Chapter 58: CHAPTER 58
Early the next morning, Xia Yu arrived at the company and immediately delved into his tasks.
Around 9:30 AM, Li Qian at the front desk entered Xia Yu's office and informed him that an individual named Yan Wenhan was here for an interview. Xia Yu promptly asked Li Qian to bring Yan Wenhan in.
As Yan Wenhan walked in and took a seat across from Xia Yu, his first impression improved even further.
Yan Wenhan was dressed in a formal suit, accentuated by gold-wire glasses. He exuded an air of gentleness, yet a palpable confidence emanated from him. His smile carried the warmth of a spring breeze. Xia Yu found this image to be exceedingly satisfactory.
However, Xia Yu wasn't seeking a male model; he was looking for a truly talented and capable vice president. Skill was of paramount importance, prompting Xia Yu to begin the interview process.
"Yan Sheng..."
…
Throughout the interview, Yan Wenhan consistently provided accurate responses. Regardless of the question Xia Yu posed, Yan Wenhan managed to provide at least a well-thought-out idea. His grasp of financial and media knowledge was particularly impressive, leaving Xia Yu highly content. Yan Wenhan undeniably possessed genuine abilities, and his qualifications perfectly aligned with his resume.
As the interview reached its conclusion, Xia Yu examined Yan Wenhan's resume once again, hesitating before finally asking, "Yan Sheng, if I may inquire, what prompted your decision to leave the Financial Times and return to Hong Kong?"
Yan Wenhan's smile grew involuntarily as he responded, "There's a straightforward reason for that. My wife is pregnant, but she can't tolerate the climate in London due to her health. So, for her sake, I resigned and returned."
While discussing his wife, Yan Wenhan's demeanor naturally brightened, revealing his genuine happiness.
"Yan Sheng, congratulations!" Xia Yu also smiled, extending his congratulations. He found himself even more satisfied with Yan Wenhan, seeing in him a man who prioritized family and supported his wife. Such qualities underscored Yan Wenhan's emotional depth, a trait that Xia Yu wholeheartedly appreciated.
"Thank you!" Yan Wenhan's smile deepened, and he nodded in gratitude.
"Now, let's discuss the terms of your position and responsibilities. What are your expectations?" Xia Yu continued.
Yan Wenhan straightened his posture, focusing on the conversation at hand. "Regarding compensation, I hope for an annual salary of no less than 50,000 Hong Kong dollars. I have no other demands."
Yan Wenhan's request took Xia Yu slightly by surprise. Not because it was a high figure, but because it was surprisingly modest.
An annual salary of 50,000 Hong Kong dollars, even excluding the year-end bonus, would translate to just over 4,000 Hong Kong dollars per month. While this amount was significantly higher than the average wage, it was still low for a managerial position. Yan Wenhan was set to become the second-in-command at "Jiuding Daily," a management role that typically garnered higher compensation.
Moreover, when converting 50,000 Hong Kong dollars into pounds, it would likely be less than what Yan Wenhan earned at the Financial Times. Despite the lower cost of living in Xiangjiang compared to London, this salary demand seemed remarkably pragmatic – a sign that Yan Wenhan understood the importance of striking a balance.
This added yet another positive impression of Yan Wenhan in Xia Yu's mind.
However, Xia Yu couldn't offer Yan Wenhan a salary as low as 50,000 Hong Kong dollars. The reputation of the "Jiuding Daily" was at stake, and external perceptions were important. Furthermore, given Yan Wenhan's evident talent, Xia Yu was determined to secure his loyalty through an attractive salary package.
"Yan Sheng, your request is quite conservative," Xia Yu remarked with a smile.
Yan Wenhan raised an eyebrow, adjusting his glasses as he smiled. He hadn't anticipated this response from Xia Yu, which enhanced his opinion of him.
Yan Wenhan had been back in Xiangjiang for over a month, spending time with his wife. Despite this, he continued to keep an eye on the media industry, including the rising success of the "Jiuding Daily." He was aware of Xia Yu's accomplishments and regarded him with admiration for his financial acumen.
Having studied finance himself, Yan Wenhan had read almost every article about Xia Yu in the "Jiuding Daily." Although he had never met Xia Yu, his respect for him had grown substantially.
This respect led Yan Wenhan to apply for the job at "Jiuding Daily" as soon as the opportunity arose. He had quickly recognized Xia Yu's remarkable abilities and determination.
Unanticipated by Yan Wenhan, the young boss he admired not only possessed extraordinary talents but also demonstrated a genuine concern for his employees.
"In that case, your base salary of 50,000 remains, but I'd like to offer you a 1% dividend," Xia Yu said, pointing at Yan Wenhan.
As anticipated, Yan Wenhan's eyes widened. Confirming that Xia Yu wasn't joking, Yan Wenhan expressed his satisfaction, thanking Xia Yu for his generosity.
Considering the current advertising revenue of "Jiuding Daily," a 1% dividend could amount to over 12,000,000 in a year – equivalent to 120,000 Hong Kong dollars. This figure was likely to increase over time. When combined with revenue from newspaper sales and Yan Wenhan's 50,000 Hong Kong dollar salary, he would earn around 200,000 per year. This was four times more than his initial request and well beyond his expectations.
Yan Wenhan was genuinely surprised by Xia Yu's generosity and appreciation. The extra 150,000 Hong Kong dollars was a worthwhile investment, considering Yan Wenhan's potential contributions.
Xia Yu's goal was to motivate Yan Wenhan to work diligently, creating greater value for the company. The extra 150,000 Hong Kong dollars was merely a catalyst for that.
Seeing the transformation in Yan Wenhan's expression, Xia Yu was content with the outcome. The impact was precisely what he had aimed for.
Even though the added cost was around 150,000 Hong Kong dollars, Xia Yu deemed it a worthy expenditure. In his eyes, Yan Wenhan's capabilities and potential were significant, warranting the investment.
This additional incentive would prompt Yan Wenhan to excel, contributing more to the company's growth.
"Well, welcome to Jiuding Newspaper Company!" Xia Yu stood up and extended his hand to Yan Wenhan.
Yan Wenhan promptly stood as well, shaking Xia Yu's hand before offering a slight bow. "Thank you, boss!"
Observing Yan Wenhan's natural transition, Xia Yu nodded in satisfaction. He then added, "As the vice president, you have the authority to oversee all company matters and handle minor issues independently. Feel free to direct such matters without involving me. I hope you'll be able to start soon and alleviate some of my workload."
"Absolutely, boss, you can count on me!" Yan Wenhan affirmed confidently.
With their conversation concluded, Xia Yu's positive impression of Yan Wenhan solidified. The young executive was ready to take on his responsibilities, and Xia Yu's confidence in him was unwavering.
"Excellent. I trust in your abilities. Let's go – I'll introduce you to the rest of the
team."
With that, Xia Yu led Yan Wenhan out of the office, marking the beginning of Yan Wenhan's journey as the new vice president.
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