Chapter 89: Headhunting
Translator: EndlessFantasy Translation Editor: EndlessFantasy Translation
Li Chengze was an intellectual. Observation was one of his basic skills.
When Fang Ping invited him to dinner, he knew Fang Ping wanted something.
These days, Fang Ping left early and came back late. He was extremely busy, and Li Chengze noticed it.
However, he knew not to pry into a martial artist’s personal matters if they did not bring it up themselves. This was something he learned after operating in this society for many years.
When Fang Ping changed the topic and was ready to open his mouth, Li Chengze knew the real issue was coming up.
...
“Manager Li, for you to have been able to become the level-one manager of Magic Martial Hotel, you must’ve worked here for quite a few years already, right?”
“I’ve been at Magic Martial Hotel for 8 years already.”
Li Chengze gave him the full details with a smile on his face. “8 years ago, I graduated from Magic City University of Finance and Economics and came to Magic Martial Hotel.
“I only managed to be promoted to the manager of Magic Martial Hotel’s Housekeeping Department 3 years ago.”
These words actually revealed a lot. He only managed to become the manager of the Housekeeping Department after working for 5 years.
After he became the Housekeeping Department’s manager, there had been no sign of a promotion for the next 3 years.
Although Magic Martial Hotel was quite grand, no matter how grand it was, it was still an unassuming business under the Magic City Martial Arts University’s name.
This setup was used to only serve students and their families, so it had very little importance.
In the few days he had been here, Fang Ping understood a few things about Magic Martial Hotel’s personnel system.
General manager—deputy general manager—department director—department manager—senior executive—supervisor—staff.
Li Chengze had graduated in Finance and Economics from Magic City, so his educational background was alright.
Li Chengze was not a martial artist. For him to become the Housekeeping Department Manager, he relied on true skill—ass-kissing was also a skill.
It took 8 years for him to be promoted to the fourth level of middle management in a hotel that was not very prestigious. He was nothing exceptional.
In fact, Fang Ping had long deduced that Li Chengze did not have much of a background.
The day they first met, that middle-aged woman at the reception did not speak to him very politely.
Maybe it was not impoliteness. It could just have been a slight.
That middle-aged woman was someone from a good background. To be able to get employment at Magic City Martial Arts University, even if it was just as an external staff member, was not easy.
Furthermore, Li Chengze was being overly courteous to Fang Ping, a potential martial artist. It was as if he was afraid Fang Ping would not know he was being sucked up to.
Fang Ping was not yet a martial artist, he was just one out of thousands of students.
All this revealed a lot.
Fang Ping heard the meaningful tone of his sentence and did not beat around the bush any longer. He asked directly, “How much is your annual salary, Manager Li?”
“150 thousand.
“That’s okay, but in a metropolis like Magic City, 150 thousand is not worth mentioning.”
Fang Ping continued asking. “How much is a department director’s annual salary?”
“300 thousand. Twice as mine.”
“Manager Li, how much longer do you think it’ll take for you to become a department director?”
Li Chengze gave a bitter smile. “If I’m lucky, it would be around 3 years. A little longer, 5 years, is also possible.
“Despite the fact that I don’t have much background, I work hard at my job and do my work seriously.
“None of my colleagues speak ill about me, and even the general manager acknowledges me...”
“When you become the director, you would be nearly 40 years old. How many years would you need to become the deputy general manager?
“What about the general manager?”
Fang Ping chuckled lightly. “Perhaps if your path went smoothly, you can become the hotel’s general manager by the time you’re 50.
“But the Magic Martial Hotel is just a minor subsidiary of Magic City Martial Arts University. What’s the big deal about becoming its general manager?
“I think most of the students who graduate from Magic City Martial Arts University start off higher.”
“That’s true, since martial artists are different from us...”
Li Chengze did not deny it. He thought for a moment before saying, “That’s why I’m preparing to apply for a martial arts training course under Magic City Martial Arts after a few years when I’ve saved enough money, so I can become a martial artist.”
“How long would it take for you to save the money you need for the training course?”
“Another two or three years should do it.”
“In another two or three years, you’d be thirty-something years old. Your Vitality would slip down very fast. You’d die reaching towards Rank-1.”
Li Chengze did not respond to that, going straight to the point instead. “Mr. Fang, if you have any requests, please say it straight.
“I haven’t interacted with you much in these few days.
“Still, in the short time that I’ve spoken with you, the impression you’ve given me is very unique...”
This uniqueness came from Fang Ping’s maturity.
He was not a senior student of Magic City Martial Arts University, he was a youngster who had just graduated high school.
If nobody looked at his ID or his youthful appearance, who would believe Fang Ping was 18 years old?
Li Chengze felt he might not be as mature as Fang Ping even when he was 28 years old.
Adding the facts that he had been twice-honed, his personality was not prideful nor anxious, and he even treated regular service staff courteously. Who would believe someone like this had no future?
Many times, a small piece could reveal the bigger picture, and this was the main reason Li Chengze sucked up so much.
Fang Ping stopped acting dumb and said, “I didn’t come to Magic City Martial Arts University just to study in school for 4 years.
“The higher the level of martial arts, the more resources are spent, and the more is wasted.
“I don’t want to wait until I graduate to start preparing and planning.
“That’s why, these days, I want to do some business of my own...”
He stated his matters simply. Fang Ping’s expression was sincere as he spoke. “This is my first time at Magic City. I’m not familiar with the people or places here. Manager Li, you’re probably the one person I’ve interacted the most with.
“Right now, my company is just an empty shell. Funding is very limited too.
“You can say that a company like this is not worth joining. At least to someone like you, who has an annual salary of 150 thousand and reaching a raise to 300 thousand, it’s not worth mentioning.
“However, I’m currently lacking someone with management skills to help share my burdens.
“Magic City Martial Arts University is starting classes soon. Once classes start, I’m afraid I won’t have much time to spend on this.
“That’s why I need someone trustworthy enough and who has the ability and the experience necessary to be part of my management staff and help me out.”
After he finished speaking, Fang Ping massaged his hands. He did not give Li Chengze the chance to speak before he continued. “What I’ve been talking about were the disadvantages. Now, let me talk about the advantages.
“Firstly, I’m a Magic City Martial Arts University student, a twice-honed potential martial artist.
“Very soon, I can become a Rank-1 martial artist. There’s also a possibility of me becoming Rank-3 before sophomore year.”
Li Chengze inclined his head. These were realities, and he did not deny it.
A martial artist who had been twice-honed could attain Rank-3 within a year. Of course, this was just a possibility—not everybody was Wang Jinyang.
“Secondly, I took the initiative to come find you, which means I have hopes for you.
“If you agree, this would be the period of time I’m facing the most obstacles, and you would be the coal delivered in the middle of a snowstorm.
“I won’t talk about the others. Favors owed by a martial artist who reaches Rank-3 in a year are valuable. Do you deny it, Manager Li?”
“I don’t deny it. A Rank-3 martial artist’s favor is more valuable than what you envision, Mr. Fang.”
“Thirdly, no matter if a company has prospects or not, nobody would believe empty promises.
“However, I can promise that within three years, I will definitely be able to let you become a martial artist, Manager Li, without any price attached.
“No need for registration fees, no need to buy medicinal pills and elixirs yourself.
“I think, as a Magic City student, my promises are worth believing in.”
“It is!”
Li Chengze said with certainty, “If you were a normal martial arts university student, I wouldn’t take your offer seriously, but I would definitely trust a promise from a top student of MCMAU.”
This guy was too cooperative, so cooperative that Fang Ping thought he had already agreed.
On the contrary, Li Chengze said with some awkwardness, “Mr. Fang, I very much agree with whatever you’ve said.
“As you put it, I can’t know the future of your company either, but whatever you’re promising now is enough for me to work for you for three years.
“However, what happens after three years?
“Forgive me for saying these, but after three years, if your business can’t hold up...
“Yes, I’d be a martial artist by then, but I’d have to start all over again.
“Although I’d start off at a higher point as a martial artist, I’m a little hesitant to give up a job I’ve worked hard for 8 years for.
“Moreover, you said it’s a courier company, a field which I’ve never worked in before. I might not meet your expectations either.
“If that happens and you’re unsatisfied, I’d also be unable to accept this responsibility.”
“What you’re worried about is the future, am I right?”
“Yes. In the current stage of three years, I become a martial artist. Even if you don’t give me any compensation, it’s still my win as I exchange 450 thousand for becoming a martial artist.
“Anyone would know which to choose in a trade like this.
“However, what you’re buying isn’t just my current three years, there could still be a lag in the coming years. The price then surpasses the price to become a martial artist.”
Fang Ping laughed lightly. “I like dealing with intellectuals. You’re very logical.
“If—I said if—I become a middle-ranked martial artist after three years and let the school arrange for you to become the general manager of Magic Martial Hotel, do you think it’s possible?”
Finally, Li Chengze’s eyes lit up. He smiled and nodded. “President Fang, I’ll gladly work for you!”
Three years later, even if he was not Rank-4, if Fang Ping was at Rank-3 and really willing to help him, MCMAU rarely rejected such a request.
What did a small hotel’s general manager amount to?
Fang Ping guaranteed him the future three years’ rewards and even prepared a back-up plan for him, one better than he expected.
Like this, what else did he have to worry about!
He had sucked up to people for so many years, was it not to find an opportunity just like this?
Actually, when Fang Ping had said the things about a Rank-3 martial artist’s favor and coal in the middle of a snowstorm, he had already made his decision.
He was still young. If he did not take the chance this once, was he going to keep going this way for the rest of his life?
After he became a martial artist, what did being a manager of the Housing Department matter?
He had thrown out random suggestions earlier to test his new boss’s temperament. He did not think Fang Ping would be more generous than he expected.
Furthermore, a middle rank in three years...
These words further demonstrated Fang Ping’s confidence!
A student who had just graduated high school had made the decision to start a business before entering a martial arts university and knew how to use the value of his status to get the most benefits for as little a price as possible.
For someone like this, even if his business failed, what did it matter?
After he graduated from university, if he did not go into business, he could still become a commander. Having a commander as a lackey was still better than working in a hotel.
The words “President Fang” made Fang Ping dissolve into laughter.
Li Chengze’s manner of speaking changed faster than he had expected, sudden yet very natural.
“In that case, I hope our collaboration will go well!”
“No, I’m working for you!”
Li Chengze adamantly used the words “working for”. Perhaps the Fang Ping now did not mind, but what about the future?
Since he had been kissing his ass, he would kiss it till the end and not quit halfway.
“Ha ha ha, alright then, from now on, you are... Our company’s general manager!”
Fang Ping wanted to say the company’s name and suddenly realized he had not registered it yet. He had also forgotten about naming it.
Li Chengze seemed to have caught on to this, and the corner of his mouth twitched slightly.
Could he really do business?
In accordance with his principles, Li Chengze smiled broadly. “Thank you for your guidance, President Fang. Although I’ve never done courier services, if I can do my current line of work, I can do many others as well.
“Especially since what I’m doing now has to do with food and beverages.
“The things you previously mentioned regarding an online food-ordering platform, I think that I would be of use.
“Magic Martial Hotel is a subsidiary of Magic City Martial Arts University, and although my job title is the Housekeeping Department Manager, what I’ve been doing in these few years has more to do with hospitality.
“As I’ve had to go out frequently, I’m very familiar with some of the other businesses in the university town that are in the same field...”
At this moment, Li Chengze started showing his true value.
Because Fang Ping was not familiar with Magic City, he found Li Chengze.
Until he became a real martial artist, by then, if he did not manage to showcase his value, he would definitely be disqualified.
His 8 years of work in Magic Martial Hotel did not just give him an annual salary of 150 thousand.
If the salary was all he had gotten, he would have been useless.
It was the networks they gained access to with the Magic City Martial Arts University’s name that was the biggest reward of being in the service industry.
A top-level manager in a big hotel would have a frighteningly high salary and would be often headhunted. What they wanted was not purely the person itself, not just for their management abilities.
It was the connections this top-level manager could bring, including clients and market resources...
The current Fang Ping somewhat experienced the feeling of being so superior that all bowed to him.
However, this was not just due to his charisma or power.
The reason Li Chengze had made his decision so quickly was very much due to his status as a Magic City Martial Arts University student.
Fang Ping’s thoughts at the moment were not on Li Chengze nor on the name of his company. He was thinking about Magic City Martial Arts University.
He had to appreciate his martial arts university student status, and he had to reap more benefits and make a name for himself at martial arts universities in the future.
Just one mention of Wang Jinyang, the president of Nanjiang Martial Arts University’s Martial Arts Society, could make a city’s commander treat him with the utmost courtesy.
If Wang Jinyang was a Rank-3 Nanjiang Martial Arts University martial artist, he could not command this respect.
...
Fang Ping threw all that troubleshooting regarding the courier company at Li Chengze and did not worry about it any longer.
His biggest priority now was to breakthrough the third-honing.
It had been twenty days since he reached his 199cal Vitality limit. Fang Ping felt the time to breakthrough had come.
As Li Chengze watched his new boss run like the wind, he swallowed the words he had wanted to ask. “What in the world is our company’s name?”