Emerging from the workshop, Xu Zheng looked at Zhan Jingrui with expectant eyes. Zhan Jingrui, from the bottom of his heart, felt the equipment was decent, and the product variety and quality also appeared good. After all, cooperation was cooperation, and he could give him a chance.
He agreed to his request.
“Let’s talk about it after I join the company this afternoon. I’ll give you an answer by tomorrow morning at the latest.”
Xu Zheng expressed his heartfelt thanks and offered to drive him back. Zhan Jingrui declined.
Coincidentally, Xu Zheng was full of curiosity about the young lady in the workshop, so he didn't insist.
After watching Zhan Jingrui leave the industrial zone, he turned back to the workshop.
He easily found He Yao.
He Yao was continuing her previous work, inspecting machines. Xu Zheng circled around her twice, then slapped his thigh, a look of sudden realization on his face.
“I knew I recognized you! You’re He Yao! Heavens, I’ve been looking for you for so many years, thinking you’d gone somewhere else, but you were right here all along!”
“When did you join the factory? I didn’t even know you were working under me! Didn’t you recognize me? I’m Xu Zheng, and the person just now was Zhan Jingrui, we were old classmates!”
He Yao paused for two seconds, then looked up at him faintly.
“I still have work to do. Are you finished talking? If you are, can you move aside?”
He wasn’t entirely sure before, but after hearing her words and tone, he was positive it was her!
This girl, she used to have that cool goddess vibe in school, and now she’d become like a tomboy, ha!
Xu Zheng bombarded her with questions.
When did she join the factory, how did she end up doing this job, what was her current position in the workshop, and did she have any interest in moving to the office building with him?
He rattled off a whole string of questions, but He Yao was uninterested. She put down the wrench in her hand.
“I don’t want to go anywhere. I’m quite happy with my current job. Boss Xu, it’s working hours now, and I’m just an employee. Please don’t make things difficult for me. If you’re done talking, please leave.”
With that, she pushed a cart and went to inspect other machines.
Xu Zheng watched her busy back, lost in thought for a few seconds, a meaningful smile surfacing on his lips.
He had little hope of securing cooperation with Zhan Jingrui based on his personal connection as a classmate alone. Now, with He Yao involved, there was an added personal touch, heh heh.
He immediately drove back to his company and asked HR to look up He Yao’s information.
Soon, the HR specialist informed him that He Yao had been working at the factory for over seven years. She used to be a line worker and was now the production supervisor for Assembly Workshop One.
She lived in the dormitory arranged by the factory and earned a monthly salary of 7,000 yuan.
Xu Zheng had taken over the factory two years prior from someone else and wasn’t familiar with it. If he had been, he might have discovered He Yao's presence much earlier.
But regardless of whether it was early or late, knowing of her existence was a good thing.
When they were in school, many people pursued her, and he didn’t have much advantage. He Yao had always been indifferent to him.
Now that she was his subordinate, how could he not try to make his presence felt?
He instructed the HR specialist to call the workshop director and ask He Yao to come to the office building. The HR specialist asked what she was needed for.
“As an assistant. I’ve always needed an assistant. She’s quite knowledgeable about product performance. No need to get her consent, just notify her, and tell He Yao to report for duty tomorrow.”
In the afternoon, when the director returned to work, he informed He Yao of the news. He Yao said she wouldn't go.
The director was a workshop veteran in his fifties, the master who had discovered He Yao’s potential and promoted her from a frontline employee.
Seeing He Yao's attitude, he couldn’t help but advise her.
“As a young lady, you can’t stay in the workshop dealing with machines your entire life. No matter how long you stay, there’s not much future. Since the leader has taken a liking to you, seize the opportunity to move up.”
“It’s so much better to work in the office, clean and tidy every day. Besides, the people you meet there are of a higher caliber, and you might even marry well in the future.”
“Listen to your master; report for duty tomorrow. I’ve already inquired about your salary; you’ll receive the same level as you are now, so you don’t need to worry about that.”
He had no idea what He Yao’s real concerns were.
She had dropped out of school before graduating high school. Her education was insufficient to support her in an office environment.
Her personality and her relationship with Xu Zheng also made it unsuitable.
Xu Zheng was boisterous and had a close relationship with Zhan Jingrui. She wanted to avoid any further entanglement with Zhan Jingrui.
She had finally found some peace.
However, her master told her she had no choice; she had to go, whether she wanted to or not.
“The HR department has already issued the notice. If you don’t go, you’ll have to explain it to President Xu yourself.”
He Yao didn’t have Xu Zheng’s phone number and didn’t know where the office building was. She thought to herself, if they really forced her, she’d just quit and start fresh at another factory.
In any case, she didn’t want any further involvement with them.
Her master, seeing her stubborn attitude, called back on her behalf.
The HR specialist relayed the message to Xu Zheng, who was furious.
He Yao truly didn’t know what was good for her.
The workshop was dirty, noisy, and chaotic, so what was so great about it? Wasn't it better to be by his side?
He personally went to the workshop again to find He Yao.
“I heard you didn’t want to go, what’s wrong? Don’t you trust your old classmate, or are you worried that the benefits and treatment will be reduced?”
He Yao said, “You are the boss, and I am just an employee. I wouldn’t dare call myself your old classmate. There are still many things to be done in the workshop, and my position would be left unattended if I leave. Besides, I’m not cut out to be an assistant.”
“Those are not things you need to worry about. If you’re concerned about those matters, there’s absolutely no need. I will arrange for someone to cover your position.”
He Yao remained silent with her head down. Xu Zheng took a deep breath.
“Why are you like this now? Hesitant and evasive. It’s quite unlike your usual bold and outspoken personality.”
“Or perhaps you haven’t received a raise after changing positions, and you’re playing hard to get with me?”
Since it had come to this, He Yao decided to admit it.
“Master said that my transfer to be your assistant is considered a promotion, but I’m not getting a single yuan raise?”
Her words left Xu Zheng speechless. He paused for two seconds.
“Alright, alright. I’ll give you a raise. I’ll raise it to 8,000, is that acceptable? A base salary of 8,000, and once the Zhan Group business is secured, I’ll give you a 0.1% commission.”
“Zhan Group is so large. If you secure it, you’ll earn over ten thousand a month, won’t that be better than staying here? I’ve met all your conditions. Is there anything else to discuss now?”
He Yao didn’t expect Xu Zheng to be so eager for her to be his assistant that he’d agree to a raise so readily.
But she truly didn’t want to go.
Xu Zheng didn’t know about her situation with Zhan Jingrui, but she was very clear about it herself.
Dealing with the Zhan Group was something she wanted to avoid at all costs.
“You’re looking down on me too much. Since it’s a promotion, at the very least, you should increase it to 10,000. A base salary of 10,000, and a commission of 0.5%. If you can agree to that, I’ll be your assistant.”
He Yao thought her demands were excessive and that Xu Zheng would surely lose his temper.
But she had no idea what Xu Zheng was calculating in his mind.
After considering the long-term development, he gritted his teeth, stomped his foot, and agreed.