The Stepmother’s Counterattack: Raising a Child in a Bygone Era
Chapter 475 - 474: Recruiting Talent

Chapter 475: Chapter 474: Recruiting Talent

"Hello, Miss Guo."

Although Guo Xin did not recognize Shen Mingzhu, she did recognize Du Juan who was with Shen Mingzhu and instinctively nodded in response.

"Hello."

Du Juan spoke up and introduced the two women to each other.

Upon learning that Shen Mingzhu was the general manager of Meihao Food Company, Guo Xin was surprised by Shen Mingzhu’s youthfulness and also became much more serious in her demeanor.

After brief pleasantries, Shen Mingzhu invited Guo Xin to dinner.

Guo Xin accepted.

However, since Guo Xin still had work, they agreed to meet at Mantingfang at seven o’clock in the evening.

Mantingfang was Rongcheng’s most famous hotpot restaurant, and as a local who loved spicy food, it was Shen Mingzhu pandering to Guo Xin’s preference.

Before leaving, Shen Mingzhu also asked Guo Xin to bring Meng Qi along.

Seven o’clock in the evening.

Guo Xin and Meng Qi arrived as planned.

On Shen Mingzhu’s side, there were her and Du Juan, and with Guo Xin and Meng Qi, exactly four women.

Initially, Guo Xin and Meng Qi were quite reserved, but as they ate the spicy hotpot dishes and with the help of beer, they gradually let go and started chatting and laughing with Shen Mingzhu.

"President Shen, you’re really amazing, young and beautiful, and so capable. We’re about the same age as you, but we’re worlds apart in your presence."

Shen Mingzhu toasted with a laugh, "Thank you for the compliment, but you two are also very capable. When my husband first came here to expand the market, it was all thanks to your help. Cheers to both of you."

"Cheers!"

The women of Rongcheng were as straightforward and bold as their hotpot, drinking as soon as the proposal was made, without any hesitation.

After three rounds of drinks, Shen Mingzhu took out two small paper bags and handed them over to them.

Both of them were somewhat embarrassed, "President Shen, not only are you treating us to dinner, you’re also giving us gifts, we’re quite ashamed."

"It’s just a token of my appreciation, please accept it."

Both of them were experienced saleswomen and recognized that the logo on the paper bags belonged to a well-known international brand, so they smiled broadly and thanked Shen Mingzhu.

Shen Mingzhu smiled and urged them to continue eating.

The four of them chatted as they ate. They were all women without much to hold back, discussing everything from clothing and food to their living arrangements and work.

When Guo Xin started to complain with dissatisfaction about the decline in the department store’s business and their decreasing income, Shen Mingzhu took the opportunity to extend an olive branch.

"Recently, our company is preparing to open a new branch here in Rongcheng. We need several store managers and clerks, as well as some salespeople. I wonder if you two are interested in developing your careers with us?"

Guo Xin and Meng Qi exchanged glances, clearly understanding that President Shen had an ulterior motive behind this dinner.

"President Shen, you’re a straightforward person, so I’ll speak frankly too. Although business is declining at the department store, it’s still a steady job. We wouldn’t consider switching jobs unless the offer is very attractive."

"No problem, you can state your terms."

Shen Mingzhu’s generosity and boldness truly shocked the two of them.

Guo Xin, even neglecting her favorite hotpot, excused herself to use the restroom and pulled Meng Qi to step outside the private room.

Inside the private room.

Seeing Shen Mingzhu still calmly dipping duck intestines, Du Juan couldn’t help but say, "Mingzhu, you let them name their price. What if they ask for too much?"

"First, they’d have to be lions to do that."

Having said that, Shen Mingzhu blew on the cooked duck intestines to cool them down and then put them in her mouth.

Fragrant, spicy, and with a crunchy texture, they were just perfect.

The ideal time to cook duck intestines is 15 seconds, colloquially known as ’seven up, eight down.’ Any longer and they would be overcooked and lose their crunch.

After swallowing the duck intestines, Shen Mingzhu took a sip of beer before continuing, "If they possess the ability and skills to dominate like lions, for such talents, I would pay whatever they ask for."

Du Juan believed that her two years in Rongcheng had helped her grow a lot and had given her the courage to stand alone, but after hearing what Shen Mingzhu said, she realized how far she still had to go.

After Shen Mingzhu enjoyed another slice of fatty beef, Guo Xin and Meng Qi finally returned.

"President Shen, if you can offer us a fifty percent increase on our current income, we’ll come over," they said.

Shen Mingzhu put down her chopsticks, "Okay," she agreed.

Guo Xin was stunned.

She had made such a high demand fully prepared to negotiate with Shen Mingzhu, but Shen had agreed without hesitation?

Meng Qi sipped her beer slowly, indicating that she needed to think it over further.

...

By the time they finished dinner, it was already 9:30 P.M. Shen Mingzhu considerately hailed a taxi for them and prepaid the fare.

In the taxi.

Guo Xin opened the gift from Shen Mingzhu and exclaimed, "It’s perfume, it smells so good!"

Meng Qi also took out her share. Raised in a good family, she wasn’t as overly dramatic as Guo Xin, but her expression was equally joyful.

Chanel No. 5, impossible to buy domestically.

As the excitement from the gifts subsided, Guo Xin asked Meng Qi, "Xiao Qi, are you going to join President Shen’s company?"

"No, my brother-in-law has already found me a new job at a foreign company. I wouldn’t possibly work at such a small company."

Her words carried a hint of pride and a touch of disdain for Shen Mingzhu’s private small-scale business.

Guo Xin felt envious, "You’re so lucky to have a rich brother-in-law. I have nothing and can only rely on myself."

Meng Qi gave her a sidelong glance, "Are you planning to go work for President Shen?"

"I’m considering it. I think President Shen is very straightforward, and the pay is good," Guo Xin replied.

"Think carefully about it. Once you set out, there’s no turning back. Although the market is not booming right now, a lean camel is still bigger than a horse. A small company like hers might look prosperous now, but who knows when it will fold."

Guo Xin knew there was truth in what she said, and couldn’t help feeling troubled for a moment.

The next day.

As the clock struck eleven and there was still no sign of Guo Xin or Meng Qi, Du Juan said, "I guess they won’t be coming."

Shen Mingzhu touched her chin and said nothing.

She had considered recruiting the two of them to work at the company from the very beginning when she set up the branch office in Rongcheng.

Guo Xin and Meng Qi, one was good at networking, the other had connections.

Their joining would be like adding wings to a tiger for Du Juan.

But at that time, being a salesclerk at the department store was highly coveted, and there was no way they would give up such a secure job to join her small company.

Now, as the department store was declining, it was the perfect opportunity for Shen Mingzhu to poach them.

Two days went by.

With no appearance from Guo Xin and Meng Qi, Shen Mingzhu let it go and focused on preparing for the sugar and wine fair happening in three days.

The fair arrived in the blink of an eye.

The exhibition lasted for three days, running from 9 A.M. to 4:30 P.M. daily.

The booth had been set up in advance, but still needed final touches, so exhibitors usually arrived by 8 A.M.

However, Shen Mingzhu’s family would have to arrive an hour earlier than other businesses.

To ensure the freshest taste, the flower cakes, snowflake pastries, and yolk puffs had to be baked on-site. They needed to arrive early to set up the equipment at the booth, to knead the dough, prepare the fillings, and so on.

"President Shen."

As Shen Mingzhu was busily working at the booth, a familiar voice reached her from behind.

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