One Yuan First Recharge: I'm Actually the Boss Behind a Fortune 500 Company

The ninth day of the first lunar month.

The festive atmosphere of the New Year hadn't faded yet, but the village had already become deserted.

Wang Hao stood in the courtyard, looking at the tightly closed gates on both sides of the alley.

Many homes still had brand-new Spring Festival couplets pasted on their doors and red lanterns hanging, but no one was inside.

The fifth and sixth days of the Lunar New Year are the peak of the return journey. People who work, go to work, or go to school fly away like migratory birds.

The empty houses remain, along with the elderly and children who live there.

His luggage was already packed, two suitcases and a backpack, all full.

Mother Li Xiuying was still stuffing things into the car—sausages, cured meat, glutinous rice cakes, homemade pickled vegetables, fried crispy pork, and a bag of freshly steamed buns.

"Mom, that's enough, we can't fit any more in." Wang Hao said helplessly, looking at the trunk that was already full.

"If it's still full, stuff it in a little more." Li Xiuying stuffed in another bag of peanuts:

"You can't find this authentic food in the city."

"These sausages were specially made by your second aunt; take them with you and enjoy them at your leisure."

The father, Wang Jianguo, stood to the side, smoking, without saying a word.

The cigarette ash had piled up quite a bit; I forgot to flick it off.

"Dad, smoke less," Wang Hao said.

Wang Jianguo then came to his senses and stubbed out his cigarette on the sole of his shoe: "Be careful on the road, drive slowly, don't rush."

"Know."

"Call home when you arrive."

"Um."

"Don't overwork yourself, take care of your health."

"it is good."

The conversation was simple, but every word carried weight.

My second uncle and aunt also came over. My second aunt was carrying a bag of oranges.

"Haozi, eat on the way. Once you get to the provincial capital, take good care of yourself."

"Thank you, Auntie." Wang Hao took the oranges.

His second uncle patted him on the shoulder: "Work hard. Don't worry about home, we've got you covered."

"Understood, Second Uncle."

It's time to get on the bus.

Wang Hao opened the car door and got into the driver's seat.

His parents stood outside the car window, watching him through the glass.

Li Xiuying's eyes were a little red, but she held back her tears.

Wang Jianguo stood ramrod straight with his hands behind his back, but the reluctance in his eyes was unmistakable.

"Dad, Mom, I'm leaving." Wang Hao rolled down the car window.

"Let's go, be careful on the road." Li Xiuying's voice trembled slightly.

"Call me when you arrive," Wang Jianguo said again.

Wang Hao nodded and started the car.

The car slowly drove out of the yard and turned onto the village road.

He looked in the rearview mirror.

The parents remained standing there, watching the car drive away without moving.

The mother raised her hand to wipe her eyes, and the father put his arm around her shoulder.

The two figures grew smaller and smaller in the rearview mirror until they disappeared from sight after turning a corner.

Wang Hao felt as if something was gripping his heart, making it hard to breathe.

That feeling is indescribable.

Even though I chose to leave to pursue a better life, seeing my parents standing there all alone makes me feel like a deserter.

He considered whether he should stay at home.

But what can you do at home?

Farming?

Doing odd jobs?

What good is earning two or three thousand a month?

"Being poor means you have to travel far and wide" is never just a joke.

The car drove out of the village and onto the country road.

The fields on both sides of the road are still barren and will not be sown until spring.

Occasionally you can see a few households with elderly people sitting in front of their doors, basking in the sun, staring blankly at the road.

Wang Hao took a deep breath and suppressed his emotions.

Now is not the time to be melancholy.

He needs to think about the future.

The system task is to complete the recruitment of 20 employees, in which case you can get a house in the provincial capital.

Whether his parents wanted to live there or not, at least he had a place to stay in the city and felt more secure.

And he's not young anymore.

Having a car and a house would make finding a partner easier.

He doesn't necessarily want to get married, but he does want a family, to have his own children, and to give his children a good life.

These are all directions he needs to work towards.

There was another thing that made Wang Hao a little uncomfortable: Wu Liang didn't go out with him this year.

It wasn't that Wu Liang ran away early, but rather that he wasn't going out this year to help his family with their business.

Wu Liang's family is in a much better situation... Staying at home is definitely a better choice.

Just then, my phone rang.

The car's Bluetooth display shows Wu Liang.

Wang Hao answered: "Liangzi."

"Haozi, have you left?" Wu Liang's voice came from the background, which was a bit noisy, like a construction site.

"Yes, we've left the village," Wang Hao said.

"Um... Haozi," Wu Liang said, sounding a little embarrassed.

"It's not that I don't want to keep you company. But you know, my dad is getting old, and someone has to take over the work at the sand quarry and construction site."

"I know," Wang Hao said. "It's good to stay at home, with your parents. It's better than wandering around outside."

"Yes," Wu Liang sighed.

"After all these years of wandering, I've done all the fun things I wanted to do and seen all the people I wanted to see."

"It's time to get back to life. I'm my dad's only son, so it's my responsibility to support him."

He paused for a moment, then said, "But Haozi, you need to be more careful when you're alone in the city."

"I'm not here with you, so think things through yourself. If you need any help, just give me a call."

"Okay." Wang Hao felt a warmth in his heart. "You too, work hard at home. I'll find you for a drink next time you come back."

"Okay! Be careful on the road and stay safe."

"Um."

After hanging up the phone, the car fell silent again.

In the past, every time I returned to the city, I was with Wu Liang.

The two of them took turns driving, chatting and laughing along the way, and time flew by.

He's all alone this year.

It's a bit lonely, but that's normal.

That's life; ultimately, you have to walk many paths on your own.

After driving for almost an hour, we reached the highway entrance.

Wang Hao stopped at a gas station next to the entrance, intending to refuel before getting back on the highway.

While he was refueling, he took out his phone and opened "Behind the Scenes".

Find Zhou Jianjun's chat window.

Wang Hao: "Old Zhou, the company officially starts work tomorrow. Let everyone know."

The message was sent and received a reply in less than a minute.

Zhou Jianjun: "Boss, I've already notified them."

"I posted an announcement in the group chat yesterday and also sent individual messages to everyone. Everyone will be on time tomorrow, so please don't worry."

That's efficient.

Wang Hao thought for a moment, then sent another message: "How's the recruitment going on your end?"

This is what he cares about most right now.

Only when the company grows to 20 people can the system tasks be completed and the house be acquired.

Zhou Jianjun: "Boss, actually I started screening resumes during the Chinese New Year period."

"I received seventy or eighty applications in my inbox. I did a preliminary screening, and not many of them met my criteria."

"How much?" Wang Hao asked.

"There are three suitable candidates, and I've scheduled interviews for tomorrow afternoon," Zhou Jianjun replied. "Boss, there's something I'm not sure if I should say."

Wang Hao: "You go ahead."

Zhou Jianjun: "If it's just about getting 20 people together, it's not difficult."

"But the people we hire have to be useful to the company. Otherwise, the training costs will be high, the turnover rate will be high, and it will only drag the company down."

Wang Hao stared at the message, stunned.

Yes, he was only thinking about completing the task and getting the house, but he overlooked this problem.

Just hire a dozen or so people, make up the numbers, the task is done, and you've got the house.

But what if these people can't do the work, or can't do it well?

He now makes money from games, but the "company" in the game also needs to function properly.

These electronic employees can help him solve real-world problems. For example, Yu Xinxin helps him sell wine, and Lin Wei helps him with design work; these are all of practical value.

If the people you hire are useless, the company will fail.

Moreover, Zhou Jianjun has the ability—his talent for "discerning talent" should make him accurate in judging people.

Wang Hao hesitated for a moment.

Should we rush to complete the task or proceed cautiously?

Wang Hao thought for a while. If they followed Zhou Jianjun's approach, the recruitment process would definitely be slower, but the time difference would be at most one or two months, or at most a quarter.

Wang Hao could afford to wait a quarter for the house.

Moreover, if Zhou Jianjun recruits someone very capable, that person can definitely benefit his real life.

This is what Wang Hao values. Once he understands this, he has a choice.

Wang Hao: "Old Zhou, you're right. Let's proceed with the recruitment at your pace. I trust your judgment."

Zhou Jianjun: "Thank you for your trust, boss. I will make sure that the people I hire are useful to the company."

Wang Hao: "Hmm. Oh, right, there's something else—how's the company cafeteria project I asked you to set up going? The plan's been out for so long, we need to get it implemented quickly."

The cafeteria issue was decided during his first employee meeting, but preparing for the cafeteria is not as simple as purchasing cameras; it involves more complex matters. This matter has been dragging on for quite some time and needs to be implemented as soon as possible.

Zhou Jianjun: "Don't worry, boss. I arranged for construction to begin during the Spring Festival. It's expected to be operational around the Lantern Festival. I've also found canteen staff and finalized procurement agreements with legitimate channels to ensure the quality of the food."

Wang Hao: "Okay, thanks for your hard work."

Zhou Jianjun: "Of course, boss."

Wang Hao: "Okay, you go ahead and do your work. I have other things to do."

After exiting the game, Wang Hao paid for the gas and got back into the car.

The car entered the highway and headed towards the provincial capital.

The scenery outside the window rushed past, the fields, villages, and mountains gradually being left behind.

Ahead lies a city, skyscrapers, and an unknown life.

Wang Hao gripped the steering wheel, his eyes resolute.

We need to acquire a house, expand our company, bring our parents over, and have a better life in the future.

Let's tackle these things one by one.

He stepped on the gas, the car accelerated, and drove into the new year.