Chapter 1898 - 1898: Pay Rise
Translator: Atlas Studios Editor: Atlas Studios
Auntie Wang and Auntie Cui also wanted to work at Qiao Mei’s farm. They heard from Xia He that the farm staff there earned a lot of money! During this period of time, Qiao Mei had hired many of her neighbors in the area and the news had spread among the families. However, now that Auntie Zhang had left, they needed to take care of the three young children at home and there was no way for them to leave the house.
‘Qiao Mei, the two of us are alright with taking care of the children, but there’s also the rest of the housework at home, like cleaning, cooking and doing the laundry and so on. The two of us really can’t cope. Can you consider hiring another helper?” Auntie Wang said tentatively to Qiao Mei.
“I’ve been so busy with the farm recently that I’ve forgotten about the issues at home. I’m really sorry,” Qiao Mei said apologetically.
“I’m not blaming you! 1 just want to discuss it with you,” Auntie Wang said nervously.
Qiao Mei understood what Auntie Wang was thinking. She planned to hold a family meeting to sort out the recent issues and solve all the problems at once.
At night, Auntie Wang and Auntie Cui coaxed the three children to sleep. After that, everyone gathered at the living room in an orderly manner for a meeting. Even Butler Xu was asked to attend.
“l have asked everyone to come here today because I have something very important to say. During this period of time, all of you know that I’ve been busy with the farm. At the moment, the farm is still making a loss since we’re only incurring expenses and we have no income yet. However, I won’t shortchange all of you. I know how hard you’ve all been working,” Qiao Mei said sincerely to everyone.
She took out a stack of envelopes from behind her. They were filled with money and each envelope had a name on it. Qiao Mei paid everyone their salary based on their recent performance and she even gave them some bonus.
“This is your salary while working here in country M. Luo Yu and Luo Hui, you don’t have to follow Xia He and I around all the time in the future. Both of you can also go to the farm to help out. Your salary is 800 dollars a month. Butler Xu, you can also go to the farm with them. Your salary will be the same amount,” Qiao Mei said with a smile.
“Thank you, Miss Qiao! Thank you! I never expect that I’ll still be able to earn so much money in my lifetime!” Butler Xu said excitedly as he held the envelope.
Butler Xu was already old and there were many things that he could no longer do. He could not do manual work and was not very good at technical stuff. Those rich families preferred hiring butlers who were younger, so no one would take another look at an old man like him.
Xia Wen had hired him purely because of his relationship with Auntie Wang. Therefore, he was extremely grateful that Qiao Mei thought so highly of him. From now on, he would take care of Qiao Mei’s place like his ovvn home! He definitely would not let Qiao Mei suffer any hardship or grievances!
Luo Yu and Luo Hui were also very happy, but they did not show their emotions like Butler Xu. At this point, they were still drawing the same salary as they did in the capital, which was only about 100 dollars a month. That was equivalent to only 30 dollars in foreign currency, which was not even enough to buy a week’s worth of food here.
Now that Qiao Mei was giving them a separate salary and providing them with food and accommodation, they would be able to save up a lot of money. When they returned to the capital, they could use this money to buy a new house! Maybe even get married!
“Auntie Wang and Auntie Cui, your salary is slightly lower than theirs. It’s 700 dollars a month. From now on, the two of you don’t have to come and ask me or Xia He for money. Every month, we’ll put the household expenses for the month in a drawer in the study. You just need to record it in the book when you take money out from there. We will do random checks every month,” Qiao Mei said.
“It’s already a lot! Thank you, Miss Qiao! We note your instructions!” Auntie Wang said excitedly.
Qiao Mei even bought a car in Luo Yu’s name so that Butler Xu can drive it to chauffeur the farm’s customers around. It would also be more convenient for Butler Xu to drive Auntie Wang home to see the children.
As time passed, Auntie Cui felt a little upset. Her husband was located 400 kilometers away and it was very difficult for her to go home during her days off. It would be great if her husband could come to this tovvn to work and bring the children with him. This way, their family could be together all the time like Auntie Wang and Butler Xu.
When Qiao Mei was resting in the study, Auntie Cui took the chance to come
and look for her. Auntie Cui knocked on the door, feeling embarrassed, and said, “Miss Qiao, can I come in?”
“Come in,” Qiao Mei said immediately.
“l… I have something to discuss with you,” Auntie Cui said shyly..