With a panoramic view of the city that shimmered in the late afternoon sun, the boardroom was sleek and contemporary.
With her fingers tapping uncomfortably on the shiny table, Xia Yi sat at the table.
She started working with He Shihan today, and there was a lot of excitement in the air.
He Shihan came in with a compelling and dominating presence. His athletic form and sharp features were emphasized by the fitted suit he wore.
As their eyes locked, Xia Yi's gut churned, but she instantly composed herself. This was not a social event; it was business.
He said calmly, "Good afternoon, Xia Yi," and sat down across from her.
"I trust you're ready to discuss our strategy?"
"Of course," she said, sitting up straighter.
"After reading the market study, I think we ought to concentrate on the younger audience. Their influence in the market is growing.
His countenance was laced with doubt as he arched an eyebrow.
Even Nevertheless, the bulk of purchasing power is still held by the older generation. We must make an effort to please everyone.
With a wave of annoyance, Xia Yi leaned forward.
However, we run the risk of becoming outdated if we serve the elder generation without considering the younger audience! According to an article I read—"
He interrupted, "Articles can be misleading," in a firm voice.
"Experience in the field counts for more than trends in a blog post."
As the tension between them increased, Xia Yi tightened her jaw.
Experience does not imply disregard for the younger generation. We cannot continue using antiquated tactics. We have an opportunity to innovate here.
The eyes of He Shihan narrowed a little.
"And it's also a chance to fail spectacularly if we disregard the established customer base."
Between them, there was silence, and the air was heavy with unsaid difficulties. At that moment, Xia Yi recognized that her idealism and his pragmatism were headed for conflict.
She saw a glimmer of something more, though, a connection that throbbed under their intense interactions despite the stress.
"Look," Xia Yi murmured, attempting to deflect the increasing tension.
"How about we reach a compromise? We can develop a two-pronged approach that successfully addresses both groups.
He took a time to consider what she had said. At last, there was a little grin on his lips.
"Now that's the kind of collaboration I can get behind."
His smile, a burst of warmth that broke through their previous tension, made her heart accelerate.
"So, we can agree on a two-pronged approach?"
When he said, "Agreed," his voice became more formal.
"But we need to set some ground rules."
"Rules?" With an arched eyebrow, Xia Yi repeated.
"We work together to create a coherent strategy after first presenting our views independently. Second, we must not reject one another's opinions without sound justification," he said, his eyes glimmering with laughter.
Finally, let's maintain a courteous demeanor. Don't yell."
The tension eased as she gave a little laugh.
"I'm willing to accept that. But I can be really convincing, so you might want to get ready."
He said, "I'd expect nothing less," with a tone of challenge.
The initial uneasiness turned into a lively interchange of ideas as they started brainstorming.
By opposing one another's opinions and fostering a culture of competition, they counterbalanced one another.
The argument turned out to be more enjoyable than Xia Yi had anticipated.
He Shihan reclined back in his chair after a heated hour of conversation, obviously impressed.
"I'll admit, you surprised me today."
With a sigh of satisfaction, Xia Yi grinned.
"And you didn't scare me away either."
When he added, "Maybe this partnership has potential after all," a glimmer of appreciation sprang in his eyes.
As they came to an end, Xia Yi couldn't get rid of the impression that their partnership was the start of something big, not just for their project but also for the intricate bond and difficult connection they were developing.
She proposed, "To finalize our ideas, let's meet again tomorrow."
"Deal," he said in a silky voice.
Xia Yi was both excited and uneasy as she walked out of the boardroom.
Although their personalities may not mesh well, their newfound friendship may result in unanticipated success in their personal and professional lives.