Chapter 86: Every Failure Makes You Smarter
Si Yan listened quietly, his brows gradually furrowed.
He knew too well the scapegoating tactics used in the workplace, especially for newcomers who had no background or experience and could easily become the scapegoat when others made mistakes.
He reached out and rubbed Su Nian's hair, his movements gentle and soothing: "You are not wrong in this matter."
Su Nian raised her tearful eyes to look at him: "But my name was signed in the verification column, and now I can't produce any evidence..."
"We can find the evidence," Si Yan said in a calm and resolute tone. "You said you have the habit of backing up your files. What about the original files with the annotations? Which folder on your computer do you keep them in? Do you have them set to auto-save?"
Su Nian was stunned for a moment, then her eyes lit up. "I'm used to saving modified files in the 'pending confirmation' folder, and naming them with the date! I'll go back and look for it now, maybe it's still there!"
"This is the first breakthrough," Si Yan nodded. "Also, does your company's chat software have cloud backup? Some enterprise software will automatically synchronize message logs. Even if you delete them locally, the backend can still find traces. You can contact the company's IT engineers about these issues. If Zhang Yue deleted the messages, it would only make it clear that she has something to hide."
He paused and continued his analysis. "And Zhang Yue said he 'didn't see any comments,' but the revision history of design files usually leaves traces of your work. If your red-ink comments were saved, the file properties would show the modification time and editing history, proving you actually made the annotations."
Su Nian listened intently, her chaotic thoughts gradually becoming clearer. She looked at Si Yan as if grasping a lifeline: "Can these... really serve as evidence?"
"Of course," Si Yan looked her in the eye and said seriously, "In the workplace, it's important to 'speak with facts,' but the prerequisite is that you have to learn to protect yourself. Now is not the time to blame yourself. What we need to do is find evidence and make things clear."
He started the car and smoothly merged into traffic, adding, "After work tomorrow, don't rush to confront Zhang Yue. Quietly find the original document and the modification log, take screenshots, and archive them. Try contacting the IT department to request access to the logs, saying that important work information has been lost. Also, although Director Lan criticized you today, she's a competent director and won't just listen to one side of the story. Once you find evidence, you can meet with her individually to explain the situation. Be sincere but clear, laying out the documentation and timeline."
"Then... will Zhang Yue retaliate against me?" Su Nian was still a little hesitant. After all, Zhang Yue was an old employee and was more familiar with the company than she was.
Si Yan glanced at her and said encouragingly, "The workplace doesn't tolerate tears, but it also doesn't tolerate intrigue. You're clarifying the facts, not targeting anyone. If you endure it this time, more people will think you're easy to bully. And don't forget, you got into the company based on your design skills. You don't need to prove your value by taking the blame."
He paused, then added, "If you need help organizing the evidence, or if you need any communication tips, please let me know."
The chill in Su Nian's heart gradually dissipated. She had felt like the sky was falling, but after Si Yan's analysis, she suddenly seemed to have a direction.
This husband, as he said at the beginning, although he is older, he does have rich social experience.
She looked at Si Yan beside her, sniffed, and said softly, "Thank you, Professor Si."
Si Yan smiled and said, "Don't thank me yet. Once you gather all the evidence, we can discuss how to resolve this matter once and for all. Remember, you are not wrong. You don't need to keep your head down."
Su Nian nodded vigorously. This sudden workplace turmoil might not be over yet, but at least now, she is no longer the newcomer who is isolated and helpless and can only endure grievances silently.
With direction and support, she also has the courage to face the problems.
The next day, when Su Nian arrived at the company, she was following Si Yan's instructions yesterday and searching for evidence step by step. The internal phone on the desk rang, and Lan Ting's tired voice came from the receiver: "Su Nian, come in for a moment."
Su Nian thought that she might be criticized. She hesitated for a while before she mustered up the courage to walk over.
She knocked on the door gently. When she entered, Lan Ting was rubbing her temples in front of the computer screen, and the dark circles under her eyes were clearly visible.
Seeing Su Nian come in, she put down her hand and pointed to the chair opposite: "Sit down."
"Director Lan, I'm sorry for causing trouble to the company." Su Nian's voice was choked with a barely perceptible sob.
Lan Ting was silent for a moment, then stood up and poured her a glass of warm water. "Drink some water first. I know you're feeling bad about what happened yesterday."
"But this doesn't change the fact that the problem has already occurred." Lan Ting's tone returned to her usual calmness. "The company will bear the loss this time, but you must remember the lesson."
She opened the drawer and took out a folder and handed it to Su Nian. "This is all the design drafts and revision records since you joined the company, including the backup of the verification and annotations you made for Zhang Yue. I asked the IT department to restore the chat history."
Su Nian took the folder, ran his fingers over the clear markings on it, and his eyes instantly became moist.
It turns out that Director Lan knows everything.
(Lanting's inner thoughts: After get off work yesterday, your dad urged me to help you solve the case, so I got home very late! Do you really think I'm a detective and a part-time IT support?!)
"I'll meet with Zhang Yue separately and criticize her at the next meeting. I might not confront the client about this because I don't want them to see us as a laughing stock." Lan Ting looked at her with expectation in her eyes. "But that doesn't mean I can't tell right from wrong. The design industry relies on strength and reputation, not on cutting corners. You have a talent for design, but surviving in the workplace requires more than just talent; you also need the ability to protect yourself."
After leaving the director's office, Lan Ting's words echoed in my ears like a warning bell.
Every failure is a learning experience.
She turned on her computer, made triple backups of all her work files, created a detailed work log, and recorded every handover clearly, for fear that anything unexpected would happen again.
In the following days, Su Nian became more cautious. She still focused on revising the design draft, but she kept records of every step.
When encountering work that requires collaboration, she will confirm the process with her colleagues in advance, and all important information will be communicated via email with clear annotations and timestamps.
The atmosphere in the office was a little subtle. Zhang Yue tried to talk to her several times, but she avoided him in a neither humble nor arrogant manner.
On Friday afternoon, Director Lan called Su Nian into his office and pointed to her revised design draft. He said, "This is very well done. The details are well handled, especially the pattern adjustment. It's much more mature than before."
She paused and handed over a document. "This is the supplemental agreement with that client from last time. I showed them your design, and they gave it a very high evaluation. They specifically asked you to be responsible for the design of the new collection for next season."
You should know that this client was originally managed by Zhang Yue's team.
Su Nian took the document, and her fingertips trembled a little - this feeling was like suddenly getting full marks in an exam, surprised and happy.
The sunlight streamed through the window onto the documents, warm and bright. She recalled what Director Lan had said: there might be calculations and turmoil in the workplace, but ultimately, strength and responsibility are what will keep you grounded.
When walking out of the office, Su Nian saw Zhang Yue staring at the computer in a daze.
Without stopping, she walked straight to her seat, opened the design software, and started drawing a new sketch.
The lines on the screen were smooth and firm, just like her mood at the moment, having gone through ups and downs, but becoming clearer and more powerful.
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