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On Monday, Qingguo Interactive Arts.

Chen Yu was summoned to the vice president's office early in the morning. The person who called him was Li Ming, the senior vice president in charge of product and design, a professional manager in his early forties.

Chen Yu and Li Ming had some prior acquaintance. When he first joined the company, he worked under Li Ming for a period of time before switching to focus on UI design and gradually working his way up to become the person in charge.

"Mr. Li, you wanted to see me?" Chen Yu knocked on the door and only entered the spacious office after hearing a response.

Li Ming looked up from his documents and gestured to the chair opposite him: "Sit down. There's something I want to discuss with you."

Chen Yu sat down, maintaining a professional smile: "Please go ahead."

Li Ming handed over a document: "At the South China branch, Lao Zhao will be transferred back to headquarters next month to take charge of the newly established overseas business department. His position is now vacant, and after discussion, the company's management thinks you are a suitable candidate."

Chen Yu was taken aback, then took the document and quickly glanced at it.

It was a personnel transfer proposal, suggesting that Chen Yu, the head of the UI design department, be transferred to the H city branch as deputy general manager to fully assist the branch general manager.

"This..." Chen Yu looked up, his expression complicated. "President Li, this is... a promotion?"

"Of course it's a promotion." Li Ming smiled, picked up his teacup and took a sip. "Deputy general manager of the branch office, the next step is general manager. You're doing well at headquarters, but the UI design department is just a specialized department. At the branch office, you'll be exposed to the entire business chain, which is a great opportunity for your personal development."

Chen Yu's mind was racing.

This is indeed a promotion.

From department head to branch vice president, it may seem like they are at the same level, but in reality, the power and scope of responsibility are much greater. More importantly, if they can successfully take over as general manager in the future, their prospects will be much broader than if they were just a department head at headquarters.

But this was all so sudden.

"Mr. Li, I appreciate the company's trust, but..." Chen Yu carefully chose his words, "I've worked in UI design for so many years, and suddenly switching to full management, especially in H City, seems like a big leap. Doesn't the company have a more suitable candidate?"

Li Ming put down his teacup, looked up at him, and said, "Chen Yu, you're a smart man. Many people would kill for this opportunity. The company values ​​your comprehensive abilities. Over the years, you've led teams at headquarters, worked on projects, and coordinated across departments—your performance has been outstanding."

He paused, then his tone became slightly more serious: "The management believes you are capable of handling this."

After listening, Chen Yu felt an increasingly strong sense of unease.

He admitted that his performance at the company was indeed good, but he was definitely not the kind of employee who would be suddenly valued by senior management or even promoted out of turn.

"I... need to think about it," Chen Yu said cautiously. "Besides, I also have some personal plans to make recently..."

He didn't finish speaking, but Li Ming seemed to understand his unspoken meaning.

"Personal considerations are normal." Li Ming nodded in agreement, but then changed the subject: "However, Chen Yu, these kinds of opportunities are fleeting. At headquarters, the position of head of the UI design department is coveted by many people; if you leave, someone else can immediately take your place. But the position of deputy general manager of a branch office isn't always available."

That's a very honest statement, even somewhat cold-blooded.

But Chen Yu knew that what Li Ming said was true.

That's how the workplace is; no one is truly irreplaceable.

"I understand." Chen Yu nodded, quickly weighing the pros and cons in his mind.

H City branch, deputy general manager, a potential future top leader... this is indeed a leap forward in his career.

The annual salary will increase by at least 50%, and there are also stock options. More importantly, it is a stage where you can truly showcase your talents.

But... that young man with the crescent-shaped eyes when he smiled, the one he watched a movie with last night, although the kiss was unexpectedly interrupted at the end, he could tell that the young man had accepted him.

What will happen to them if he goes to H City?

Can a budding relationship withstand a long-distance relationship?

"Mr. Li," Chen Yu tentatively began, "if I go to H City, could I bring one or two core team members with me? The branch office will definitely need to build a new product design team, and I hope to have a few familiar faces with them."

It's perfectly reasonable for a new official to bring a few of his own people to assist with the work.

Although Shang Song is not in the UI team, art and design are inseparable. It is theoretically reasonable to transfer Shang Song there on the grounds of needing excellent art and design talents.

Li Ming stared at him quietly for several seconds, making Chen Yu feel a little uneasy.

"Chen Yu," Li Ming began, "for the sake of our past working relationship, I'll give you a piece of advice."

His voice was much more serious than before. "Some things, some people, you have to let go when it's time. It's better for you and for the other person."

Chen Yu's heart skipped a beat. "President Li, what do you mean by that?" He tried to keep his voice steady. "I'm just thinking from a work perspective..."

"I know what you're thinking," Li Ming interrupted him, sitting up straighter and lowering his voice, "You'd better not even think about that young man, Shang Song. He's not someone you can mess with."

It wasn't surprising that Li Ming brought up Shang Song directly, since Chen Yu's pursuit of Shang Song wasn't an absolute secret within the company.

The air in the office seemed to freeze instantly.

Chen Yu felt his throat go dry: "He... has a girlfriend? Or does his family have connections? But he said his parents are just ordinary teachers..."

"Not at home." Li Ming shook his head, his tone even lower and more serious. "I can only remind you, do you remember General Manager Lin Zhou from the last company team-building event?"

Chen Yu frowned.

During the company's last large team building event, a middle-aged man referred to as "General Manager Lin" did come. He said he was representing an important investor and was very low-key. He stayed for less than half an hour, chatted briefly with a few senior executives, and then left.

He had only seen him once from afar, but he felt that the man had a strong presence and was not like an ordinary businessman.

"I remember, what's wrong? That General Manager Lin... is he related to Shang Song?" Chen Yu asked with difficulty.

Li Ming's expression became somewhat complicated, as if he found Chen Yu's guess ridiculous, but he didn't want to say it outright.

"It's not President Lin himself," Li Ming said carefully, "it's the person behind President Lin. I can only tell you that this is someone President Lin treats with utmost respect. Shang Song is someone that person cares about very much."

Chen Yu's eyes suddenly widened in horror.

Not General Manager Lin? Or is it someone behind General Manager Lin? Even General Manager Lin has to treat them with respect?

What kind of person must that be?

Chen Yu remained silent for a long time.

He finally realized that this sudden promotion opportunity was not because of his outstanding abilities or good luck, but because he had run into the wrong person.

Instead of resorting to suppression or threats, the other party offered him a promotion and a better future, allowing him to leave gracefully.

How thoughtful, how... condescending.

"What if... I refuse?" Chen Yu heard himself ask this question.

Li Ming looked at him for a few seconds, speaking slowly but firmly: "I wouldn't advise you to do that. Chen Yu, we're all ordinary people, struggling in this city, seeking a career, a future. Some people, some circles, are not for us to get involved with. If you insist on getting involved, the result won't be good."

"I'm not threatening you, I'm just giving you advice as someone who's been there." He paused, his tone softening slightly. "That person doesn't seem to be making things difficult for you right now. This transfer order is just a statement. A smart person would take advantage of this opportunity to go further. The South China branch is a good opportunity; your annual salary will increase by 50%, there are stock options, and you'll likely be able to take over as general manager within three years."

Chen Yu lowered his eyes and looked at the transfer order in his hand.

Black and white on paper, a bright future awaits.

But he felt that the paper was light and flimsy, without any weight at all.

"I need time to think about it," he finally said.

"Of course." Li Ming nodded. "I'll give you three days. In these three days, you can hand over your current work and think it over carefully. But my advice is, accept it. This is better for you, for Shang Song, and for everyone."

Chen Yu stood up, took the transfer order, and mechanically walked towards the door.

"Chen Yu," Li Ming called out to him.

He turned around.

"Chen Yu, you're still young." Li Ming's eyes were complicated. "Some things, some people, are like the moon in the water. They look beautiful, but if you try to grab them, you'll only end up with nothing. You might as well look up and see if there are any stars in the sky that truly belong to you."

Chen Yu didn't know how he got back to his office.

He sat in his seat, staring at the chat window between himself and Shang Song on his phone screen, his fingers hovering over the keys, wanting to send something or ask something.

Ask him why he didn't reply to his messages last night, ask him why he didn't come to work today, and ask him if he knows that someone is watching him from behind.

In the end, however, he didn't type a single word.

What good would it do to ask?

Shang Song may really know nothing.

Even if you know, what can you change?

He closed WeChat, opened his office software, and started writing a work handover checklist.

A wise adult should be pragmatic and know when to advance and when to retreat.