Chapter Seventy-Seven: Equal Opportunity

Chu Dong followed the quick-witted young man into the elevator and soon arrived at the marketing department floor. Night had already fallen, yet the office remained brightly lit; through the glass windows, one could see many people still hard at work inside.

"Thank you all for your efforts. I've been busy lately and haven’t found the time to visit everyone. I really apologize for that," Chu Dong called out as he entered, his genuine smile warming the hearts of all present.

"It’s only right, it’s only right," the marketing staff replied. Moments ago, they had been typing rapidly or huddled in small groups discussing stacks of documents, but now they all paused what they were doing.

The head of the marketing department was a middle-aged man named Ma Jun, honest and somewhat awkward. Under Wang Dongliang’s previous management, he had been little more than a figurehead, with no real authority; no one truly respected him, referring to him simply as Old Ma rather than Director. Yet today, he was the first to step forward.

"President, you work hard. We’re working overtime for ourselves too; if the company does well, we earn more," Old Ma said earnestly. His words sounded memorized, stumbling over them as his face flushed a deep red.

"Well said, well said. I’m gratified to see such dedication. But overtime deserves proper compensation; no one should work for free. You’re Old Ma, right?" Chu Dong had already reviewed their files and knew them all by heart. Seeing Ma Jun nod happily, he continued, "Please notify the finance department that, from now on, all overtime will be calculated according to official standards. Yinlong cannot let its people’s hearts grow cold."

"Thank you, President, thank you!" Old Ma was beside himself with excitement. The previous president had visited the marketing department often, but always with the marketing director in tow, who did all the talking. He’d never experienced such direct contact before. Now, with the new president visiting so soon after taking office, not only had he made himself known, he’d also secured more overtime pay for his team—a win on both fronts. Thinking this, he shot a grateful glance at Li Xin, the one who had suggested this approach.

Li Xin was the bespectacled, slight man who had previously spoken up on Wang Dongliang’s behalf. He’d always flattered Wang Dongliang, hoping to ride his coattails to success, but Wang had never taken notice of him. Resourceful as any marketing man, Li Xin quickly pivoted, reasoning that few presidents would bother to trouble someone as insignificant as himself. When one path closed, he sought another, cozying up to Ma Jun in hopes of improving his prospects at Yinlong.

It wasn’t just Ma Jun and Li Xin—everyone in the department was quietly pleased at the thought of earning more simply by sticking around a little longer each evening. With subtle glances and nudges, their enthusiasm for performance only grew.

"This proposal still needs more work. I think the content should be refined, and the images need a new color palette—otherwise, we won’t convey the elegance and prestige of our development."

"That’s a good point. I’ve felt something was off and you’ve pinpointed the reason. Xiao Wu, please redesign this sample," someone chimed in.

Chu Dong wandered the room with hands behind his back, smiling and encouraging everyone to continue, as if afraid to disrupt their train of thought. This was nothing short of a morale boost—the discussions grew more and more intense, the department abuzz with activity.

Smiling but silent, Chu Dong didn’t leave. After making a circuit of the room, he quietly sat in a corner, watching with the interest of someone observing a play. Inwardly, he sneered: “Trying to fool me? You’re not nearly sharp enough.”

Whether from exhaustion or the pressure of his presence, the fervor in the room gradually faded. One by one, the conversations died down as people returned to their desks, heads bowed, busying themselves with who knows what. The once lively office grew so quiet that even the ticking of the clock on the wall was clearly audible.

"Ahem…" Finally, Chu Dong broke the silence. If he didn’t speak, no one dared leave; they might have kept up the act until morning, each afraid to be the first to draw the curtain on this charade.

"I’ll say a few words, then you can all go home. I can’t bear to see you work so hard," he said, clearing his throat and rising. "To be honest, tonight is the first time I’ve truly felt Yinlong’s intense work ethic. I’m moved by your passion. Although some left on time, most chose to stay and work overtime…" Chu Dong noticed an empty seat and added casually, "I see one desk is empty."

"No one left. Old Chen had a family matter and took the day off, but his sense of responsibility is generally strong," Old Ma replied, more articulate now, his face flushed with excitement.

"Ah," Chu Dong nodded, indicating he understood. "No matter—working overtime is a favor, not working overtime is fulfilling one’s duty. I won’t force anyone. What I want to talk about is the impression your department has made on me."

The young man who’d brought Chu Dong in was still there and handed him a cup of water. Chu Dong accepted it with a nod, took a sip, and set it down, glancing at the seven or eight staffers waiting expectantly for his remarks.

"It’s truly astonishing. I never imagined that, three years after a project launched, you’d still be debating its merits, or that you could spend half an hour analyzing color palettes in such detail; that to avoid mistakes, you’d dig up contracts from two years ago for revision; that you’d keep a government planning report from five years prior and now hope to use it to conjure new business opportunities for the company. My friends, I’m amazed. With a marketing department like this, Yinlong is truly…" Chu Dong kicked aside the chair in front of him. "I truly don’t know what to say to you!"

Just moments before, these same people had been puffing out their chests, awaiting praise. Now their faces changed, smiles fading, shoulders drooping. Old Ma’s expression shifted through countless shades as his legs trembled and he mopped sweat from his brow.

"You work overtime for this? Or do you simply have nothing else to do? I don’t care how much the company pays you—I care whether you’re truly dedicated to your work! Are you worried I’ll make things difficult for you?" Chu Dong asked, turning to the slight man with glasses. When he received no reply, Chu Dong continued, "From now on, the marketing department’s management structure will be dismantled and rebuilt. If you have the ability, step up; if not, do your work honestly."

Without sparing a glance for Old Ma, who dared not look up, Chu Dong strode to the door, then turned back to the bespectacled man. "The same goes for you. If you’re truly capable, I’ll put you in charge of marketing. Don’t say I never gave you a chance."

The room was frozen. Chu Dong had been gone for some time before anyone dared move—their bodies stiff, no one uttering a word.