Chapter 59 Factions
In the reception department of the Splendid Splendor Manor, apart from He Lei and two deputy managers, there were eighteen specialists. One-third of them were veteran employees, while the other two-thirds were newcomers.
After all, a great number of affluent individuals frequented the Splendid Splendor Manor. If they took a fancy to any of the reception hostesses, they would naturally poach them away.
The luckiest girl among them had caught the eye of a wealthy second-generation official from Sichuan, who directly married her and took her home. Others had entered the entertainment industry in search of better prospects.
Dai Zhenxuan was more than happy to see this. If there was one thing lacking in this society, it was certainly not people. Beautiful women were everywhere; as long as the compensation was generous, they would flock like ducks.
Besides, if a batch of qipao-wearing hostesses stayed for too long, the guests might grow tired of them. Replacing them with a fresh batch added a sense of novelty.
Nie Yunyang had joined the Splendid Splendor Manor for some time now. He remembered the names and faces of everyone he had met, but he was most familiar with the specialists in the reception department.
However, factions existed everywhere, and the Splendid Splendor Manor was no exception. Miao Ye was a veteran of the reception department, and since Nie Yunyang had been following his lead, he naturally entered his faction.
The two deputy managers of the reception department were a man named Zheng Qingcang and a woman named Tang Yurong. The two were as incompatible as fire and water, each convinced that the other had major flaws. Had He Lei not stepped in to mediate, they would have been at each other's throats long ago.
Miao Ye had always remained neutral, never favoring either side. This was the very reason He Lei appreciated him and specifically assigned Nie Yunyang to work under his guidance.
As soon as He Lei announced the company's decision, the room erupted into a commotion. Nie Yunyang had been here for less than a month and was already being made a regular employee! This speed was faster than a rocket!
"Everyone, please quiet down. I know you have your opinions, but Nie Yunyang's outstanding performance during this period is something everyone has witnessed. Those members have nothing but high praise for him, and President Dai thinks very highly of him as well. No matter how senior your qualifications are, how many of you possess greater capability than him?" He Lei asked.
Zheng Qingcang was the first to voice his dissatisfaction. The man was fairly handsome and deeply favored by female members, which made him feel bold and secure.
He chuckled lightly and said, "Sister He, wouldn't it be better to reconsider?"
"This is not my decision, but President Dai's intention. If you have any thoughts on the matter, you can go and communicate directly with him," He Lei replied.
Hearing this, Zheng Qingcang was not annoyed; he simply closed his mouth. Tang Yurong, standing nearby, glanced at him with an expression of open contempt.
As for Nie Yunyang, Tang Yurong was indifferent. It had nothing to do with her anyway, since he was part of Miao Ye's clique.
After addressing this matter, He Lei emphasized the upcoming work priorities, and the meeting was adjourned, leaving everyone to resume their respective duties.
Zheng Qingcang walked up to Nie Yunyang and tried to provoke him, saying, "It certainly helps to have backers at the top. I suppose it won't be long before the position of reception department manager belongs exclusively to you, my brother."
"You flatter me, Deputy Manager. I merely wish to do my job well and make the proper contributions to the Splendid Splendor Manor," Nie Yunyang replied.
After speaking, Nie Yunyang turned around and walked back to his workstation.
Zheng Qingcang spat onto the floor and cursed under his breath, "Pretty boy, so ungrateful!"
Tang Yurong followed He Lei into the office, showing no intention whatsoever of congratulating Nie Yunyang.
Miao Ye patted Nie Yunyang on the shoulder and said, "Don't pay attention to what others think. Big Brother supports you. Keep up the good work, and you'll succeed!"
"Thank you," Nie Yunyang said.
Just then, a qipao-wearing hostess who was on good terms with Nie Yunyang walked over and said, "Yunyang, congratulations! You've successfully become a regular employee after working for only half a month. It took me three full months."
The petite and adorable girl was named Tao琳. Innocent and pure, she was also part of Miao Ye's circle, which was why she was quite close to Nie Yunyang.
"It's all thanks to Brother Miao," Nie Yunyang said.
Miao Ye waved his hand dismissively and said, "Yunyang, you're being too modest. I only offered a few pointers; it's all down to your own hard work."
"Without Brother Miao's support, it would have been very difficult for me to gain a firm footing here," Nie Yunyang said.
Tao Lin was not particularly tall, but her figure was extraordinarily alluring. Everyone in the reception department called her the big-chested beauty.
"Then you'll definitely have to treat Brother Miao to a grand feast, and I can tag along for the benefits."
"Count me in too."
Qin Youmeng hurried over from not far away. She was also trained under Miao Ye, but this beauty was exceptionally clever and was thriving at the Splendid Splendor Manor, belonging to the social butterfly type who could handle any situation with ease.
Nie Yunyang nodded and said, "Alright, as long as you all have the time, I don't mind treating everyone to a nice meal. You can even bring your significant others."
"Tao Lin already has a boyfriend, but I'm still single. Yunyang, do you want to come and pursue me?" Qin Youmeng teased.
Nie Yunyang knew Qin Youmeng was just joking. With this girl's looks, how could she possibly take a fancy to him?
During his time at the Splendid Splendor Manor, he had heard that quite a few male members were utterly infatuated with Qin Youmeng, and the gifts sent to her formed mountains.
"Youmeng, if you've really taken a fancy to me, let's go down to the Civil Affairs Bureau tomorrow and get our marriage certificate."
Though he thought that way, Nie Yunyang certainly didn't back down in words.
Qin Youmeng smiled charmingly and said, "Alright then. Seeing that you're not a bad sort, this young lady will entrust her entire life to you."
"Alright, hurry up and get back to work. If Manager He catches us, she'll think we're slacking off as a group," Miao Ye urged.
Tao Lin and Qin Youmeng made a playful grimace at Miao Ye and then pulled Nie Yunyang toward the second floor.
Zheng Qingcang seemed to have targeted Nie Yunyang. All morning, while everyone else was bored out of their minds, Nie Yunyang alone was given a multitude of tasks—one moment carrying drinks from the warehouse, the next changing the decorations in the private rooms—until he was utterly exhausted.
After becoming a regular employee, Nie Yunyang's working hours became the same as those of the veteran staff, divided into day and night shifts. The day shift ran from nine in the morning to five in the afternoon, while the night shift was from five in the afternoon to one in the morning.
Today, Nie Yunyang was on the day shift and slipped away promptly at five o'clock.
Right after clocking out, Nie Yunyang planned to go to Shengshi Company to hang out with Mu Qingyao since it wasn't far away. Who would have expected Yuan Wei to call? This fellow had recently gone to Sanya and hadn't bothered Nie Yunyang for a while, but the moment he returned, he came looking for him.
After hanging up the phone, Nie Yunyang sent his location to Yuan Wei via WeChat. Before long, Yuan Wei drove up aggressively in a brand-new Panamera and shouted from the roadside, "Boss, get in the car!"
"Coming."
Nie Yunyang walked over.
However, the scene of him getting into the car happened to be witnessed by Tang Yurong. She watched the departing Panamera, deep in thought.
"Boss, I haven't seen you in days. Did you miss me?" Yuan Wei asked.
Nie Yunyang maintained a stoic expression and said, "Judging by your looks, you resemble a nightclub hostess even more."
"You couldn't be more wrong. My dream is to travel across the entire country and sleep my way through the north and south. How could I possibly confine myself to Mountain City?" Yuan Wei declared.
Nie Yunyang couldn't be bothered to argue with him; this kid was simply an incorrigible playboy.
"Do you want to know who I ran into in Sanya?" Yuan Wei asked, putting on a mysterious air.
"Who?"
"Who else could it be? Chengdu's Nicholas Tse, of course! He took his fiancée there for a vacation. We stayed at the same hotel and bumped into each other during breakfast," Yuan Wei said.
Nie Yunyang raised an eyebrow and asked, "Fourth Brother's fiancée? What does the girl look like?"
"Drop-dead gorgeous. I think she's a wonderful girl and a great match for Fourth Brother. He said he'll bring her to Chongqing next time so you can vet her."
Nie Yunyang didn't know whether to laugh or cry. "You're living the carefree life, roaming all over the country, while I've been worked almost to the bone lately."
"So, how is it? Are you getting used to staying at the Splendid Splendor Manor? I've heard a lot of people talk about that place, but I've never been there. I should get a chance to experience it sometime. I know President Cao frequently helps people hunt for bargains in the antique market, and he has quite a few regular, high-spending clients," Yuan Wei said.
In this regard, Nie Yunyang truly had no idea. He hadn't delved that deeply yet and naturally couldn't possibly know Cao Weihua's major clients.
"There are plenty of beauties there. Do you want me to introduce a few to you?" Nie Yunyang asked.
Yuan Wei's eyes lit up as he exclaimed, "Boss, you really don't let fertile water flow into outsiders' fields!"
"Get lost. With your demeanor, you'd better not go ruining good, decent women," Nie Yunyang retorted.
Yuan Wei put on an aggrieved expression and said, "Boss, you can't just crush my spirit like that."
"Alright, where are you planning to take me?" Nie Yunyang asked.
Yuan Wei's expression turned serious as he said earnestly, "There's a charity gala at the end of the month, happening this weekend. All the bigwigs of Mountain City will be there. The old man gave me a direct order to attend, but I don't want to bring a girl to such a formal occasion, so I can only trouble you to accompany me, Boss. First, I'll take you to buy a few new outfits; after all, we have to dress up for the occasion."
柏What kind of charity gala is worth you taking it this seriously?" Nie Yunyang asked.
Yuan Wei slammed his foot on the gas pedal, overtaking a Maybach ahead of them, and laughed, "You'll know once we get there. Anyway, there will be exotic delicacies to eat to your heart's content. We're just going through the motions."
"Fine."
Nie Yunyang agreed with a helpless sigh.