Although Gu Xiaofei said she had paved the way for me, and although I knew she had enough confidence, I still felt extremely uneasy on the way.
It was inevitable that Gu Xiaofei would break all ties today, no matter what means she used.
But over the years, I had worked under Director Zhang and received many favors from him.
More importantly, the current sales manager had been with Director Zhang for over a decade and was one of his most trusted subordinates.
If we were to move against him, Director Zhang would definitely not agree, and the guy had been doing a decent job in the sales department.
From another perspective, if I were to take the position of sales manager and fail to deliver results, how would I explain it to Gu Xiaofei?
I knew what kind of person Gu Xiaofei was—useless people would likely be kicked aside by her.
With a conflicted heart, I drove Gu Xiaofei to Xingchang.
Since I was driving the boss's car, the security guards at the gate didn't stop us and even saluted me.
I knew they were showing respect for Zhang Zhiyuan.
The car stopped in front of the office building, and Gu Xiaofei stepped out.
She had changed into a professional outfit, looking dignified and elegant.
But I felt like a shadow, as if I had done something wrong.
Who could blame me? I'm a sentimental person.
Soon, Gu Xiaofei entered the office building, and I followed closely behind.
Her ultimate goal was, of course, to find Zhang Zhiyuan, and I guessed he might be in the workshop at the moment.
This boss of ours was quite hardworking, always rushing to the workshop whenever he had time.
I heard that the company was developing a new construction material, some kind of paint. If this material was successfully developed, it could potentially change the company's fate.
Zhang Zhiyuan was definitely not willing to go bankrupt.
When Gu Xiaofei arrived in front of Zhang Zhiyuan's office, I suddenly felt nervous.
Out of courtesy, Gu Xiaofei knocked on the office door.
At that moment, a young, innocent-looking girl walked out of another office. She looked at Gu Xiaofei, then at me, and asked, "Zhao Jian, who is this?"
Before I could answer, Gu Xiaofei looked the girl up and down and asked, "Little girl, I've never seen you before. Are you Zhang Zhiyuan's new mistress?"
In such a formal setting, saying something like this was indeed inappropriate.
I already understood that Gu Xiaofei's words showed she no longer had any respect for Zhang Zhiyuan.
In today's society, hardworking people always lose to those who play mind games. What I was facing was a bloody example.
The girl's face turned red with anger, and she retorted, "What are you talking about? I'm his secretary."
Gu Xiaofei sneered and said, "Secretary? Isn't that just a mistress?"
From Gu Xiaofei's perspective, her words weren't entirely out of line.
I had been with Zhang Zhiyuan for three years and had seen several secretaries, all of whom eventually became his mistresses.
Money was always the best way to lure women into bed.
In this company, all the women thought Zhang Zhiyuan was a wealthy, powerful boss.
Seeing Fang Xinyi's flushed face and her inability to speak, I sensed that she might be the only exception.
If she had no relationship with Zhang Zhiyuan, why would he make her his secretary and transfer Liu Jing, whom he had favored so much?
To defuse the situation, I said to Gu Xiaofei, "Sister Xiaofei, she's the new secretary Director Zhang hired. She doesn't know much, so please don't take it to heart."
Gu Xiaofei's gaze fell on Fang Xinyi again, and she began to scrutinize her carefully.
"You're quite a pretty girl. It seems that old lecher Zhang Zhiyuan must have taken a liking to you. Little sister, the waters of the workplace are deep, especially when it comes to understanding what kind of person your boss really is."
In my opinion, Gu Xiaofei's words weren't malicious, but Fang Xinyi didn't see it that way.
"Zhao Jian, who is this person? Why is she talking nonsense here?" Fang Xinyi began to question me.
As the general manager's secretary, she had some authority, at least over the security guards and drivers.
Hearing this, I felt conflicted because I didn't know how to respond.
Could I say that Gu Xiaofei was Zhang Zhiyuan's mistress?
Although many people knew about it behind the scenes, it was never something to be openly discussed, and it would offend Zhang Zhiyuan.
If I said Gu Xiaofei was a shareholder here, that would be even more inappropriate, as it would expose Zhang Zhiyuan's crisis.
After thinking for a moment, I said to Fang Xinyi, "Secretary Fang, she's here to see Director Zhang."
Fang Xinyi's angry expression gradually softened, and she said, "If you want to see Director Zhang, did you make an appointment?"
Gu Xiaofei snorted and said, "Do I need an appointment to see Zhang Zhiyuan?"
Fang Xinyi, of course, didn't understand the true meaning behind Gu Xiaofei's words. She just found Gu Xiaofei very strange and her tone overly arrogant.
"I'm sorry, Director Zhang is busy right now. Please come back another time."
For some reason, Fang Xinyi suddenly issued a dismissal.
I was stunned. A newly appointed general manager's secretary, without even clarifying the visitor's identity, dared to speak like this.
I couldn't help but admire Fang Xinyi's courage.
Even Gu Xiaofei began to look at Fang Xinyi with a bit more respect.
Gu Xiaofei said, "It seems you're just a fresh graduate, still naive about the workplace. Fine, I won't make things difficult for you. Just tell Zhang Zhiyuan that Gu Xiaofei is here to see him."
This was Gu Xiaofei giving Fang Xinyi a way out, but Fang Xinyi didn't take it.
"Director Zhang is currently meeting with a client and has no time to see you, Miss Gu. Please come back another time." Fang Xinyi repeated.
Hearing this, I was frantic. This girl really didn't understand the situation. Offending Gu Xiaofei was no joke.
Out of concern, I said to Fang Xinyi, "Miss Gu is a very good friend of Director Zhang. She's here today to discuss something important with him."
"No matter who wants to see Director Zhang, he's unavailable today." Fang Xinyi still refused.
At this point, I began to resent Zhang Zhiyuan. I couldn't understand why he would hire such a naive girl as his secretary.
Take Liu Jing, for example—she was much better at reading the room than Fang Xinyi. She would have handled this situation much more smoothly.
I waved my hand at Fang Xinyi and said, "Fine, I'll notify Director Zhang."
So, I took out my phone and called Director Zhang.
As soon as the call connected, I heard a lot of noise. I could tell that Director Zhang was in the workshop.
As the boss of this company, Zhang Zhiyuan always liked to be on the front lines. He was probably working hard in the workshop at that moment.
"Xiao Zhao, what's the matter?" Zhang Zhiyuan asked.
I really didn't want to say that Gu Xiaofei was at the company, but if I didn't, things would escalate.
So, I said, "Gu Xiaofei is here at the company. I couldn't stop her."
Zhang Zhiyuan was silent for a moment, then said, "Take good care of her. I'll be there soon."
After hanging up, I said to Gu Xiaofei, "Sister Xiaofei, Director Zhang said to wait in his office. He'll be here shortly."
Gu Xiaofei didn't say anything, but I knew she was satisfied with my performance today.
Ten minutes later, Zhang Zhiyuan hurried into the office.
When Gu Xiaofei saw Zhang Zhiyuan, she was somewhat surprised.
Zhang Zhiyuan was wearing a worn-out work uniform, covered in dust, looking like a laborer.
Gu Xiaofei looked him up and down and said, "You really go down to the workshop to work?"
Zhang Zhiyuan said, "The development of the new product is in its final stages. If I don't go down to the workshop myself, I can't be at ease. I have to oversee everything personally."
Gu Xiaofei said, "Director Zhang, what about the money you owe me? If you can't pay it back soon, I'll have to take legal action. If your assets get seized, don't blame me."
Hearing this, Zhang Zhiyuan's face fell, and he said, "Xiaofei, don't be so hasty. Our new product is almost ready. Once it hits the market, we'll make a lot of money quickly. Just give me six months, and I'll repay you with interest."
Having been with Zhang Zhiyuan for so long, I had never heard him speak so meekly.
It's true what they say—money can break even the strongest man.
Gu Xiaofei said, "Zhang Zhiyuan, my patience is limited. I can't wait six months—not even half a month. Unless you agree to one condition."
Seeing a glimmer of hope, Zhang Zhiyuan immediately said, "Xiaofei, whatever condition you have, I'll agree to it."
Gu Xiaofei pointed at me and said, "My condition is simple. I want to place someone in Xingchang."
Having been in the business world for so long, Zhang Zhiyuan understood the implications. Gu Xiaofei wanted to plant someone in Xingchang to spy on the new product's secrets.
Zhang Zhiyuan had already prepared for the worst. If Gu Xiaofei pushed too hard and took legal action, as long as he had the new product's secret, he could still make a comeback.
But if that secret was exposed, he would have nothing left.
However, in the current situation, he couldn't openly refuse Gu Xiaofei.
"Which department does Xiaofei want to place someone in?" Zhang Zhiyuan asked cautiously.
Gu Xiaofei pointed at me and said, "I want Zhao Jian to be the sales manager. Do you have any objections?"
Hearing this, I broke out in a cold sweat because this wasn't my intention at all.
To my surprise, Zhang Zhiyuan immediately agreed.
"Of course, no problem. I've always admired Zhao Jian's sales talent and wanted to promote him to sales manager. Now that Xiaofei has brought it up, it's perfect."
I was speechless. Since graduating from school, I had always been a driver. When did I ever have sales talent?