Was he going home for a blind date yesterday?
Why was he keeping his distance from himself as soon as he returned?
Jiang Jingyu hung up the phone, feeling dejected.
After more than an hour at work, he habitually checked his phone several times. There were no messages.
He endured until ten o'clock, then, unable to bear his strong longing, went over to Zhang Yang's desk and beckoned him.
"Come with me to International Marketing."
Zhang Yang stood up with him and asked behind him.
"Why the sudden urge to visit International Marketing?"
"Their performance this quarter has been good, and they're going to be assigned a large project next. I should go and praise them, and perhaps offer some encouragement?"
Zhang Yang knew his intentions were not as simple as they seemed, but he didn't dare to expose him, and readily agreed.
Upon arriving at International Marketing, everyone was typing away furiously at their keyboards.
It was Jiang Jingyu's first time there, but he spotted Tong An'an in the crowd at a glance.
Her desk was in a corner at the back. While others had many potted plants and small ornaments on their desks, making them look cozy and cute, hers was bare, with several thick stacks of files and documents in front of her.
She was reading the documents, with a large dictionary open beside her, her head bowed in concentration.
Because everyone was working diligently, no one noticed him.
Jiang Jingyu stood by the door without moving. Zhang Yang went in and clapped his hands.
"Everyone, please pause for a moment! Because our department performed exceptionally well last quarter, President Jiang has personally come to visit. Please give him a warm round of applause!"
Everyone turned to look. Seeing the dashing Jiang Jingyu, they excitedly stood up, clapping enthusiastically with genuine happiness on their faces.
Only Tong An'an, following the crowd, stood up. Seeing Jiang Jingyu, whom she knew all too well, she had the same expression as if waiting for a leader's lecture.
Jiang Jingyu walked to the center of the office and delivered some perfunctory pleasantries. Then, he spoke about the upcoming project, stating it would be arduous and urging everyone to be prepared for tough battles, but also promising generous rewards, thereby greatly encouraging them.
Upon hearing this, the crowd buzzed. This project was that big? Even if it was difficult, it was worth it!
They began to whisper amongst themselves.
When she heard discussions related to money, Tong An'an's eyes finally lit up.
Her large, watery eyes blinked as she stared intently at Jiang Jingyu's mouth.
Until Jiang Jingyu said, "You've all worked hard. I don't have any other prizes to offer you. I've heard that girls love sweets, so for the next week, every day at lunch, Assistant Zhang will order a cup of milk tea for each of you. Keep up the good work. I believe in you."
The entire office erupted in excitement.
With a satisfied smile from Tong An'an, Jiang Jingyu turned and left International Marketing.
After he left, Zhang Yang delivered a cup of milk tea to each person. Everyone happily posted on social media to show off, and then began discussing the project he had mentioned.
Seeing their high spirits and anticipation for the project, the supervisor called a brief impromptu meeting to explain it.
"I haven't told you about it yet because many things were still uncertain and only finalized a couple of days ago. I had planned to announce it in a few days, but I didn't expect President Jiang to tell you himself. So, let's talk about this project."
"The project aims to expand the company's international influence and is the second major trial to deeply penetrate the African market with smart products."
"The chosen location is a country in the central part of South Africa. While its economic conditions are relatively better than its surrounding countries, they cannot be compared to our country. In fact, they are worlds apart."
"Moreover, nothing is ready yet. It's like pioneering new territory, starting from scratch. Although the various subsidies and allowances will be more generous, you must be prepared for long-term commitment on the front lines and possess the spirit of enduring hardship."
International Marketing originally had male employees, but due to the company's extensive international business, they were mostly sent abroad to spare the female colleagues from hardship.
As a result, only female employees remained internally.
Initially, the plan was to recruit a few male employees this time, but the girls performed better, once again disrupting the plan.
Therefore, if this project were to be put on the agenda, it would have to be undertaken by female colleagues.
Upon hearing that it was to South Africa and that they would have to commit long-term, several local girls from Nancheng immediately lost interest in the project.
"That place is so chaotic. You can get robbed in broad daylight, let alone at night. It's too dangerous to go out. The food is bad, the sleep is bad, there's no entertainment, and it's dirty, messy, and plagued with diseases. I'm not going."
"No matter how much they pay, I'm afraid I'll earn it but not get to spend it. Whoever wants to go can go."
"Exactly. I thought it was a good job, worth President Jiang coming down himself to announce. Turns out it's this kind of thing. The boss's rhetoric is really something."
Everyone whispered their disinterest in the project, but Tong An'an was extremely interested.
Not for any other reason than the annual salary of 900,000 yuan.
For her, 600,000 yuan, given her internship salary of only 5,000 yuan a month, was an astronomical sum.
She even calculated in her mind that working for two years would exceed her parents' lifetime savings.
Not only could she pay for her father's medical treatment, but she could also buy a house for her brother. How wonderful!
She considered this a very worthwhile deal, so after the meeting, while everyone else returned to their work, she followed the supervisor into the office.
"Boss, if I want to participate in this project, what preparations do I need to make?"
Although she hadn't been there for long, she worked diligently and conscientiously every day, was honest, and had even been personally praised by the president. Frankly, leaders favored such employees.
However, this particular job wouldn't work out.
It was precisely because she was too honest. He feared she wouldn't be able to handle it and would be bullied.
So the supervisor sincerely advised her.
"Don't even think about this project. You're not suitable."
Tong An'an's newly ignited hope was instantly extinguished. She asked her leader in surprise why she wasn't suitable.
"Is it because I didn't graduate with an English major? But I passed the CET-4 and CET-6 smoothly in college, and I always received scholarships. My daily conversations are fine."
"There is indeed a deficiency in professional aspects, but I have been working hard. I believe that as soon as I am exposed to practical work, I will improve rapidly."
The leader told her honestly, "I'm not questioning your work ability, but your social skills. The chaos in that place is beyond your imagination. Women are already at a disadvantage, and with your personality, you will suffer if you go."
But Tong An'an was very determined.
"I'm not afraid. As long as the company trusts me and assigns me the work, I'm willing to endure any hardship."
"Just tell me what I need to do to qualify for this job, please, boss."