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Everyone knew why Cao Yan was targeting Gu Chen. But taking it this far was a bit excessive. Liao Chunhua asked directly, "Manager Cao, did you report this new rule to headquarters before rolling it out on your own?"

Cao Yan frowned. "This was Sales Department One's own decision. There's no need to disturb headquarters, is there?"

"As the manager of Great Zhou World's sales department, Manager Cao, you shouldn't have the authority to bypass the company's HR department and alter company rules on your own either." Liao Chunhua refused to back down. "If you insist on implementing this rule, I'll report it to headquarters."

Cao Yan sneered. "Liao Chunhua, you said it yourself—I'm the manager of Sales Department One. I'm fully responsible for Sales Department One's work. Now, in order to improve the employees' motivation, I came up with such a good plan. This is also something I should do within the scope of my duties."

"Anyway, I don't accept it." Liao Chunhua was equally blunt. "I suspect Manager Cao is doing this to drive a wedge between Gu Chen and me, and to use this opportunity to suppress Gu Chen. An intern who'd only been here for one day managed to close a forty-million deal. Several Great Zhou World sales department WeChat groups blew up over it. With such outstanding talent, instead of protecting and encouraging him, we're stirring up trouble and crushing a newcomer's enthusiasm for work. I'm sorry, but I can't agree with that."

"Exactly!" The others were not as forceful as Liao Chunhua, but they still muttered their complaints. "How can they do this?"

"Don't they always talk about team spirit? Then helping each other out is what we're supposed to do."

"You—" Cao Yan had not expected Liao Chunhua and Sales Team One to be so protective of Gu Chen. It was only his second day here, and Cao Yan wondered what Gu Chen had done to win people over so quickly.

Cao Yan was caught in an awkward position.

As the atmosphere grew tense, Pang Chunming from Sales Team Two stepped forward to smooth things over. "Well, it's time to start work. How about we put this rule aside for now and discuss it later? Let's not delay work."

Hearing that, Cao Yan immediately took the out. "Let's leave it at that for now! Think it over carefully. I'm doing this for the sake of the senior employees too. And the new employee shouldn't think I'm targeting him. As the manager of Sales Department One, I have to take into account every employee's real interests and be responsible for the entire team. Meeting adjourned."

After the regular meeting ended, Liao Chunhua found Gu Chen and comforted him. "Don't get discouraged. Even if Cao Yan insists on enforcing this rule, at worst the money can pass through my account. Once salaries are paid, I'll transfer every cent to you."

Gu Chen smiled. "Thank you, Sister Chunhua."

"We're on the same side. What's there to thank me for? I shouldn't have taken this money in the first place." Liao Chunhua patted Gu Chen on the shoulder. "I think highly of you. Keep at it, and work hard. You're already a celebrity in several Great Zhou World sales department WeChat groups. Everyone's watching. Cao Yan won't dare go too far."

Gu Chen knew Liao Chunhua was only trying to comfort him, but it still warmed his heart. After all, given what he had experienced in his previous life, he had long grown used to people kicking him when he was down, to everyone stepping on him to curry favor with Gu Xiu. There really were not many people like Liao Chunhua, who would stand up for him at a crucial moment and kindly comfort him.

Gu Chen had quite a few flaws, but one good thing about him was that he cherished the kindness others showed him. Perhaps it was because he had seen so little goodwill. Even the slightest sign of friendliness from someone else, Gu Chen could sense it keenly and respond to it immediately.

As a result, in just one Sunday morning, Sales Team One closed twelve deals, with a closing rate of over eighty percent. Their efficiency was so high entirely because Gu Chen had stayed by their side during contract negotiations, explaining contract terms, calculating loan exchange rates, and helping clients sort out residency policies. Even the insights and broad perspective he casually revealed while chatting with clients made people see him in a new light.

In short, although he still lacked polish in sales pitches, Gu Chen had already completely won the clients' recognition through his professionalism.

Some major clients even took the initiative to invite Gu Chen to intern at their companies after learning that he was a student at A University. After Gu Chen declined, they said regretfully, "You're a Management Department student at A University. Interning at our company would be perfectly suited to your major. Working at a sales office is a bit beneath your talents. How about this? Think it over carefully. If you're interested, you can report directly to our company. I'll put in a word with HR, and you won't need an interview."

"Anyone I personally approve is definitely no mistake."

There were quite a few major clients with that intention. So much so that, in one morning, Gu Chen not only helped close deals but also received three business cards. His coworkers at the sales office were dumbfounded, repeatedly marveling that Gu Chen had a knack for attracting bosses.

"As expected of a top student from A University. Gold shines wherever it goes."

During the lunch break, Sales Team One's coworkers pooled their money to treat Gu Chen to lunch as thanks for helping them close deals. They ordered a tableful of specialty dishes from a highly rated restaurant across from the sales office and had them delivered to the break room.

"Come on, let's raise a toast to Gu Chen!" The Sales Team One coworkers lifted their bottles of cola. "Thanks for your hard work, handsome!"

Gu Chen smiled and picked up his iced cola, clinking bottles with his coworkers.

Liao Chunhua said with a smile, "Gu Chen helped everyone close quite a few deals this morning. This afternoon, let them handle things themselves. You should receive a couple of new clients too."

Then Liao Chunhua added with a smile, "Normally, new employees aren't allowed to receive clients alone during their first half month on the job. But your performance has been so outstanding. I thought about it, and there's no need to rigidly follow the process. Even those major clients said so—we have to respect talent."

Gu Chen smiled and thanked her.

Seeing Gu Chen's sparing manner of speech, the Sales Team One coworkers could not help teasing him. "I've never seen anything like this. Tell me, what salesperson isn't smooth-talking and eloquent? Yet our Gu Chen barely talks, and he doesn't even like getting chummy with those clients. The key is, the clients actually listen to him."

"That's because although Gu Chen doesn't talk much, every word hits the mark. He's either saving clients money or helping them make money." One female coworker sighed. "This morning, Gu Chen was chatting with my client about something called ICU and private equity. I couldn't understand a thing."

"It's IPO!" Liao Chunhua could not help correcting her. "ICU? Before anything has even happened to them, you've already sent them to intensive care."