On this day, Paradise Group Headquarters announced two personnel appointments, coincidentally, both had just returned from negotiations in Beihai Country a few days ago. Li Yan, originally a supervisor in the planning department, was transferred to be the general manager of Heaven Film Investment Company, a subsidiary of Paradise Group; Wen Qianyi, from a supervisor in the business department, was promoted to acting director of the business development department.

This news stirred both envy and jealousy among many people at the headquarters. Their trip to Beihai Country, along with the cooperation project with Shinohara Corporation, was significant, and many details hadn't been publicly disclosed yet, only vaguely stating that huge achievements were made. This left the uninformed junior staff thinking it was a prestige-boosting trip.

Yes, a prestige boost. Because many people didn't know who Li Yan was, those in the business and administrative departments who were aware of his rumors with Hai Fu understood that he was originally just a layabout in the business department, lacking any outstanding skills or achievements, merely a drifter. His previous transfer to the role of planning department supervisor had already surprised many, and now they felt it was a deliberate move to boost his prestige and promotion. The general consensus was that he had connections, which wasn't hard to believe; without connections, why would the business department keep a drifter for so long without firing him?

Paradise Group was a sea of beauties, and among them, there were levels. The more extraordinary the beauty, the more well-known. Wen Qianyi was the only one who could rival Zhang Yurong in terms of stunning allure, turning the company from Zhang Yurong's sole reign of beauty into an era of two supreme beauties. Most people in the company recognized this charming, sexy beauty. But—to colleagues outside the business department, that was all!

She had only been with the company for a few months, not even six, and her resume already made her a supervisor upon arrival, which had caused discontent within the business department and amazement in others. Now ascending swiftly to the director seat left everyone even more incredulous. Moreover, compared to Li Yan, who was just a nominal general manager, the business department's director was a real, significant position with actual power, even if temporary, it was nothing to scoff at.

The business department was always rather slick; initial jealousy had now morphed into flattery. For their own interests, they had to reestablish good relations.

Other departments had richer and juicier gossip. Some said Wen Qianyi was specially recruited by the president and was being groomed as an important force; Ye Jiahong's downfall gave her a great opportunity. Others said that besides her abilities, she also had backing. Some said her beauty was too dangerous and had charmed the company executives, even board members, who wanted more chances to interact with her, thus her promotion to director. Some buzzed that President Zhang Yurong was like an iceberg, while Wen Qianyi was fiery; they balanced each other, complementing in top-end business affairs. Further speculations even suggested if Wen Qianyi was favored by Zhang Yurong...of course, this was only the envious female colleagues' speculation, despised by all the male colleagues.

...

No matter what gossip said, for Li Yan, his reentry into everyone's attention was something he had grown used to. The more troublesome part was having to repeatedly explain to various friends. Male friends like Xu Ping, from the administration department, and Sun Hui, from the HR department, were easier to deal with; they just wanted a treat, and a night out drinking was all it took. But girls like Huang Ying, Chen Xiaoen, and Jiang Lele had more intricate thoughts and concerns over the frequent changes in his position due to hearing various rumors. They wondered whether this promotion was actually a good thing.

After all, staying in the planning department meant no merit equaled fault; as long as there weren't big issues and the people below him did well, he would get credit, beneficial to his experience and gains no matter how others viewed it. Going to a new subsidiary meant starting from scratch, requiring earnest efforts to manage, and any loss would be his responsibility.

To them, Li Yan could only briefly explain that it didn't need much professional knowledge, just vision, knowing how to use talent, and networking, which he found more suitable for himself.

However, on this matter, Hai Fu never mentioned anything upon seeing him nor called after the appointment. Obviously, she was very supportive of this point, knowing well that even if Li Yan excelled in the planning department, many would not credit him, and to do well would need even greater efforts. Such a fresh start was very fitting for him.

Colleagues in the planning department knew Li Yan wasn't squeezed out but promoted, and genuinely congratulated him, wishing him better achievements in his new position.

By the end of the day, Li Yan, having agreed to celebrate with Xu Ping, Sun Hui and others, was prepared to be heavily entertained by the "general manager" with meals, drinks, and karaoke.

He hadn't had a chance to go out in a while and wanted to relax a bit, so he planned to call Zhang Yurong to inform her he would be back late and not to wait for him.

As soon as the call connected, Zhang Yurong's satisfied voice came through: "Calling to remind me to get off work? Hmm, not bad, it's rare that you remember today we're going to my parents'. I know, see you later!"

After she finished speaking, Zhang Yurong hung up.

Li Yan felt a bit helpless, realizing it was already Friday. Friday nights were usually reserved to eat at Zhang Tianyi's house. It was a day for both to perform their couple act, pretending affection even if normally at home they didn't interfere or question each other, with little to say even at dinner. Yet on Friday nights at the father-in-law's, they had to put on a loving couple facade.

In recent months, their relationship had transformed, and the Friday commitment was fixed.

Because of over a week in Beihai Country and the busy days upon returning, Li Yan had forgotten about this arrangement. He initially called to "request leave" but ended up reminding Zhang Yurong instead.

Helplessly, he could only call Xu Ping and the others to say he had something to attend to and would be late. To Xu Ping and the others, it seemed obvious he was scared they'd make him miserable, thus finding excuses for them to eat first before meeting up.

Li Yan couldn't explain further, merely laughed and promised if he rose up in the world, he'd bring a movie star to dine with them.

...

As per their routine, they both headed home first, quickly tidied up, and Li Yan drove Zhang Yurong's car to take her back.

This time was no different; upon returning, Li Yan waited for Zhang Yurong, told Yue Yao to eat on her own, and they drove towards Zhang Tianyi's house.

On the way, Zhang Yurong suddenly asked, "Didn't you prepare gifts for many people in Beihai Country? Did you buy anything for my parents?"

This question caught Li Yan off guard; he actually hadn't—not only hadn't bought, but hadn't even thought about it. A bit embarrassed, he replied, "What don't they have? I just bought some trinkets, how could I give them to your parents?"

Hearing his excuse, Zhang Yurong realized he hadn't prepared any and sighed lightly, "Gifts are just a gesture, they won't care about the value, just that you have the thought..."

"You're right."

Li Yan lived a somewhat carefree life before and wasn't used to caring for others. Buying gifts was never on his radar; if not for Wen Qianyi's reminder, he wouldn't even have remembered gifts for Zhang Yurong, let alone Zhang Tianyi and them.

"It's alright, I understand that you, being a man...it's understandable not being so meticulous," Yurong reassured, pointing to the back seat, "I figured you wouldn't remember, so I prepared a gift for you. It's a set of tea utensils and tea from Beihai Country. If you like, talk more about it; if not, just say it was a spontaneous purchase, nothing too deep about it."

Gifts express intentions, and when the intention is also prepared for you, doesn't it show even greater care?

Li Yan was a bit surprised, not realizing she had anticipated he wouldn't prepare anything and got it ready, reflecting her understanding of him.

Seeing him silent, Zhang Yurong forced a smile, "Of course, it's up to you. If you feel it's pointless and unnecessary, we can skip taking it in later."

Li Yan realized she misunderstood, quickly replying, "Of course it's necessary. I'm not unhappy you prepared a gift; I'm delighted, surprised by how well you understand and care for me. How could I not appreciate your gesture?"

In the car's cramped space, with them so close, hearing Li Yan speak earnestly flustered Zhang Yurong, making her look outside and murmur softly, "How do I understand or care for you? I just prepared for the worst, afraid you'd show up empty-handed and embarrass me, and you did..."

"Hehe..." Li Yan chose not to expose her contradicting words. After a moment, he exclaimed, "Oh no! The gift is a minor issue, there's a bigger problem!"

Zhang Yurong, startled by his exclamation, turned to look at him, "What other big problem?"

(We're at 487, brothers, let's keep pushing for 490, 500, 510...there will be more updates!)(To be continued, to find out what happens next, please log in to www.qidian.com, read more chapters, support the author, and support legitimate reading!)

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