Chapter Four: Difficulties in the Second Round and the Wisdom of Response
The joyous news of passing the second interview struck Zhang Liang like a thunderclap on a spring day, suddenly erupting into his life and sweeping him into a vortex of euphoria. In the days that followed, he walked as if the wind itself were at his feet. The once ordinary flowers, trees, and shrubs of the campus seemed to don a dreamlike vibrancy, swaying in graceful rhythm as though celebrating his hard-earned, reclaimed victory. Each time he thought of it, his heart felt as if gently squeezed by a warm, powerful hand, stirring waves of emotion and hope within him. His mind's eye frequently conjured images of himself making a grand debut at Hongyu Group, returning home in triumph, while the dim, bitter memories of his past career only made the present brilliance feel all the more precious. However, the wheel of time shows no mercy, and before he could revel in the joy of his success, his first day at work arrived, rushing toward him like a speeding train, its arrival undeniable.
On his first day, as the sky began to light with the faint glow of dawn, the morning mist appeared as a delicate, gossamer veil, shimmering softly through the window. Zhang Liang awoke early, springing from his dreams, and stood before the mirror, his eyes filled with solemnity and anticipation. His fingers, as though handling a rare treasure, meticulously adjusted the fresh suit, smoothing every wrinkle with care, as if preparing armor for a battlefield. As he adjusted, he mentally repeated: "Today marks the beginning of a new journey, the true debut of my 'combat' after rebirth. The past is but smoke in the wind; before me lies a world where I must firmly plant my feet, create remarkable results, and prove myself to those who once underestimated me!" But despite the determination in his heart, a restless feeling, like a small, uneasy creature, occasionally bumped against his chest, bringing with it a sense of unease.
When Zhang Liang stepped through the doors of Hongyu Group, a towering modern office building stood before him, its glass facade gleaming under the unrelenting sunlight, blindingly bright and cold. It resembled an immense mirror, reflecting the clear blue sky and drifting clouds, yet also appeared as an imposing fortress, stern and unapproachable, silently scrutinizing every small figure entering and exiting, whether driven by dreams or ambition. Stepping into the lobby, the polished marble floor reflected his every step, each echo amplifying the loneliness and anxiety of the moment. Around him, meticulously arranged greenery added a touch of life, but even in the verdant surroundings, the air thickened with palpable tension and a near-physical sense of urgency. Employees hurried past, some with files in hand, their brows furrowed as they whispered to each other, while others, eyes fixed on their phones, wore expressions of anxious urgency as if anticipating the world's end. It was as if the whole place were a silent war zone, preparing for an imminent battle.
With a mix of nerves and excitement, Zhang Liang made his way to the marketing department. As soon as he stepped into the office space, he felt an invisible weight descend upon him, like a powerful wave crashing against his body. The open-plan office stretched before him, workstations lined up in strict order, computer screens flashing harsh, cold light, and piles of documents stacked high like daunting mountains. His colleagues' eyes turned toward him, their gazes as cold and penetrating as X-ray beams, scanning him from head to toe, full of curiosity, suspicion, and indifference. It felt as though he were standing exposed in front of them, vulnerable and exposed, as if naked under their scrutiny.
Just then, a sharp, mocking voice broke the silence, like an arrow cutting through the tension. "Well, well, look at the new guy. He seems all prim and proper, but I wonder if there's anything of substance beneath the surface. I hope he doesn't drag our department down. Nowadays, too many college grads have big ideas but no practical skills." It was Li Qiang, lounging back in his chair with his legs propped up, his posture reminiscent of a small-time thug ruling his turf. His lips curled into a sneer, and his eyes were filled with disdain and contempt, clearly relishing the opportunity to assert his dominance and belittle the newcomer.
A knot tightened in Zhang Liang's chest. His heart seemed to clench in an invisible fist, a sharp pang of discomfort coursing through him, and he could feel a bead of sweat form on his palm. Yet, his face remained adorned with a polite smile, a smile that felt forced, as though his very skin were straining to hold it in place. He bowed slightly, his voice calm but firm: "Senior, you're too kind. I'm just a novice entering the workplace, still figuring things out. I'll rely on the guidance of experienced colleagues like you. If you have any valuable advice, I'd be grateful to learn from you." His words were sincere, not humble or arrogant, but inside, his thoughts swirled like a tempest. This is only the beginning, and already I'm facing this kind of challenge. If this is how things start, the road ahead will surely be full of thorns. But, since I'm here, I'll make the best of it. With the system and my past experiences, I'll handle whatever comes my way.
Just as Zhang Liang was contemplating, the team leader, Chen Feng, stormed out of his office with quick, heavy steps, exuding an undeniable authority. His expression was as cold and hard as iron, his eyes sweeping over the room like an eagle, finally landing on Zhang Liang. His voice was low and firm, carrying an oppressive weight: "Zhang Liang, stop dawdling. Get to the conference room now. There's an urgent project to discuss. Today is your 'trial by fire.' If you perform well, there will be endless opportunities for you. If you fail, don't blame me for not being kind. I won't hesitate to show you the door." With that, he turned sharply and strode toward the conference room, his footsteps echoing like the howling winds of an impending storm.
Zhang Liang took a deep breath, the air thick and heavy in his chest as he steeled himself for what lay ahead. He straightened his tie and walked confidently behind, each step feeling like it was walking on a taut string, as if every movement were precise and deliberate. He silently recited the system's advice: "When facing difficulty, remember: 'Softness overcomes hardness.' Move forward with flexibility and use wisdom to break through. Never act rashly. Like water, find a way around obstacles, filling the gaps and using subtle strength to resolve the situation."
In the conference room, the atmosphere was as cold as ice, with the walls seemingly coated in frost. Around the long, oval-shaped table sat the core members of the department, their expressions stern, their eyes sharp as they scrutinized him like wolves in the dark, ready to pounce on their prey. The projector displayed a detailed case study of a smart home product—data and images filled the screen, dense and complex, like an elaborate spider's web laid out before him, threatening to trap his thoughts.
Chen Feng cleared his throat, the sound piercing through the silence like a sharp blade. "Zhang Liang, this product is in serious trouble. Sales have plummeted by 60% over the past three months, with customer complaints soaring to 50%. The product is seen as ineffective and overly complicated, and after-sales costs are excessively high. The higher-ups have ordered us to turn this around in the shortest time possible. What are your thoughts? You have ten minutes."
The room fell into an oppressive silence, so still that the sound of a pin dropping would have been audible. All eyes were fixed on Zhang Liang, as though waiting for him to fail. Their gazes were heavy, like a hundred-pound weight pressing down on his shoulders. But Zhang Liang did not falter. He sat down slowly, closed his eyes, and let his mind race, swiftly sorting through his past experiences, the wisdom of the Dao De Jing imparted by the system, and his insights into the market. The words "The existence of opposites gives rise to each other, difficulty and ease complement each other" shone brightly in his mind, cutting through the mental fog and dispelling his inner fear. He steeled himself, muttering to himself, Don't be afraid. This is both a challenge and an opportunity. I can do this. If the product is in trouble, there must be an overlooked opportunity. Just like dawn follows the darkest night, with the wisdom of Laozi, I will find a way out.
After a brief moment, he opened his eyes, his gaze clear and determined, as steady as the brightest star in the night sky. He picked up his pen, pointed to the product's feature list on the screen, and calmly said, "Leader, colleagues, though the current predicament is tough, it is not insurmountable. We've been focusing on the 'existence' of the product—those flashy, seemingly high-end features that are ultimately impractical. But we've neglected the 'non-existence'—the core needs of the users. This product offers a wealth of features, but most users only rely on a few. We should boldly simplify, focusing only on the most practical functionalities, and remove the unnecessary features. It's like unloading excess weight from a camel, allowing it to run freely across the desert."
A senior colleague furrowed his brow and responded with skepticism, "It's easy to say. But if users find the product too basic, won't they reject it? Instead of improving, we might make things worse."
Zhang Liang smiled slightly, his demeanor calm and composed, as if everything were within his control. He bowed his head respectfully and replied, "Senior, your concerns are valid. However, as the Dao De Jing says, 'The difficult is achieved through the easy, the great is achieved through the small.' We should start with the simplest solutions, step by step. For example, we can address the most frequent user complaint—the complexity of the interface. We can simplify the interface, redesign the user flow with large icons and clear steps, guiding the users with ease. Just like smartphones moved from complex buttons to simple touchscreens—what seems like simplification actually strikes at the user pain points and greatly enhances the experience. As for the concern about cutting features, we can introduce modular accessories to meet niche needs, letting users with advanced needs select them. This keeps costs down while increasing flexibility and turning our weaknesses into strengths."
The room fell into murmurs, some colleagues still skeptical, while others began to look thoughtful. Chen Feng tapped the table to quiet them down, then asked, "What about the high after-sales costs?"
Zhang Liang took a sip of water, feeling it strengthen him, and continued, "The root cause of the high costs lies in the poor compatibility of parts and the disorganized supply chain. We could adopt the 'module interchange method' from the automotive industry, standardizing parts and building long-term relationships with high-quality suppliers. By purchasing in bulk, we can reduce costs. Additionally, we can introduce online remote diagnostics and self-repair tutorials, addressing minor issues ourselves and relieving pressure on the after-sales team."
His response was clear and logical, and the atmosphere in the room gradually shifted. The doubts faded, and appreciation gleamed in the eyes of some colleagues. Chen Feng's expression softened slightly, and he nodded. "You have some good ideas, but we'll need to see how they work in practice."
After the meeting, Zhang Liang exhaled deeply, his back soaked with sweat, his shirt clinging to him coldly. Su Yao, a colleague, quietly approached and handed him a handkerchief, smiling warmly. "You did great today. Don't let Li Qiang's teasing bother you. Keep it up!" Her smile was like the warmth of spring sunlight, melting away the lingering shadows in his heart and reigniting his fighting spirit, filling him with renewed hope for the future.
Summary: In this chapter, Zhang Liang, having just entered the workplace, faces both the challenges of difficult colleagues and a demanding project. In the "battlefield" of the meeting room, using the guidance of the system and the wisdom of the Dao De Jing, he offers innovative strategies to overcome the product's crisis. His calm and pragmatic responses, coupled with his clever use of Daoist principles, help him break the stalemate and earn the first step toward gaining recognition. The wisdom of Laozi—"The existence of opposites gives rise to each other" and "The difficult is achieved through the easy"—aids him in addressing market challenges. In the next chapter, Zhang Liang will officially dive into project operations, dealing with the complexities of daily work and interpersonal entanglements. New obstacles and contradictions are bound to arise. Let's see how he continues on his path of reversal. Stay tuned for Chapter Five.