Volume One, Chapter 24: A Quick Calculation—The Lou Family?

"President Lou, do you have a moment later? The Design Department has an interview scheduled—would you be able to attend? It will only take half an hour." Cheng Jingran asked cautiously.

Lou Ye glanced at the day's agenda on his desk.

Management meeting at ten. Video conference at eleven. Both recently crossed off.

His voice was icy. "No time."

Cheng Jingran: ...

She had picked out Sang Wan's résumé from the vast sea of applicants on the recruitment website. The reason was simple—back in their university days, Sang Wan had been the architecture department's muse, the one everyone envied.

Design was a matter of talent. Many designers spent their whole lives honing their craft, yet could never match the sudden inspiration of those gifted few.

But Cheng Jingran was also keenly aware that the six-year gap on Sang Wan's résumé was her greatest weakness at present. Under normal procedures, she wouldn’t have made it past the initial HR screening for an administrative assistant, let alone reach the director or herself.

Unless Sang Wan’s presentation was so impressive that it convinced everyone, hiring her was a risk.

She had planned to make Lou Ye share that risk. After all, as a graduate of the same university, he was certainly aware of Sang Wan’s illustrious reputation.

Yet Cheng Jingran hadn’t expected Lou Ye’s refusal to be so direct.

"Oh, very well," she quickly adjusted and turned to leave.

Behind her came Lou Ye’s detached voice, "That project in Si City was handled well. This month, everyone in the project department gets double bonuses. Prepare the application, I’ll sign off! As for you, Director, yours is quintuple."

???

Cheng Jingran blinked, shocked, and turned around.

Lou Ye continued, "If Sang Wan passes the interview, assign her to the architectural design of Plot No. 3."

???

Cheng Jingran’s mind raced. First, Lou Ye knew Sang Wan was the candidate for the upcoming interview. Second, he said if she passed, she would immediately join the design team and begin work. How did he know? Who had told him? And his confidence in Sang Wan far exceeded her own.

In just a few seconds, countless thoughts flashed through her mind.

Coming back to herself, Cheng Jingran replied, "Understood!"

At Lou Corporation, time seemed measured to the second. Just over thirty minutes later, the conference room door opened and Cheng Jingran entered with several others.

"These are a few managers from the project department, Manager Lin from Design, Manager Wang from Architecture... and this is Director Qin from HR Administration."

After the introductions, Cheng Jingran turned to the big screen. "Let’s begin."

Sang Wan rose, laser pointer in hand, and walked to the screen.

"First, let's look at this project, 'Capital Tower.' Its strengths are obvious: prime location, high-end facilities, and the entire building utilizes innovative, eco-friendly materials. However, the flaws are not to be ignored—there's a severe lack of parking spaces, exorbitant costs, and... a very low usable floor area ratio."

"If I were to make improvements, I’d focus on these six points..."

In the conference room sat six people, aside from Sang Wan presenting at the screen, the main heads of the project and administrative departments.

After finishing her analysis of one project, Sang Wan switched to the second. "Next, let's look at this..."

"Wait!" Manager Wang from the Architecture Department interrupted as soon as Sang Wan began. "May we pause for five minutes?"

Sang Wan looked anxiously to Cheng Jingran, who appeared just as puzzled.

Without waiting for Sang Wan’s response, Manager Wang had already walked out, followed closely by Manager Lin from Design.

A moment of silence settled over the room. Sang Wan's nerves, which had just calmed, pounded wildly again.

Her mind replayed her presentation; she didn’t feel there had been any missteps. But this sudden development caught her completely off guard.

Those few minutes felt like an eternity for Sang Wan.

The door opened again—Manager Wang entered first, Manager Lin behind. They left the door ajar.

A crowd poured in behind them.

"Good afternoon, Director Cheng!" "Hello, Director Qin!"

A chorus of greetings, then everyone found a seat.

Manager Wang looked at Sang Wan. "You may continue."

Half guessing the reason, Sang Wan glanced up and caught Cheng Jingran’s broad smile.

Her heart raced; her hand holding the laser pointer trembled ever so slightly.

Clearing her throat, Sang Wan resumed.

The one-sided explanation quickly morphed into a lively, multi-person discussion, more like a project kick-off seminar than an individual interview.

By the time the session ended, it was nearly one o'clock.

As the group dispersed, Managers Lin and Wang began a heated debate.

Manager Lin argued that Sang Wan’s expertise was architectural design, and she rightfully belonged to the Design Department.

Manager Wang insisted Sang Wan’s strengths were clearly in overall planning and coordination—she should be with the Architecture Department for comprehensive planning.

They vied with each other relentlessly.

That was when Sang Wan knew she had passed the interview.

It was already four in the afternoon when Sang Wan stepped out of HR Administration, freshly signed employment contract in hand.

In her ears still echoed Director Qin’s offered salary—12,000 for the probationary period, with adjustments based on performance after confirmation.

In addition, there were housing, transportation, and phone subsidies.

A dreamlike unreality washed over Sang Wan.

Returning to the project department, Sang Wan knocked on Cheng Jingran’s office door. Before she could speak, Cheng Jingran extended a hand with a smile.

"Senior Sang, welcome to Lou Corporation!"

"It’s Thursday; take the weekend to rest, then come in on Monday to complete the formal onboarding. Any questions?"

"None," Sang Wan replied, shaking her head.

Leaving the Lou Corporation tower, Sang Wan immediately texted Xu Yiyi.

"Darling, I got the job!"

"A quick calculation tells me it’s Lou Corporation, right?"

"..."

"Just admit my guess is spot-on!"

Sang Wan conceded.

Xu Yiyi replied with a cryptic smiley.

"I had a feeling this would happen, you know?"

"…"

"Lou Corporation has the best project design department, so of course the benefits are top-notch. Not to mention a certain someone—it's the perfect alignment of timing, place, and people. In short, I believe everything is arranged for the best! Darling, go get 'em!!!"

Everything is arranged for the best!

Yes, that’s right.

Looking up at the blazing sunset clouds, Sang Wan’s mood soared accordingly.

She planned to ask Xu Yiyi out for a proper celebration.

Before she could send the message, her phone rang.

It was Lu Jinnian.

She hung up.

It rang again.

She hung up once more.

It rang a third time.

She recalled that she’d made it clear yesterday—he was not to call her again. Yet Lu Jinnian persisted, haunting her like a lingering shadow.

A bad feeling crept into Sang Wan’s heart. Had Lu Xiaomu’s condition grown worse?

When Lu Jinnian called yet again, Sang Wan finally answered.

His voice, tinged with anger, came through, "Sang Wan, you didn’t return to the hotel last night? Where did you go?"