The following Monday, Jiang Yuyan arrived at the office to find an email waiting for her from Zhang Wei. It was a formal notification for a senior executive meeting scheduled for that afternoon. Her name was listed as one of the participants.
Her heart skipped a beat. Senior executive meetings were usually reserved for department heads and seasoned professionals. Why had she been invited?
Before she could dwell on it further, Zhao Ming approached her desk.
"Miss Jiang, I assume you've seen the email. You'll be attending the meeting today."
"Yes, Mr. Zhao. May I ask why I've been included?"
Zhao Ming gave a small, approving smile. "The leadership team has taken notice of your contributions to the logistics project. They want you to present your section of the proposal during the meeting. Consider it an opportunity to demonstrate your capabilities on a larger stage."
Yuyan's pulse quickened. This was no ordinary meeting—it was a chance to stand out before the company's top executives.
[Ding! New Task Assigned: Excel at the senior executive meeting presentation. Reward: Leadership Skill Boost (Level 1) and ¥50,000. Deadline: Today.]
Preparing for the Big Moment
Yuyan spent the morning refining her presentation. She reviewed every slide, rehearsed her key points, and anticipated potential questions. The system provided tips along the way, offering suggestions on how to frame her arguments and project confidence.
[Tip: Begin with a strong opening statement to capture attention. Use concise language and emphasize results.]
By lunchtime, she felt as prepared as she could be. Yet, a small voice in her mind reminded her that this was a high-stakes moment. Failure could mean losing the momentum she had worked so hard to build.
The Senior Executive Meeting
At precisely 2:00 PM, Yuyan entered the executive boardroom. The atmosphere was charged with authority, the room dominated by a long table surrounded by senior executives. At the head of the table sat Lu Zhen, the CEO of Lu Group.
Yuyan had seen his photos in the company's annual reports, but meeting him in person was a different experience. He exuded a quiet, commanding presence, his sharp features and piercing eyes making him seem untouchable.
Zhang Wei gestured for her to sit at the far end of the table. As the meeting began, the executives discussed various updates and projects. Yuyan listened carefully, noting the high level of detail and strategic focus in their conversations.
Finally, Zhang Wei introduced the logistics project.
"Our team has made significant progress on the client proposal. Miss Jiang Yuyan, who has been instrumental in this phase, will present the key recommendations."
All eyes turned to Yuyan. Suppressing a wave of nerves, she stood and approached the screen at the front of the room.
"Good afternoon," she began, her voice steady. "The logistics proposal we've developed focuses on optimizing the client's supply chain through the integration of cloud-based tracking and real-time inventory updates. Here are the projected outcomes…"
She launched into her presentation, using graphs and data to support her points. The room remained silent, the executives' expressions unreadable as they listened. Yuyan forced herself to remain calm, drawing on the system's Confidence Boost to maintain her composure.
When she finished, she took a deep breath and waited.
The CEO's Reaction
Lu Zhen was the first to speak.
"Your analysis is thorough, and your recommendations align with the client's needs," he said, his deep voice cutting through the tension. "However, have you considered the potential risks of implementing such a system? For instance, how would you address data security concerns?"
Yuyan nodded, prepared for the question.
"Thank you for raising that point, Mr. Lu. We've identified data security as a critical factor and included robust encryption measures in the proposed system. Additionally, we recommend partnering with a top-tier cybersecurity firm to ensure ongoing protection."
Lu Zhen's eyes narrowed slightly, as if testing her resolve. Then, he nodded. "Good. Anticipating challenges and providing solutions is key to earning the client's trust."
The other executives murmured their agreement.
Zhang Wei spoke up next. "Miss Jiang has proven to be an asset to the project team. Her insights and dedication have been invaluable."
Yuyan felt a wave of relief. She had passed the test.
Aftermath
As the meeting concluded, Lu Zhen approached Yuyan.
"You performed well today, Miss Jiang," he said. "I'll be watching your progress closely."
"Thank you, Mr. Lu," Yuyan replied, her voice steady despite the sudden rush of adrenaline.
As he walked away, the system chimed.
[Task Completed. Leadership Skill Boost (Level 1) and ¥50,000 have been added to your account.]
A New Challenge
Back at her desk, Yuyan reflected on the day's events. The opportunity to present before the senior executives had been a turning point in her career. She knew that greater challenges lay ahead, but she was ready for them.
The system's voice interrupted her thoughts.
[New Task: Strengthen your professional network within the Lu Group. Reward: Social Skill Boost (Level 1) and ¥30,000. Deadline: Two weeks.]
Yuyan smiled to herself. She was climbing higher, one step at a time, and there was no turning back now.