I'm in the county town, and you say I'm a big shot?

Chapter 218 Liu Dong was promoted

Since they had both been drinking, Fang Qingye couldn't drive, so she and Bai Ou took the subway to send her back to school.

Bai Ou's face was flushed, perhaps from drinking a little alcohol, and she seemed a bit excited. On the subway, she leaned close to Fang Qingye and whispered, "Yezi, I feel that we're not just doing takeout, but doing something great!"

"It is great, but it will likely cause a lot of social problems and conflicts," Fang Qingye said.

What are the problems and contradictions?

“Ele.me is a platform economy, and its profits come from catering merchants. The catering industry is inherently low-profit, and the platform will further squeeze their profit margins,” Fang Qingye said softly.

Bai Ou retorted, "Isn't it high? Ele.me has changed its commission model to a fixed fee: 2750 yuan for six months and 4820 yuan for a year. Isn't that a high amount?"

"This is a temporary measure, a loss-making attempt to promote sales. Prices will definitely improve in the future," Fang Qingye replied.

Bai Ou nodded in agreement, but said, "I think this problem can be solved; there's a balance to be struck."

Finding a balance point is not so easy.
Capital is a vampire.

However, since Bai Ou hadn't lived through that era, it can't be said that she was naive.

Fang Qingye didn't intend to argue with the girl about this issue, and continued, "There's another serious problem: do you think delivery riders are considered company employees?"

“They’re delivering food for you, which is equivalent to you hiring them, from a legal point of view!” Bai Ou said.

"If we consider them as company employees, do these people receive a basic salary? Do they enjoy benefits such as social security?" Fang Qingye asked with a smile.

"From a labor law perspective, it should be paid!"

"Alright then, hiring dozens, hundreds, thousands, or even tens of thousands of employees—which company could easily afford such an expense?"

"How could we possibly need so many people?"

"Why not? Ele.me is currently limited to a few universities in Shanghai. If it expands to Shanghai, or even major cities across the country, or even third- and fourth-tier cities including counties, how many riders do you think would be needed?!" Fang Qingye retorted.

Bai Ou looked surprised. "Huh? How could it be on such a large scale?"

"Why not? If Ele.me wants to be the industry leader, it needs to have a nationwide presence! If you don't do it, someone else will!" Fang Qingye's tone was resolute.

“If what you said is true, with so many riders, if we treat them all as employees and pay their social security and benefits, then the platform’s profitability is probably a long way off,” Bai Ou said.

"If we don't count the platform's employees, how are their interests protected? Let me ask you, Bai Ou, if you were the owner of Ele.me, what would you do?"

Bai Ou thought for a moment before saying, "It's so difficult. If we consider it, the company probably can't afford it. If we don't consider it, our conscience won't allow it, Ye Zi. You're the chairman of Ele.me now. How do you think about this?"

The girl looked at him.

"It's not something we can consider at this stage," Fang Qingye said frankly. "First, we need to make the company bigger and stronger, generate enough profits, and then we can come back to solve this problem."

"Mmm... I hope it won't take too long," Bai Ou said.

"Correct."

At least let's not wait until JD.com has to solve this problem in the future, right?

Time flew by and it was already late December, with New Year's Day just around the corner.

The coldest season in Nanxin is approaching, and in weather like this, Fang Qingye has reduced the number of times she goes fishing. Except when the weather is nice and she drives out of the city, she usually stays at home, spending most of her time in the nursery. Since Xia He returned to Huijing, Fang Qingye has also played badminton less often, mainly because she hasn't found a suitable partner.

Du Juan, a teacher at Chaoyang School, sometimes finds herself able to hold her own against two opponents, but it seems inappropriate to arrange a private meeting between them.

Since they are both single men and women, it's easy for misunderstandings to arise.

Sometimes when Bi Huanhuan plays badminton, she invites her boyfriend Liu Dong, and also brings Du Juan along, and they can play a game together with Fang Qingye.

However, Liu Dong was too busy, and working overtime was a common occurrence for him. But hearing that he was going to be promoted, he felt that working so hard was only right.

Today is Friday, but Fang Qingye doesn't really understand what it means. There's not much difference between weekends and weekdays these days, but today is a bit special.

Christmas Eve.

Xia He is still in the United States and said she would return to China after Christmas to experience the Christmas atmosphere in the US.

Bai Ou is busy preparing for her final exams and won't be going back to Nanxin this weekend. How about we spend Christmas Eve together tonight and take a trip to Rucheng Christian Church? That would be nice, even though he's not really interested in the holiday.

Around noon, Fang Qingye suddenly received a call from Liu Dong.

On the phone, Liu Dong said with a laugh, "Ye Zi, let's have dinner tonight and spend Christmas Eve together."

"Are you kidding me?" Fang Qingye was surprised. "Why don't you and Bi Huanhuan enjoy some time alone on Christmas Eve? Why do you have to drag me into this?"

"I'm not only inviting you, but also Dahai and Chen Meimei. If Bai Ou isn't back, I'll invite her too."

"Oh? Looks like you have something good to say?" Fang Qingye asked, keenly aware of what was going on.

"Hehe, I guess so. I've been appointed as the head of the propaganda department. The official document was issued today."

"Great news! The Publicity Department is a crucial department in your organization! I want to have a meal here! When? Where?"

"Six o'clock tonight, at Haitang Village Restaurant. I'll send you the room number to your phone then."

"Okay, I'll be there on time." After hanging up the phone, Fang Qingye couldn't help but sigh.

Liu Dong's career is on the fast track.

Around 5:30 p.m., Fang Qingye went out to the hotel. Presumably because she was going to drink, she didn't drive and took a taxi directly there.

When Fang Qingye arrived at the reserved private room on the second floor, he pushed open the door and was somewhat surprised to find that there were three people sitting in the room: one man and two women. In addition to Liu Dong and Bi Huanhuan, there was also Du Juan. The two girls were talking about something.

"Ye Zi, please have a seat. Da Hai and Chen Meimei will be here soon," Liu Dong said.

Fang Qingye smiled and nodded, then sat down in the seat next to Du Juan.

How did Du Juan end up at a gathering of her good buddies?
But thinking about it, it's normal. Liu Dong and Bi Huanhuan are very close now. I heard that the girl often takes Liu Dong to her house for meals, and her parents have already accepted Liu Dong as their future son-in-law.

Du Juan and Bi Huanhuan are cousins ​​who have been close since childhood. It's perfectly normal for Du Juan to invite her cousin to celebrate her boyfriend's promotion.

But why is it still so dark?
Ten minutes later, Song Dahai arrived with Chen Meimei. Once everyone was there, the banquet began. The main character of the day was Liu Dong, and everyone naturally took turns toasting him.

"Liu Dong, you're really amazing. You've been promoted to section chief in just two and a half years since graduation. That's rare," Song Dahai exclaimed.

(End of this chapter)