Chapter 3: Unsophisticated and Naive

"At today's morning meeting, our main agenda was to report this month's performance figures. Here I have to specifically criticize Elder Zhang; your team three's performance is once again the worst."

Elder Zhang was holding his thermos and drinking goji berry tea when he heard the words and paused in his drinking.

The eyes of dozens of people in the meeting room turned to team three in unison.

Those looks contained sympathy as well as schadenfreude.

"I want to emphasize once more that, as a team leader, in addition to developing and maintaining your own clients, you need to pay more attention to building the team.

For those who only know how to slack off every day, let go when you should let go and focus your energy on the promising newcomers as soon as possible.

Our company wants people with a wolf's drive, not gentle sheep. Those who can't keep up with the team only drag the whole team down!

If you can't even manage your own team, how are we supposed to compete for the top sales performance in the region this year... "

Elder Zhang looked up at Wang Zhiping, who had a deadpan expression and was droning on and on, his brows furrowing slightly.

What a way to start the morning, attacking indirectly and speaking in metaphors. He didn't offend this guy recently, did he?

He turned his head to look behind him.

Sure enough, that kid Meng Lang was helplessly shrugging at him.

Great! It looks like it's this kid again...

...

Half an hour later, the meeting concluded.

But Wang Zhiping called Elder Zhang into his office and then another round of berating ensued. Even through the glass windows, you could see the spittle flying toward Elder Zhang.

"Hey! Are you telling me you've offended someone again?"

Meng Lang was frowning at the confrontation inside when a muscular, buzz-cut man standing about six feet tall came over and said teasingly.

"I heard it just now. 'South Wave King' may have been openly criticizing our team three, but all his insinuations were aimed at you…"

This person's name is Ma Qiao, and like Meng Lang, he is a salesman on team three.

The nickname "South Wave King" was a private moniker they gave to Wang Zhiping, because not only does he carry himself with a bossy attitude, but he's also always talking about striving to be number one (No.1) in meetings.

"Who knows? I just retorted back at him in the elevator, never expected he'd be so thin-skinned and even vindictive. Poor Elder Zhang is taking the flak for me now.

I wonder if that guy didn't take his medication before he left his house today, picking fights with everyone..." Meng Lang said helplessly.

"Hey, no surprise there. You're new, so you don't know about South Wave King. He has a few days every month.

It's highly likely that he got a hard time at home, so he comes here to vent his frustration."

"Oh? And how would you know that?" Meng Lang raised an eyebrow.

Looking at his appearance, no one would believe that such a six-foot, sunny, fitness coach-type guy could be a huge gossip.

In the company, from interpersonal relationships to a bit of insider news, there wasn't anything he wasn't interested in.

"Heh heh, you don't know, huh? South Wave King's father-in-law is a core executive at the provincial headquarters. Otherwise, do you think he could have gotten to where he is at his age, managing over a hundred people?

But choosing to cut down on twenty years of struggle comes with a price…" Ma Qiao implied with a knowing look.

"What, his wife abuses him physically?" Meng Lang asked excitedly.

"Not quite. But it's probably true that she's mentally abusive. I've heard about her significant weight!" Ma Qiao gestured with his index and middle finger.

"Ssss—" Meng Lang couldn't help but inhale sharply.

After visualizing the scene briefly, Meng Lang suddenly felt that it was understandable for the man to have a few bad days every month.

Even hateful people have their miseries.

Retorting him this morning might have been somewhat inhumane.

"So, you see, you've walked into the line of fire, right? I'd advise you to keep it low key these days. Otherwise, it won't be long before you're out."

"If I leave, shouldn't you be happy?"

"Happy? Of course, I'll be thrilled. I might even pop a bottle of champagne to celebrate! Ever since Elder Zhang asked me to help mentor you, kid, you've botched several of my deals."

Remembering what happened recently, Ma Qiao couldn't help but twitch the corner of his mouth.

"Like that time, I was talking myself hoarse, nearly closing a deal on a dividend insurance policy, and you just come up and say 'after the management fees, the interest is even lower than a bank fixed deposit'.

And before that, while I was selling that million-dollar medical insurance policy, you almost laid out the client's entire family medical history on the spot.

Is this how you do sales?

Don't you know you're supposed to highlight the positives?

Insured if sick, money back if not, that's what people want to hear!"

"But that client is over fifty without any children, and if they put all their money in there, not only is the dividend low, but it will also be hard to withdraw in case of any emergency they might encounter mid-term."

Canceling the policy halfway through, I'm afraid the money you can get back won't even be half; what will they do for the rest of their lives?

And that million-dollar medical insurance, you know how tricky those dozens of pages of contract terms are. Even if someone gets sick, whether they can make a claim is still up for debate. Shouldn't you make the situation clear to them?"

Ma Qiao looked at Meng Lang with some speechlessness.

"Tell me, are you a spy sent by Huaxia Pingan or an undercover agent from Pacific Happiness?

Which deity raised such a mighty warrior like you? You guys must be plotting to dissolve the enemy from within, right?"

Meng Lang stiffened his neck, "A directive from the Meng family: 'Wealth and honors acquired by unrighteousness are to me as floating clouds!'"

"That seems to be something Confucius said, right? If Mengzi knew his descendants were using this as a family motto, he'd probably be so angry that he'd jump out of his coffin."

"Huh? I didn't see that coming. Aside from muscles, there's actually some culture in your brain! But you might not know, the families of Confucius and Mengzi have always been close, we're like family friends; the family mottoes are shared."

"Don't take advantage of my lack of culture, alright? Although Confucius and Mengzi were both from the Spring and Autumn and Warring States periods, they didn't actually live at the same time and never met in person!

At best, Mengzi could be considered a disciple of Confucius. Based on seniority, Mengzi would have to call him 'Honored Teacher'!"

"Hiss~" Meng Lang felt as if he'd been choked by the ink in this guy's belly.

"Ever heard of the biggest cross-discipline case of the 21st century? It's an insurance salesperson who stopped reading Carnegie's books on success and switched to 'Spring and Autumn'!"

"Heh heh! Don't think that all salespeople are uncultured—the core of sales is dealing with people, and anything related to making money actually involves dealing with people.

Forget about how finance and IT talents are chased after nowadays; the job that's easiest for earning one's first million is still sales!

Most domestic small and medium-sized business owners started from sales, and over 50% of CEOs in Fortune 500 companies are former salespeople.

Li Jiacheng, Zong Qinghou, Dong Mingzhu—there are numerous examples; it's through the process of elimination that true heroes show their colors."

Meng Lang looked in shock at the treasure of a man in front of him.

"Tell me, you wouldn't happen to be a rich second generation down here gaining experience, would you?"

"Yo! Have you seen through me?" Ma Qiao grinned, "Alright, no more pretending, if I didn't find you somewhat agreeable, I wouldn't have said so much to just anyone.

How about it? Have some time to ride in my Lamborghini for a drink?"

"Forget it, do you think the Lamborghini is a bikini if you dress it up? Let's stay realistic and sign a big contract to afford an Idol mini instead."

As the two were bantering, "Click!" The office door was pushed open, and Elder Zhang walked out with a dark face.

"Meng Lang, come with me." Elder Zhang dropped a line and went into the conference room specially for Group Three.

Under the teasing gaze of Ma Qiao, Meng Lang reluctantly went in and closed the door behind him.

He thought he was about to get a fierce scolding, but after Elder Zhang sat down, he immediately changed his demeanor, relaxed and started drinking wolfberry tea like a retired cadre.

"Uh... Sorry, Uncle Zhang, for causing trouble for you and Group Three. Should I go and apologize to Manager Wang?" Meng Lang said.

"Forget about it, I know you well enough. You would get into a fight with him within three minutes.

Your task now is to pretend nothing happened and quietly be a pretty boy!" Elder Zhang rolled his eyes and continued to drink his tea.

"You're not going to lecture me?"

"Aren't I doing that right now?" Elder Zhang slammed his palm on the table, making Meng Lang jump in fright, then realizing it was all for show to Manager Wang.

"Thanks, Uncle Zhang."

"Hey! It's only because your dad asked me to look after you, but to be honest, with your personality, you're really not cut out for sales.

Anyway, with your bottom-of-the-barrel performance, you won't be able to last much longer.

Do yourself a favor and listen to uncle—go back to your hometown and take over your dad's pig farm."

"I don't want to! I have no intention of being cooped up in a small county town. It was hard enough getting out, there's no way I'm going back!" Meng Lang declared stubbornly.

"Alright, it's good for a young man to have spirit. I won't stop you, but when you've been beaten down enough and decide to go home, remember to send my regards to your dad."

"Bang bang bang!" Elder Zhang banged his thermos hard on the table a few times.

Meng Lang was speechless, "So you all don't have much faith in me, huh?"

"Heh! In our line of work, you either have to be ruthless and cunning, or worldly-wise but unsophisticated, seeming slick yet remaining naive.

You can't do the former, and as for the latter... well, you've got half of it down now."

"Really? I knew I was making some progress! Uncle Zhang, which half do you think I've gotten?" Meng Lang's eyes lit up.

Elder Zhang looked at Meng Lang and leisurely sipped his tea.

"Sssluuurp~"

"The not being worldly-wise and naive."

Meng Lang: "..."