Chapter 177
Once everyone was more or less seated, I got straight to the point, "I'm sure you all know the company's current situation."
"Our previous tourism route projects basically all failed due to some external factors. The investors pulled out, and business came to a halt."
I looked at the various expressions on their faces and continued, "However, the company won't go under—at least, not in a way that leaves everyone's wages unpaid."
"I'm here today for two reasons: first, to settle everyone's back wages. Second, to tell you about the company's plans going forward."
I pulled out the simple proposal I'd prepared overnight, "The company has decided to abandon the original tourism business and transform."
"The specific direction of transformation is still being finalized, but we'll most likely move toward supply chain services or related fields."
"Transformation takes time, and it takes people."
"If you're willing to stay and weather this storm with the company, participating in the early stages of transformation, then your previous wages will be paid in full. Starting next month, salaries will increase by ten percent from their current base. The bonus and profit-sharing plan after successful transformation will also be drafted soon."
When I finished speaking, the room fell silent.
No one responded immediately. There was more doubt and hesitation.
"Transformation? Easy to say—where's the money for that?"
"We don't know anything about the new business. How can we participate?"
"Just empty words. Why should we believe you?"
Questions came one after another.
I'd expected this.
I didn't argue. I just took out several printed copies of a simple agreement draft from my bag, stamped with my mother's company seal and my personal signature, and passed them to the people nearest me to look over.
The agreement clearly stated the specific terms for wage settlement and increases, as well as a preliminary framework for transformation success rewards.
Though not perfect, it was in black and white—far more substantial than empty promises.
Seeing the agreement, the skeptical voices finally died down.
Some people started reading seriously, others discussed in low voices.
I knew that most of them had already lost faith in this company.
They were staying more to get their immediate wages, or with a wait-and-see attitude.
Those truly willing to stick with the company through thick and thin, with drive and ability, were probably few.
But right now, stabilizing morale was the top priority.
After some communication that wasn't smooth but at least produced results, most people agreed to settle their wages first and temporarily stay to observe the company's transformation progress.
Only two or three people insisted on settling all their accounts immediately and leaving.
I didn't try to keep them. I had finance settle their accounts on the spot according to their requests, had them sign, and let them go.
By the time I'd dealt with all this, it was nearly noon.
Looking at the sparse, obviously distracted remaining employees in the office area, I knew clearly that few of these people would actually be useful in the end.
Many were just trying to stick around until the transformation became clear, or until they found their next job.
Their intention to just collect paychecks without working, or to show up without putting in effort, was practically written on their faces.
For the company to successfully transform, we had to bring in new talent.
This couldn't wait.
In the afternoon, I went to the hospital and told my mother about the company's situation and my plans.
My mother leaned against the hospital bed. After hearing me out, her face showed no relief—instead, she looked troubled, "Grace, those people were all hired by me one by one. Though they might not be top-tier in ability, they've all been quite dedicated and have been with the company for quite some time..." My mother's voice carried reluctance and guilt. "Now that the company's in trouble, isn't it wrong to just let them go?"
"Besides, transformation, hiring new people—where's the money for that? We shouldn't have much left in the account now, right?"
I knew my mother valued old relationships and was also crushed by the pressure of financial reality.
I held my mother's hand, my tone gentle but firm, "Mom, I know you value relationships."
"But if we don't transform, if we don't bring in people who can actually get things done, the company will really be finished—there won't be any hope left at all."
I looked into her eyes, analyzing seriously, "Besides, with your leg in this condition, even after you're discharged, you won't be able to run around like before in the short term."
"The company must have someone you trust who's also capable to help you manage things first and stabilize the situation."
"So, Mom, this time you need to listen to me."
"I'll figure out the money situation, I'll screen the people. You just focus on recovering. Leave everything else to me, okay?"
My mother looked at me, her expression complex.
After a long while, she finally let out a soft sigh and nodded, "Alright, Grace, I'll listen to you. But don't wear yourself out. If anything comes up, you must tell me—don't shoulder it all alone."
"I know, Mom. Don't worry." I smiled to comfort her.
I stayed with my mother a while longer. After watching her fall asleep, I got up to leave.
Walking out of the inpatient building, the afternoon sunlight was a bit harsh. I had just walked down the steps, heading for the parking lot, when a familiar and disgusting figure happened to walk over from the other side.
Tom.
He wore a floral print shirt, his hair slicked back and shiny, carrying a fruit basket in his hand. By the looks of it, he was here to visit the hospitalized George.
He saw me too, paused in his steps, then immediately plastered on a greasy, fake smile and walked over.
"Ms. Brown, we meet again. What a coincidence." He looked me up and down, his gaze making me uncomfortable. "I heard your mother was in a car accident and hospitalized? Is it serious? Which room is she in? Since I'm here, I should go up and see her, show some concern."
I kept a cold expression, not hiding my disgust, "No need. The best way you can show concern is to stay far away from us."
Tom's smile stiffened, but quickly recovered, "Ms. Brown, look at you, you have too much prejudice against me."
"That incident last time was entirely caused by that gambling addict father of yours. I was a victim too. I'm a legitimate businessman."
He changed tack, with obvious probing and mockery, "By the way, I also heard you're going to help your mother with that broke... that tourism company's transformation? And hiring new people?"
He clicked his tongue twice, shaking his head, "I'm not trying to criticize you, Ms. Brown, but your mother's little company has been struggling for so long without making any money—just throwing money into it. And now you want to invest more money in transformation? That's not throwing money down the drain, that's just stupid!"
He leaned in closer, lowering his voice, his face showing a nauseating expression, "But you know, considering you at least raised Jack for Sarah for a few years—even if there's no credit, there's hard work—I, as an elder, could teach you how to do things properly."
He looked at me, his eyes full of calculation and smugness, "Want to hear it?"
I couldn't even be bothered to give him a cold laugh. I just turned to leave.
But Tom's voice suddenly rose behind me, carrying a kind of arrogant certainty, "As long as you agree to have Star Tech cooperate with that tech company under Sarah's name. Share technology, pool resources, and together win that smart city infrastructure project the government is about to bid on, I'll find people to invest in your mother's company. Win-win, how about it?"
His voice carried temptation, "Just nod your head, and I can help your mother's company get through this crisis."
"Investment, connections, even orders—I can help you solve it all."
"This request isn't too much, is it? It's good for you, for me, for Sarah, even for Star Tech."
I stopped and slowly turned around.
The sunlight was harsh. I squinted slightly, looking at Tom on the steps, his face full of smugness, as if he already had me figured out.
Seeing me turn around, his smile grew even brighter, "Ms. Brown, no need to thank me too much. I'm mainly doing this for Sarah's sake. You know, George cares about her a lot too."