My minimum living allowance is credited to my account every day with 1000 million yuan

Huang Ju, in her high heels, walked confidently towards the NK flagship store. Just as she approached the entrance, the store manager caught her out of the corner of his eye, abruptly standing at attention, his voice carrying a barely perceptible hint of nervousness:

"Hello, Mr. Huang!"

This greeting was like an invisible command. Upon hearing it, several shop assistants who were arranging shelves or wiping windows stopped what they were doing, quickly faced the door, and shouted in unison:

"Hello, Mr. Huang!"

"Good morning, boss!!!"

Huang Ju nodded almost imperceptibly, her expression calm.

Her gaze swept past the respectful manager and staff, landing precisely on the figure in the corner still suppressing sobs—a woman who looked to be about twenty-six or twenty-seven years old. A subtle ripple stirred in Huang Ju's heart.

They're even older than me...

He was already a regional general manager in charge of business in a province, wielding considerable power, and his future was bright.

But she was just an ordinary shop assistant struggling in a front-line sales position, and at this moment, she was crying in a sorry state for some reason.

An indescribable sense of superiority and pride in controlling her destiny welled up quietly in Huang Ju's heart, like warm spring water. She straightened her back, her tone carrying a condescending concern:
Is something the matter?

The store manager immediately understood and turned to the woman who was still sobbing, whispering:
"Lu Yan, you go back to the store first. I'll report the situation to my supervisor."

He softened his voice as much as possible, with a hint of soothing comfort.

The woman named Lu Yan's shoulders trembled slightly. She raised her swollen, red eyes and glanced blankly at Huang Ju, her gaze filled with helplessness and despair. In the end, she said nothing, only lowered her head, wiped away her tears with the back of her hand, and like a leaf battered by wind and rain, silently moved her feet and walked into the shop.

After the girl named Lu Yan entered the store, the store manager reported to Huang Ju:
"Boss, that employee was named Lu Yan. She's only been with the company for a month. Her work performance is... fairly reliable."

He paused, carefully choosing his words, and then pointed out the core issue:

"But a couple of days ago, we suddenly discovered that she has diabetes, and her condition may be quite serious."

"This chronic disease requires avoiding overexertion and prolonged standing, otherwise it can easily lead to uncontrolled blood sugar, ketoacidosis, and other serious risks!"

"After our regional manager learned of this situation, in order to avoid potential adverse effects on the company and possible liability for compensation, he asked me to persuade Lu Yan to resign as soon as possible."

"They said... even a small amount of compensation would be far better than causing trouble for the company if something happened to her at work later!"

Huang Ju listened without any change in expression, only nodding slightly.

Diabetes? Risks from prolonged standing?

She quickly weighed the options in her mind.

Having a sickly person who's like a ticking time bomb in the shop is definitely not a good idea!
If she were to faint or suffer a more serious problem at the store one day, the company would not only have to bear huge medical expenses and compensation, but also potentially face negative public opinion. At that point, as the regional manager, I would absolutely be held responsible!
The manager's "rationality" instantly overwhelmed any possible sympathy.

Without even inquiring about the specific severity and controllability of the condition, she issued the order without hesitation, her tone crisp and decisive, carrying a hint of relief at getting rid of trouble:

"Okay, let's handle it according to your manager's requirements."

She specifically emphasized speed and decisiveness:
"Get it done as soon as possible, don't drag it out! Give the compensation whatever it is, it's not much money anyway..."

It was as if they were talking about a trivial matter.

After saying that, she didn't even want to look at the direction of the shop door again, for fear that the woman named Lu Yan would rush out to plead for her and cause her trouble.

"Okay, I won't go into the store."

She turned to leave, seemingly having found a plausible reason for her "decisiveness," and muttered to herself, more like convincing herself:
"A merciful general cannot command an army... alas—"

The company's orders were as cold and imposing as a mountain; he could not disobey them.

But Lu Yan's situation...

Information about that frail woman swirled in her mind:
My father passed away early, and my mother, who suffers from chronic illnesses, is the only one left in the family.

If it weren't for the pressures of life and such difficult family circumstances, who would drag their severely diabetic body, which requires strict control, to do a sales job that requires standing for long periods of time?!

Isn't it because Jiexun Sports recently implemented a comprehensive and massive increase in salaries and benefits?!
The store manager knew perfectly well:

Jiexun Sports' frontline employees now enjoy a "six insurances and one fund" system comparable to state-owned enterprises! Their basic salary, plus commissions, subsidies, quarterly bonuses, and year-end bonuses... their overall income is absolutely top-tier among companies in the same industry in Shaanxi Province!

Looking across the national retail industry, there are very few brands that can provide such comprehensive benefits and income for their frontline employees!
What Lu Yan lost was not just a job, but also a rare safe haven that allowed her to barely support her family through thick and thin!
Pity……

The store manager felt a heavy weight in his heart.

Why is Lu Yan's life so miserable? She just saw a glimmer of hope for life, only to have it cruelly extinguished.

As the company grew larger and more powerful, its ambitions for expansion grew ever stronger, but its heart also seemed to harden. Human touch? Worthless in the face of cold, hard systems and potential risks.

What will Lu Yan do now? What will happen to her ailing mother?
These thoughts weighed heavily on her mind.

She walked slowly and heavily back into the shop. She knew there was no turning back.

This was not just a decision made by the store manager, but also a decision endorsed by the regional general manager, Huang Ju, and reflected the cold will of the company's top management.

She's just a lowly store manager; what else can she do besides follow orders?
As I walked toward the staff break room, my steps felt like they were made of lead.

How could he bring up the subject of this fate to Lu Yan, who had just wiped away her tears?

The girl named Lu Yan was crying uncontrollably in the store, and her friends were afraid she would suddenly faint.

At this moment, the store manager walked over. Lu Yan, like a drowning person seeing the last piece of driftwood, suddenly raised her head, her bloodshot eyes fixed on the store manager, her voice hoarse as if sandpaper rubbing together:

"Manager... what did the boss say? Can... can I stay?"

She used all her remaining strength to grasp at the last glimmer of hope.
"Please... my whole family, my mother's medical expenses, depend on this salary to survive..."

The store manager avoided Lu Yan's gaze with difficulty, his voice low and hoarse: "I'm so sorry!"

These three words, like a cold verdict, completely shattered the last glimmer of light in Lu Yan's eyes!
"Well--!"

Lu Yan's body trembled violently, as if struck by an invisible giant hammer! Her vision went black instantly, and the world spun around her! Her body slumped backward uncontrollably!
Fortunately, the store manager was prepared and reacted quickly, catching her as she swayed. "Quick! Pour me a glass of warm water! Add a sugar! Quick!" the manager urgently shouted to a nearby employee, worried that Lu Yan's blood sugar had gone out of control!

The shop assistant hurriedly ran to pour water.

The store manager helped Lu Yan sit down, her heart aching at the sight of her pale face and labored breathing. She took the warm water offered by the clerk and carefully fed Lu Yan a couple of sips.

"Calm down, Lu Yan, have some water first..."

"Things have come to this point, there's no turning back. So, whether you can accept it or not, you have to make other plans!" The shop manager's mood was also heavy. This was as if he was advising Lu Yan, and at the same time, reminding her to hurry up and think of a solution.

Lu Yan was extremely panicked; her family's dilapidated rented room...

My elderly mother is bedridden, and her daily medication costs hundreds of yuan...

My damn diabetes that needs constant monitoring...

And the deep scars left by that broken and failed marriage...

Now, even that only lifeline—his job—is gone!
After losing my job... where will the money come from? What about my mother's medicine? How will I pay the rent? With my health condition, what kind of job can I find?
How can we survive? What will we live on?!
A desperate, suffocating feeling gripped her throat!
The store manager sighed, "Capital is truly ruthless." She couldn't say that the leaders were wrong, but she felt that they were too cold-blooded.

Then, looking at Lu Yan's sorrowful face, he suggested, "I remember you used to work at the Yinuo Group. Ask your former colleagues if there's any chance you could go back."

“Yinuo…”

Her voice was ethereal, as if it came from a very distant place.
"I used to be married and moved to Jiangzhou... I worked as a sales assistant for two years in a store under the Jiangzhou branch of the Yinuo Group..."

Her eyes dimmed further when that past was mentioned.
"Later... I divorced that heartless man... and my mother's illness got worse and worse... so I reluctantly returned to my hometown in Qin Province, covered in wounds..."

She raised her head, her empty eyes looking at the store manager:

"The Ino Group here? Ha... I don't know a single person from them, not a single connection..."

She paused, a more desperate self-mockery appearing on her face:
"When I first returned to Qin Province... I went to Yinuo's store to ask..."

"These days, even for the lowest-level sales assistants... they require at least a college diploma..."

Her voice grew softer and softer, filled with a self-deprecating sadness:
"And I... only graduated from high school..."

"They can't even reach the most basic threshold..."

A tremendous sense of failure and self-loathing overwhelmed her like a tsunami!

"I'm so useless!!"

A piercing scream suddenly erupted!

"I'm a complete waste! I can't even support myself!!"

"My mother gave birth to me and raised me with great care and love. Now she's sick in bed, and I don't even have the money to buy her medicine! How can I possibly be filial to her?!"

"I'm just a burden! I'm the one who makes my mom suffer along with me! I'm a huge burden!!!"

Uncontrolled emotions are like a flood bursting its banks!

Driven by immense despair and intense self-hatred, Lu Yan suddenly raised her hand and, with all her might, struck her pale cheek—

"Snapped!"

A crisp, resounding slap!

"Snapped!!"

again!
The attack was ruthless and merciless! As if trying to awaken himself from his own powerlessness and shatter this cruel fate!
Several clear, glaring red finger marks instantly appeared on her fair cheeks!
"Lu Yan!! What are you doing?!"

The store manager was terrified! She screamed and lunged forward, grabbing Lu Yan's hand tightly as she continued to hurt herself!

Several shop assistants were also frightened and gathered around!
Lu Yan's wrist was tightly gripped by the store manager. Her body was still struggling violently and crying. The burning pain on her face was nothing compared to the pain in her heart!

The store manager repeatedly advised, "Lu Yan, don't say that. You must believe that 'when you think you've reached the end of the road, a new path will appear.' You are a kind person, and I believe that God will not let someone like you suffer forever."

She raised her empty, chilling eyes, looked at the glaring light from the ceiling, and let out a soft laugh filled with endless mockery:
"Ah……"

"God?"

"I feel like... God... specifically targets kind, useless people like us who desperately want to survive... and bullies us to death."

The store manager was also affected and became very depressed. Given Lu Yan's situation, she had to find a solution herself; her previous social circle...
“That’s right—” the store manager’s eyes lit up.

"You don't know anyone from the Yinuo Group in Qin Province. But you can ask your colleagues in Jiangzhou. Even if they're just sales assistants or store managers, they have supervisors. Their supervisors might know the leaders here and could introduce you."

The store manager's words rekindled Lu Yan's hope. "Yes, yes, let's try contacting my former colleagues and ask them to talk to the manager. She remembers that the operations manager's name is Li Lei, right? Let's ask Manager Li if he knows the operations manager here. If he does, he can recommend him!"
Lu Yan finally saw a glimmer of hope, and hurriedly pulled out her phone, trembling, and said to the store manager, "I'm going to make a call."

"Go to the lounge to play, it's quiet there."

Flagship stores like these typically have a large lounge area for employees to rest and hold meetings.

Lu Yan called the former store manager, and the call was answered quickly:

"Lu Yan, it's been over a year since we last contacted each other. How have you been lately?" The old shop manager's voice on the other end of the phone was filled with joy.

Lu Yan wondered if the store manager had encountered something good, as he seemed so happy.

"Boss, I... I need your help with something."

"We're sisters, no need for formalities. Just tell me what's wrong, and I'll definitely help if it's within my power!"

Lu Yan felt a warmth in her heart, recalling the days she spent with her friends in Jiangzhou.

She explained her situation and then asked, "Manager, could you help me find a manager here in Qin Province? Do you know anyone at the Yinuo branch and could you recommend me for a job?"

Her hand gripped the phone tightly without her realizing it; it was her last hope. She was terrified that the store manager would refuse or be unable to help, which would leave her truly desperate!
"Oh dear, what a coincidence!" (End of Chapter)