mijobooks 11: Paying wages
11: Paying wages
Computer assembly and repair are incredibly profitable these days, causing shops to see a surge in revenue. They earn anywhere from hundreds to thousands of dollars a day – it's terrifying!
With no need to cook or prepare meals, Zhou Ning had more free time. However, she changed her previously lazy nature and became quite busy.
For the sake of money, she decided to work really hard herself.
Of course, it would be difficult to get her to work as hard as Han Wen and Gu Amei.
Business was booming, and time flew by; it was already August.
Han Wen did a quick calculation of the store's income and expenses for the month and found that the gross profit had reached a staggering ten thousand yuan.
According to the equity distribution agreement he and Zhou Ning had initially agreed upon, more than 7,000 yuan of this money would go into his own pocket.
I can earn so much money in a month, more than my mom earned in two years. It's practically robbery!
Moreover, as the shop's reputation grows and students from nearby universities such as Peking University, Tsinghua University, and Renmin University begin their new semester, the shop's business will only get better and its income will only increase.
For Koreans, this is truly a cause for celebration.
"If nothing unexpected happens, I've struck gold this time." Han Wen said smugly, locking the 10,000 yuan bundled with rubber bands in the cabinet, intending to have Zhou Ning take it to the bank to deposit it the next day.
Then, he took another wad of money and went downstairs.
This is Gu Amei's salary and commission for this month. She earned nearly 600 yuan in half a month. This girl is amazing.
When Han Wen came downstairs, he saw Gu Amei still hunched over the typewriter typing. He felt both impressed and admiring; it was truly astonishing how hard a young woman could work.
"Xiao Meizi, stop working and take a break," Han Wen called out as he sat down in a chair.
"Let me finish this version first," Gu Amei replied without turning her head, somewhat surprised. "Brother Han, what are you doing down here so late? Is something wrong?"
The two of them slept separately, one upstairs and the other downstairs. They spent more than half a month together and became quite familiar with each other.
Gu Amei had to work overtime every night to familiarize herself with Hanwen's work and rest schedule.
He would go upstairs as soon as he finished what he was doing, as if he wanted to avoid suspicion.
Unless he needs to use the restroom outside, he will never go downstairs.
In fact, in Gu Amei's eyes, Han Wen could be considered her savior.
I wouldn't mind if she gave her life to repay me; I'm not worried at all if she had ulterior motives or ill intentions towards me.
However, Han Wen's proper manners, refined tastes, politeness, and moral character made her feel very at ease, and she felt safe and comfortable living with him.
"It's the end of the month, time to get paid," Han Wen replied with a smile. "I know you're short on money, so I wouldn't dare delay."
"Really?" Gu Amei was overjoyed. She pounded away, finishing printing this version of the text. Then she turned her head and looked at Han Wen with a look of surprise and delight.
"Your base salary and commission for this month total 583 yuan. I'll round it up to 600 yuan." Han Wen handed her the money directly and reminded her, "You've worked so hard and diligently, it's really not easy. I'm giving you a 100 yuan bonus."
"That's 700 yuan in total, Xiaomeizi. You count it, and make sure you don't make a mistake."
"There's a bonus too?" Gu Amei's eyes lit up. Without any hesitation, she counted the money in front of Han Wen.
Then, I clenched it tightly in my palm, feeling sad, my nose stung, and I suddenly wanted to cry.
"Xiao Meizi, are you alright?" Han Wen asked with concern when he noticed that she seemed a bit off.
"I earned 700 yuan in just half a month. I never even dared to dream of such a thing before." Gu Amei sighed, wiped away the tears from the corners of her eyes, and suddenly smiled: "Brother Han, I want to thank you, thank you and Sister Ning."
Thank you for helping me, for taking me in, and for not leaving me to sleep on the streets and starve to death.
"Xiao Meizi, don't say that." Han Wen sighed, "Ning Jie and I can only offer you so much help. This is the result of your own hard work and dedication."
In the future, if you encounter any difficulties, feel free to tell me directly; please don't hesitate to ask.
"Okay, okay, Brother Han, I've remembered what you said." Gu Amei nodded, and tears finally streamed down her face.
She sobbed as she said, "But, Brother Han, you don't know, you really don't know how I got through those days."
Originally, I wanted to keep these things buried in my heart for the rest of my life and never tell anyone.
But now, I suddenly have a strong urge to confide in someone, to tell them everything that's on my mind. Would you please listen to me?
"Okay." Han Wen agreed without the slightest hesitation.
Han Wen was definitely a qualified, even perfect, listener. He would not interrupt Gu Amei's outpouring of information, and would offer a few words of gentle and considerate comfort when appropriate.
Gu Amei felt that Han Wen's words had almost hit the nail on the head, and she didn't understand why he understood her so deeply.
As a result, she wasn't properly comforted; instead, her heart shattered into pieces, and she was in excruciating pain.
Left with no other choice, she could only collapse into Han Wen's arms, and with his chest and shoulder against her back, she cried hysterically and heartbreakingly.
Han Wen felt that tonight's night was very long, so long that he felt somewhat depressed and withdrawn.
Fortunately, even the longest night eventually comes to an end.
When Gu Amei stopped crying and her emotions gradually stabilized, it seemed as if all the gloom began to dissipate.
"I'm sorry, Brother Han, I lost my composure." She sighed, somewhat embarrassed. "I'm sorry you had to see this."
"No." Han Wen shook his head: "Xiao Meizi, it's good that you cried. In the future, remember to be kinder to yourself."
"I know." Gu Amei nodded, feeling touched, and couldn't help but ask, "Brother Han, do you think I was wrong?"
Tell me, what was the point of all that I sacrificed during those days?
"Xiao Meizi, there's no right or wrong in life, only success or failure and the outcome." Han Wen shook his head, smiled, and looked at her: "You're just paying the price for your dreams in advance. Today's efforts will surely be rewarded tomorrow. Believe me, hard work pays off, and you deserve it."
"Paying the price for my dreams in advance?" Gu Amei was stunned for a moment, then murmured to herself, "I hope God will have eyes and not let my efforts be in vain, and that my future will not be too miserable."
After this incident, Han Wen and Gu Amei's relationship naturally grew much closer.
They spoke more casually to each other and felt more comfortable together.
Of course, this is limited to the kind of closeness between colleagues and friends, pure and clean, without any romantic feelings involved.