Chapter 102: The Big Gossip!

Chapter 102: The Big Gossip!

The news of Liyuan Farm hiring new employees quickly spread throughout Yucheng.

Zhao Han was attending a welcome banquet in the county, mainly to entertain a visiting official from Ming City. While the official claimed to be there for guidance, it was really just a formality. Nevertheless, they had to ensure all the formalities were observed. Such events were not uncommon throughout the year.

During a break, Zhao Han received news about Linyuan Farm and immediately reported it to County Magistrate Liu: "Magistrate Liu, Linyuan Farm is hiring again. This time, it's a big move—they're looking to hire 200 people!"

Magistrate Liu was clearly very interested in this matter, as it was one of the reasons they supported Linyuan Farm. Not only did Linyuan Farm attract tourists and boost the local economy, but it also increased tax revenue and created job opportunities.

After a quick calculation, Linyuan Farm already had over 200 employees. With this new hire, they would be pushing past 400. For a small county, a company with 400 employees was a significant enterprise.

What made it even better was that Linyuan Farm was prioritizing hiring people from Yucheng.

Just then, Wang Yu rushed in. He had recently been promoted to a full department head and was brimming with enthusiasm. He immediately reported to the two leaders: "Leaders, you've likely heard about Linyuan Farm's hiring, right?"

Both Zhao Han and Magistrate Liu nodded.

Wang Yu continued, "Kailin Investment is also hiring, under the name of Kailin Investment Farm. They're offering higher salaries for each position and have even advertised on the outdoor screens at RT-Mart. I had someone record a video."

He then opened a video and handed it to the two leaders.

Zhao Han and Magistrate Liu watched the video, and their brows quickly furrowed. Kailin Investment Farm was offering higher salaries for every position.

"This is clearly targeting Linyuan Farm," Zhao Han said, seeing it immediately.

Magistrate Liu frowned and said, "It's fine if it's just competitive business tactics. At least they're providing job opportunities, which is a good thing. What I'm worried about is if they fail and give up, causing many people to lose their jobs. If they end up in a lose-lose situation with Linyuan Farm, it would be even worse!"

He sighed. "It's all because of... you know who..." Zhao Han was about to complain but stopped himself, knowing some things were better left unsaid. He finally sighed heavily, "The worst is when someone who doesn't understand anything meddles!" The room fell silent, and no one dared to continue the topic.

After all, some things were better left unspoken.

...

The next day.

Zhang Lin rode his scooter to the farm office center and found a crowd already gathered outside. From their attire and local Yucheng accents, it was clear they were there to apply for jobs. The large number of early arrivals also indicated that Linyuan Farm had a significant reputation in Yucheng.

Zhang Lin entered the office center, and Lin Mengyao approached him: "Mr. Zhang, there are too many people outside. I can't handle it alone."

She was asking for help.

Seeing Fu Yao, Zhang Lin instructed her, "Fu Yao, go find Senior Lin and the others to help Mengyao with the hiring process."

"Sure, Uncle!" Fu Yao nodded and followed Lin Mengyao out.

Soon, the hiring process at the office center was bustling with activity. The office center covered 10 acres and had many unused spaces. Lin Mengyao quickly set up a recruitment area with a few tables in an open space.

Given the limited resources, they hadn't yet set up a dedicated conference hall or multimedia room.

From his office, Zhang Lin called his uncle Zhang He.

With another 200 hires, they needed to prepare work uniforms.

They hadn't designed new uniforms yet, so they would have to use the existing design with the Linyuan Farm logo for the time being.

When the call connected, Zhang He's voice came through: "Little Lin, what's up?"

Zhang Lin explained, "Uncle, we need another 200 sets of work uniforms from you!"

"Are the previous ones not enough?" Zhang He asked, surprised.

"We're hiring another 200 people!" Zhang Lin explained.

"Another 200 people!" Zhang He was clearly surprised. He hadn't expected his nephew's farm to develop so quickly. Not long ago, the farm was in a completely different state. He hadn't paid much attention for a while, but now his nephew was hiring people in batches of 200, which made him feel like he was living in a different era.

However, he was also very pleased with his nephew's progress. "Alright, I got it. I'll send them over this afternoon."

Meanwhile, on the other side, Kai Lin Investment was also actively recruiting. Zhao Neng had arranged for advertisements to run all day at the Da Run Fa supermarket. The prime-time crowd last night had seen the ads, and many more people had been drawn in.

So when Zhao Neng arrived at the company early in the morning, there were already many people there to apply.

"Boss Zhao, there are a lot of people applying!" his assistant reported immediately. "The key is that Kai Lin Investment Farm has gained a good reputation. Your decision to increase wages was wise. Now, many people in You City are discussing how Kai Lin Investment Farm offers higher wages compared to Li Yuan Farm."

"Has the account for Xiang Yin been approved?" Zhao Neng asked.

The discussions weren't just limited to You City. Zhao Neng had even hired internet trolls to promote Kai Lin Investment Farm in the comments section of Li Yuan Farm's videos, often highlighting how Kai Lin Investment Farm offered higher wages.

This raised another question: What is Kai Lin Investment Farm? Where is it located?

This inadvertently increased the farm's popularity and reputation. Once everyone knew that Kai Lin Investment Farm was also in You City, it would create a competitive atmosphere, drawing more attention.

Zhao Neng planned to use this as a buzz to attract more people from Li Yuan Farm.

The assistant replied, "Boss Zhao, the Xiang Yin account has been approved, and people have already started following our Kai Lin Investment Farm account."

Zhao Neng smiled. Although the camping site and flower sea projects couldn't achieve the original effect, the current situation was good and proceeding as he had planned.

Time passed.

By the afternoon, the recruitment at Li Yuan Farm had slowed down, mainly because most people had come in the morning, and fewer were arriving in the afternoon.

When Zhao Han and Wang Yu arrived at the farm, the recruitment was almost complete.

"This flower wall is really impressive," Zhao Han said, having only seen it in videos before. Now, seeing it in person, he couldn't help but praise it, especially with the +1 environmental beauty attribute.

"Only Boss Zhang would make an office center's wall so beautiful," Wang Yu commented from behind.

"Indeed, let's go in!" Zhao Han agreed, and as they entered the courtyard, both were clearly attracted by its size and the well-arranged flowers, as well as the sudden coolness in the hot weather.

He remarked, "Our Tourism Bureau is planning to build a new office center. If they could learn from Boss Zhang, it would be great."

"Director Zhao, that's probably not possible!" Wang Yu broke his boss's daydream.

"You're right!" Zhao Han shook his head and walked inside. If the Tourism Bureau really built something like this, they might be investigated. Who knew how much Boss Zhang had spent to create such an effect?

When Zhao Han arrived, Zhang Lin naturally came out to greet him and set up tea at the table.

Previously, he could only entertain guests at the service center, but now, with an office and a dedicated tea area, things felt more formal.

"Director Zhao, have some tea!" Zhang Lin brewed a pot of tea and poured a cup for both Zhao Han and Wang Yu.

After drinking a cup of tea, Zhao Han couldn't help but praise, "Boss Zhang, your office center is really impressive. I've been to many company offices, and yours is definitely the best!"

"Workplace aesthetics are important. A nice environment makes work more enjoyable," Zhang Lin said without being modest, since the game system's output and attributes made it superior to any other company in You City.

Zhao Han then said, "I have two things to discuss today. One is about the popularity of Bamboo Cultural Park, which has boosted You City's bamboo products industry. According to recent statistics, orders for bamboo products have increased by 30%, and the trend is still rising! Therefore, Liu County will be holding a quality guidance summit for the bamboo products industry the day after tomorrow and would like to invite you, Boss Zhang, to participate!"

"Sure, I'll be there," Zhang Lin replied with a smile, then asked, "Director Zhao, what's the second thing?"

In reality, this meeting had nothing to do with him, as Zhang Lin didn't run a bamboo products company. However, given the significant role the Bamboo Culture Park played, it wasn't surprising that County Liu had invited him.

The key was that he had to give County Liu this face, even if it meant sitting through a meeting for over an hour.

Zhao Han explained, "The second matter is about Kai Lin Investment. They've started recruiting employees today, and their wages are even higher than yours. I just wanted to ask if your farm has a strategy to deal with this. I don't want to see Luyuan Farm, which has been doing so well, become a mess because of them."

Zhang Lin smiled and replied, "Thank you for your concern, Director Zhao. However, I'm not worried about Kai Lin Investment. I believe my project is far superior to theirs!"

How could it not be? His project had the attributes of a game, and the outcome was predetermined from the start.

Seeing Zhang Lin's confident expression, Zhao Han nodded and said, "It's good that Mr. Zhang is confident. If you need any assistance from the Tourism Bureau, we'll do our best to help."

"Thank you, Director Zhao. I'll definitely come to you if I need anything," Zhang Lin said as he poured another cup of tea for Zhao Han and his companion.

At that moment, Lin Mengyao and Fu Yao walked into the office.

Seeing that there were people in the office, Lin Mengyao quickly tried to leave. "Mr. Zhang, are you entertaining guests?"

Zhao Han immediately said, "It's fine. If you have something to say, go ahead. Don't mind us."

Zhang Lin also said, "What is it? Is it about the recruitment?"

Lin Mengyao then handed Zhang Lin a set of recruitment documents and an application form. "We've already filled all the positions for waitstaff, security, and cleaning. We still need more time for the technical roles like camp instructors. Here are the lists of newly recruited employees. Their contracts have been signed, and they'll start basic service training tomorrow. However, we need to collect the work uniforms first."

Zhang Lin nodded, signed the application form, and handed it back to Lin Mengyao. "Go to the logistics department to collect the items."

The logistics department was now managed by his mother, and the uniforms and other supplies had been moved to the office center, making it convenient to collect them.

"Okay, Mr. Zhang!" Lin Mengyao took the application form and pulled Fu Yao, who was carrying the load, out of the office. She then called over the newly recruited employees to go to the logistics department to collect their items.

The logistics department was located on the west side of the office center.

Lin Yan, the manager, was very dedicated. Although the farm was her son's business, she treated it as her own work and took it seriously.

When Lin Mengyao and the others arrived, she was chatting with Zhang He.

Zhang He had come to deliver a new batch of work uniforms and to check on his nephew's farm. He was genuinely surprised by the farm's current state, as it had only had a service center when he last visited.

"Fu Yao!" Lin Yan was clearly very surprised to see Fu Yao, whom she had met at a local supermarket, and who was her son's girlfriend.

She had always wanted her son to bring this girl home, but she could sense that he didn't like her interfering in his personal life, so she had never mentioned it.

Now, seeing Fu Yao, she was very happy.

"Auntie!" Fu Yao also recognized Lin Yan.

She hadn't expected the boss's mother to be working at the farm, and with the boss not around, it was a bit awkward.

Lin Yan, however, smiled and pulled Fu Yao over, introducing her to Zhang He. "Brother, let me introduce you. This is Fu Yao, Xiaolin's girlfriend!"

Zhang He looked at Fu Yao with surprise. His nephew finding a girlfriend wasn't unusual, but this girl looked so young, almost like a high school student.

However, he knew some people just looked younger than they were.

Moreover, he was genuinely happy that his nephew had found a girlfriend. He immediately greeted Fu Yao, "Hello!"

"Y-You too!" Fu Yao quickly responded, feeling a bit embarrassed.

Lin Mengyao, standing nearby, looked incredulous.

After all, she knew Fu Yao's age; she would only be in her senior year of high school next semester.

She was already dating someone?

And it seemed like she had already met the family, given how the logistics manager had introduced her as her son's girlfriend to her relatives.

Had social norms become so relaxed?

This felt like a major piece of gossip.

She wondered what Fu Yao's boyfriend looked like.

(End of Chapter)

Chapter end