I Really Didn't Mean to Make Money

—

Update Announcement:

To maintain game balance, the following changes will be made over the coming period:

1. A series of free equipment will be released. These items can only be obtained by grinding mobs. Their stats will correspond to the equipment available to nobles at each level. However, as item level increases, the drop rates will decrease accordingly.

2. Considering that some returning players and new players are at lower levels and unable to experience high-level gameplay, we have adjusted the experience gained from early-stage monsters. This will allow players to level up faster and reduce level disparity.

3. The game will introduce multiple new character classes, such as: Swordsman, Hunter, Half-Orc, etc. Each class will come with unique skill trees and talents, and combining different classes may yield unexpected effects.

4. ......

n. Given that these changes may affect the privileges of noble players, we will provide compensation. Several exclusive outfits will be made available to nobles. These outfits can change character appearance and skill visuals, making characters more dazzling and eye-catching. However, these outfits will not grant any stat bonuses.

—

After reading the final announcement, Chen Cong roughly understood what the game was trying to do.

They were clearly trying to gradually phase out the influence of nobles — so even if you had money, you wouldn’t necessarily be the strongest.

Just like now: he wanted to spend money to buy a set of equipment, but couldn’t complete a full set.

This was even during a time when players were grinding for gear to sell — no one was keeping the loot for themselves.

If some of those high-level veterans returned, he definitely wouldn’t be the only one buying these items.

By then, acquiring equipment would likely be even harder.

That thought made Chen Cong’s eyes light up.

If he stocked up on gear now, and sold it later at a higher price when those veteran players came back — wouldn’t that be a tidy profit?

Of course, there was some risk involved.

If the game failed to bring those old players back, the gear he stockpiled might just rot in his warehouse.

Well...

Let it rot then.

Besides, even if his old friends came back — who said he had to sell it?

When that time came...

Strengthening his own faction would be the top priority.

In any case, it didn’t cost much to collect the gear. He’d just hold onto it for now.

Chen Cong made up his mind. He was also curious to see what kind of noble costumes Tianlong Game would offer, and the gameplay for those new classes — it all sounded quite interesting.

—

“Luoyuan, today Cai Jing and I are heading to the mechanical plant for training. That means the company’s business side is left to you alone. All the sales pressure will fall on your shoulders — you’ll need to work extra hard and make more runs.”

“I happen to have a few potential clients who were about to place orders. If I don’t follow up, they might back out.”

“I’ll hand over those leads to you later. If you follow up diligently, they might just close.”

—

Garment Factory, Sales Department.

Wu Yu was giving instructions to Luoyuan.

He’d been informed yesterday about the training. Though it was unusual for a salesperson to be sent to train at a mechanical factory, once he heard it was President Chen’s directive, he accepted without hesitation.

Since it was President Chen’s order, it must have a purpose.

The training would last twenty days, and he was worried that with two salespeople gone, the department might not be able to keep up with production orders.

So he decided to hand over the clients he’d been working on to Luoyuan.

If his mentor could entrust him with leads, why couldn’t he do the same for his fellow salespeople?

This might even become a future tradition in the sales department.

Moreover, the base salary in the sales department was now quite generous. After the recent raise, his base had reached 6,000 yuan, and it was non-performance-based.

Meaning: even if he slacked off and got zero sales, he’d still earn 6,000 a month — not counting hidden benefits.

Of course, he didn’t intend to slack off. President Chen’s trust in giving him such a high base salary must be rewarded with results. Bringing in more orders was the best way to show appreciation.

So he didn’t have to worry about going hungry with no commissions. And he’d even heard that training came with travel stipends — so there really wasn’t anything to worry about.

“Don’t worry, Yu-ge. I’ll handle the sales work seriously.”

Luoyuan looked at Wu Yu with emotion and promised earnestly.

“Alright, we’re off then.”

Wu Yu nodded and left the department with Cai Jing.

—

Outside, a small passenger van had already pulled up — probably their transport for the training.

The employees selected from the production workshop were already gathered outside as well.

“Good morning, President Chen.” 𝒻𝑟𝘦𝘦𝘸ℯ𝒷𝑛𝘰𝓋ℯ𝘭.𝘤𝘰𝘮

Just as he approached the others, Wu Yu saw President Chen walking out of the office building.

“Heading out now?” asked Chen Mo, glancing at the scene with a rare smile.

Finally got that guy out of here — the sales department would have some peace now.

Still, this wasn’t a long-term solution. He needed to find a way to completely put an end to the bad habit of inflating sales performance.

“Yes, President Chen. Looks like the employees are waiting for me.”

Wu Yu counted the workers: eight of them. Only he and Cai Jing were left.

“Alright then, head out. Don’t worry — for these twenty days, even though you won’t be handling sales, the company will provide compensation.”

“Wait, isn’t there already a travel stipend?” Wu Yu asked.

“Stipend is for the trip itself. Compensation is for not being able to run sales during those twenty days. It’s different,” Chen Mo patiently explained.

“Thank you, President Chen.”

Both Wu Yu and Cai Jing quickly expressed their gratitude.

“Alright, get on the bus already. Everyone’s waiting.”

Chen Mo waved them off, clearly a little uncomfortable with the thanks.

As he watched the training team board the vehicle, Chen Mo turned and headed back to the office.

The biggest obstacle to his performance reviews was finally out of the way — he could finally breathe easy.

—

Changling CNC

A small bus pulled up slowly at the gate of the machine tool factory.

Since it wasn’t located in Jiangcheng City, the trip had taken nearly four hours.

Wu Yu led the employees off the bus one by one.

A slightly balding middle-aged man came up to greet them.

“You must be the group from Changfeng Clothing here for training. I’m Zhao Yang, the person in charge of your reception.”

“Training officially begins tomorrow. For now, I’ll show you around our machine tool factory.”

As Zhao Yang led them inside, he introduced the company’s layout and facilities:

“Our park spans 60,000 square meters, including production workshops, staff dormitories, a cafeteria, lounges, and office buildings.”

“You’ve been on the road for quite a while, so I’ll take you to the cafeteria first for a meal, then we’ll assign dorm rooms.”

“Not to brag, but our cafeteria serves the best meals among the nearby factories. Some workers from other plants even sneak over here to eat,” Zhao Yang said proudly.