Two-in-one

The family's cultural performance is scheduled for late June. This performance also involves evaluation. The three best programs will be selected to participate in the July 1st consolation performance.

The cultural performance was held in the auditorium. Qin Yao did not go to watch the rehearsal, nor did she go to the rehearsal. She signed up for a solo program called "Jasmine Flower".

In her opinion, Zhang Shihong's organizing of this cultural performance was really a waste of time. It would be fine if it relied entirely on voluntary registration, but Zhang Shihong required everyone to participate in the performance, and not participating would be considered as being out of touch with the group.

Most of the family members had no talent and could not sing or dance, but at Zhang Shihong's request, they gritted their teeth and went to rehearse.

There were poetry recitations, dancing, skits and musical instrument performances... Qin Yao had seen them rehearsing downstairs and felt unable to watch. This kind of talent competition could only be performed by people with a better family background like Qiao Jie. Qiao Jie played the accordion and practiced at home every day.

As for others who came from rural areas and could not speak standard Mandarin, they just made up the numbers in the chorus.

"It doesn't really matter whether the performance is good or not. The main thing is the attitude. Look, Comrade Xiao Jiang is so serious. He rehearses every day. Unlike some people, especially Qin Yao, who are always nowhere to be seen and don't actively help."

Zhang Shihong complained that Qin Yao did not actively cooperate with her in the cultural performance. She had finally convinced several departments just to give everyone a chance to perform, but some people did not know what was good for them.

"Qin Yao has a job. She is not like some idle people who do nothing but rehearse here every day. We are not from the art troupe." Chen Xiaoyun had long been fed up with Zhang Shihong. She was fat and was ridiculed by him. He also put her in the dance team and asked her to dance. He also said hypocritically, "I am doing this for your own good, Xiaoyun, dance and lose some weight."

"Don't refuse. You've already signed up. You should do whatever is assigned to you."

"Dance well and practice every day. Don't be lazy. If I catch you being lazy, I will talk to you."

The others were all thin, but she was fat and inflexible, and was laughed at throughout the rehearsal.

Chen Xiaoyun didn't want to go, so Zhang Shihong used labels like "not sociable", "not participating", and "not cooperating with work" to pressure her.

Chen Xiaoyun was extremely angry. This Zhang guy just wanted to embarrass her.

"Humph, Chen Xiaoyun, what are you talking about? You are just like Qin Yao, uncooperative, two troublemakers."

"From now on, I have to do more work for you two!" Zhang Shihong snorted and stopped arguing with Chen Xiaoyun. The performance was about to begin, and it would be embarrassing for these people.

Zhang Shihong organized this cultural performance and everyone else participated, but she, under the name of "organizer", did not participate herself. Her daily task was to "supervise rehearsals". During this period, she had plenty of fun.

It's so embarrassing. It makes her laugh to death. She will never go on stage and act like a monkey.

Chen Xiaoyun, that fat girl, was so ridiculous, wearing that skirt and mixing in the dance troupe. Zhang Shihong could already imagine how ugly her husband's face must be when he was sitting in the audience.

Qin Yao signed up for a solo performance, but she didn't even show up for rehearsal. It was probably just to embarrass herself on stage, so she was allowed to get away with it.

"You must remember the benefits of being the building manager. I try my best to enrich your lives and give you opportunities to show your talents. You must cherish them and don't let me down!"

When Zhang Shihong said this, everyone else had different expressions. Qiao Jie curled her lips. Although she disdained Zhang Shihong's words, she was willing to go on stage and shine. Zhang Shihong was doing her a favor.

People like Chen Xiaoyun who have no talent and don't want to embarrass themselves on stage have many complaints about Zhang Shihong.

There were those who rejected it and those who supported it. Four or five people who got along well with Zhang Shihong chose the most relaxing program, "poetry recitation", with each person reciting a few lines. It was also easy to film. Zhang Shihong guaranteed that they would definitely get a place, allowing them to be in the limelight.

"Qin Yao's program is scheduled to be the first. Since she won't come to draw the order herself, let her be the first."

The cultural performance started at four o'clock in the afternoon. In addition to various teachers, students and their families, there were also a lot of school teachers and military officers in the audience. Four or five o'clock in the afternoon is the time for physical exercise, which does not interfere with classes. Most of the officers who are in further studies came.

Qin Yao knew that she was the first in line, and thought it was just right, as she would be freed from the stage early in the morning. She didn't believe in having to wait until the last to go on stage, and she didn't want to be the finale.

After lunch, she put on a snow-white dress and light makeup. After the male host announced the show, she walked onto the stage confidently, took the microphone and sang a fresh and beautiful "Jasmine Flower".

"What a beautiful jasmine flower..."

This is a song adapted from a folk song with a simple rhythm. Qin Yao has a good voice, and her voice comes through the microphone like a stream of clear spring water, carrying the scent of jasmine, flowing past everyone.

I hear the sound of running water and smell the scent of jasmine.

When Qin Yao finished singing, the audience burst into applause and the voices of praise continued:

"Whose singing group is this from? She's so pretty and has such a sweet voice."

"There are many talented people in our family."

"Is this from the song and dance troupe? How can she compare to the professionals? No wonder she was placed first."

“She’s so pretty!”

Listening to the compliments from the people around him, Zhang Shihong looked unhappy. He didn't expect that Qin Yao was really good at singing. She should be put into the dance team next time.

Qin Yao walked off the stage and sat in the audience. After two more programs, there was constant laughter in the audience. Chen Xiaoyun's dance program was the third one. Everyone chose a different rhythm and swayed from side to side. Chen Xiaoyun, the not very flexible fat girl, was stuck in the middle, which added a lot of laughter to the audience.

Chen Xiaoyun jumped to the back, giving up everything. After letting go, she jumped herself into a light fat man.

“This show is quite interesting!”

"It can be seen that they tried their best..."

"It's not easy. I'm not suitable for dancing. Why do I have to do the whole show? It's really exhausting."

“Always engaging in these formalities.”

…

Qin Yao sat in the audience without laughing. She couldn't laugh. She felt that Zhang Shihong was going too far. He was doing these things to torment people every day. Why didn't she go up and dance herself?

Thinking of this, Qin Yao turned around and found Gu Cheng and another old man standing at the back of the auditorium. She crouched down and walked to the back and came to Gu Cheng's side.

Gu Cheng took the initiative to introduce: "This is Qin Yao, my wife, and this is Principal Zheng."

Qin Yao was stunned for a moment, then quickly said, "Hello, Principal."

This is a big Buddha, at least a general, the kind who once served as a commander.

"Comrade Xiao Qin has a great singing voice. He sang really well just now. Gu Cheng, you two are a talented couple, and it's no exaggeration to say that you are a match made in heaven."

"I heard from Lao Zhou that the military region is organizing a group wedding. I think we should sign you two up and go to the front so that you two can take publicity photos and give us face."

…

After a few pleasantries, Principal Zheng asked Qin Yao if she had any difficulties in life or work. Qin Yao quickly said, "There is no problem in itself, but the school has created problems for us. It's Zhang Shihong, the head of our family building. She is too troublesome."

"She required everyone to participate in the performance, except herself. Everyone, fat or thin, busy or idle, was required to participate. Not participating was considered unsociable. She was busy with work, so were others not busy? Many family members were forced to participate unwillingly. Take Jiang Meiye, for example. She had five children at home, and she was the only one to take care of them. She held one in her arms and carried another on her back. She was already very busy, but she was still dragged by Zhang Shihong to practice singing together."

"Our building manager even used her as an example, saying she was actively participating. Isn't this just messing with people?"

"If you don't believe me, Principal, just ask any family member and you'll see that everyone is complaining." Qin Yao said in a tone that sounded like both a complaint and a joke. She had had enough of Zhang Shihong's behavior, so she decided to file a complaint and make this good building manager shut up.

After saying this, Qin Yao had some concerns. She turned to look at Gu Cheng again and found a smile in the corners of his eyes. Yes, there was nothing to worry about. She was speaking out the "voice of the masses."

Principal Zheng smiled and said, "Who is complaining? I think it's you who is complaining."

Qin Yao said playfully, "Look at that agile fat lady on the dance show just now, my neighbor, could she have gone up there voluntarily? She was forced to do so."

"This is a problem." Principal Zheng also noticed it.

Qin Yao said: "Zhang Shihong became the building manager and 'served the family members' all day long. She has good intentions, but she should also be competent in her job. If she can't do her job well, it's better to give the position to someone else."

"She became the building supervisor, but she even avoided doing her duty. She just talked a lot and organized various activities to annoy others. She forced others to participate, but she didn't do it herself, saying that she was busy with work, as if others were not busy at work."

Gu Cheng said at this time: "Okay, Yaoyao, talk less."

"Principal, my wife has been too busy lately, much busier than me, so she is full of resentment. I will talk to her when I get back."

Principal Zheng said, "I heard that you have been a good husband recently, picking up the kids, doing laundry and cooking every day."

Principal Zheng found it funny when this was mentioned. He had noticed such a talent when Gu Cheng just graduated from the military academy and had been paying attention to him for more than ten years. He was impressed by his growth. It was just that such a rebellious man at the beginning became more and more considerate after marriage... Even a hero cannot resist the temptation of a beautiful woman.

Gu Cheng half-jokingly and half-showing off said: "Who made me have such a powerful wife? She has become the general manager and her salary is higher than mine."

"This is really amazing. He is only in his twenties, when others are still taking college entrance exams, and he has become the general manager."

At the end of the performance, Qin Yao's program was ranked second. She was fortunate to be on the July 1st condolence performance evening. Her simple solo program was ranked second. You can imagine how bad the other programs were, or it was a torture for the audience below.

It was like watching a kindergarten June 1st performance.

The next day, Zhang Shihong was called in for a talk. The main content of the talk was to "stop doing these formalities, stop torturing people, and make everything voluntary. No coercion or coercion is allowed."

"Do your job well. If you are not competent for logistics work, you should give up your position to someone who needs it more."

…

After this conversation, Zhang Shihong's face turned pale. All her little tricks had been discovered. Some of the words were implicitly pointing out that she was "lazy and shirking her responsibilities", avoiding labor, making trouble for her family, and avoiding work.

At this point, Zhang Shihong became more restrained and honest, and no longer dared to cheat so blatantly, but she was reluctant to give her job to others.

*

By the end of the month, the people in the editorial department had become numb to the changes in sales. One group of people cheered when 300,000 copies were sold, another group cheered when 400,000 copies were sold, and again when 500,000 copies were sold, but the waves were less and less each time.

I have experienced so much that I can’t shout anymore.

Zhang Feng was a little suspicious and said, "It won't be less than 600,000, right?"

"Six hundred thousand is six hundred thousand..." In Mao Lina's opinion, there is no difference whether it is five hundred thousand or six hundred thousand. After all, these numbers have already reached the expectations. An additional 100,000 copies doesn't seem to matter, right?

"That's 600,000! You have to know that the first issue with the largest circulation is Popular Science Pictorial, with a total of 550,000 copies. If we reach 600,000 copies, we will surpass it!"

“We will become the journal with the most first issue circulation in the southern region of China!”

How could Zhang Feng not be excited when the album reached the top right after its debut? You know, their initial expectation was only to sell 60,000 copies, but now it has expanded tenfold to 600,000 copies!

The first issue has a circulation of 600,000 copies and there is no doubt that it will break one million in the future!

Oh my god, millions of sales!

"Really? Are we going to break the record?"

Qin Yao was also very surprised when she learned about this. She had never expected that the journal she founded would break the record, and she had never expected that the record at that time was only 550,000 copies. Of course, she knew that she had just caught up with a good time. When various journals and magazines flourished in the 1980s, it was not uncommon for the first issue to sell 700,000 or 800,000 copies. Sooner or later, their record would be broken. It would only last for two or three years.

Many popular journals were published between 1979 and 1982. At their peak, they had monthly sales of several million.

Qin Yao immediately said: "If we break the record, our next goal is to achieve monthly sales of over one million."

"One million!" Mao Lina opened her mouth wide, extremely excited.

"Manager Qin, have our jobs been saved?"

Qin Yao smiled and said, "Do you even need to ask? Keep working hard. We will hold a summary and celebration meeting next month!"

The first issue sold 600,000 copies, and the profit this month exceeded 100,000. Qin Yao's investment was all recovered in one go, and the future income is immeasurable. However, these incomes cannot be counted to her, but to the unit. She can only receive a salary of more than 200 yuan on the books.

Of course, as the general manager, she has great control over the profits. Apart from the part that is handed over, she can spend the rest of the profits however she wants. In the future, this journal will become independent sooner or later. If not, she doesn't mind starting over.

This is just her trial run for entrepreneurship!

With this successful experience, the road ahead will be much easier, and Qin Yao will be able to save more capital for future entrepreneurship.

The taste of success is so addictive.

Qin Yao has been walking very briskly recently. She thought to herself that no wonder people who have started a business once would never be content to work for others again. With such a good future ahead, they would rather sleep on the floor than be a boss!

*

"It's over half a million!"

When the leaders at the cultural center heard the news, they were shocked. With such high sales, they could make six-figure revenue a month and definitely over a million a year. The economic crisis of their unit was gone in an instant. This journal alone could support the entire cultural center.

"Qin Yao is really a talent. I didn't misjudge her."

"No matter where this person is placed, he will always stand out..."

"I was right at the beginning, wasn't I? I said she would definitely be able to accomplish something great!"

The superior unit on the island held a meeting and decided to give Qin Yao the position of deputy director and to reward her well.

When other people in the cultural center heard the news, they were all very happy for Qin Yao. "It's like riding a rocket. She's only in her twenties, and she can become the deputy director."

"Who can blame him for his ability? Maybe we will all call him Director Qin in the future."

"Now he is already Director Qin."

…

While everyone was in high spirits here, Jiahui on the other side seemed very lonely. Their literary magazine was launched first and sold 20,000 to 30,000 copies in a month. Jiahui was very proud of it, but compared with Qin Yao's 500,000, it was nothing.

Jiahui felt bitter in her heart. At this moment, she admired Qin Yao's courage very much. Establishing a journal on the island would definitely not achieve the same results as Qin Yao's current ones. However, she was able to make a prompt decision, give up her connections on the island, and choose to go to Yangcheng to develop her career. This woman was really extraordinary.

There was a continuous flow of good news from there, and many people in the cultural center regretted that they should have followed Qin Yao to start a business there. In the past two days, many people in the unit have applied for transfers.

Especially the young people in their twenties and thirties, they can't sit still anymore and want to transfer to Guangzhou to work and also want to get a piece of the pie.

At the end of the last day of June, the total sales volume came out. Southern Life magazine sold a total of 620,000 copies. As soon as this number came out, Zhang Feng and others set off firecrackers at the entrance of the editorial department to celebrate.

The next day, reporters from newspapers and media flocked to the editorial office for interviews. This was fresh and hot news!

Qin Yao suddenly became a hot topic and a popular figure in the literary and art circles, but this time it was not because of the book she wrote, but because of the journal she founded.

Qin Yao's name was in the newspaper, but it did not have much impact on her life because her photo was not in the newspaper. What people talked about after dinner was the "Southern Life Magazine" whose first issue had sales of over 600,000.

Around July 1st, Qin Yao participated in a performance at a consolation event. Although she did not win any awards, she still completed a task. On July 6th, Qin Yao booked the conference room of the Yangcheng State-owned Hotel, as their editorial department was going to hold a summary and celebration meeting here.

We also booked two private rooms, and after the summary and celebration meeting, we had a dinner together in the rooms to celebrate.

It was also because they had too few staff in the editorial department. Even if they wanted to book the next floor to celebrate, they couldn't find so many people.

On the day of the summary meeting, Qin Yao said that friends and their families could be brought along, and many people in the editorial department had invited their friends. Qin Yao planned to hold the meeting as an "annual meeting" in the future, with the main focus being a celebration that would make everyone happy.

Of course, while using the format of an annual meeting, we must also take its essence and discard its dross. All those nonsense performances are unnecessary. The focus is on giving out prizes and drawing big prizes!

Qin Yao personally took the stage and handed out prizes with a microphone: "First is the Outstanding Contribution Award. Comrade Zhang Feng, the reward is a black-and-white TV!"

A black and white TV, worth about seven or eight hundred yuan, is not too unusual as the first prize.

"Everyone applaud and welcome Comrade Zhang to the stage to receive the award."

Zhang Feng walked up stupidly. Qin Yao asked him to hold the TV in front of him, and waved to Xiao Zhao who was in charge of taking pictures. The flash lights started clicking.

Zhang Feng was sweating profusely. He didn't expect there would be this segment. How could he read the script with the TV in his arms? He had written this script seven or eight times.

"Have you finished filming? Let me put down this TV first and then tell you what I think... This TV is really heavy..."

"Manager Zhang, if you can't carry it, give me the TV. I can carry it. Let me carry it home!"

Zhang Feng quickly stood in front of the TV, "Don't dream!"

After Zhang Feng finished his acceptance speech, he began to give out the next award. At this summary celebration, everyone received a reward, including bicycles, watches, radios... As long as you came, no one would go back empty-handed.

Those who brought their families with them were in the spotlight, and some people could not help but envy them: "They gave out TVs and bicycles as soon as they arrived. Your company's welfare is really good."

"These are the benefits that Manager Qin fought for us."

…

After distributing these large items, there were also other grain and oil rewards. Qin Yao discussed cooperation with the Grain Bureau and provided periodicals and magazines to all offices of the Grain Bureau free of charge in exchange for rice and oil.

Today everyone can take back ten kilograms of rice and five kilograms of oil. Although the value of grain and oil is not as high as those big items, without grain coupons and oil coupons on ordinary days, how can we exchange these things at a low price?

These are daily necessities. No one thinks they are too much. The only thing they want is to have more.

"Don't worry, there is still a lucky draw. Family members can also participate in the lucky draw. The success of a business is inseparable from the support of family members..."

"Everyone go to the lottery box and touch a ball. Let's see who is the lucky one today!"

The people who came to the celebration didn't expect that there would be something for them to do, and they could even draw a lottery, which whetted everyone's appetite. Most of the prizes in the lottery box were small prizes, such as toothpaste, toothbrushes, soap, laundry detergent and other small items.

There are also large items such as radios and watches, food such as peach cake boxes and chocolate boxes, and alcoholic beverages such as white wine.

The biggest prize was a watch, worth more than one hundred seventy yuan, and in the end it was won by little Ruirui.

Qin Yao smiled and said, "That doesn't count."

"Why not just let it go? The kids are also family members!"

In the end, the grand prize went to the little guy. Gu Cheng was holding his youngest son Mingming. These two were unlucky ones, one won the soap and the other won the laundry, which formed a sharp contrast with the lucky kid Ruirui.

Gu Cheng: "I am a soap, it's really just a participation award."

Comrade Xiao Gu was dissatisfied. He came to attend the celebration and waited for a long time, but others were receiving awards. He finally went on stage to draw one, but he drew a bar of soap, which was ridiculous.

"Dad, what am I?" Mingming looked at his biological father eagerly, but there was nothing he could do, he was so young and couldn't read.

Gu Cheng said calmly: "Get a packet of washing powder and go home to wash clothes."

"Mom, I don't want any detergent!"

The staff member next to him teased him: "Do you want to draw another one?"

Qin Yao: "Don't let him smoke."

"Go ahead and smoke." Everyone around encouraged.

So little Mingming drew another one, which was another bar of soap.

Gu Cheng, the father, took advantage of the benefits of the general manager's family, and he also drew one, another pack of laundry detergent.

Now the father and son each have a bar of soap and a packet of laundry detergent.

Faced with this result, Qin Yao laughed so hard that her stomach hurt. "You two should be quiet. Our family doesn't need another bag of laundry detergent, nor does it lack a bar of soap."

Gu Cheng: “…”

Mingming turned around and hugged his father's neck, took a deep breath, and wanted to cry.

If his father hadn't been there with him, he would have cried.

Qin Yao won a chocolate box, opened it directly and fed it to the two children in the family.

After the celebration meeting, Qin Yao made a concluding speech: "I hope everyone will continue to work hard and create greater success in the future!"

After the applause ended, everyone moved to the box to eat.

Qin Yao held this celebration meeting, but she still didn't feel satisfied. It was just a pity that she could only give out prizes and not directly give out cash. She really wanted to hold a celebration party where cash was given out!