Тhе уear саmе tо аn end, and Shang Zhi Таo's effiсiencу imрrоvеmеnt рrojeсt officially enterеd thе eхeсutiоn рhаse. Shе rероrtеd the imрlementatiоn рlan tо Luan Nian ovеr the phоne, and Luаn Niаn hаd nо раrtiсular cоmmеnts. Bеfоrе hanging uр, he аskеd her, "Do уоu havе any favоrite jewelrу?"
Shаng Zhi Тaо was taken аbасk for а mоmеnt аnd rерlied, "I dоn't knоw much аbout jеwelry." Shе addеd, "Рlеasе dоn't buу mе anything. I don't lаck anything." She didn't havе high material dеmands, pаrtly bесausе she was young and looked good in anything she wore. A fresh, clean girl standing there, with a gentle breeze brushing her face—no jewelry or bag could replace that.
Luan Nian grunted in acknowledgment and hung up.
Shang Zhi Tao's efficiency model ran for four months, and Luan Nian asked her to extract all the core data to review the project results.
She had already run the data in advance, so all that was left was the analysis.
Improving efficiency in market-related projects was actually a challenging task. It required changing the company's previous behavioral habits and operating according to the new model; making everyone understand why it was necessary; and solving various problems encountered during the process. Shang Zhi Tao spent every day studying process optimization, and during that period, she had to call Zhang Lei daily to consult on various solutions.
At first, whether day or night, she kept receiving calls—from sales, planning, creative, technical departments, and even colleagues from the marketing department who didn't understand. Shang Zhi Tao was deeply troubled and couldn't focus even when she was with Luan Nian. Sometimes, when the two of them were in the middle of something intimate, a call would come in.
Luan Nian felt like smashing Shang Zhi Tao's phone.
Shang Zhi Tao was also confused: "Everyone doesn't know how to operate or why they should operate this way. What should we do?"
"What is Tracy for?" Luan Nian asked her. Seeing that she hadn't caught on, he said, "Are you just doing a business project as a business project? For a cross-departmental project like this, shouldn't you ask Tracy to organize training and exams?"
"Training?"
"Otherwise? Should we just disband the training department?"
"Oh, right."
Only then did Shang Zhi Tao remember that the company had such an invisible department. She contacted Tracy that same day and explained the requirements. Tracy acted quickly, having the training department conduct needs research, develop courses, create exam questions, and monitor the process in cycles. It proved effective, and Shang Zhi Tao's phone finally fell silent.
After solving her problem, the next time she could finally relax and be intimate with Luan Nian without worry, he seriously said to her, "Shang Zhi Tao, your thinking isn't elevated enough."
He never minced words. He could have said, "Shang Zhi Tao, if you did this or that, it would be better," but he didn't.
Shang Zhi Tao was used to it. She sat up straight to listen to his teachings. Luan Nian was amused by her serious demeanor but continued, "You need to think from a higher perspective. The means to solve problems should be diverse, and you should understand the functions of all departments in the company, even the cleaning staff, and what problems they can solve for you. Don't stay confined to your own little corner."
Shang Zhi Tao felt that Luan Nian was right, and she took his advice to heart. She earnestly began studying the functions of various departments in the company and even delved into the company's interpersonal relationships. As she studied, a thought gradually emerged: she wanted to join the planning department.She obtained a copy of the job description for the Planning Department and studied it carefully. Only then did she realize that the hiring standards for the Planning Department were truly high, especially the requirement for "overseas work experience preferred," which effectively barred Shang Zhi Tao from consideration.
One day, she ran into Tracy in the pantry and earnestly asked her, "Tracy, I’d like to ask for your advice. When HR says 'experience in a certain area is preferred,' does that mean lacking that experience is an absolute deal-breaker?"
"If other aspects of the candidate’s experience are particularly outstanding, it’s not necessarily a deal-breaker. It’s not that absolute." Tracy then asked Shang Zhi Tao, "Thinking of changing jobs?"
"No." Shang Zhi Tao waved her hand, then nodded. "Yes."
"Looking for opportunities outside the company, or...?"
"I want to join the Planning Department."
Tracy nodded. "I don’t think it’s too difficult—it’s just an internal transfer. But the Planning Department head has just taken office, and the department’s headcount is still frozen. You might have to wait a bit."
"Alright. Thank you, Tracy."
Shang Zhi Tao had mentioned her idea to Lumi, who, of course, supported her. As Lumi put it, "You’ve already done everything in the Marketing Department—it’s just the same old stuff, nothing new to explore. Going to the Planning Department is a good move. But the Planning Department isn’t easy to get into. It used to be led by Luke, and now with the new guy Dony, we’re not sure what his approach is."
"Should I wait a bit longer?"
"Wait a bit longer."
Shang Zhi Tao was very receptive to advice. She knew Lumi was reliable—though she might seem casual, her judgment about people and situations was sharp. If Lumi said to wait, then it really was best to wait. Dony had been directly appointed by the board of directors. He was young and capable, with a resume seemingly on par with Luan Nian’s, and a solid background. In management, balance was key—they couldn’t let one person dominate.
Once or twice, Shang Zhi Tao considered asking Luan Nian for advice, but she held back each time. She didn’t want to ask for help; she wanted to rely on herself.
Shang Zhi Tao had grown much more capable by now.
She was responsible for budget process management and supplier management in the Marketing Department—roles others saw as lucrative. Only those who had done the work knew just how exhausting these tasks were. In budget management, every department with expenditures treated you as the enemy. When you questioned discrepancies, they came up with all sorts of excuses, but when they were audited internally, their response was always the same: "The Marketing Department already reviewed this."
Supplier management was even worse. With so many suppliers, every bidding process exhausted Shang Zhi Tao.
Burdened by work day after day, she finally couldn’t take it anymore. One Friday evening, at Luan Nian’s home, she had a talk with him.
The scene of their conversation was somewhat comical.
By then, Luke was already six months old. Having spent every weekend at Luan Nian’s place, he clearly thought he was very familiar with him. As soon as he arrived, he would patrol the house from top to bottom, sniffing here and there, checking if there were any other dogs in the house. He was in the middle of his transformation—with a little monkey-like face, one ear standing up while the other hadn’t fully perked yet, still drooping. Luan Nian would always tease Luke, saying, "I’ve never seen such an ugly dog!"
Luke tilted his head left, then right, finally realizing: Are you calling me ugly? I’m not ugly! I’m the prettiest! With a leap, he jumped onto Luan Nian, licking his face and pawing at him.Whenever this happened, Luan Nian would shout angrily, "Shang Zhi Tao! Control your stinky dog!" His disgust was written all over his face as he locked Luke in a headlock with one hand. "Get lost!"
Shang Zhi Tao would run over to separate them, pick up Luke, and watch as Luan Nian disdainfully brushed the fur off his clothes while continuing to bicker with Luke. "So ugly, and shedding everywhere—utterly useless."
Luke would get furious, barking wildly in Shang Zhi Tao's arms, baring his teeth as if ready to charge at Luan Nian and duel with him.
Shang Zhi Tao, with a headache from their noise, would lightly pat Luke's head. "Stop barking!" Then she'd glare at Luan Nian. "Stop bullying Luke!"
That day, when she was discussing work with Luan Nian, he had just finished a fight with Luke. The man and the dog were glaring at each other, neither willing to back down. Luan Nian was covered in dog hair, and Luke, still angry, had peed in a corner of the living room.
Shang Zhi Tao said, "I want to talk to you about Luke."
"You should talk to your Luke first!" Luan Nian stared at Luke's infuriating expression, contemplating turning him into stew.
"I'm talking about work. I can't discuss work with Luke."
"I thought your Luke was capable of anything!"
Luan Nian shot another disdainful glance at Luke before turning to Shang Zhi Tao. "What is it, Flora?" Calling her Flora meant it was time to talk business.
"I'm overwhelmed. I want to hire someone. I asked Tracy, and she said you're temporarily overseeing the marketing department now, so I need your approval for the headcount." Shang Zhi Tao earnestly laid out her workload and her colleagues' workloads for Luan Nian, presenting facts and reasoning before concluding, "I can't handle it all, and no one has the bandwidth to help me. I need an assistant."
"Fine. I'll allocate two outsourced headcounts to you."
"Really?" Shang Zhi Tao hadn't expected it to be so easy. She thought Luan Nian would ask more questions, like what she would do after hiring outsourced staff. She had prepared answers, but Luan Nian didn't ask.
"Have I ever lied to you?"
"No."
"Then contact HR to post the positions starting next Monday."
"Thank you."
Leading two outsourced staff would lead to leading one or two full-time employees, then a small team, and gradually, she would become a manager. If nothing unexpected happened, her career blueprint would unfold just like that. Shang Zhi Tao felt that after stumbling her way to this point, she finally had the chance to lead a few people. Suddenly, she realized that work, for the most part, didn't deceive—all her efforts had been worth it.
Feeling happy, she rested her head on Luan Nian's lap, propped her legs on the back of the sofa, and acted spoiled beside him. Luan Nian ran his fingers through her hair, gently smoothing it. It was rare for him to be so tender, and Shang Zhi Tao took advantage of it. "Slower, slower; gentler, gentler. Yes, just like that." She fell asleep.
Luan Nian checked the time, glanced at the sleeping Shang Zhi Tao, and then at Luke, who was huffing and puffing as he gnawed on a ball. Finally, he pinched Shang Zhi Tao's cheek hard. "Wake up! Your silly dog still needs to be walked!" Shang Zhi Tao groggily stood up, took the leash, and fastened it to Luke before heading out. The villa area was quiet late at night, with lush greenery. Luke, clearly a bit of a snob, sniffed at this blade of grass and that tree, leisurely enjoying himself. Shang Zhi Tao, feeling the gentle night breeze, also relaxed. Hearing footsteps behind her, she turned and saw Luan Nian. "Why did you come out?""Just getting some fresh air." Luan Nian stood beside Shang Zhi Tao, looking down at the silly Luke digging a hole in the ground. "What's he doing?"
"I don't know either. He's been like this for the past few days."
"He's probably an idiot, right?" Luan Nian mocked Luke again. Luke seemed to understand, standing up from the ground with dirt still on his nose before charging toward Luan Nian. Luan Nian took a few steps back. "Get away! Stupid dog!" Luke ignored him and chased after him.
One chased, the other ran. They circled the villa area twice before finally returning home. This time, Luke was thoroughly exercised. As soon as he entered, he ate his dog food, drank half a bowl of water, and then collapsed into sleep.
Shang Zhi Tao widened her eyes in surprise. Usually, Luke didn’t eat well, and she had to coax him with his bowl every time: "If you don’t eat, you won’t grow up. Be good." Luan Nian had seen this twice before, mocking her for being ineffective at training the dog. Shang Zhi Tao couldn’t understand how something she had worried about for so long was solved just by Luan Nian taking him for a run. She followed Luan Nian, who was about to take a shower, and asked him, "What happened? Did you inspire Luke’s fighting spirit, making him want to grow up quickly to defeat you?"
Luan Nian took off his T-shirt and tossed it to Shang Zhi Tao. "Wash this for me."
"Why should I?"
"Either wash the clothes or wash you. Your choice." Upon hearing this, Shang Zhi Tao grabbed the clothes and ran. She didn’t like being in the bathroom—the joy was different, but it could also feel suffocating. Too hot. Luan Nian called after her, "Not a single dog hair allowed!"
Seeing Shang Zhi Tao flee from his sight as if escaping, he couldn’t help but laugh.
Luke slept like a dead dog. Even with Shang Zhi Tao making so much noise, he didn’t come over to patrol. Luan Nian, undisturbed, finally felt completely at ease. He traced circles on Shang Zhi Tao’s shoulder with his fingers. "Next time, I’ll walk the dog with you." Having tasted the benefits, he thought to himself that if he had known running a few laps with that silly dog could buy him a peaceful night, he would have done it sooner.
"Sure. I’m so relieved that Luke can eat more now." Shang Zhi Tao didn’t grasp Luan Nian’s meaning, her mind entirely focused on Luke’s eating habits.
"How will you repay me?" Luan Nian’s hand slipped into her pajamas, his lips pressed against the back of her ear, his teeth gently biting her earlobe as he whispered, "Do you want to take Luke to the mountains tomorrow?"
The mountains were a good idea. Finding a secluded spot for Luke to run wild would surely make him happy. Shang Zhi Tao’s attention was entirely on Luan Nian’s fingertips. Mumbling a soft "okay," she buried her face in the pillow, her hand covering Luan Nian’s, and between heavy breaths, she uttered another "okay." Luan Nian’s heart softened. He wrapped her in his arms, his chest pressed against her back, and devoted himself to pleasing her.
The next day, they really took Luke to the mountains and brought him to the bar. Luan Nian’s bar was fully decorated and about to officially open. Before it was finished, Shang Zhi Tao couldn’t imagine what it would look like. Now that it was done, she realized Luan Nian’s taste was truly exceptional. Unlike bars in bustling areas, Luan Nian’s bar exuded elegance and artistic flair. Shang Zhi Tao finally understood how Luan Nian planned to make money with this bar—private clubs and salons.
Luke ran around the bar as if he loved it. Luan Nian asked Shang Zhi Tao, "What do you think?"
"It’s really beautiful."
"Once the glassware arrives, I’ll let you be the first guest here. You’ll drink the first cocktail the bartender makes."
"You’ve already hired a bartender?"
Luan Nian raised an eyebrow.
"You know how to mix drinks?" Shang Zhi Tao was surprised. She had always known Luan Nian understood how to live well, but she hadn’t realized he was skilled enough to mix drinks."Just a superficial understanding." Luan Nian took two bottles of mineral water from the trunk and handed one to Shang Zhi Tao. "No cocktails today, only a specially mixed water."
"What's the name of this specially mixed water?" Shang Zhi Tao asked him.
"One Heart." Luan Nian took a sip, then said to her, "Wanting to go to the planning department is a good thing—people strive for higher ground. But the head of the planning department has a complicated background. If you go, others will ask you to pick a side. Will you? If you do, you might become my enemy in the future. If you don’t, you’ll be eliminated."
"So?"
"So, drink this water and be of one heart with me."
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