Fan Shengmei took a deep breath, sat back down at her workstation, turned on her computer, and began to organize her thoughts from the meeting, preparing to face any potential opportunities in better condition. She knew the road ahead wouldn't be easy, but she was fully prepared. No matter what tricks the old guard in the workplace might use, she was determined to secure a place for herself within the Fu Group.

From then on, Fan Shengmei arrived at the company early every day, using her time before work to search for information related to important projects in the company's internal database. The database was vast and complex, with dense text covering the screen, exuding the unique smell of old paper mixed with electronic data. Her eyes were fixed on the screen, her hands constantly moving the mouse, quickly filtering for useful information. Each valuable document she found was like finding a ray of light in the darkness, igniting more hope in her heart.

After work, colleagues gradually left, and the office quieted down, leaving only the hum of the air conditioner's outdoor unit. Fan Shengmei, however, remained seated at her workstation. The air around her seemed to stand still, with only the sound of her typing echoing in the silent space. She meticulously categorized and organized the data she had collected during the day, recording her thoughts and questions in detail. She often sat there for hours, only realizing how late it was when the city lights outside her window blazed brightly.

Besides researching materials, Fan Shengmei also proactively sought advice from colleagues in other departments. In the company's break room and hallways, whenever a suitable opportunity presented itself, she would humbly ask experienced colleagues questions related to the project. Once, she bumped into a senior colleague from the marketing department in the elevator and seized the opportunity to chat with him about a project she was following. The elevator was filled with the faint scent of perfume and the smell of people's clothing. In the confined space, Fan Shengmei listened attentively to her colleague's explanation, occasionally offering her own insights, her eyes gleaming with a thirst for knowledge.

However, not all her colleagues were willing to help her. Some people with close ties to the old guard in the workplace always gave her perfunctory answers to her inquiries, and even made sarcastic remarks: "You're so enthusiastic, but don't you even know if you're qualified to participate in the project?" Faced with these cold words, Fan Shengmei just silently endured them. She told herself that she could not give up because of these setbacks, and she would strive for every opportunity, no matter how small.

As the days passed, Fan Shengmei gained a deeper understanding of the project, and her ideas gradually matured. Finally, the opportunity arrived. The company held an important project discussion meeting. In the conference room, company leaders and key members from various departments sat around an oval conference table. A tense and serious atmosphere filled the air, the rustling of papers and the soft breathing of the people mingling together. Fan Shengmei sat in a corner, her heart pounding involuntarily, but she tried her best to remain calm.

Midway through the meeting, a heated debate erupted over a key aspect of the project. One side argued for proceeding in the traditional manner to ensure project stability; the other advocated for innovative approaches to gain a greater market advantage. Both sides held firm to their positions, and the atmosphere in the meeting room grew increasingly tense.

Just then, Fan Shengmei saw an opportunity. She took a deep breath, slowly stood up, and said in a soft but firm voice, "Distinguished leaders and colleagues, I would like to share my thoughts." All eyes were on her, some with surprise, some with doubt, and some with disdain. Fan Shengmei ignored these gazes, cleared her throat, and began to explain her point of view.

Drawing on her research and experience from colleagues, she proposed a solution that combines tradition with innovation. This solution would ensure the project's stability while also achieving a degree of innovative breakthrough and opening up new market opportunities. As she spoke, she used prepared charts and data to illustrate her points, demonstrating clear logic and well-supported evidence.

As Fan Shengmei began her narration, the previously noisy conference room gradually quieted down. Some leaders nodded slightly, a hint of appreciation in their eyes; some colleagues looked at her with surprise, impressed. After she finished speaking, there was a brief silence in the conference room, followed by a low murmur of discussion.

The project leader, a middle-aged man with slightly graying hair, lingered on Fan Shengmei for a moment before slowly saying, "Fan Shengmei's idea is novel and has a certain degree of feasibility. We can discuss it further." Hearing this, Fan Shengmei felt a surge of joy, but she knew that this was only the first step, and there were still many uncertainties ahead.

After the meeting, Fan Shengmei returned to her workstation, her mind still racing. She knew her unique insights had attracted the attention of some leaders, but that didn't guarantee her participation in the project. Those old guard in the workplace certainly wouldn't give up easily; they might come up with new ways to stop her. Would Fan Shengmei's insights ultimately be accepted? Would she truly be able to participate in this important project? Everything remained uncertain.