47. How dare you come to me for free?

The next Monday, finally arriving, was preceded by Mei Xiao's arrival. Every Monday morning, the boss held a regular meeting with the mid-level directors to report on the progress of recent key projects. Mei Xiao's work style was always decisive and efficient, leading the group in both performance and customer retention. She also had a keen eye for insight and a sharp tongue. Therefore, she always stole the show at meetings, often humming a tune all the way back to the office from the conference room. Unexpectedly, upon returning from the meeting one day, she was roaming around Group A's open office area, seething with anger. "This Gu Chaoqun is a bit brainless, but he's quite courageous! He's been working on that crappy system for two years. If our team hadn't recommended Ling Ling to go there, and she contributed both manpower and effort, and even spent a lot of money to get it online, he would have been fired by the boss long ago. It's time to hold a meeting to report on the online results, but he didn't even mention a word about our team's contribution. He even put us, the project team members, in ellipsis. Xue Xuan from the administration department has a number one, but we don't have Ling Ling or me, Mei Xiao. Anyone who plagiarizes pictures and rewrites manuscripts and wants to save some reputation should also know to @ the original author. People like us who create original works really look down on his face. How dare he take advantage of me for free? I dare not say how long he can last in this industry, but at least in Tuowu, his career has come to an end today!" Mei Xiao scolded Gu Chaoqun without any scruples. This was her territory. She acted like a king in anger, holding the power of life and death. Ling Ling was the person involved, and while Mei Xiao's every criticism resonated deeply, she wasn't qualified for Mei Xiao's heroic presence, so she remained silent. Gu Chuqi unexpectedly spoke up for Ling Ling, "Sister Mei, you haven't had much contact with Mr. Gu, so you don't know his style: young, but busy; not very capable, but incredibly hardworking. He prioritizes rank and position in everything he does. No matter what Ling Ling's achievements, she doesn't deserve a mention. How could a low-level copywriter like her appear on the same PowerPoint page as Director Gu? Director Gu's PowerPoints are incredibly valuable, a tangle of internet giant jargon, a mix of English and Chinese. No one, not even him, understands what he's saying. So you should be thankful you didn't make the list; it's not a good thing." Gu Chuqi's words of comfort only fueled the situation, making Mei Xiao chuckle, and then the murderous look in her eyes deepened. Mei Xiao stood majestically in the center of the office, directing the situation. "Tomorrow afternoon, Mr. Fang will be hearing a report on the progress of the system platform construction. Originally, Gu Chaoqun was in charge..."

Next Monday finally arrived, but it was Mei Xiao who came first.

Every Monday morning, the boss holds a regular meeting with the mid-level directors to report on the progress of recent key projects. Mei Xiao's work style is always decisive and efficient, and he leads his team in both performance and customer retention. He also has a keen eye for insight and a sharp tongue. Therefore, he always steals the show at meetings, often humming a tune all the way back to the office from the conference room.

Unexpectedly, after she came back from the meeting that day, she wandered around the open office area of ​​Group A in a rage.

"Gu Chaoqun, he's got no brains, but he's got a lot of guts! He's been working on that crappy system for two years, and if it weren't for our team recommending Ling Ling, who contributed both manpower and resources, and even went to great lengths to get it online, he would have been fired long ago. It's time for the launch results report meeting, and he hasn't mentioned a single word about our team's contributions. He even put us, the project team members, in ellipsis. Xue Xuan from administration has a number one, but we don't have Ling Ling or Mei Xiao here. Anyone who plagiarizes images and rewrites works to improve their reputations would know to @ the original author. People like us who create original content really despise his face. How dare he take advantage of me for free? I can't say how much longer he can last in this industry, but at least in Tuowu, his career has ended today!"

Mei Xiao scolded Gu Chaoqun without any scruples. This was her territory. She acted like a king in anger, and she had the power of life and death.

Ling Ling was the person involved. Although every word Mei Xiao said touched her heart, she was not qualified to be as heroic as Mei Xiao, so she had to keep silent and dared not say more.

Gu Chuqi unexpectedly spoke up for Ling Ling. "Sister Mei, you haven't had much contact with Director Gu, so you don't know his style: young, but busy; not very capable, but incredibly hardworking. He prioritizes rank and rank in everything he does. No matter what Ling Ling has accomplished, she doesn't deserve a mention. How could a lowly copywriter like her appear on the same PowerPoint page as Director Gu? Director Gu's PowerPoints are incredibly valuable, a ton of internet jargon, a mix of English and Chinese. No one understands what he's saying, not even him. So you should be thankful you didn't make the list; it's not a good thing."

Gu Chuqi's consolation seemed more like adding fuel to the fire, making Mei Xiao giggle, and then the murderous intent in his eyes became even heavier.

Mei Xiao stood majestically in the center of the office, directing the proceedings. "Tomorrow afternoon, President Fang will be briefed on the progress of the system platform development. Originally, Gu Chaoqun was to be in charge, and the meeting would include directors and above. However, since Lingling from our team has been following up on the entire process and is arguably the soul of this project, she will be the presenter tomorrow afternoon. Lingling, you'll be responsible for the content of the presentation. Prepare an outline for your speech by 1:30 this afternoon. Lu Chong will help her with the PowerPoint presentation. Keep it concise and clear, no more than 20 pages. Chuqi will be responsible for proofreading and ensuring the overall style. I'll report the new meeting agenda to President Fang this afternoon. I'm sure he'll agree. Everyone, just get on with it."

"Sister Mei, uh, President Mei..." Ling Ling stuttered nervously. "I made a PPT based on President Gu's template and gave it to him. He collected materials from all the project team members and incorporated them into his own presentation..."

"The version I gave him should be completely overturned. We should not use his way of thinking to report to the boss. All the highlights should be reported, but they should be expressed in 'human language'. When it comes to data, we should focus on its effect rather than showing off our smart brains and memory. Don't forget to be witty and humorous to grab the boss's attention. Don't be afraid, I will explain it to you in detail after I report to the boss about the change in meeting procedures." Mei Xiao was always clear and decisive.

But Ling Ling still felt obligated to report everything to her immediate superior to demonstrate her integrity and responsibility. "Also, President Mei, throughout this project, I received a lot of help from He Zhixian, the current Deputy Director of the Research Department. She's a very kind person..."

"Okay, got it." Mei Xiao interrupted her and smiled at her, but her eyes were filled with contempt and kindness like an old mother. There were only three words in those smiling eyes - silly child.

Mei Xiao asked them to start working. After turning and walking to the door of his office, he suddenly thought of something and said to Ling Ling, "Ling Ling, give me two brief and to-the-point comments about Gu Chaoqun. For example, what role does he play in your project team? I need it this afternoon."

Ling Ling thought for a few seconds and quickly responded, "Gu Chaoqun's role in the project team is only one—to cause trouble. There is only one bug in our system construction, and that is—Gu Chaoqun."

Mei Xiao praised after hearing this: "Well, you are indeed an advertising person."

*~*~*~*~*~*~

Mei Xiao's communication and persuasion skills were truly extraordinary. At 2 p.m., after she reported to General Manager Fang her ideas for the system construction report meeting tomorrow afternoon, the meeting organizing department was indeed changed from the Research Department to Creative Group A. General Manager Fang also spoke fairly and officially when balancing the relationship between the two departments: Creative Group A is the main proposer and participant of system requirements, as well as the future users. The Research Department itself provides guarantees for generating better and more valuable ideas. This time, Creative Group A will make the key reports, and the Research Department will make supplements at the meeting at any time.

As for changing Gu Chaoqun from participating in the meeting to hosting it as an attendee, Mei Xiao had the full authority to decide.

After returning from the president's office, Mei Xiao was bursting with inspiration. After further discussing the algorithmic logic and overall solution for system construction with Ling Ling, she came up with many novel ideas. Mei Xiao also meticulously revised the PowerPoint presentation prepared by Ling Ling and Lu Chong. President Mei, who rarely worked overtime, was still in high spirits at 7 or 8 p.m. It seemed this woman was at her best when she was in a fighting mood.

Ling Ling knew that this was an opportunity that Mei Xiao had fought for her, and it was a precious opportunity to show up in front of the boss, so she naturally gave it her all.

But the message from Yu Chuanbei still made her feel a little nervous.

Gushan Temple North: After I got off the plane on a business trip, I rushed here directly from the airport.

Ling Ling looked at the line of words he sent and felt very sorry.

Ling Bu Ling: Sorry, I have to work overtime today. I have a very important meeting tomorrow afternoon, and I will be the main speaker. Our director and everyone is helping me, so I can't leave early.

Gushan Temple North: It's okay, you go ahead and do your thing. If you can't have dinner, we can have a midnight snack. I'll be waiting for you, don't worry.

Whether it works or not: How about we do it another time.

Gushansibei: Haha, don't feel bad. I haven't eaten yet. Look, I already ordered a bowl of Dandan noodles. Last time we ate at the office, I couldn't finish it because you took a bite. This time, I can enjoy it slowly.

Ling Ling looked at the picture of Dandan noodles he sent her and smiled softly.

Does it work?: Then you can leave anytime when you get tired of waiting.

Gushan Temple North: Okay, if that happens.

By 9 o'clock, there was still no news from Ling Ling. Knowing that she must be very busy, Yu Chuanbei didn't dare to send her any more messages.

When he just sat down at Sichuan Snacks, he ordered Dandan noodles and a drink. After eating and drinking, he turned on his computer to do work. The computer ran out of battery, but he was too embarrassed to take out the plug to charge it.

He had come straight here after getting off the plane, pulling a Rimowa suitcase, wearing a Burberry trench coat, and using an Apple Pro laptop. His presence in this deserted little shop was quite out of place. This wasn't a coffee shop with a much higher price tag, and he felt too embarrassed to pull out the power cord to charge his laptop and work there.

He didn't dare use his cell phone too much, for fear that it would run out of battery and he wouldn't be able to contact Ling Ling, so he had no choice but to wait.

It was not until 9:30 that the shop owner finally came over embarrassedly and said that they were closing. He had no choice but to drag his suitcase and wait outside the door.

The entire street gradually darkened, with only the streetlights still diligently on duty. Beijing's lively nightlife is localized, not everywhere. In many places in the old Chongwen District and Xuanwu District, the streets are already sparsely populated by 10 pm.

Yu Chuanbei was waiting on the roadside with his suitcase. Under the swaying shadows of the trees, a faint smile hung on the corner of his mouth. The early autumn evening breeze blew on his face, but he didn't feel cold, but only felt tenderness in his heart.