Meanwhile, after rejecting the PR Department, He Xiaoyuan returned to his desk, sitting in front of his computer, motionless.
He focused intently on the project files, one hand on the mouse, scrolling, the other hand resting on his chin, his face full of thoughtful concentration.
Project team, project team.
He thought of a way he might still be able to get involved with the project team…
The next day, when the HR manager refreshed the list of management trainees’ applications, he was shocked to see He Xiaoyuan’s latest choice—he nearly jumped out of his chair.
Business and Client Services Department?
The manager was baffled: how did He Xiaoyuan discover such an obscure department?
He Xiaoyuan explained: “From the project files.”
On the 11th-floor terrace, when he had met Lu Chen and talked about his new choice of department, he had answered just that.
He elaborated on how he discovered it: “The materials Lu Ge gave me were extremely detailed. Sometimes you can see what the collaborating departments did—everything’s clearly documented.”
“Then I noticed that, for almost every project, besides the project team itself, the Business and Client Services Department is always involved.”
“Almost all of them.”
Lu Chen was very surprised at He Xiaoyuan’s discovery, and at the same time, couldn’t help but think the young man beside him was exceptionally clever and perceptive.
How could he notice that? The files must have been so detailed, and the young man’s attention to detail so sharp, to uncover this kind of pattern.
Lu Chen didn’t show it on his face, but his gaze remained fixed on He Xiaoyuan. He asked, “Have you looked into Business and Client Services?”
Since he had already explored the Finance and PR Departments, he shouldn’t be entirely unfamiliar with this new department either.
He Xiaoyuan nodded, his expression serious, as if in work mode: “It wasn’t easy to inquire, but fortunately, I managed to ask around.”
Lu Chen kept watching him patiently: “Mm?”
He Xiaoyuan smiled. “Lu Ge, since you’re in the project team, you probably know Business and Client Services better than I do, right?”
Lu Chen replied gently: “Mm, yes. But I want to hear how you found out.”
He Xiaoyuan smiled, glanced out over the terrace, then turned back to Lu Chen, eyes bright as he said, “I mobilized the people.”
He had asked the entire team for help, even called in Zhu Xuanmin from HR, and coordinated with Group Three, who were wrapping up rotations.
With everyone working together, within half a day they gathered some information about Business and Client Services. Later, when the HR manager came to discuss placements with He Xiaoyuan, they even mentioned Business and Client Services proactively.
Business and Client Services—full name: Business Collaboration and Client Services.
It was established four years ago, and originally the department had only one person: Yang Yun.
Yang Yun, though low-key, had previously held a high-profile position—Executive CEO and Vice President at Spreiss.
He Xiaoyuan said, “I heard that Mr. Yang voluntarily stepped down for personal reasons, but in these years, I’ve seen him still participating in projects, and many documents bear his signature.”
He continued, “The department, like the project team, doesn’t appear in the OA directory. I suspect it was created specifically for Mr. Yang. I don’t know the details, but I think joining Business and Client Services, working under Mr. Yang, might be a way to get involved in project team work.”
He continued, “I’ve already spoken with the supervisor. They’ve gone to ask Mr. Yang on my behalf. If he agrees, I’ll go to Business and Client Services.”
He Xiaoyuan said this with determination written across his face.
Lu Chen looked at him. “You said yourself, Business and Client Services was probably created specifically for Mr. Yang, and now he’s stepped down. Aren’t you worried that the department is just a sinecure, and that after going there, you might find there’s no real future?”
He Xiaoyuan considered carefully and shook his head first. “Judging from the number of project documents signed by Mr. Yang, he’s clearly not just retired.”
Then he nodded again and spoke matter-of-factly, “Of course I’m worried. But I don’t think any management trainee can be 100% sure that the department they’re assigned to will guarantee good development or a clear promotion path. Even the best department might not have management positions open, and you could end up waiting for years on the sidelines.”
His gaze was steady, his demeanor calm. “You only find out after going.”
He looked back at Lu Chen and smiled. “Don’t worry, the decision is mine, and I’ll accept whatever outcome.”
He shrugged. “If things really don’t work out, I can always change roles.”
He smiled again. “If it still doesn’t work, I can always switch jobs.”
Lu Chen remained silent for a moment, captivated by the young man’s natural confidence and openness.
Though Lu Chen had seen it all before, nothing usually surprised him, yet at this moment he felt his heart skip a beat, a light, tingling sensation coursing through him.
It was a vague feeling, yet clear to him—he was moved.
Unable to restrain himself, he spoke: “Do you want to hear my suggestion?”
He Xiaoyuan turned his head and nodded. “Sure, I’d like to hear it.”
Lu Chen looked into his eyes. “Then go to Business and Client Services. Once you’re there, I’ll speak with Yang Yun and arrange for you to be seconded to the project team.”
The words were direct, straightforward, and took He Xiaoyuan completely by surprise. His heart fluttered slightly at the thought of someone deliberately looking out for him.
This was a new feeling for He Xiaoyuan. Growing up under ordinary circumstances, without relatives or anyone to specially watch over him, he had learned to rely on himself for everything.
Even though Lu Chen had always been kind to him, and he had felt a bit embarrassed by it, now hearing this—an offer to actively arrange him into the project team—he felt, for the first time, that he could depend on someone.
He met Lu Chen’s gaze, feeling this unfamiliar warmth stir in his chest.
When he realized their eye contact was lingering longer than usual between colleagues, he quickly looked away, embarrassed.
“I-I don’t think that would be appropriate,” he stammered.
Lu Chen’s gaze remained on him, smiling gently. “There’s nothing inappropriate here. It’s just a matter of management level.”
He added, “You’re just hesitant to ask. If you had asked to join the project team, to see if I could help you move, that would have worked too.”
He Xiaoyuan paused, again surprised, and looked back at Lu Chen.
Lu Chen teased him lightly: “Want to give it a try?”
He even said, “Don’t worry. The position is there. I won’t make it difficult for you.”
Without thinking, He Xiaoyuan shook his head repeatedly, showing his usual earnestness.
Lu Chen advised: “You need to understand that sometimes in work, relationships and connections are also a form of hard skill.”
He Xiaoyuan, eyes pure, muttered, “Then I’ll wait until I’ve learned enough to ask.”
Lu Chen smiled, his expression full of tolerance. “Alright, I’ll wait for you.”
As He Xiaoyuan met Lu Chen’s gaze again, beyond thinking once more how good Lu Chen was to him, he also noticed the aura of someone in a high position—calm, composed, steady in any situation, even when smiling, exuding authority.
He Xiaoyuan, who had rarely encountered such a figure in life or work, couldn’t help but look up at him, subconsciously wondering: if Lu Chen is this composed and gentle at work, what is he like in private?
“Mm?” Seeing He Xiaoyuan looking at him, Lu Chen glanced back.
He Xiaoyuan restrained his expression, holding up his cup as if to indicate, “This is really bitter.”
He could barely drink the cup Lu Chen had brought him today.
Lu Chen smiled warmly. “Hand-brewed coffee is like that. Next time, I’ll add some milk and sugar for you.”
He Xiaoyuan forced himself to take a very small sip, since Lu Chen had made it for him personally.
“I’ll skip the sugar,” he said.
“Alright, no sugar,” Lu Chen agreed.
Back at his desk, He Xiaoyuan placed the third washed cup alongside the previous two, looking at them with a small smile—his little collection of cups was growing.
I hope Lu Ge isn’t hoarding all the project team cups here, he thought.
Meanwhile, Lu Chen returned to the President’s Office. Just before entering, he ran into Qiao Sixing, who was walking past, reading a file.
Lu Chen spoke first: “Have Yang Yun come by my office when he has time.”
Qiao Sixing nodded. “Alright.”
He paused, watching Lu Chen walk past, then asked, “Is it something specific?”
Lu Chen’s tone was calm and even, not looking back as he said, “Nothing in particular. Just have him come over for tea.”
?
Qiao Sixing didn’t quite understand the intention behind it.
Had Old Yang made some mistake that required being “invited over for tea”?
Before the end of the day, He Xiaoyuan received the confirmation on OA that his department transfer application had been approved.
His heart, which had been anxiously hanging on the department assignment, finally settled. Feeling happy, he turned to inform his teammates: “My application got approved.”
“Yoooo~!”
“Success!?”
“YES! Congratulations!”
Everyone else was genuinely happy for him.
He Xiaoyuan then sent a message to Xu Ruomeng and Lu Chen.
Xu Ruomeng replied quickly: 【Charge.jpg. Let’s go to the project team——!】
Lu Chen’s response came as a voice message. He Xiaoyuan put on his earphones, and Lu Chen’s deep, magnetic voice flowed through the headset: “Mm, I’ll save a good spot for you in the project team.”
He Xiaoyuan replied with a smile to Xu Ruomeng: 【Charge.jpg】
And jokingly to Lu Chen: 【A good spot? With especially good feng shui?】
Yuan Miao came over and patted He Xiaoyuan’s shoulder. “The assignment’s confirmed. Feeling relieved now, right? How about we grab some food together tonight?”
He Xiaoyuan turned to him. “Sure, a small group.”
Yuan Miao enumerated: “Some already left. Just the five of us—You, me, Chuan Chuan (Zou Fanping), Jiang Jie (Jiang Weiwei), and Xiao Hua (Xin Rui).”
He Xiaoyuan nodded. “Sounds good.”
Looking at his phone, he saw Lu Chen’s text reply: 【Close to me.】
It made him chuckle.
Yuan Miao raised his hand, signaling everyone: “Let’s go, eat!”
During the meal, when they started talking about the scoring, He Xiaoyuan only then remembered the 400,000 reward.
Yuan Miao said, “Two first-place winners. They won’t split the prize equally, right?”
Jiang Weiwei replied, “Didn’t you forget? There’s also the group score. They’ll surely consider that.”
Xin Rui added, “Yeah, I think they’ll distinguish between first and second.”
Zou Fanping grinned: “Do you have confidence, Xiao Yuan?”
He Xiaoyuan honestly said, “If it were someone else, maybe. But Qin Chengfei? No chance.”
Everyone else sighed in unison.
Zou Fanping encouraged him: “Confidence, big handsome!”
He Xiaoyuan, in a good mood, joked: “Well, I’m confident I can beat him in looks.”
Xin Rui teased: “What if they judge character too?”
Yuan Miao nodded: “Exactly!”
Jiang Weiwei firmly stated: “First place and the prize are definitely yours!”
The other three agreed: “Exactly!”
He Xiaoyuan thought to himself that he hoped so too—400,000 would finally clear his debts.
But compared to moving to Business and Client Services, or the earlier assignment hiccups, he was now calm. First place and the reward weren’t the top priority.
He would take it if it came, and not stress if it didn’t. After all, his management trainee salary could still cover his debts.
The next day, he arrived at the office to be notified by HR that the 400,000 would be issued as a bonus within three working days.
He Xiaoyuan was shocked—9.2 scores across the board, and he was awarded first place?
His teammates in the first group went wild: “Xiao Yuan! First place! It’s you!!!!”
Even the third group, seeing the news in the chat, shouted: 【You really KO’d Group Two! Too cool!】
Only He Xiaoyuan was stunned.
First place?
Me? First?