Chapter 8 Team Building and Underlying Currents
The weekend morning dawned like a soft veil of gossamer, gradually unveiling the mysteries of the outdoor team-building camp. Nestled in the vast green fields on the outskirts of the city, the camp was surrounded by rolling hills, their peaks resembling the twisted coils of a dragon, guarding this vibrant paradise. The dense forest, like a vast sea of green, rustled in the breeze, producing a melody of nature's harmonious song. On the grass, tents of various colors were scattered like enormous blossoms across the earth, with barbecue grills and bonfire pits nearby. The air was filled with the earthy scent of soil and the sweet fragrance of fresh grass, creating a unique, refreshing atmosphere where all worldly troubles seemed to vanish into the ether.
Employees of Hongyu Group began to trickle into the camp, and the sound of laughter shattered the morning stillness, breaking the serene atmosphere of this natural haven. The market department gathered together, their eyes filled with anticipation for the weekend relaxation, yet beneath the surface, each harbored their own agenda, like the undercurrents of a calm lake—silent, yet fraught with hidden tension.
The event organizer, microphone in hand and a broad smile on his face, announced in a booming voice, "Dear colleagues, we have an exciting day ahead with many fun activities, including tug-of-war, treasure hunts, and more! But first, we need to divide into teams. Let's draw lots to determine your teams, and may you all spark something special with your new group!" As he spoke, he began distributing the lottery slips.
Zhang Liang, eager and filled with anticipation, reached for a slip. He opened it and saw that he had drawn "Team Three." Just as he was about to search for his teammates, he noticed Li Qiang whispering something to Team Leader Chen Feng, his expression suspicious, casting furtive glances toward Zhang Liang, looking every bit the sly fox plotting mischief in a dark corner.
Sure enough, when the official team lists were announced, Zhang Liang found himself placed in the "problematic" third team. This team included Zhao Er, notorious for his laziness and his tendency to coast through the office without contributing, always shirking responsibility with his catchphrase, "Why hurry? The work will get done eventually." Then there was Qian San, who, having been influenced by Li Qiang, held an unfounded prejudice against Zhang Liang, often casting doubtful, scrutinizing looks as though he carried some ill omen that could doom the team. The rest of the members were largely indifferent, either absorbed in their phones or engaged in private conversations, showing little enthusiasm for the team-building activities ahead, with no team spirit to speak of.
Zhang Liang's heart sank as he quietly thought to himself, "This is definitely Li Qiang's sabotage, trying to make me look bad in front of everyone. But I won't give him the satisfaction." Yet, with a warm smile, he approached his teammates and said, "Although we've just been thrown together and may not know each other well, the point of team-building is to have fun and unite. I believe that if we work together, we can surely make this a great experience!"
Zhao Er snickered, responding in a lazy drawl, "Oh, you're the new guy, huh? Talking big. But this tug-of-war is against a team of strong, coordinated people. With our 'ragtag army,' it'll be a miracle if we don't lose, let alone stand out. Don't dream too big."
Qian San chimed in, "Exactly, don't make a fool of yourself. We'll probably lose terribly, and that's going to be embarrassing."
Zhang Liang felt a pang of injustice but swallowed his frustration. His mind raced to formulate a plan, and just as he began to panic, Dao Ling's familiar voice, tinged with playful wisdom and like a caring old friend, echoed in his thoughts:
"Host, 'When one's light is too bright, the wind will surely blow it down.' You must temper your shine for now. Blend in with them and don't let them think you're showing off or pretending to be strong. For now, follow their lead, and when the time is right, rally their spirits. Tug-of-war is not just about strength, it's about unity—focus on that, and the solution will present itself. Don't worry, there's always a way forward!"
Zhang Liang smiled wryly, responding internally, "You make it sound easy, but I'll follow your advice and give it a try. Let's see if I can turn things around."
The tug-of-war field had been set up, with a bold red line in the center, and two thick ropes lying like coiled serpents on the grass, ready for action. The audience gathered around, cheering and shouting, creating a lively and vibrant atmosphere.
Zhang Liang's third team stood at one end of the rope, while Team Two, on the opposite side, stood firm and confident, exuding a sense of unity and readiness. At the sound of the referee's whistle, Team Two immediately exerted pressure, chanting in perfect unison: "One, two, one, two!" Their bodies leaned back, and their steps were sure as they slowly dragged the rope toward them.
Meanwhile, Zhang Liang's team faltered. Zhao Er, from the outset, made no real effort, muttering, "Ugh, can't pull it, we're going to lose anyway." His body swayed unsteadily, nearly falling, while Qian San was distracted, his actions weak and aimless, the rope sagging and loose, with no resistance at all.
Zhang Liang, desperate but still maintaining composure, shouted, "Everyone, don't panic! Let's steady ourselves and follow my lead—one, two, one, two!" But his voice was drowned out by the loud shouts from the opposing team and the chaotic noise of the crowd, and his teammates remained disjointed, still lacking coordination.
Just as the rope was about to cross the red line, Zhang Liang suddenly had an idea. He shouted at the top of his lungs, "Come on, guys! If we win this, I'll cover the barbecue for everyone, all you can eat! If we keep losing like this, it'll be an embarrassment for the whole department!" His words struck a chord with Zhao Er, whose eyes widened as he muttered, "Really? Then we'd better give it our all." Qian San, too, was slightly stirred, adding a bit more effort to his pull.
Seizing this momentum, Zhang Liang continued shouting, adjusting the rhythm. Slowly, his teammates began to follow suit, and the rope, previously in retreat, shifted slightly back in their favor. The spectators, noticing the change, gasped in surprise. What had once seemed like an inevitable loss was now filled with uncertainty.
However, due to the early deficit, the rope was still gradually dragged over the red line in the final moments, and Team Three lost by a narrow margin. The team members collapsed on the grass, panting heavily, each wearing a different expression—some annoyed, some disappointed—but there was a glimmer of mutual respect in their eyes.
Zhao Er clapped Zhang Liang on the shoulder, laughing, "Well done, kid. You've got some fire in you. I underestimated you earlier." Qian San nodded slightly, muttering, "We didn't perform well this time, but next time we'll win for sure."
Zhang Liang wiped the sweat from his forehead, smiling contentedly. He glanced over at Li Qiang, who was watching with a scowl and an air of dissatisfaction, and thought to himself, "You wanted to make me look bad, but it won't be that easy. There's plenty of time ahead."
After the team-building activities, everyone gathered around the bonfire, the sparks flying as they illuminated the tired but happy faces of the participants. Although Team Three had lost the game, the event had broken the ice, and the team members began to share jokes and stories, with Zhang Liang now fully integrated into the group, no longer the isolated outsider.
Summary: In this chapter, Zhang Liang, placed in a "problematic" team by Li Qiang's scheming, faces difficulties in the tug-of-war challenge but, following Dao Ling's advice, manages to rally his teammates and earn their respect, despite the team's loss. Zhang Liang's positive attitude and strategic thinking helped him overcome obstacles and gain a foothold within the team, causing Li Qiang's plan to backfire. In the next chapter, as work resumes and new challenges arise, including competition for project resources and escalating conflicts with Li Qiang, Zhang Liang will need to navigate the complexities of the workplace. Stay tuned for the development in Chapter Nine.