I Really Didn't Mean to Make Money

“First of all, we provide full coverage for the Five Social Insurances and One Housing Fund. Starting from your first month on the job, contributions begin immediately—there is no probationary period.”

“Then there are the subsidies. If you opt for the company-provided accommodation, you’ll receive a 1,000 yuan transportation subsidy. If you choose to live off-site, you’ll get a 1,000 yuan housing subsidy instead. As for shopping cards, since you’ve just joined, you’ll start with a 500 yuan card per month. After three months of employment, it’ll be increased to 1,000 yuan.”

“There’s no need to elaborate on the rest periods—two days off each week, regular holidays off, and absolutely no overtime.”

“These are the current benefits offered by the company. If you have any questions, feel free to raise them now.”

As Xu Yaning listened to Chen Mo’s explanation, she quietly clenched her palms.

These benefits were far better than what she’d seen at the larger clothing factories she’d interviewed at before.

Although her stated salary was 6,000 yuan, once all the subsidies were factored in, it amounted to 7,500 yuan. Of course, after deducting income tax and insurance contributions, the take-home pay wouldn’t be that high.

But for an intern like her, this was already an excellent deal.

More importantly, the social insurance and housing fund were contributed from day one, with no probationary period.

She could hardly believe that such benefits could come from a small clothing factory.

Just then, she felt someone nudge her thigh. Turning her head, she saw Zhou Yu gesturing from below the table. Following her hand signal, she realized that President Chen had been looking at her the whole time.

Only then did she snap back to attention—she had just zoned out and forgotten to respond to his question.

Realizing this, she quickly spoke up.

“President Chen, the benefits are already great. We don’t have any issues.”

“If that’s the case, let’s go ahead and sign the contract.”

“Alright.”

Xu Yaning looked at her three roommates, and seeing that none of them had objections, nodded in agreement.

Shen Rou, who had been observing the situation, saw their agreement and brought over the prepared contracts for the four of them.

“These are the labor contracts. Please review them, and if everything looks fine, you can go ahead and sign.”

Xu Yaning and the others took the contracts, skimmed through them, and signed once they confirmed there were no issues.

“Congratulations to the four of you for officially becoming employees of the clothing factory.”

Chen Mo stood up and congratulated them.

“President Chen, where exactly will we be working tomorrow?” Xu Yaning suddenly asked. Since they were already employed, it was natural to find out more about their workplace.

“Upstairs. I’ll take you to have a look.”

Chen Mo said as he led the way out of the office. The upper floor had previously been employee dorms with four rooms.

Now that the employees had moved to a new dorm, the upper floor was vacant—perfect for office use.

However, since it had been a dorm before, the walls were a bit yellowed. They planned to renovate the space when they refurbished the main workshop—just a fresh coat of paint and an air conditioner, since desks and chairs were already prepared.

Once the space was renovated, even those working remotely could start working in the office.

There would still be two rooms left over—just enough for these designers.

Arriving on the second floor, Chen Mo pushed open one of the rooms.

“The room will be renovated in a couple of days, so don’t worry.”

Xu Yaning and the others looked in through the door. The room was about 15 square meters, currently empty. Aside from the yellowed walls, it looked fairly clean.

“President Chen, is there no slightly larger office?”

“How big are you thinking?”

Chen Mo noticed their hesitation and realized that the space might be too small.

Xu Yaning hesitated for a moment before speaking up.

“President Chen, a fashion design studio needs a lot of things—a small sewing machine station, a large work table, mirrors, racks for sample garments, computer desks... All these are essential. And with the little odds and ends, to really function properly, we’d need at least 50 square meters.”

“Is that so?”

Chen Mo nodded thoughtfully, then looked at the group.

“I’ll take care of the office issue. For now, you can work on your clothing designs from home. No need to report to the company, and your salary will still be paid as usual.”

“Understood, President Chen.”

Hearing that, Xu Yaning nodded.

Working from home felt a little odd, but since the contract was signed, there was nothing to worry about. She just needed to focus on doing her design work well.

“Shen Rou, take them around the workshop and other areas of the company. Let them get familiar with the environment.”

Seeing that everything was settled, Chen Mo turned to Shen Rou.

Then he returned to his office.

Thinking about the designers’ office space problem, he called Li Maode, the manager of the industrial park.

He planned to inquire whether there were any suitable workshops available to convert into an office building.

Once the factory expanded, administrative staff would surely increase too, so getting an office building now made perfect sense.

The call connected quickly.

Li Maode’s voice came through the phone, sounding a bit gloomy.

“Hello, President Chen. Is there something you need?”

“I just wanted to ask—are there any vacant workshops available on your end?”

Chen Mo got straight to the point.

“President Chen, are you planning to rent a workshop?”

Li Maode’s previously dull voice suddenly became excited.

“If there is one available, I do plan to rent it.”

“I just so happen to have a two-story workshop available, each floor about 250 square meters. Would that meet your needs?”

Each floor was 250 square meters—

Not too big, not too small. Just right for a clothing factory office!

It almost felt like it had been prepared just for him.

Chen Mo thought to himself.

“Mm, that workshop fits my needs perfectly. If everything’s in order, let’s discuss the price and sign the contract.”

“In that case, please hold on a moment, President Chen. I’ll bring the documents over right away so we can talk in person.”

Li Maode said quickly. 𝓯𝓻𝓮𝙚𝙬𝓮𝙗𝒏𝙤𝒗𝙚𝙡.𝒄𝒐𝓶

After hanging up, Chen Mo waited in the office.

Roughly ten minutes later, Li Maode arrived, knocking and walking in with a document folder in hand, panting slightly as he sat down across from Chen Mo. It looked like he’d jogged over.

“Manager Li, take a breath and rest first.”

Chen Mo got up and poured him a glass of water, placing it on the desk.

With Shen Rou not around, he had to handle this personally.

“Thanks, President Chen.”

Li Maode took a sip of water.

“No need to be so polite—we’re old acquaintances.”

Chen Mo sat back down with a smile.

“Where exactly in the industrial park is this workshop? The size is exactly what I was looking for. I was actually worried earlier that there wouldn’t be anything available.”

Upon hearing this, Li Maode gave Chen Mo a strange look.

“That workshop wasn’t available until just today—it was vacated this morning.”

“Oh? What a coincidence?”

Chen Mo looked at him in surprise.

Seeing Chen Mo’s reaction, Li Maode looked puzzled.

“President Chen... are you saying that workshop becoming available wasn’t part of your plan?”