Volume 1, Chapter 39: Promotion and Pay Raise

"Sister Mei, you're joking with me, right?" Zhou Yang asked.

Tang Yumei was noncommittal, saying, "You're young and full of vigor. I saw you taking care of things yourself in the bathroom that night."

Zhou Yang was instantly overwhelmed with embarrassment. It was true that one day, feeling the urge, he had taken care of business in the bathroom. Tang Yumei had happened to return at that exact moment and caught him red-handed. He remembered the door being shut, but perhaps it hadn't been fully latched, and she had caught a glimpse through the crack?

Regardless, it didn't matter anymore. Their relationship had heated up, and many secrets were now known to each other. With Tang Yumei no longer burdened by the constraints of marriage and family life, she was much freer. Zhou Yang, too, had shed his moral inhibitions. Thus, whatever happened between them carried no weight of guilt.

"Alright, it's the weekend. Let's go out for a big meal!" Tang Yumei said.

"Agreed!"

They changed and headed out. The weekend passed quickly, and on Monday, as soon as Zhou Yang arrived at the office, he saw Zhao Ziying walking toward him, her hips swaying in high heels.

"Congratulations, Zhou Yang! You're getting a promotion!"

"Huh?" Zhou Yang was stunned, not understanding what she meant.

"You'll see in a moment!" Zhao Ziying said.

Soon, the Monday morning meeting began. Su Jing, dressed in professional office attire, stood before everyone and dropped a bombshell.

"Business is tight, and senior management has issued instructions. Our Sales Department is expanding, and our organizational structure will be broadened as well," Su Jing announced. "The planning and research groups within the marketing module will each add three members, and each group will have a manager appointed. I will announce the names shortly."

"We will also select managers to lead the sales and sales support groups."

"Chen Xue will serve as the interim manager for the sales support group, and we will replace her if a more suitable candidate is found later," Su Jing said, glancing at Chen Xue.

"Understood, Director Su," Chen Xue nodded.

"As for sales, due to the large number of personnel, we need two sales managers to lead the teams, divided into the East City and West City sales regions."

"For the West City district, last year's sales champion, Liu Yan, will serve as interim manager, responsible for daily management and business follow-up in that sector."

"Yes, Director Su!" Liu Yan replied quickly. He looked rather comical today, with a bandage wrapped around his head—it hadn't even been half a month since he last wore one.

"And for the East City district," Su Jing looked at Zhou Yang. "Zhou Yang's performance is the best in the department so far this year. His success in closing the Sanxing account was even mentioned during last week’s board meeting. Management's decision is for Zhou Yang to serve as the East City sales manager!"

"What?"

Everyone was instantly shocked. Zhou Yang had been in the department for less than a month, and he was already a manager? This pace of promotion was like riding a rocket.

"Director Su, I have an objection!" Liu Yan protested. "Zhou Yang has been here less than a month and lacks sales experience. We have many seasoned veterans in this department who are qualified to be sales managers. Making him a manager won't be convincing to the team!"

This sentiment echoed the thoughts of many other salespeople.

"Don't worry about that. After all, both you and Zhou Yang are interim managers; neither of you has been confirmed in the position. During this time, if other sales staff achieve more outstanding results, they can replace both of you!" Su Jing countered.

Liu Yan fell silent. He had intended to sow discord, only to realize his own position wasn't even secure yet—how embarrassing!

"That is the arrangement for now," Su Jing concluded. "The sales staff for the East and West districts will report to these two managers."

After discussing further work arrangements, she dismissed the meeting and called Zhou Yang and Liu Yan into her office to outline their managerial duties.

"From now on, you are no longer lone wolves; you each carry the performance targets for your respective districts," Su Jing said. "Our department still has many management positions vacant, such as Deputy Director."

"I intend to promote from among the sales managers. You two, give it your best!"

"Yes, Director Su!" Liu Yan said. "I will certainly live up to your expectations."

Zhou Yang remained relatively calm.

"Zhou Yang, do you have anything to say?" Su Jing asked.

"I don't feel confident," Zhou Yang admitted. In just over a month, moving from an intern on the verge of being fired to an interim department manager—the sheer speed of this transition left him feeling lost.

Su Jing said, "Just put your heart into it. Treat this work the same way you treated the Sanxing deal. Whether you succeed or fail, have no regrets."

"Thank you, Director Su. I understand."

A few words from Su Jing immediately cleared the fog in Zhou Yang's mind. The two left the office and returned to their desks.

During the lunch break, feeling drowsy, Zhou Yang decided to sleep in his car in the underground parking garage, where it was cool and quiet. As he arrived at his car, he saw Zhao Ziying hurrying toward him. She was wearing high heels and a form-fitting skirt that showed off her fair, shapely legs. Her wavy hair fell over one shoulder, and her deep neckline was fully exposed—the definition of mature, feminine temptation.

"Zhou Yang, are you going out?" Zhao Ziying asked, striking a pose as she approached him.

"No, I'm just going to get some rest," Zhou Yang replied. "Is there something you need?"

"Oh, now that you're a leader, you're acting all cold!" Zhao Ziying pouted, looking aggrieved in a way that was meant to be alluring. "I just wanted to talk to you!"

"You're a salesperson for the West City district. If you want to talk, go talk to your own manager!" Zhou Yang said as he opened the car door and sat down.

Zhao Ziying promptly pulled open the passenger door and sat inside.

"Manager Zhou, I don't want to work in the West City district anymore. I want to come to your East City district!" Zhao Ziying bit her lip, her voice soft and seductive. "I want to be under you."

The remark was filled with provocation and temptation.

Zhou Yang said, "Everyone knows the West City district has better sales. If you come over to my side, you'll be left with nothing."

"The East City district has great potential! I want a challenge. Manager Zhou, please talk to Director Su and have me transferred to your team!" As she spoke, she gently patted Zhou Yang's thigh. "I will definitely be very obedient to you!"

"Cut it out!" Zhou Yang said coldly. It wasn't that he felt nothing for this beautiful woman, but he felt he didn't know her at all, and her shamelessness suggested her character was lacking.

"Oh, Manager Zhou, are you still angry at me?" Zhao Ziying said. "It was my fault that night; I shouldn't have mocked you. I've already broken up with Xie Feng. He's not as good as you—in no way is he as good as you."

She leaned in, whispering into his ear, "You're the real man."

"Move, move!" Zhou Yang said, gently pushing her head away.

"Ah!" Zhao Ziying let her head sink down, and as her upper body lunged forward, she collapsed right onto Zhou Yang's lap.