"What I want is you!"
The moment Wang Yu said this, Liu Lu's expression changed instantly. She instinctively took a few steps back, looking at Wang Yu with a strange gaze.
It was as if she couldn't believe he was that kind of person. Her eyes were filled with disdain, and the respect and admiration she had before were gone. Instead, she saw him as someone who took advantage of others' misfortune.
"Ahem, I think you might have misunderstood."
Seeing Liu Lu's look, Wang Yu knew she had misunderstood. He quickly cleared his throat to ease the atmosphere and explained.
"I don't mean what you think. I just want you to work for me."
"Work? What kind of work? Like the kind at the Red Moon Ballroom?" Liu Lu's beautiful face was filled with coldness. She couldn't believe he had set his sights on her, a married woman!
"There have been rumors in the county for a long time that you are a lecher, that you are always with a beautiful young girl and even abused your power for her, giving her dealership and numerous conveniences.
I always thought it was just slander. Now it seems to be the truth!"
*Sigh... could that girl be Wu Lingling?*
Wang Yu was speechless. What did she mean by abusing his power? If she could bring him as much money and orders at critical times, he would also give her numerous conveniences!
Who was so wicked as to spread gossip about him everywhere? However, he figured it was probably the usual suspects. He would have Brother Hu and the others prepare a "rumor-monger's special" for each of them!
If they performed poorly, their wages would be docked! Or he could just find Zhao Laoda, who helped Liu Lu as a show of loyalty. He was sure they would be happy to help!
Wang Yu muttered to himself, but his face showed no expression. Such matters tended to get messier the more you tried to clarify them.
"Actually, things are not as you imagine. The work I'm talking about is legitimate work," Wang Yu quickly corrected.
"My car factory is developing very rapidly. I need someone to coordinate and manage various miscellaneous tasks and internal affairs. I can't personally handle everything, and we lack a management-level talent.
In this regard, I think you, having been a dispatcher at the Steel Smelting General Factory, are very suitable."
Wang Yu explained.
The dispatcher's role was precisely about overall planning and management, so Liu Lu was indeed a perfect fit.
Moreover, Liu Lu's personal abilities were clearly not lacking, which was why Wang Yu approached her directly to poach her.
However, the way he expressed himself must have been misguided, leading Liu Lu to misunderstand and misinterpret his intentions!
"Like this? Is it really just normal work?" Liu Lu asked, half-believing.
"Of course. If you don't believe me, we can sign a formal contract. The salary and performance bonuses will be genuine, and you'll receive everything others do. However..."
"However what?"
"However, for the first year, I can only offer you the minimum basic salary to cover your living expenses, as I'm helping you repay a debt of 100,000 yuan.
Other cadres will receive various bonuses and profit-sharing, which you won't have. I hope you can understand."
Wang Yu said sincerely, causing Liu Lu to fall into deep thought.
After a moment, she slowly spoke.
"Are you telling the truth? It's really just a normal, formal job, and you're saying that I'll work for you for free for a year, and you'll help me pay off my debt?"
"That's right. What reason would I have to lie to you? Also, it's not working for free; I will give you a basic salary," Wang Yu corrected. "Of course, this is also conditional on you working diligently and responsibly."
"Heh heh, go and inquire. My work attitude and capabilities, have they ever been perfunctory or insufficient?"
"If I agree to work for you, I will naturally manage everything in an orderly fashion. You can rest assured about this." Liu Lu first smiled proudly, then her tone softened as she spoke gently to Wang Yu.
"However, how can one year's income offset 100,000 yuan? I really owe you for this excuse of yours to help me.
Even if something were to happen, I would just have to accept it. After all, I don't seem to have any other options right now."
*Sigh... you're really overthinking it. What would Wu Lingling think if she knew about this?*
*Strange, why am I thinking about her thoughts again?*
Wang Yu pouted. It was clear that Liu Lu thought he was making an excuse and didn't believe that her income from him for a year could offset 100,000 yuan.
*In this regard... I hope you don't regret it later.*
"Alright, that's settled then.
You must be exhausted from traveling back and forth. It's getting late, so get some good rest tonight. We'll head back to Jiangyang County together tomorrow."
Wang Yu thought for a moment, then found the auntie working at the guesthouse. He asked her to open another room and, under the auntie's suggestive gaze, escorted Liu Lu into her room.
"Mm, right, give the child something good to eat. Look how thin the child is... consider this money an extra loan from me, remember to repay it later."
As he was leaving, Wang Yu took out some change, not counting it carefully, probably around a few dozen yuan, and pressed it into Liu Lu's hand.
He had heard before that Liu Lu's daughter was frail and often ill, so she should eat more nutritious food to recover. His own sister, Wang Ling, was like that, and after improving her diet, she was already showing signs of becoming a little chubby.
Of course, Wang Yu, fearing she might overthink things again, quickly added an extra reminder.
After saying all that, Wang Yu returned to his own room. He still had to work overtime that night.
...
The next day, Wang Yu and his companions left the government guesthouse and set off for Jiangyang County.
Unlike the journey there, which only had Wang Yu and Wu Lingling, their return trip included Andre and Liu Lu.
Wang Yu had a private talk with Wu Lingling about Liu Lu's situation. Although he didn't care much about others' opinions, Wang Yu felt it was necessary to clarify things with his closest partner.
Wu Lingling seemed to understand. She was also generous and broad-minded, not prone to wild speculation like others. She only urged Wang Yu to expedite the arrangements for the East Continent Industrial Expo.
As for Andre? As long as he had Erguotou (a type of Chinese liquor), he was happy, even eating it with half an orange...
He had to admire the power of racial talent; it was truly enviable!
As long as he didn't drink in the workshop, Wang Yu let him be.
Fortunately, at that time, drinking was allowed in vehicles and on the road. The bus ride back was quite lively.
However, the bus was quite bumpy and arduous. They would need to accelerate the super bus project with the Bus General Factory as soon as possible.
Wang Yu made plans in his mind. After half a day's journey, they finally arrived back in Jiangyang County.
As soon as they got off the bus, before they could even steady themselves, they were met with a thunderous ovation and cheers!