213 A New Journey

Zhang Bo nodded after hearing Chu Ning’s words.

“We’ll talk about renting your fields later. Now, let’s discuss salary. A basic salary of 36,000 a year, what do you guys think?”

After Zhang Bo finished speaking, the entire meeting room fell silent.

Chu Ning, who was sitting beside Zhang Bo, seemed calm, appearing like a secretary. In fact, the maximum she could afford was 50,000 yuan. This was only the first round of bidding.

There were already many who were tempted. Compared to their previous income, they were already very satisfied with an annual salary of 36,000 yuan.

However, Wen An wore a displeased expression. He had asked Chu Ning to prepare ten million to sound her out. He felt that eight million should be enough for the initial operation. However, he had another estimation for the basic annual salary of the Qinghe village residents. His ideal value was 45,000.

“President Chu, can you increase the price a little more?” Someone eventually disturbed the quiet atmosphere. A middle-aged man scratched his head in embarrassment as he asked tentatively.

Seeing this, Chu Ning whispered a few words into Zhang Bo’s ear.

“I say, young lady, are you President Chu’s secretary or assistant? Your boss is discussing a collaboration with us, and requires your advice?” One of the villagers saw Chu Ning’s actions and couldn’t help but speak out.

To these Qinghe villagers, Chu Ning merely played a small dispensable role. Now, they were discussing their own interests, so they were naturally turned off by Chu Ning’s suggestion to ‘President Chu’.

“She’s so young, yet she doesn’t learn well. She’s just a little good-looking. She’s probably President Chu’s mistress.”

Another resident of Qinghe village muttered. Although his voice wasn’t very loud, many people still heard him.

Despite this, they didn’t care. In fact, they even agreed with this statement. However, Wen An, Chu Ning, and Zhang Bo heard it as well. Chu Ning didn’t think much of it. She didn’t need to lower herself to the same level as these people with low cultural awareness. However, Zhang Bo and Wen An’s expressions changed upon hearing this.

Although they had only known Chu Ning for a short time, they were well aware of her abilities. She was definitely not an ordinary person!

“Wang Hao, shut up! If you dare to say anything disrespectful to President Chu again, you’ll leave immediately. The collaboration has nothing to do with you!” Wen An was truly angered.

He didn’t want Chu Ning’s impression of the entire village to be sullied because of a single villager, thereafter refusing to collaborate with them.

Wang Hao was the Qinghe village resident who had whispered and thought that Chu Ning was Zhang Bo’s mistress.

He was a little surprised.

In his memory, the village chief had never been as infuriated as he was today. Therefore, it was very likely that he had gone too far.

At the thought of this, he could only shut his mouth and lower his head, not daring to meet Wen An’s gaze. He also knew that he could not destroy the interests of the majority for his own sake.

“Then, how much do you think it should be?” Zhang Bo said, after looking at Chu Ning, who remained calm.

Up till now, he could not help but admire Chu Ning from the bottom of his heart.

If he had been in Chu Ning’s shoes, he might not be as collected as her after being misunderstood by others. For her to have such magnanimity at such a tender age, Zhang Bo felt that he was working for the right person.

“At least… At least 38,000 yuan?” The man hesitated for a few seconds before he continued.

“How about this, I’ll make the decision for the boss. It’s not easy for everyone, so shall we set our starting annual salary at 40,000 a year?” Chu Ning looked at the uneasy Qinghe village resident and smiled.

“No problem, we’ll follow the standard of 40,000 a year.” Just as everyone in the meeting room was still in a state of shock, joy, and uncertainty, they hadn’t expected Zhang Bo to agree without hesitation.

“He must really like this young lady.” Many of the villagers similarly thought this way. They felt that it was all thanks to this beautiful secretary.

On the other side, Wen An sighed. He really couldn’t lead this group of doggoned teammates. Now, he could tell that Chu Ning was indeed President Chu, but the person beside her, who was mistaken by the villagers of Qinghe village for President Chu, should be Chu Ning’s subordinate or assistant!

Originally, he was confident that he could raise the price to 45,000, but now, seeing how delighted these people were, he knew that he had no room and need to raise the price.