Chapter 18: The Incompetent and Malicious Ex-Boyfriend (18)
Manager Li looked at him. “Shen Ci, how much can you earn in a month?”
Shen Ci: “…”
His company was small, and he didn’t have many orders. After paying salaries, rent, and utilities, he was only left with twenty to thirty thousand yuan.
“Manager Li, my companyās performance is average. The monthly profit isn’t much.”
Manager Li frowned. “Specifically, how much?”
“Around thirty thousand.”
Manager Li: “…” That performance was indeed very average.
“Come work at ‘hello.’ Weāll give you a base salary of fifty thousand plus a commission on drinks. How does that sound?”
Shen Ci cursed “holy crap” in his heart. Was the salary for male hosts this high? Although tempted, he wasn’t really here to make money. He was someone who would have a hundred billion after finishing his missions. He wasn’t that shallow. Besides, having to drink with men…
“Manager Li, it’s not about the money. Iām truly not interested in this profession. Please find someone else.”
Is what I offered too little? Manager Li hesitated, then stood up. “Shen Ci, sit for a few minutes. Iām going out for a moment.”
“Oh, okay…”
Although Shen Ci was a bit impatient, the other party was a major client; he couldn’t afford to offend him. He sat patiently on the sofa.
A few minutes later, the door was pushed open. Shen Ci looked up to see a man in a suit with a cold expression entering. Manager Li followed behind him with a trace of respect.
Shen Ci stood up. Although puzzled, he didn’t rashly ask questions.
The man glanced at him. “Sit.”
Manager Li introduced him with a smile. “Shen Ci, this is the owner of ‘hello’…”
Before he could finish, Wu Mu gave him a faint glance. Manager Li, being perceptive, immediately shut his mouth.
“I am Wu Mu.” Wu Muās voice was as cold as his expression. His scrutinizing gaze fell unabashedly on Shen Ci, full of aggression, which made Shen Ci feel inexplicably uncomfortable.
But he still greeted him politely. “Mr. Wu.”
Wu Mu nodded slightly. “Shen Ci, your physical condition is excellent. As long as youāre willing to work at ‘hello,’ you can name your conditions.”
Shen Ci: “…”
“Mr. Wu, thank you for your appreciation. Iām truly not interested in being… a host. And I have my own career.”
Wu Mu sat with his legs crossed, his gaze still on Shen Ci. He had always believed that there was nothing money couldn’t solve; if there was, it was because the amount offered was too small.
After a moment, he spoke measuredly. “How about a base salary of one hundred thousand a month?”
Shen Ciās Adamās apple rolled. “Mr. Wu, I…”
“One hundred and fifty thousand.”
Shen Ci: “…”
“Mr. Wu, Iām not that kind of person. Besides… my boyfriend would be unhappy if he knew I was a host here.”
Shen Ci had no choice but to use Ye Qi as a shield. It wasn’t that he didn’t want to say he had a girlfriend, but Brother Wang had seen Ye Qi once. If he lied and got caught, it would be awkward.
A flash of surprise appeared in Wu Muās eyes. Looking at Shen Ciās “decent family man” and upright appearance, he had thought he was straight. He hadn’t expected… he was gay.
“Can you really not consider it?” A smile played on Wu Muās lips. “I heard from Li Tao that you supply the beverages for ‘hello.’ I feel we might be able to discuss this matter further. What do you think?”
Wu Mu took a box of cigarettes from his pocket and looked at Shen Ci. “Do you smoke?”
Shen Ci was in no mood to smoke. He understood Wu Muās veiled threat. “No need, thank you Mr. Wu.”
Wu Mu didn’t mind. He shook a cigarette out and bit it between his lips. Manager Li, very perceptively, took out a lighter to help him. After taking a deep drag, Wu Mu leaned back on the sofa and spoke slowly.
“Have you thought about it?” He paused, then added, “As for the alcohol, although I don’t manage it, I have plenty of channels…”
As expected of a businessman, Wu Mu struck Shen Ciās Achilles’ heel precisely. He feared nothing except bankruptcy. Once his company went bankrupt, the mission would be over. That prize money was a hundred billion!
And now, the orders from “hello” were the largest source of income for Shen Ciās company. Industry competition was high and business was tough; if he lost this order, Shen Ci truly faced the risk of “bankruptcy.”
Shen Ci was furious in his heart, but he had to keep a smile on his face. After a moment, he spoke. “Mr. Wu, if you want me to work at ‘hello,’ I have three requirements.”
Wu Mu arched an eyebrow. There was nothing that couldn’t be negotiated. “Speak.”
“First, I won’t be full-time. Iāll only be part-time, coming here one day a week.”
Wu Muās gaze lingered on Shen Ciās face. He nodded. He couldn’t help it; he always had more tolerance for beautiful things.
Seeing that Wu Mu was somewhat reasonable, Shen Ci breathed a sigh of relief. “Second, I can… accompany people for drinks… but I have a boyfriend. I won’t do anything else; just pure drinking.” The words “accompany for drinks” were difficult for Shen Ci to say; he even felt ashamed to speak them. His mind was full of thoughts about “offending refined sensibilities.”
Wu Mu suddenly let out a soft laugh. “Our ‘hello’ is a legitimate bar. Naturally, itās just drinking and chatting with clients. Besides that, what did you think youād have to do?”
Shen Ci couldn’t help but flush a deep red. He had never been a host, but he had heard of itāsome people would do “that” if they got happy… or for money… Anyway, it was very “that.”
“I didn’t think Iād do anything.”
Wu Muās low chuckle lasted for a few seconds before stopping. “Continue.” He took another drag of his cigarette. When he inhaled, his Adamās apple moved slowly, looking cold and sexy as he exhaled the smoke.
“Mr. Wu, the third and most important point: I want ‘helloās’ beer and white spirits to be sourced from me. Of course, if you agree, I don’t need a salary for my part-time work here.”
Shen Ciās small company currently only handled beer and white spirit sales; he didn’t do foreign spirits because he couldn’t afford to stock them.
Wu Mu arched an eyebrow. He hadn’t expected Shen Ci to have such a large appetite. After stubbing out the remaining half-cigarette in the ashtray, Wu Mu spoke in a voice that revealed no emotion.
“Shen Ci, the demand for alcohol at ‘hello’ is larger than you imagine. Your small company… might not be able to handle it.”
Shen Ciās face felt hot. His company was indeed small, but it wasn’t impossible to grow! His third requirement was a “lion opening its mouth” (asking for a lot), a test. Since Wu Mu hadn’t rejected it directly, there was room for negotiation.
“Then, according to President Wuās meaning?”
The fingertips of Wu Muās right hand tapped rhythmically on his knee. The pace was slow but carried an invisible pressure. After a few seconds, he spoke slowly.
Recommended Reads
