Chapter Six: The Price of Success

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With the explosive spread of the commercial, the market response to Shen Corporation’s new product far exceeded expectations. In just two weeks, pre-orders surpassed 100,000 units, marking one of the company’s most successful product launches in recent years.

At the marketing department’s celebration banquet, Xu Yunchuan remained modest, standing at the edge of the crowd quietly observing his colleagues’ joyful laughter. He understood that behind this success lay countless sleepless nights and the wisdom and courage to withstand hidden attacks.

“Xu Yunchuan, come have a drink!” Wang Qin approached with a broad smile, clapping him on the shoulder.

“Brother Wang, I toast to you. Thank you for your support during this time,” Xu Yunchuan raised his glass with a faint smile.

“Don’t be so formal. You really made us proud this time. Everyone’s counting on you from now on,” Wang Qin teased.

Xu Yunchuan smiled and nodded, though inwardly he knew that this success was only temporary; the storms in the workplace were far from over.

The Crisis Persists

A few days later, Shen Qingwan convened a meeting of the company’s top executives to review the new product project. The atmosphere in the conference room was solemn; everyone understood that today was not just a recognition of success but also a critical moment for future planning.

“This new product launch owes much to the marketing strategy led by Xu Yunchuan. I propose that we formally commend his efforts,” Shen Qingwan spoke first.

Her words were immediately met with applause. Xu Yunchuan sat humbly among the subordinates, his head slightly bowed.

However, just as consensus was reached, Li Haifeng suddenly spoke up: “President Shen, Xu Yunchuan certainly contributed, but I have heard that there have been some internal discord within his team during this project, which has affected the company’s overall operations.”

The room fell silent at his words.

Shen Qingwan furrowed her brow. “Manager Li, what specifically do you mean by ‘discord’?”

Li Haifeng’s expression grew grave. “From what I understand, during the project’s execution, Xu Yunchuan had communication issues with some partners, causing several delivery delays. If left unaddressed, this could pose risks to our future collaborations.”

A chill ran through Xu Yunchuan’s heart. He knew Li Haifeng was deliberately exaggerating minor issues in an attempt to overshadow his accomplishments.

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Facing the Doubts

“Manager Li, I would like to clarify,” Xu Yunchuan stood calmly, his voice steady yet powerful. “There were indeed a few delayed deliveries from partners during the project, but these were caused by their internal processes, not by any communication failure on our part. To make up for these issues, my team and I worked overtime to ensure the final deliveries were unaffected.”

He paused, then continued, “Furthermore, all delivery and communication records are clear and verifiable. I can provide evidence at any time if necessary.”

Xu Yunchuan’s composed demeanor earned nods from the senior executives, and Shen Qingwan’s expression softened into one of satisfaction.

“In that case, Manager Li’s concerns are clearly a misunderstanding,” she declared firmly. “I hope everyone focuses on improving efficiency and optimizing processes rather than making baseless accusations.”

Li Haifeng’s face shifted through shades of pale and flushed, but he said no more.

The Hidden Adversary

After the meeting, Xu Yunchuan returned to his office, ready to resume work, when he received an anonymous message on his phone:

“Be careful. Li Haifeng won’t let you off easily.”

He stared at the screen, frowning deeply. Though the sender was unknown, it was clear they were privy to internal matters. This heightened his vigilance.

To avoid raising suspicion, Xu Yunchuan kept the incident to himself and began quietly gathering information on Li Haifeng. He sensed that this marketing manager was intricately linked to previous anonymous allegations.

A New Challenge

Soon after, the group issued a sudden announcement: the company would venture into the new energy vehicle market and launch its first concept car next quarter.

This news sparked intense reactions within the company. The new energy vehicle sector was uncharted territory, fraught with uncertainties in technology, marketing, and brand building.

At the general assembly, Shen Qingwan proclaimed, “This project will be the company’s top priority for the next three years. I expect the marketing department to assemble the strongest team and dedicate themselves fully to this task.”

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Rapid personnel adjustments took place within the marketing department, and Xu Yunchuan was appointed deputy lead of the project, reporting directly to Shen Qingwan.

This appointment filled Xu Yunchuan with both excitement and mounting pressure. He understood this was an extraordinary opportunity, but also a formidable challenge.

Fractures Within the Team

As the new project kicked off, tensions within the marketing department surfaced. Some senior supervisors resented Xu Yunchuan’s swift rise and even openly questioned his decisions during meetings.

“Deputy Director Xu, I think this promotional strategy is unrealistic. The audience for new energy vehicles is already limited, and such high-profile marketing might backfire,” said Zhang Jianguo, a veteran supervisor known for his conservatism and meticulousness, who had worked in the department for over a decade.

Xu Yunchuan remained calm and patiently explained, “Supervisor Zhang, I understand your concerns. But the market is fiercely competitive; low-key marketing risks losing our advantage. I propose we prepare two strategies simultaneously—to test the market response first, then decide the next steps.”

Zhang was momentarily taken aback, clearly not expecting Xu Yunchuan’s composed reply. He snorted and fell silent.

Seizing the Opportunity

Throughout the project’s progression, Xu Yunchuan gradually demonstrated his exceptional coordination skills. He not only harmonized resources across multiple departments but also proactively collaborated with external expert teams, providing multifaceted support for the promotion of new energy vehicles.

Meanwhile, he discreetly formed a small group with several supportive colleagues to handle complex market research and data analysis. This greatly enhanced his work efficiency and gradually earned him more trust.

However, just as the project neared a critical phase, an unexpected blow shattered the calm: Tiansheng Group announced they would hold their own new energy vehicle launch on the very same day.

“Looks like this will be another fierce battle,” Xu Yunchuan said, standing by the window and gazing at the city’s night skyline, his eyes blazing with determination.