Lin Chuxia had arranged everyone’s salary the previous night, and she deliberately bought red paper to make red envelopes.
The first salary distribution at the Bun Shop needed to have some ceremonial feel.
After the dinner rush was over and things slowed down, Lin Chuxia called everyone together.
It was already decided today would be payday, and Su Wensong stayed in the shop as well.
Of all the people there, he was the happiest. He had personally decorated the Bun Shop, and everything inside was bought by him, piece by piece.
He witnessed the Bun Shop open and get on the right track, and there were plans for expansion in the future.
Watching Lin Chuxia, who was surrounded in the middle, this little woman really made people trust her, and Su Wensong couldn’t help but sigh at the decision made initially.
Aside from Su Wensong, Sun Lanlan and Sun Bingnan were also very excited. Having joined the Bun Shop just over a week ago, they hadn’t expected to get a salary already, but Lin Chuxia had said that from now on, salaries would be distributed on this day each month and they would settle as many days as they had worked.
Receiving a salary after less than 10 days of work, they hadn’t dared even to think about it.
Lin Chuxia took out paper and a pen from her backpack, made sure everyone was present, and then looked towards Granny Sun, who was absent-mindedly wiping tables not far away.
A smile flickered in her eyes, she deliberately raised her voice and called out, “Granny Sun, we are distributing the wages, won’t you come over and take a look?”
Granny Sun paused at those words, somewhat embarrassed, she answered, “I’d rather not look,” her movements quickened, as if she was really focused on wiping the table.
Earlier, she had falsely accused Lin Chuxia, and her son had decided on her behalf, with the entire first month’s salary going to compensate her.
Thinking back on her actions, she felt too ashamed to mention the salary.
Lin Chuxia, seemingly unaware of Granny Sun’s internal struggle, gestured to her, “It’s alright, come and have a look. Even if you can’t get this month’s wage, there’s still next month, right? Experience the atmosphere of receiving a salary in advance.”
With that, Granny Sun felt a bit less embarrassed. Thinking that Lin Chuxia didn’t even hold a grudge, and that she had indeed worked earnestly for a month, losing one month’s salary didn’t seem so embarrassing.
Putting down the cleaning rag, she walked over, “Then may I just take a look?”
“Come on, come on,” Sun Lanlan went over and pulled Granny Sun as well.
Really, everyone there was experiencing receiving a salary for the first time in their lives. Besides smiling, everyone was excited.
The first one, of course, was Su Wensong.
Lin Chuxia took out a thick red envelope from her bag, and in front of everyone, she pulled out a stack of money and explained to Su Wensong, “This 50 yuan is your salary, this 60 yuan is one year’s rent.”
Previously, due to renovation and buying items, they were tight on cash, and she had planned to pay just one month’s rent initially, but Su Wensong insisted she pay him when she had enough money.
Now that the shop’s finances were good, Lin Chuxia decided to pay the whole year’s rent, also allowing Granny Su to have a financially comfortable year earlier.
She put the money back into the red envelope and handed it over, “Count it.”
However, Su Wensong hesitated, “Didn’t we agree on 35? I didn’t take any leave this month, that should make 37.”
Lin Chuxia smiled, “The remainder is a bonus. Brother Su, your work merits it. Plus, for the cooked food section going forward, I will rely on you, Brother Su. From next month, your salary will increase to 50 yuan per month.”
Lin Chuxia then announced, looking towards the others, “I’ve always said, working with me, Lin Chuxia, as long as you are earnest and diligent, your abilities will be recognized. Brother Su’s abilities are known to us all; he deserves his raise. Everyone else is the same, anyone outstanding in their duties will receive bonuses.”
With just those few words, everyone’s expression grew solemn, especially Sun Bingnan.
Speaking of a man at work, which one doesn’t have ambitions?
These days, he had taken over some of Su Wensong’s tasks at the Bun Shop. While initially faltering and being a bit clumsy, he knew this job wasn’t simply about meeting the boss’ expectations to succeed. Seeing Lin Chuxia assign the cooked food section directly to Su Wensong, he understood Su Wensong’s position in Lin Chuxia’s eyes.
He had joined late, missing the first opportunities, but he believed that as long as he followed Lin Chuxia, there would be plenty of chances in the future.
As long as he worked diligently, he too could become a Su Wensong in Lin Chuxia’s eyes.
Next were the salaries for Sun Lanlan and Sun Bingnan, divided by the days as initially agreed, each receiving 8 yuan.
Not a lot of money, yet it was the first salary in their lives, which meant something different.
After distributing everything, Granny Sun felt that same pinch of embarrassment, rubbing her hands as she was about to get back to work, she heard Lin Chuxia speak.
“Our Bun Shop managed such good performance in its first month largely thanks to each and every staff member, especially Granny Sun’s culinary skills. This 10 yuan is your bonus, Granny Sun.”
Granny Sun looked up, surprised, “I…I have a share too?”
“Of course you have your share. The salary was given to me as compensation, I won’t deny that, but the bonus is still yours. Let’s keep these matters separate. Your dumplings are excellent, and the Bun Shop will definitely need your culinary skills in the future.”
She gave Granny Sun a thumbs up.
Sun Lanlan added with a smile, “The dumplings Granny Sun makes are indeed beautiful. I’ve been learning for a week now, and I think I do it quite well, but compared to Granny Sun’s, mine are still somewhat inferior. Granny Sun’s dumplings are like peonies, mine at most like phoenix flowers.”
Granny Sun also laughed, “Yours are pretty good as well, at least not like crabgrass.”
Sun Lanlan pouted, “Granny, I don’t feel like this is a compliment.”
Laughter filled the Bun Shop for a while, Granny Sun holding the red enveloped, her eyes turning red as she laughed.
As a rural woman who married a man who earned a salary, no matter how much she worked over the years, she always felt inferior in her family.
Now, she could earn a wage, and most importantly, she had gained everyone’s recognition at the Bun Shop; she never felt this elated in her entire life.
The Bun Shop prospered, and orderly renovations were underway around the small courtyard. Qin Yang received two letters from his hometown.
Li Wei, with one arm around Qin Yang’s shoulder and holding a letter in his other hand, looked at him with envy.
“You’re impressive, mate. Before, you’d barely receive two letters in a year, but now that you’ve got married, suddenly you’re getting them two at a time. Really proves that saying, newlywed joy is like honey stirred into life’s daily grind. Gosh, it makes us old couples seem hardly able to keep up.”
The last time he saw Qin Yang’s wife send him some tasty treats, he wrote three letters, pleading for his wife to write something back.
He knew his wife lacked the skills for beef sauce or chili sauce, but at least she could write more frequently, otherwise, seeing his buddy show off daily was really making him jealous.
Who knew that after eagerly waiting for a letter from his wife, she just received two letters, a real case of comparing oneself to others, enough to make one feel sour.