Chapter 18: Zhang Liang's Breakthrough and Team Reconciliation
On Friday afternoon, the sky appeared as though covered by a vast, leaden gray curtain, casting a heavy, oppressive weight above the Hongyu Group office building. Only a few faint, yellowish beams of light pierced through, bathing the entire office area in a somber, stifling atmosphere. The desks and chairs were neatly arranged, computer screens emitting a cold, distant glow that no longer reflected the usual buzz of activity. Colleagues sat at their workstations, the air thick with low pressure, the silence broken only by the clicking of mice and the occasional rustling of papers. The glances exchanged between them were filled with the lingering tension from the earlier argument over the project division.
Zhang Liang sat at his desk, his workspace buried beneath a pile of documents, the scattered papers resembling a chaotic puzzle, each page bearing the fruits of his hard-earned research. But at that moment, he had no mind to sort them. Gripping his pen tightly, his knuckles white with strain, his brow furrowed deeply. His eyes were full of worry and urgency, replaying the harsh accusations from Li Qiang and the doubtful stares of his colleagues from the morning meeting. The scene replayed in his mind like a nightmare he could not shake, and he knew the team had become trapped in a standoff. The project felt like a lone ship tossed in a storm, ready to capsize at any moment.
"I can't let things spiral any further. Every second of delay in the project narrows the chances of success. If the team stays divided, all our past efforts will be for nothing," Zhang Liang silently muttered, beads of sweat forming on his forehead and trickling down his face, leaving damp marks on the papers before him, as if reflecting the tension within him. Taking a deep breath, he attempted to calm the raging storm within, rising slowly from his seat, his legs trembling from the strain of sitting and the weight of the moment. His eyes, however, held an unwavering determination, as though he were a warrior setting forth on a difficult journey, bearing the mission of breaking the deadlock as he walked steadily toward the core creative team.
At that moment, Li Qiang, along with several colleagues who resisted his inclusion, was gathered in a corner. It was as though they had constructed a solid "fortress" against him. They whispered among themselves, their voices low but full of dissatisfaction and frustration, occasionally casting glances at their surroundings, their eyes still filled with a rejection of Zhang Liang. Upon seeing him approach, Li Qiang's face darkened immediately, as if it could drip water. He straightened up, crossed his arms, and let out a slight sneer, curling the corner of his lips into a mockingly contemptuous smile. His expression seemed to declare, "You dare come? It's simply asking for trouble. We will never accept you."
Zhang Liang, seemingly unperturbed by the overt hostility, smiled sincerely, almost naively, as he approached. He bowed deeply in front of the group, his posture as humble as a student seeking guidance from a master. "Colleagues, the events of this morning were entirely my fault. I acted hastily and without considering everyone's feelings. I sincerely apologize, and I hope you will be magnanimous and not hold this against me," he spoke softly, his voice tinged with a slight tremor, as though the strum of a gentle harp filled the silence of the room, quietly opening the door to reconciliation.
When he received no immediate response, Zhang Liang did not lose heart. Standing up straight, he placed his notebook, filled with careful notes, on the table and slowly flipped it open. The soft rustling of the pages seemed to echo the quiet struggles of his recent efforts. "I am well aware that my experience in this field is still lacking, and it may seem strange for me to join such a critical core team at this stage. Anyone would find it jarring, and naturally, there is reluctance. But as we all know, this project is like a ship struggling against fierce winds and high waves. Every one of us is a crew member aboard this vessel, and if we don't unite our strength, the ship is at risk of capsizing. If this project fails, no one will benefit."
As he spoke, he pointed to the detailed data and case studies in the notebook, his eyes burning with passion. It was a fire fueled by his deep commitment to the work and a fervent desire to resolve the deadlock.
"The past few days, I've been everywhere—running through every street and alley. My legs are almost worn out. I've faced many setbacks, knocked on countless doors, but in the end, I found valuable 'treasures' that can help our product stand out in the market," Zhang Liang continued, sharing his experiences at the competitor stores. He vividly described how their thoughtfully designed and eye-catching displays made the products shine like stars on stage, how enthusiastic and professional the salespeople were, hitting right at the consumer's desire for convenience and personalized expression. He also shared candid feedback he had gathered from consumers on the streets: from a senior citizen complaining about the product manual's tiny text and overly complex steps, to a young, fashionable woman eager for more colorful, customizable elements that could reflect her unique taste. As Zhang Liang spoke with detail and precision, the colleagues, who had previously sat with tense faces, slowly began to let their guard down. They leaned forward, their eyes now filled with curiosity and attention, drawn to him like iron filings to a magnet.
At that moment, the system's familiar voice, lighthearted yet filled with encouragement, rang out in Zhang Liang's mind:
"Zhang Liang, you see? This is the essence of 'The great rivers and seas become the king of a hundred rivers because of their ability to yield.' Your approach is humble, sincere—like the vast river that embraces all things, making everyone want to come closer. Even the thickest ice cannot resist the warmth of your sincerity. Keep it up—take a lower stance, listen to their opinions, and you'll soon find the team united and the project back on track!"
Zhang Liang silently responded with gratitude and resolve, "System, thanks to your support and guidance, I would have been lost in this chaos without you. I just want to untangle this knot and get the project back on track, to lead the team to success. I will keep pushing forward, no matter what."
Looking up, he turned to Li Qiang, his gaze filled with respect and an earnest desire for guidance. His eyes were pure, untainted by any ulterior motive, as though Li Qiang were a martial arts master holding the secret to unparalleled skill, and he, the humble apprentice eager for wisdom. "Li Ge, you've been in this industry for so many years, weathering countless storms. Your experience is like a treasure chest. As for me, I'm just a newcomer, knowing nothing. For example, when it comes to how to tie our product's selling points to the foundation we've built in the market, I'm completely in the dark. You have the experience—please, share your insights. I'll take notes and make sure not to miss a word."
Li Qiang was caught off guard by this sudden, unexpected approach. His prepared rebuttal faltered in his throat, unsure whether to speak or stay silent. His face flushed red and white in turn. After a long pause, he cleared his throat, and though his tone lacked the sharpness of before, it was still laden with a hint of disdain: "Hmph, your ideas are good, but you're too idealistic and impractical. What's made us stand firm in the market before? It's our solid technology and stability. If you want to refine the selling points, you need to keep those strengths in hand—emphasize the product's function, the reliability that stands the test of time. And the operation must be simple, even for the tech-averse, so users will trust it and be willing to pay. Don't just focus on flashy emotional gimmicks that look good but lack substance."
Zhang Liang nodded eagerly, his eyes shining brightly, his pen swiftly recording the valuable advice in his notebook. "Li Ge, this is truly eye-opening. Why didn't I think of this before? You're absolutely right—there's so much to learn from you."
His sincere, eager attitude made Li Qiang's lips curl into a slight smile, the unintentional warmth breaking through his previously cold demeanor like the first breeze of spring, melting the lingering tension in the room.
Zhang Liang then turned to the other colleagues, asking for their opinions with the same humble and earnest approach, like a devout disciple seeking wisdom. Seeing his sincerity and the practical insights he shared, the colleagues became more engaged, the conversation shifting from hesitant murmurs to passionate exchanges. What began as a sparse discussion blossomed into a lively "symphony" of ideas, lighting the way forward for the project.
Su Yao, smiling warmly, patted Zhang Liang on the shoulder and teased, "Zhang Liang, you truly are full of surprises! I was worried for you this morning, but now look, you've opened up everyone's 'talking box.' The project is saved now. It seems we underestimated you!"
Zhang Liang scratched his head, his face flushed with modesty, and smiled shyly, "Su Jie, don't tease me. If it weren't for everyone's magnanimity, for being willing to listen to my 'half-baked' ideas and guide me, no matter how many ideas I had, it would all be in vain. I just hope we can work together, make this project shine, and let our product stand out in the market."
As the discussion continued, Team Leader Chen Feng walked by and was struck by the stark contrast from the morning. His eyes widened in surprise, then softened into a smile of relief, his lips curving upward. "Well, this is a transformation! It seems everyone has found their momentum again. Zhang Liang, well done! Let's keep up this momentum, move the project forward, and make this a success. I'm looking forward to the results!"
Zhang Liang stood tall, nodding with confidence, his eyes shining with determination. "Don't worry, Leader, we'll pull together and give it our all. We won't let you down!" In the atmosphere of unity, the project, which had previously stagnated like a snail's crawl, suddenly surged forward, infused with new energy. The creative plan, honed by the collective wisdom of the team, became more refined. The division of labor and collaboration fell into place, and the promotional strategy began to take shape. It was like a ship catching the wind in its sails, propelling the project toward the successful launch of the new product.
Summary: In this chapter, Zhang Liang embraces the philosophy of "Harmony is priceless," utilizing Laozi's wisdom to humble himself and share his research, gradually diffusing team hostility and revitalizing the project. The team's progress has been reinvigorated. In the next chapter, as the project moves forward, new challenges related to implementation, external market changes, and team collaboration will emerge. Stay tuned for Chapter 19 to see how Zhang Liang continues to navigate obstacles and lead the team to success.