A single light remark from Bai Tao immediately deflated Jin Yiyuan's harsh questioning. It was like a heavy punch landing on cotton—unexpectedly ineffective.
A surge of anger rose in Jin Yiyuan's chest. How dare this person defy him while being so nonchalant after being scolded?
On the surface, Bai Tao remained calm, but her heart raced with anxiety. She silently encouraged herself: Bai Tao, don't falter now. If you retreat, you'll lose all credibility in this company. While Bai Tao's reasoning made sense, Jin Yiyuan, having been in high management for years, had never seen an employee handle him with such unshakable poise.
Could it be that he had lost his touch?
Not only Jin Yiyuan, but everyone else in the room was stunned.
Those who have survived in the workplace know that when a low-ranking employee faces top executives, the pressure is immense. It's difficult enough to remain composed and engage in a normal conversation, let alone argue the case. Yet here she was, debating logically and confidently.
As the surprise settled, a sense of admiration quietly stirred in the hearts of those present.
Impressive!
This was the woman who brought breakfast to President Luo, and her aura was undeniably different.
Luo He's deep eyes held a glimmer of appreciation. Unassuming, composed, and calm—this woman intrigued him!
"Hmph!" Jin Yiyuan sneered coldly. "Publicity! You want to use 20 million for publicity? What happens if it fails? Are you going to take responsibility for your proposal?"
Bai Tao's mind raced, weighing the pros and cons. She knew this was a pivotal moment. If she faltered now, all her previous efforts would be in vain. Unfazed, she met Jin Yiyuan's eyes. "Mr. Jin, I fully understand the risks involved. It's highly likely this plan will fail, or at best, it'll just be a publicity stunt. That's why I didn't bring it up myself. President Luo asked me to share it, so I did. If everyone has to take full responsibility for their proposals, no one would dare suggest anything in the future."
Jin Yiyuan was left speechless for a moment.
It seemed... that she had a point.
Bai Tao caught the slight shift in Jin Yiyuan's gaze and felt a bit of triumph inside. However, she quickly became alert, reminding herself not to be careless—this old fox could very well be plotting something.
Bai Tao's self-assured demeanor unconsciously made Jin Yiyuan feel powerless—he could never win this battle.
This kind of convincing presence was something Jin Yiyuan had never experienced before.
In the past, whenever he discussed an issue with subordinates, even if he secretly agreed, he could always convince them with his "leadership skills" and make them submit. But today, in front of Luo He, he felt his leadership power had failed.
No, he had to regain control!
With a sharp snort, Jin Yiyuan spoke again, "You call this an idea? It's nothing but nonsense! I bet you haven't taken the task assigned by the leader seriously. You just threw this together as if it were a minor task. Is that your work ethic?"
A surge of indignation and frustration rose in Bai Tao's heart. Without thinking, she retorted, "Mr. Jin, you can dismiss my proposal, but you can't question my work ethic. This proposal was the result of careful consideration."
Though Bai Tao often slacked off at work, like many others, she had a professional flaw—"slacking off" was an art form. But she could never admit to slacking off. If she did, how could she keep doing it without guilt?
So, when pressed, her instinctive defense kicked in. This was a reflexive self-protection in a dangerous situation.
"Ha! Careful consideration? Then tell me, what's the reason behind sticking to this proposal?" Jin Yiyuan smirked.
He was a seasoned professional and had seen all kinds of people, especially those who stubbornly claimed their dedication to work. He was well aware that there was no tangible evidence to prove such claims.
"At first, the saying goes, 'Fortune favors the bold.' When President Luo founded the company, he envisioned creating a hundred-year-old company. If we aim to be a century-old company, we must think on that scale. A year's profit? Forget it. Two million, twenty million—it's all just pocket change compared to the long-term vision."
"That's right. Our sales are low, and we can't compete with the giants. But what we have is ambition. We might not match them in revenue or profit, but we can match their sense of responsibility. We want to show the world that we, despite being a smaller company, can donate the same amount as those with hundreds of billions in revenue. This is the confidence and courage of a company that dares to aim for a hundred-year future!"
At first, Bai Tao was just speaking off the cuff, but as she spoke, a surge of passion filled her, and she became increasingly energized by her own words. Her impassioned tone, combined with her natural charisma, not only moved herself but also inspired those around her.
Language is a powerful thing.
A single phrase can make people cry, or make them burst out laughing. In the hands of a skilled communicator, words alone can change the course of a situation.
Bai Tao's speech was electrifying, and her unique aura made it hard for others to resist agreeing with her.
For a moment, Jin Yiyuan even began to waver. He unconsciously thought—maybe it's worth a try.
But his clear position snapped him back to reality.
"Heh, sounds easy, doesn't it? But if you were the boss, would you make this donation?" Jin Yiyuan's pointed question was a classic weapon against the so-called "saintly" attitudes. He believed that this would be the final blow to Bai Tao's argument.
Bai Tao's heart skipped a beat, but she quickly regained her composure. She knew this was the final showdown, and she couldn't retreat now. Without hesitation, she answered firmly, "Yes, I would donate!"
This book is provided by FunNovel Novel Book | Fan Fiction Novel [Beautiful Free Novel Book]