Chapter 607: It's All About Connections

After Chen Yang's notice was sent out, his phone never stopped ringing. The first call was from Zhang Linlin.

Chen Yang, how many people are you planning to hire for your shoe factory?

First hire a few thousand; if orders are high, we'll add more later depending on the situation.

Can you reserve a few spots for me?

What, do you have friends who want to join the factory?

Hey, they're all my relatives. Before, they looked down on me for only having a high school education, all kinds of disdain. Since they found out I'm your high school classmate, they've become all polite, always coming to my house for holidays to join the fun. I don't know how they heard your shoe factory is hiring, but they all came to me asking for help. When I refused, they went to my parents. My mom is soft-hearted, so she asked me to talk to you and say a few good words.

How many relatives of yours want to join the factory?

About a dozen—would that be okay?

That's fine, but they have to start as general workers. Also, you need to tell them clearly that once they're in, they must work hard; I don't welcome people who just loaf around.

Don't worry, I definitely won't cover for them. Then thanks!

After Zhang Linlin hung up, Yang Xue called again.

Boss, I'm Yang Xue from the advertising company. May I ask if your shoe factory is still hiring?

What? Do you want to change jobs?

No, my dad was laid off two years ago and has been unemployed. My mom asked me to plead with you, hoping to find him a job at the shoe factory.

In that case, have him wait at home for notice. Once the shoe factory is built and starts operations, he can come to report. Or you could just arrange for him to work at the advertising company.

Boss, my dad can't do the advertising company's work. Better let him go to the shoe factory!

Alright, I'll notify you when construction starts.

Thanks, boss!

After Yang Xue hung up, Chen Yang received several more calls, all people using connections to seek jobs. To avoid the disturbance, he could only turn off his phone.

However, after dinner at the Lin family's house that evening, Chen Yang was stopped by Hu Qingwan.

Chen Yang, how many people are you planning to hire for the shoe factory this time? Can you reserve a few spots for me?

Chen Yang looked at Hu Qingwan, a bit surprised, and gently reminded her: 'Mom, you all at the literary and art federation work in culture and arts; working in a shoe factory wouldn't be suitable, would it?'

Hu Qingwan's face immediately showed displeasure, and she snorted coldly: 'These people aren't looking for work; they're after your company's 50% housing purchase quota. I now realize that all art is fake, while houses are real.'

Chen Yang actually hadn't considered giving the shoe factory employees a 50% housing purchase quota. He soothed Hu Qingwan: 'Mom, if you don't like it, just ignore them.'

Hu Qingwan sighed: 'They're all old colleagues of several decades; it's rare for them to ask me once for their juniors. If I refuse, how will we get along in the future?'

Chen Yang could understand Hu Qingwan's feelings. In China, nothing escapes human relations and worldly affairs. So he asked Hu Qingwan again: 'Do those juniors of your old colleagues need special consideration?'

Hu Qingwan thought for a moment and said: 'You'd better assign them some light work. If you really let them do ordinary labor, who knows how they'll badmouth me behind my back.'

Chen Yang immediately said there was no problem. Arranging a few clerical positions in a shoe factory of several thousand people is still quite simple.

At that moment, Hu Qingwan's phone rang. Chen Yang was about to leave, but was called back.

Chen Yang, don't go yet—your sister-in-law is looking for you.

Chen Yang took Hu Qingwan's phone and asked the voice on the line, Du Yue'e: 'Sister-in-law, you're not also here to help someone find a job, are you?'

Upon hearing that, Du Yue'e exclaimed: 'I was wondering why your phone suddenly went off—turns out everyone's been looking for you to use the back door!'

Chen Yang gave a helpless laugh, then told Du Yue'e: 'Sister-in-law, you need to tell them clearly. The shoe factory hasn't started construction yet; from completion to official operation, it'll probably take a few months.'

Du Yue'e said: 'Those are all my fellow villagers from my hometown. As long as the income is higher than in the countryside, they can wait a few months.'

Chen Yang asked Du Yue'e to collect the photocopies of her relatives' ID cards and send them to him for filing, so that when the factory is built, the hiring plan won't exceed the limit.

After giving those instructions, he hung up. When returning the phone to Hu Qingwan, he also reminded her to collect the photocopies of those old colleagues' juniors' ID cards or personal resumes as well.

Chen Yang wanted personal resumes mainly to clarify whether they had any special skills; if they were special talents, they could be placed in more suitable positions.

Of course, these follow-ups will be handed over to the HR department; he simply doesn't have time to manage such trivial matters.

I thought the matter was settled, but unexpectedly, while sleeping, Lin Wei brought up the topic again.

Husband, I have a few high school classmates who still haven't found suitable jobs. Please arrange something for them too!

Male or female?

Both male and female, what's up?

Females are fine, but if the males have designs on you, that would definitely be inviting trouble.

Hmph, you're not planning to remarry, so you won't let anyone else pursue me?

They're all mixed up, can't even find a job, yet they still have the cheek to chase you?

What does it matter if they have no job, as long as they treat me well?

Really? Am I not good to you? Why did we divorce in the first place?

This isn't solely my problem, is it? If you hadn't had a child with Liu Qingqing, I wouldn't have divorced.

This can't be blamed on me either! I only found out afterward.

Then what about the second child? How do you explain that?

Ah, impossible to guard against!

Hmph, go sleep in the study tonight!

Thus, Chen Yang was ruthlessly driven to the study.

The long night dragged on, unable to sleep. Chen Yang could only turn on his computer and start playing Fight the Landlord.

Just after playing a few rounds, a notification popped up that a familiar friend had come online.

Senior classmate, I couldn't get through on your phone—I didn't expect you to be playing games here.

What's up?

Is your shoe factory still hiring? I have a few relatives who want to join the factory.

Are your relatives from Qingshui City?

No, but they can go there. Working in Qingshui City is surely closer than working in Shencheng, right?

"..., alright! Later you organize copies of their IDs and personal resumes and give them to me."

"Good! Let me ask you another question? Is it still not too late for me to buy Nike's stock now?"

"Nike's performance this year is poor; I'm buying their stock mainly for this collaboration. However, if it's a long-term investment, it's also okay to buy."

"Understood, then I won't buy it."

"Want to play a couple rounds?"

"I'm not free today, my boyfriend is here."

"..."

"Senior, you're still playing games this late; could it be that you got kicked off the bed by your senior female?"

"..."

"Looks like it's true. Then slowly enjoy your loneliness; I won't keep you company. Good night!"

"Good night, hoping your boyfriend doesn't get it up!"