22. Don’t hug me
Ling Ling gritted her teeth and said, "Although I really want to win the Ningshi case, it's truly shameful for me to take up your time and cut in line to present the proposal. And when I think about the awkward position you've put yourself in at the company to help me, I feel even more guilty..." To prevent her from sinking too deeply into guilt, Yu Chuanbei interrupted with a kind smile, "You don't have to feel bad. I have professional ethics and wouldn't let personal feelings affect the company's interests. Our company's direct clients have always been companies of similar size and caliber, which is only worthy of Ever's current status. If it weren't for the current economic downturn, which has led to a sharp drop in advertising investment and forced companies to make special offers to generate revenue, Ningshi wouldn't have been on our shortlist. Right now, this case is being passed around within our company, with no one wanting to take it. However, due to the company's shared goal of defeating Shijian, no one wants to fall out. We can only remain at a standstill, hoping Ningshi will give up on us. I just finished talking with Xiao Hun, and he's very supportive of your proposal. I also analyzed with him the pros and cons of their previous idea of our two companies collaborating on this project, and I truly believe that Tuo Wu is the better fit. He's convinced, and he'll fully support your idea. This incident has actually made him revere our company's judgment and fairness. Our company is not at a loss, and I haven't lost anything by making a friend like him today. So, don't worry." Ling Ling digested his words carefully, surprised by his comprehensive response before she was even halfway through. "That's good. Go ahead and get back to your work. Thank you anyway," Ling Ling said earnestly. *~*~*~*~*~*~*~ Ling Ling's proposal for Ningshi was a resounding success. This copy portrayed Ningshi as an independent, insightful, resilient, and romantic woman, attracting the beautiful women who wandered the city with the courage of a lone knight to try their new line. Xiao Hun, the planning director at Ningshi, praised Lingling highly and even assigned her the advertising project for their new men's skincare line. Tuo Wu, originally trying to save money, hired a washed-up actress to star in the commercial, only to unexpectedly see her rise to fame. Ningshi then made a grand plan to stage a press conference to capitalize on the hype, again using Tuo Wu's planning team. Lingling bustled around excitedly, as if preparing her child's first concert. I just heard the press corps will be interviewing the advertising planner, who started the industry before her...
Ling Ling gritted her teeth and said, "Although I really want to win Ningshi's case, it's really shameful for me to squeeze in your time and cut in line to report the plan. And when I think about how you put yourself in a difficult position in the company in order to help me, I feel even more guilty..."
To prevent her from sinking too deeply into guilt, Yu Chuanbei interrupted her with a kind smile, saying, "You don't need to feel uncomfortable. I have professional ethics and would never let personal feelings affect the company's interests. Our company's direct clients have always been companies of similar size and caliber to ours, so as to match Ever's current status. If it weren't for the current economic downturn, which has led to a sharp drop in corporate advertising investment and the need to make special arrangements to generate revenue, Ningshi would never have been on our shortlist. Now this case is being passed around within our company, and no one wants to take it. However, due to the overall situation of overcoming Shijian together with the company, no one can afford to break off relations. We can only remain there, hoping that Ningshi will give up on us on its own initiative.
I just finished talking with Xiao Hun, and he's very supportive of your proposal. I also analyzed with him the pros and cons of their previous idea of our two companies collaborating on this project, and I truly believe that Tuowu is the better fit. He's convinced, and he'll fully support your idea. This incident has actually made him appreciate our company's judgment and fairness. Our company is not at a loss, and I haven't lost anything by making him a friend today. So, don't worry."
Ling Ling digested his words carefully. She didn't expect that he had already given such a comprehensive answer when she was only halfway through her words.
"That's good. Then you can get busy. Thank you anyway." Ling Ling said to him seriously.
*~*~*~*~*~*~
The plan Ling Ling made for Ningshi was indeed a great success.
This copy created an image for Ningshi of an independent woman who is insightful, resilient, and romantic, making beautiful women who wander around the city as brave as knights willing to try their new product series.
Ningshi's planning director Xiao Hun praised Ling Ling highly and also assigned her the newly launched men's skin care product advertising project.
To save money, Tuo Wu hired a washed-up actress to star in a commercial, but she unexpectedly became a star again. Ning Shi then planned to lavishly stage a press conference to capitalize on the momentum, again using Tuo Wu's planning team.
Ling Ling was busy running around excitedly, as if she was preparing the first concert for her own child.
She just heard that the press corps will be interviewing advertising planners soon, and her male colleague Qu Xiaojiang, who entered the industry a year earlier than her, even urged her to touch up her makeup.
She rushed to the dressing room and took a hard look at herself in the mirror: her eye makeup was too light, her BB cream was a little patchy, and her lipstick had been on for too long, making it look dull. But would it be too much of a stunt to touch it all up? She should have worn smoother underwear. The silky gray-pink shirt would faintly reveal the lace edge of her bra, which was too sloppy.
Ling Ling anxiously prepared herself, feeling as if she were about to meet a long-lost crush. It seemed as if anything she said would be presumptuous, and any preparations would be abrupt. The mention of her secret crush brought back memories of Yu Chuanbei, and she felt a sudden sense of security.
It's almost time. Who cares? I'm not here to show off my face. If I can't be a vase, I can be a showerhead, nourishing the world and making everyone feel refreshed. Ling Ling breathed a sigh of relief and walked out with a smile on her face.
Ling Ling happened to see a reporter asking the company's advertising planner, Qu Xiaojiang, where she was. Xiaojiang saw her approaching and just pointed at her, but another domineering figure rudely blocked her way. The reporters then swarmed over.
Bai Yuefu's smile was elegant and confident, and her plain face was full of kindness.
"Thank you, fellow journalists! This is just some of my daily insights, and this proposal is just a small part of my many projects. I didn't expect it to resonate so strongly with everyone. Everyone has suppressed desires. We don't dare make decisions for our clients, but we can at least offer an option that considers them. Besides, I actually use Freeze's products, and they're really great. Everyone should give it a try."
Bai Yuefu's polite and well-mannered public relations speech left Ling Ling completely stunned.
Until Qu Xiaojiang ran up to her and grumbled, "This Black Widow is so dishonest! It was clearly your work, but you snatched it away without blinking an eye? At least say it was a team effort."
Before Ling Ling knew how to respond, Bai Yuefu poked her in the waist, signaling her to be smart and get a set of Ningshi cosmetics gift boxes for each reporter.
Ling Ling hurriedly ran to the backstage warehouse, and cooperated with Ningshi's staff to sort the goods, pack them, stuff messages in them, and then distribute them one by one to express her gratitude.
She forced herself to keep busy, hoping that the fatigue would drain away the sadness that was choking her chest, just as it drained her strength.
But she obviously failed.
On her way home from work, she folded her arms, her eyes dry as she surveyed the city. How much deception and intrigue were behind the operation of such a vast, steadily functioning city?
After getting off the bus, she still hugged her shoulders tightly and walked into the residential complex timidly. Under the dim light at the entrance of the building, she saw a familiar figure.
It was a cold winter night, and I was alone.
"You're back. Are you tired?" Yu Chuanbei asked her with gentle eyes. Although the tip of his nose was red from the cold, his voice was warm.
Ling Ling didn't dare look him in the eye, as timid as a child who had done something wrong. She felt sad that he had given her such a great opportunity, but she had messed it up.
"I'm sorry I worked overtime so late today and couldn't be there to cheer you on. The Time Freeze ad is great, very much your style. Even without your name on it, I knew it was your work. I'm glad I gave you the opportunity."
After hearing Yu Chuanbei's words, Ling Ling could no longer suppress the pain in her heart, and she burst into tears. No words, only tears, tears that never stopped.
Humans are just that kind of creature. Out in the open, fighting the enemy in bloody battles, wounded and indifferent, they don't care about the pain; out in the open, they endure humiliation and endure heavy burdens, suffocating and afraid to breathe. But once in the presence of those close to you, even if they're indifferent, you can still feign toughness; but the most dreaded thing is a greeting—all your defenses in the adult world crumble. You become as fragile as a child, finally able to cry freely.
Yu Chuanbei slowly leaned his shoulder over, and Ling Ling rested her forehead hard against his shoulder.
His palm gently stroked her elbow and slowly moved it upwards. But she sobbed and said, "No, don't hug me."
Yu Chuanbei's hand lingered in the air, Ling Ling suddenly left his support, ran back to the corridor, and disappeared in the flickering light.
She couldn't let herself enjoy Yu Chuanbei's embrace, as she would become dependent, accustomed to it, and addicted. She was afraid that if she were alone again, she would no longer be able to become Ling Ling who could live well alone.
Yu Chuanbei couldn't understand why this woman was so stubborn in defending her dignity.
But he was still willing to wait.
*~*~*~*~*~*~
On Monday, Ling Ling, as usual, compiled the team's weekly reports and handed them to Bai Yuefu. Because their team's most important task the previous week had been the successful conclusion of Ningshi's case, Ling Ling focused on the details, hoping to pave the way for Manager Bai to discuss any future plans.
But unexpectedly, at the regular meeting, Bai Yuefu picked up her weekly report and said, "I usually prepare the materials for meetings myself, but I didn't expect Ling Ling to be so attentive this time. She even worked overtime until very late yesterday and worked very hard to make it very detailed."
Ling Ling was horrified when she heard this. She had no idea how a seemingly unintentional, routine task could be interpreted and magnified in such a way. In her limited career and limited understanding, she had already guessed at least two things in Manager Bai's words: Don't take credit for Ningshi's case. I stole yours. It's not a secret between you and me. I'm not afraid of anyone knowing. I'll just make it public, a secret everyone knows but no one dares to speak of, to completely shatter your fantasy of blackmailing me. And I'm praising you because you deserve the job descriptions of "careful and meticulous," since you're just a rookie who's solely responsible for organizing materials through brute force.
Ling Ling remained silent. At a time like this, the most appropriate way to show understanding was to learn from her mistakes. She was completely unable to muster any energy for the rest of the morning, and Bai Yuefu became even colder towards her, not even making eye contact.
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