NOVPUB
Chapter 1030: Chapter 1035: Year-End Bonus
The Lunar New Year was approaching, and Qiao Duo’er and Tan Zhenghong began preparing for the celebration.
Their own shopping list was simple: food, clothes, and household items—as long as they liked them, that was enough.
The key issue this year was the significant increase in the workforce at Duo Meifang Embroidery Room and the permanent workers hired by the Tan Family, which could complicate matters.
To minimize the hassle, they finally decided to give these people year-end bonuses, along with pastries and Spring Festival couplets as gifts.
On the twenty-fourth of the twelfth lunar month, Qiao Duo’er and Tan Zhenghong slipped out while their kids were asleep.
Giving out year-end bonuses in person was a way to motivate employees and also an excuse for a stroll.
"The outside is so much more comfortable!"
Qiao Duo’er stretched lazily, not even remembering the last time she had stepped outside the Tan Family courtyard.
Every time she wanted to go out for a walk, Tan Zhenghong would disagree, citing the cold weather and the risk of catching a lingering illness.
Now, after nearly two months, going outside still meant she was bundled up like a rice dumpling. Was she really that delicate?
Tan Zhenghong cleared his throat, "Wife, I heard you cursing me."
"We might as well have Bai Yifan check your ears."
Qiao Duo’er said with squinting eyes, merely wanting to complain since Tan Zhenghong was being overbearing for her sake.
Tan Zhenghong replied aggrievedly, "There’s nothing wrong with my ears, it’s just that I know you too well."
"Then you guessed wrong. I didn’t want to curse you, I just wanted to give you a thrashing."
Before Duo’er could finish, Tan Zhenghong had already run away.
He thought that since his wife had just had a baby, her body had changed, and she surely couldn’t catch up with him.
But soon, Qiao Duo’er had grabbed hold of his ear.
"I was wrong, I won’t dare to run off again." Tan Zhenghong hurriedly pleaded for mercy.
"Do you think just not running off is enough? Will you dare to guess my thoughts wrong again?" Qiao Duo’er raised her eyebrows.
"I won’t dare! It’s all my fault. My wife is not only beautiful and kind but also generous, and would never curse someone secretly. Please, let me off."
Praise flowed from Tan Zhenghong’s mouth like it was free.
Qiao Duo’er was finally satisfied and let go of Ah Hong’s ear.
Upon arrival at the Embroidery Room, Qiao Duo’er had Fat Aunt gather the workers in the dining hall.
"Today’s holiday gifts are different and a bit less."
No sooner had Qiao Duo’er spoken than someone grew restless, "Why is it less?"
"Yes, hasn’t the pandemic not affected Duo Meifang’s business? Will our wages be reduced in the future too?"
"Why are your demands so high? I think it’s quite good to have anything at all."
Facing the chattering crowd, Qiao Duo’er raised her voice, "Let me finish before you all discuss."
"If everyone’s holiday gift is the same, wouldn’t the embroidery ladies who have been working long and hard feel it’s unfair?"
"To resolve this, I’ve decided to introduce year-end bonuses, which will be based on years of service and efficiency. The longer the tenure and the higher the efficiency, the bigger the bonus."
"Does anyone still have objections?"
Qiao Duo’er gave the embroidery ladies a chance to speak—should they find this approach unpleasant, she had no qualms about continuing the holiday gifts next year.
Though it would be troublesome, it certainly would save quite a bit of silver.
"Are there really such good things? Isn’t that just handing out silver for free?"
"I almost thought my ears were broken, how could this be?"
"Why not? Haven’t the Tan Family done many odd things before? But all for our benefit."
"How much silver can we get?"
As the most concerned topic was brought up, the dining hall instantly quieted down.
