Chapter One Hundred Fifteen: Morale

Thanks to Xiaoyao Xiaosanxiu for your enthusiasm!
Interested folks are welcome to join the group: 212856808.

"Exactly, exactly! Little Xuan, didn't you host your last fan meeting during the National Day holiday? Little Wei remembers it so clearly; he must be a loyal fan of yours!" Ben looked toward Chen Sixuan, his face wreathed in coquettish charm, and he giggled while covering his small mouth.

Chen Sixuan’s current success was due not only to her own hard work and the company's support, but more importantly, to her group of loyal fans. Because of this, she had always cherished them deeply.

If Zhang Wei were truly her fan, Chen Sixuan would certainly feel much closer to him. However, if he were merely pretending to be a fan to win her favor, she would find him overly calculating and would likely feel a sense of disgust.

Now that Zhang Wei could recall the timing of her fan meeting, it proved that he had indeed been paying attention to her career. This brought a touch of warmth to Chen Sixuan’s heart and significantly increased her favorable impression of him.

"Mr. Zhang, I’m sorry. I shouldn't have doubted your sincerity." A look of guilt flickered across her beautiful face, and she spoke in a delicate, shy voice, much like a young girl who had made a mistake.

"It’s quite alright. In our line of work, some people do indeed act against their conscience just to close a deal. It’s understandable that you would be cautious, Ms. Chen," Zhang Wei said, waving his hand with a genuine smile.

Seeing Zhang Wei’s magnanimity, Chen Sixuan felt even more ashamed. She picked up the teacup on the table and said, "Mr. Zhang, let me toast you with tea instead of wine. Thank you for your continued support."

"You are too kind, Ms. Chen. As long as you keep producing great work, that is the greatest support you could give us fans," Zhang Wei replied, raising his own cup.

After saying this, Zhang Wei felt a bit embarrassed himself. He wasn't actually her fan at all, yet he had to put on a show of being wronged. If Chen Sixuan’s true fans ever found out, they would probably tear him to pieces.

"Oh my, all this 'Mr. Zhang' and 'Ms. Chen' talk is just awful! Why don't you both be like me and call each other 'Little Wei' and 'Little Xuan'? Wouldn't that be so much better?" Ben clapped his fair, delicate hands and giggled.

Neither Zhang Wei nor Chen Sixuan responded to Ben’s suggestion. Although Zhang Wei was nominally her fan, they hadn't reached the point of using such cutesy nicknames. Only someone like Ben, who disregarded social conventions, could express his feelings so openly.

However, in the time that followed, Chen Sixuan’s attitude toward Zhang Wei changed significantly. Without the distance typically maintained by a big star, their conversation felt like that of friends. Zhang Wei also had a positive impression of Chen Sixuan, and the meal could be considered an enjoyable experience for both host and guest.

Meanwhile, a subtle power struggle was unfolding at the Zhongtong branch. At eight o’clock, the branch held its customary evening meeting, presided over by store manager Xu Ming.

Ever since Su Ning’s team arrived at the branch, the two teams had been locked in a rivalry. Initially, they were evenly matched, but after Su Ning’s team closed two consecutive deals, they had suppressed Xu Ming’s momentum, leaving him in a weakened position before her.

This time, although Zhang Wei’s rental deal wasn't particularly large in terms of performance, he had defeated Fang Wenjun through fair competition. It was a solid comeback for Xu Ming, who now spoke with much more confidence than before.

"The client for the three-bedroom rental has signed the contract. Zhang Wei gets full commission for this deal. He was supposed to share his experience with us tonight, but he’s out with another client, so we’ll have to wait until tomorrow’s morning meeting," Xu Ming said, his small eyes scanning the room with a sharp, triumphant gleam.

As Xu Ming spoke, the expressions of those present varied. Su Ning’s team members naturally looked dejected, especially Fang Wenjun, one of the parties involved. Her pretty face turned pale, and she stared at the floor, biting her lip in silence.

Conversely, Xu Ming’s team members were quite pleased. Zhang Wei’s success brought them glory, and even Guo Bin, who had some history with Zhang Wei, felt his personal grudge fade due to the rivalry between the teams.

"Brother Xu, since that kid Zhang Wei closed another deal, he absolutely has to treat us, or I'll be green with envy just looking at it," Li Lin joked, stirring the pot.

"Don't talk about envy; even I, the store manager, am envious. I’m still taking the bus to work, while that kid lives in the complex, walks less than five minutes to work, and even got himself a BMW," Xu Ming said, tapping the table and feigning anger.

"He should treat us. Zhang Wei doesn't care about that bit of money anyway," Guo Bin agreed, nodding.

Although Guo Bin’s alcohol tolerance was average, he loved to drink and was never one to back down. Even though he would end up dead drunk every time, waking up the next day with a headache and swearing he’d never drink again, he would be back at it the moment he smelled alcohol, forgetting all his previous promises. He would drink with anyone who challenged him, though he was generally a well-behaved drinker.

"According to our previous agreement, whoever failed to close the deal would be the one to treat. I will pay for this meal," Fang Wenjun said, lifting her head with a touch of pride.

Fang Wenjun was a girl of integrity. She refused to lose her spirit even if she lost the competition. Since it was an agreed-upon condition, she wouldn't back out, nor would she lower herself over a few hundred dollars.

"That's right! I was the one who suggested the bet, so I'll treat along with Wenjun! I’m the richest 'wealthy woman' on the team with the most deals closed," Liu Ziqi said, patting her chest with a sense of loyalty.

"That bet was just a joke; you shouldn't take it seriously. Wenjun didn't close a deal this time, so there’s no way I’m letting her pay. The money for this meal won't come from Zhang Wei’s pocket either; we’ll use the team’s petty cash to treat everyone," Xu Ming said with a smile.

Xu Ming brought up Zhang Wei’s deal not to target Fang Wenjun personally, but to undermine the momentum of Su Ning’s team while boosting his own team’s morale. That was why he and Li Lin had coordinated their remarks about dinner.

In the real estate agency business, it was all about morale. Whichever team had a better attitude and stronger momentum would be more efficient in finding listings and bringing in clients. The best way to boost that morale was to have someone close a deal.

"Manager Xu, we appreciate your kindness, but as Wenjun said, we are willing to lose the bet. However, the treat won't be paid for by Wenjun alone; we will use our team’s funds," Su Ning said. She had remained silent throughout the meeting, but her tone now was firm and unquestionable.

The two teams didn't actually want to treat each other; it was about pride and standing their ground. Zhang Wei winning through fair competition had affected the morale of Su Ning’s team, but not critically. After all, they had already closed two deals, and Su Ning remained confident in her bid for the regional manager position.