29: Chapter 29 Thoughts Determine Future
Yu Yaowei ultimately could not resist the temptation of money, and after agreeing, the atmosphere at the gathering became harmonious.
The Manager, Sister Li, ushered Yu Yaowei to sit next to CEO Wei, where she clinked glasses with him while discussing details like which night the booking should be made for.
Even Director Zhang leaned in to flatter him, and CEO Wei laughed heartily, exchanging toasts with him.
"CEO Wei is truly wealthy, not even batting an eye when spending fifty million."
CEO Wei said with a chuckle.
"If you spend money, you must think about how to make money. Money is earned, not saved!"
Someone asked CEO Wei.
"How can one earn big money and become as successful as you, CEO Wei?"
CEO Wei declared righteously.
"Without extraordinary means, how can one amass a great fortune?"
"Wealth is compensation for cognition, not a reward for diligence."
"Honest people can't get rich; getting rich relies on methods."
"The most powerful things in this world are not money or power, but mindset. People who can earn big money are masters of human nature."
"To be successful like me, it relies on this here, vision, and knowing how to utilize people."
CEO Wei pointed to his head and eyes, and the words he spoke were incomparably confident and arrogant.
Everyone listened intently, not daring to breathe, afraid they might miss a single word.
"Let me put it this way, do you know why I came to Guangcheng?"
Everyone shook their heads, indicating they did not know.
But CEO Wei said mysteriously.
"Because of one person, an assistant who can make me big money, a business genius from whom even I can learn knowledge!"
"I! Have long admired him from afar, even resorting to extraordinary measures to win him over to my Group!"
With CEO Wei's status and position, saying this and being so preoccupied with this person successfully piqued everyone's curiosity.
Yu Yaowei blurted out in surprise.
"It can't be that serious, CEO Wei. What kind of person could be so formidable to worry you so much? Could she be your old flame?"
After speaking, she let out a laugh, thinking she was quite clever.
CEO Wei wasn't angry either; he casually draped his arm over Yu Yaowei's shoulder.
"In my eyes, people are divided into two types: those who are useful to me and can help me make money, and the other type is just tools. A little money is enough to make them serve me. You, for example, are the second type."
As he finished speaking, CEO Wei suddenly tightened his grip, pulling Yu Yaowei into his embrace, and said in an icy tone.
"I can use money to make you lie down, and others can use money to make you lie down too. So your loyalty is meaningless to me."
These words perfectly expressed CEO Wei's haughtiness; it was as if he were saying plainly, 'You are just a tool, a vase, a decoration that I hired with money, to be played with whenever I want.'
"The first type of person is arrogant because of their talent, and no matter how much money I spend, I can't win them over."
Yu Yaowei was a big star and had her own temper. Being so belittled and mocked, her face immediately darkened as she questioned him.
"What do you mean?"
CEO Wei stopped pretending and sneered.
"Do you really think I'm interested in you? At my status and position, what kind of woman haven't I had?"
"Giving you 50 million isn't because I want to play with you; it's to give you to him to show him my sincerity."
"What do you take me for!"
Yu Yaowei stood up angrily, about to leave, but the Manager, Sister Li, couldn't stop her, and Director Zhang roared.
"Sit down!"
Only then did Yu Yaowei suppress her anger and reluctantly sit back on the sofa, sulking alone.
CEO Wei, slightly drunk, leaned back on the sofa and muttered to himself.
"Those who know me understand my concerns; those who don't know me wonder what I seek. None of you understand me, so how can you comprehend my eagerness to recruit talent?"
CEO Wei speaking this way instead made everyone present develop a strong interest in the distinguished person he mentioned.
Yu Yaowei and Zhu Shasha felt the same way.
Women possess a psychology of admiring strength. Since the high and mighty CEO Wei spoke of this person with such candor, this person must be a peerless business genius.
...
"Achoo~"
In the hotel room.
Chen Hao, who was texting with Sun Nana, sneezed several times in a row. He rubbed his nose and continued texting without paying much mind.
"You mean, just because of me, President Ma even rushed back from out of town?"
"I don't know if it's because of me, but the President returned this afternoon. As soon as he got back, he held a meeting and severely scolded Vice President Wang's faction in the conference room. Even Director Li from HR got yelled at. Now the whole company is in a state of panic."
Chen Hao thought for a long time before typing his reply.
"I'll take things one step at a time, like watching a donkey while reading a ballad. Anyway, I stand by my word: a good horse doesn't eat grass it has spat out. Since they fired me, I will absolutely not go back."
"I support you. I've only heard of poaching talent with high prices, never heard of suppressing and firing talent. If the President contacts you personally, you must hold firm. This broken company has no prospects without you."
Chen Hao didn't want to continue discussing this topic with Sun Nana.
"It's getting late, let's sleep."
After closing WeChat, Chen Hao got into bed and slept soundly holding Zhang Menglu.
He didn't expect that Sun Nana's words would come true—the next day, his former boss, President Ma, really did call him.
The following morning.
Chen Hao took Zhang Menglu out early for a lavish dim sum breakfast in Guangcheng.
Hundreds of breakfast options dazzled Zhang Menglu. The two chose a table full of food. While they were eating, Chen Hao's phone rang. Looking at it, it was indeed President Ma's direct number.
"Ring ring ring"
Chen Hao stared at the phone in a daze. Zhang Menglu glanced at the phone, then back at Chen Hao.
"Why don't you answer it?"
At Zhang Menglu's urging, Chen Hao reluctantly answered the call.
"Chen Hao, it's Old Ma."
"I know."
A trace of awkwardness settled between them.
A long silence followed, as if both were waiting for the other to speak first.
"Is something wrong? (I just heard about it)"
They spoke at the same time, both starting their sentences together.
"You speak first."
The tacit understanding of speaking simultaneously was matched by the helplessness of being like strangers. It also sent Chen Hao back in time, his thoughts returning to that summer four years ago.
Chen Hao walked into the empty company entrance holding his resume. The entire company had only one middle-aged man, about 40 years old, installing wiring.
"Sir, is the boss in the company?"
The construction worker Chen Hao addressed as 'Sir' put down his tools, smiled, and extended his hand.
"I am the boss of this company. My name is Ma Botao."
That was Chen Hao's first impression of him: a down-to-earth, honest man who was a former civil servant who left the system to start his own business, founding this company.
In the company's early startup phase, there was only a sign, a boss who knew nothing, and the newly hired Chen Hao.
The flywheel effect, the starting phase of a bicycle, is the hardest period. Everything must start from scratch. Once the wheels start turning, everything follows naturally.
Chen Hao would never forget the first salary President Ma paid him in his first month of employment; it was money President Ma had earned working part-time delivering takeout just so he could pay Chen Hao's wages.