15
As the end of August approached, all team members officially returned to their teams to prepare for the upcoming eleventh season.
On their first day back, everyone's faces were still beaming with holiday joy, just like students who had just finished their summer vacation, chatting excitedly about their wonderful summer break experiences.
The relationships between people are truly amazing.
Although Chen Ning hadn't seen everyone much during the summer break, they felt even closer now that they met again.
I don't know if it was because they were naturally friendly, or if her crazy antics in the group during the World Invitational Tournament changed everyone's impression of her.
"Sister Chen Ning, you haven't rested at all?" Song Qiying asked.
“I have weekends off.”
“Then you’ll be gone soon.” Qin Muyun put his hands behind his head and leaned back in the conference room chair, sighing, “There’s a match on Saturday, and half of them are away games. I’ll be traveling all over the world.”
"I know, I'm ready. I run every night to exercise."
Zhang Jiale thought of something and leaned over to ask, "You're not with the team leader, are you? He works out at the gym every night too."
“Zhang, put away your impure thoughts. I just go for a night run around the streets, I don’t go to the gym. Also, I’m a staunch supporter of the team’s girlfriend, and I will absolutely not break up any couples.”
"Hey, don't be angry, I was just talking nonsense."
"Don't you think I have enough gossip already?"
"Haha...you knew all along."
“Of course, as someone who got in through connections, they should at least have some inside information channels,” Shen Ning said matter-of-factly.
Qin Muyun secretly tilted his head back and asked in a low voice, "So, Sister Ning, can you reveal a little about your background?"
At this question, one or two heads popped up, their eyes filled with undisguised curiosity.
"That won't do. I'll keep it a secret as long as I can. What if you all start to be afraid of me?"
Zheng Chengfeng exclaimed, "My god, judging from that tone, he's definitely a big shot!"
"Hmm." Shen Ning feigned smugness. "So, if you have any business trips during the holidays, hurry up and give me the forms. Be careful, the finance director might call the team leader again..."
At this point, Shen Ning made a throat-slitting gesture, her eyes filled with malice.
Zhang Jiale suddenly exclaimed, "Chen Ning, you've really changed a lot in just one holiday!"
"Oh? What has changed?"
"She was an absolutely elegant and beautiful woman when she first arrived!"
Does that mean I've become ugly?
Bai Yanfei immediately chimed in, "Hahaha, Senior Zhang Jiale, do you not want your reimbursement money anymore?"
"No, no! I wouldn't dare to be so presumptuous!"
"Back then, when you were with Sister Xu, you were also constantly pushing the boundaries of danger," Song Qiying calmly stated the facts.
“…Little Song…”
"Then I got harassed by the captain in various ways," Song Qiying continued.
"...Can we not be so blunt?"
As they were talking, Han Wenqing and Zhang Xinjie came in, and everyone immediately stopped teasing Zhang Jiale.
Zheng Chengfeng asked, "Captain, you just got back from your vacation too?"
"Um."
"Has anyone noticed anything interesting?" Zhang Jiale, with sharp eyes, suddenly became excited, staring at Han Wenqing, and said excitedly, "Old Han has something new on him!"
After hearing this, everyone's eyes scanned Han Wenqing from head to toe. Finally, Qin Muyun noticed something on his neck and shouted, "The captain is wearing a ring around his neck!"
As soon as these words were spoken, everyone's eyes turned to him, and they saw that Han Wenqing was indeed wearing a silver ring on a silver necklace.
"Wow! Captain, you guys got your marriage certificate?"
"Are there wedding candies today?"
When are you going to have the wedding?
Han Wenqing immediately interrupted the team members' celebration: "No, it's still a long way from getting the marriage certificate. We're just getting things settled first."
"So the proposal was successful," Shen Ning said with a smile. "You should treat us to a meal, right?"
After he finished speaking, he looked around, and everyone immediately understood and eagerly echoed his words.
"Yes, Captain, it would be inappropriate not to invite such a joyous occasion!"
"Exactly, it has to be seafood in a gravy!"
"Great! I haven't had seafood at all this summer since I came home."
Han Wenqing, unusually, didn't sternly rebuke him: "Then let's have dinner together tonight, take a moment to think it over and make a reservation."
"Okay."
Zhang Jiale grinned and said, "Invite your sister-in-law! The couple should both be there for their happy occasion, right?"
"Yes, yes, yes!"
"Alright, we'll talk about it this afternoon. Let's have a meeting first. Today we'll mainly discuss the overall tactical approach for the new season and the key points of our recent training."
Han Wenqing gave Zhang Xinjie a look, and everyone immediately changed their focus, picking up their tablets or pens and paper to listen attentively.
"As everyone probably knows, we're going to start trying out a new tactical system this year, which is a support-core tactic. We've already had a preliminary trial at the World Invitational Tournament, and I've also discussed it with the captain. So far, the idea seems feasible."
"Specifically, there are two main tactical directions. One is to shift from healing to offensive support. The Dual-Fist Mage is the main damage dealer while improving the attack capabilities of the entire team. It is a relatively fierce tactic, but it has many weaknesses in defense when facing strong enemies. It is a do-or-die strategy."
"Secondly, we adopt a coordinated attack strategy, similar to the World Invitational Tournament mode, where the healer organizes the attack. This requires adjustments based on the actual map and demands high levels of teamwork and individual skill, and requires some practice."
At the front of the conference room, Zhang Xinjie was drawing tactical simulation diagrams on the whiteboard while giving a detailed explanation.
This was the first time Shen Ning had listened to the team's tactical analysis meeting, and also the first time she had heard Zhang Xinjie's explanation.
Although he spoke in detail, there was not a single word of nonsense or empty talk. His logic was clear and his words were well-organized. His tone was neither hurried nor slow, so it was easy to listen to and did not feel dry or boring.
For half an hour, Shen Ning remained focused, and what she gained was far more than she had from analyzing videos and online articles on her own.
This is what they call standing on the shoulders of giants.
"This is roughly the new tactical model. We will arrange targeted training later. I will confirm the specific training content with the captain one last time, and then print it out and send it out."
"OK."
"Our first opponent in two weeks is the Thunder. Everyone should study this after the meeting, and we'll discuss it in detail at tomorrow's morning meeting," Zhang Xinjie said, turning to Shen Ning. "Book your flights and hotels to Wuhan."
"OK."
"Captain, is there anything we should add?"
Han Wenqing sat at the front, arms crossed, and said, "This year we're starting a tactical adjustment, which will definitely bring many difficulties. I know everyone is worried that the new tactics will affect the season's win rate and revenue bonuses. We will do our best to maintain the win rate and everyone's playing time. I hope everyone, including myself, can actively cooperate with Xin Jie and give it our all, understand?"
"clear!"
“Great, feel free to communicate anytime you have questions or ideas. Also, Chen Ning has collected some videos of international competitions. You can ask her for them when you get back and watch them when you have time.”
"From overseas? Where did you find it?" Zhang Jiale asked. "We only found bits and pieces when we searched ourselves before."
He smiled calmly and replied, "It was done through connections."
Everyone: ...
Qin Muyun said, "Sister, is it really okay for you to be so honest?"
"Using connections to seek personal gain isn't a bad thing, so what's wrong with it? The vice-captain said that resources that should be utilized should be utilized."
Zhang Xinjie looked up at her but didn't say anything.
After the meeting, Han Wenqing, Zhang Xinjie, and Zhang Jiale distributed the things they had brought with them to everyone: Swiss coffee, chocolate, and dried squid. The once quiet table was now full of snacks.
Shen Ning then remembered that she had received the tickets from Zhao Yixing the day before yesterday. She quickly took them out of her bag and went to the captain's office with several contracts that needed to be signed.
"Here are two tickets to a violin concert. Captain, could you please give them to Xin Nuan for me?"
Han Wenqing was somewhat surprised. He took it and looked at both sides. Judging from the introduction, the performer should be quite well-known.
Shen Ning said, "It was a gift from the theater. You know my family has offline theater partnerships."
"You won't listen to me?"
"No, I don't usually listen to it. This was originally reserved for her. If she has any friends who want to listen together, let me know and I'll ask them for it."
"Thank you, I'll give it to her when I get back."
"Don't mention it. If she ever wants to attend a concert in the future, she can let me know, and I should be able to help her get tickets."
Han Wenqing was at a loss for words at such enthusiasm. They had only met once, and their backgrounds were so different that they shouldn't have any particularly compatible topics to discuss.
Just as the weekly executive meeting was about to start, Han Wenqing excused himself and left.
Zhang Xinjie, on the other hand, listened attentively.
He remembered that he had just returned from Switzerland last week when he heard Shen Ning call Xu Xinnuan's name affectionately.
He hadn't paid much attention or asked much at the time, but now he was curious and couldn't help but ask, "When did you two become so close?"
Shen Ning was about to leave with the signed document when she was taken aback by this question.
"You believe those rumors about me and the captain?"
Realizing his question was ambiguous, Zhang Xinjie explained, "No, I meant you and your wife."
Chen Ning, who was on the verge of exploding, finally smiled with relief: "Let's start from when she gave me White Rabbit candy."
"sugar?"
"Hmm, it's quite sweet."
Zhang Xinjie wondered if it was just his imagination, but he felt that Shen Ning's faint smile carried a hint of joy.
This reminded him of those "strange friendships between girls" that he had read about online.
For example, holding hands and going to the restroom together.
It's been over a month since Shen Ning arrived, and she hasn't gotten along well with any of the girls in the company. But she seems to have hit it off with Xu Xinnuan, whom she met once.
It really is a strange friendship.
After confirming the documents that required his signature, Zhang Xinjie signed them all. Chen Ning, having nothing else to do, prepared to return to her office, but Zhang Xinjie called her back before she left.
"Power and connections allow you to make full use of them, but not for you to publicize them widely."
This sudden remark startled Shen Ning for a moment before she realized he was referring to what had just happened in the conference room.
How considerate and understanding! They didn't bring it up during the meeting, but reminded me privately afterward.
Shen Ning explained, "I know, this is an internal team meeting, everyone's on the same page."
"Even our own people need to be careful. If they get used to saying things like that, they might easily let something slip when they're chatting with others, or they might be overheard if they're not careful in their conversations."
Seeing his serious expression, Shen Ning couldn't help but tease him: "Do you still want videos of competitions from other countries?"
Zhang Xinjie didn't expect her to say that, and after a pause, he said, "...Yes."
"Then we won't accept any rebuttals."
"I'm not refuting your use of resources, I'm refuting your..."
Shen Ning immediately interrupted: "So you don't want it anymore?"
Faced with the "threat," Zhang Xinjie stared at her without changing his expression, and after a long while said, "Although I have said this to you before, I would like to say it again."
Shen Ning feigned innocence and blurted out, "I've never seen such an arrogant person with connections as me?"
The office fell silent for a moment, and Zhang Xinjie was completely speechless.
Shen Ning couldn't help but break into a big smile, almost bursting out laughing.
"Okay, thank you. I'll remember that and be more careful next time."
Then she took out a newly bought White Rabbit milk candy from her pants pocket, put it on Zhang Xinjie's table, and enthusiastically recommended it.
"Don't be fooled by the low price, it's really delicious."
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