C12 If You Can't Negotiate Then Get Lost!

"This must be the place," Jiang Yan murmured as he gazed up at the office tower before him—the very location Zhao Yu had recommended.

Upon entering the building, he ascended to the 32nd floor in the elevator. Stepping out, the bold lettering of "Boundless Cultural Limited" immediately caught his eye.

No sooner had he entered than he was intercepted by the receptionist.

"Excuse me, what's your business here?"

"I'm starting a new job."

"Starting a job?" Lau Yuehong gave Jiang Yan a once-over, noting his good looks but puzzled since she hadn't heard anything about a new hire.

With composure, Jiang Yan responded, "Yes, Zhao Yu referred me. He mentioned he's classmates with your general manager. I'm Jiang Yan."

Realizing the connection to her own manager, Lau Yuehong's demeanor shifted to one of warm hospitality. "Well then, please come with me. I'll take you to meet our general manager."

Lau Yuehong led the way, swaying confidently. She mused about the potential perks of currying favor with Jiang Yan, a man with such valuable connections.

Reaching the manager's office, Lau Yuehong rapped on the door and a male voice beckoned from within, "Enter!"

She swung the door open, beaming as she announced, "Director Wu, there's someone here claiming your classmate sent him for a job. I've brought him to you."

She gestured for Jiang Yan to come forward, and he stepped inside.

Wu Guang gave Jiang Yan a quick look, then checked his watch, his tone sharp with reproach, "You're just getting here? To be late on your very first day... Don't think you're entitled to any special treatment just because Zhao Yu sent you."

Jiang Yan offered an apology, "I'm sorry, I ran into some trouble on the way and got held up."

Wu Guang scoffed dismissively, "Save your excuses. You're late on your first day, and that'll be a five hundred dollar fine to set an example. Let me make this clear: I run a business, not a charity. You're on probation for three months, with mandatory check-ins. If you're late or leave early more than three times, you can pack your bags and leave."

Jiang Yan gave a nod, refraining from further excuses. He was, indeed, late.

Getting fired on the first day for talking back to his boss would surely earn him another earful from his mother-in-law.

"I get it. It won't happen again."

"Step outside, Lau Yuehong. Find him a place to sit."

"Sure thing, Director Wu."

Lau Yuehong led Jiang Yan out of the office. Once they were gone, Wu Guang pulled out his phone and dialed.

"Hey, Zhao Yu, your referral has arrived."

"Ha, Old Wu, I'm counting on you then."

"No need for formalities. We're old classmates after all. How should I handle him?"

"Well, he's my girlfriend's brother-in-law, but she can't stand the guy. Thinks he's utterly worthless. Feel free to boss him around, give him tasks he can't possibly complete. Let him slip up, and when the month's end comes, kick him out without a dime. A month's work for nothing, and someone will surely give him what he deserves."

"Got it."

...

Lau Yuehong showed Jiang Yan to a cluttered desk, flanked by a printer and a water cooler.

"This is your spot."

Jiang Yan glanced around, "Isn't there another seat available?"

With an icy demeanor, Lau Yuehong replied, "Every other seat's taken. This is the only one left. Take it or leave it."

She had assumed Jiang Yan had gotten his job through nepotism, hoping to gain favor by cozying up to him. But after witnessing Wu Guang's tirade, she realized there were no strings attached to Jiang Yan, no special treatment to be had, and no point in currying favor.

Aside from his good looks, there was nothing about Jiang Yan that appealed to her. Handsome faces don't pay the bills; what Lau Yuehong truly desired was a man of wealth and influence.

With a swish of her hips, Lau Yuehong departed. Jiang Yan resigned himself to clearing a space at the desk before sitting down.

Before Jiang Yan could even get comfortable in his seat, Wu Guang emerged from his office and announced, "Everyone to the meeting room, pronto! We've got a meeting to start!"

Jiang Yan noticed the crowd moving in one direction and joined in.

Once in the meeting room, he chose a seat at the very back.

Wu Guang commanded attention, "I want everyone's ears. This month, every salesperson must hit the pavement and land at least one account. Fail to bring in an order, fail to meet the mark, and you can pack your bags and leave."

He continued, "I'm assigning each of you a company to negotiate with. Seal the deal, and you'll earn a 20% commission. Little Yang, you're on Runfa Company. Little Li, head to Philips... "

His gaze landed on Jiang Yan at the back of the room, pointing him out, "The new guy, you're taking on Elizabeth Arden Company. Meeting's adjourned—get to work."

The room instantly buzzed with looks of schadenfreude directed at Jiang Yan.

As soon as Wu Guang exited, the chatter turned to laughter and gossip.

"Ha, talk about bad luck for the newbie, getting the Elizabeth Arden account. That's a tough nut to crack; they're an international brand. Even though they're just a branch here in Yunzhou, they're notoriously picky. Even Director Wu couldn't close a deal with them, what chance does a greenhorn have?"

"No deal by month's end means you're out. With less than ten days left, is Director Wu setting him up to fail?"

"Who cares? It's none of our business. Time to hit the road, let's go!"

The meeting room cleared out quickly.

Stepping out, Jiang Yan saw many had already left the company, while others remained seated.

Approaching a bespectacled colleague, Jiang Yan inquired, "Hey, why has everyone left?"

"They've gone to chase down orders, of course. Without landing ads, what's the company to run on?"

"And why aren't you going?"

The man with glasses gave Jiang Yan a quick look and scoffed, "You think I'm like you? You're salespeople; I'm a designer. I don't have to be out there braving the elements. I just wait for you to land the ads, then I get to work on the actual design content."

Jiang Yan nodded and responded, "Oh, so you're on the technical side, while we're the regular labor force."

The bespectacled man chuckled, "Haha, you're not entirely on the mark, but that's the gist of it."

Jiang Yan pressed on, "So, we're usually out in the field and don't need to return to the office?"

The man in glasses laid it out, "You need to clock in at the company before 8 AM and clock out before 6 PM. The time in between is for you salesmen to manage on your own—meals and transportation are on your dime. As long as you can bring in the ads, what you do out there is your business."

Jiang Yan couldn't help but grin, "This job's pretty good, seems like a great fit for me."

The bespectacled man snickered, "Well, that'll depend on whether you can secure the Elizabeth Arden account. Fail to close that deal, and you'll be packing your bags next month."