Shаng Zhitао brоught in anothеr vеndоr аnd еstablished a nеw dеpartmеnt.
Through hеr соntinuоus еffоrts and leаrning, she finally began to undеrstаnd the truе workings оf оnlinе аdvertising. Неr tеаm wаs eхceptiоnаlly рrofessionаl, winning awards in vаrious skill cоmреtitiоns, аnd Shаng Zhitаo distributed аll thе prizе mоnеy tо her еmрloyееs.
She quiсkly began рroducing benсhmаrk сasеs in the industry, putting thе skills shе hоned аt Lingmеi tо gооd usе. She lеd hеr teаm in brainstоrming sessions, dеvelорing а cоmрrеhеnsive and prоfound data model tо fully monitor аdvertising effеctivеnеss. When shе showed it to Luan Nian, he said, "The data can be broken down one more layer." So she continued breaking it down until she reached the bottom.
She started embedding tracking points outside the vendor’s system for end-to-end monitoring.
By the end of April, the vendor organized other agencies to come and learn. The channel manager said, "If you don’t want to talk about it, don’t. If you don’t want to teach, don’t."
Shang Zhitao smiled. "There’s nothing I can’t share."
She asked her employees to prepare thoroughly for the sharing session and participate fully in the reception.
Zhang Lei also came. Shang Zhitao didn’t disappoint her guarantor, quickly rising to the top tier in completion rates.
"How’s it going? Tired?" Zhang Lei asked her.
"Tired. Exhausted."
"Many people are unwilling to share such experiences. Why did you foolishly reveal everything?"
"It’s fine. Learning together, progressing together, and creating a healthy competitive environment—there’s nothing wrong with that. While we can’t share client data, all methodologies are open for discussion," Shang Zhitao said.
"I always knew you were impressive. Ever considered coming to my company to lead the commercialization team? I heard your boyfriend is in Beijing, and you’re in a long-distance relationship."
Shang Zhitao’s face flushed slightly. "He comes over every week."
"So your boyfriend really is Lingmei’s luke?" Zhang Lei had known little about Shang Zhitao’s personal life until he visited Sun Yu’s company a few days ago and heard about it.
"Yes."
Zhang Lei looked at her for a long moment. "Quietly pulling off something big."
Luan Nian was well-known in the industry, and Zhang Lei’s company had arranged for a vice president to liaise with him. He had heard many things about Luan Nian—that he was brilliant, strict with his team, sharp-tongued, and difficult to get along with.
"Can you keep it a secret for me? I don’t want everyone to know."
The business world is interconnected, and people often cross paths in unexpected ways. Shang Zhitao didn’t want to leverage Luan Nian’s reputation. She hoped others would remember her and her company for their excellence, not because she was Luan Nian’s girlfriend.
"Of course. Invite me to the wedding."
"If there’s a wedding, of course I’ll invite you! Who else would I invite? We’ve known each other for over a decade."
A wedding? Did Luan Nian want to get married? Shang Zhitao wasn’t sure. She felt he did, but lately, he seemed a bit mysterious. Out of the blue one day, he asked her, "Can you take over a month off in June?"
"Why such a long break?"
"Probably because I want to travel. It feels like it’s been a while since we went anywhere."
"Should I plan something?"
"Leave everything behind and come with me," Luan Nian said.
Luan Nian was always like this—uttering simple words that suddenly ignited something in her, making her want to be reckless just once.
"Like that time we went to Tibet, where I didn’t need to prepare anything, just follow you?"
"Yes. Just entrust yourself to me."
"Alright."Luan Nian knew exactly how to ignite a fire within her. He understood what she truly loved, knew that beneath her calm exterior lay a searing soul yearning to break free—all it took was a tiny spark to set her ablaze.
Shang Zhi Tao had built her business into a thriving success and had now begun focusing on team development. She called Tracy to seek advice on some matters. Tracy patiently answered her questions and finally asked, "Are you planning to handle it yourself?"
"No. I actually wanted to ask if you could recommend someone to me. As the business grows, we need to properly manage employee development, care, rewards, and discipline. There will also be a lot of recruitment and training work ahead. But we don’t have the budget to hire a full HR team yet, so I’d like to start with one or two versatile talents."
"That’s not difficult. I’ll recommend someone to you—you can trust her completely."
The person Tracy recommended to Shang Zhi Tao was her former colleague Sunny, who was the same age as Tracy, single, and had returned to Bingcheng to care for her elderly parents.
Shang Zhi Tao quickly arranged a meeting with Sunny. She found that Sunny was much like Tracy—carrying a sense of worldly experience, neither flashy nor sharp, and very pleasant to talk to. Shang Zhi Tao addressed her as "Sister Sunny" and, after their conversation, took out a contract.
"The salary is the figure I mentioned earlier, which should be considered top-tier in Bingcheng, with a year-end bonus. Of course, how the final compensation for employees is structured, as well as your own earnings, will be up to you. Shall we sign the contract?"
Sunny was straightforward: "Leave it to me," and promptly signed.
Shang Zhi Tao was thrilled to have resolved such an important matter. Her team now had an operations director, a sales director, and a human resources general manager, allowing her to work less exhaustively than before.
As the company’s tax contributions increased, the district government took notice of this rapidly rising enterprise in May of that year and requested a meeting with Shang Zhi Tao. On the day of the meeting, she deliberately wore a black suit, neatly tying her hair back, looking both capable and elegant. Before leaving, she asked Luan Nian, "What should be the focus of my discussion?"
"Express your ambition—your desire to grow the business. Also, tell them about your company’s income allocation for donations. Finally, ask them what efforts you need to make if you wish to join the Political Consultative Conference."
"The Political Consultative Conference?" Shang Zhi Tao didn’t understand why he suggested this.
"Yes. Two of the agency owners I know are local representatives in the Political Consultative Conference. Start by joining the Federation of Industry and Commerce or a democratic party. It will benefit the company’s future development. Go for it."
Shang Zhi Tao realized her perspective had been too narrow. She had thought she was merely giving a work report to the leadership, but it was far more than that. Suddenly, she understood the significance of this meeting.
"Go get ’em, Warrior," Luan Nian messaged her.
"Thank you, Nian Nian."
"Get lost."
Nian Nian was Luan Nian’s childhood nickname. One day, Dr. Liang had deliberately called him that for some reason, and Shang Zhi Tao overheard it. She proceeded to call him "Nian Nian" for days, which Luan Nian found unbearably corny and disgusting, forbidding her from using it. But she stubbornly refused to stop.Shang Zhi Tao had experience dealing with government officials. She brought Sunny along because the government wanted to hear about the company’s development plans and employment strategies. In the car, Sunny told her, "Government leaders care about employment issues, especially solving graduate employment problems, so I’ll go into detail on my part. They’ll also be concerned about taxes—I brought the tax reports and prepared tax projections."
"Thank you for your hard work, Sister Sunny."
"Just as we were leaving, Fu Dong said: 'Go get ’em, Ice City Sisters.'" Sunny laughed. "I’m almost fifty—can I still be your 'sister'?"
"Of course you can."
Sunny, having fought side by side with Tracy, lived up to her reputation—her presence was commanding, and her experience was extensive. She had considered many issues Shang Zhi Tao had never thought about before. Shang Zhi Tao only covered the strategic direction, and Sunny handled everything else. The government leaders were very satisfied with them. The company’s leaders were exceptionally capable, idealistic, and passionate, with clear business logic, so they paid extra attention to them. After the meeting, they assigned Shang Zhi Tao a task: starting in the second half of the year, she could apply to attend and observe every Political Consultative Conference meeting to understand public livelihood development plans and was also welcomed to participate in urban construction.
This was a great step forward.
Shang Zhi Tao was interested in urban construction and found it meaningful. Afterward, she called Lin Chun’er and told her about it. Lin Chun’er said, "Go for it, Tao Tao. Your choice is right. Even though our strength is small, our efforts are necessary."
"Alright. Sister. Please guide me more."
"Let’s help each other!"
Shang Zhi Tao began promoting the company’s new business. By mid-May, the newly acquired agency license was approved. Sunny started recruiting. The company’s salary and benefits system was very comprehensive and could stand up to comparison across all of Ice City.
Everything slowly began falling into place.
Shang Zhi Tao started preparing for her vacation.
For some reason, she was filled with anticipation for this long trip. She thought she had passed the age of looking forward to travel, yet she still lay awake at night.
One evening, she called Luan Nian and heard a lot of noise and strong wind on his end. Surprised, she asked, "What are you doing?"
"I’m at an event."
"I want to talk to you."
"Not today. Go to sleep first. I’ll fly over to pick you up in three days. Some equipment will be shipped to your place—ask Fu Dong to help you put it in the trunk."
"Alright. Can I know where we’re going now?"
"No."
"But I need to pack."
"You are the luggage."
After saying this, Luan Nian hung up.
Shang Zhi Tao held the phone and snorted, "Stinky man!"
Old Shang and Da Zhai fully supported Shang Zhi Tao going on a long trip. They felt she had been working too hard and needed this kind of relaxation. Plus, with Luan Nian as her travel companion, they were especially reassured.
Luan Nian had steered the rumors about Shang Zhi Tao in a new direction.
The new rumor said Shang Zhi Tao had met Luan Nian in Beijing, but their families disapproved due to mismatched social status, leading to a breakup. In a fit of anger, she returned to Ice City. Later, Luan Nian, unable to forget their old feelings, chased after her.
Shang Zhi Tao felt this version of the rumor was slightly better than the previous one.But Dr. Liang was not pleased. When she heard Da Zhai tell her these things, she was furious. So one day, Dr. Liang and Luan's Father drove up to the old tavern in a luxury car, dressed in their finest, bringing a bankbook with them.
The rumors changed again. They said the Shang family's daughter was a business genius, deeply in love with Luan Nian, and that the in-laws had personally come to propose marriage.
That sounded much better. Dr. Liang left happily.
Sometimes Shang Zhi Tao thought she was truly fortunate to have met so many good people.
As long as she lived earnestly, life would gradually become more interesting. Shang Zhi Tao had come to realize this.
Luan Nian arrived late at night the day before their long journey. No matter how much Shang Zhi Tao asked, he refused to reveal his plans. Shang Zhi Tao huffed and turned away, pretending to be angry. He wrapped his arms around her from behind, gently nibbling her back: "Shang Zhi Tao, have you been attending any training classes lately?"
"Hmm?" Shang Zhi Tao's breathing grew slightly uneven. "What?"
"Has any teacher taught you new tricks lately... hmm?" Luan Nian asked her. Shang Zhi Tao had been teasing him every day. He had seen it all, yet he was completely under her spell. When others used such tactics on him, he would scoff, but with Shang Zhi Tao, he felt she could increase the frequency.
"My mentor has been a bit busy lately..."
"That's fine. I've learned some."
A satin ribbon covered Shang Zhi Tao's eyes, sending shivers down her spine. The unknown made her a little fearful.
Luan Nian whispered soothingly, "Don't be afraid. Today is premium service."
Her hands cupped his face, seeking security. But Luan Nian gently removed her hands, moved away slightly, and when he returned, a cool tongue traced its way. Shang Zhi Tao had never experienced anything like it, tugging at Luan Nian to make him stop.
Of course, Luan Nian wouldn't stop. He remembered every time she had provoked him in his absence. A grudge-holding middle-aged man, when he played his hand, was truly astonishing.
Shang Zhi Tao felt herself swelling into a cloud under the alternating warmth and coolness of his tongue, drifting aimlessly, unsure of where she was headed.
Luan Nian's premium service nearly took her life. Her nails dug into his back, begging him to give her release.
Luan Nian was just as eager.
In the battle of wills, the brave prevailed. With all his skills, he left her utterly defeated.
At the very end, he asked her, "Would you like any other services?"
Shang Zhi Tao finally let out a breath, removed the ribbon, and saw the mess around her. Her face flushed instantly.
"You rogue!" Shang Zhi Tao cried out coquettishly.
Luan Nian laughed. "Are you satisfied with the first arrangement of the trip, Ms. Shang Zhi Tao?"
He had set the stage so perfectly that Shang Zhi Tao was completely immersed, wishing only for the journey to begin sooner.
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