Chapter 654: Chapter 359: Year-End Bonus (Part 2)
"Mm, I believe in you."
...
...
After Wanbao Hall sent off the last table of guests, the two-month business operation came to an end as the year drew to a close.
The employees were tidying up the tables and chairs in the shop, their faces brimming with the joy of an upcoming holiday.
While wiping the tables, Zhao Ling couldn’t help but talk to Xiao Meier about how booming today’s business had been.
"Isn’t it true, as the festival atmosphere arrives, everyone wants to go out for a good meal. But you all have worked hard, these two months have been so busy that your feet hardly touched the ground."
"Sister Er, is our shop really closed for holiday? There were a lot of customers calling today to book New Year’s Eve dinner and for the coming days," Zhao Ling asked.
"Yes, our shop will only open again after the New Year. Everyone has worked hard during this period and deserves a good rest."
With a smile, Xiao Meier said, "Celebrate the New Year well, and when we reopen, we’ll continue to make the shop thriving."
"Sister Er." Tong Jialu walked in at this moment, with Chen Donghai following behind her.
Chen Donghai carried two large boxes, placing them at the front desk. Tong Jialu said with a smile, "I’ve brought the things Mr. Chen wanted."
"Mm-hmm!" Xiao Meier laughed happily, "Manager Tong, thank you. Are you coming over for dinner tomorrow? Xiao Cheng mentioned it to you, right? Do you and Director Xia have time?"
"He did mention it. My sister and I will definitely come!" Tong Jialu nodded repeatedly.
At this moment, Chen Cheng walked over, "You’ve arrived."
"Yes, Mr. Chen, it’s all here." Tong Jialu explained, "I no longer work at the bank, and it was quite difficult to withdraw this much money. It took a lot of effort."
"Ah? Manager Tong, have you left the bank?" Xiao Meier exclaimed in surprise.
"Yes, Mr. Chen invited me to join his new company, and I agreed without hesitation."
Chen Cheng coughed lightly twice, "Xiao Ling, can you call everyone over."
"Sure, boss."
Chen Cheng exchanged a glance with Chen Donghai, who then brought over a table and placed the boxes on top.
Standing in front of the table, Chen Cheng surveyed the gathered employees with a gentle smile on his face.
He patted the boxes on the table and said casually, "Our Wandao Hall’s success this year is all thanks to everyone’s hard work. After discussing with Sister Er, we decided to give everyone a year-end bonus as a token of appreciation for your hard work this year."
After he finished speaking, he lightly unbuckled the lock on the first box.
With a soft "click," the box opened slowly.
"Wow—!" A gasp erupted from the crowd.
Inside the box were stacks of brand-new hundred-yuan bills neatly arranged. The red notes looked particularly dazzling under the lights, each stack tied neatly with a white strip, filling the whole box.
Chen Cheng opened the second box, which was also full of bills.
The two boxes of money together created a scene so overwhelming that it left people speechless.
The employees stared wide-eyed, with some instinctively rubbing their eyes, hardly daring to believe what was before them.
"This... this is too much!" Zhao Ling couldn’t help but exclaim in amazement, her voice full of incredulous excitement.
Chen Cheng smiled, speaking calmly, "It’s not too much; this is what everyone deserves. Although our shop has only been open for two months, business has been great and we’ve built up a loyal clientele. I see all your hard work. This money is a small token of appreciation."
He then took out a stack of bills from the box and handed it to Zhao Ling, who stood at the forefront, "Xiao Ling, this is yours."
Zhao Ling accepted the money, her hands trembling slightly, "Thank you, boss! Thank you, Madam!"
Chen Cheng nodded and handed another stack to Hou Bonan beside him, "Chef Hou, this is yours. You’ve worked hard managing the kitchen this year."
Hou Bonan received the money, grinning broadly, "Wow, the boss has made a fortune!"
Chen Cheng continued to distribute the year-end bonuses, expressing gratitude with each stack he handed out.
"Xiao Zhang, this is yours. You’ve been running around tirelessly."
"Xiao Wang, this is yours. You’ve taken care of procurement, saving the shop a lot of costs."
"Xiao Liu, this is yours. Your service attitude is excellent, the customers have praised you a lot."
...
Every employee who accepted the money wore expressions of excitement and gratitude.
Some even had tears in their eyes, their voices choked with emotion.
"Mr. Chen, Sister Er, thank you! I will work even harder next year!"
"Thank you, boss! Thank you, Madam!"
After handing out the final stack of bills, Chen Cheng closed the box and laughed, "Don’t just be happy; go back and count carefully to see if there’s anything missing."
The employees chuckled at his words.
Xiao Meier stepped forward with a smile, "Everyone’s worked hard; go home and spend time with your families. Have a great New Year. We’ll work hard together again after the holidays!"
"Alright!" The employees responded in unison, their voices filled with energy and anticipation.
Chen Cheng clapped his hands and said, "Well then, once you finish tidying up, you can leave. Tomorrow is New Year’s Eve, the shop will be closed. Everyone, have a good rest. We’ll reopen after the fifteenth of the New Year."
The employees nodded in agreement and began to tidy up more quickly.
Soon, the shop was cleaned spotlessly.
After everyone had left, Chen Cheng nodded to Tong Jialu, who took a bank card out of her bag.
Chen Cheng passed the card to Chen Donghai, "Xiao Hai, this is yours."
"Mr. Chen, I can’t..." Chen Donghai declined repeatedly.
"Take it, you’ve earned it." Chen Cheng pressed the card into Chen Donghai’s hand, "Following me has been a lot of work, there’s fifty thousand in here, consider it your bonus."
Chen Donghai held the bank card, his hand trembling slightly, his face full of disbelief and gratitude.
He looked up at Chen Cheng, his voice choked, "Mr. Chen, this... this is too much. It’s my duty to work for you, you’ve already treated me very well; I really can’t accept this money."
Chen Cheng chuckled, "Don’t refuse. Besides, we’ll have more work to do next year, you need to prepare well and not let me down."
Chen Donghai’s eyes reddened as he nodded firmly, "Mr. Chen, rest assured! I won’t let you down!"
"What do you say? Going back home for the New Year?" Chen Cheng asked.
Chen Donghai shook his head, "There’s no one really back home, so I won’t."
"Then take the money and go have some fun," Chen Cheng said with a smile, "Relax a bit."
Chen Donghai didn’t know what words of gratitude to say. Since joining Chen Cheng, his life had changed dramatically.
Chen Cheng’s sincere treatment of him was vivid in his memory.
"Xiao Lu, look, even the usually stern Brother Xiao Hai is about to cry," Chen Cheng teased.
Tong Jialu covered her mouth with a laugh, and Chen Cheng patted his shoulder, "Alright, it’s New Year’s; don’t let it get too sentimental. We’re all family; the days ahead are long."
Chen Donghai took a deep breath to calm his emotions and nodded, "Mr. Chen, you’re right. I’ll definitely work harder and exceed your expectations."
"Xiao Cheng, I’ve nearly finished here," came Xiao Meier’s voice from the storage room.
"Go help Sister Er with the carrying; we’ll put it in the car later."
"Alright, Mr. Chen."
Only Chen Cheng and Tong Jialu remained in the hall, with Tong Jialu watching the shop with her hands behind her back.
"Why don’t you ask about your year-end bonus?" Chen Cheng asked softly.
Tong Jialu smiled with her eyes narrowed, "Even if I don’t ask, Brother Cheng would still give it to me."
"After the New Year, go pick out a car. I promised you last time, a Porsche."
"Really? Brother Cheng, you remembered!"
Chen Cheng smiled faintly, "You’ve worked hard too."
Chen Donghai emerged carrying groceries, and Xiao Meier said, "Alright, we can close up."
"Let’s go, home."
The four of them walked out of Wanbao Hall, with Chen Donghai placing the items in the car and Tong Jialu leaving first after saying her goodbyes.
After everyone had left, Chen Cheng accompanied Xiao Meier in locking up the shop and posting the holiday notice.
Xiao Meier took one last look at the shiny signboard, smiling, "See you next year."