Chapter 16 A Glimmer of Hope

When I called Boss Zhou back.

Cheng Jia called a designated driver and had just arrived home.

In the bathroom, the old house was dimly lit. He put his phone on the sink and was squatting shirtless in front of the mirror cabinet, manually disassembling the water pipes. The pipes were full of limescale from years of disrepair, and they would get clogged every now and then, making it difficult to drain the water and causing it to smell bad.

"I'm not asleep," Cheng Jia shouted into the phone, shaking the water pipe loudly with his wrist. "What's up, boss? Tell me quickly."

Sewage with an unpleasant odor overflowed and splashed all over the ground, landing on Cheng Jia's feet.

We'll definitely need to disinfect and do a thorough cleaning later.

Zhou Minghe was lounging in the back seat when he heard noise on the other end of the phone: "Of course I need to talk to you. How are you? Is it convenient for us to talk... What are you doing?"

"It's convenient, they're getting the water pipes connected." Cheng Jiagan was used to it.

Tighten the pipes every two weeks.

Manual sewage discharge.

"......"

Does the water pipe need to be unblocked?

This was a completely unfamiliar scene for Zhou Minghe.

He had never done anything like this before, and it annoyed him: "I told you long ago to rent an apartment in the city. You earn quite a bit every month, seventy or eighty thousand, right? Why rent that old place?"

“Seventy or eighty thousand? Seventy or eighty thousand is not enough to pay off debts. Besides, we don’t have big clients booking tables every day, so our income is unstable,” Cheng Jia said helplessly. “It’ll be over soon. If I save a little and work hard for another year, I can pay off most of the debts.”

The debt is still about 700,000 yuan.

But after paying off his debts, he still needs to save up three million for medical treatment.

Financial freedom is a long way off.

To be honest, Cheng Jia has lost all hope for life.

I'll live one more day as long as I can.

Most importantly, you must pay off all your debts before you die.

This money was borrowed by Cheng Jia's father, who took him from house to house, begging for help to pay for his mother's medical treatment. The relatives and neighbors were not well-off either, and everyone had to scrape together the money.

Cheng Jia promised to repay them when she grew up, and she couldn't go back on her word.

And also...

Earning money to pay off debts makes Cheng Jia feel that there is still some kind of bond between him and his parents.

His parents did not completely disappear from his life.

He still has a family.

It's hard to describe this feeling; it's a kind of obsession in Cheng Jia's heart.

Even though the days of paying off the debt were very difficult.

He didn't mind the hardship.

Zhou Minghe had heard a little about it and knew that these debts were for Cheng Jia's parents' expenses before they passed away.

My mother first contracted an incurable, money-consuming disease, and my father also collapsed from exhaustion while trying to raise money for treatment. Both of them stayed in the hospital, burning through money, and the debt kept snowballing.

All the pressure fell on Cheng Jia, a sixteen or seventeen-year-old child.

This caused him to work hard to pay off his debts for several years.

I heard they only study until their second year of university.

I dropped out of school in my third year.

"Hey, sometimes I really admire you. You're tough and resilient." Even though Zhou Minghe came from a privileged background, he could imagine how miserable Cheng Jia had been these past few years.

No wonder he was willing to risk his life for 30,000 yuan.

Zhou Minghe said, "I have something good to discuss with you now, something that can help lighten your burden. Stop busying yourself! Let's have a chat."

"Just tell me what you need, there's no need to discuss anything," Cheng Jia replied.

Zhou Minghe: "Big deal!"

"Okay, wait for me a moment." Cheng Jia, wearing white Thai-style beach shorts and shirtless, raised his strong, lean arms, almost disappearing into the sink cabinet. He frowned, held his breath, and sped up his work.

Thoroughly unclog the smelly water pipes.

All that remained was sewage all over the bathroom floor.

With the water pipes connected, the bathroom finally quieted down after the running water stopped.

He grabbed some disinfectant spray and a rag, squatted down, and started wiping the floor. Actually, the effects of the alcohol hadn't completely worn off, and he was a little dizzy. He looked up at his phone and replied, "Okay, stop arguing. I'm listening."

"...Damn it, can't you just stop and sit down and listen to me?" Zhou Minghe was speechless and almost laughed.

I've done business with many people, but this is the first time I've been treated so 'neglected'.

Cheng Jia was speechless: "It's almost two o'clock. If I don't finish my work early and go to sleep, how am I going to call clients tomorrow afternoon?"

They thought that top-notch marketing would attract customers on its own initiative if they just sat there without doing anything.

Didn't he talk to them one by one over the phone?

This is what a top salesperson's daily life is like.

"......"

"Fine, I give up. Okay, I'll get to it," Zhou Minghe pondered, "Hey, let me ask you first, what's your relationship with that President Shi?"

The fingers that were twisting the spray bottle paused for a moment.

Cheng Jia said calmly, "...It's alright, it won't affect Jinhe's operations."

Shi Qingci wouldn't attack the Zhou family, who had never offended the Shengjing Group, just to get revenge on him.

Cheng Jia doesn't believe he has that much influence.

Shi Qingci has a rather rational personality.

Don't get easily carried away.

“You’re not being clear enough. Anyway, I think they really want to get back to you. You were college classmates, right? There’s always some friendship between you,” Zhou Minghe said, adding that this was his own observation and deduction.

Because it seems that President Shi is quite concerned about Cheng Jia's recent situation.

I've asked him about it several times already.

Cheng Jia didn't know how to reply: "Oh, really?"

Whatever.

"What's wrong with you? That's Shiqing Porcelain from Shengjing Group," Zhou Minghe finally realized something was amiss. "Where's your ambition to make money? Such a big money-making machine, and you're too nonchalant about it. Cheng Jia is even more nonchalant than me!"

Cheng Jia was both amused and exasperated: "Boss Zhou, you're not calm because you have projects to discuss with him that can make money. I'm penniless and have no plans to do business. How excited can I be when I see him? I'm not even thinking about getting him to invest. I'm just doing my job well."

“That’s true.” Zhou Minghe smiled.

But three seconds later, he realized he had almost been tricked by Cheng Jia.

"Isn't that a bit off? Manager Cheng, aren't you working for me? Shouldn't the direction I'm pointing be your battlefield? What's wrong with you stepping in for me and helping out General Manager Shi?"

Zhou Minghe spoke with righteous indignation.

"......"

Damn, I couldn't dodge it.

Yes.

Cheng Jia had already understood what Zhou Minghe meant.

Pretending not to understand, trying to avoid the conversation.

But once the words are spoken, there's no going back.

He scrubbed the floor twice: "...It's not that I don't want to go, but haven't you thought about what would happen if he doesn't like me and I go over to bother him? Wouldn't that be counterproductive?"

"You don't need to worry about that, just go." Zhou Minghe was very certain.

President Shi's manner definitely didn't indicate any dislike for Cheng Jia!

Cheng Jia's presence will definitely make things much easier.

There is still a bond of friendship among classmates.

"......"

Tsk, oh dear.

Cheng Jia squinted, the smell of disinfectant making her whiff, and slowly asked, "What do you want me to do?"

"Treat Mr. Shi the same way you would treat others. Chat with him, meet him often for tea, play ball together, reminisce about your wonderful college memories. In short, make him happy," Zhou Minghe instructed Cheng Jia.

This is a very common practice in the business world.

Essential for maintaining relationships with major clients.

Call him Public Relations Manager.

Zhou Minghe continued, "If you get along well with him, he'll remember you're one of my people. With your relationship, wouldn't it be a roundabout way for me to send another PR manager to contact him?"

Why not make use of existing acquaintances?

“Me, go and ask him to meet for tea and a game of ball? Brother,” Cheng Jia’s hands were almost twisted into a rope, and he instinctively wanted to escape. “It’s so awkward. It’s obviously an attempt to climb the social ladder. I’m not going.”

He had just told Shi Qingci that he wanted to distance himself from her, and now he's going to make plans with her again.

Why is it opening its mouth like that?

Zhou Minghe: "Hmph, luckily I'm smart. I've already set up the whole thing, just waiting for you to take the lead. I have a villa in the western suburbs, and I've agreed to sell it to him. You can take him to see the house in three days. Isn't that a legitimate reason to get to know him? It's not awkward at all, it's perfectly logical!"

Wait until Cheng Jia meets and interacts with President Shi a few more times.

Gradually, the friendship between classmates returned.

At that time, Zhou Minghe will get along with Cheng Jia a few times thanks to her connections, and they will become friends.

Is the cooperation in the development of the new urban area not a done deal?

Zhou Minghe had already planned it out while he was having a late-night snack.

The top sales champion truly lives up to his reputation.

It's incredibly useful in a critical moment!

"?" Cheng Jia didn't expect the first task to come so quickly.

While he was still in a daze and hesitating.

Zhou Minghe: "I'll reimburse you for all the expenses you incurred when you took him out. I'll also give you some money to buy some nice clothes and dress up. After all, you're going to a high-end club, so don't embarrass me or make people look down on you. Just treat him like a friend."

"In addition, I will pay you a commission of five thousand yuan for each time you go out to meet him. Aren't you in a hurry to save money to pay off your debts?"

"Work hard for me, and I won't treat you unfairly!"

"......"

Really.

Cheng Jia was almost overwhelmed by the money.

You can earn 5,000 yuan for one session of companionship, which is a considerable commission.

He remained silent for a long time.

Mr. Zhou thought these conditions were not enough.

So he raised the bar again: "As long as you two don't fall out and my dad can sign the contract with him smoothly, I'll promote you to Vice President of Jinhe next year and give you an extra 2% of the shares. Is that okay?"

The decision to appoint Cheng Jia as vice president was made long ago.

I just mentioned it in advance.

"!"

Jinhe's current annual profit is over 40 million.

A 2% stake means Cheng Jia can receive nearly one million yuan in dividends every year.

Treatment costs, treatment costs.

A glimmer of hope!

Cheng Jia swallowed hard, loosened his grip on the dirty, smelly rag, stood up, bowed respectfully to his phone, and his eyes changed.

"...Mr. Zhou, I'll do it."

These four words represent—

Marketing Manager Cheng Jia is at your service!

"You've thought it through? You've agreed?" Zhou Minghe laughed heartily. "You little rascal, I don't believe money can't buy you out of it. Work hard for me, do you think I'd let you down?"

Cheng Jia smiled and said, "Okay, okay, I'll try my best."

Although the task is arduous, it requires maintaining contact with Shi Qing porcelain.

But this time he wasn't going to deceive Shi Qingci.

He's going to work in business public relations.

Earn money to buy life.

Live a few more years.

The sewage odor in the bathroom was dispelled by the disinfectant. Boss Zhou told him to buy some nice clothes tomorrow and take President Shi to visit the villa three days later.

We must make sure Mr. Shi buys the villa; it will help us build a closer relationship.

Cheng Jia wrote everything down and even asked Boss Zhou for the villa's construction plans.

Familiarize yourself with the villa beforehand so you can introduce it to Mr. Shi later.

This task shouldn't be too difficult.

After all, given his financial resources, buying a villa is no different from buying a coat; as long as the house is in good condition, buying it is a piece of cake.

Before going to sleep, Cheng Jia sent a WeChat message to President Shi.

I mute the message as soon as I send it, not daring to wait for a reply.

Because this is his chance to buy his life.

A glimmer of hope.

Go to sleep. I'll check the replies again when I wake up tomorrow. If there are no problems, I'll buy some decent clothes that I can wear during the day and ask Boss Zhou for reimbursement.

Thinking this, Cheng Jia closed her eyes and fell asleep.

I didn't sleep very well; I was a little uneasy.

That person won't refuse, will they?

Don't refuse.

*

When I received the WeChat message.

Shi Qingci had just finished taking a shower and came out of the bathroom.

[This is a scam: Mr. Shi, Mr. Zhou asked me to show you around the villa in three days. If you have no objections, we can meet in three days.]

Shi Qingci: "?"

That's quite unusual.

Cheng Jia actually took the initiative to contact him.

And she was responsible for communicating with him about buying the villa.

Then he realized that Zhou Minghe must be behind this.

Shi Qingci smiled and exclaimed in admiration at the gesture.

"Zhou Minghe is not stupid."

We can be friends.

"......"