lovenovelstory Chapter 8, Choice 2
Chapter 8, Choice 2
talking.
Huang Min gave a self-deprecating laugh.
This is also a characteristic of the entertainment industry. After a TV series or movie is completed, a lot of publicity is needed to make it known to the audience, and it is not certain whether the investment cost can be recovered.
It can be replaced with entertainment gossip.
For example, the divorce, death, and a series of accusations against him by Lin Wan, apart from the public relations expenses she had to pay herself, were all spontaneously pushed by the media and short videos. The speed of its spread was much faster than the old saying "good news doesn't go out the door, but bad news travels a thousand miles," and the impact was also much greater.
After laughing, Huang Min's smile faded slightly. "Uncle Zheng, if I may ask, how much do you earn a month driving a taxi?"
"Seven or eight thousand, I guess!"
Zheng Jianguo, who has a kind and honest appearance and has become a bit overweight in middle age, replied, "It used to be better. I could earn more than 10,000 yuan a month, but in recent years it has become harder and harder to earn money. Many people can't find jobs. They either work as ride-hailing drivers or food delivery drivers. Some private cars will also pick up passengers if they see someone standing on the roadside waiting."
Huang Min nodded.
This situation is similar to that in Huang Min's own country before he came.
The sluggish real estate industry has inevitably dealt a severe blow to many mid- and downstream manufacturers, leading to the collapse of many companies and persistently high unemployment. Under these circumstances, many people have flocked to the ride-hailing and food delivery industries. Although it is hard work, at least it is a way to make a living.
After all, I lost my job, but I still have to cover the family's essential expenses.
Especially since these two industries have relatively low barriers to entry, requiring little education or work experience, Huang Min didn't hesitate much before expressing his thoughts: "Uncle Zheng, Aunt Zheng, I originally planned to give you two 200,000 yuan as a token of my gratitude. Hehe, that's indeed a bit too little, but since you know who I am, and Uncle Zheng even took me to the hospital yesterday, you should understand my current situation. I'm practically bankrupt, so I can't afford to give you any more..."
Upon hearing that Huang Min was offering 200,000 yuan as a reward...
Aunt Zheng, who was sitting to the side, suddenly brightened up.
"Need not"
Zheng Jianguo was somewhat tempted, but he shook his head: "I just did what I felt I should do."
Noticing his wife gently nudging his arm, Zheng Jianguo seemed oblivious: "It's already a blessing that you're awake. As for the money, forget about it. Remember not to do anything rash in the future. Everyone encounters various obstacles in life. As long as you're alive, there's hope. Keep looking forward."
"it is good"
Huang Min nodded, then said, "Please let me finish."
"you say"
Zheng Jianguo quickly replied.
"After meeting you, I had other ideas. I won't give you the 200,000 reward. You're a taxi driver, right? You can drive for me. You currently earn seven or eight thousand a month, and I'll give you eight thousand a month for now."
Huang Min said seriously, "Once I get through this crisis, I will give you a raise. If not, then it proves you misjudged me. You can consider it. However, if you don't want to be my driver, you must accept this 200,000."
Huang Yun didn't quite understand her older brother's behavior.
But she didn't voice her doubts.
"Uncle Zheng, why don't you and Aunt Zheng discuss this? My sister has your phone number. Once you've thought it through, call my sister. If you don't want to be my driver, send my sister your bank account number, and I'll transfer the 200,000 yuan to your account. Please don't refuse. If you're willing, my daily travel safety will be in your hands from now on."
Reaching out to pull Huang Yun, who was still sitting on the sofa, Huang Min smiled and said, "We'll head back now."
Before the couple could react, Huang Min had already left with Huang Yun.
"That's not sincere gratitude."
After Huang Min and his sister spoke up, Zheng Jianguo's wife angrily said, "If you really want to thank you, just take out 200,000 yuan. I think what's said online is true."
You don't understand.
Zheng Jianguo, who is almost fifty years old this year, took out a pack of cigarettes from his pocket, took one out, lit it with a lighter, and took a puff.
"I don't understand, but you do."
His wife said irritably.
Zheng Jianguo didn't say anything more to his wife.
Although he wasn't particularly wise, he had seen things quite clearly at his age. They had indeed prepared to give him 200,000 as a reward, but later... perhaps they felt he was a loyal middle-aged man, so they gave him another option.
One option is to directly accept a thank-you fee of 200,000 yuan.
The other is to go online... Zheng Jianguo couldn't help but recall a choice he had faced more than 20 years ago.
That was back in the 90s. He met a young man of about the same age while working. He heard that he could make a lot of money by going south to do business, and his friend insisted on taking him along.
He refused.
And he went.
After that, their circumstances changed dramatically. When he heard from him again, the other man had become a big boss.
The afternoon sun was dazzling.
After Huang Yun sat in the passenger seat and fastened her seatbelt, she couldn't wait to ask, "Brother, why didn't you give Uncle Zheng the 200,000 yuan and let him work for you again? He saved your life!"
"Don't you understand the principle that you can't have your cake and eat it too?!"
As Huang Min drove, he explained with a smile, "Everyone wants this and that, but the reality is that life is full of choices, especially for men. Choices are even more crucial. Your older brother is down on his luck right now and facing great difficulties, but it's also an opportunity for Uncle Zheng. Once I get through this, he'll definitely earn much more than this 200,000. Besides... because this is something I earned by making the right judgment when facing a major decision, I'll not only be more diligent in my work, but I'll also be more loyal."
"Where's that little flower?!"
Huang Yun said, "She was the one you recommended to become your agent, so why would she choose to betray you?!"
Before asking such a question, you should think about the difference between me and your former sister-in-law.
Huang Min laughed and said, "If we compare her behavior to an exam, then her exam should be considered an open-book exam, because the answers can be found directly."
"What answer!?"
Huang Yun was puzzled.
"Your sister-in-law is a professionally trained actress and is now an undisputed top-tier actress in the entertainment industry, currently at the peak of her career, while your brother is neither particularly popular nor unpopular, at most a second-tier actress, and still in a lower-tier position."
Huang Min stopped at a traffic light intersection and turned to look at his sister.
Seeing the girl deep in thought, Huang Min couldn't help but laugh: "Now you understand, right? When your ex-sister-in-law chose to stand up and accuse me, as her and my shared agent, she had to choose sides. The answer to this open-book exam was right in front of her. So, whether considering her current interests or her future prospects, her choice was perfectly reasonable. Between considering old feelings and her own interests, any adult knows how to choose. After all, talking is the only hard truth; everything else is nonsense."