Chapter 4 — After Ten Years of Silence, the Whole Industry Sees Me

The news spread very quickly. By afternoon, the whole company was talking about the same thing. The company is preparing to spend 1.2 million yuan to invite an advertising master from Shanghai to Sheng Hang to save the Jinhua project.

"1.2 million yuan? Just one invitation cost 1.2 million yuan?"

"I heard he's a legendary-level figure in the industry. Just nodding his head to accept the offer in Shanghai is already worth it."

“This time it's great, the Cam Hoa project has hope.”

I sit in the office. Heard intermittent sounds of conversation coming from the hallway. 1.2 million yuan. The company would rather spend 1.2 million yuan to invite outsiders. But he didn't want to reward me with an additional 350,000 yuan. It's ridiculous. It's also ironic. But even more so is the feeling of emptiness that cannot be named. Ha Than pushed the door and walked in.

“Miss Tham, the expert will come the day after tomorrow.”

"The company requires departments to prepare for coordination. The creative department must also send people to support."

"I know."

“Miss Tham…”

He hesitated a bit.

“Don't you feel uncomfortable?”

“What's bothering you?”

“Spend 1.2 million yuan to invite outsiders, but don't want to…”

He didn't continue speaking.

“It's normal.”

I smiled softly.

“People from outside are always given more importance.”

Ha Than stood for a while longer and then quietly left. Eight o'clock in the evening. I work overtime alone in the office. Not because of the Cam Hoa project. Which is completing the final stages for another small customer. The phone suddenly rang. It's Professor Ly Minh Vien, my instructor in college. Currently, he is the dean of a prestigious design academy in Beijing.

“Nhuoc Tinh, I heard something happened to your company?”

“The speed at which you grasp information is truly terrifying.”

“The advertising world is only so big.”

“Is there anything that won't reach my ears?”

He paused for a moment then asked:

“Why didn't you accept that project?”

“It would take a long time to say it.”

“Are you angry?”

I was silent.

“Nhuoc Tinh.”

His voice became gentler.

“If you don't want to continue in Hai Thanh anymore, go to Beijing.”

"The teacher always saves a position for me."

“With your ability, going anywhere won't be bad.”

"Thank you, teacher. Let me think more."

“Whenever you need it, just contact the teacher.”

After hanging up. I looked out the window for a long time. Leaving Thinh Hang? That thought wasn't the first time it appeared. But every time I think about the customer relationships accumulated over the past ten years. Thinking of Ha Than and the young people on the team. Thinking of the core group that has followed me for five years. I couldn't make up my mind again. But... What the company is doing really makes it impossible for people to continue to endure it any longer. One day before the other expert arrived. The company holds a general meeting. Tong Chi Vien stands on stage. Neat suit. Excited spirit.

“Dear colleagues.”

“Tomorrow, Mr. Zhou Heming, one of the icons of the Chinese advertising industry, will come directly to Sheng Hang Media to provide creative advice for the overall project of Jinhua Group.”

“This is the highest-level collaboration in our company's history.”

“Everyone, please prepare your best state…”

I sat in the last row. Chu Hac Minh. It was the same person who called me a few days ago. He is The expert that the company spent 1.2 million yuan to invite? Does he know I work here? On stage, Tong Chi Vien is still talking endlessly. I noticed Hua Uyen Thanh sitting in the front row. She bowed her head and scrolled through her phone. The corners of the lips curl up slightly. Looks like he's in an extremely good mood. After the meeting ends. Many colleagues passed by me. Someone nodded in greeting. His eyes carried sympathy. Someone deliberately took another route. Pretend like you don't see me. There were also people who gathered in groups of three and three, whispering. His eyes glanced at me and then quickly left. From this moment. My position in the company has completely changed. Return to office. I turned on the computer. Turn over all work records over the past ten years. 23 major industry awards. The total revenue I brought to the company in the past ten years has exceeded 500 million yuan. That's the track record I would trade for a decade. Yet now, you only need to spend 1.2 million yuan to buy a replacement from outside. That night, Hua Uyen Thanh sent me a text message.

"Miss Nhuoc Tinh, tomorrow Mr. Chu comes to the company, will you participate in the coordination? After all, you are the creative director, you should still be present on occasions like this."

The tone is very polite. But every word is reminding me that this project no longer has anything to do with me. I don't answer. The next morning. When I arrived at the company, I discovered that the reception desk had been decorated with fresh flowers. The meeting room had all new chair covers. Even the lighting system in the hallway has been adjusted brighter than usual.

“Director Tham.”

The girl at the front desk called me back.

"President Tong asked me to inform you that this morning, at exactly nine o'clock, we will gather in the large conference room to welcome Mr. Chu."

"I know."

But I don't go to the big meeting room. Exactly nine o'clock. I stood by the office window, looking down at the parking lot below. A dark gray commercial vehicle slowly stopped. The car door opens. A man walked down. Her hair is more than half gray. Skinny figure. He was wearing a dark blue linen jacket. Not fast steps. But every step is very steady. It's Chu Hac Minh. Tong Chi Vien led a group of senior managers and quickly walked over. The whole group entered the company lobby together. I turned around to return to my desk. At that moment, the phone rang. Some strange machines.

"Tham Nhuoc Tinh, I'm here. Where is your office?"

It's Chu Hac Minh's voice.

“Master Chu, I'm in the creative room on the fourth floor.”

“Okay, I'll come find you later.”

He hung up. Fifteen minutes later. In the large meeting room, the welcoming ceremony has not yet ended. My office door was knocked loudly. Ha Than eagerly pushed the door open and walked in.

"Miss Tham, Mr. Chu is here. He said he wanted to see you."

I stood up. Behind Ha Than. Chu Hac Minh appeared at the door. Behind him is Tong Chi Vien and several other senior managers. The expressions on each person's face are very unpredictable.

“Tham Nhuoc Tinh.”

Chu Hac Minh stood in front of me. He evaluated me from top to bottom and then burst out laughing.

“Finally met a real person.”

I was a bit surprised.

“Master Chu... do you know me?”

“It's not just about knowing.”