Chapter 32: Chapter 31: Reward

Afternoon, inside the recruitment room.

Lu Li, Manager Wang, and HR Manager Zhu sat at the long table, waiting for the interviewee to arrive.

It was still early, and the three were chatting idly.

Manager Zhu asked curiously, “What happened this morning?”

Manager Wang couldn’t help but sigh, “An unfortunate event in the department, Deputy Manager Zhang and Specialist Qin from the Procurement Department colluded to harm the company’s interests. Fortunately, President Liu has keen eyes and immediately spotted the problem, so the next step was to call the police and arrest them.”

Manager Zhu exclaimed, “I went to the job market this morning; I didn’t know things were so serious. Old Wang, your department’s deputy manager was arrested, so your work will get busier.”

“Hehe, with the position empty, naturally someone will need to take it up.” Manager Wang glanced at Lu Li, “President Liu spoke to me earlier, saying Xiaolu should try the deputy manager position first. I suppose you’ll be notified this afternoon.”

Manager Zhu was surprised and looked over Manager Wang to Lu Li, “Xiaolu… Deputy Manager Lu, I didn’t realize, you’ve been promoted several times since joining the company. You really have talent!”

As she spoke, she gave a thumbs-up.

Lu Li replied modestly, “Since President Liu previously assigned me to manage some people for live-streaming and sales, Deputy Manager Zhang had issues. They are too lazy to find someone else, so they asked me to try.”

“You are too modest.” Manager Zhu smiled and replied before looking back at Manager Wang, “Old Wang, is the offense of Deputy Manager Zhang and Xiaoyu serious?”

When this was mentioned, Lu Li perked up. He remembered President Liu saying that the upcoming rewards were directly related to the severity of the offenses of the two, so he needed to listen carefully.

Manager Wang pondered for a moment and frowned, “I shouldn’t be saying this, but since you asked, Manager Zhu, I can say a few words. Keep in mind, before it’s officially announced in the company, don’t spread this outside.”

“Understood.”

“Go ahead.”

Lu Li and Manager Zhu agreed.

Manager Wang clicked his tongue and picked up his thermos cup, holding it in his palm, “I heard there’s likely a big issue in the Procurement Department. Deputy Manager Zhang’s problem isn’t heavy; it’s mainly the Procurement Department. Recently, hasn’t the company been selecting new suppliers? The Procurement Department wasn’t clear about some things and seems to have taken a large kickback… hmm, anyway, some people might be sentenced to ten or eight years without any problem.”

Oh my!

Is it really that serious?

Lu Li hadn’t thought it would be like this.

The three casually chatted a bit more.

It was time for the interview.

Then, the first interviewee pushed the door open and came in. She was a quiet girl.

The girl first bowed to the three before handing over her resume, then sat down and introduced herself, “Hello, interviewers. My name is Chen Yingying, I’m twenty-five years old, and I’ve just graduated. This time I’m here to interview for the position of a copy editor.”

“Hmm.”

“Hello.”

Manager Zhu and Manager Wang nodded in response.

Lu Li imitated them and responded casually.

The three of them glanced down at Chen Yingying’s resume.

She had just graduated, so she obviously had no work experience, but she graduated from Gusu University, which makes her a high achiever.

In a short while, they finished looking through the resume.

Manager Wang turned and lowered his voice, “Xiaolu, you’re hiring for your team, so why don’t you ask her a few questions.”

“Okay, thank you, Manager Wang.”

Saying this, Lu Li looked up, “I saw in your resume that you majored in Chinese during college. Although it’s not as suitable as journalism for a copywriting position, you mentioned you’ve written quite a bit for campus newspapers, so you have some insight into writing copy. The position I’m hiring for is focused on online promotion, so I’d like to ask you, what areas need attention when writing a product promotion text?”

This is a good question.

It can determine how much she understands about copywriting work.

Manager Wang and Manager Zhu nodded slightly.

Chen Yingying seemed quite capable, “I believe writing a good product article requires attention to ten key points.”

Lu Li replied, “Please go ahead.”

Chen Yingying said, “First, clarity of positioning. Initially, it’s crucial to clear the product’s positioning, maintain information’s clarity and consistency, and avoid consumer misunderstanding; second, conciseness. The copy should be brief… third, attractive points… fourth, image support… fifth… ninth…”

She answered professionally, speaking continuously for several minutes.

Lu Li had previously worked in copywriting, so he naturally knew what to mind. He thought the girl answered really well.

“…including attention-grabbing beginnings, emphasizing selling points, etc.” Chen Yingying took a deep breath, “That’s roughly my view.”

As she spoke, her face showed some nervousness, seemingly afraid Lu Li wouldn’t be satisfied.

Lu Li didn’t show any expression but casually asked a few more questions.

Such as whether she was willing to work overtime and what salary she expected.

Shortly afterward, the questions were finished.

Lu Li exchanged opinions with Manager Wang and Manager Zhu, essentially passing her.

Of course, this was under the premise that there were no more suitable candidates later.

“Alright, we’ve got your information.” Lu Li waved his hand, “Wait for the call.”

Chen Yingying quickly stood up, bowed again, “Okay, interviewers, goodbye.”

Manager Zhu added, “Please call in the next person.”

“Sure.”

Chen Yingying left.

During the gap, Manager Wang half-jokingly asked, “Xiaolu, how does it feel to hold life and death decisions over others?”

Lu Li replied with a chuckle, “It’s not as serious as you said, we’re just offering job positions.”

Though he said this, in reality, during the interview, watching the candidates’ eagerness and nervousness felt as if Heaven and Hell rested in his hands. Honestly, it was intoxicating.

No wonder so many people are obsessed with power.

Lu Li faintly understood that even though he was just a small deputy manager, having a sense of control during interviews felt thrilling. What about someone like President Liu, who oversees over six thousand employees? Or the chairman of Liu Group, with tens of thousands of employees? The thrill of holding that power must be even more exhilarating.

Power truly is captivating.

While Lu Li mused quietly, the interviewees came in one by one.

“Hello, interviewers, my name is Qian Yu, here for the site controller position…”

“Hello, interviewers, my name is Wu Chen…”

“Interviewers…”

Lu Li spent the whole afternoon conducting interviews.

Finally, with the assistance of Manager Wang and Manager Zhu, he managed to decide which people would join the company.

He had a fulfilling day. If there was one regret, it was that the broadcaster he had set to meet had not shown up.

…

It’s time to get off work, and Lu Li is getting ready to attend a training session in the HR department.

As he walks down the corridor, his phone suddenly rings.

He takes a look and finds that the caller is President Liu’s number.

Lu Li answers, “President Liu.”

“Hmm, Lu Li, I need to talk to you about something.”

President Liu’s tone seems a bit harsh.

Lu Li wonders if he did something wrong, “Uh, go ahead.”

President Liu takes a deep breath, “I just got in touch with the Economic Investigation Department, and they said Xiaoyu confessed to everything. This is serious; about half of the Purchasing Department might get taken in. Since you indirectly helped me discover the problems in the Purchasing Department, such a huge contribution surely deserves recognition.”

Phew.

It’s not directed at me, that’s good.

Lu Li breathes a sigh of relief and says insincerely, “Oh, President Liu, what are you talking about? It’s my duty to work for the company’s benefit. Recognition or no recognition doesn’t really matter to me. As long as the company prospers, I’ll be content.”

In situations like this, it’s customary to show some modesty.

Generally speaking, if I show some humility and loyalty, the leader surely won’t actually skip the recognition.

Lu Li is quite familiar with this kind of situation and isn’t worried at all.

However, what he didn’t expect was that President Liu is a bit of a stickler.

All he hears is, “Oh, if you don’t want the recognition, then fine, I’ll reward Manager Wang instead.”

Lu Li: “…”

Both remain silent for a short while.

Suddenly, President Liu on the other end of the phone bursts out laughing, “Why aren’t you saying anything?”

Lu Li instantly realizes that President Liu is teasing him!

He never expected that President Liu, who usually appears so rigid, actually has a “playful” side.

Lu Li is both amused and a little annoyed, “President Liu, stop joking around, what’s the recognition really?”

President Liu stops joking and says seriously, “You’ve saved the company at least forty to fifty million in losses this time. The reward will definitely be generous. I’m offering two options now, you can choose which one you’d like.”

Lu Li quickly responds, “Go ahead.”

President Liu responds, “The first option is a cash reward. I’ve discussed it with the Vice President and others, and the amount is about fifty thousand.”

Lu Li retorts, “I saved the company tens of millions in losses, and the reward is just this bit of money?”

“I’ve just taken over the company, and many places need funds. I can’t give you too much cash reward at the moment. Besides, not everyone in the company is my person; some belong to other shareholders. You should understand what I mean by saying this, right?”

President Liu specially explains, “Why don’t you listen to the second reward option?”

Lu Li understands her predicament and reluctantly says, “Alright, let’s hear it.”

President Liu says, “The second option is that within a year, the company will promote you to a manager position and provide you with a car, how about that, which one do you choose?”

To be honest, most people would choose the second option.

As far as Lu Li knows, managers in the company have a monthly salary of twenty to thirty thousand.

Moreover, managers receive a year-end bonus equal to three months’ salary, meaning they effectively receive fourteen months’ pay each year. Not considering other factors, that’s over four hundred thousand a year just in salary.

In comparison, fifty thousand in cash is nothing.

However, Lu Li doesn’t plan to choose the second option.

Because he doesn’t intend to stay at the company long-term.

Most importantly, who knows what might happen in a year.

If President Liu changes her mind by then, he might end up with nothing.

Lu Li straightforwardly answers, “I choose the cash reward.”

A bird in the hand is worth two in the bush; isn’t fifty thousand in cash sweet?

President Liu seems surprised by Lu Li’s choice, and quite astonished, she asks, “Aren’t you aware of our company’s position salaries?”

Lu Li says, “I am aware.”

President Liu, puzzled, asks, “Then why don’t you choose the job promotion?”

Lu Li says, “Well, I’m not very ambitious. I’m already quite satisfied being a deputy manager; it doesn’t matter much to me whether I’m a manager or not.”

President Liu responds with an “Oh,” “It’s up to you.”

Lu Li chuckles and tries to negotiate, “President Liu, uh, you mentioned earlier that a car comes with the second option?”

“Hmm?” President Liu responds, “Are you thinking of choosing the second option?”

“No.” Lu Li shows his true colors, “Even though I opted for the cash reward, I’ve done such a great service to the company, can’t you at least give me a car?”

President Liu: “…”

Click.

The call ends abruptly.

Well.

Looks like the car’s out of the question.

Lu Li doesn’t feel any disappointment.

I have about thirty thousand now, and with the upcoming fifty thousand cash reward, it’s enough to buy a car.

However, he doesn’t plan to buy a car immediately; with his x-ray vision, making money isn’t that hard.

To buy a car, it should be a good one; why settle for something so cheap?

Hmm, recently I’ve been aiming to earn more and get a nice car eventually.

Lu Li is pondering whether to buy a Rolls-Royce or a Bentley.

Upon careful consideration, he realizes that wanting to drive such a luxury car by playing scratch-off lottery is somewhat wishful thinking—unless he can find a more profitable venture, then it might be a bit possible.

But with the x-ray vision upgraded and now having developed super hearing, it seems earning more money isn’t out of the question.

As he’s thinking, there’s a “ding” sound from his phone, indicating an incoming message.

Lu Li looks down and sees that last month’s salary has been credited.

Because his absence is this month’s matter, exactly three thousand eight hundred was credited.

Even though it’s small, it’s still something, and Lu Li feels quite happy, “Cash assets have finally surpassed thirty thousand!”

Source: Webnovel.com, updated by NovelKeep