Because of Luan Nian's maneuvering at the budget meeting, every department suddenly grew tense. Each one commandeered a conference room and began drafting budget proposals. Marketing couldn't leave either. They had to be on call, since any department in the middle of a meeting might come knocking: "Can you take a look and see if this makes sense?" Even Shang Zhitao felt like her own standing had risen a little, just by tagging along with Marketing. It was not a bad feeling at all. She worked through more than thirty hours of overtime with them, sleeping only a few hours at her desk, and in those thirty-plus hours she finally understood the logic behind Marketing's budgeting. It wasn't as simple as naming a sum, being handed the money, then reporting back on what it earned. Every step had its method, and every step could be tracked and traced back. That part she found genuinely interesting. Learning something new made her happy, and by the time Wednesday'...
Shang Zhitao had handled her feelings well enough, but once it was time for work, the worry set in. She got off the bus and looked around. No Luan Nian. Good. She sprinted into the office building. Nobody had taught her what to do after a one night stand with her boss. She had searched it secretly the night before. The internet said: act like nothing happened, and neither person will feel awkward. Shang Zhitao stayed anxious until the afternoon, when she heard Alex tell Lumi at the weekly meeting, "We're having an online call with Luke later about the Q4 budget. You and Flora sit in." "Not in person?" Lumi thought Luan Nian was somewhat easier to deal with remotely. In video calls he always asked so many questions that you could never zone out. "He's on a business trip. Advertising industry summit." "Alright then." Shang Zhitao let out a long breath beside her, took Lumi's spreadsheet, and started writing formulas to calculate t...