Circle followed behind Chen Jingming, and after a few steps, they met up. Chen Jingming, in a good mood, patted my shoulder and laughed, “Zhao Yang, when did you return to Suzhou?”
“Almost a week ago.”
Chen Jingming then turned to Circle and said, “Look at this kid, still the same, doesn’t understand the ways of the world. He came back and didn’t even think to invite his old boss for a meal.”
I joked, “I’m not under your wing anymore, why should I butter you up?”
“When you were under my wing, I didn’t see you buttering me up either. Instead, you caused me quite a few headaches.”
Chen Jingming’s words made me feel guilty, so I finally stopped joking and said seriously, “When you have time, I’ll treat you alone. You really took care of me during my two years at Baoli.”
Chen Jingming patted my shoulder and said, “It’s nothing… By the way, the ‘Love is not Luxury’ marketing campaign you planned last time was very successful. On the day, eight luxury brands gave out more than 200 commemorative cards. After this event, they highly praised our planning department at Baoli Department Store!”
“It’s all thanks to your leadership,” I flattered Chen Jingming.
Chen Jingming was pleased with the compliment, smiled, and then asked me, “You’re not going back this time, are you?”
“Not for now,” I gave Chen Jingming a vague answer.
“I think you could consider coming back to Baoli. Our planning department’s door is always open for you.”
Chen Jingming’s words made me silent. In fact, I do have feelings for Baoli Department Store. After all, it was my first real job. But I can’t go back.
While Chen Jingming and I were talking, a white Buick Excelle GT stopped not far from us. Then I saw Zhao Li, full of vigor, getting out of the car. It turned out that he had also upgraded from his old Alto to a Buick. His life was improving.
It seemed that everyone around me was progressing, but I was still like a watcher in the wheat field, standing still, tasting a hundred years of loneliness.
Zhao Li greeted me from afar, walked towards me with a feminine stride, then put his arm around my shoulder and said cheerfully, “Zhao Yang, you’re back!”
I removed Zhao Li’s arm from my shoulder, then habitually teased him, “We’re not the same gender, please keep a safe distance.”
Zhao Li wasn’t angry at all and put his arm around my shoulder again, sighing, “Time takes everything away, but it can’t take away your sarcastic and tricky temperament, Zhao Yang!”
I finally put my arm around Zhao Li’s shoulder and smiled, then asked, “You’re not driving your Alto anymore?”
“It’s at home. Do you want it? I can give it to you for a good price.”
Zhao Li’s words reminded me of Mi Cai’s Audi Q7. It wouldn’t be bad to have an Alto for commuting. I then said to Zhao Li, “Good suggestion, let’s talk about it after dinner!”
Circle, who had been silent all this time, finally picked up Zhao Li’s words, and said, half-seriously and half-jokingly, “Zhao Li, I think you should give your Alto to Zhao Yang. If he hadn’t left Baoli, you wouldn’t be where you are today.”
“Manager Circle is right. If Zhao Yang hadn’t left, I wouldn’t have had the chance to become the team leader of the copywriting planning group. But personally, I’m still very sorry that Zhao Yang chose to leave Baoli,” Zhao Li said seriously.
I believe there was no pretense in Zhao Li’s words. He’s always been a straightforward person.
…
We all walked towards the hotel, and under the guidance of the waiter, we arrived at the private room booked by Xiang Chen. At this time, Xiang Chen and Jian Wei, as well as several other senior executives from various departments of Baoli Department Store, were already sitting in the room. It seemed that Xiang Chen’s high-end tobacco and alcohol counter at Baoli Department Store was highly valued by the company.
After the usual greetings with everyone, I consciously chose a seat farthest from Jian Wei and Xiang Chen.
At this moment, Xiang Chen was undoubtedly the focus of the room, skillfully chatting with the senior executives of Baoli Department Store. The executives also gave him face, praising him for his youth and talent.
At times like this, I always feel the least presence. I just sat in a corner, drinking a bit gloomily, without the courage to even glance at Jian Wei. I finally understood why I was afraid to attend such gatherings.
Such gatherings always made me feel that Jian Wei’s decision to break up with me was a wise one. After all, I’ve never been able to control my own life, living in hardship, while Xiang Chen is different. He’s always the center of attention, able to enjoy others’ praise with peace of mind.
And material life will ultimately lead people to make the right choices. So the person who is with Jian Wei now is Xiang Chen, not me.
In my confusion, Xiang Chen and Chen Jingming’s glasses clinked together. I heard Chen Jingming say to Xiang Chen, “On behalf of Baoli Department Store, I’ll drink to Mr. Xiang. Your tobacco and alcohol counter has been a great help to us. It’s not an exaggeration to say that your counter is the ninth luxury brand of Baoli Department Store.”
“Manager Chen, you’re too kind. I hope our counter can thrive under the shelter of the big tree that is Baoli Department Store!”Chen Jingming chuckled, saying, “There’s no doubt that your counter will be successful. In Suzhou, you are the first to invest over ten million in a tobacco and alcohol counter, with a high-end positioning that doesn’t carry any liquor under a thousand yuan. It’s already causing quite a stir!”
“Well, I’ll take your good words to heart.” Xiang Chen finished his drink in one gulp, then glanced at me before addressing Chen Jingming again, “Manager Chen, I’d like to propose another toast, this time for my brother Zhao Yang. He’s always been a bit of a free spirit, and we’re grateful for your care over the years.”
I looked at Xiang Chen, his words about my carefree nature hitting me like a needle in the heart. I felt as if I had fallen into a pit of self-loathing, feeling even more like Xiang Chen was shining in the sky while I was rotting underground. But I still hoped that he had said it without thinking, and was genuinely expressing his gratitude to Chen Jingming on my behalf.
Chen Jingming looked at me somewhat awkwardly, pausing before saying, “It’s my pleasure.”
Unexpectedly, Jian Wei, who had been silent beside Xiang Chen, spoke up with a cold tone, “Have you had too much to drink? Zhao Yang has been away from Baoli Department Store for a long time. What’s the point of saying all this now?”
The atmosphere became awkward due to Jian Wei’s sudden interjection. Fortunately, those present were all seasoned executives with strong adaptability. They quickly found a new topic and proposed toasts to Xiang Chen, gradually easing the tension.
For the first time since the banquet began, I looked at Jian Wei. She didn’t look back at me, and her mood didn’t seem too good, which made me feel even more embarrassed.
I knew that Jian Wei’s defense wasn’t because she still loved me. The reason she was disgusted with Xiang Chen’s public comment about my carefree nature was because her pride wouldn’t allow her to admit that her past choices were wrong. During our relationship, she had high hopes for me, even admiration. But now, it seemed that those hopes and admiration were nothing more than youthful ignorance.