That afternoon, the Yan Province Talent Market was still bustling with people.
Wang Dahai was picking his teeth, bored, looking at the several timid job seekers in front of him, his heart full of disdain.
In his opinion, these university students were arrogant and impractical, difficult to be of great use.
Just then, his peripheral vision suddenly caught sight of a new booth next to him.
The booth was extremely simple: a worn-out folding table, two plastic stools, and a cardboard sign on the table with a few large, crooked words written in marker: "Huanyu Group - High-Paying Recruitment."
A familiar figure was sitting behind the table, none other than Li Changye, the poor kid who had been so unappreciative and dared to talk back to him that morning!
Wang Dahai almost swallowed his toothpick. He rubbed his eyes, confirming he hadn't seen wrong.
"Hey! Kid!"
Wang Dahai chuckled, stood up, and strolled to Li Changye's booth, looking down at him with an air of mockery, "What's up? Couldn't find a job this morning, so you're an HR in the afternoon? With this shabby booth of yours, and 'Huanyu Group'? Who are you trying to fool? How much are you planning to pay people? Hahaha!"
Some job seekers around looked over, with expressions of watching a show.
Li Changye lifted his eyelids and glanced at him indifferently, not even bothering to respond to him.
His mindset was completely different now; in his eyes, Wang Dahai was nothing more than a clown.
At this moment, a young man who had just been rejected by Wang Dahai hesitantly walked up to Li Changye and quietly asked, "Excuse me, what positions are you recruiting for here? What's the salary like?"
Li Changye showed a gentle smile: "We are a startup company, and many positions are vacant. First, tell me about your major and your expectations."
The young man lowered his head and stammered, "I majored in marketing, and I hope to earn three thousand five hundred, with social insurance and housing provident fund."
Before Li Changye could speak, Wang Dahai interjected sarcastically from the side: "Young man, don't let him fool you! He himself was looking for a job this morning, and now he's an HR. If he can offer you three thousand, that's already good! Social insurance and housing provident fund? Dream on!"
Li Changye finally looked directly at Wang Dahai, a cold smile playing on his lips: "Chairman Wang, our Huanyu Group's salary standards might disappoint you."
He turned to the young man: "Friend, if you pass the interview, your probationary salary will be ten thousand, and after becoming a regular employee, it will start at fifteen thousand. How does that sound?"
"Whoosh!"
There was a collective gasp from the surroundings.
The job seeker's eyes widened, and he stammered, "Re... really?"
Wang Dahai was stunned for a moment, then immediately pointed at Li Changye's nose and cursed, "Bullshit! What are you, a pauper, doing pretending to be a big shot! Ten thousand? Can you afford it? Kid, I'm telling you, bragging comes with responsibility. Don't believe him, he's a liar!"
Several job seekers who had initially been attracted by Li Changye's offer also showed suspicious expressions upon hearing this.
Indeed, such a simple booth offering such an outrageous high salary looked like a scam no matter how you saw it.
Li Changye's expression remained unchanged as he pulled out a stack of brand new labor contract templates and the company seal from his bag and placed them on the table.
"Whether I'm a liar or not, you'll know once the contract is signed."
Li Changye's tone was calm, yet it carried an undeniable confidence: "Huanyu Group, with a registered capital of one billion summer yuan, and I am the legal representative. If you don't believe me, you can check online. All the contracts here are standard labor contracts, complying with all legal regulations. If you pass the interview today, you can sign on the spot and start tomorrow, at Sky International Center Tower A in Yan Province CBD."
The young man majoring in marketing picked up a labor contract with a mix of doubt and belief and began to read it.
When he saw the clearly printed words "Huanyu Group Co., Ltd." on the contract, as well as the salary terms for Party B, and then saw phrases like "registered capital of one billion" and "Sky International Center Tower A," his breathing quickened.
With trembling hands, he quickly typed "Huanyu Group Co., Ltd." into Tianyancha on his phone.
The search results quickly appeared.
Company Name: Huanyu Group Co., Ltd. Registered Capital: One billion yuan.
Date of Establishment: Today.
Legal Representative: Li Changye.
"Oh my god! It really is a registered capital of one billion!" a job seeker who had come to watch the fun exclaimed.
"The legal representative... it really is him! Li Changye!"
"Sky International Center Tower A? Isn't that the most top-tier office building in Yan Province? Oh my goodness!"
In an instant, Li Changye's booth exploded into a frenzy.
Everyone looked at Li Changye with eyes as if he were a monster.
This young man, dressed ordinarily and looking like he was also here to find a job, was actually the boss of a group company with a registered capital of one billion?
And the company headquarters were in the Cangqiong International Center?
This plot twist was too fast; their minds couldn't keep up!
Wang Dahai also saw the search results on the phone. The "one billion yuan" registered capital and the three large characters "Li Changye" hit him like a heavy hammer on his head, making his eyes see stars and his head spin.
He opened his mouth, wanting to say something, but not a single word came out.
A liar? What kind of liar could casually register a company with a billion in capital and set up an office in the Cangqiong International Center? Unless this kid was crazy, or...
A thought struck Wang Dahai like lightning!
A rich second-generation!
This was definitely a top-tier rich second-generation out to experience life, playing the pig to eat the tiger!
And he had humiliated him like that this morning? Said he was worse than a dog?
At this thought, Wang Dahai's legs went weak, and he almost knelt on the ground. Cold sweat instantly drenched his back.
"Chairman Li... Young Master Li!" Wang Dahai's face instantly plastered on an extremely fawning smile.
His voice was almost tearful as he shuffled forward, trembling, "Misunderstanding! A huge misunderstanding! I was blind! I was a snob! You are a magnanimous person, please don't bother with a small fry like me! I... I'm just a fart, just let me go!"
He wished he could slap himself a few times. He had truly offended a real immortal this time!
Li Changye looked at Wang Dahai's 180-degree turn of face and sneered inwardly, but he was too lazy to bother with him.
His main goal today was to recruit people, not to waste time with such a clown.
"Huanyu Group is recruiting, we value talent, and offer excellent benefits. Those interested can come and learn more," Li Changye said calmly, completely ignoring Wang Dahai.
Several job seekers who were originally hesitant in front of Wang Dahai's booth now paid no attention to him. They swarmed towards Li Changye's booth.
"Chairman Li, I want to apply!"
"Chairman Li, look at my resume!"
Wang Dahai's booth instantly became deserted.
Li Changye looked at the excited job seekers in front of him, feeling a little awkward.
He was the boss, yes, but his monthly salary was only three thousand... However, being able to offer others high salaries and free them from the indignity of people like Wang Dahai, this feeling, this feeling was not bad at all.
"Don't rush, everyone, one by one," Li Changye began to carefully screen resumes and conduct simple interviews.
Wang Dahai stood aside, watching Li Changye being surrounded like a star, then looked at his own empty booth, his face burning with shame and humiliation.
He knew he had completely failed today, and staying any longer would only be self-humiliation.
"Chairman Li... Then... I won't disturb your talent recruitment... I... I'll be leaving now..."
Wang Dahai forced a smile uglier than a cry, then dejectedly packed up his shabby booth and practically fled in a panic.
Li Changye glanced at his pathetic retreating figure, the corner of his mouth slightly upturned.
This was just the beginning.
He wanted to show this world how he, a "conscientious entrepreneur," would change this distorted labor market!
Just then, a boy with thick glasses walked over. He wore a faded plaid shirt and clutched a stack of resumes tightly in his arms.
He took a few deep breaths before finally mustering the courage to be the first to sit in front of Li Changye.
"Chairman Li... Hello!"
He first bowed, his voice clearly nervous and hoarse: "I... My name is Sun Hongwei, and I studied computer science. I... I've been to job fairs for over three months and interviewed nearly thirty companies."
He lowered his head, his gaze behind the glasses somewhat dim: "They either say my university isn't a 985, or they say I don't have practical project experience... But how can we fresh graduates easily get experience?"
His voice grew softer as he spoke.
"I... I really can't hold on much longer, I can barely afford the rent."
He suddenly looked up, his eyes filled with an almost pleading earnestness, and carefully handed over his resume: "Here... If you can give me a chance, I don't dare to ask for much salary, eight thousand... no, four thousand! Four thousand would make me very satisfied. As long as there's one work meal provided, single day off, no social insurance and housing provident fund... I can accept all of these. I... I can endure hardship, and I can work overtime!"
He was afraid Li Changye would think his demands were high, so he made himself as humble as possible.
Li Changye took the resume, read it carefully for a while, then put it down.
"Sun Hongwei, right?"
Li Changye looked up at him with a gentle smile: "I've seen your resume, and your professional foundation is very good. Our Huanyu Group is a startup company, and we are very short on technical positions."
"If you are willing to come to our Huanyu Group, for a technical position, I will offer you ten thousand as your probationary salary. After becoming a regular employee, it will be fifteen thousand."
Sun Hongwei's mouth slowly opened. He instinctively adjusted his glasses, thinking he had misheard: "Ten... ten thousand? Chairman Li... You... you mean the probationary period alone... alone is ten thousand?"
He felt his heart pounding as if it would leap out of his throat; happiness came so suddenly that he couldn't believe his ears.
Li Changye smiled and nodded, his tone unwavering: "That's right, ten thousand for the probationary period. Furthermore, the company will fully contribute to your social insurance and housing provident fund, and you will enjoy weekends, statutory holidays, paid annual leave, and a thirteenth month's salary at year-end."
Sun Hongwei gasped, completely stunned, and almost stammered, "Chairman Li... You... you're not joking with me, are you? Can... can I really do it?"
"Of course it's real."
Li Changye's gaze was full of sincerity: "The Huanyu Group currently has no shortage of money, what we lack most are talented individuals like you, who are potential and willing to work hard. I have high hopes for you, Sun Hongwei, congratulations on passing."
"Thank you, Chairman Li! Thank you... Thank you! Thank you so much!"
Sun Hongwei's eyes instantly turned red, and the pent-up grievances, anxiety, and despair of a long time transformed into hot tears at that moment.
He was so excited that he kept bowing, his voice broken by sobs, "I... I will... I will work my hardest! I will never let down your expectations and your kindness!"
In the crowd, a girl in a simple dress and a somewhat faded canvas bag, seeing Sun Hongwei's experience, also had a glimmer of hope in her eyes, but more so hesitation.
She tightly pressed her lips together, her fingers intertwined with nervousness, and only timidly walked forward under the urging and encouragement of the crowd.
"Chairman Li... Hello."
Her voice was very soft, carrying the insecurity of long-term suppression, her head almost buried in her chest, "My name is Zhao Yating, and I... I studied accounting."
She handed over her resume; the paper was thin, clearly the cheapest kind of print.
"I... I graduated almost half a year ago, and I haven't found a job yet."
Her voice trembled slightly, with a hint of a sob: "I went for an interview at a small company before, and they said they'd pay me three thousand for the probationary period. But after I worked hard for a month, they found all sorts of excuses to deduct my pay, and in the end, they only paid me fifteen hundred. They... they even said that as a fresh graduate, I was clumsy and didn't know anything, and wasn't worth that price..."
"Later... later I interviewed at a few more places. Either they were completely unrelated sales positions, or the salaries were so low I couldn't even afford a single room in Chengzong Village, and they demanded unpaid overtime until late at night every day... I... I really don't know what to do anymore. Sometimes I even feel like, are we fresh graduates from ordinary universities really so worthless?"
She took a deep breath, as if using all her strength, her voice carrying a pleading humility: "Chairman Li, if... if you can give me a chance, I'm willing to do any dirty or tiring work! Salary... whatever salary you think is fair. If... if I could get six thousand, no, five thousand, as long as I can stay, get paid on time, and... and have the most basic social insurance paid for, I would be completely satisfied!"
Li Changye looked at her, holding back tears and feigning strength, and felt a slight pang in his heart.
These young people, who should have been full of aspirations for the future, were forced into such humility by the cruel reality of employment, where even the most basic demands became luxuries.
"Zhao Yating, you studied accounting, correct?"
Li Changye took her resume; the certificates and transcripts inside were neatly organized, indicating she was a careful and diligent girl.
"Our company's finance department has just been established, and we really need dedicated and hardworking talent like you. The salaries you mentioned earlier do not reflect your true value, and our Huanyu Group would never treat any employee in such a way."
He looked up, his gaze gentle and firm: "How about this, Zhao Yating, your probationary salary will also be ten thousand. After becoming a regular employee, based on your performance and job responsibilities, your starting salary will be fifteen thousand. Other benefits and treatment will be the same as Sun Hongwei's. Are you willing to join Huanyu Group?"
Zhao Yating suddenly covered her mouth, tears no longer controllable, rolling down in large drops like broken pearls.
"Chairman Li... Is... is this true? Am I... am I not dreaming?"
"Of course it's true."
Li Changye handed her a tissue and comforted her, "Our Huanyu Group keeps its promises. You will be the first official employee of my group's finance department."
"Thank you! Thank you, Chairman Li! Wuwuwu..."
Zhao Yating took the tissue, sobbing uncontrollably.
The next few job seekers, without exception, all passed the interview.
In an instant, the entire recruitment corner was buzzing.
These young people who had passed the interview were beaming with joy, as if they had survived a disaster, and with boundless aspirations for the future.