"That must have cost a lot," Xia Li asked.
"Do you see me lacking money now? Everyone worked hard for a year, this is what they deserve."
"It's their good fortune to have a boss like you."
"Without the hard work of the employees, where would our generous rewards come from? Only when employees are rewarded will they be willing to work hard. Compared to their efforts, these gifts are truly insignificant."
"How were they prepared at the 4S store?"
"Brother Hui there issued the reward plan for distribution, I didn't inquire about the specifics."
"Our real estate company also gave everyone three thousand yuan in cash, calling it a holiday bonus."
Guo Xuyang only now remembered that Xia Li was still part of the real estate company. He quickly called Xiao Yun.
"Where are you? Still on the road? I overlooked something. How did you arrange for these security guards? Oh, they are arranged by the security company. Were the holiday gifts prepared for them? They've all been distributed. Oh, that's great. Heh heh, with you, my capable steward, I really don't have to worry about anything. Alright, drive carefully."
Guo Xuyang hung up the phone and found that Ilena and the others were all looking at him.
"What's wrong? Why are you looking at me like that?"
"I've realized that you don't know anything without Xiao Yun," Xia Li said.
"I'm used to being a hands-off boss," Guo Xuyang chuckled.
Everyone collectively rolled their eyes.
As it neared noon, Wu Youzhi and Wu Aili also arrived. He had just returned from Kyoto. Hearing that Ilena had given birth, he came to visit.
"Brother Guo, congratulations. I didn't expect Ilena to give birth so soon." Wu Youzhi knew Ilena's pregnancy timeline.
"Congratulations to you too, the fruit has ripened. Don't go back this noon, let's have a good drink, my brother."
"Sure, let's chat properly, my brother. Another thing, Zhenbao Pavilion is closed starting today and will reopen on the eighth day of the new year."
"Mm, let everyone have a good holiday and rest. After all, they've worked hard for a year. Have Wu Bing and the others returned?"
"No. He brought his parents to Kyoto for the New Year."
"That's good. After all, Wu Bing will settle in Kyoto in the future. If the old don't stay with the young, who will they stay with?"
"Brother, I haven't called you all this time because I wanted to thank you specifically."
"Why be so polite?"
"Your wife called me that day, and I was overjoyed. You've relieved us of a great worry."
"It was just a small effort, don't be so polite. Previously, you just hadn't found the root cause, but it wasn't an issue at all."
"That's not what we should say. If you hadn't intervened, my wife and I might never have had children."
"It's my duty to help you, since I found out. Will you be staying here tonight?"
"We'll just have lunch together. We won't bother you tonight; we don't want to intrude on your family reunion."
"Alright then. I wonder if President Cheng and the others are returning to Kyoto for the New Year or staying here?"
"Shall I call and ask? Or shall we have lunch together?"
"I'll call," Guo Xuyang said, dialing Cheng Xiuping's number.
"President Cheng, where are you? Back in Kyoto? Alright, I wanted to invite you for lunch. President Wu just returned from Kyoto. Thank you, congratulations to you too. Happy New Year to your grandfather in advance. Okay, goodbye."
"They've gone back?" Wu Youzhi asked.
"They left several days ago. I suppose there are many friends in Kyoto they need to visit."
"At their level, some connections are unavoidable. Unlike us, we have so much freedom."
"Alas, everyone says it's good to be an official, but it's not easy. One wrong step and you can stumble. Let's go, we shouldn't be sighing. Let's go for a drink to welcome you."
"Let me host today, at a different place."
"No need to change places. Most restaurants are closed at this time. Let's go to Junyue Lai. It's our own establishment, so anything is convenient."
"Alright then. Are you staying at home or going to a hotel tonight?"
"At home. Ilena can't go out. It's lively at home, and we can watch TV. Besides, the chefs also need to go home for the New Year."
"Didn't the store take reservations for New Year's Eve dinner?"
"No. We let the employees go home to have a reunion. We Chinese value reunion during the Spring Festival. We can't let the staff go home unhappy just to earn a little more money. Moreover, how much is that little bit of money? These people should have a good rest too."
"Brother, with your magnanimity, it would be an outrage if you didn't make money. Only when you consider your employees will they dedicate themselves to doing things well. I admire you."
After chatting with Wu Youzhi for a while, Guo Xuyang was about to head out when Guo Xuhui and Xiao Li arrived.
"Yangzi, where are you going? It's already noon."
"It's perfect that you've come. Let's go for a drink. President Wu just returned from Kyoto, we're going to welcome him."
"Okay. Xiao Li, you go upstairs. I'll go out with Yangzi."
"Xiao Li, come along. We can see the baby after eating." Since Ilena gave birth to the baby, Xiao Li had been coming over every day to help. There wasn't much to help with, mostly just chatting with the other women, and changing diapers or washing the baby's bottom.
"Then I'll go get the car?" Xiao Li said.
"Go ahead, we'll wait for you," Guo Xuhui said.
As Xiao Li walked out the door, she saw Lin Ziqi and Lin Zixuan preparing to come in.
"Xiao Li, where are you going?"
"I'm going to get the car. We're going out to eat later."
"Who's going?"
"President Wu is back. Yangzi wants to welcome him."
"Oh. Then you go ahead. We'll go upstairs to see the baby." Since Lin Ziqi and Lin Zixuan moved into the villa on the west side, they were well aware of all the major and minor events happening here. They commuted to work with Xiao Li and her husband every day. When Ilena gave birth, they also went to the hospital with Xiao Li to visit and bought many baby clothes. These people bought so many clothes for the child that the baby was too small to wear them all, filling up a whole wardrobe. There was no way to refuse these gestures of goodwill. The two walked into the living room and happened to meet Guo Xuyang and the others.
"You're here. Come with us for dinner later? President Wu is back, let's get together."
"Where are Auntie and the others?" Lin Ziqi pointed upstairs.
"Let them eat at home. The restaurant will deliver the food later."
"Then let's go. It's getting late," Lin Ziqi said.
"Let's go."
Guo Xuyang and Guo Xuhui rode in the same car with Wu Youzhi. Xiao Li drove another car with Lin Ziqi, Lin Zixuan, and Wu Aili.
"Yangzi, this year for Spring Festival, I gave each of the store clerks two barrels of oil, two bags of rice, two bags of flour, and one thousand yuan in cash."
"Brother Hui, I've told you before. You are in charge of the store's affairs. If you need money, tell me. For other matters, you can discuss with Xiao Yun."
"I discussed this with President Xiao, and she agreed."
"That's good. Discuss everything between yourselves. This morning, they were complaining that I don't manage things. I don't have the energy to manage so many things."