Urban Dao Heart: The Legend of Workplace Reversal

Chapter 25: Brilliant Performance Amidst Lingering Doubts

Time: During the project presentation

Location: Market Department Meeting Room

The harsh, blinding light of the room illuminated every corner with merciless clarity, its brilliance almost painful to the eyes, as if it were designed to expose every hidden detail. The atmosphere was taut, akin to a tightly stretched bowstring, threatening to snap at any moment. One by one, colleagues trickled into the room, their footsteps heavy or hesitant, each face seemingly masked, their expressions unreadable. Eyes, almost instinctively, darted towards Zhang Liang, filled with curiosity—like children gathered around a mysterious magic box, eager to uncover its secrets—and skepticism, like wary cats encircling something unknown, unsure whether it held danger or intrigue.

Zhang Liang stood off to the side, inhaling deeply, as if he were inflating a small balloon in his chest, trying to calm his racing heart. His palms were damp with sweat, as if he'd just pulled them from the water, gripping the report folder so tightly that its corners had begun to bend, silently betraying his inner tension. Inside, he kept reminding himself, "Don't fear. My work is genuine. It will be appreciated. Like a carefully crafted piece of art, it will not go unnoticed."

The presentation began, and his superior, seated at the end of the long table, exuded a solemnity that resembled a statue, his face carved from ice, his gaze sharp, as though scanning Zhang Liang's very soul with the intensity of an X-ray. Zhang Liang stepped forward, activating the projector with a resounding click that echoed through the silent room. Clearing his throat, he began his presentation.

"Good day, respected leaders and colleagues. Today, I will be presenting the detailed progress of our project." His voice reverberated through the room, initially trembling slightly, as though the words were learning to walk, each syllable rolling off his tongue with effort. Yet, as he continued, his voice grew steadily stronger, more confident, flowing like a seasoned orator, words tumbling from his mouth with ease.

As he explained, he pointed at the data and charts on the screen with a laser pointer. The information flickered before him like stars in the night sky, and Zhang Liang, with the focus of an astronomer deciphering the mysteries of the cosmos, spoke with clarity and conviction. "From our market research, we found that consumers' preferences are shifting towards personalization and smart functionality. Therefore, we focused on these features in our product design. It's like dressing an ordinary girl in a magnificent gown and adorning her with sparkling jewelry, making her stand out immediately. This gown and jewelry represent the unique features and stylish design we've embedded into our product, ensuring it captures the attention of consumers at first glance." Zhang Liang used vivid metaphors to help his colleagues better understand the product's design philosophy, his eyes gleaming with pride and confidence in his work.

Some colleagues listened intently, nodding occasionally, like chickens pecking at grain, signaling their approval with subtle gestures. Others whispered among themselves, their voices buzzing like a swarm of flies, making the air feel charged with irritation. The murmurs were like cold gusts, chilling Zhang Liang's heart, but he pressed on with his smile firmly in place, continuing his report.

When Zhang Liang reached the marketing strategy, his confidence surged. "Our marketing strategy combines both online and offline approaches, much like walking with two legs—this ensures stability and speed. Online, we leverage social media for targeted promotion, using hooks to reel in potential customers. Offline, we host experience events, allowing customers to engage with the product firsthand. It's akin to delivering delicious food right to the diners' lips—irresistible. Every piece of content we post on social media is a carefully prepared bait, drawing in our target customers; while offline, our events serve as a grand feast, tempting customers to indulge in the pleasures our product offers." He gestured energetically, his arms sweeping through the air like a conductor leading a grand symphony.

After the presentation, a brief silence enveloped the room. It hung in the air like the calm before a storm, oppressive and suffocating. His superior nodded slightly, his eyes betraying a hint of approval, but there was still a cloud of doubt, as though a few dark clouds lingered in the sky, obscuring the sun. "Zhang Liang, your presentation was impressive, and it's clear you've put in significant effort. However, regarding the rumors that have been circulating…" His superior's words were interrupted, like a stone dropping into a still pond, sending ripples through the room.

Below, colleagues began to whisper among themselves, some even displaying open skepticism, their eyes like icy daggers aimed at Zhang Liang.

"Is this really his own work? Maybe he just pulled it together last-minute with someone else's help?"

"Who knows, maybe there's something he's not telling us."

Zhang Liang felt as if a heavy stone had been placed on his chest, his heart sinking. His smile, though still present, felt rigid, as though frozen in place. His eyes flickered with a mixture of pain and resignation. Just as he opened his mouth to defend himself, the system's voice echoed in his mind: "Zhang Liang, 'True words are not beautiful; beautiful words are not true.' The doubts of the crowd are based on falsehoods. There's no need to argue; let the facts speak for themselves. If you defend yourself now, it will only make things worse, like revealing your hidden cards. You are like the moon, temporarily obscured by clouds. All you need to do is wait patiently, and the clouds will part, revealing your true light."

Zhang Liang paused, then took a deep breath, swallowing the words he had been about to speak. Standing tall, like a tree weathering a storm, he replied with unwavering determination, "Supervisor, I understand there are still doubts, but I firmly believe that as the project progresses, the truth will reveal itself. I am like a pearl buried in the earth—one day, I will shine. I will let my actions speak for themselves, not words."

His superior regarded him for a moment, lost in thought. That silence seemed to stretch into eternity before he finally spoke, "Alright, Zhang Liang. I hope you live up to your words. Moving forward, everyone must work together to ensure the success of this project."

After the meeting, Zhang Liang returned to his desk, feeling as though he had just emerged from battle, physically and mentally drained. He slumped into his chair, staring blankly at the computer screen, his mind a whirlwind of conflicting emotions. The doubts from the meeting echoed in his ears, like a horde of demons screaming in his mind. Yet, he also remembered his efforts—the late nights, the research, the relentless pursuit of answers. It all flashed before him like a film reel. He knew he could not let these doubts defeat him. He was like a ship navigating through a storm—though the winds howled and the waves threatened to capsize him, as long as he stayed true to his course, he would eventually reach calmer waters.

"True words are not beautiful; beautiful words are not true." This wisdom revealed that although the criticisms were harsh, they were rooted in misunderstanding. Zhang Liang chose not to engage in a fruitless defense but to let his actions prove the truth. He understood that silence in this moment was not weakness, but rather a wise patience, waiting for the truth to be revealed, like the dawn that follows the long, quiet night.

Summary: In this chapter, Zhang Liang shines during the project presentation but faces continued skepticism. Following the system's advice to "Let facts speak for themselves," he chooses not to defend himself with words, but to let his actions prove his integrity. As the project moves forward, will Zhang Liang manage to dispel the lingering doubts? What new challenges or opportunities await him? Stay tuned for the next chapter.