"Your leg isn't fully recovered yet, why did you come today when it's raining?"
Tan Jincheng said, looking at Zhang Qingliang with a hint of helplessness.
"It's too boring sitting at home, I came out for some activity. Why didn't Qingqing go to class today?"
Gu Qingqing's face flushed upon hearing this, and she stammered, unable to speak.
"I have something I need her help with, so she took the day off today. By the way, Uncle, how did you get here? You didn't make Auntie drive you here in the rain, did you?"
Tan Jincheng quickly changed the subject.
"No, I came by taxi today."
"Alright then, you can come back with us later. It's convenient to take a taxi to get here, but it won't be easy to go back."
Good, he even knows to take a taxi.
His thinking isn't that rigid; it seems his learning ability should be quite good.
It's not that taxis are expensive, nor that people like Zhang Qingliang can't afford them.
Rather, in the ingrained mindset of migrant workers like them, the idea of taking a taxi is rare.
They simply wouldn't consider efficiency; saving money and being frugal are their inherent ways of thinking.
In his previous life, Tan Jincheng had heard that when he returned to his hometown, there was a migrant worker in the village who worked at a construction site in the city.
Every month, he would carry preserved vegetables from home to the site, buy only rice daily, and then eat it with the preserved vegetables, saving a lot.
Normally, if a place was too far, he would only take a bus.
For places reachable on foot, he would definitely walk, even if it meant an extra day's delay.
He never considered that eating too many preserved vegetables meant insufficient nutrition, his stamina wouldn't hold up, and getting sick would cost more money.
Nor did he consider that an extra day's delay meant one less day of work, which would actually reduce his income.
"Then give me a shout when you leave."
Zhang Qingliang also nodded in agreement upon hearing this.
"Got it. I'll go check out other places. You find somewhere to rest if you have nothing to do; standing too much is tiring for your leg. And don't rush, you can start working in another month. You've earned quite a bit this year, so just consider it an early Chinese New Year celebration."
Zhang Qingliang waved his hand, saying nothing, and let Tan Jincheng go about his business.
Since the two were speaking in dialect, Gu Qingqing didn't understand a single word.
She could only stand by, wide-eyed, watching Tan Jincheng.
However, Zhang Qingliang's wave and Tan Jincheng taking her hand again made her realize they were going somewhere else.
Seeing that they were far from Zhang Qingliang, Gu Qingqing asked curiously,
"What were you two just saying? I didn't understand a word."
"I just asked him why he came over when it's raining and his legs aren't well, and then told him that taking a taxi here isn't convenient, so we'd take him back with us when we leave later."
"Your dialect is like Yongcheng dialect, I can't understand it."
"Haha, I'll pay attention next time. If I mention you, I'll speak in Mandarin, but if I don't notice, I'll translate for you."
It's really hard to notice.
Mandarin is spoken with specific people, but speaking Mandarin with family members isn't a habit; one can easily switch back to dialect mode automatically.
Afterwards, Tan Jincheng went to the assembly workshop.
Newly hired employees were undergoing training there.
Recently, Chen Jinwen, the HR department manager, has also been stationed here.
In addition to cooperating with the district human resources bureau, she also attends various job fairs, occasionally bringing in a batch of workers.
Training institution staff, along with experienced employees from the old factory, guide the new hires step-by-step through the important points.
Chen Jinwen also regularly organizes sessions for employees to explain some of the company's rules and regulations to them.
"How are the benefits for these employees?"
Gu Qingqing asked softly.
"I think the benefits are decent. Food and accommodation are provided, social security is paid, and there's overtime pay. Basic wages are over 2000 yuan a month. The exact overtime depends on them. Including social security, benefits, and subsidies, the cost per worker is around 4000 yuan."
Within corporate employee wages, social security is actually a relatively heavy burden, which is one of the reasons why many companies don't pay social security now.
Under normal circumstances, social security contributions account for about 40% of the total wages.
For a 2000 yuan salary, if social security is paid normally, the company's outlay is roughly around 2800 yuan.
It might be slightly less with taxes.
These figures vary in detail depending on the industry and regional policies.
As I recall, before 2019, it seemed many companies in various regions didn't pay social security for their employees.
It wasn't until social security systems were integrated with tax systems nationwide that it truly became universal social security.
Flash Chi Technology only pays social security for its employees based on the local minimum wage level, not their actual wages.
If it were based on actual wages, the burden would be too heavy.
But even with this, Flash Chi Technology's labor costs are much higher than those of typical companies.
When Chen Jinwen recruits, she advertises that food and accommodation are provided, with salaries ranging from 2000 to 4000 yuan, including social security.
These conditions are quite attractive, so it's not difficult for Flash Chi Technology to recruit grassroots employees.
Good benefits make Chen Jinwen's job much easier.
Although the work intensity is high and holidays are few, Flash Chi Technology's turnover rate is relatively low.
It's understandable to save costs when running a factory, but Tan Jincheng doesn't want to be too harsh on wages and benefits; he can't bring shame to a reborn person.
If you're going to fleece someone, fleece capital.
What kind of sense does it make to fleece low-level employees?
Currently, most grassroots employees are around Tan Jincheng's current age, about 20 years old.
The minimum contribution period for social security is 15 years.
If they work diligently, Flash Chi Technology can ensure they have enough social security contributions by the time they are around 35 to 40 years old.
This way, many detours in life will be avoided.
Once the social security period is sufficient, your life will be relatively free.
This can also be considered a contribution to society after being reborn.
Unable to change anything and not being a "Virgin Mary," but it is proper to do what one can under the premise of being beneficial to oneself.
Tan Jincheng waited at the new factory all morning.
When lunchtime arrived, he left with Gu Qingqing and Zhang Qingliang.
"Uncle, I'll take you home first. We still have things to do, so we won't eat together. You can eat at home by yourself."
This sentence was spoken in Mandarin.
Fearing Gu Qingqing might feel uncomfortable, Tan Jincheng decided to send Zhang Qingliang home first.
Anyway, they would be in frequent contact in the future, so there was no need to be so polite.
"Alright, you two go about your business. Your auntie eats lunch at home, so you don't need to worry about my meal."
Zhang Qingliang replied with a smile.
He was also a man of experience; how could he not see that the relationship between the two had become much closer than during the Mid-Autumn Festival?
Young people were in their sweet phase, so there was no need to disturb them.
If his nephew hadn't said it was hard to get a taxi, he wouldn't have wanted to go back with them.
In the afternoon, Tan Jincheng returned to the old factory.
Similarly, he first took Gu Qingqing for a tour of the workshop.
Compared to the new factory area, the old factory workshop was much livelier.
Workers were rapidly tightening screws, none idle, as their daily workload directly related to their income.
Even if Tan Jincheng wanted to pull aside an unfamiliar employee to ask some questions, the other person would show a look of unwillingness.
"Who are you? I haven't seen you before. Go quickly, don't hold up my work."
What a great era! As long as incentive policies are in place, they really dare to work!
So, paying workers a bit more salary is indeed beneficial.
Tan Jincheng remembered a scene from a TV series in his previous life.
He couldn't recall the name of the series, but it seemed to be called "Da Ran Fang" (The Great Dyeing Mill).
Zhang Yifeng or Zhang Fengyi? The protagonist played by the actor who ate noodles at the beginning of "In the Name of the People."
He fed his workers well and sufficiently, paid them enough, and so the workers worked diligently for him, and their morale was different from other textile mills.
Times are changing, and workers' perceptions and pursuits are different, but the reason they work their entire lives is ultimately for three meals a day and a few taels of silver.
As long as this point is grasped, things become much easier.
After touring the workshop, Tan Jincheng took Gu Qingqing to see Flash Chi's sample cars.
"How about it? Do you like any of them? Should I get one for you to take to school?"
The Flash Chi Fiyi series currently has major color options: pink, white, and blue, with subtle differences within each color.
"Mhm, I want a pink one,"
Gu Qingqing nodded quickly, pointing to one of the models.
She had seen the renderings before, but there were still some differences between the renderings and the actual cars.
While the real thing didn't have the same cool factor as the renderings, it was still very cute.
Gu Qingqing immediately fell in love with the model named "Bashful Pink."
The compact and cute body, along with its bright color, made her heart flutter.
"Alright, I'll have someone prepare it for you later, and then have the driver deliver it to your school gate in a pickup truck."
"Okay, then bring the previous one back when you come. I'll ride this pink one from now on."
"No need, keep it there, consider it for your dorm. Besides, I'll prepare another one here for you to ride when you visit. Also, when you have time, go get a car driver's license."
"Got it, I'll go. I'll sign up next week,"
Gu Qingqing nodded.
She had always talked about getting a driver's license, but being busy with dating and studying computer courses, Gu Qingqing had forgotten.
"Let's go, let's head to the office upstairs. I wonder when this rain will stop. If it gets heavy, do you want to stay here another night?"
Gu Qingqing immediately looked at Tan Jincheng warily:
"No, even if it hails today, you still have to send me back."
The soreness from last night was still fresh in her memory.
"Hehe, why are you so scared? It won't happen next time, trust me,"
Tan Jincheng chuckled.
Although Gu Qingqing's face was flushed, she still retorted stubbornly,
"Don't even think about it. Anyway, I absolutely have to go back tonight. Also, how do you know so much? I don't believe you one bit when you say it's your first time."
"Of course it's my first time! I've already sworn. As for why I know so much, you'd have to ask the Japanese teachers."
"Pervert, I'm not talking about this with you anymore. By the way, how much do you plan to sell that little pink car for?"
(End of Chapter)