This lunch was probably the time when Chen Zhu and Song Shiwei rarely ate alone.
However, the two of them ate in a more serious manner, unlike other couples where you eat and feed each other. Chen Zhu and Song Shiwei looked like ordinary friends, chatting and talking.
This is also due to the fact that one has a veteran cadre style and the other has an indifferent and cold personality. Neither of them has the habit of showing affection when there are many people.
Moreover, after they finished eating, they each went to their own places.
Chen Zhu went to the office in Science and Technology Valley, and Song Shiwei went back to the dormitory for a lunch break. They didn't feel like they had much contact with each other. In this situation, even if there is a scandal, you have to make up a good story.
When Chen Zhu arrived at the office, three full-time employees had just finished eating.
Song Qing was taking notes in front of the computer;
She is a girl who has gone through many hardships, but is still passionate about work and life. She is also very good at summarizing the gains and losses at work.
Zhang Guangfeng is making tea. He still retains some of the enjoyment habits within the system. He always makes some tea after meals;
Although he brought this black tea from his own home, it was of poor quality. Occasionally, some tea crumbs fell on the ground. He picked it up, blew it and put it back into the cup.
Xia Huilan didn't know who she was talking to on the phone. Judging from her helpless but angry expression, she felt it must be her children;
Because only children can make parents want to give up but cannot bear to give up.
…
Because of their different identities, they also have different behaviors in daily life.
Although two employees were doing their own personal things, Chen Zhu was not angry. We were not nuclear-powered donkeys, so there was nothing wrong with taking a break during lunch break.
On the contrary, being able to bring personal matters into work shows that they have completely adapted to the job and environment.
When the three people saw Chen Zhu coming, they all stood up to say hello.
Chen Zhu nodded in greeting, asked about yesterday's and today's performance, and then took a ride to Tianhe City Shopping Center alone.
Tianhe City in 2007 is completely different from that in 2024. In fact, even in 2024, people like Chen Zuo who don’t have much time to go shopping don’t have a clear idea of ​​the layout inside.
Finally, I found several women's cosmetics stores by asking shopping guides in shopping malls. The ones that can be found in Teemall are basically famous brands, such as Clinique, Shiseido, Lancome, etc.
Standing outside these stores, you can smell the sweet smell of cosmetics from a distance.
Finally, Chen Zhu stopped at the door of "Estee Lauder".
It wasn't because Chen Zhu had a soft spot for this brand, but when he had dinner with Deng Zhi last time, he accidentally glanced and found that Deng Zhi had this brand of facial cream in his bag.
Although Chen Zhu is not very good at English, "EsteeLauder" can still understand it.
This time when I visited the cosmetics store, I wasn't actually planning to give a gift to Yu Xian or Song Shiwei, but to give it to Deng Zhi.
The smooth start of retroactive technology in the early stages was closely related to Deng Zhi's help, so Chen Zhu wanted to return the favor.
But this favor is not so easy to repay.
Deng Zhi helped Chen Zhu mainly because of the early relationship between the two families. She still regarded Chen Zhu as the little brother who followed him around. If it weren't for this reason, she probably wouldn't pay attention to him.
Therefore, when repaying a favor, you cannot take out a red envelope or a 10,000-yuan shopping card.
Firstly, Deng Zhi may not accept it, and secondly, it is a vulgar thank you gift, which will only destroy this precious "sister-brother relationship".
So how do you give gifts that not only return a favor, but also maintain and deepen the personal relationship between you?
The answer is personal items.
Personal items are not things like sexy underwear, but relatively intimate gifts.
For a woman, cosmetics are actually a good choice, because they are things that are applied to the face, and every time you use them, you can think of them as gifts.
However, there is a point to note when giving cosmetics. Unless you have observed the other person’s usage habits like Chen Zhu did, it is best to inquire about them.
Because women use cosmetics just like men wear condoms, and generally only use a few familiar brands.
"Young man, do you want to buy cosmetics for your girlfriend? Come in and take a look."
The young female shop assistant with heavy makeup saw Chen Zhu lingering at the door, waved and shouted with a charming smile.
These female shop assistants are all good-looking, not short, and they have hairstyles like stewardesses.
This is probably also a brand marketing strategy. In addition to attracting customers' attention, beautiful female shop assistants can also help enhance the brand's image. As for the reason why they dress up in fancy clothes, they are probably to show their makeup skills, which can increase customers' desire to buy.
"Who do you want to give it to?"
It was obvious that Chen Zhu was not for his own use, so as soon as he walked into the store, the female clerk opened her bright red lips and asked.
"She is a female white-collar worker in an office, about 25 or 25 years old. She has fair skin. Is there any better facial cream or hydrating product?"
Chen Zhu described his requirements.
"Then let's take a look at this product. Autumn and winter are inherently dry, and it's more likely to hurt the skin when facing the computer. This product of ours is not irritating to the skin. After applying it, it obviously penetrates very quickly and feels moisturizing.
It can be maintained for a long time..."
The clerk's sales pitch wasn't very clever, as he only had words but no emotion, but Chen Zhu didn't care about that. He finally picked a cosmetics gift box that included toner, essence, cream, and facial cream.
It's heavy and classy at first glance, but when I paid for it, I saw it was 2,888 yuan, which is higher than the monthly salary of most current workers.
After returning to the office, Chen Zhu was worried that Deng Zhi was taking a lunch break, so he first sent a message "Is Sister Zhi Zhi taking a rest?" to confirm.
It wasn't until Deng Zhi replied "No" that Chen Zhu called him.
As soon as the call was connected, there was the sound of a group of people making noisy noises, as if they were still discussing work at noon.
"Chen Zhu, what's the matter?"
There was an anger in Deng Zhi's voice that sounded like he had just come off the battlefield. He might have just been quarreling with a colleague or leader.
Chen Zhu felt a little bitter, but he didn't expect to pick the worst time to contact him.
However, after being beaten, Chen Zhu could only bite the bullet and said: "Sister Zhizhi, are you free recently? Regarding the publication of that report, I have always wanted to treat you to a meal..."
"No……"
Before Chen Zhu finished speaking, Deng Zhi simply refused and said: "We don't care about this. Besides, it's just an early report, and its effect is probably limited. You will have to rely on yourself to run the company in the future."
"It's very helpful, Sister Zhizhi."
Chen Zhu said seriously: "If it weren't for that report, we would have been at least a month or two late before we could achieve profitability."
Chen Zhu's original plan was to create a soft advertisement on the B17 version of "Slow Life", but what kind of traffic would that kind of page bring? It was just a random gimmick.
The most important thing is to wait for the stock to make a profit before spending a lot of money on promotion.
Unexpectedly, Deng Zhi directly transferred me to the B03 version of the "City Focus" column, so I received a lot of attention, and I am still reaping the dividends of this wave of traffic to this day.
"That's why it's better to combine college students' entrepreneurship with tutoring websites."
Deng Zhi did not take any credit: "If you do other things, you may not have this effect."
Not taking credit means not willing to accept favors. Chen Zhu pondered for a few seconds, switched "Chen Chu" online, and changed his method of persuasion.
"Sister Zhizhi."
Chen Zhu's tone was particularly sincere: "You may not know how helpful a weighty report is to a new company like ours. It can be said to accelerate the speed of retroactive technology to adapt to the market."
"Although the company is very simple now, it has a small foundation, so I really want to invite Sister Zhizhi to sit in the office."
"After all, this is a company that you have supported single-handedly. You have to listen to our report..."
Listening to Chen Zhu's sincere words, Deng Zhi probably felt Chen Zhu's sincerity.
However, she really felt that there was no need to express her gratitude in such a big way. After thinking about it, she said: "After I finish this stage, I will definitely go over and take a look when I have time. I have something to do now, so I will hang up first."
After speaking, without waiting for Chen Zhu's opinion, Deng Zhi hung up the phone and shook his head.
"The little kid back then has now become so mature. He not only knows how to welcome guests and send them off, but also knows how to treat guests and express thanks."
Deng Zhi thought to himself, then picked up the notebook again and walked into the conference room.
There was a "debate" here for more than ten minutes, between the "City Focus" column team and the "Financial Horizon" column team of the newspaper.
Just now it was just a break, but now we are back together again. Everyone is drinking tea, making coffee, and waiting for the next discussion to begin.
There is a young male editor of "Financial Vision" who has been sizing up Deng Zhi, his eyes shining with admiration and secret love.
Taking advantage of this opportunity to rest, he joked in a familiar tone: "Editor Deng, whose call did you just go out to answer? It couldn't be those men who have a crush on you, right?"
There was a strong smell of sour grapes in his tone.
Deng Zhi suddenly raised his head, his eyes like two sharp rulers, staring at his male colleague without saying a word.
Until he stared at him until his face turned red, and he had no choice but to apologize: "Editor Deng, I was just joking..."
Deng Zhi then withdrew his gaze, looked around, tapped the mahogany table with his index finger knuckle and said: "I hope everyone can be more rigorous and serious at work, joke less, and focus more on work."
"Okay, okay."
Yan Yuelin, editor-in-chief of the "City Focus" column, tried to smooth things over: "Let's continue the discussion. Now the stock has reached an unprecedented high, but the subprime mortgage crisis in the United States has broken out. Can our A-share market withstand this crisis?"
Field impact..."
As Yan Yuelin spoke, he looked helplessly at Deng Zhi.
Having a capable subordinate can save a lot of time for the leader.
However, if the ability and aura of your subordinates are too strong, they can often steal your prestige, which makes you a bit uncomfortable as a leader.
…
As for Chen Zhu, he didn't feel depressed when his first invitation was rejected.
What matters when it comes to giving gifts or returning favors is perseverance, and you must never give up just because the other person is busy.
If the other party doesn't accept it, just send it a few more times. The more you refuse, the more sincerity you can show.
So after two or three days, Chen Zhu called Deng Zhi again, but he was still rejected.
"The recent economic situation is relatively complicated, and newspapers are constantly surrounding domestic and foreign financial markets."
Deng Zhi said: "Let's do it next time. Besides, you are a college student. Even if you start a business, you must remember to focus on learning."
This sentence is a bit like the tone of an elder sister educating her younger brother. Chen Zhu also warned: "Sister Zhizhi, you should also pay attention to your health. I see you don't take a break at noon for many days."
"Get used to it."
Deng Zhi replied casually and hung up the phone.
Two days later, the "Learning Network" advertisements on Guangzhou Radio Traffic Voice (FM105.2MHz) were online, but Chen Zhu still did not invite Deng Zhi to his office in the Science and Technology Valley.
He simply got angry and skipped the last class one afternoon. He went straight to the downstairs of "Yangcheng Evening News" and called Deng Zhi again.
"Sister Zhizhi."
Chen Zhu said: "If you are free tonight, we would like to treat you to a meal."
"No need."
Deng Zhi was typing on the keyboard and said, "I'm really busy..."
"But I'm downstairs in your building."
Chen Zhu said.
"What?"
Deng Zhi seemed to be taken aback, and opened the window with a click. It was drizzling outside, and there were so many umbrellas downstairs that it was impossible to see anyone's face.
"You are really persistent."
Deng Zhi sighed.
"I wonder if this kind of spirit can move Sister Zhizhi."
Chen Zhu said with a smile.
"Hey~, just wait for me at the roadside newsstand!"
Although Deng Zhi still felt it was unnecessary, this was already the third invitation. If he didn't go, would Chen Zhu feel that he had a problem with him? That would be a huge misunderstanding.
Hearing that Deng Zhi finally agreed this time, Chen Zhu was also a little happy. He called all the company colleagues back to the office, and then waited patiently for Deng Zhi to show up.
It rained a little today, and the cool gray clouds overhead gave the whole city a gray and humid feel.
After waiting like this for a few minutes, a silver BMW three series sedan slowly drove out of the newspaper building parking lot and stopped next to Chen Zhu.
The car window rolled down slowly, revealing a beautiful face with short hair and lop-eared ears that looked like Gui Lunmei's. Her almond-shaped eyes were sharp and energetic, and her temperament was confident and neat. She said to Chen Nunu: "Get in the car."
······
(I have a lot of work lately, so I just need to finish these two days.)
Chapter completed!