Chapter 24: Upgrading Without Promotion

Lunch, with only six people!

From Dr. Feng's Robotics side: Feng Feifei, Yuan Kai, and Chen Xiao.

From China Inspection: Li Guoqiang, Yang Ming, and an assistant.

Naturally, Feng Feifei sat in the seat of honor, with Li Guoqiang and Yang Ming flanking her on either side. According to rank, Chen Xiao should have sat below Yang Ming, and Yuan Kai should have accompanied Li Guoqiang.

However, Feng Feifei specifically arranged for Chen Xiao to sit next to Li Guoqiang!

This was undoubtedly the most stifling meal Yuan Kai had ever eaten. To go from a hero to a loser—who could truly understand that feeling!

Normally, one wouldn't drink during lunch, but everyone was in high spirits today, so they let loose and enjoyed themselves. Everyone except Feng Feifei had a little to drink.

As the host, Feng Feifei should have had a drink, but Li Guoqiang placed great importance on this today, repeatedly emphasizing that President Feng didn't need to drink if she didn't want to.

Feng Feifei didn't insist further and let Yuan Kai and Chen Xiao attend to the guests!

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

"President Chen, I hope our cooperation is pleasant!"

Chen Xiao politely stood up and clinked glasses with the two of them, saying, "Thank you both for your support!"

After draining his glass, Li Guoqiang sat back down, while Yang Ming held the decanter and said to Chen Xiao, "President Chen, I offended you previously. Please be the bigger man and overlook my shortcomings. Once I finish mine, you take a small sip!"

Chen Xiao was looking for an opportunity to complete his task; since it was being served on a silver platter, he couldn't miss it. He pulled Yang Ming aside and said, "It's fine, isn't it said that one becomes friends through conflict? I'll finish mine too!"

Yang Ming felt immensely honored, and as the alcohol kicked in, he slurred, "President Chen, if you're still angry, you can slap me!"

Chen Xiao said, "How could I do that? I'm so strong, haha!"

*Holy crap, you actually want me to slap you? It turns out you're still pissed. That won't do—if you don't let go of your anger, President Li will come after me later!*

He said, "President Chen, just slap me. If you don't, I won't be able to get past my own conscience!"

He was clearly a bit tipsy; otherwise, he wouldn't have been able to say such things!

While the two of them were whispering, Feng Feifei was chatting with Li Guoqiang, leaving Yuan Kai to only chat with the assistant.

"Alright, President Yang, I can't actually slap you. Let's just make it symbolic."

With that, he reached out and patted Yang Ming's bald head three times. The gesture was extremely impolite, but it was certainly better than a slap!

"President Chen, you are so magnanimous! Let me toast you again; my whole mood is in this drink!"

Chen Xiao drank another round with him, though he had no idea what kind of "mood" was actually in that drink.

*Ding~! Task completed: Pat Yang Ming's bald head three times.* *Task Reward: Stamina +10, Professionalism +4* *Congratulations, Host! Professionalism has broken through to 10. The basic subsistence level has upgraded to LV2.*

Opening the character panel

【Host: Chen Xiao (Professionalism: 10)】 【Occupation: Dr. Feng's Robotics - Business Specialist】 【Height: 178cm, Weight: 75kg】 【Constitution: 80, Stamina: 75, Health: 70, Charisma: 80】 Basic Subsistence LV2: 16,000 RMB/day Professionalism Bonus: Bonus = X * Professionalism

【Asset Status Balance: 2.286 million RMB Real Estate: Hai Run Mansion (50sqm apartment), 22nd Floor, Yunfeng Building Vehicle: Mercedes-Benz CLS 300】

His stamina was now 75; he felt like crying with happiness, wondering if this even fell within the realm of a "real man"!

His subsistence level had reached LV2, doubling his daily income—this was incredible!

Furthermore, with his Professionalism at 10, he would receive another massive windfall when the bonuses were settled next month!

Money was coming too fast; someone used to being poor truly didn't know how to spend it.

The most exaggerated part was that when he was poor, he had no money to spend, but now that he was rich, beautiful women were even giving him money to spend. Where was the logic in that?

Both parties were very satisfied with this visit—except, of course, for Yuan Kai.

Even though he could earn a 45,000 RMB bonus from a 9-million-RMB order, compared to his expectations, it was negligible!

Moreover, after this incident, he felt that the way the company viewed him and the way Feng Feifei viewed him would make his future path very difficult!

It was all Chen Xiao's fault, but the current Chen Xiao had become a monster. He had helped the company secure 15 million RMB in orders in a single week—how could anyone handle that? What kind of sales champion could be this fierce!

A sales champion like this was essentially a lord in the company; no one could afford to offend him!

Indeed, as soon as Feng Feifei arrived at the company, she called Chen Xiao to her office!

"You really surprise me!"

Chen Xiao felt helpless. *Here we go again. Don't frame me; my stamina was only 6 before, I didn't have the ability to keep you this "exhausted" every day!*

"It's truly incredible. To this day, I still don't know how you do it!"

"But you have indeed saved the company single-handedly. Chen Xiao, I intend to promote you to Manager. Of course, Manager is just a transition; you know that promotions in this company cannot happen all at once!"

Chen Xiao was shocked and hurriedly refused. *Are you kidding me? This woman might not be a good person, otherwise, why would she repay kindness with enmity?*

*I worked so hard to accumulate 10 Professionalism points, and you want to reset it to zero? I worked so hard to reach LV2 subsistence level, and you want to revert me!*

She couldn't understand why he lacked ambition and refused a promotion!

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

"Then how about increasing your rank and salary, without changing your position?"

*Huh, that's an idea. I wonder if the system will allow it!*

"As long as the position remains unchanged, a rank increase will not affect Professionalism!"

Having received a positive answer from the system, Chen Xiao decisively accepted Feng Feifei's kindness!

In the afternoon, the Human Resources Department released an announcement on the company's internal email

*In view of Chen Xiao's outstanding performance, he is exceptionally permitted to be officially converted to permanent status ahead of schedule next month, and his rank will be upgraded 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 salary would be increased to 12,000 RMB.

Yuan Kai's P8 rank had been downgraded to 6,000, which showed just how much special treatment Chen Xiao was receiving—though, of course, his contributions were massive.

Company salaries were confidential; unless HR or Chen Xiao spoke up, no one else would know.

He had been brooding over his daily income being halved starting next month, but now, he was actually looking forward to it!

With this adjustment, his annual salary would approach 10 million RMB, and the key was that it would be taxed based on 12,000 RMB. Wasn't that infuriating!

"Congratulations, Chen Xiao!" "Congrats! You have to treat us to dinner!" "Congratulations, Chen Xiao, you're amazing!" "Brother Chen Xiao, I want to bear your puppies!"

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

Congratulations were heard everywhere, while Yuan Kai remained silent, weeping inwardly!

Chen Xiao had even corrupted the office culture. Ma Jing had only been there for two days and had already learned to serve Chen Xiao tea and massage his shoulders, while he, her leader, was being teased by her!

The world was upside down! *I must work harder, I must get orders, I must surpass... forget it, surpass myself.*

*That guy Chen Xiao is a beast; I won't compete with him!*

In the afternoon, the rent for China Inspection was paid, and 1.062 million RMB arrived. After the transfer, Chen Xiao's account balance was 3.348 million RMB. Although the absolute value didn't seem massive, many business owners who appeared to do hundreds of millions or even billions in business annually could rarely produce 3 million RMB in cash so easily.

"Brother Chen Xiao, do you want to grab dinner and watch a movie tonight?"

*Get lost. Who would go watch a movie with a dummy like you? I have a fairy at home cooking for me; wouldn't it be better to go home?*

(End of Chapter)