Chapter 154: How about an annual salary of one billion?

"..."
Su Hao remained silent for a moment.
Qin Han, that old fox, was clearly not joking with him.
After the initial surprise, Su Hao's emotions gradually calmed down.
"I appreciate Chairman Qin's kindness. But the company I'm currently with is quite good."
Qin Han's eyes sharpened:
"The top-tier compensation in the industry I'm talking about isn't the small stuff of a few hundred million or tens of millions; it's a starting salary of a billion a year! And there's no upper limit! What do you think?"
However, Su Hao simply shook his head calmly:
"No need, Chairman Qin. Fang Huan may not be as good as Jiang Jin, but I like the atmosphere there, and I like the people there. My brothers are all there."
Qin Han carefully scrutinized Su Hao's expression, seemingly trying to find even the slightest wavering or pretense on his face, but he was disappointed.
Su Hao's gaze was so open and honest that even this seasoned veteran couldn't quite see through him.
"You kid... you don't seem like you're haggling with me at all. Looks like you're determined."
Qin Han picked up his glass, downed it in one gulp, and spoke with a hint of regret.
"Chairman Qin, I'm deeply grateful for your high regard for me.
But everyone has their own ambitions. I'm a sentimental person, and also quite stubborn.
I don't want to leave the place I love, nor do I want to let down those who trust me."
"So, in your heart, there are things more important than money, right?"
Qin Han's gaze became somewhat meaningful.
"That includes Huang Fengwen, isn't it?
Every time I see the two of you, I feel like you're not just ordinary superiors and subordinates.
That tacit understanding and closeness is more like...
"A sworn brother you could entrust your back to?"
"That's right."
Su Hao readily admitted, a rare hint of warmth appearing on his usually expressionless face when Huang Fengwen was mentioned.
"Brother Huang... although we're not related by blood, he's closer to me than a blood brother.
He's the kind of brother I'd open my heart to, someone I'd go to great lengths for.
More importantly, when I was at my lowest point, at my most destitute, it was he who, without asking why, reached out and pulled me out of the mire.
I'll remember this kindness for the rest of my life."
"Ha... damn it!" Qin Han couldn't help but swear upon hearing this, then shook his head with a wry smile.
"Fine, you've put it this way, what can I say?
The kind of person I, Qin Han, despise most in my life is that kind of ingrate who takes a favor and then bites back!"
"Fine, fine, I guess I'm not so fortunate."
He paused, still seemingly unwilling:
"However... even so, I, your older brother, admire talent, and I still have the spirit of 'three visits to a thatched cottage' (a metaphor for persistent pursuit).
I'd like to ask one last time, is there any room for negotiation in the future?"
"No." Su Hao's answer was crisp and decisive, without the slightest hesitation.
Qin Han sighed deeply, seemingly finally giving up completely.
"Alright, everyone has their own ambitions, you can't force it."
He picked up his wine glass, seemingly preparing to end the topic.
Su Hao had just breathed a sigh of relief, thinking this matter was finally over.
But then Qin Han's eyes darted around, and that cunning, old fox-like smile reappeared on his face:
"Then... Brother Su, do you have a girlfriend?"
"If not, I do have a younger sister. I think, you two..."
Su Hao: "..."
He felt a vein throb on his forehead.
***
The night deepened, and the banquet ended.
Qin Han leisurely boarded the car for the return trip.
"Chairman Qin, how was the dinner tonight?" Secretary Wu asked respectfully from the driver's seat.
"Hmm, it was alright. Let's go straight home." Qin Han closed his eyes to rest, giving a faint reply.
The car was quiet, with only the soft sound of tires rolling over the road.
Qin Han suddenly opened his eyes, as if remembering something, and asked, "Secretary Wu..."
"Chairman Qin, what are your orders?" Secretary Wu responded immediately.
"Suppose, I mean suppose, another company offered you a billion-dollar annual salary to switch jobs. What would you choose?"
"Huh?!" Upon hearing this, Secretary Wu's hand on the steering wheel trembled violently, almost causing the car to spin.
"Chairman Qin...you mean...a billion-dollar annual salary?"
His eyes nearly popped out of their sockets, stammering, clearly stunned by the number.
Qin Han chuckled inwardly. That's more like it! That's the normal reaction!
Back in the day, to poach a key technical staff member from a rival company, he offered tens of millions in annual salary, and the person would be so excited they'd practically bow down in obsequiousness.
This Su Hao, on the other hand, couldn't even be swayed by a billion!
Secretary Wu took a long time to recover, swallowed hard, and solemnly declared his loyalty:
"Chairman Qin! My loyalty to you is as clear as the sun and moon!"
"Don't even mention a billion, even if it were a hundred billion, I would never betray you, never betray Jiang Jin!"
"Haha, alright, alright, I was just asking."
A billion-dollar annual salary.
This is an enormous sum that would absolutely shatter the rationality of most people and cause them to abandon their loyalty.
Even the most loyal and devoted sons might have their moral compass crumble and their faith shaken in the face of such temptation!
But Su Hao, from beginning to end, didn't hesitate for a single moment!
Perhaps he was confident that he could earn that amount, or even more, at Fanghuan Investment, based on his own abilities.
But that wasn't the main reason.
Even if Fanghuan Investment was very profitable, it was like a firefly or the moon compared to the behemoth that was Jiang Jin Group.
However, in that young man's heart, there was clearly something more important than money, more important than his future.
'He said that Huang Fengwen helped him during his most difficult time…'
Qin Han silently pondered these words. He didn't know the specifics of Huang Fengwen's predicament.
But he knew that Huang Fengwen had incredibly good luck to have found a treasure like Su Hao!
Damn it, he was filled with envy and resentment!
Now he could finally empathize with the despair of those tyrannical landlords in folk tales who watched helplessly as a poor scholar stumbled upon a beautiful wife!
How much good karma did Huang Fengwen accumulate in his past life to find such a self-sufficient and loyal prodigy?
Not only was he incredibly capable, but more importantly… he was damn loyal!
This truly impressed Qin Han, even inspiring admiration.
Even in the face of mountains of gold and silver, he remained true to his principles, displaying a loyalty as heavy as Mount Tai!
Damn it!
That's fucking awesome!
What's more, they're not related by blood, yet their bond is stronger than brothers, as close as blood relatives.
This kind of chivalrous spirit, this unwavering brotherhood, even made this seasoned businessman, who's been navigating the business world for years, feel incredibly romantic and yearning!
This involuntarily reminded him of the thrilling sworn brotherhood of Liu Bei, Guan Yu, and Zhang Fei in the Peach Garden Oath he read in his youth—how heroic!
Wait a minute!
Liu Bei, Guan Yu, and Zhang Fei—there are three of them!
Su Hao and Huang Fengwen, that's only two, isn't it?
Then isn't there still a vacancy?
So, does he still have a chance to fill the gap?
Qin Han stroked his chin, his eyes gleaming, the old fox's mind starting to work again.
(My darlings, today's three chapters have been posted, just refresh to see them! Love you!)