Chapter 83.3: Life has its ups and downs, but you bring sweetness.
After Zeng Yiyang mentioned it, Cai Ming belatedly recalled. Facing Ji Lin and Bai Duan Duan’s puzzled looks, he explained, “When the company just started to stabilize, and we had sufficient funds for a while, I thought the company should provide some educational opportunities for employees. So, I initiated this ‘lifelong education program.’ The first batch was aimed at older employees who, due to their family circumstances, couldn’t pursue higher education at top universities. But now, the company was footing the bill for them, sponsoring their part-time non-full-time postgraduate studies. It was considered an internal training benefit.”
Zeng Yiyang nodded, “I am one of those beneficiaries. In the end, I took some time off to prepare for exams and defenses at school. The company granted me leave and didn’t even force me to sign a service agreement after the training.”
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Speaking of this, Zeng Yiyang felt deeply moved, “I came from a poor family. I passed the postgraduate entrance exam but didn’t have the money to pursue further studies. I never expected the company to fulfill my dream. I’ve always been grateful. Later, I joined the labor union. Now that the company is facing financial difficulties, I trust the company and believe in Mr. Cai’s character. I don’t think the company is intentionally withholding payments. They genuinely encountered problems. I don’t want the company to go bankrupt. We, the employees, are grateful for such a good company. If our limited efforts can help the company overcome this difficulty, we are willing to wait.” He declared on the spot, “Mr. Cai, my family is not in financial trouble now. I can wait for my salary. Once the funds start flowing, you can pay others first.”
Soon, the last representative, a young worker, also spoke up, “I have also received Mr. Cai’s kindness. When my father suddenly fell ill, the company advanced my year-end bonus to help me get through the tough times. I don’t want such a good company to face trouble. I still want to work here and strive to become a sales director.”
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At this point, all the preparations and defenses he had made were rendered useless.
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Cai Ming was deeply moved and didn’t know what to say. Sincerely, he expressed his gratitude, “Thank you, thank you all, thank you to each and every one of you employees. The company is indeed facing some financial difficulties, but it is not on the verge of bankruptcy. I may have to delay your salaries for a month, but I can definitely pay them next month. Thank you for your trust.”
Upon hearing these words, the three employee representatives visibly relaxed, saying, “That’s good.”
No matter how sentimental they were, everyone still had to eat. Delaying salaries for a month or two was manageable, but if it dragged on for too long, the three employee representatives would have a hard time justifying it. Now that they heard Cai Ming’s explanation and understood that the company’s financial difficulties were not as exaggerated as the few executives had portrayed, they felt reassured.
With the honesty of the employee representatives, Cai Ming became more open as well. He glanced at Ji Lin, who nodded silently. Cai Ming decided to lay all the cards on the table regarding the company’s current situation. The employee representatives didn’t hold back either. What was originally expected to be a confrontational negotiation turned into a friendly discussion where everyone sat down and openly discussed strategies.
Cai Ming’s face visibly relaxed, while Ji Lin’s expression became more complex.
No matter what, he never expected that in his anticipation of losing and fighting desperately to protect the interests of the clients from the greedy workers, he would ultimately have no role to play.
………
And it wasn’t until Ji Lin and Cai Ming said their goodbyes, until Ji Lin returned to the hotel and held Bai Duanduan’s hand, that his expression still appeared somewhat dazed and absent-minded.
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This was an unexpected outcome.
There was no prolonged struggle as he had imagined, no greed or ugly faces as he had anticipated. Instead, there was mutual understanding and support.
Naturally, workers and companies were adversaries, and Ji Lin had always dealt with cases where both sides were engaged in disputes and arguments. To the point where he had forgotten that companies and workers could also support and uplift each other.
“Besides those greedy and malicious workers, there are many who are grateful. When a good company encounters good workers, it becomes a mutual achievement, a kind of symbiotic relationship.” Holding Ji Lin’s hand, Bai DuanDuan expressed her sentiments, “You know, Ji Lin, at first, I resented Mr. Cai for assigning you a hot potato similar to your father’s case. But now, I am truly grateful to him.”
She was grateful that Ji Lin took on this case, grateful that this case gave a completely different ending to a similar story.
Ji Lin may find it difficult to completely heal from the pain caused by his father’s case. However, perhaps for him, this case brought some closure.
It was as if everything from the past could finally shake hands and make peace.
“The employees aren’t that bad. Although everyone inevitably has some self-interest, most people in the world know how to be grateful. When a considerate company encounters considerate employees, it can be considered a perfect match. No one has let anyone down.”
Ji Lin didn’t say anything, but he tightened his grip on Bai Duanduan’s hand. His heart was also filled with gratitude. He couldn’t imagine what he would be like at this moment if he hadn’t met Bai DuanDuan, if he didn’t have her hand in his, if she hadn’t rushed to him last night, dusty and tired.
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He certainly wouldn’t be as happy, peaceful, and content as he was now.
For a long time, Ji Lin’s heart had been occupied by a malicious black cat, filled with resentment and prickles, ready to retaliate and hurt at any moment. He walked alone and lived alone, burdened by his father’s case and past traumas. But now, Ji Lin felt as if the black cat had suddenly run away, yet his heart didn’t feel empty because something warmer had filled it.
The old year was about to end, and when the two of them arrived at the airport, they were greeted by the first snow of the winter. The flight back to City A was delayed as a result. In the past, Ji Lin couldn’t tolerate flight delays, considering it a waste of time that disrupted his plans. However, now that he was with Bai DuanDuan, he didn’t mind the delay. In fact, he felt like they had even more undisturbed time together.
After having dinner at the airport, Ji Lin received a news notification on his phone. After reading it, he suddenly felt emotional and hugged Bai DuanDuan.
“The news says that the suspension of operations at Simon Paper Industry has ended,” Ji Lin kissed Bai Duanduan’s cheek. “They will resume production on the first day of the new year. The employees who were affected by the suspension have all signed new labor contracts and returned to their positions in the coming year. Simon Paper Industry has also reissued offers to the employees who were forced to leave, inviting them to come back and continue working with no less favorable terms.”
“The paper industry has weathered the industry’s cold winter this year, and the market is expected to improve next year. Simon Paper Industry has provided a certain amount of salary increase to the employees who experienced the suspension,” Ji Lin said warmly. “You know, in this economic downturn, such actions are already remarkable.”
Perhaps fate never treats those who strive in life harshly. On the last day of bidding farewell to the old and welcoming the new, not only did fate prepare a gift for Ji Lin to let him find solace and bid farewell to the past, but it also prepared a gift for Bai DuanDuan.
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“I know you still have reservations about businesses because of your father’s experience. You always feel that most business owners are ruthless capitalists. But there are good businesses too, those with a strong sense of social responsibility and humanistic values. NanoTech, led by Mr. Cai, is one of them, and so is Simon Paper Industry. Although the temporary suspension affected the employees, it ultimately ensured the survival of the company. Now that the company has regained its footing, its first thought is to give back to those who stood by it during difficult times.”
Bai DuanDuan indeed had some prejudice against businesses, but under Ji Lin’s influence and the growing impact of socially responsible enterprises, she was gradually changing.
She remained silent for a rare moment and then spoke softly, “I guess that’s how it is. The world isn’t all good, but it’s not all bad either.”
Ji Lin kissed her and said, “Yes, the world isn’t all good, but it’s not all bad either. But you, you’re good.”
Life has its ups and downs, but you bring sweetness.
_________
The flight was finally delayed until 12:30 am, as if the delay encompassed an entire year. At the stroke of midnight, as the old and new year transitioned, Ji Lin turned to Bai DuanDuan and gave her the first kiss of the new year, wishing her a happy new year.
Ahhhh it’s so cuteeee
Mehn 🥺❤️