It seemed that because it was Friday, there were especially many people late today. Particularly at the entrance where people punched in, there was almost a queue. Seeing that time was about to run out, the people at the back were getting anxious and stamping their feet.
Huàzhēng arrived at her desk, still panting and out of breath. When Emma turned to look at her, she saw her take a few deep breaths before complaining, "Twelve floors, I climbed twelve floors in one go."
The office building where the Shanghai People's Daily is located is somewhat old, with only a few elevators available. Every morning, there's a queue downstairs for the elevators, and if you arrive just as you're supposed to for work, there's a high chance you'll miss it.
Fortunately, Emma always had good habits and would arrive at the office twenty minutes early.
As Huàzhēng was speaking, Wú Mèngnì, wearing a waist-cinching dress, strolled by with a Chanel bag, looking very leisurely. She entered with another colleague.
The colleague exclaimed, "Sister Mèngnì, your Chanel bag is so beautiful, it matches your dress perfectly."
Wú Mèngnì, with a tone of indifference, said, "I specifically carried this bag to match this dress."
As Wú Mèngnì passed by, she glanced at Emma with a smile on her face, but her eyes held a malicious intent.
It wasn't until the morning team meeting, which was usually a routine affair, that everyone sat around the conference table with their computers, listening indifferently.
Unexpectedly, as the meeting was about to end, Team Leader Zhang looked around and said nonchalantly, "By the way, why hasn't the interview task given by the Advertising Department been completed yet?"
Everyone paused.
The print media industry is really in decline these days, to the point where advertisers are not only fewer than before but also act like masters. These masters, as long as their requests are not excessive, will be accommodated by the Advertising Department.
This interview task was like that; the owner of a health product company wanted the newspaper to publish an interview with him.
It wasn't a difficult task, so the Advertising Department readily agreed.
The interview task was passed on, but Wēn Táng, who was good at doing personal interviews, of course, looked down on this unsophisticated person and was very disgusted, not wanting to go at all.
As a result, the matter was delayed.
However, today, for some unknown reason, Team Leader Zhang brought it up.
Everyone looked at each other, not knowing what to say. To be honest, most health products are scams, but if you say they are frauds, they do have a legitimate health product number issued by the state.
But everyone knows what's really going on in this industry.
Any journalist with aspirations really doesn't want to do this dirty work.
Team Leader Zhang looked around several times and was about to speak when Wú Mèngnì, sitting, played with her hair and said with a smile, "Team Leader, may I make a suggestion?"
"You say," Team Leader Zhang always talked about democracy, and naturally, he was happy when someone made suggestions.
Wú Mèngnì coyly laughed and said, "I think this kind of interview should be given to the young people in the group. Firstly, it can train them, and secondly, it can also let the newcomers share some of the workload with the seniors. Otherwise, some newcomers who have been in the group for so long are still only doing errands like fetching things and running legs."
Emma had been sitting in the corner, quietly listening to their discussion.
However, after Wú Mèngnì finished speaking, the other colleagues sitting around looked at her, their eyes filled with sympathy and gloating.
Everyone knew that Emma had offended Wēn Táng, although they didn't know how, but recently Wēn Táng had been giving her all sorts of errands.
It turned out that not only was she being made difficult at work, but even during the meeting, she was being made to feel bad about running errands.
Speaking of Emma, she graduated from a prestigious school like A University, and her ability was unmatched among those who joined the newspaper at the same time. There was no one else, not even anyone comparable.
Wú Mèngnì deliberately made her feel bad, but in reality, her business ability was completely outperformed by a girl who had just joined the company for a year.
However, everyone knew that Wú Mèngnì was just a pawn, and the one who really wanted to target Emma was Wēn Táng.
Finally, Huàzhēng couldn't hold back and said, "Jǐngxī's ability is obvious to everyone, and even the editor-in-chief has praised her for her excellent writing."
After all, she was still a young girl and couldn't hold her breath.
Wú Mèngnì glanced at her and said with a smile, "I'm talking about Emma, right? Don't wrong me."
Huàzhēng looked at her indignantly, in terms of being disgusting, the old people in the company did indeed crush her.
Emma twirled the pen in her hand and remained calm and silent.
Wú Mèngnì, feeling that she had the upper hand, was determined to put Emma in her place and continued, "I think the young people in our company these days are a bit too impatient. Back in our day, who didn't go through the grind? I believe newcomers should act like newcomers, be humble and learn, listen and observe more, instead of always thinking about taking shortcuts."
No one spoke, and the conference room seemed to have become Wú Mèngnì's personal stage.
Until the crisp sound of a 'snap' echoed, and everyone's gaze immediately turned to the source of the noise.
Emma had pressed the pen she was holding onto the conference table.
She slowly raised her head and looked at Wú Mèngnì, her eyes slightly narrowed: "Before you put on any so-called senior airs, at least learn to be a decent human being."
...
The conference room fell into a deathly silence, with everyone's face showing disbelief and surprise.
Even Wú Mèngnì herself didn't jump up in anger at first.
It wasn't that everyone was unsophisticated; it was just that Emma's approach was too unorthodox. In the workplace, it's common for those who have been in the company for a few years longer to put on airs and lecture newcomers.
Many newcomers just endure it in silence, and in the end, everyone pretends to be harmonious.
So when Emma displayed an attitude that said, 'You're nothing,' everyone was stunned, completely dumbfounded.
Moreover, her tone and gaze were spot on, really giving off a vibe that said, 'Don't mess with me.'
When Huàzhēng regained her composure and looked at Emma, she felt like she had never really known this young lady before.
She originally thought Emma was just a bit cool, but now it seemed that 'a bit cool' was an understatement; this was a queen.
Finally, Wú Mèngnì snapped back to reality. She abruptly stood up from her chair, and because she stood up too quickly, the chair's wheels slid backward and crashed into the wall with a 'clang.'
She furiously said, "Who are you talking about? Who gave you the right to talk about me like that? How dare you be so arrogant, who do you think you are..."
Wú Mèngnì was really furious, her speech incoherent. She was indeed a veteran at the newspaper, but unfortunately, her abilities were average. Wēn Táng was the star of the company, and she was reduced to occasionally giving newcomers a hard time.
Today, she felt like she had a shipwreck in a ditch, thinking that someone she could manipulate at will had slapped her in front of everyone.
Emma didn't care about her attitude at all. When Wú Mèngnì ran out of breath and stopped speaking, she looked at her: "If there are mistakes in my work, you can point them out directly. But don't play these petty tricks anymore, because everyone knows what's going on. Also, don't really think you're so cunning, because everyone is just watching you perform your monkey show."
A 'pffft,' an uncontrollable laugh sounded.
At this moment, Wēn Táng's face showed annoyance because Emma said 'you guys,' not 'you.'
The fact that she was behind Wú Mèngnì's tormenting of Emma was obvious to everyone in the group.
Wú Mèngnì wanted to say something more, but the usually silent Team Leader Zhang coughed lightly and said, playing the peacemaker: "Alright, alright, this is a meeting, not a place for you to argue. No matter what your opinions are, I think the most important thing is work, work must come first, don't get involved in those trivial matters all day long."
For a moment, everyone's faces were a sight to behold.
Team Leader Zhang's words seemed fair, but in reality, he was taking sides. When Emma said someone was playing tricks, he also said not to get involved in trivial matters, which was an indirect reference to Wēn Táng and her crew causing trouble.
Although Wēn Táng was a favorite at the newspaper, she was part of Zhang's team, and her usual overbearing behavior gave her an authoritative presence in the team. Over time, even a team leader as patient as Zhang would have some temper.
This time, he took the opportunity to discipline Wēn Táng.
Moreover, compared to Wú Mèngnì, who was always stirring up trouble and had average business abilities, Emma, who was beautiful, capable, and quiet, was really likable.
Sometimes, Zhang thought it would be great if his own daughter were like Emma.
But occasionally, looking at Emma, he felt that this girl's aura was too strong, especially with the way she just was. Forget it, his own girl couldn't handle that.
After the meeting, everyone left the conference room.
Huàzhēng had a hundred thousand words she wanted to pour out. Although she was usually noisy and seemed to be the first to counterattack, she felt like she was just a paper tiger, purely paper.
As soon as she got back to her desk, Huàzhēng immediately leaned over and couldn't help asking, "Jǐngxī, you're so amazing. How did you dare to scold her like that?"
Emma clicked the mouse a few times to print out some manuscripts.
As she released the mouse, preparing to get up and collect the printed papers, she looked quite relaxed and casually replied, "Would the company fire me for scolding her?"
Huàzhēng blinked, of course not.
Emma: "Then why should I tolerate her?"
Huàzhēng: "..."
Wow, that made so much sense, so right.
In the end, the interview task still fell on Emma.
In fact, Old Zhang, despite appearing to be uninvolved in everything and allowing Wēn Táng, a deputy group leader, to overshadow him, was not a mediocre person after being at the newspaper for so long.
The reason Emma dared to confront Wú Mèngnì so directly in the meeting was that she noticed Old Zhang frowning continuously while Wú Mèngnì was speaking.
At a meeting where the team leader hadn't said anything yet, it was inappropriate for someone of no significant status to put on airs and lecture others.
Moreover, the last few words from Old Zhang were clearly in favor of Emma.
So, he assigned the interview task to Emma, which was also a show for Wēn Táng and the others, making them feel like they had helped punish Emma.
However, before she left, Old Zhang called Emma into his office.
Before he spoke, he glanced at the public office area outside, then said, "This interview is just a task; you can complete it as you see fit."
Finally, Old Zhang thought for a moment and said, "I've always thought of you as someone who doesn't talk much but is willing to work. You don't need to listen to some people. The most important thing is the work. I still have high hopes for you."
Old Zhang indeed had his own selfish reasons. Wēn Táng was in the limelight, and if all the good things in the group were taken by her, he might as well not be the team leader anymore.
As for Emma, he indeed had high hopes for her. Young people, just graduated from school, full of ambition, and most importantly, with her around, she could compete with Wēn Táng.
It wouldn't lead to a monopoly.
The reason Old Zhang called Emma in to say these things was also to win over the young girl.
He always felt that he had a particularly accurate judgment of people, and this girl's eyes were really not ordinary.
However, when Huàzhēng learned that Emma still took on the interview, she immediately sighed and couldn't help but whisper to her, "Do you know why none of them want to take this interview?"
Emma has always had little communication with the rest of the group.
The reason she is so familiar with Huàzhēng is entirely because Huàzhēng, with her thick skin, forcibly rubbed shoulders with her. After all, who doesn't like a pretty young lady.
Huàzhēng: "It's said that the interviewee is an old lecher who likes to grope people. This news came from the advertising department. Last time at a social event, he kept holding a girl's hand from the advertising department. The girl, for the sake of work, really endured the disgust and put up with it; otherwise, she said she really wanted to smash a bottle over his head."
Since this matter came from the advertising department, it should be true.
So Huàzhēng was particularly anxious, saying that during the meeting, Wú Mèngnì kept pushing this interview onto them. After all, for such an interview, if encountered by a generous person, the travel expenses would be substantial.
Emma sat in her chair, fiddling with the pen in her hand.
Even though everyone is used to using computers now, she still prefers the feeling of writing with a fountain pen, and if she has any ideas, it's more convenient to write them down directly.
Huàzhēng saw her daydreaming and seemed not to care at all, which made her even more anxious on Emma's behalf.
She said, "Jǐngxī, you really have to be careful during the interview, I'm afraid..."
Emma turned to look at her and interrupted with a wry smile, "Afraid I won't be able to resist smashing a vase over his head?"
Huàzhēng opened her mouth, and in the past, she might have thought Emma was joking, but after seeing her confrontation with Wú Mèngnì at the meeting today, she realized that Emma was not just a pretty young lady.
She was too queen-like.
Huàzhēng felt that if anyone dared to do anything to her, she might, possibly, really open someone's head.
Emma thought for a moment and said seriously, "I have a sense of measure."
After speaking, she stood up, grabbed her bag, and prepared to leave.
Huàzhēng looked at her straight back and was momentarily at a loss for words. Because as she watched Emma stride out with her head held high, she felt like she wasn't going for an interview, but for a fight.
*
Of course, Emma wasn't going for a fight; she was genuinely going for an interview. She called the assistant of the interviewee and arranged a time to visit their company.
A personality profile is not just about conducting an interview; background work must be done in advance. Since the other party was an advertiser of the newspaper, their goal was undoubtedly to promote their company, so Emma planned to visit the company first.
Fortunately, the assistant was a pretty young girl who was polite when she knew Emma was coming for an interview.
Emma declined the assistant's offer to pour water for her and asked, "May I take a look around the company?"
The assistant nodded, "Of course, would you like me to accompany you?"
Emma: "No, I'll just look around."
The assistant happened to be busy and let her wander around by herself.
Although the office building of this company was a bit old, the interior decoration was very luxurious, not only spacious but also very bright, with a sense of technology.
Next to the company's front desk was an open hall, displaying various health products and massage equipment launched by the company.
Emma looked at each product in the hall carefully. Naturally, the introduction on each product was always high-end, and there were various different photos placed among them, most of which were group photos of a slightly fat middle-aged man with people wearing white coats.
This middle-aged man was Emma's interviewee this time.
As Emma toured the hall, there were always some elderly people coming and going.
White-haired old ladies or grandfathers, either alone or together, would come over. When they arrived, there would always be a person in a suit to meet them.
Until a white-haired grandmother appeared, Emma slowly walked towards her.
But faster than her was a man in a suit and tie. He quickly walked to the side of this old lady, not only with a bright smile on his face, but also said, "Mom, you're finally here. Was there anything on the road?"
"Xiao Wang, it's really hard to find your place here," the old lady said with a slight smile.
The young man actually raised his hand and gently slapped his face, "It's all my fault, I should have picked you up. Mom, you can rest assured that next time you come, just give me a call, and I will definitely pick you up."
The old lady immediately waved with a smile, "You are busy with work."
Then this man named Xiao Wang led the two old people inside, introducing the company's various products to the old people as they walked.
As for Emma, who had been eavesdropping on the side, was really stunned.
She had also heard about the various phenomena in the health product industry. Even though the media had exposed it before, it was not as shocking as seeing it with her own eyes.
Seeing is believing.
Then Emma slowly walked in another direction, where Xiao Wang had just taken the old people.
In a short while, she saw several tightly closed doors, and it seemed that there were people inside.
She did not disturb others by pushing the door casually, but kept walking until she saw a huge open office hall. Row upon row were neatly arranged, and the atmosphere inside was busy and tense.
Many people sat at their positions, headphones on their ears, and talking incessantly. The noise was so overwhelming that Emma couldn't make out what they were saying. It wasn't until her gaze swept across the walls that she noticed several motivational posters.
"To not be treated like a dog, you have to fight like hell."
"There are no losers in this industry, only quitters."
"Look towards money, earn more."
These slogans, combined with the scene before her, made it seem like a place pumped full of adrenaline, with everyone's face filled with excitement, as if they really saw mountains of money floating before their eyes.
Emma turned to walk back but after a few steps, she ran into Salesman Xiao Wang and the elderly lady again. She listened as Xiao Wang spoke in an overly affectionate tone, "Mom, I know you like this massager, so I specially applied to our leader for a discount. Originally it was 22,000, but now it's 18,000 for you."
The elderly lady's voice was quite low, and Emma couldn't hear clearly, but she seemed hesitant. Xiao Wang immediately raised his voice, "You can rest assured that this massager really works. With this, your lumbar, knees, and feet won't hurt anymore. Just think about it, with your strong body, living another twenty years will definitely not be a problem. The cost of this massager, when averaged over these twenty years, is less than a thousand per year. Is that expensive?"
The young man spoke eloquently, as if to say that this so-called massager was the only one of its kind in heaven and earth. However, Emma felt nauseated listening to it.
Because she didn't see any consideration for the consumers; she only saw a greedy face.
*
Emma ordered a cup of hot cocoa and sat in the café for a long time. The document on her laptop in front of her was open, but she hadn't typed a single word.
She couldn't bring herself to do it.
Half of the hot cocoa on the small round table was left, long devoid of steam. When Emma's mind was in turmoil, she always liked to drink something sweet.
She turned her head and looked out the window. The café had a good geographical location, allowing her to see the rows of towering buildings. Each building was covered with glass, shining brightly under the rare sunshine today.
The sunshine swept away the continuous rain of the city for the past few days, and half a month of rain had made people feel depressed.
After taking another look at her computer, Emma got up and walked out of the store.
Half an hour later, she looked up at the skyscraper in front of her, with its bright and clean lobby, filled with modern refinement.
Emma pulled out her phone and after a few beeps, she said, "What are you doing?"
"I just finished a meeting," Jason replied softly.
Before he could ask her what was up, he heard Emma say, "Would you like to have a cup of coffee with me?"
The man, who had been sitting in a leather chair, stood up so quickly it seemed as if he was startled. "Are you downstairs?" His voice carried a hint of uncertainty because this was the first time since their marriage that Emma had called him like this.
As he got up and headed outside, he bumped into Tang Mian, who was giving instructions to someone from the secretariat outside. Seeing him, Tang Mian immediately approached and asked, "President Jason, is there something you need?"
Since the next appointment wasn't due yet, Jason should have been in his office dealing with paperwork at this time.
Jason stopped in his tracks, glanced at him, and suddenly said, "Go pick up Xingxing."
Tang Mian was taken aback. The madam was here? He now understood why his boss looked so pleased.
Emma was waiting downstairs, but then she felt it might not be right, after all, Jason's company was in this building. If he came down and was seen by others, it might not be good.
As she was thinking this, she saw Tang Mian.
A slight relief washed over Emma, and she greeted him with a smile, saying, "Thank you, Assistant Tang."
Tang Mian, of course, did not dare to say it was a trouble and was about to lead Emma into the building.
Emma: "Is he busy? Maybe we should just forget it for today." She was worried about going to his office; it wouldn't be good if they were seen by others.
Fortunately, Tang Mian said, "We're going to the underground garage. Don't worry."
Emma then followed him into the building, indeed heading towards the underground garage, pressing the button for the third basement level.
It was working hours, and there wasn't much traffic. The entire garage was somewhat quiet, with every footstep echoing clearly.
After walking for two or three minutes, she looked up and saw Jason standing next to a car.
He was dressed more formally than usual today, in a three-piece suit. The buttons on the suit jacket were undone, revealing the matching waistcoat underneath. At that moment, his hands were in his pockets, looking at his phone. The suit jacket was pulled back by his elbows, and the waistcoat clung to his waistline, accentuating his broad shoulders and narrow waist.
Emma looked at him, especially his long legs.
She really wanted to whistle.