Chapter 11: "Coincidence" of Promotion
"Don't be nervous." Lin Wei smiled faintly, a smile that seemed to see through people's hearts. "I just arrived and need to quickly understand the department's situation. The 'Star Ocean Project' is the top priority right now. I've reviewed the project information and the recent... well, not-so-ideal data."
She paused, looking directly at Yu Ling. "Director Chen Ming mentioned you specifically in his handover report. He said you have strong execution capabilities and a deep understanding of the project, especially when it comes to grasping the details of the plan's implementation. You have unique insights. The implementation points you added at the last kick-off meeting were very valuable."
Yu Ling was stunned for a moment. Director Chen actually praised her in his resignation report? This was truly unexpected. She quickly said modestly, "Boss Lin, you're too kind. I was just doing my job."
Lin Wei smiled noncommittally, her sharp eyes seeming to penetrate the surface. "I know whether it's my responsibility or not. The project has hit a bottleneck and time is running out. I need someone who knows the situation on the front lines best to give me the most honest feedback and the most direct solution."
Her tone grew serious. "Yu Ling, put aside the official rhetoric and excuses. Tell me, given your deep involvement in the project and your understanding of the data, what do you think is the core problem behind Project Xinghai's poor start?"
No small talk, no politeness, just getting straight to the point! This vigorous, pragmatic, and efficient approach shocked Yu Ling. She looked into Lin Wei's all-seeing eyes and knew that any perfunctory or evasive actions would be futile.
She took a deep breath, set aside all distractions and concerns, and presented the conclusions she and her team had repeatedly analyzed and debated over the past two days, combining them with her most honest observations and judgments, in a clear and coherent manner:
"Mr. Lin, we believe the core problem lies in three aspects: First, there is a discrepancy in the accuracy of user positioning. We rely too much on traditional portrait labels and ignore the deeper scenario-based needs and emotional touchpoints within the target user group..."
As she spoke, she opened the tablet she brought with her, pulled out the organized data charts and key points of user interviews, and showed them to Lin Wei.
Lin Wei listened very attentively, nodding slightly from time to time, her eyes scanning sharply between the data and Yu Ling's statement, and occasionally asking one or two extremely precise and to-the-point questions, forcing Yu Ling to think and explain more deeply.
The entire presentation process felt more like a high-level professional discussion than a subordinate reporting to their superior. Lin Wei's profound understanding of the business, her keen insight into data, and her ability to unravel and get to the heart of things left Yu Ling in awe, yet also filled her with immense pressure.
"...So, based on the above analysis, our team's initial rescue strategy is: First, urgently launch small-scale, multi-dimensional A/B testing to quickly verify and optimize user reach strategies; second, restructure the user conversion path, embedding strong guidance and immediate incentives at key nodes..."
Yu Ling explained the key points of the plan the group had come up with. Although she knew Director Chen would criticize these plans as "insignificant," she said she had done her best.
Lin Wei listened quietly, her fingers tapping rhythmically on the smooth desk surface. A brief silence fell in the office. Yu Ling's heart was in her throat, awaiting the new director's decision.
A few seconds later, Lin Wei raised her head and her gaze fell on Yu Ling's face again. This time, her eyes were no longer scrutinizing her, but were replaced by a clear... appreciation?
"The thinking is clear, and the issues are pinpointed," Lin Wei said, her voice full of affirmation. "Especially the analysis of users' deep needs and emotional connections—very insightful. Better than I expected."
Yu Ling couldn't believe her ears! Was it confirmed?!
"However," Lin Wei changed the subject, her tone still steady but with a stronger emphasis, "the rescue strategy you proposed is in the right direction, but it's not strong enough or deep enough. It's a temporary fix, lacking the systematic thinking to address the root cause."
Yu Ling's heart sank again.
Lin Wei stood up, walked to the whiteboard on the side of the office, and picked up a marker. Her movements were quick and decisive, with a sense of confidence that she was in control of the situation.
"If we want to break the deadlock, we must have the courage to make drastic changes and a more forward-looking vision."
Lin Wei quickly sketched a framework on the whiteboard. "User positioning is off? Then completely break away from the existing labeling system! Build a dynamic user model based on real-time behavioral data and scenario-based needs! Can the technology support it? I'll coordinate resources for you! Is the conversion path broken? Then there's no need for patching it up! Redesign the user journey map and embed irresistible value hooks and emotional resonance points at every link that may lead to churn! Creativity, technology, and product must break down barriers and achieve high-level collaboration!"
Lin Wei's powerful presentation on the whiteboard stunned Yu Ling with her agility, grand vision, and incisive strategy. Every point she raised precisely hit the weakest and most inadequate areas of Yu Ling's team's plan. Furthermore, she offered a more systematic, innovative, and practical solution. The depth and breadth of her approach were simply beyond the reach of Director Chen's level.
What shocked Yu Ling even more was that some of the core ideas and key models Lin Wei proposed were surprisingly similar to the "reference ideas from a friend's company" she had previously received from Zhao Chen! However, Lin Wei's version was more mature, more systematic, and more to the point!
Is this just a coincidence?!
Yu Ling looked at the smooth framework diagram on the whiteboard and listened to Lin Wei's precise and powerful explanation. The speculation about the relationship between Zhao Chen and Lin Wei once again emerged uncontrollably!
How much had Zhao Chen mentioned himself to Lin Wei? Had he shown her the "reference ideas"? Was Lin Wei's current "guidance" a form of training for a newcomer, or a deliberate act of "care"?
"How is it? Can this idea be implemented?" Lin Wei stopped writing and turned to look at Yu Ling. Her eyes were burning, with a strong sense of oppression and a hint of testing.
Yu Ling snapped back to her senses, suppressed the turmoil in her heart, and forced herself to focus. She looked at the crystal-clear blueprint for a breakthrough on the whiteboard, and a long-lost surge of fighting spirit and excitement instantly ignited!
"Yes!" Yu Ling answered firmly, her eyes becoming extremely determined. "Mr. Lin, the direction you point out is very clear! We will immediately follow this idea and refine the implementation plan! We guarantee to produce results within the time you requested!"
She felt as if her vision suddenly became clear, and the fog that had troubled her before was instantly dispelled by Lin Wei's powerful searchlight!
"Very good." Lin Wei nodded with satisfaction, a faint but genuine smile of approval on her face. "If you need any resource support, just report to me and I'll personally approve it. You are now fully responsible for the implementation of this project! I'll handle Zhang Wei's affairs."
Her last sentence was calm in tone, but it was filled with unquestionable decisiveness, instantly pushing Yu Ling to the position of project leader!
"Me?!" Yu Ling was shocked again! Directly responsible for the execution? Bypassing Zhang Wei?!
"Yes, you." Lin Wei looked at her, her eyes sharp and full of trust. "I've read your proposal supplement and the analysis report just now. You have the ability and the sense of responsibility. Go ahead and do it. I only care about the results."
She paused, her tone slowing down, and added, "Also, regarding the project review report, write it according to the core issue framework you just analyzed, focusing on breakthrough ideas and implementation plans. Chen Ming's report, which avoids the important issues, can be thrown away."
This wasn't just simple support; it was absolute trust and empowerment! Yu Ling felt a surge of warmth in her heart. It was pressure, but also the excitement of being recognized and given such a big responsibility!
"Yes! Mr. Lin! I guarantee to complete the task!" Yu Ling straightened her back and spoke in a sonorous and powerful voice.
"Go ahead." Lin Wei waved her hand, sat back in her office chair, picked up a document and began to look through it, as if she had just dealt with a very ordinary matter.
Yu Ling left the director's office with a complex mix of emotions. The moment the door closed, she leaned against the cold wall and breathed a long sigh of relief. It felt like she'd just gone through an intense brainstorming session, and her back was drenched in sweat. Excitement, excitement, pressure, and that lingering, enormous mystery... all sorts of emotions mingled.
She pulled out her phone and clicked on Zhao Chen's WeChat profile picture. The little whale in the apron was now filled with mystery in her eyes.
Ling: [Image: A detail of Lin Wei's frame drawing on a whiteboard]
Ling: The new director arrived with lightning speed! She put me directly in charge of the project implementation! Her ideas are amazing! And, her resume says she was an investment director at Morning Star Capital? [confused.jpg]
【ZhaoC】: [smile.jpg] Really? That's quite a coincidence. Vivian Lin? We did work together at Chenxing for a while before, and she's very capable. Her recognition of you proves that my Lingling is truly outstanding. What do you want to eat tonight? To celebrate? (No casualness this time)
Seeing Zhao Chen's still gentle, slightly complacent response, Yu Ling's suspicions didn't dissipate, but instead intensified. "What a coincidence"? "We worked together for a while"? This understatement echoed his previous explanations for "a friend's car" and "the landlord's furniture"!
The project had a hope of breaking through, and the future seemed bright. But Yu Ling knew the real storm might just be beginning. The man with the whale-shaped apron and the gentle, harmless smile, and the unfathomable "Morning Star Capital" behind him, like a giant net, were silently enveloping her.
Was Lin Wei's appearance a blessing or a curse? Was it a benefactor's help, or some other invisible force? She had a vague feeling that her peaceful "marriage by arrangement" was being pushed by a powerful force into the center of an unforeseen vortex.
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