Chapter 202 - 200: Two Pieces of Good News

Chapter 202: Chapter 200: Two Pieces of Good News

The two of them emerged from a bank near the hotel, their envelopes stuffed full of cash for payroll.

Jiang Xia glanced at the company’s account balance: a total of 2.86 million. ’In my past life, I never would have dreamed I could make this much money in just a few short months,’ he thought.

"Shouldn’t we set a ’small goal’ for ourselves now?" he asked with a smile.

"We’re a long way off."

Lin Yanwan rolled her eyes at him. A "small goal" is a hundred million. At the rate they were earning now, that would take at least a few years.

Then again, money begets money. Once their production capacity increased, their earnings rate would likely multiply several times over.

"Then let’s set an even smaller goal. By the end of the year, we’ll make ten million!"

After Jiang Xia made this bold declaration, a nearby passerby stared at him as if he were an idiot.

’What an arrogant young punk. Is ten million that easy to make? Young people shouldn’t be so ambitious; they need to have their feet on the ground. After all, what pretty girl likes a guy who’s all talk?’

And then he heard the gorgeous girl say in a voice full of agreement, "There aren’t many months left this year, but I think we can do it if we try. I believe in you."

Hearing this, the passerby was dumbfounded. ’Are girls these days that gullible?’

’Don’t just believe everything he says because he’s handsome!’

Jiang Xia chuckled. For now, the only thing that could bring in massive profits was the second season of *Cat and Mouse*. Once they got to the Imperial Capital, site selection for the company and reorganizing the studio would consume a huge amount of money.

As for the third season’s release, that probably wouldn’t happen until the end of the year. So this "small goal" of ten million really wasn’t going to be that easy.

Chatting and laughing, the two of them soon arrived at the Fenghua Hotel. Jiang Xia sent the private room number to the group chat and ordered a ton of the restaurant’s signature dishes. Today was both a victory celebration and a farewell dinner, so they might as well go all out and eat their fill.

Around five-thirty, Wang Ming and Shen Ying arrived one right after the other, only a few minutes apart.

"You’re both right on time," Jiang Xia said with a smile.

"Of course! If you’re not excited to eat, you’ve got a problem with your mindset," Shen Ying chuckled, her mouth watering as she subconsciously stared at the delicious dishes laid out before her.

"Well said. So, I won’t beat around the bush. Let’s get straight to business."

"Yay! Time to eat, time to eat," Shen Ying chanted, tapping her chopsticks.

Lin Yanwan gave her best friend a helpless look. ’Does she really think I called her here just to eat?’

"Yingying, there are more important things to discuss than just eating."

"Huh?" Shen Ying blinked, not understanding for a moment.

Jiang Xia couldn’t help but laugh. "Everyone’s worked so hard with all the overtime these past two months. *Cat and Mouse* wouldn’t have achieved what it has today without you. So, for the first piece of good news: congratulations, you’ve both successfully passed your probationary period and are now official full-time employees."

Lin Yanwan started to clap, and even Wang Ming broke into a happy smile.

But Shen Ying was still in a daze, barely able to believe her ears. "I’m... an official employee now?"

"That’s right! Congratulations, Yingying. From now on, you’re an official employee of Qitian Animation Company!" Lin Yanwan said, smiling.

"SOB..."

Hearing this, she couldn’t hold it in any longer and threw her arms around her best friend. Becoming an official employee meant the boss recognized her abilities; she finally didn’t have to worry about getting fired one day.

"There, there, don’t cry. We all see how hard you’ve worked," Lin Yanwan said, gently patting her back.

"I’m not crying! I’m just so happy!"

Shen Ying wiped the tears from the corners of her eyes. Only she knew the immense pressure of working alongside such a capable group. She had to study desperately and constantly improve just to keep from dragging her friends down.

"Keep up the great work! See that Director of Operations position? It’ll be yours sooner or later!"

"Uh-huh! Sooner or later, it’s mine!"

Shen Ying nodded emphatically.

"I haven’t had much time to handle the company’s day-to-day affairs, and Shen Ying has been helping coordinate pretty much everything, big and small. Though she was a bit clumsy and seemed like a total rookie at first, she’s grown incredibly fast. She’s very organized now, which is commendable," Jiang Xia said with a laugh.

Being praised like that by her boss, Shen Ying blushed. "Boss, I’m just doing my job."

The others couldn’t help but chuckle.

"So, what’s the second piece of good news?" Wang Ming asked.

"Since we finished our projected tasks ahead of schedule, it’s time to distribute the salaries we’ve been holding onto for the past month." As Jiang Xia finished speaking with a smile, Lin Yanwan, in perfect sync, pulled two bulging envelopes from her bag and placed them on the table.

Shen Ying’s eyes lit up.

Wang Ming joked, "Old Jiang, that’s not cool. Since when is getting paid on time considered good news?!"

"What if I told you they’re based on your new, full-time salary rate? And that they also include overtime pay for the last two months."

Jiang Xia passed the two envelopes over with a grin. "Don’t open them just yet. Wait until you get home to count your money."

Clutching the thick envelope, Shen Ying was so excited she felt her heart was about to leap out of her throat. ’If these are hundred-yuan bills,’ she thought, ’a stack this thick has to be at least several thousand, right?’

’To think that a recent high school grad like me could earn this much... I’m already making as much as adults who’ve been working for years.’

’And this is just the beginning! As the company grows, a founding member like me will earn even more. Maybe one day, my monthly salary will be what other people make in a year!’

"Old Jiang, just tell us straight. When does season three of *Cat and Mouse* begin? I’m already itching to start pulling all-nighters," Wang Ming said earnestly as he accepted the envelope.

’In short,’ he thought, ’this is a boss worth working for.’

’When he promises a reward, he actually delivers.’

"No rush. Everyone take a few days off first," Jiang Xia chuckled. "This is just pocket change. If you keep working hard, you two will eventually be on an annual salary with me."

With just a few words, he dangled an even bigger carrot in front of them.

Wang Ming and Shen Ying glanced at each other, seeing the excitement in the other’s eyes. At eighteen, an age of boundless energy, money was the best motivation of all.

"Boss, is there a third piece of good news?" Shen Ying asked.

"That’s it, that’s it. How could there be that much good news?" Jiang Xia replied with a laugh.

"Does that mean we can finally eat? Boss, I didn’t even have lunch. I’m starving right now," Shen Ying said, staring longingly at the dishes before them.

"Not yet. There’s one more person who hasn’t arrived. They should be here soon," Jiang Xia said.

Wang Ming paused, slightly taken aback. "Who else is coming?"

"You’ll both find out in a little while," Jiang Xia said, keeping them in suspense.

No sooner had he spoken than his phone chimed with a notification. He glanced at the screen, and a smile spread across his face.

"She’s here. Sit tight for a moment, I’ll go get her."