The following weeks at LI Corporation were a whirlwind for Mei-Yin. Li-Jie quickly established himself as an exacting and formidable leader, his cold demeanor earning him a reputation for ruthlessness. Yet, Mei-Yin couldn't shake the memory of her initial encounter with him, and she resolved to find a way to pierce through his icy exterior.
Mei-Yin began her efforts subtly. She started by leaving small, handwritten notes on his desk, each one carefully crafted to be both professional and personal. She'd write things like, "Hope you have a productive day," or "I believe in your vision for the company." Each time, Li-Jie would glance at the note, his expression unreadable, before discarding it without a word.
Undeterred, Mei-Yin took to bringing him his coffee each morning, knowing exactly how he liked it—black, with a single shot of espresso. But her attempts were met with cold indifference. Li-Jie would accept the cup without so much as a thank you, leaving it untouched on his desk until it went cold.
Their conversations were strictly business. During meetings, Mei-Yin would present her ideas with precision and confidence, hoping to earn his respect through her work. One day, after a particularly challenging presentation, Li-Jie called her into his office.
"Your proposal," he said, not looking up from his computer, "it lacks innovation. We need fresh ideas, not recycled concepts."
Mei-Yin swallowed her disappointment. "I understand, Mr. Li-Jie. I'll revise it and have a new draft on your desk by tomorrow morning."
He finally looked at her, his gaze piercing. "See that you do."
Outside his office, Mei-Yin's colleagues could sense her frustration. Hae Ra, her office rival, took particular delight in her failures. "Still trying to win him over?" she sneered. "You should just give up. He's never going to notice you."
But Mei-Yin's resolve only hardened. She began to stay late, working tirelessly to improve her ideas. She researched Li-Jie's past projects, trying to understand his vision for the company. She even took on additional responsibilities, hoping to prove her dedication.
One evening, as she was about to leave, she saw Li-Jie in the corridor. He looked surprised to see her still there. "Working late, Miss Mei-Yin?" he asked, his tone devoid of warmth.
"Yes, Mr. Li-Jie. I wanted to ensure the new proposal meets your expectations."
He nodded curtly. "I appreciate the effort. But remember, results are what matter."
Despite his harsh words, Mei-Yin felt a flicker of hope. At least he had acknowledged her effort. The next morning, she left another note on his desk, this time more personal: "Success is not just about results, but the journey. I hope we can work together to achieve great things."
Li-Jie read the note, his expression softening for a brief moment before he crumpled it and threw it away. But for the first time, Mei-Yin thought she saw a hint of something in his eyes—a crack in his icy facade.