Five minutes later, Director She was carried into a car and sent to the nearest hospital.
The meeting room was filled with noise that could not be calmed down for a long time. No one knew why Director She suddenly fell ill, and all kinds of speculation and discussion arose.
Tea and desserts became the focus, no one touched them anymore, the waiter took away the tea set and urgently replaced it with bottled Perrier water.
Meng Tao was terrified, and the back of his shirt was soaked. He carried Director She to the car and sent her away, then hurried back to ask Xiang Mingzhang: "Mr. Xiang, should we temporarily cancel the promotion meeting?"
Xiang Mingzhang reminded him: "Xiang Yue's hosting does not mean Xiang Yue has the final say. The official has the final say."
"Then..." At this moment, Meng Tao really didn't have the courage to ask the official representative for his opinion.
At this time, Chu Shichen walked in from outside. He was in the same state as before the accident, but his steps were bigger, and he was calm and neat.
Chu Shichen glanced at Meng Tao, handed over a pack of tissues, and said to Xiang Mingzhang, "We have sent two people to the hospital, and we have contacted the hospital's experts. We have reserved samples of the food and beverages in the venue in advance, and they will be sent for testing along with the tea that Director She drank."
Meng Tao wiped his sweat and said, "Thank you, Secretary Chu. Now..."
"Don't worry." Chu Shichen understood what he was worried about. "A team leader at the same level as Director She accompanied him to the hospital. The selection team is now short of two people, and they need to discuss it."
Xiang Mingzhang said: "It should continue to open."
There are a large number of participants, some of whom have come from other cities. If the meeting is cancelled and re-held, it will be costly and difficult to coordinate the time again.
Chu Shichen said, "This is the best. If the meeting can be held, it means the problem is not serious and a big thing can be reduced to a small one. If it really needs to be cancelled and reconvened, it will be too embarrassing for Xiang Yue to organize this."
Sure enough, half an hour later, the selection team decided to continue the promotion meeting.
The scene was in chaos, and the emcee tried his best to apologize and appease the crowd on stage, but to little avail.
Chu Shichen went on stage and asked the MC to go down for a rest. He took the microphone and announced calmly, "Please take your seats as soon as possible. We will start the self-presentation phase of the promotion meeting. If there is not enough time, the presentation time of each representative will be shortened."
Insufficient time affects communication effectiveness, which is the most important issue for all companies.
Xiang Mingzhang sat in the audience and watched. To maintain order, instructions were more effective than negotiation, especially instructions that hit the vital point. The fastest way to calm chaos was to lead to a new situation.
After Chu Shichen finished speaking, he signaled the staff to adjust the projection, and Xiang Yue's presentation was restored on the big screen.
Everyone took their seats and silence gradually returned to the conference room.
Chu Shichen handed the microphone to Meng Tao and whispered, "Don't say anything else. If you want to remedy the situation, try your best to explain the plan."
Meng Tao's momentum and confidence were greatly reduced. Fearing making mistakes, he slowed down the pace and even sacrificed some details in order to complete the demonstration.
Chu Shichen stepped aside and looked at the whole audience, his eyes sweeping over every person in the audience, some serious, some relaxed, some indifferent, some gloating, all kinds of expressions.
The atmosphere in the selection group was heavy. The general manager didn't say a word after the accident, and his disappointment was obvious.
The achievement that Xiang Yue had ambitiously wanted to be recorded for turned into a "fault" that was difficult to remedy.
We persisted until the end of the briefing session, when the staff arranged for everyone to leave. Xiang Mingzhang accompanied the selection team out through the internal passage.
Meng Tao was a little confused. He was the one who proposed to host the promotion meeting, and he was the one who led the department and was responsible for it. He could not escape the blame for any problems. If something happened to Director She and the company was affected, he would probably have to quit his job.
Chu Shichen didn't try to comfort her, and said, "Director Meng, it's not time to panic. Wash your face. We need to rush to the hospital."
Director She was sent to a nearby tertiary hospital for emergency treatment. Fortunately, his life is not in danger and his condition has stabilized.
The doctor diagnosed it as an allergy, with honey being the allergen.
Chu Shichen suddenly realized that the food inspection results came out not long after. Today's tea did contain honey, and it was all due to negligence of the organizer.
The ward was crowded with people. When Director She woke up, Xiang Mingzhang personally apologized and promised that Xiang Yue would be responsible for all subsequent issues.
Leaving the hospital and returning to the company, Xiang Mingzhang's face was as gloomy as water all the way, and Chu Shichen crossed his arms and did not say a word the whole time.
The promotion meeting had been highly anticipated, but once something happened, the news was immediately transmitted back to the park. When Xiang Mingzhang and Chu Shichen returned home, the entire office area was silent and no one dared to look up.
Xiang Mingzhang walked all the way into the president's office, entered the door, and said, "Secretary Chu, come together."
Chu Shichen signaled Meng Tao to go first and then closed the door.
At this point, Meng Tao sorted out his thoughts and said, "The meals at the venue are provided by a five-star hotel, and today's tea is provided by Hongshan Tea House."
Xiang Mingzhang asked: "So what?"
Meng Tao was stunned for a moment: "We have investigated the dietary taboos of the staff in advance. It is very likely that the teahouse was negligent today. I will ask the legal department to negotiate with them."
Chu Shichen said: "No matter which link is wrong, Xiang Yue as the organizer cannot escape responsibility."
Whether it was an oversight or an intentional act, once something went wrong, it would have an immediate negative impact—the disappointment of the selection team and the malaise in the second half of the meeting were both evidence of this.
Xiang Yue can investigate and hold accountable, but no matter what, he cannot change his own mistake of negligence.
The most important thing is that the project does not wait for anyone, and everyone will not continue to waste time on this matter. They will just go their separate ways after seeing it.
Chu Shichen said: "To continue dwelling on today's incident is like trying to find a sword by carving a mark on a boat. It's useless. What we should do is to turn the tide."
Xiang Mingzhang said: "We were originally on a good track, but now it's back to square one."
"No..." Meng Tao still held out hope. "We will make the best plan, and the selection team will definitely consider us."
Chu Shichen pointed out clearly: "With today's incident, the effectiveness of the program demonstration has been greatly reduced."
Moreover, Director She has established a good relationship with Xiang Yue, which was originally a very advantageous card, but now this card is useless.
Meng Tao said anxiously: "I will apologize again, go to the hospital to take care of Director She, find the best experts, and I am willing to pay any price to get Director She's forgiveness."
Xiang Mingzhang looked ahead and said, "Do you think everything will be fine if Director She doesn't care?"
Meng Tao: "Mr. Xiang..."
Xiang Mingzhang said: "If something happens to Director She, how can he maintain the selection work while he is in hospital and recuperating? The key position of technical team leader will not be waiting for him in vain."
Chu Shichen's heart sank: "So they're going to change the technical team leader?"
Xiang Mingzhang said, back to square one, he said: "Once the person is replaced, Xiang Yue's previous communication with Director She will be in vain, and he will have to start all over again to build a relationship with the new team leader. After what happened today, with the look on the face of the general manager's office, it is impossible for the official attitude towards Xiang Yue not to be affected."
The cell phone rang, Chu Shichen walked to the side to answer it, and hung up after three or five sentences. He told her one good news and one bad news.
The good news is that Director She will not pursue today's accident. The bad news is as Xiang Mingzhang expected. Due to health reasons, Director She voluntarily withdrew from the selection group.
Meng Tao's face turned pale and he didn't dare to say anything more. He took off his glasses and wiped the sweat off his face.
Chu Shichen said: "Director Meng, the first round of communication is over anyway. Make some adjustments and complete the handover with the sales department."
Meng Tao made up his mind: "After I have done what I should do, I am willing to bear all the consequences."
"It's too early to talk about the consequences now." Xiang Mingzhang said, "Go back. Pre-sales has been working hard these days. Let your people take a two-day break. Don't gossip about today's matter to other departments."
After Meng Tao made his promise, he went out, leaving Xiang Mingzhang and Chu Shichen alone in the office. After a busy day, the sun set, and an untimely bright glow shone in through the floor-to-ceiling windows.
Xiang Mingzhang loosened his tie a little, walked to the wine cabinet and took out a bottle of whiskey, and asked, "Are you interested in having a drink with me?"
Chu Shichen said: "You can drink, but I won't drink at my desk."
Xiang Mingzhang chuckled, holding the bottle and glass and walking to the window, he handed Chu Shichen a whiskey glass, then turned the label with the white sailboat outward and said, "This is sailboat whiskey, which means smooth sailing."
Chu Shichen joked: "Are you starting to seek psychological comfort?"
Xiang Mingzhang added: "This bottle contains older original liquor, which is stronger, so it will experience a storm in the midst of a favorable wind."
Chu Shichen took a sip, and the flavor of citrus diffused in the wine glass, passed to the tip of his tongue, and the fragrance of flowers and plants, coffee acid, and slightly spicy alcohol filled his nose and throat.
After finishing a cup, Xiang Mingzhang suddenly asked: "Did I make a wrong decision?"
Chu Shichen said: "The process was not thorough enough and it could have been avoided."
Xiang Mingzhang said: "Now we can only face the storm."
Chu Shichen closed his lips and teeth tightly, and licked the remaining wine on his palate with the tip of his tongue. He had seen a real storm at sea, where a huge wave could swallow everything.
But he escaped and survived.
So what are these things in front of us
Chu Shichen reached out his hand and clinked glasses with Xiang Mingzhang, then drank it all in one gulp and said, "The worst outcome is that the project is lost, but the sky won't fall, and Xiang Yue won't go bankrupt."
Xiang Mingzhang raised his head and drank up the wine, then said with a smile: "Secretary Chu is really generous."
It is better to be still than to move. Wait for the official attitude and instructions before thinking about the next countermeasures. We must be steady and never make mistakes in a hurry.
It was time to get off work. After something like this happened, no one dared to move until the boss left. Xiang Mingzhang packed up and left with Chu Shichen.
The driver stayed in the hospital and was temporarily at the disposal of Director She's family. Xiang Mingzhang was too lazy to wait for other drivers to come, and was about to ask Chu Shichen how to get there. As soon as he left the office building, he saw Xiang Ruxu's car parked at the door.
Chu Shichen said hello and left first.
Xiang Mingzhang opened the car door and sat in the passenger seat without saying anything, and Xiang Ruxu didn't ask either. He started the car, drove out of the park, and turned in the opposite direction.
Xiang Mingzhang frowned: "Where to?"
Xiang Ruxu said: "Jingpu Mansion, let's go to grandpa's place."
It was the end of the month, and we were supposed to go home for dinner, but Xiang Mingzhang was so busy that he forgot about it and said unyieldingly, "I don't have an appetite today. I won't go. Take me back to the apartment."
Xiang Ruxu said: "The whole family is here tonight, you can't be absent."
There was no one around, and Xiang Mingzhang was already in a bad mood, so he didn't even bother to pretend: "Who said it's not possible? Aunt, or your dad? The last time I taught them a lesson in the hospital, it was because some uncles next door were listening, and Secretary Chu was watching, so I didn't want to make it too embarrassing."
Xiang Ruxu couldn't argue with him: "That matter has passed, why mention it again? Today..."
Xiang Mingzhang said in a light tone, full of arrogance: "If anyone messes with me again today, I suggest you look at the company's shareholding situation and figure out who has the final say."
Xiang Ruxu was angry: "Xiang Mingzhang!"
The traffic light turned red and Xiang Mingzhang hit the back of the chair. "With your driving skills, I might as well call a taxi."
Xiang Ruxu said helplessly: "No matter what, we are all brothers. Can you restrain yourself and be patient on this happy day?"
Xiang Mingzhang was puzzled: "A happy day?"
"Didn't my brother inform you?" Xiang Ruxu couldn't stand being caught in the middle. "He and Miss Qin are getting married the day after tomorrow."
Xiang Ruguang had originally planned to hold it a while ago, but Xiang Xingzhao suddenly fell ill, so it was postponed to now. If we wait any longer, it would be inconvenient as the bride is obviously pregnant.
The wedding ceremony will be held in Jingpu on the day, and the whole family will discuss the process tonight.
After hearing this, Xiang Mingzhang didn't want to go anymore.
The traffic light turned green, and Xiang Ruxu stepped on the accelerator and headed straight for Jingpu. After a moment, he said, "We also sent a wedding invitation to the Chu family."
Xiang Mingzhang asked, "What does Xiang Rugang mean?"
"It's what my parents wanted." Xiang Ruxu said, "It doesn't matter to others, I just hope Secretary Chu can participate."
Last time in the hospital ward, Xiang Mingzhang almost had a quarrel with Xiang Kun, and it was Chu Shichen who calmed Xiang Mingzhang's emotions in a timely and accurate manner.
Xiang Ruxu saw this. Over the years, whether at home or in the company, he had never seen anyone do this. He couldn't help but ask, "Mingzhang, what is your relationship with Secretary Chu?"
Xiang Mingzhang said: "What do you think?"
Xiang Ruxu guessed, "A capable assistant? A good friend? I see. He is your confidant."
Xiang Mingzhang thought to himself that Chu Shichen’s own abdominal CT scan was full of doubts, yet he still treated him as his confidant.
Seeing that he didn't react, Xiang Ruxu couldn't guess any further: "If you don't want to say it, forget it."
Xiang Mingzhang replied: "It's not that I don't want to say it, it's that my words don't count."
Xiang Ruxu snorted coldly: "You hold so many shares, I thought you had the final say."
Xiang Mingzhang's boomerang pierced him, but he didn't feel any pain. He took out his cell phone and guessed that Chu Shichen had already arrived home and saw the wedding invitation.
Xiang Ruguang's face is probably not big enough.
Xiang Mingzhang also sent an invitation: Come to Jingpu on the weekend and let’s feed the hibiscus birds together.
Soon, Chu Shichen replied with a reserved word: OK.
(End of this chapter)