Chapter 23: A Dazzling Smile

After work that day, following dinner, Meng Xingzhe nestled into the massage chair. As the smart machine tenderly soothed his weary body, he let his thoughts and mood drift freely.

He recalled the argument he had with Yao Jia at work earlier.

Though he saw her as a young girl with poor taste, harboring a rebellious streak and a penchant for defiance, he had to admit that her arguments during the day were quite insightful.

Meng Xingzhe picked up his phone and made a video call to Bei Luonan.

When the call connected, Bei Luonan looked up from his dinner plate, his mouth still glistening with oil.

He was eating dinner in his office, courtesy of his secretary who had fetched it from the employee cafeteria.

Meng Xingzhe felt a wave of comfort. Bei Luonan had claimed he was broke and could only eat cafeteria food every day, and it seemed to be true.

The food at Xingbei Technology’s cafeteria was noticeably inferior to Tian Huasheng’s culinary skills.

Suddenly, Meng Xingzhe felt that in his recent life as a down-and-out prince, there was at least one ray of light: Bei Luonan was eating even worse than he was.

“What do you want? Get to the point,” Bei Luonan said succinctly, wiping his mouth with a napkin.

Meng Xingzhe asked, “Bei Bei, do you think our company’s wolf culture management style is right?”

Bei Luonan first mocked him, “How many times have I told you, if you must use a nickname, call me Nannan, okay? ‘Bei Bei’ sounds like you’re calling a dog.”

Then he addressed the question, “Why are you suddenly asking this? Haven’t we always managed this way? Do you think there’s an issue?”

Meng Xingzhe frowned slightly, his eyes reflecting a trace of deep thought. “I’m just wondering if we should be a bit more humane.”

“?”

“Or rather, as leaders, we should be ambitious and driven, leading everyone forward. But shouldn’t we manage our teams with more humanity?”

“We’re a startup; we need drive and passion. Aren’t you worried that being too humane will make them lose their edge?” Bei Luonan asked.

Meng Xingzhe pondered, “Perhaps they won’t slack off but instead be more grateful and work even harder?”

Bei Luonan considered this and said, “Why don’t we try it and change our aggressive style a bit?”

Meng Xingzhe relaxed, “Let’s give it a shot.” Maybe it would work out well.

Even if it didn’t, they could always revert back. Nothing is destined to be smooth sailing; everyone grows through trial and error.

Then, as if remembering something, Bei Luonan asked, “Hey, why did you suddenly bring this up with me?”

Meng Xingzhe evaded, “Just chatting with someone casually.”

Bei Luonan was intrigued, “Casually? Who were you chatting with? How did it come up? I’m dying to know who casually gave you such a big revelation.”

Meng Xingzhe squinted, “None of your business.”

If he told Bei Luonan that this insight came from chatting with a junior customer service rep, especially one who looked down on his taste, Bei Luonan would never let him live it down.

Lying in the massage chair, the simulated little fists under the leather pounded rhythmically on his back, making him feel waves of comfort.

He cheerfully told Bei Luonan, “I’m not telling you!”

Bei Luonan mocked him but couldn’t help reassessing him.

Still as arrogant and pretentious, still as sharp-tongued and annoying.

Yet, since Meng Xingzhe went undercover at Kunyu Electric as a customer service rep, he seemed to have changed.

Like a pot of water slowly heating, the changes were subtle but constant.

He could now tolerate communal living, and his once finicky palate could handle simple meals. He even learned to cook and could wash dishes properly after meals.

So, when Meng Yutang, Uncle Meng, privately suggested betting Meng Xingzhe to Kunyu Electric, it seemed it was the right decision. This journey as a grassroots customer service rep had indeed been an unexpected training and gain for him.

※※※※※※

The next morning during break time, Yao Jia took off her headset and was resting in her chair when a colleague tapped her shoulder, telling her, “Yao Jia, someone is looking for you at the door.”

Yao Jia quickly stood up.

She walked to the call center entrance, looking around but not seeing anyone she recognized.

However, there was someone unfamiliar standing not far from the door.

The stranger appeared to be about twenty-six or twenty-seven years old, tall and well-built, with skin tanned to a healthy brown from the sun. His features were distinct, especially his nose and eyes, which gave his face a striking three-dimensional look.

When Yao Jia’s eyes met his, he broke into a bright smile, revealing two rows of white teeth.

It was a smile that naturally drew people in.

Unconsciously, Yao Jia found herself smiling back at that warm grin.

The man approached Yao Jia, his voice loud and enthusiastic, “You’re Yao Jia, right? I’m Lu Jingyi from After-sales Service. I came specifically to thank you!”

※※※※※※

Lu Jingyi explained to Yao Jia that he had been out all day yesterday handling installations and repairs, and today was his first chance to come by the office.

“I already know you came looking for me because the old man whose washing machine I repaired wanted to file a complaint. You planned to talk to me about the situation.”

At this point, Lu Jingyi’s face showed gratitude. “Thank you, Yao Jia, for not immediately filing the complaint and for wanting to understand the situation first. You’re the first customer service colleague I’ve met who would personally come down to talk to us. I also heard from your Team Leader Lin Qian that you spoke highly of me to the old man, which made him reconsider filing the complaint. I’m really grateful and wanted to thank you in person!” As he spoke, he handed a bag to Yao Jia. “These are two boxes of tea leaves for you to enjoy!”

Yao Jia quickly responded, “No, no, no, Team Leader Lu, it was just a small effort on my part. I would have done the same for any colleague, so please don’t be so polite. You should take the tea back. If you insist on giving it to me, wait twenty years until I become a senior officer, then I’ll start drinking tea!”

Lu Jingyi laughed heartily. “Alright, I just didn’t want to come empty-handed. Since you genuinely don’t want it, I won’t force it on you.”

The initial awkwardness and unfamiliarity between them gradually faded away in their shared laughter.

Taking the opportunity, Yao Jia asked, “What was wrong with the old man’s washing machine?”

The washing machine production line is Kunyu Electric’s flagship line, known for machines that boast a ten-year durability.

Yet, the old man managed to break his washing machine in less than a month, and Yao Jia was curious about the reason.

Lu Jingyi first mentioned a technical term, explaining which part of the washing machine had malfunctioned. This was recorded on the repair order, which Yao Jia had seen.

Then Lu Jingyi told Yao Jia, “As for why these two parts broke, it’s a story that will make you laugh. When the sales point sold the washing machine to the old man, they told him, ‘Sir, our Kunyu Electric washing machines are the most durable among all brands. Really, you could even wash potatoes in this machine, and it would clean them thoroughly without any dirt!’

“The salesperson was exaggerating, but the old man took it seriously. He went home and started washing potatoes. After almost a month of washing, the machine finally broke! Can you believe it? This is the resilience of a Kunyu washing machine. If it had been from Jiangpeng Appliances, it might have broken after just one use!”

Hearing how the washing machine broke, Yao Jia couldn’t hold back her laughter.

Lu Jingyi laughed along with her.

The two stood not far from the entrance of the call center, laughing heartily together.

Sunlight streamed through the corridor window, shining on Yao Jia’s smiling face, making her look radiant and bright.

Meng Xingzhe and Tian Huasheng walked out from the entrance and saw them.

Tian Huasheng said in surprise, “Hey? Jia is here. I was wondering why I couldn’t find her.”

He continued, “Who’s that tough guy she’s talking to? Why are they chatting so happily?”

Then he sighed, “Wow, Brother Meng, look at them laughing. I’m getting jealous! Jia has found a new buddy and left me behind!”

He kept chattering, making Meng Xingzhe’s ears and eyes feel irritated.

He glanced at the laughing Yao Jia not far away and frowned.

“She’s grinning so wide, her gums are showing. What an unsightly laugh.”

After saying this, Meng Xingzhe walked away without looking back.

Tian Huasheng scratched his head. “I don’t know, I think Jia’s smile is beautiful today!”

※※※※※※

The next day, Yao Jia arrived at the call center early.

She had refused to accept the tea leaves from Lu Jingyi, so he insisted on treating her to dinner that evening.

Unable to decline, Yao Jia went. During dinner, Lu Jingyi shared many amusing work stories, some that made her laugh and others that were simply entertaining.

Overall, Yao Jia enjoyed the meal and felt uplifted.

It turned out that not only was frontline customer service challenging, but After-sales Service was also quite troublesome.

With this perspective, Yao Jia felt much more at ease, which improved her attitude and patience when answering calls, making her appear more cheerful.

However, her neighboring colleague, Meng Xingzhe, inexplicably remarked, “What’s this? Autumn’s just begun, winter hasn’t even arrived, and you’re already living in spring?”

Yao Jia retorted without hesitation, “Are you feeling refreshed? Don’t worry, I’m nice, I won’t charge you.”

Meng Xingzhe’s mouth twisted at her comeback. “Are you a contrarian? Always arguing with people!”

Yao Jia was puzzled. “Aren’t you the same? Is it okay for you to criticize me, but not for me to respond?”

Just then, her phone rang, and she didn’t have time to continue the banter with Meng Xingzhe.

The call was from a male customer who had reported a refrigerator issue the day before.

The customer said over the phone, “I called yesterday, do you remember?”

Yao Jia checked the information recorded on her computer and replied, “Yes, Mr. Zhang, I remember you. You called yesterday about a refrigerator you bought less than a year ago that was malfunctioning, with intermittent cooling. I arranged for an After-sales Service repair order for today, and a technician was scheduled to visit your home for inspection and repair. Did the technician contact you on time?”

Mr. Zhang replied, “Yes, the technician contacted me and is at my house now, but the situation is a bit strange!”

Mr. Zhang’s tone was laced with a sense of “I’m really unlucky” frustration.

Yao Jia tried to calm him, “Mr. Zhang, please don’t worry. Could you tell me what the complicated situation is?”

Mr. Zhang replied, “Sigh, your after-sales service technician said there’s something odd. My refrigerator is less than a year old, right? But he mentioned it has a previous repair record, and I never had it repaired before! You need to give me an explanation!”

Yao Jia didn’t quite understand what Mr. Zhang meant, so she continued to soothe him before asking, “Mr. Zhang, is the after-sales service technician still at your home? Oh, he is? Could you let him speak on the phone?”

Mr. Zhang handed the phone to the technician.

Yao Jia asked, “Technician, could you explain the situation over there?”

The technician said, “Well, how should I put this? It’s quite strange. When I checked the product information before the repair, I found that the refrigerator corresponding to this serial number had a repair record from four years ago. If it was repaired four years ago, it would be out of warranty by now. If I continue to repair it, there will be a charge.”

Yao Jia was taken aback. She had confirmed the purchase information over the phone yesterday, and the refrigerator was indeed bought less than a year ago.

Yao Jia said, “Technician, please hold on. I’ll discuss this with my supervisor and get back to you shortly. Please help keep the customer calm for now. Thank you!”

After hanging up, Yao Jia tried to contact Lin Qian. However, Lin Qian was called to a team management meeting by the Customer Service Manager. Yao Jia was unsure whether to wait until the meeting was over to report the issue or to go to the meeting room immediately.

Meng Xingzhe casually asked, “Is there a nail in your chair making you jump around?”

Seizing the opportunity, Yao Jia explained the phone situation to him and asked, “What do you think is going on?”

Hearing this, Meng Xingzhe’s expression changed slightly. He furrowed his brows with a hint of seriousness.

At that moment, Yao Jia felt as if Meng Xingzhe had transformed, and that aura of his inexplicably descended upon him once more.

— Translator’s Notes —

– wolf culture: In Chinese corporate culture, ‘wolf culture’ refers to an aggressive, competitive management style inspired by wolf packs, emphasizing relentless drive, teamwork, and high performance under pressure.