Chapter 173

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Protagonist:

Li Xiulan

Wang Dashan considered it for a whole night, but in the end he still refused Du Xiaojuan's invitation; he chose to stay on and help Zhang Zhihao sell computers — he couldn't just chop and change, abandoning his post for the sake of earning more money, not when he had only just joined Zhang Zhihao's computer store; he absolutely could not job-hop and leave at a time like this.

Wang Dashan found it awkward to call Du Xiaojuan directly and tell her this; he actually wasn't very good at turning people down.

So on QQ he composed a long message, then repeatedly deleted and trimmed it several times before finally sending it off:

"Miss Du, thank you for thinking highly of me, but I still feel I should stay at the computer store and help Hao Ge sell computers; a person mustn't forget their roots, and I think Hao Ge has treated me pretty well — the salary he gives is actually already quite decent. I'm very sorry; let's cooperate again if there's a chance in the future."

After a long while, Du Xiaojuan sent a reply; her reply consisted of just two words:

"Okay."

Wang Dashan stared at those two words, feeling empty inside.

As if he had lost something.

Yet he did not regret it, because he knew that compared to what he had lost, what he had to protect was even more important.

The conscience and integrity in his heart must never be lost, no matter when.

Today Wang Dashan came to the Computer City for work; he was no longer as lucky as yesterday — the entire morning he failed to sell a single computer. Although customers still came in, he still maintained a sincere attitude in serving them, but it was obvious that simple sincerity alone could not move every customer who walked through the door.

Some customers, seeing he didn't know much about computers, turned and left.

Wang Dashan started to feel a bit discouraged; instead, it was Zhang Zhihao who smiled and comforted him:

"You study computer knowledge properly; once you understand all kinds of computer knowledge, I'm sure you'll do a great job."

Wang Dashan nodded:

"Okay, Hao Ge; when there are no customers, I'll read the manuals — I'll memorize those technical terms by rote!"

Zhang Zhihao said:

"Fine; if there's anything you don't understand, just ask me."

Right then, Wang Dashan's mobile phone rang.

He took it out and saw it was none other than Zhu Zhiming calling.

Wang Dashan was startled; why would Zhu Zhiming call at a time like this when he should be at work?

The moment he answered, Zhu Zhiming's voice came through:

"Dashan, where are you in Computer City?"

Wang Dashan was puzzled, a bad premonition rising; he still remembered that last night Zhu Zhiming had said he wanted to quit his job at the Auto Parts City and come find new work at Computer City. He'd thought it was just drunken talk at the time — surely he wasn't serious?

"Why do you ask?"

Wang Dashan's brows furrowed slightly.

Zhu Zhiming answered with a laugh:

"Of course I'm coming to tag along with you; this morning I already went to the Auto Parts City and quit. The boss settled my wages and told me to get lost, even declaring that a two-minded person like me would never amount to anything in a lifetime. Damn it, I refuse to believe Zhu Zhiming won't make something of himself! Dashan, this time you've got to help me — I want to go do sales at Computer City together with you, you absolutely can't refuse me!"

Wang Dashan immediately wore a wry smile:

"Zhi Ming, not that I'm criticizing you, but how could you be so impulsive? I already consider myself pretty hot-tempered, never expected you to be even more rash! Quitting a job like that is too reckless, isn't it!"

Hearing this, Zhu Zhiming immediately became displeased:

"Dashan, what do you mean by that? You're not willing to help me? When you first came to Guangzhou, it was me who took you in!"

Wang Dashan hurriedly explained:

"That's not what I meant; alright alright, you've already resigned, no use saying more — where are you now? I'll come pick you up!"

Zhu Zhiming said:

"I'm near the Gangding Metro Station entrance; right ahead is the Computer City's main gate. But I don't really dare go in — I have no confidence finding a job on my own, seeing as I don't know the first thing about computers. It'd be better if you introduce me. Also I'm afraid I'll get lost once inside; I heard Computer City is huge, with quite a few computer stores, and I wouldn't know which one you're at."

Wang Dashan felt a mix of amusement and exasperation.

This Zhu Zhiming — you say he lacks courage, yet he actually dared to quit just like that; you say he has courage, yet he doesn't even have the guts to walk into Computer City and look for a job himself.

"Then just stand there by the metro entrance; I'll come out and get you!"

Wang Dashan hung up on Zhu Zhiming and said to Zhang Zhihao:

"Hao Ge, a friend of mine came looking for me; I'm going out to meet him, okay?"

Zhang Zhihao said:

"Go on, go on; hurry back, just don't be gone too long!"

Wang Dashan ran out of Computer City and arrived near the metro entrance, where he saw Zhu Zhiming standing alone by the entrance smoking a cigarette.

Seeing Wang Dashan come to fetch him, Zhu Zhiming immediately broke into a smile:

"Dashan, I knew you were a man of loyalty, you wouldn't abandon me! By the way, is your computer store still hiring?"

Wang Dashan felt rather downcast:

"I don't know; Hao Ge's store isn't actually that big — right now he's only hired me as a salesperson, and he himself often doubles as sales staff."

Zhu Zhiming completely missed the change in Wang Dashan's expression; he only heard that Zhang Zhihao's store had just one salesperson, and immediately his face lit up, thinking there was a chance:

"Then hiring one more salesperson shouldn't be a problem! Come on, you go put in a good word for me!"

Wang Dashan felt Hao Ge most likely wouldn't hire him, but for the sake of their old classmate bond he still steeled himself to help:

"Fine fine, come with me; I'll go ask him right now, but I can't guarantee he'll still hire anyone."

So the two of them returned together to Zhang Zhihao's computer store.

Wang Dashan approached Zhang Zhihao, feeling a bit embarrassed but still speaking up:

"Hao Ge, this is my old classmate, named Zhu Zhiming; he's looking for a job right now — does your computer store still need a salesperson?"

Zhang Zhihao was stunned, sizing Zhu Zhiming up from head to toe.

Actually, Zhang Zhihao did indeed want to hire another salesperson, but he had no intention of hiring another male salesman; he wanted to hire a beautiful female salesperson.

When male customers came to the store, the beautiful female salesperson would introduce the products; when female customers came to the store, the handsome Wang Dashan would introduce the products—only then would the closing rate increase significantly.

Hiring two male salespeople—isn't that just overlapping functions?

"Dashan, you can see for yourself: my shop is only this big, one salesperson is enough, and I can't afford to keep another."

Zhang Zhihao finally said as such.

Most importantly, based on his years of experience, he could tell at a glance that Zhu Zhiming was not cut out for sales: first, his looks weren't up to par, and second, he lacked the temperament for sales.

Ever since Zhu Zhiming entered the shop until now, he hadn't spoken a single word on his own initiative; someone so timid—how could he possibly do sales well?

"Hao Ge, why not give him a chance? My friend here is quite hardworking. How about this: give me a base salary of five hundred, then hire my friend too, also at five hundred base salary. That way, your expenses won't be much higher than hiring just one salesperson. As for commission, it's still eighty yuan per computer sold. What do you think?"

Zhang Zhihao was immediately somewhat surprised; he hadn't expected Wang Dashan to be so loyal.

To help a friend, he was actually willing to voluntarily lower his own base salary.

Someone like this is already rare in this day and age of money worship and rampant materialism.

……