Chapter 21: The First Light and Underlying Currents
Time: A sunlit morning, with a gentle breeze sweeping over the city streets, bringing a breath of fresh air and vitality.
Location: Inside the towering Hongyu Group headquarters, the market department office is abuzz with activity.
The sunlight, like a mischievous child, leaps playfully through the gauzy clouds, casting delicate threads of gold into the Hongyu Group's market department office. It drapes this busy hive of activity in a warm, golden veil, as if to say, "Hey, don't work too hard—look, I'm here to offer you some warmth." Inside, computer screens flicker with soft light, and piles of papers sit like little mountains on the desks—some neat and orderly, as if awaiting inspection, while others are disarrayed, as if swept up by a whirlwind. The printer hums intermittently, like a diligent old man muttering to himself about the weight of his work.
Zhang Liang sits at his desk, as still as a statue, fully engrossed in perfecting a crucial market research report. His focused expression suggests that everything around him has receded behind an invisible glass wall. Dressed in a simple yet elegant white shirt, with a deep blue tie neatly tied in an exquisite knot at the center of his collar, he exudes a professional aura. His black hair, carefully styled, lies smoothly in place, while behind his black-framed glasses, his eyes shine like two bright stars, radiating concentration. It seems as though the entire world has faded away, leaving only the report in front of him. His fingers dance across the keyboard, producing the sound of light raindrops tapping on a windowpane, while the text and graphs on his screen arrange themselves with the precision of enchanted sprites, showcasing his dedication and growth over this period.
These past days, Zhang Liang has emerged like a sharp sword, gradually revealing his brilliance in his work. His thorough market research is like that of an experienced explorer searching for treasures in the vast jungle of the market. His sharp, precise insights are akin to a hawk, its keen eyes scanning the horizon for its prey. His outstanding coordination during the project's progression has made him seem like a maestro conducting a symphony, ensuring every department and detail plays in harmony. His superiors have showered him with praise, their eyes gleaming with admiration whenever they see him, as if they had discovered a shining nugget of gold. Privately, his superiors have even hinted that he might be fast-tracked for permanent status. This news was like a powerful spotlight suddenly illuminating his path, filling his heart with joy. He could almost envision himself firmly rooted within the company, growing and thriving like a mighty tree, its branches spreading wide.
However, beneath this seemingly tranquil surface of the workplace, dark currents were stirring. In a corner of the office, Li Qiang sat like an irritated hedgehog, curled up in his seat. The jealousy in his eyes burned with such intensity it seemed capable of incinerating everything in his path. His brows furrowed tightly, like two fighting caterpillars, and his expression shifted into a sly, almost mischievous look—much like a fox plotting something sneaky. His lips curled into a cynical smile, undoubtedly thinking, "Hmph, Zhang Liang, don't get too comfortable. Let's see how I'll bring you down." His arms folded across his chest, he leaned back heavily in his chair, the chair creaking under his weight, as if protesting, "Why are you doing this to me?" His once-neat tie now hung crookedly, a limp snake draped carelessly around his neck, the entire image an absurd portrayal of jealousy and loss of composure.
Finally, the lunch bell rang, and the office was filled with the aroma of food. Colleagues flocked together like a group of joyful birds, setting aside their work. Some gathered to share meals, their laughter ringing out like the tinkling of bells; others chatted casually about life's trivialities, their faces filled with the lightness of a well-earned break. But Li Qiang, like a sneaky thief, quietly approached a few gossip-loving colleagues, his voice low, almost conspiratorial, as though he feared being overheard. "Hey, did you guys know? Zhang Liang, that guy who seems so innocent, has a lot of secrets under that surface. I've heard that some of his so-called brilliant ideas are actually 'borrowed' from our colleagues. He's like a sly thief, stealing others' work. We need to watch out, or one day, he'll take credit for everything and leave us with nothing." As he spoke, his eyebrows shot up, and his eyes brimmed with feigned sincerity, his hands gesturing as though he were presenting irrefutable facts. The colleagues around him widened their eyes in shock, exchanging furtive whispers, and soon, the rumors spread like wildfire, growing louder and more pervasive. The once harmonious atmosphere, like a beautiful symphony, was suddenly overshadowed by thick clouds of doubt, as the tidal wave of suspicion began to wash over Zhang Liang's reputation.
In the break room, a few colleagues gathered around the water cooler, brewing coffee. One, with a furrowed brow and an expression like he had bitten into a rotten apple, muttered, "I never thought Zhang Liang was that kind of person. He pretends to be hardworking, but it turns out he's been stealing ideas from others to get ahead. He's like a wolf in sheep's clothing." As he stirred his coffee, the spoon clinked noisily against the cup, echoing his frustration and resentment. "Who knows which poor colleague's ideas he's stolen—how pathetic! All that hard work, just to have it taken away. It's the law of the jungle out here," he added, his face twisted with both sympathy for the "victim" and a certain thrill from spreading the rumor. His words were laced with spite, like a mischievous imp reveling in the discomfort of others.
In the hallway, colleagues whispered as they passed, casting wary glances toward Zhang Liang's desk. Their eyes were filled with caution and distance, as though he were a ticking time bomb. Colleagues who had once greeted him warmly now avoided him, as though he carried some contagious "disease." One former acquaintance, who had always been friendly with Zhang Liang, abruptly stopped upon seeing him, their smile freezing like someone struck by an invisible spell. Their eyes darted nervously, and they hurriedly sidestepped, humming a tuneless song to mask the awkwardness. The dissonant tune echoed painfully in the quiet corridor, a feeble attempt to cover up the tension and uncertainty within.
Zhang Liang, heading to the conference room to report his progress, rose with the same confidence as always, straightening his clothes with the precision of a general preparing for battle. He grabbed the folder from his desk, but as he turned, he felt the weight of strange gazes upon him—sharp, cold stares like arrows aimed at his back. His heart clenched in confusion: "What's happening? I haven't done anything wrong. Why does it feel like I'm being treated like a street rat?" He forced himself to remain calm, walking slowly toward the conference room, each step feeling like a burden. As he passed colleagues, he overheard their hushed conversations. His pace slowed, his face showing surprise and confusion. His heart sank with the realization that rumors were swiftly unraveling his reputation. "What's going on? How did these rumors start? This could ruin my career! I'm like an innocent lamb, suddenly being falsely accused," he thought. His throat tightened, and he gripped the folder so tightly that his knuckles turned white, betraying his anxiety. He lowered his head slightly, hoping his disheveled hair would hide the panic in his eyes, but his trembling lips revealed the vulnerability beneath, like a leaf quivering in the wind.
He took a deep breath, forcing himself to steady his nerves, and continued on his way to the conference room. Inside, his superiors and colleagues were already seated, awaiting the start of the meeting. As Zhang Liang entered, he could feel all eyes on him. Their gazes ranged from judgmental scrutiny, like that of a judge examining a criminal, to suspicion, like detectives eyeing a suspect, to curiosity, as though watching a mysterious figure, and even cold indifference, like ice. He struggled to suppress his unease as he approached his seat, opening his folder and preparing to report. His hands, however, trembled slightly, and the papers rustled softly in his grasp, mocking his current state of discomfort. He looked up at his supervisor, whose eyes held a trace of doubt, and Zhang Liang's heart sank even further. He knew the rumors had caused irreparable damage, and he would have to find a way to handle the situation or risk losing everything. "Don't be afraid, Zhang Liang. You haven't done anything wrong. You'll get through this," he reassured himself silently.
The meeting began, and Zhang Liang worked hard to keep his voice steady as he presented his progress. He meticulously detailed the market research results, project advancement, and future plans. His report was thorough and well-organized, yet the atmosphere in the room remained tense, and his colleagues' responses were cool. He knew that their doubts had not been dispelled by his presentation. When the report concluded, there was a brief silence. His supervisor broke it, saying, "Zhang Liang, your report was thorough, and you've worked hard. However, there have been some rumors about you circulating in the department. Are you aware of them?" Zhang Liang's heart tightened. He looked up at his supervisor and said firmly, "I know about the rumors. But I can assure you, they are completely baseless. I have been working diligently, and every idea and proposal has come from my own research and hard work. I have never stolen anyone's ideas. I am like a tree rooted firmly in the soil, drawing all its nutrients from the earth, not from theft." His supervisor nodded, saying, "I believe you, Zhang Liang. However, the rumors have already affected the department's atmosphere. You need to resolve this issue as quickly as possible." Zhang Liang nodded in agreement, replying, "I will, sir. I will prove my innocence through my actions."
After the meeting, Zhang Liang returned to his desk, feeling utterly exhausted and despondent, like a soldier who had lost a battle. He knew this rumor storm would be one of the greatest challenges of his career. He sat at his desk, quietly contemplating his next steps. He remembered the concept of "Wu Wei" from the Tao Te Ching—that of non-action, or the art of doing nothing in a way that achieves everything. He realized that acting impulsively to defend himself would only fuel the rumors further. So, he decided to remain still for now, focusing on his work and using tangible results to dispel the falsehoods. He straightened up, opened his computer, and threw himself back into his work. No matter the obstacles, he knew he couldn't give up. He would persevere until the truth was revealed.
"True words are not beautiful; beautiful words are not true." In this chapter, Zhang Liang faces rumors that seem credible but are actually baseless. The colleagues spreading these falsehoods are like the "beautiful words" that hold no truth, while Zhang Liang's dedication and honesty are the "true words," which may not be accepted at first, but are the reliable foundation. This teaches us to be discerning in the workplace and not to be swayed by deceptive appearances.
Summary: In this chapter, Zhang Liang, having gained prominence through his work, is ensnared by jealousy and rumors from Li Qiang. Like the wisdom of Laozi's "True words are not beautiful; beautiful words are not true," Zhang Liang must navigate through a web of falsehoods and restore his reputation. In the next chapter, Zhang Liang will adhere to his principles, using patience and action to prove his integrity and silence the rumors. Stay tuned for the unfolding drama in Chapter 22.