Old Zhao and Meng Fan also drove away, leaving only Zhang Yang and Wang Yan, who was editing footage on his laptop in the corner of the shop.
Zhang Yang took out today's bonus envelope, a bonus of ten thousand, eight thousand left after deducting two thousand for tax. Zhang Yang casually pulled out two thousand and handed it to Wang Yan.
Wang Yan was startled when he saw Zhang Yang distributing the bonus, "What's this for? Even the champion distributes winnings?"
Zhang Yang nodded, "Didn't the fishing buddy say this afternoon? Celebrate together, take the two thousand, don't think it's too little!"
"I don't want this money!" Wang Yan shook his head firmly, refusing on principle.
Last time they sold fish from the reservoir, Zhang Yang shared the profits, and Wang Yan reluctantly accepted them, but that was Wang Yan's bottom line because he had already received his rightful salary.
This time, the bonus was purely Zhang Yang's own earnings; Wang Yan hasn't helped at all, so he feels like he has no reason to take the money.
"Why? You're going to play the principle and bottom line card with me?" Zhang Yang glared at Wang Yan with wide eyes.
"Say whatever you want, I won't take this money!" Wang Yan shrugged his shoulders, making his stance clear.
"Do you feel guilty for not helping in the competition? Feeling undeserving of the money?" Zhang Yang asked.
"Yeah, last time with the reservoir fish sale, at least I played along for half a day, so I took it! This time it's different, crossing the line, I can't take it!" Wang Yan shook his head, adamantly.
"Let me ask you a question, think carefully before you answer!
Do you think, are we brothers a team?" Zhang Yang asked slowly.
Upon hearing the word 'team', Wang Yan's heart sank.
"I guess!" Wang Yan replied.
"Then what's the fuss? Did Meng Fan invite us for a treat, and did we decline? Or when everyone placed the trophy in the shop, did I act humble?
There are things I've been holding in for a long time and never found the right opportunity to tell you. Let's talk today!
I feel that the relationship between us bros has changed somewhat since you started getting paid by me!
Tell me, how long has it been since you loudly joked and chatted with the group?
Clearly, you're the king of banter, yet you've become so reserved, as if taking my salary makes you inferior?"
Zhang Yang's words were not exaggerated at all. When they first met, Wang Yan was an interesting person in speech and action. He was even considered the king of banter.
But ever since Wang Yan became Zhang Yang's photographer, his interactions with everyone toned down noticeably. Even outside work hours, his presence was very passive, and he hadn't been carefree with the group in a long time.
"I…I..."
Wang Yan couldn't hold back after Zhang Yang's 'interrogation,' feeling cornered.
Wang Yan's mentality did change dramatically, after all, the salary at the time was quite good, and the work was easy.
Despite his casual demeanor, Wang Yan was astute deep down, consciously managing his emotions and state.
However, these subtle changes seemed somewhat distant and reserved in Zhang Yang's eyes. Wang Yan was a talent, and Zhang Yang didn't want to confine their relationship only to employer-employee communication.
If communication is based on salary, people can easily leave without financial obligations.
But if it's based on camaraderie, Wang Yan is tied to Zhang Yang's team, which is the interpersonal relationship that Zhang Yang seeks.
"Whatever you say! I'm done talking. Team bonus, take it or leave it!" Zhang Yang smirked, his eyes meaningful.
"Damn it! With words like these, I'll take the money! Only fools won't take advantage!" Wang Yan conceded, cursing before putting the money into his pocket.
Zhang Yang smiled, nodding, "That's more like it! Starting next month, I'll raise your salary by five hundred!"
"Damn, openly bribing me. Trying to rope me in? My orientation is very normal, don't try that kind of thing on me!"
Wang Yan exaggeratedly fidgeted, looking at Zhang Yang a bit flustered.
Zhang Yang rolled his eyes, "Buzz off..."
...
The day after Zhang Yang's championship and the team's overall victory, Wang Yan edited the video.
As usual, it was posted on the public account, the forum, each major QQ group, and WeChat groups, leveraging the momentum to further expand visibility and brand influence.
As time passed, the video's impact began to show,
in less than a week, more than a dozen fishing gear shops from nearby cities contacted Zhang Yang, directly securing the agency rights of Xiaohuang fish bait. The local sales volume of Xiaohuang fish bait increased by more than 20%.
The business performance of the already thriving new bait skyrocketed even further.
...
While Zhang Yang's situation seemed great with profits soaring, Wang Yan's old buddy Han Qiang was somewhat frustrated lately.
At the machinery factory where he worked, due to policy changes and steel price fluctuations, there had been a significant decline in workload.
In mechanical assembly, apart from the base salary, the main income came from piecework pay and bonuses,
but now, these earnings were gone, and daily workloads drastically reduced, causing a significant drop in wages.
Previously, he could earn over three thousand by not slacking, but now, it was almost cut in half.
As adults supporting families, a halved salary sharply increased life pressures, and without money, Han Qiang had been spending less time fishing, not having shown up for at least half a month.
In contrast, since Wang Yan joined Zhang Yang, his life was quite comfortable. At the end of the month, Wang Yan received a salary and bonus from Zhang Yang, and feeling a bit flush, he invited his close friends Zhou Chu and Han Qiang to dinner.
Xiaobao Village Mustard Chicken Restaurant.
At a four-person booth by the window on the ground floor, Wang Yan and his two friends were seated, waiting for their food.
Han Qiang sat on the outside, casually brewing tea from a thermos.
"Why haven't you been around fishing lately?" Wang Yan pulled out a blue box of ice cream, scattered it around, and casually asked Han Qiang.
Han Qiang took the cigarette, lit it, and inhaled, saying irritably, "Don't even mention it! There's no work at the factory, cleaning or daydreaming in the workshop. Earning less than a thousand a month, I've had enough!"
Zhou Chu chimed in, "Our workshop is also affected! If not for the insurance, I'd have left too! What's up with you lately, Wang?"
"Pretty good, I'm Zhang Yang's photographer, earning four thousand a month, plus a three-hundred subsidy! There's also some bonus sharing!"
Wang Yan was open with his brothers, discussing his earnings frankly.
"Damn, that's good, such a high salary? Did Zhang Yang strike it rich?" Han Qiang's eyes brightened at the numbers.
Wang Yan talked openly, "Well, not exactly rich, but certainly making money!
He and Old Zhao started a fishing gear company, business is doing well!
Haven't seen any profits from the public account yet, but it has about fifteen thousand followers!"
"That Xiaohuang fish bait is popular lately, people keep talking about it in fishing groups!"
"Yes, it's getting popular! Zhang Yang says the factory ships over eight hundred pounds daily, sometimes over a thousand, and workers are starting to do shifts!"
"I've had enough of the factory. Why don't you ask Zhang Yang if there are openings? I'll join you guys!
Fishing and earning three to four thousand sounds great, give me twenty-five hundred, and I'll work!" Han Qiang unexpectedly said after understanding the situation.
"Well… it seems we don't need anyone, but I'll find a chance to ask for you?" Wang Yan paused after hearing his buddy's request.
"Ask now, it's just a phone call, not needing any special chance, we're all familiar!" Han Qiang encouraged.
At this point, Zhou Chu said, "Joking aside, work is work; don't pressure Yan!"
Wang Yan pulled out his phone, "It's okay, I'll ask for you now!"
Saying that, he dialed Zhang Yang and put it on speaker.
"Hey? President Yan, any orders?" Zhang Yang's voice came from the call.
"President Yang, I'm with Old Han and my mentor having dinner, wanted to ask you if our company needs people? The machinery factory's struggling, almost starving!" Wang Yan spoke directly and concisely.
"The mighty Han Qiang, huh?"
"Yeah, my mentor Old Zhou is here too!"
Upon hearing this, Zhang Yang fell into a brief contemplation.