The Early Spring

Shаng Zhi Тао's fеrvеnt heart wаs dоusеd with соld water by Luаn Niаn. Would she nеver eаrn his аррrоvаl?

Even thоugh she knew he was likely right, shе сouldn't аcсерt it intеrnallу. Реrhарs I should gо with alex, реrhaрs I should do as lumi sаid—cling tightly tо aleх's соаttаils аnd sоar from thеn оn. If I staу, I might bе аxеd by thе nеw boss and still hаvе to еndure Luan Nian's dеep-seаtеd disdаin.

I wouldn't bе the first in the workрlасe tо risе bу сlinging tо sоmeоnе's cоattаils, nor would I bе the lаst. Тhis wаs fatе оffеring mе a shortcut, аnd I should seize it.

As she tоssed and turned in bеd, aleх sent hеr аn emаil—an introduction to the new company, Series C funding, vast opportunities. She even looked up the company address; it was near her home. From then on, she could take fewer bus rides, cut down on commute time, and boost her happiness index. Most importantly, with a new job, she wouldn't have to see Luan Nian everywhere. She could reduce their meetings and gradually sever their improper relationship. She could embrace a new life.

She made many plans, and the next day at work, she even had the illusion that she wouldn't be at Lingmei for much longer.

As soon as lumi arrived at the office, she leaned in and whispered, "Did he reach out to you?"

Shang Zhi Tao nodded.

"What do you think?"

"I want to go with him."

lumi fell silent for a moment before saying to Shang Zhi Tao, "To go or not is just your personal choice. You're so capable; you'll do well anywhere."

"Am I really that capable?" Shang Zhi Tao asked lumi.

"Yes, you're amazing." lumi thought for a moment and added, "But I hope your decision isn't just about money, because that wouldn't be rational. Still, I must tell you, you truly are exceptional."

Then why does Luan Nian think I'm worthless? Shang Zhi Tao grew sensitive. Luan Nian wasn't targeting her; he was just speaking his mind. The workplace is complex, and there are a few employees in the marketing department who can hold their own. If alex is heading to a new environment to fight, he should take those who are more capable. Not Shang Zhi Tao. Luan Nian was merely speculating; he had no evidence that alex intended to take Shang Zhi Tao or anyone else. He hoped Shang Zhi Tao could think independently, though she likely couldn't.

Choosing Lingmei meant no immediate generous cash rewards like the new job offered, but Lingmei was a top-tier company in the industry, making it easier to become an expert—though it required perseverance. Going to the new company meant short-term cash rewards compared to Lingmei, but with risks. Luan Nian always believed that only with sufficient ability could one excel in any job. No matter how bosses changed, ability would ultimately keep you standing. He hoped Shang Zhi Tao would realize this on her own—no job was a free lunch.

By Wednesday, Luan Nian finally announced a marketing department meeting for Thursday. alex's last day was at the end of the month, and he would still attend this meeting. Luan Nian asked everyone to organize their projects, as he would listen to each person's report one by one.Everyone was on edge. Except for Sunny, who had already decided to follow Alex. As for Shang Zhi Tao, she was torn between staying and leaving. Regardless, she still had to deliver a solid project presentation. She spent the entire Wednesday summarizing and reviewing her work. By the time she packed up to leave, it was already late at night. Luan Nian’s office light was still on—who knew what he was busy with? He was always so occupied.

Did Luan Nian also get to where he was today by relying on powerful connections? Shang Zhi Tao suddenly asked herself this. Did he win industry awards, join the board, and lead the China branch by riding on someone else’s coattails? If he didn’t have a backer, what did he rely on to reach this position?

Her hand rested on the elevator’s open button without her realizing it.

It wasn’t until Luan Nian stepped into the elevator and looked at her hand that he asked, “Waiting for me?”

“Huh?” Shang Zhi Tao didn’t understand what he meant. Following his gaze, she noticed her hand pressing the wrong button and suddenly blushed. “No.”

“Lost your soul?”

“No.”

Seeing the evasiveness in Shang Zhi Tao’s eyes, Luan Nian knew he had guessed right—Alex really was planning to take her away. The workplace was complicated. He had said what needed to be said. She was an adult and should make her own decisions.

He descended to the underground parking garage and drove out through the normal lane, without circling to the front of the company. Luan Nian wanted to reduce the number of times he appeared in front of Shang Zhi Tao, giving her time to think independently.

He even thought that perhaps Shang Zhi Tao leaving Lingmei would be a good thing—that way, they could naturally end this relationship. Sitting on his bed, he read for a while before receiving a call from his mother, Dr. Liang. Every elderly mother was enthusiastic about setting up their single children, and Dr. Liang was no exception. This time, the profile she sent was a bit more normal—a twenty-six-year-old woman who taught painting at a university, which aligned with Luan Nian’s interests. Dr. Liang also sent a photo of the woman, her hair tied back, slim and fair-skinned, with bright, lively eyes. In Dr. Liang’s words, it was rare to find someone who looked so well-suited to her son just from a photo.

“Will you meet her?”

“No.”

“Why not?”

“I’ve been too busy lately. And…” Luan Nian thought for a moment before replying to Dr. Liang, “My physical condition hasn’t been great recently.”

“What symptoms?”

“Dizziness, weakness in my limbs, no appetite or desire.” Luan Nian was talking nonsense to divert Dr. Liang’s attention.

“Kidney deficiency, perhaps? Go to the hospital for a check-up.” Dr. Liang knew Luan Nian was making things up but didn’t call him out on it. Their mother-son relationship was good, and when Luan Nian talked nonsense, it meant he was averse to the blind date. Dr. Liang knew her limits—it wasn’t a big deal anyway, so she just joked a bit and let it go.

Luan Nian set his phone aside, thinking of Shang Zhi Tao’s distracted state. In the end, he called her: “Are you sure there’s nothing you want to ask me? Or are you sure there’s nothing you want to tell me?”

“No.” Shang Zhi Tao didn’t mention a word about Alex, even though Luan Nian had sent her that strange message, indicating he had already guessed. But as long as she didn’t say anything, he wouldn’t have proof, and Alex wouldn’t be seen as the one disrupting the team’s balance by defecting.She had figured out this reasoning. She hadn't realized that she had unknowingly sided with Alex, and at such a critical juncture of choice, she didn't trust Luan Nian, nor did she choose him. Because she knew that her staying or leaving and her development were unimportant to him—he hadn't even sincerely tried to keep Alex, so what was she? That cheap, obedient employee in his eyes? Such employees were surely everywhere as long as Lingmei was willing to hire them.

Her silence represented her resolve, and Luan Nian understood. After thinking for a long time, he said to her, "If you decide to leave, you can let me know in advance. I'll inform Human Resources to handle it as a termination, so you can receive compensation."

Shang Zhi Tao was surprised that Luan Nian could be so kind-hearted and sincerely thanked him, "Alright, thank you, Luke. If I decide, I'll definitely let you know in advance."

"So what did Alex promise you? Double the salary? A promotion within a year? That as long as you follow him, you'll have a good career? Shang Zhi Tao, do you have a brain?" Luan Nian's voice suddenly rose, his anger burning through the phone and scorching Shang Zhi Tao's eardrums, leaving her with nowhere to hide.

Shang Zhi Tao suddenly realized she had fallen into Luan Nian's trap. He had retreated only to advance, luring her into the game he had set, making her unknowingly betray Alex. According to company policy, departing executives were not allowed to take team members with them within six months—this was considered unfair competition and subject to non-compete clauses. Previous cases hadn't been pursued because they didn't involve Luan Nian. Luan Nian didn't care about personal feelings.

Shang Zhi Tao held the phone, not daring to speak. Her mind had gone blank at that moment.

Human complexity was not as Shang Zhi Tao had imagined. Alex and Luan Nian weren't as harmonious as they appeared on the surface either. Alex had originally had a chance to rise to the top—he even thought it would be him—but the board chose Luan Nian. Alex cooperated with Luan Nian's work, yet he was the first executive to leave after Luan Nian took office. No matter how well they maintained appearances, their actions revealed their true thoughts.

"Why aren't you saying anything?" Luan Nian suppressed his anger and said, "Do you know what your fundamental problem is, Shang Zhi Tao? It's that you're not firm enough. How old are you? You waver at the slightest temptation. Have you thought about your future? Or do you only care about immediate gains, with such short-sighted vision?"

"Money means a future," Shang Zhi Tao replied. She didn't truly believe this, but she wanted to say it anyway. "I'll make my own decisions about my own affairs. There's no need for you to worry."

"Do you think I want to worry about you? If you used your brain a little, I wouldn't have to waste my breath on you!"

"I never asked you to talk to me!" Shang Zhi Tao had never imagined she would argue with Luan Nian. She was the obedient one among them—when he taught her, she learned; when he made decisions, she followed. But when Luan Nian was angry, he spoke without thinking. At a time when she was wavering, his attitude completely pushed her away. Forcing herself to calm down, she said, "Then I'll tell you my decision now. I've decided to go with Alex. Not for any other reason, but because he has stood up for me time and again, and because he has always respected me and spoken to me properly."Speaking well, saying kind words, was such a humble wish for Shang Zhi Tao. Even though she knew Luan Nian was just that kind of person—he spoke to everyone that way. But he was also the one who had gently said over the phone, "Then I’ll bring flowers to see you." It was just that she wasn’t the person on the other end of that call.

Shang Zhi Tao still cared, and she cared deeply.

She hung up the phone, suddenly feeling a bit wronged. She had hoped Luan Nian would try to keep her, but not in this way.

Yet when she calmed down again, she realized that although every word Luan Nian said was harsh, she truly hadn’t thought things through, and she had indeed been dragged into the high-level conflicts without reason. Why exactly was alex leaving? Why didn’t Luan Nian try to keep him? What did it mean to only focus on immediate gains without considering the future?

Shang Zhi Tao was stubborn. She began to resist because of Luan Nian’s strictness. The issues between them had always existed; she had just been unwilling to face them before, and now they were precisely being brought to the surface.

"Then I wish you good luck," Luan Nian said to her.

"I will."

Shang Zhi Tao tossed and turned in bed all night, and the next day, during the marketing department meeting, dark circles still lingered under her eyes. She and Lumi chose seats in the corner, exchanging glances, not daring to make a sound.

Luan Nian, however, smiled and teased, "With such a heavy atmosphere, I might start thinking the marketing department has been disbanded."