Chapter 45: The son is successful, and the father benefits from it
Chapter 45: The son is successful, and the father benefits from it
Old Man Zhou was in high spirits as he was celebrating the good news. He thought his son had made great progress, so he brought him a gold cigarette holder home yesterday.
The pure gold cigarette holder is exquisitely crafted and is obviously a high-end product.
He has worked in the business for decades and has the ability to distinguish good from bad.
Not only the cigarette holder, but also the jewelry for his wife are not something that ordinary people can afford.
He still remembered his wife's reaction which was quite interesting. Faced with the glittering gold ornaments, she was so frightened that she kept shaking her head to refuse, fearing that her son would make a mistake.
Later, You'er said that he accepted the gift because it was given to his son by his fellow senior brother.
"You'er's fellow disciples are either rich or noble, but it's me, his father, who brings shame to him. Alas!"
When Old Man Zhou thought of this, he felt sad.
Everyone hopes that their son will be successful, but it is not good for his son to be too successful. When it is his family's turn, they complain that they can't help their son.
Even if the Zhou family emptied their savings, they could not afford such a huge gift as a thank you!
Favor debts are the hardest to repay!
You'er is too humble to take advantage of others, and he doesn't know what difficulties he will encounter in the future.
Zhou Laocan likes the golden cigarette holder very much, but he dare not use it to smoke, for fear that it will be blackened by the tobacco oil.
He played with it for most of the night, wiped it clean, wrapped it in cotton cloth, and carefully stored it in the cabinet.
The next day when he went to work at the company, he was still thinking about the golden cigarette holder.
"Old Zhou, you have been working in our company for more than 30 years, right?"
The person who came to see him was Shopkeeper Xu, one of the top three managers in the business. Not only did he receive a generous salary, he also owned some shares in the business and could get a considerable dividend every year.
In the business firm, there are many people like Old Man Zhou who have wasted most of their lives and are still working as low-level clerks.
However, there are also talented people like Manager Xu.
He also started out as a waiter, with a sweet mouth, sharp eyes, and a good memory. He handled everything well and was highly valued by his old boss.
It only took him twenty years to be promoted from a clerk to the manager.
"Manager Xu, if you count it up, it should be more than thirty-one years."
Old Man Zhou was somewhat flattered. Normally, he was ordered around by the shop's head clerk and had no chance to meet the shopkeeper.
Even though his son and Shopkeeper Xu's son were from the same school, he never thought of using this as an opportunity to establish a relationship with them.
Shopkeeper Xu smiled. "He is also a veteran in our company."
He nodded and asked something that frightened Father Zhou, "Why haven't you used the golden cigarette holder?"
Golden Cigarette Holder, how come Shopkeeper Xu also knew about this?
Old Man Zhou was shocked and didn't know what to say in response for a moment.
"Old Zhou, you are a very lucky person. You may not know this, but the golden cigarette holder was given to you by the young master."
Shopkeeper Xu looked at Old Man Zhou and also felt emotional.
Among all the guys, Lao Zhou is the oldest and the most honest. He just works hard and uses his wages to support his family.
The business needs such people, but they will not reuse them.
Who would have thought that Old Zhou, who had the temperament of an old ox, could raise a son who looked like a tiger cub.
He had already learned from his son Xu Ying that Old Zhou's son Zhou You had recently been hired as a full-time employee at the martial arts school and had caught the eye of the school's owner, Wang Jianxiong.
Young Master Shen Sijing held a banquet at Zhaijinlou to win over guests, and Xu Ying also went there as a guest.
"See this goldfish? It was a gift from the young master when my son was promoted to a regular employee."
Shopkeeper Xu flicked his waist and revealed a lifelike little goldfish tied with a silk ribbon, also made of pure gold.
He smiled and said, "Now, you and I are the same."
There is a hidden meaning in this sentence.
Zhou Laocan just felt his chest swelling and couldn't utter many words.
He thought he knew his son had a promising future, but he didn't know he was so promising.
The young master, a first-class figure of a noble family, actually invited You'er to dinner, and to a place like Zhaijinlou.
He also knew that Zhaijinlou was the designated place for the business to entertain high-end customers, and a meal there cost a huge amount of money.
"The cigarette holder is given to you for you to use. Don't hide it. Take it out and dry it in the sun more often." Shopkeeper Xu persuaded him with a smile.
Old Man Zhou kept saying he didn't dare, but suddenly he realized that the year the other party was promoted to shopkeeper was exactly the year his son Xu Ying became a full-time employee of the martial arts school.
Several people who were competing with him for the position of shopkeeper at that time were all veterans of the business, and they had both qualifications and connections.
In the end, it was Shopkeeper Xu who successfully stood out.
Could it be...
"Old Zhou, our company is in need of a head clerk recently. I've thought about it and found that you've been working here for 30 years and are familiar with both inside and outside work. Are you willing to give it a try?" Old Man Zhou asked with a puzzled look. Was he going to promote him?
God have pity on him, he has worked for so many years and has already become discouraged, he never thought that this day would come?
Although the head clerk is insignificant in the eyes of the higher-ups of the trading company and can be appointed or dismissed by the shopkeeper at the drop of a hat, he is still considered an official of varying degrees among the huge group of clerks.
No matter how hard Zhou Laocan worked, he was always scolded because he refused to curry favor with his boss.
As I said, the county magistrate is not as good as the current one.
"I am willing."
Old Man Zhou was so excited that he agreed without saying a word.
He was not doing it for himself, but to save face for his son, so he had to seize this opportunity.
Otherwise, when the son talks to his fellow brothers in the future, how can he introduce what his father does?
"I was right about you, Lao Zhou. We have worked for the company our whole lives, and the most important thing is to serve the boss."
Shopkeeper Xu smiled and said, "We should get closer in the future. After all, my son and your You'er have a good relationship."
When Old Man Zhou left Shopkeeper Xu's place, he was dazed and his feet felt soft as if he was stepping on cotton.
When he was going out, he stumbled and almost fell to the ground. A figure rushed over like lightning and supported him.
"Brother Zhou, are you okay?"
Old Man Zhou looked at the other person. The usually ferocious leader of the gang was now smiling and supporting him.
Brother Zhou? This is the first time I hear this name. Don’t you usually call him ‘Old Man Zhou’?
"Brother Zhou, I have heard that Manager Xu wants to promote you to be the head clerk."
"You will be Shopkeeper Xu's personal person from now on. I am happy for you."
"This fifty taels of silver is my gift. Don't think it's too little. I will give you more gifts in the future!"
In order to raise 50 taels of silver, Old Man Zhou borrowed money from all his relatives and friends, and his hair almost turned white with worry.
The leader of the guys in front of him gave him a big red envelope of 50 taels.
"No, I appreciate your kindness, but I can't accept the money."
Old Man Zhou shook his head. Although the huge amount of silver was dazzling, it did not captivate his heart.
The leader of the gang wanted to say something else, but at this time another person came to the rescue of Old Man Zhou.
The accountant coughed twice and came over. "Old Zhou, I was looking for you!"
"Then I won't bother you anymore."
The head waiter left in disappointment, thinking about how to give the money away.
"Thank you..."
As soon as Old Man Zhou opened his mouth, the accountant grabbed his sleeve and pulled him away.
"Lao Zhou, please go have a drink. It's my treat."
Old Man Zhou thought that he still owed him money, and now that he had been promoted and his salary had increased, it was just the right time to pay off his debt.
He immediately said, "I can't let you treat me. I will pay you back the money I owe you in a few days."
"Lao Zhou, you don't consider me a friend."
The accountant said sternly, "If you don't let me treat you today, our friendship will be over."
"Also, when did you owe me money? I don't remember it. Don't talk nonsense."
It seems like Old Man Zhou is in a dream. Is it because he got up in the wrong posture this morning that he hasn’t woken up yet?
(End of this chapter)