Li Xiulan: "You child has been wild since you came back for the holiday. You're never home. Your third sister-in-law mentioned it before."
"Third sister-in-law, doesn't starting a company require hiring people? How about me?" Gu Xingye asked with a smile.
Chen Lishu smiled, "I would certainly be delighted."
Liu Yuemin saw everyone talking and laughing, her eyes darted around, and she said, "Dad, Mom, Xingmin and I have discussed it. We want to open a restaurant in town. We just happened to see a suitable shop today and have already rented it."
Gu Xingmin: "When did you... rent it?"
Before he could finish speaking, his waist hurt, and he couldn't help but let out a soft hiss, stopping his words.
Gu Shoufu's hand paused as he picked up food, "You want to open a restaurant? Neither of you has any culinary skills, so you'll have to hire a chef separately?"
Liu Yuemin felt a little indignant. When Chen Lishu talked about starting a company, the old couple beamed like flowers, but when she mentioned opening a restaurant, they frowned.
"Dad, Xingmin and I have inquired about everything. Liu Yong can help us find a master chef. You've seen his shop, right? The couple earns three to four hundred a month. If we hire a master chef and renovate the shop nicely, business will definitely be better than theirs."
Gu Shoufu nodded, "The chef is key to a restaurant, but you must inquire carefully."
Liu Yuemin's expression was a little displeased. She had said so much, yet not a single word of praise.
"Second child's wife, if you open a restaurant in town, will you still have time to farm?"
Gu Xingmin: "Mom, Yuemin and I have discussed it. After this autumn harvest, we'll rent out the land."
Hearing that they were no longer farming, everyone at the table was stunned.
Zhang Qin and Gu Xingguo exchanged glances. The latter thought for a moment and said, "Xingmin, if you're not farming, let me farm the land." Their family had three children, and they were growing up. If he went out to work with his third sister-in-law, only Zhang Qin would be left, and she might not be able to manage. It was better to farm peacefully at home.
Hearing Gu Xingguo wanting to farm, Liu Yuemin quickly interjected with a smile, "Eldest brother, can't you and eldest sister-in-law manage your twenty mu of land?"
"This year, seeing that third sister-in-law's melon farming has good prospects, we plan to rent more land next year to grow melons."
So, they were doing it because they saw that melon farming was profitable.
"Eldest brother, even close brothers need to settle accounts clearly. We need to agree beforehand. Whatever others pay to rent land, you must pay us the same."
Zhang Qin smiled, "Second sister-in-law, don't worry. We'll definitely give you the full amount." She hadn't intended to take advantage of them; it was just that their lands were in the same area, making it convenient to look after.
Liu Yuemin said, as if joking, "Dad, Mom, you're all listening. Eldest sister-in-law said they definitely won't owe us money."
Gu Xingmin couldn't stand her petty nature. He reached out and put a piece of food into her bowl, "Eat."
After dinner, Chen Lishu finished cleaning the kitchen and knocked on Gu Xingye's door.
"Third sister-in-law, you're here." Zhang Xiaoju opened the door and, seeing it was her, quickly invited her in.
Gu Xingye was coaxing the child and called out when he saw her, "Third sister-in-law, please sit."
Chen Lishu sat down and asked, "When we were eating today, you asked about hiring people. Do you really want to continue working?"
Gu Xingye said seriously, "Of course."
"Now that the company is established, we'll be contracting projects in the future. Without at least half a year to a year, you won't be able to come home casually. Your fourth sister-in-law will be left alone at home, and Panpan is still young."
She had also worked on construction sites for several years. Except for winter breaks, they had almost no rest when rushing to meet deadlines.
Gu Xingye knew Chen Lishu was saying all this for his own good. But they were still young, and he knew his own capabilities. He couldn't support himself alone. It was better to follow Chen Lishu. As long as he worked diligently, Chen Lishu would not mistreat him.
Having been sisters-in-law for so long, Zhang Xiaoju naturally knew Chen Lishu's character. Especially after her suggestion to contract the supply and marketing cooperative, her father always told them to interact more with Chen Lishu. Zhang Xiaoju believed that Gu Xingye would definitely not go wrong by working with her.
"Third sister-in-law, my maternal and paternal families are nearby. Looking after the child is not difficult at all. I'm at ease with Xingye working with you."
Hearing them both say so, Chen Lishu nodded, "I've asked Uncle Zhang about hiring people to help. In the future, even when we take on jobs, this group of people will need someone to manage them. Fourth brother, you can manage the people for me for now. The salary will be one hundred yuan a month for the time being. What do you think?"
Skilled workers like bricklayers and carpenters earned only sixty yuan a month. Chen Lishu offered him one hundred yuan as soon as she spoke. How could Gu Xingye refuse? "Thank you, third sister-in-law."
The next day, Zhang Changhe informed Chen Lishu about the people he had hired. There were eight people in total, including Gu Xingye, making it nine. Chen Lishu felt the number was still a bit low, so she asked Gu Xingye to recruit a carpenter and a bricklayer from another village, bringing the total to eleven.
Zhang Changhe then handed over the educated youth point to Chen Lishu to serve as the company's office.
Chen Lishu drafted the company's rules and employment agreements overnight and then convened a meeting for everyone.
"We are now a company and also a whole. I hope everyone will unite and work together. As the saying goes, nothing can be accomplished without norms. I have a copy of the company's rules and regulations here. Everyone will read it later, and you'll know what to do and what not to do."
Most of them were rough workers and accustomed to being informal. When they sat down, they still felt that Chen Lishu was making a fuss over nothing, an unnecessary act.
Holding a meeting, that was something city people did; they, as country folk, just worked hard.
However, as soon as Chen Lishu spoke, everyone gradually put away their disdain, not only intimidated by her powerful aura but also convinced by her words.
"...I know many of you here have the habit of drinking a bit when working. I don't care what you do when you're not working, but as long as you are on the job, drinking is strictly prohibited. Safety is always the top priority. You may not care about yourself, but you cannot endanger others. If I catch you once, you will be fired immediately and never hired again."
Looking at her serious expression, there was silence below.
"Uncle Zhang wouldn't have found you all if he didn't recognize your abilities. Our company has just been established. As it grows and prospers in the future, you will be the pillars of the company. If you do well, there will be additional rewards at the end of the year. However, the company has clear rewards and punishments. If you make two mistakes, your bonus will be canceled. Three mistakes, and I don't need to say anything; you'll be gone."
Hearing that there would be bonuses at the end of the year, their eyes lit up.
"The company has just been established, and you will have to wait for further notice regarding the work. However, your wages will be calculated from today onwards, starting from the day you sign the employment agreement."