20demayo Chapter 35 Change
Chapter 35 Change
The corridor was softly lit and quiet, and the afternoon breeze flowed slowly through the well-ventilated corridor, dispelling the lingering coolness of the morning.
The conversation in the office just now still echoed in my ears. Lin Chen's gentle and appreciative words and sudden recommendation still felt somewhat unreal when I thought about them.
"call--"
After walking a distance, Su Xiao gently exhaled a breath of stale air, turned her head to look at Wu Hongmei beside her, her brows and eyes revealing a mixture of trepidation and joy.
Wu Hongmei noticed her inner turmoil, slowed her pace, and softly comforted her, "Are you feeling both excited and nervous right now? I noticed you were very tense. You clearly wanted to seize this opportunity immediately, but you were also hesitant to accept it openly because you owed President Lin a favor, right?"
Su Xiao blushed slightly, her thoughts hit the mark, and nodded shyly: "Thank you, Hongmei. To be honest, to be able to jump from Tiancheng to the group headquarters and participate in a major project like the merger of five Tian-class companies is an opportunity I never dared to dream of."
"But then I thought about it again, and I felt even more uneasy." Su Xiao frowned slightly, her tone sincere yet conflicted. "President Lin helped me get back my Level 1 Cost Engineer certificate. You know how important this certificate is to me! This favor is so heavy that I don't know how to repay it. I came here today to thank him, but then he recommended me to the chairman. We're not related, but he helped me so much. I feel like I owe him too much."
Wu Hongmei gently took her arm and teased, "Then you should repay me with your body!"
Su Xiao gently pinched her waist, saying with a mix of embarrassment and annoyance, "Why have you been so unreliable lately! I'm seriously talking to you about something important!"
Wu Hongmei hurriedly feigned begging for mercy, crying out in pain:
"Okay, okay, I was wrong, Xiaoxiao. Let go, let go. Let's get down to business."
"Hmph, speak up, speak properly, or don't blame me for being ruthless."
Wu Hongmei said seriously, "You're just too naive and kind, Xiaoxiao! You don't need to worry too much. These things are difficult for us to do, but for a big shot like him, they're just a piece of cake! President Lin is a very good person, but if you don't have real talent or value to be appreciated, even if it's just a piece of cake for him, he might not help you. You want to owe him a favor, but he might not even bother with you."
"Think about it carefully. Did President Lin just specifically mention your past at Zhongjian? Did he praise you for adhering to the principle that 'a clean cost sheet means a clean project'?" Wu Hongmei asked seriously.
Su Xiao nodded.
"That's more like it!"
Wu Hongmei continued.
"He helped you get your cost engineer certificate back and recommended you for a transfer to headquarters. Part of it was because he valued your talent and character, and the other part was also due to his own considerations. Xiaoxiao, you are down-to-earth, honest, and capable; you are a rare talent. He put you in the merger team for a reason. Xiaoxiao, don't dwell on owing him favors. Keep a calm mind. As long as we work diligently and repay this trust with our abilities, I think that's what he wants, and it's the best way to repay him."
Su Xiao listened quietly to Wu Hongmei's analysis, and her mood suddenly brightened.
She is straightforward and pure in character, always distinguishing right from wrong and grateful for kindness, and not used to interpersonal relationships involving self-interest; but Wu Hongmei has been working in the headquarters' administrative positions for many years, and has seen a lot of the ups and downs of the workplace and the power struggles, so she has a much clearer and more realistic view of issues than she does.
"You're right," Su Xiao sighed softly. "I'm just too stubborn. I always feel like I can't repay people's kindness, and I'm always uneasy about it."
"Just relax," Wu Hongmei joked with a smile. "From now on, you'll be working at headquarters, which will make it easy for us to meet up and down the stairs. Isn't that much more comfortable than being stuck in that office building next to the Tiancheng construction site every day? Once you successfully complete the merger of the Tianzi subsidiary, you'll definitely be given important responsibilities. I'll definitely be eager to curry favor with you then!"
"Haha, okay, then you can cling to my leg all by yourself."
The two chatted as they walked, and soon reached the elevator. Looking sincerely into Wu Hongmei's eyes, Su Xiao said, "Hongmei, thank you so much!"
Wu Hongmei smiled and said, "Xiaoxiao, why are we being so polite? I believe you would do your best to help me if it were me."
"Haha, then I'll treat you to dinner tonight. Don't sneak away halfway through this time, ask your partner for leave, and stay at my place tonight. We'll have a good drink!"
After the two parted ways, Wu Hongmei returned to her office and rested for a while before receiving a call asking her to go to the chairman's office.
Zhao Xiankun was looking at documents at his desk when he saw Wu Hongmei walk in. He raised his hand to signal her and said to her in a calm tone:
"Don't stand, sit down and talk."
"Thank you, Chairman."
Zhao Xiankun looked at her and slowly said:
"I remember you and Su Xiao were classmates in college?"
"Yes, Chairman, Su Xiao and I were classmates in college and have a very good relationship."
Zhao Xiankun nodded.
"Then you must know her very well!"
Zhao Xiankun asked directly, "What do you think of her?"
Wu Hongmei replied earnestly, "Chairwoman, Su Xiao is very outstanding. She was the most hardworking and diligent student in her class when she was in college."
Zhao Xiankun smiled but did not reply.
She then asked, "Are you very familiar with General Manager Lin? He said you are good friends."
Wu Hongmei was a little nervous and dared not hide anything, so she honestly said:
"Mr. Lin, you flatter me. We've only met a few times and can't be considered good friends."
"The reason we went to Mr. Lin's office this time is because he did Su Xiao a big favor, and Su Xiao wanted to thank him in person. We had no other way to find Mr. Lin, so we could only go to his office to find him."
Zhao Xiankun gazed at her silently for a long time, seeing her frank expression and earnest words. He slowly nodded: "So that's how it is."
He was very satisfied with Wu Hongmei's answer, and he became somewhat interested in her.
"You also studied civil engineering in college?"
"Yes, Chairman, I majored in civil engineering as an undergraduate. After graduation, I interned at a construction site for a year, and then I was admitted to Renmin University for graduate studies, majoring in human resource management. After graduating with my master's degree, I joined the group's human resources department."
Zhao Xiankun's eyebrows twitched slightly, a hint of surprise flashed in his eyes, and his tone carried a mixture of astonishment and admiration.
"Oh? You're also a graduate student at Renmin University? It's really hard to get into Renmin University's graduate program!"
"So you're saying you understand both on-site operations and management? You're a rare multi-talented individual!"
Wu Hongmei was somewhat flattered, and a glimmer of light appeared between her brows.
"Thank you, Chairman."
"You might not know this, but I'm also a graduate student at Renmin University. In a way, I'm your senior!" Zhao Xiankun said with a smile.
Wu Hongmei was a little stunned, surprised and delighted. The corners of her mouth involuntarily turned up with a shy smile of disbelief. She looked up at Zhao Xiankun with a newfound sense of closeness in her eyes.
"Go ahead and work hard. If you encounter any difficulties at work, feel free to come to me."
Zhao Xiankun waved his hand, the slight doubt in his eyes dissipating. It seemed Lin Chen's recommendation of Su Xiao was simply a recommendation of talent. This Su Xiao seemed quite capable; Lin Chen and Wang Yang both thought highly of her, perhaps she could be given an important position.
The office lobby of Tiancheng Company was bustling with activity in the afternoon.
Su Xiao bid farewell to Wu Hongmei and returned to Tiancheng.
When Du Juan at the front desk saw her return, she immediately leaned over and asked in a low voice with curiosity, "Sister Xiaoxiao, where did you go at noon? I didn't see you all noon. I thought you went out on fieldwork."
"No, I have something to do at noon, I'm going to visit a friend."
"Oh, I see! Is he your boyfriend?" Du Juan asked with a gossipy look on her face.
"No, I'm sorry to disappoint you, we're just ordinary friends," Su Xiao said irritably.
Back at my workstation, looking at the familiar files, piles of cost reports, and accounting drafts on my desk, I was overwhelmed with mixed feelings.
The thought of leaving soon filled her with a sudden pang of reluctance. She hadn't worked there for long, but in that short time, she had deeply experienced the warmth and coldness of human relationships and encountered many unforgettable things.