Chapter 98: On Merits and Rewards

After Zhang Baode made the phone call, he found himself unable to sleep. He pulled up a stool and sat by the door, staring up at the sky.

His abilities were limited—just enough to handle odd jobs. He never aspired to climb higher, but this job was hard-earned and needed to be cherished. As long as the company required him, he would have an income. Though modest, it was enough to support his family. If he couldn’t find work for half a month, his wife would have to work overtime, and Zhang Baode couldn’t bear that thought.

As long as Wang Hu remained in power, the company was in danger. Whether it closed down or fell under Wang Hu and his gang’s control, Zhang Baode was certain he could no longer stay there. He was an honest man, but that didn’t mean he had no temper. Though timid, he had a strong sense of right and wrong. He firmly believed he would never take money from Wang Hu’s hands.

The money issued by the security department, he hadn’t spent a single cent. It was all saved on his card, waiting for a chance to return it to the company.

Now, whether this capable leader could finally drive Wang Hu away was uncertain. Zhang Baode had no confidence; Wang Hu was no paper tiger—he had guns.

In the dead of night, Zhang Baode was wide awake. He paced beneath the eaves, unable to quell his worries, tempted to go to the company to check.

At that moment, his phone rang.

Yang Changfeng sensed that Zhang Baode would not sleep tonight.

Fortunately, Zhang Baode had a conscience and was honest. Yang Changfeng decided to have him appear in front of the boss tonight, knowing that Chen Aijia would not neglect such a sincere man.

Parking the car by the roadside, Yang Changfeng dialed Zhang Baode’s number.

Seeing the caller ID marked “Leader,” Zhang Baode was startled but quickly answered.

“Still awake? Where do you live? I’ll come pick you up. Wang Hu’s downfall must have witnesses,” Yang Changfeng said confidently, determined to boost the morale of his supporters.

He also wanted Zhang Baode to believe that the daytime events were a genuine ruse.

After a brief hesitation, Zhang Baode stomped his foot and agreed.

Strangely, once he made that decision, he felt an incredible lightness. He was no longer the timid man he had been. The justice in his heart gave him newfound strength.

Hanging up the phone, he turned to find his wife standing behind him, watching.

“The leader called me. I’m going. Stay home and rest just in case… They can’t find our home anyway; I gave them false information,” Zhang Baode said, putting on his coat and grabbing a flashlight.

His wife didn’t stop him. She knew what kind of man he was—that his worldview no longer allowed him to stay silent.

“My instincts are right. Trust me, you’re doing the right thing, and nothing will go wrong,” she whispered softly, pressing close to his face.

Zhang Baode smiled and stepped outside. No more than five minutes later, a sleek car appeared before him.

“Get in,” Yang Changfeng opened the passenger door.

As Zhang Baode climbed in, he saw the boss and the company’s second-in-command sitting in the backseat. Instantly, his worries melted away, and he greeted them cheerfully.

Chen Aijia seemed thoughtful. She knew Yang Changfeng wanted to give this honest man a helping hand, which was no problem—many positions would soon open up. This man was honest and cautious; the company wouldn’t miss a middle manager.

But when she caught a glimpse of a figure flickering beneath the eaves inside the house, Chen Aijia couldn’t help but envy Zhang Baode.

He was someone cared about, someone whose safety and comfort were remembered every time he left or returned. He was a fortunate man.

“Captain Zhang, I remember you. You’ve done well. From now on, you’re the deputy captain of the company’s security department. The annual salary after tax is 120,000 yuan, with year-end and performance bonuses calculated at the middle management level. If you agree, you’ll sign the contract with HR tomorrow. If you have concerns or want to transfer departments, just say so. This is what you deserve, and I believe you can manage a supervisory role with dedication. What do you think?” Chen Aijia said.

Zhang Baode was stunned and quickly waved his hands. “No, no, I don’t have that ability. Captain Zhao is much more capable. I think he’s better suited.”

No one needed to ask—leaders would surely take the top positions. Rewards must match merit, and taking on something beyond one’s ability would only be exhausting.

Chen Aijia glanced at Yang Changfeng, who wasn’t accustomed to dealing with company staff.

Yang Changfeng smiled, “I believe you can do it. Sign the contract tomorrow. Good people deserve good rewards.”

He paused, then added, “And if you’re afraid to take what’s rightfully yours, how can the company reward good employees? Don’t save the boss money. You should accept this treatment without hesitation. Look, I didn’t refuse at all.”

Chen Aijia grumbled, “I’ll have you be Deputy Su’s secretary later to see how proud you are.”

Yang Changfeng shrugged, causing An Ya to clap his shoulder in alarm. “Keep your hands on the wheel! Are you trying to scare me to death?!”

That girl wasn’t as brave as she seemed. Tonight, pretending to be sleepwalking, she’d sneak into his room for sure—surely a lively scene!

Zhang Baode hesitated, “The leader is capable, but I don’t know how to do anything.”

“It’s settled then. By the way, if your family wants, they can come to the company too, right, boss?” Yang Changfeng asked, turning his head.

Chen Aijia cupped his face and scolded, “Drive properly. Haven’t you had enough fun? Behave.”

Then she said, “The company will be laying off many people; every department needs staff. If willing, they can report tomorrow. Just find An Ya—I’m planning to have her manage the HR department for now.”

An Ya pouted, feeling the pressure. She was already responsible for HR, so it was basically her domain, but she didn’t want to be the manager.

“Don’t worry, I can’t do without you. You handle the main tasks. In a few days, we’ll find a good HR manager so you can focus on being the second boss,” Chen Aijia said with a teasing tone. “Don’t tire yourself out, or some people will be unhappy.”

Yang Changfeng hummed twice, then suddenly turned the car into a narrow alley.

“What’s this?” Chen Aijia asked curiously.

Yang Changfeng said nothing, lost in thought.

Zhang Baode complimented, “A leader’s a leader—he knows all the back roads. Miss Chen, this is a shortcut to our company. I’ve biked it before; it’s easy at night, and cars can pass.”

Taking this alley would lead to a fork by the company side, allowing them to reach the main gate in three minutes—catching their rivals off guard and saving nearly ten minutes compared to the main road.

Chen Aijia felt a warm glow. This man had quietly studied the surroundings. Though stubborn in words, he cared deeply—he just never said it aloud.

She didn’t expect Yang Changfeng to mention it; earlier, would the former beauty Chen have understood? Whether one was willing to understand was another matter entirely.