Free Web NovelChapter 197: Chapter 186: Are You Ready?
But on second thought, he figured it wasn’t necessary.
Soon, Lin Chu arrived at the reception.
When he saw the two of them appear, General Manager Li Ziming quickly walked over.
Lin Chu had met him once during the previous meeting. He was a dapper middle-aged man, tall and with an outstanding presence that put people at ease.
But now their positions had changed, and a hint of deference had been added to his refined demeanor.
"President Lin, President Zhou, the guests have all been taken care of. Did you two go for another walk?"
He said with a smile, addressing Lin Chu first, then Zhou Ming.
Lin Chu noticed this detail and couldn’t help but smile.
"Good work."
Lin Chu patted his shoulder and offered him a cigarette.
Li Ziming accepted it with a smile, took a slight step back, and glanced between the two of them. He had already guessed that they had been discussing "personnel" matters.
He was, of course, very concerned about whether he would be staying or leaving.
But as for what the new boss was thinking, he had no idea.
After following Zhou Ming for so many years, he felt he had a pretty good read on his personality and thoughts. President Zhou was a kindly elder.
However, Lin Chu, at only twenty-four, was a complete enigma.
He couldn’t help but feel a bit apprehensive.
"Oh, right," Lin Chu said suddenly. "The VP of Finance and the VP of HR are preparing to resign. Go ahead and process their paperwork. Make sure their severance packages are paid in full. If anyone in their departments wants to resign along with them, approve it. Same compensation."
Hearing this, Li Ziming was momentarily stunned, but then the corners of his mouth turned up slightly. He nodded. "Alright."
’He didn’t mention me. So maybe... I still have a chance?’
’At least I’m safe for now.’
Then he immediately started analyzing the situation: ’Li Jianshe is actually staying? It looks like President Zhou is really on his way out if he’s not even taking the driver who’s been with him for over a decade. President Lin, on the other hand, is quite magnanimous, letting him stay. His style is surprisingly... diplomatic. As for Xin Fu, he’s staying because of his abilities, of course. His job is rock-solid. And Ma Lin... Ma Lin?’
Just then, Zhou Ming suddenly spoke up. "President Lin, I have one more person to ask you for. You have to let me have President Ma from the Membership Department."
He sensed Lin Chu’s intentions—this man would definitely not be kept on.
’Forget it,’ he thought. ’I might as well just take him with me.’
’It’s better to avoid unnecessary trouble.’
’Two million a year, so five million at most over two years. We worked together, after all. Let’s just call it an amicable parting.’
Lin Chu glanced at him, once again taking note of the man’s character. He smiled and nodded. "Sure, I have no objection."
Zhou Ming smiled, waved his hand dismissively, and patted Lin Chu’s shoulder. "Good."
Hearing this, Li Ziming’s heart finally settled.
...
Three out of the five VPs were gone. The house was basically clean.
’Next,’ Lin Chu wondered, ’how do I arrange my own people?’
’This, on the other hand, is a fucking headache.’
’Just thinking about it makes my head hurt.’
’This is the biggest disadvantage of being young. My accumulated resources and network are right here, and they’re not enough. Not nearly enough.’
’However, a golf club has one advantage over a regular company: its core competitiveness lies in its hardware.’
’The ’professional skills’ required for most positions aren’t actually that demanding.’
’With the exception of the sales department, most are operational roles where loyalty is far more important than professional ability.’
’Heck, push come to shove, it wouldn’t even be a problem to put a few of the women I’ve slept with in these positions. At least, not in the short term.’
’No wonder people talk about women sleeping their way to the top. In a field where connections matter more than skills, that’s just how it is.’
’Lin Chu felt like he was playing a business simulation game like ’Business Empire,’ just plugging the right people into the right roles.’
’It’s pretty interesting.’
With these thoughts in mind, Lin Chu posted on his Moments.
—Done deal! All my friends are welcome to come for a round of golf. fɾeewebnoveℓ.co๓
The accompanying picture was one taken during the ribbon-cutting ceremony earlier. The sign for the LC Golf Club was reflecting a golden light under the sun, shining brilliantly.
...
However, to Lin Chu’s surprise...
While they were drinking, a young man who looked his age but had a strong presence approached him. He was dressed in a suit, with his hair slicked back, and had a slightly plump, prosperous-looking build.
"President Lin, hello. I’m Ma Lin from the Membership Department. I’m not sure if you’ve heard of me, but I’d like to report something to you about my work."
He said with a very worldly smile, holding a wine glass.
Lin Chu glanced at him and nodded calmly. "Alright. Go ahead."
He took a deep breath and got straight to the point.
"I don’t want to leave. President Zhou just said he wants to take me with him, but I’m very attached to this club. In every aspect of my work, I believe I’ve performed without issue. I’ve become friends with many of the long-time members. Of course, I’m not trying to take all the credit, I’m just saying that I still have value to the club."
"In my years here, I haven’t made a single mistake. You can ask anyone; everyone at the club knows this."
As he spoke, he lowered his voice, his tone taking on a pleading quality. "President Lin, I know very well what President Zhou wants from me. And I think I understand what you’re concerned about."
"It’s just that I, Ma Lin, am just an ordinary working man. I just want to do a job, earn a salary, and support my family based on my professional abilities."
"Give me a chance. I won’t let you down."
Lin Chu: ?
’An ordinary working man?’
This self-description was so surreal that Lin Chu almost wanted to laugh.
’Still, his attitude...’
He was a smart man, of course. The real estate industry was already in decline. Even if his salary stayed the same, there was no point in going. Besides, in its current state, Famous Real Estate wouldn’t last for more than a few years.
’How could that be as comfortable as staying here as a VP?’
Lin Chu glanced at him and smiled. "President Zhou has been quite good to you, you know. He specifically asked to take you with him, and you’re just going to jump ship like this? If word of this gets out, what would that do to his reputation?"
Ma Lin’s expression turned slightly awkward.
"I..."
’What do I care about him?’ he wanted to say. ’What about my own future?’
But he couldn’t bring himself to say it out loud.
After all, it was clear that the two bosses had a good private relationship.
"Sigh. I’m in a tough spot too, but I really don’t want to leave. As for President Zhou, how about I go and explain things to him? On your end, please, I hope you’ll reconsider."
"Business is business, and personal feelings are personal feelings. You’re so young, yet you’ve managed to acquire such a huge enterprise. I truly admire that. I, Ma Lin, am not an ungrateful person."
"President Zhou will be retiring in a year or two at most... Please, President Lin, try to understand my situation."
Lin Chu looked at him, understanding his meaning perfectly well.
’All he’s saying is: I just want a job! I’ll work for whoever is the boss and has a future!’
"Why don’t you go talk with President Zhou again? I’ll think about it some more, too."
Lin Chu patted his shoulder, giving him a temporary answer.
Hearing Lin Chu’s words, Ma Lin knew that was as far as the conversation would go for now. He forced a smile and nodded.
"Alright. Let me toast you."
Lin Chu clinked glasses with him and then got up to leave.
Suddenly, the first thing Zhou Ming had said when he came to find him in the office earlier popped into his mind.
—Are you ready?
’Am I really ready?’
...
...
