Your loneliness is more moving than this world

Chapter 23
On my birthday, I temporarily invited a few soldiers to my residence for dinner. They were very active and arrived two hours early with Lao Dou, and each of them brought fruits and desserts.Lao Dou volunteered to enter the kitchen, claiming that he would fry some Northeast dishes with his own hands. The girls gathered around and joked with him in the kitchen.The doorbell rang frequently, and more and more people came to celebrate the birthday. I simply opened the door to welcome the guests. Li Xiaogan and Wang Dandan were chatting back and forth in several rooms. The boys turned out the table on the balcony and spontaneously played mahjong in the living room .

Li Xiaogan stood at the door wearing an apron and shouted: "Xiao Yu, Liu Jing is here." I ran over and said, "Welcome." Liu Jing said, "Mr. Dou, are they here?" I said, "They are all here, It's buzzing inside."

Liu Jing entered the room, hung the bag on the hanger, and went into the kitchen to help.Her little boyfriend had nothing to do, standing stiffly in the middle of the living room, I said, "Stop standing there, sit on the sofa for a while, or play mahjong with them?" Liu Jing's boyfriend said with a shy smile : "No, brother, I don't know this stuff." I said: "Okay, you watch and come, go to the refrigerator to get what you want to drink, and the meal will be ready in a while, sit down together." He said: " Well, brother, you are busy first."

The moment the luncheon started, Li Da arrived, and Wang Dandan and Lao Liu took the initiative to leave the table to greet him at the door.When Li Da entered the room, the faces of several colleagues present dimmed, especially Liu Jing, who hardly raised his eyelids.Li Da swept his eyes over the crowd, with a relaxed expression, he put down his bag and leather bag and said, "Where should I sit?" Li Xiaogan stood up and said, "Gentlemen, go get a chair and make room for the beautiful woman to sit on the sofa." Li Da smiled and said, "No, no, isn't there a chair here? I'll just sit next to him."

I took the beer, stood up and said, "As for me, welcome everyone again, thank you for your face." Everyone applauded.Liu Jing handed over the paper, and I wiped my mouth, held up another bottle and said, "Special thanks to our President Dou and the leaders of various departments of the company, and drink another one." Everyone's applause was even more enthusiastic.I waved to Li Xiaogan, and Li Xiaogan opened the third bottle. I said, "Finally, I would like to thank my good friends who came from all over the world. Thank you for coming to our house for dinner again in the name of birthday celebration. Drink one." Everyone laughed, and Wang Dandan said, "Lao Guo, take it easy, the way you drink it makes people want to throw up."

After a few rounds of drinking, the people on the table were divided into groups to chat freely.Li Da took out a white box from his bag and said, "This is for you, happy birthday." I took the box, looked at the model number on it, and said, "Why do you send such an expensive thing?" Li Da said: " Didn’t you always like Apple’s laptops, your master should have retired.” I said, “Master can make do with it.” Li Da said, “Why, don’t you want it?” I said, “Yes, yes. , My fellow, compared with yours, mine is so poor."

I turned my head and found that everyone at the table was silent and staring at the white box in my hand. I got up embarrassed and said, "What are you looking at? Come and drink." Lao Dou picked up the cup and said "Come on, Dazi, Uncle Dou will drink with you." Li Da put on a smile and said, "Thank you, Mr. Dou." Old Dou said, "Say hello to Mr. Li for me, and let him sit with us when he has time. Give us laymen some help." Li Da said: "Mr. Dou, you are too serious. You are now cooperating with so many big IT companies, and we have to learn from you."

I squinted my eyes and shouted: "Comrades, the country will never forget us, the people will never forget us, let us, under the leadership of the wise President Dou, drink up all the beer in the supermarket downstairs!"

7. Internal and external troubles
Three weeks after my 30th birthday, the corporate IT fever finally died down.The sales department and the public relations department work overtime, the level of companies that can be approached is getting lower and lower, and there are fewer and fewer signed orders that are already thin. Gradually, no one is interested in our online integrated promotion method. The sofa in the living room Become cold again.In a market economy, no matter how brave a person is, he can't beat the rules.

The third quarter board meeting was specially chosen to be held in the Beijing company. Faced with the nearly pale financial situation in the past six months, Lao Dou completely lost confidence. His speech at the meeting was frequently made things difficult by the board members, so that the report was just halfway through. , the chairman had to stand up to help him out. He first affirmed the reference significance brought by the transformation of the Beijing company to the group, and then called on everyone to give the Beijing company a little more time.The speech of the chairman caused a new round of doubts. Other veterans of the board of directors and representatives of the subsidiaries raised severe criticisms on the reform of the Beijing company.

The huge conference room was busier than my birthday party, and Lao Dou became the most silent person in the farce. He knew that all these disputes were caused by him, and he no longer had the capital to speak out.

I couldn't bear to watch any more, so I asked the secretary of the board of directors for leave, and left the venue quickly.In the corridor, I bit a cigarette and touched my whole body with my hand. Just as I was about to drop the cigarette and leave, a little flame floated over, reflecting the rough shoehorn face of Old Liu from the media department. He smiled. He said, "How about it, Mr. Guo, is there any business in our company? I'm afraid the group will even have to stop the budget for the second half of the year?" I took a puff of cigarette, leaned against the wall and exhaled smoke, and said, "Old Dou still has a lot of money." The chairman supports him so that he won’t really lose.” Lao Liu said: “You don’t know our chairman, he is a real businessman, this time Lao Dou got hurt, you think he will give Lao Dou a second chance Is it?” I said, “It depends on people’s efforts. This company itself is supported by nepotism. Chinese people will not easily invest money in brands, but they will spend money on favors.” Lao Liu smiled and said: “Ha, you It's as funny as they come."

I think Lao Dou has never been so frustrated in his life as he is now. In just one month, he seems to have aged two years suddenly, and there is no trace of a handsome man between the tightly locked forehead lines.He spent more time standing by the window, watching from a distance, without saying a word, and sometimes he couldn't wait for a word of instruction after drinking a cup of tea.The chairman helped him get some budget, but it was just a symbolic buffer, and the big ship he was driving was covered with white fog again.

At the same time as Lao Dou, Liu Jing from the planning department was also lonely. She was broken in love. This girl from the northwest countryside took a half-month long vacation in one breath and disappeared without a trace.Regarding Liu Jing's private life, there are various versions circulating among colleagues. Generally speaking, everyone tends to feel sorry for her. She is a small employee with a monthly salary of [-], lives in the basement, uses public cosmetics, and lives frugally. No boyfriend with a stable job.Liu Jing's boyfriend, who was born in a poor family, was very ambitious. Every time he failed at work, he would lose his temper at the people around him, and even stay out all night in a fit of anger.It is said that this boy is Liu Jing's first love. The two have been together for four years. Liu Jing has had two abortions for him and been hospitalized twice. Even the mobile phone he uses is borrowed from colleagues by Liu Jing and repaid in installments. He bought it.In the eyes of male colleagues, Liu Jing is an out-and-out silly girl.In the eyes of female colleagues, Liu Jing's boyfriend is the most useless man in the world.It's not that she hasn't struggled before, she proposed to break up twice, and both times she softened her heart in front of crying men, so her life has nothing to do with fate, it just deserves it.

Xixi pushed open the door and said, "Liu Jing is back." I said, "Let her come to see me." Xixi said, "Mr. Guo, don't say she is too cruel later, just give her some comfort, okay?" I said, "I understand, don't worry."

Liu Jing walked into the office and said with a haggard face, "What's the matter?" I said, "Are you feeling better?" She said, "Haven't you always been fine?" I said, "What's the matter?" I said, "Don't affect your work because of your private life. Women are just like men. Only when their careers are independent can their personalities be independent." Liu Jing froze for a moment, then returned to haggard and said: "I see, Mr. Guo , Is there anything else?" I said, "No, if you need help in the future, remember to tell me." Liu Jing squeezed out a smile, turned and walked out.

I stood at the door, looking at her back, with a bit of sadness in my heart, and settled here myself. Apart from the two black and white suits issued by the company, the girl in front of me only had this pair of whitish jeans, which are like all young people. Like the love of love, it has the first touching blue, and then the brilliance is washed away by the years and life.

Lao Dou stood in front of the window and said: "The company is in this situation, what do you think we should do next?" I said: "Restore the relationship between all old customers and the media, continue to do the original work, and endure this humiliation , Waiting for real independence." He said: "Do you think these people will come back? Most of them have voted for Xingan now." I said: "It depends on human effort." Lao Dou walked slowly to his seat and sat down and said: " Xiao Guo, have you heard of Jiuguai.com? It’s an e-commerce website that helps wine companies do marketing online.” I said, “I’ve met a manager of their operation department. When I was working in the previous company, he asked passed us, but the project mentioned was rejected by our general manager. Their website seems to be very powerful, but in fact it has been operating in debt, and most of the services are second-tier brands. Most of the first-tier brands are cautious when cooperating with them. We always The manager is not optimistic about them for the time being, saying that most Chinese people are not used to buying alcohol online, and their logistics, flow, price system, etc. are not as sound as they say, and there is still a long way to go.” Lao Dou Said: "What do you think of us building a website like this? Bring in all the companies we have cooperated with before. Many people in the company have experience in building websites. I recently met a manager surnamed Zhao who is doing Internet marketing. We can poach him to do it together. In any case, e-commerce is a trend, and investment in construction and operation is low, which happens to be our opportunity. You try to bring back the original customers first, and I, try to poach that Manager Zhao. , Let him lead the sales department and the media department to build up the website, let’s do both, and make more flowers.” I said, “Okay, let me try it.”

He still didn't give up his IT dream. On the surface, he had to find another way because of high-level exclusion and tight budget, but IT was his real original intention. He didn't intend to do media work, he just wanted to use this The place is fighting at the age of knowing the destiny.

Guided by the security guards, I entered the villa area in the suburbs of Beijing and checked the number in my hand over and over on the winding path. After half an hour, I couldn't help but sigh, it turns out that the houses of these rich people are all the same.

Li Da appeared around the corner, wearing a pair of loose spotted pajamas, she came over and said, "Why are you so stupid, you can't even find a house." I closed the car door and said, "Sister, I'm a poor boy, how do I know You rich people live like a labyrinth? By the way, isn’t today Wednesday? Why did you invite me to your house?” Li Da said, “Our old man is cultivating vitality at home because of the stock market’s limit drop. You go to the company too. It’s empty.” I said, “Then what about you, why don’t you go to work?” She put on a pitiful face and said, “I’m sick, and I’m cultivating energy at home.”

At the gloomy stairway, Li's mother, who is wearing a little makeup, is waiting for us under an oil painting. She doesn't look like Li Da, but her figure and appearance are not inferior to her own daughter.I stretched out my hand and said, "Hi, Auntie, I'm Guo Xiaoyu." Li's mother smiled shyly and said, "Hello, her father is upstairs." Li Da stared and said, "Yo, Mom, I can't think of you." You can shake hands, haha, good job." Li's mother was even more embarrassed, and said, "This girl, quickly take her up." I said, "Do you need to take off your shoes upstairs, auntie?" Li Da said, "You Don't be cowardly, our house is decorated in European style, what shoes do you take off?"

Li Xing'an's study room is just like his own. More than half of the bookshelves are biographies of politicians and military strategists, even the biographies of these people's mistresses.In the center of the study is a set of expensive mahogany tables and chairs, with a group photo of the owner of the house and government leaders, with silk-woven national flags next to the photo.

"Xiao Guo, give me a reason," Li Xing'an said, sitting upright, "I'm curious, why do you think our two companies can continue to cooperate?" One of the investors of another subsidiary, the former Mr. Zheng, you have been with our company during the five years in office, haven’t you? Mr. Li, in the business field, there are losses and gains, sharing and cooperation, anyway, We were all brothers in the past, and since we are brothers, we have feelings." "Haha, feelings?" Li Xingan laughed, "Have the IT people in your company ever talked to me? Those old customers in the past were all me. He was cultivated by Lao Zheng, and Mr. Dou said he didn’t want it, so he didn’t want it. What right does he have to interrupt cooperation with these old customers? As a result, you offended me, and I had to come forward and spend money to say good things to bring them back. How? , now you, Mr. Dou, want to go back again?" I said, "Mr. Li, you are right, but we have to look forward when doing business. Our company has recruited a lot of new people, and the number of IT projects we have expanded is increasing. The more there are, the more room we have for cooperation in the future..." Li Xing'an interrupted me and said, "You talk to me about business, okay, then let's talk about business. You are also in this business, tell me, this year Well, how many businesses has your company achieved alone? You are top-notch in sabotage, how many times have we taken the blame for you!" I said, "Most of us are young people who have just entered the industry. Zhi, don’t young people change little by little?” “What about your boss Dou?” Li Xing’an stood up, “Is he also a young man?”

I completely lost my momentum, so I could only choose to be silent. Li Xingan slowly sat back in his seat and said, "Xiao Guo, I didn't expect you to trust him until now. Do you think he will really rely on you? This person is not here at all. Media marketing, the money you earn for him, he has to throw it into IT in the end. Let me tell you, the culprit for your company's current state is your general manager Dou. Such a person takes over!"

Li Da came in with a fruit platter, and said, "Dad, keep your voice down, I can hear you yelling downstairs." Li Xingan said, "It's okay, he's about to figure it out." Li Da walked out, and Li Xingan picked up a piece of watermelon Put it in his mouth, and muttered: "Xiao Guo, remember, if a man wants to succeed in this life, he must choose the right two people, one is the boss and the other is the wife, you have no future with that person, if you don't come to my place It doesn't matter, but I still advise you to leave Lao Dou as soon as possible."

I fell down on the sofa when I entered the door. Li Xiaogan curled up on another sofa and asked, "You came back so early?" I said, "Yeah." It’s like being beaten up by someone else.” I opened my eyes and said, “It’s worse than being beaten.” He said, “If you want me to say, you don’t need a job, why do you have to do it? Follow this group of people to get angry? Beijing is a big city, where can't you make a living? At worst, you go to work in my shop and wash customers' hair. You are not ugly, and you are educated. It is easy to hook up with a few rich women." I He buried his face in the sofa again: "Can't you say something positive?" He said, "You are quite positive. You go to someone's house to beg for mercy in this hot weather, so what now?"

"Get up," he began to kick me, "Don't lie down with the family, what are you promising? Let me tell you, you can find something to eat by yourself at night. My friend's mother is coming to Beijing for medical treatment, so I have to go there for a while." Let’s go.” I turned my face and said, “The electricity at home is almost out, so you can go to the State Grid to recharge your card.” He put on his shoes and said, “No matter, go by yourself.”

Lao Dou called, and I got up to answer it. He was obviously driving, and there was a loud noise on the phone.I asked: "What's the matter, Mr. Dou?" He said: "Are there any plans for the evening?" I said: "Go to the bar to meet friends." He said: "Which bar is it near China World Trade Center? Count me in." With 1 reluctances in my heart, I said: "Okay, I'm planning to invite you, let's come and have a drink together."

The waiter brought the mixed wine, and I pushed it in front of Lao Dou and said, "Try and see which one you like?" After tasting them one by one, Lao Dou said, "This purple one is pretty good." I greeted the waiter and said: "Have three more cups of 'Lie Yan'." The waiter responded, "Okay."

Lao Dou stared at the game highlights on the screen, listened to the blues tunes floating on the stage in the distance, and said: "There are many places like this in Melbourne, and I like to go there too, but when I return to Beijing, the company is in a mess. I lost my mood. It’s better for you young people, you have your own circle of life, and you can do whatever you want.” I said, “It’s like this in big cities. It is colorful, everyone wears the same uniform when they go to work, and they are busy with the same work, but it is different after get off work, which is also the charm of big cities.”

"Why did you recruit me into the company at the beginning," I asked, "and you agreed to the conditions I put forward so readily?" He held his glass and said, "You are a career-oriented person, hardworking, careful, and you and your daughter The fact that your friend broke up also proves that you are very righteous, professionalism and righteousness, I see these two things in people." I said, "Then I oppose you all day long, is it considered righteous?" He laughed He laughed and said: "It's all for the company's sake, I understand that, but sometimes you are too cautious in doing things and care too much about principles, which is actually not good. For example, I disagree with the fact that you object to people in the company being friends. I have lived abroad for so many years, and I have met many foreigners who have the same ideas as you. Their companies also do the same. They have a clear division of labor between the upper and lower levels, and the division of labor is very strict. " I said: "Liu Jing also said similar things to me, persuading me to put the relationship with colleagues first, and I told her that after a man is 25 years old, it is difficult to change his character and style."

"Do you like Liu Jing?" Lao Dou said, "She is alone now, do you want me to help you?" I said, "Brother, don't make such jokes, okay?" He said: " I'm not kidding you, Liu Jing has been with me for two or three years, I know her better, she is nice, but the boyfriend she made is really not that good. Now is your best chance." I said, "I'm right Liu Jing understands a little better, she values ​​feelings and nostalgia for the past, this kind of girl is very hard-hearted, so don't worry about it. Besides, what's the matter with me falling in love with a girl from the same department?" Lao Dou said: " Didn't I say it? I'll help you, I'll ask her what she means first, if she wants to nod, I'll transfer her department."

"You don't really want to do this, do you?" I looked at him in horror.He drank the wine in the glass and said, "What's the problem? Leave it to me."

8. Christmas Eve Revolution

(End of this chapter)