On the way back, Li Xiaoyun was driving and said to me with some concern, “Zhao Yang, were you a bit too assertive just now? After all, they are our potential big clients.”
I smiled and asked, “Then tell me, why do we have to be in a weak position when negotiating with clients?”
“Because they can create customer value for our company?” Li Xiaoyun answered without hesitation.
I shook my head and said, “Xiaoyun, you work in customer management. It’s normal for you to place customers on a high pedestal. This is your habitual thinking and it shows your professional quality. But you need to understand the advertising industry. It’s an industry full of personality. An advertising company that always agrees with its clients will lack creativity. Although clients create customer value for us, we will eventually bring them economic benefits through advertising. Essentially, we are in an equal relationship.”
“But besides our Austen, there are other advertising companies eyeing the advertising business of Times Department Store. After all, it’s a big project worth millions of dollars every year. Our company attaches great importance to it. I’m worried…”
“Don’t worry. I have a general understanding of the advertising companies in Xuzhou. The advertising resources they have are limited and it’s hard for them to systematically support the advertising needs of Times Department Store. Manager Lin is a sensible person. He won’t risk his career. You know, the annual advertising expenses of department stores are astronomical. If the advertising effect is not good, it would be a serious dereliction of duty for the planning manager.”
Li Xiaoyun was silent for a moment before she nodded slightly, seeming a bit relieved.
I comforted her, “Don’t worry. I worked in the department store for three years and I know their advertising needs like the back of my hand. The reason why I was assertive was to prevent them from excessively lowering the advertising price later. Besides, an advertising company must have its own personality. There’s no need to lower our stance too much in front of clients. Advertisers are proud because we are creating value with creativity!”
Li Xiaoyun finally smiled and said, “Maybe you have a deeper understanding. But just now, your performance was really leader-like, calm and composed… very charming!”
“I’m flattered. Wait until our company really gets the advertising business of Times Department Store, then you can praise me.”
“You’re so confident, I believe there won’t be any problems!”
“Your trust satisfies my male vanity. You’re a great girlfriend!” I praised.
Li Xiaoyun’s expression finally showed a hint of shyness, “We’re just getting along, we haven’t reached the stage of boyfriend and girlfriend, right?”
“That’s simple, stop the car now, let’s have a passionate kiss, and our relationship will immediately escalate!” I joked.
“It’s working hours now, let’s postpone your so-called passionate kiss.” Li Xiaoyun said, still with a hint of shyness.
…
When I got back to the company, I immediately went to the HR department to register my personal information and finally confirmed my salary. My current monthly salary at Austen Advertising is 6500, excluding benefits and commissions. Although this salary is slightly lower than what I had at Bao Li Department Store, it’s enough for me to live worry-free in this city for now, especially since I don’t have to worry about rent here.
That evening after work, I treated Li Xiaoyun and my colleagues from the planning department to dinner. When I got home, it was already late at night, but I didn’t feel tired because my anticipation for the future had diluted my fatigue.
It was then that I realized how good people are at creating their own troubles. If I had returned to Xuzhou two years earlier, perhaps I wouldn’t have had to endure so much pain that represented vanity. I felt a bit regretful in my heart. This feeling of regret made me realize that I was gradually forgetting Jian Wei, forgetting the love that once deeply touched my heart.
In fact, when you decide to let go of love, it’s just like this, so light, given to the wind, it dissipates…
After washing up, I turned on my computer and studied some of the planning cases that Austen Advertising’s planning department had done before, so that I could quickly integrate into my new job.
I lit a cigarette, took a sip of tea, the night deepened a bit more, but I was so immersed in my work that I didn’t notice, until the phone rang. I picked up the phone next to my computer and couldn’t help but smile. The call was from Le Yao. It seemed that we hadn’t been in touch since the last time we had dinner together. I wondered how she was doing recently.
I answered the phone, greeted her with a cheerful mood, “Hello, Le Da Wan, long time no contact!”
Le Yao complained, “You finally remember? Where have you been having fun recently?”
“I’ve been back in Xuzhou for quite some time. I wouldn’t say I’m having fun, but I’m getting by… How about you, how have you been?”
“I’ve been pretty free lately, I’ve almost finished shooting my scenes.”
“Oh, then I wish your new drama a big success in advance!”
“I hope so…”
After Le Yao finished speaking, it seemed that we had run out of topics. After a moment of silence, I said, “Then you should relax and take it easy during this time.”
Le Yao didn’t accept my suggestion and said seriously, “I don’t have time to relax. I have something to discuss with you. I want to open a music bar in Suzhou. What do you think?”
“Where did you get the money? Opening a bar is not a small investment!”
“You don’t need to worry about that. I have a way to get the funds. You just help me analyze it.”
“You’d better stay in the entertainment industry. Business is not for you. Your IQ is a hard injury!” I immediately rejected her. This rejection didn’t mean to belittle Le Yao. She’s a carefree girl. The bar business is so complicated and detailed, she can’t handle it.
“Zhao Yang, you dead man, do you have the heart to hurt me like this? What’s wrong with my low IQ? I can just eat more brain gold to supplement.”
“Even brain diamonds won’t help. I advise you to give up the idea of doing business. Besides, the bar industry is a bit deep. There are too many places to deal with. You still have to shoot dramas, and you don’t have that much energy to manage and take care of it.”
Le Yao was silent, as if my words had dispelled her idea of opening a bar.I seized the moment and said, “Listen to me, put aside the idea of opening a bar for now. When you really have the funds and connections in the future, it won’t be too late to start.”
No sooner had I finished speaking than Le Yao retorted in a huff, “CC is running a music restaurant, why can’t I open a music bar?”
“CC also smokes and drinks, can you?”
Le Yao was left speechless by my words. After a while, she said, “I just wanted to hear your opinion. Let’s not talk about this anymore. What about you? What have you been up to lately? Have you started working?”
“Me? I’m doing great. I just settled my job today, so I’ll be staying in Xuzhou with peace of mind from now on,” I said casually.
Le Yao responded with an “Oh”, fell silent for a moment, then asked, “Do you have a girlfriend now?”
“You guess.”
Le Yao fell silent again. I couldn’t help but think her IQ wasn’t quite up to par. It wasn’t a complex geometry problem, after all. The answer was either yes or no. Did she really need to think that long?