As soon as I entered the company gates, the pretty receptionist told me that the boss urgently needed to see me. It must be about the project. I gave up my usual habit of chatting with the pretty receptionist and hurried to the boss's office.
From the moment I stepped in, I could feel the oppressive atmosphere in the air.
"Lu Fei, how is the project progressing?"
"It's going smoothly. The plan was discussed and approved last time. The project team members have been confirmed, responsibilities are clear, and we are now in the implementation phase."
"Good," the boss nodded and pondered for a moment before asking, "Do you think you have the ability to excel in this project?"
Why would the boss ask such a question? Has he lost confidence in me? Should I be honest?
My mind raced. People need to learn to face themselves. It's better to admit it now than to mess up later. I braced myself and said, "I think I still have some shortcomings. After all, I don't have actual experience with such large projects. Although I've participated in a few, I am currently not fully capable."
The boss nodded. "Very good, you have a clear understanding of yourself." This affirmation from the boss eased my mind a bit. What he said next made me understand my position more clearly.
"Lu Fei, your current abilities don't fully match your position and salary. Yet, I still placed you in this position. Do you know why? Because you remind me of my younger self. I see great potential and good qualities in you. With effort, you could even surpass my achievements." (Our boss started his business at 23, made his first million by 27, and now at 34, he's worth nearly a hundred million. I am about the age he was when he made his first million, yet I am still far from that milestone. Perhaps he should consider giving me a million first to boost my confidence. Even in such a critical moment, I can't control my "active" mind.) "So, I hope you can quickly understand the company's operations, continuously improve your abilities, and grow to be a reliable assistant."
I didn't know what to say, so I could only look at the boss gratefully. This wasn't an act; it was a genuine feeling from the bottom of my heart. I think many people can understand this emotion.
The boss went on to explain that the company's major shareholder is Taiwanese, and he is only the second largest shareholder. The Taiwanese boss sent a deputy general manager to oversee finance and human resources. This deputy had long been dissatisfied with me, believing that the boss was giving me too high a salary. This has led to the current situation, meaning I need to prove my abilities with this project. When someone faces a situation beyond their control, it's natural to feel anxious or even want to escape. That's how I feel now. Managing an entire project involves considering many aspects, which is not my strong suit. When I was a child learning piano, I could never learn to play different melodies with both hands, so I chose to give up.
But can I give up this time? Even if I wanted to give up on myself, I couldn't abandon the boss's trust in me. I somewhat understand why ancient people talked about repaying the debt of gratitude for being recognized. If I lived in ancient times, I might be a famous strategist under some lord. This is getting too far-fetched.
Dragging my tired body home, maybe Ran Jing's lovely smile could ease my tense nerves.
I got home and saw a note on the dining table.
Pig:
I have an early flight tomorrow, so I went to bed. I made dinner; remember to eat. I washed your clothes; they're hanging outside. I'll be back in three days, so remember to bring them in. I paid the water and electricity bills today. There are drinks and snacks in the fridge, all your favorites. Do well on your project. I'm looking forward to your good news.
Little girl
Today
She actually did everything I jokingly mentioned yesterday. I felt so happy and a bit overwhelmed. The little girl said she's waiting for my good news. It's just a project, after all. Everyone learns from scratch. I've been through a few projects myself. With the encouragement from such a beautiful girl, how could I not feel motivated? Don't dismiss the power of attraction; sometimes it's the greatest source of motivation. If I don't achieve something, how can I be worthy of her? Talented men and beautiful women—she already has the looks, now I just need to catch up on the talent part.
I felt motivated. Whether it's the boss's appreciation or the admiration of a beautiful girl (even if it's not necessarily admiration, let's call it that for the sake of symmetry), I need to take this project seriously and give it my all. A man needs two things: career and a woman. This battle concerns both my career and my love life. I must give it my best.
With this decision, my stomach growled. First, I'll eat, then make a cup of coffee, snack while watching a DVD to relax, and vent some stress in the game. Tomorrow, I'll start working hard. (Is this really your way of working hard?)