Xixi’s treatment. He was a graduate student from a prestigious university. When he first arrived, he attracted a lot of attention. He was rigorous and down-to-earth in his work, without the impetuousness of many young people. But who would have thought that within two years, he would become a nobody.

Xin Xin understood that this was a token of his loyalty. She had previously worried about whether Zhang Qiao was a hidden threat and also worried about the potential consequences of taking Xixi’s people.

Now it seems that Lin Xiao’s recommendation before leaving might have been a hint from Chen Lisha.

In fact, Xin Xin knew from her own experience that Xixi’s personality was extremely difficult to tolerate.

The more capable her subordinates, the more wary she became of them. The more wary she became, the more unscrupulous she inevitably resorted to.

Zhang Qiao appeared to be a stern and meticulous person. This kind of person might not necessarily have good performance in the sales department, but after so many years in the risk management department, his business skills were impeccable, judging by his profile.

“Zhang Qiao, I hope we can have a pleasant future together.” Xin Xin decided to accept him.

Zhang Qiao adjusted his glasses and shook hands with Xin Xin.

A week later, Yang Manman was transferred out, and Zhang Qiao was brought in. Xin Xin’s move was swift and stealthy, catching Xixi off guard. After the mid-level and senior management meeting, Xixi walked past Xin Xin with a sullen expression, not even saying hello.

Xin Xin smiled, chatting and laughing with people from other departments, in a good mood. Fu Meng glanced at her and deliberately stayed behind to wait for her.

“Xin Xin, are you free? Let’s talk?”

Xin Xin didn’t know what Fu Meng was up to, but after all, the Yang Manman incident had indeed been the cause of internal disintegration, so she couldn’t blame Fu Meng for poaching.

Plus, her situation had been resolved relatively smoothly, and she harbored no resentment, so she gladly accepted the invitation.

“Let’s talk in the small conference room when you’re free.”