15. Pink Cookies
That day, Jia Lan, Vivian's immediate superior, called her to his office and told her that the project "Sanchuan" that she and Yang Ziqi were looking at would soon be launched. He suggested that Yang Ziqi represent the project team to report at the meeting.
It was said to be a discussion, but in fact it was a notification. Jia Lan's reason was fair and irrefutable:
"We need to give new employees more opportunities to hone their skills. Practical experience is the most efficient, if not the only, path to success. Vivian, don't forget that I held you to the same standards when you were an investment manager. Look how quickly you've grown. Alicia, who joined the company the same year as you, was only promoted to VP this year, two years behind you."
What he said implied that she should be grateful.
Vivian was a little surprised, but not entirely shocked. All VIP employees had this unspoken status: they did little, but earned more credit; while others worked nights and nights, they could leave at any time; while others remained silent in front of the boss, the boss was often just "Uncle So-and-so" to them.
Although she was unhappy, she didn't hesitate at all: "Of course, no problem. Although Ziqi is inexperienced, she is still quite smart. No problem, I will back her up when the time comes."
Jia Lan was very pleased and praised: "Vivian, you know, this is the most adorable thing about you."
This compliment was genuine. Jia Lan was also surprised by what happened today. Yang Ziqi suddenly came to him with a request. If Weiweian hadn't been so straightforward, he would have had to spend a lot of time and effort to appease her.
"This cuteness" is that he obeys orders and never acts on his own will.
This is true. She has never disobeyed her superiors in the workplace, because willfulness requires capital.
*
Although she had agreed to Jia Lan, she couldn't help feeling depressed. She left her seat and went to the tea room to get some fresh air. However, she found the door of the tea room was unusually closed, and intermittent recitation sounds came from inside, as if someone was preparing a speech.
When I opened the door, I saw Yang Ziqi holding a stack of hundreds of pages of printed manuscripts, with a reserved smile on her face, practicing her speech:
"Good morning, everyone! Now, I will give a report on behalf of the project team. First, let me give you an overview of the project..."
It turned out that Jia Lan had already promised Yang Ziqi. He was sure that Vivian would agree no matter what.
Seeing her come in, Yang Ziqi put down the document: "Sister Vivian, I'm so nervous."
"It's okay, come on, you'll be fine," Vivian said perfunctorily, perhaps with a dark side in her heart. Seeing how clueless this young lady was, she might as well let her make a fool of herself.
"Sister Vivian, these are macarons my father just brought back from Paris. They're for you."
"Why? I won't accept any reward without any merit."
"Thank you for taking me with you these days."
Vivian forced a smile. The coffee machine was quite noisy, so to avoid disturbing Yang Ziqi's rehearsal, she took a can of ice-cold soda from the refrigerator, took the box of pink macarons that had been forced into her hands, and quietly left.
Her mood was equally chilling. While other analysts did all the dirty work, even actively buying coffee, ordering meals, and picking up packages, she, on her own, could dump all the work on her, ultimately taking away even the glamour of project presentations.
hateful.
Macarons are truly the most boring food in the world. Looking at the box of unsightly pink cookies on the table, she thought maliciously. Actually, Yang Ziqi herself is just like them: pretty, sweet, but not very edible, even hollow.
*
Boss Zhang Ruolin's schedule was too tight, and the project meeting was repeatedly postponed before it was finally scheduled. The meeting went smoothly. Although Yang Ziqi's report was halting and would have been interrupted by someone else, the attendees were very tolerant and listened patiently.
When Yang Ziqi stuttered, she would subconsciously look at Weiwei, who would give her an encouraging smile. If she got stuck, she would also add a few words in time.
Now that things have come to this, she should at least appear to be well-mannered, after all, her name is still written in the project manager column.
"The company ('Sanchuan') has not previously opened financing to financial investors. In this round of financing, we have the opportunity to invest in the project at an 18x PE multiple (corresponding to approximately 6x EBITDA multiple, with a slight premium for the team portion). The team plans to sign the term sheet as soon as possible to obtain exclusive opportunities to advance the transaction. We strive to complete due diligence and sign the SPA within one month, and complete the closing as soon as possible."
Yang Ziqi finished reading the passage and smiled at the end: "Thank you all for listening."
Vivian pursed her lips to keep from laughing. That wasn't how you used "listen."
The partners began to ask questions, and Vivian steeled herself to answer them. After all, while she could rehearse and memorize the scripted parts, she had to improvise when asked on the spot.
Jia Lan, the immediate boss, spoke first, praising the newcomer for taking on the heavy responsibility of the project, saying, "Zi Qi's efforts and talent are a breath of fresh air," and then began to ask questions.
It wasn't hard to tell that Jia Lan was endorsing them more than asking questions. After all, he had spoken first and set the tone, so the others couldn't be too sharp or negative. Otherwise, it would seem like they were giving him a hard time.
The so-called investment judgment is often nothing more than personal relationships.
Vivian was disdainful of this, but was happy to see it happen.
While the success of an investment project can only be determined when it's exited and a return is received, in practice, especially during good times, those who invest in more projects tend to be more successful. After all, even if a project fails, it will take three to five years. After three to five years, who knows if you'll still be at the company? The promotion and salary increase you received that year are truly valuable.
Analyst, Investment Manager, VP, Director… Advancement is a three-year process, built on projects like this. As for whether one can reach MD or Partner, it all depends on resources, connections, and luck.
This promotion path is remarkably similar to that of women in the inner palace. From concubine to maid, noble lady, concubine, concubine, and finally noble concubine... Each step is a thrilling one, requiring both talent and luck. For ordinary people, reaching the rank of concubine is already the ceiling.
*
Since Jia Lan had clearly expressed his endorsement, the other partners did not ask any pointed questions. At most, they offered some mild suggestions for the next step of work.
"We hope to add core indicators and return sensitivity analysis, as well as comparisons with peer companies..."
“For family businesses, future governance issues need to be considered during due diligence…”
……etc.
The project successfully passed the project initiation meeting, and the next step is due diligence.
After the meeting, Yang Ziqi was so excited that she hummed a song all the way back to her seat. She packed her bag and walked to Vivian's desk, bowing, "Thank you, Sister Vivian, for helping me so much. By the way, yesterday I was at home and showed my dad a document. He praised me, saying that my industry analysis was more professional than the one he hired McKinsey to do. Thank you for your help."
The word "help" was harsh. But Vivian calmed down and smiled at her: "Don't be so polite. I'm an old man, so I should do more."
"By the way, my parents are coming to celebrate the launch of my first project. Do you want to join us, Vivian?"
"Thank you. I have something to do tonight, so I won't bother you anymore."
Weiwei finally understood what it meant to swallow one's anger. Compared to Yang Ziqi, Feng Simiao was much more likable.
Feng Simiao didn't do much during her time here. Initially, she'd tried to be a normal, good employee, but she soon gave up. No matter how hard she tried, she was treated as a spoiled brat. No dirty work was ever assigned to her, and no matter how hard she tried, she was always brought on board for the best projects, even if she'd never written a single page of documentation.
People are just so snobbish.
But at least, Feng Simiao knows how to make people willingly help her, instead of making people around her feel uncomfortable with her every move.
Just when I thought of Feng Simiao, she called me mysteriously:
"Hey, let me confirm with you, is there nothing going on between you and Eric?"
Vivian held the phone in her left hand and raised the three middle fingers of her right hand: "I swear, no."
She felt no pressure to swear and curse about this because it was true.
"That's good."
"What's wrong?"
"Our Lao Lin said that he has been very close to the young lady from the Yang family recently."
"Yang family? Isn't it called Zhang Zhiqi?"
Feng Simiao was a little dissatisfied: "What's the connection? You have such a bad memory! It's the one who makes clothes in Jinjiang, Yang Ziqi."
Weiweian just came back to her senses: "Her! Yes, that's right, she is the little piece of trash that Jia Lan insisted on giving me, whom I told you about."
At that moment she found it funny that they were all from the Qi generation.
The world is so small, so small that love, hate, and emotions are all within the scope of a turn.
///
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