Chapter 296 Let's Chat a Bit More
In the early winter afternoon, the wind was gentle and the sun warm.
Caroline stood by the roadside in a light camel cashmere coat. With the wind stilled, the sunlight on her face felt quite warm. She spotted the familiar SUV from far away in the traffic. When the car pulled over, she opened the passenger door and got in.
"Where should we eat?" Leopold asked.
Caroline had already thought it through while waiting. She pointed to one of the storefronts across the street."That restaurant."
"I've really been craving the beef from that place."
Caroline ate at this restaurant often. It had been open for five or six years—not only was the food good, but it was also clean, and the owner couple were friendly and genuine people.
As soon as they walked in, the restaurant owner's wife saw them and greeted them with a smile: "You two are here together today!"
Caroline found a nearby table and sat down. "I've already eaten. Just get him a bowl of noodles."
The owner's wife came over with utensils, glancing outside and musing, "The weather doesn't look like it's going to snow."
Caroline said, "The weather forecast says it'll snow tomorrow. Not sure if it actually will."
The owner's wife said with certainty, "It'll definitely snow tomorrow. My knee is starting to hurt again. I didn't take good care of myself after giving birth and it left me with this problem. Now whenever my knee hurts, it means the temperature's changing—more accurate than the weather forecast." She advised Caroline, "When you have a baby later, make sure you take good care of yourself during postpartum recovery. Don't do any chores."
Leopold came back from washing his hands just in time to catch this topic. After sitting down, he pulled out a napkin and said to Caroline, "When you're doing postpartum recovery, I won't let you do any chores."
Caroline laughed. "So I'll just lie there and sleep, then eat when I wake up?"
Leopold took her hand under the table. "What else? Didn't you hear what she said? If you don't recover properly, you'll get sick. I can't bear the thought of you ruining your health just to have a baby."
While Leopold was eating, Caroline's phone rang.
"That fast?... Other power stations have started too?... Okay, got it. We'll discuss it in the meeting this afternoon."
She put down her phone. Leopold asked, "What's up?"
Caroline said, "Every year the system holds winter training activities."
Leopold asked, "What kind of content?"
Caroline said, "Many aspects, mainly emergency response capabilities for power system maintenance personnel under extreme conditions, teamwork, decision-making in complex situations, and professional technical skills."
Leopold asked, "Are you participating, too?"
Caroline sighed, "Everyone in our unit under forty has to participate."
Hearing the lack of confidence in her tone, Leopold quickly finished his last bite of noodles and wiped his mouth with a napkin. "What's the problem?"
Caroline said, "Every year when they hold winter training, everyone complains about it. Mr. White used to get headaches over it. Whenever he announced it, people would make up excuses to take leave and not participate. In the end, only seven or eight people would show up, not even enough for a group photo. This year it's my turn, and I expect the same result."
Leopold asked, "Does this activity have to be held?"
Caroline nodded. "Yes."
Leopold said thoughtfully, "When activities can't get off the ground, there are usually several key issues: insufficient budget, scheduling conflicts, venue factors, low participation, inadequate reward system, organizational problems, poor promotion, or unexpected incidents. Based on your unit's actual situation, which ones do you think apply?"
After thinking carefully, Caroline said, "Insufficient budget, inadequate rewards, and low participation."
"Good. Since you know the reasons, treat the symptoms and solve the problems." Leopold got up to pay the bill.
Before they left, the owner's wife grabbed a handful of almonds for them. "These are from the mountains back in my hometown. Try them—healthy food."
Caroline thanked her, and the two returned to the car.
There was still some time before work, and Caroline was enjoying the conversation, so she wanted to keep talking with Leopold about the winter training.
Leopold casually picked up a bottle of water from the car and took a couple of gulps. Just as he was about to start the car, Caroline stopped him.
"Honey." Caroline propped her chin on her hand, looking at him with smiling eyes.
Leopold raised an eyebrow. "What?"
Caroline said, "About that problem earlier, can we talk about it a bit more?"
Leopold immediately straightened his back and lifted his chin slightly. "Talk? Sure, but my consulting fee isn't cheap."
Caroline laughed. "How much?"
Leopold held up one finger, pointing at his lips.
Caroline said, "One hundred dollars? I'll transfer it to you now."
Leopold narrowed his eyes. "If you're going to say that, I've forgotten what we were just talking about."
"Come on." Caroline kissed him on the lips. "Go ahead."
Leopold said, "Half-hearted."
She kissed him again. "Go ahead."
Leopold insisted, "Cold."
The third time Caroline leaned in, to show she wasn't being half-hearted and was actually enthusiastic, she let her lips linger on his for five seconds, gazing at him with deep affection. "Go ahead."
Before she could sit back down, Leopold pinched her cheeks, applying slight pressure with two fingers. He tilted his head and slipped his tongue into her mouth.
The sudden deep kiss caught Caroline off guard. Her eyes widened as he sucked on her tongue tip before releasing her with satisfaction.
Face flushed, she listened to him explain the solutions.
When they got to the inadequate reward system, Leopold asked, "Is there a prize for winning?"
Caroline said, "Yes, a certificate."
Leopold's mouth twitched. "That's it?"
Caroline turned to face him. "You don't think much of it?"
Leopold shook his head. "Not exactly. Honor is a type of reward, but given your unit's benefits level, a certificate really isn't enough to get people excited about participating."
He gave an example. "For instance, at supermarkets, the lines for free eggs are mostly elderly people. Why is that?"
"Yeah, why is that?" Caroline listened attentively.
Leopold tapped her forehead. "Don't look at me like that. You're making it seem like I'm running a pyramid scheme."
Caroline burst out laughing. "You're so annoying. Just explain properly."
"Fine, I'll explain properly." Leopold continued, "Retired elderly people have plenty of time, and they have a mentality of wanting to get a good deal, but not everyone likes cheap stuff. So, understand your audience's psychology, and make sure the reward feels genuinely worthwhile."
Caroline thought for a moment."So what kind of gifts should we prepare?"
Leopold pulled out a stack of hotel vouchers from the glove compartment. "A free night at Celestial Waters Hotel, valid nationwide."
Caroline teased him, "Are you trying to help me or drum up business?"
Leopold laughed. "Of course I'm trying to help you."
"The prize is a stay at my husband's hotel? Are you kidding?" Caroline took them and put them in her pocket. "Got any more?"
Leopold pulled out another stack. "Yes."
"Who said anything about vouchers? Any other prizes?" Caroline pouted.
Leopold teased her. "Isn't there still the certificate? Honor?"
"I'm not talking to you anymore. I'm leaving." Caroline turned angrily to get out of the car, but Leopold grabbed her arm and pulled her back. "Don't be mad."