Chapter 24: Leveling Up Without Moving Up

There were only six people at lunch. From Dr. Feng’s Robot, there was Feng Feifei, Yuan Kai, and Chen Xiao. From the China Inspection side, there was Li Guoqiang, Yang Ming, and an assistant.

Feng Feifei naturally took the head seat, with Li Guoqiang and Yang Ming flanking her. According to rank, Chen Xiao should have been seated below Yang Ming, and Yuan Kai should have been keeping Li Guoqiang company. However, Feng Feifei specifically arranged for Chen Xiao to sit next to Li Guoqiang.

This was undoubtedly the most stifling meal of Yuan Kai’s life. A hero turned into a laughingstock—the bitterness of that realization is something only he could understand.

Ordinarily, alcohol isn't served at lunch, but everyone was in high spirits today, so they let loose and enjoyed the hospitality. Everyone drank a little, except for Feng Feifei. As the host, she should have had a glass, but Li Guoqiang was particularly attentive today, repeatedly insisting that there was no need for President Feng to drink if she didn't want to. Feng Feifei didn’t stand on ceremony, simply telling Yuan Kai and Chen Xiao to take good care of their guests.

During the meal, Li Guoqiang called Yang Ming over to toast Feng Feifei, and then they both came over to toast Chen Xiao.

"President Chen, I hope we have a pleasant cooperation!"

Chen Xiao politely stood up and clinked glasses with them. "Thank you both for your support!"

After downing his drink, Li Guoqiang sat back down. Yang Ming, however, picked up the decanter and said to Chen Xiao, "President Chen, I’ve offended you in the past. I hope you, as a man of stature, won't hold a grudge against a small person like me. I’ll finish this, and you just have a small sip!"

Chen Xiao had been looking for a way to complete his task, and since the opportunity had presented itself, he couldn't let it slip. He pulled Yang Ming to the side and said, "It’s nothing. We didn't know each other before, but we do now. I’ll finish mine too!"

Yang Ming felt incredibly honored. With the alcohol kicking in, he slurred, "President Chen, if you’re still angry, feel free to slap me!"

Chen Xiao laughed. "How could I? I’m far too strong, haha!"

*Oh, crap,* Yang Ming thought, *you actually want to slap me? If you’re still holding a grudge, President Li is going to skin me alive later!* He added, "President Chen, go ahead and slap me. If you don't, I won't be able to forgive myself!" He was truly tipsy, or he never would have said such a thing.

While they were whispering, Feng Feifei chatted with Li Guoqiang, and Yuan Kai was left to entertain the assistant.

"Alright, President Yang, I can't really slap you, so let's just go through the motions."

With that, he reached out and patted Yang Ming’s bald head three times. It was an extremely rude gesture, but certainly much better than being slapped.

"President Chen, you are a magnanimous man! Let me toast you again; all my sentiments are in this glass!" Chen Xiao drank with him again, though he had no idea what kind of "sentiments" were in that wine.

"Ding! Task complete: Pat Yang Ming’s bald head three times."
"Task reward: Stamina +10, Professionalism Value +4."
"Congratulations to the Host: Professionalism Value has reached 10. Minimum Subsidy level upgraded to LV2."

He opened his character panel:

[Host: Chen Xiao (Professionalism Value: 10)]
[Occupation: Dr. Feng’s Robot - Business Specialist]
[Height: 178cm, Weight: 75kg]
[Physique: 80, Stamina: 75, Health: 70, Charisma: 80]
[Minimum Subsidy LV2: 16,000 yuan/day]
[Professionalism Bonus: Commission x Professionalism Value]
[Assets:
Balance: 2.286 million
Real Estate: Hairun Mansion (50sqm apartment), 22nd floor of Yunfeng Building
Vehicle: Mercedes-Benz CLS 300]

His stamina was at 75 now. He felt so happy he could cry—he wondered if he finally qualified as a "real man." His subsidy was LV2 now, doubling his daily income—that was incredible! Plus, with a Professionalism Value of 10, he would receive a huge bonus when the next month’s settlement came around.

The money was coming in too fast; someone used to being poor really didn't know how to spend it. The most absurd part was that when he had no money, he had nothing to spend, and now that he was rich, he even had beautiful women giving him money to spend. Who could make sense of that?

Both sides were very satisfied with the visit—except, of course, for Yuan Kai. Although he would receive a 45,000 yuan bonus for the 9 million yuan order, it was nothing compared to his expectations. Furthermore, after this incident, he worried about how the company and Feng Feifei would view him. He felt the road ahead would be very difficult.

He blamed Chen Xiao, but Chen Xiao had become a monster. Helping the company secure 15 million yuan in orders in a single week—who could handle that? What kind of top salesperson was this aggressive? Such a top performer was the king of the company; you couldn’t afford to provoke him, no one could!

Indeed, as soon as Feng Feifei returned to the office, she called Chen Xiao in.

"You really surprise me!"

Chen Xiao felt helpless. *Here we go again. Don’t blame me; I only had 60 stamina before. I didn't have the capacity to surprise you every day.*

"It’s truly incredible. I still don't know how you managed it! But you have single-handedly brought this company back to life. Chen Xiao, I plan to promote you to manager. Of course, the manager position is just a transition—you know you can't get a promotion in one go!"

Chen Xiao was horrified and quickly declined. *Are you kidding? This woman is bad news—why else would she return kindness with "cruelty"? I finally saved up 10 Professionalism Value, and you want to wipe it out? I finally reached LV2 on the subsidy, and you want to reset it!*

Feng Feifei couldn't understand why he had so little ambition—he didn't even want a promotion!

"I have no interest in management!" Chen Xiao could only explain it this way.

"Then how about a raise in rank and salary, but without changing your title?"

*Oh, that’s an idea. I wonder if the system will allow it?*

"As long as the position remains the same, a change in rank will not affect the Professionalism Value!"

Having received the system's confirmation, Chen Xiao decisively accepted Feng Feifei’s generous offer.

That afternoon, the Human Resources department posted a notice on the company’s internal email: In light of Chen Xiao’s outstanding performance, he was granted early permanent status for next month, and his rank was raised from P5 to P6.

Of course, what excited Chen Xiao most was that the HR manager told him privately that President Feng had personally approved his salary. Not only would it not decrease next month, but his base pay was being raised to 12,000 yuan. Even Yuan Kai, at P8, had his salary dropped to 6,000, which showed just how much special favor Chen Xiao was receiving—though, naturally, his contributions were also massive.

Company salaries were confidential. As long as HR and Chen Xiao didn't talk, no one would know. He had been brooding over the fact that his daily income would be halved next month, but now he was actually looking forward to it. With this adjustment, his annual salary was approaching 10 million yuan, and the best part was that he was paying taxes on a 12,000 yuan base—isn't that infuriating?

"Congratulations, Chen Xiao!"
"Congrats! You have to treat us to a meal!"
"Congratulations, Chen Xiao, you’re amazing!"
"Brother Chen Xiao, I want to have your puppies!"

*Get lost! Who are you calling a dog? What kind of talk is that, Ma Jing, you brat!*

There were congratulations everywhere, except for Yuan Kai, who remained silent, shedding tears in his heart. Chen Xiao had ruined the atmosphere. Look at Ma Jing—she’d only been here for two days and had already learned to serve Chen Xiao tea, pour water, and massage his shoulders. Meanwhile, she constantly teased him, the actual manager!

*The world is upside down! I must work hard, I must get orders, I must surpass... never mind, just surpass myself.* Chen Xiao was a beast; he wouldn't compete with him!

In the afternoon, the rental payment from China Inspection arrived—1.062 million yuan. After the deposit, Chen Xiao’s balance was 3.348 million. Don't look at the absolute value as being small; many business owners who appear to be doing hundreds of millions in business often couldn't easily produce 3 million in cash if asked.

"Brother Chen Xiao, do you want to go out for dinner and a movie tonight?"

*Get lost. Why would I go to a movie with a greenhorn like you? I have a fairy at home cooking for me; isn't it better to go back?*