Who Needs a CEO? I Choose Stardom

”Dad, how many people do we have working for us?”

After wrapping up for the day, she ate dinner and returned to her hotel. Ni Bingyan washed her hair and sat by the window, enjoying the warm tropical breeze. She sipped on a fruit tea while calling her dad.

After her usual recap of the day’s interesting events, Ni Bingyan couldn’t hold back and finally asked her question.

Ever since finishing today’s scenes, her mind had been racing. She realized that aside from making her own life comfortable, most of the money she earned went to charitable donations.

Once the money was donated, she didn’t have to worry about it. It was less trouble for her, and the people handling the funds faced fewer restrictions. It seemed like a win-win for everyone.

’Thinking about it now, giving a man a fish is not as good as teaching him to fish. My approach has been too basic.’

Compared to a one-time donation, a long-term, stable job could probably help people much more.

Being able to live with dignity through one’s own efforts while providing a better life for one’s family must be what every self-respecting person hopes for.

Those who only want handouts and are unwilling to work hard aren’t worthy of sympathy anyway.

’If I provide jobs, I could also filter those kinds of people out of the aid list. That sounds like a good idea.’

Once she had this realization, Ni Bingyan suddenly felt as if her life had ascended to a higher level. She had gained greater wisdom and a broader perspective.

But she didn’t know the first thing about any of this. Having an idea was one thing, but she had no clue how to start, so she decided to ask her dad about it first.

”How many jobs? You’ve stumped me there. Between our food factory, restaurants, live-streaming team, and variety show team, it has to be a few hundred, right? I’d have to wait until payday and see how many people get a check to know for sure. You know how it is, we’ve had a lot of turnover this year, so the numbers change every month.”

It was the first time his daughter had ever asked about the family business. Ni Guangli was thrilled. He answered her question first, then asked one of his own.

”Why are you asking about this?”

Ni Bingyan told him about what happened on set that day, and she couldn’t help but sigh with emotion after finishing her story.

”I never imagined our family supports so many people! Dad! You’re truly incredible!”

The praise from his daughter made Ni Guangli feel a bit giddy, but fortunately, he kept his wits about him and didn’t get carried away.

”How can you say something like that? You silly girl!

”They live off their own labor. We just have a relationship where we each get what we need. They create value, and we pay them for it. If they’re not happy working for us, they can find another job in a minute. How can you say we’re ’supporting’ them?

”What you’re talking about is just a self-congratulatory fantasy for the boss. The employees would never think that way.

”A line like that sounds profound in a movie, but just try saying it to one of our employees in real life.

”They’ll just think they’re doing too much work for too little pay! They might even start comparing themselves to others, then get resentful, complaining about how so-and-so isn’t as capable but earns more than them.

”No employee is ever grateful to their boss just for giving them a job, unless deep down they feel they don’t deserve their salary and that the job is a handout from the boss.

”And if our company was full of employees like that, we wouldn’t be far from going under.”

A capable person can always find a job on their own. It’s only when someone lacks ability but is a decent person that a boss might take pity on them. But if you gather a bunch of people like that, it’s obviously impossible for them to support a team.

Ni Guangli was always happy to give his daughter guidance.

That was the downside of being an artist—her brain had become artistic too, a little detached from reality. She wasn’t grounded and tended to take things for granted.

As her father, Ni Guangli felt it was his duty to drag her out of her utopia and give her a harsh dose of reality.

”From a societal perspective, it’s not wrong. It’s a fact that we provide a lot of jobs for society.”

Ni Bingyan clung to her last bit of defiance.

”Well, that’s a better way to put it. You need to look at issues comprehensively and with depth. Don’t just scratch the surface or run with half an idea.”

Feeling that he had a point, Ni Bingyan decided not to argue and changed the subject.

”In that case, Dad, how much did our family pay in taxes last year?”

”Why are you asking all these questions today? What are you really up to?”

First, she asked about the number of employees, then she showered him with flattery, and now she was asking about the family’s tax situation. Ni Guangli couldn’t figure out what her angle was.

”Well, I was thinking, could I create some jobs for people who need help? Instead of accepting donations, they’d probably rather have a steady source of income, right?”

Seeing that this was what was on her mind, Ni Guangli’s brow furrowed in thought.

”The people you donate to are either the elderly or children. What kind of work can they do?”

The elderly lack physical strength and often have a host of underlying health issues. Who would dare hire them and make them work?

And hiring minors? You’d have to be out of your mind.

”That’s why I’m worried! I’m asking you because I’m out of ideas. Aren’t you the one who’s seen it all, who’s crossed more bridges than I’ve walked roads and eaten more salt than I’ve eaten rice?”

”Actually, your idea is pretty good! I could try implementing it in the foundation. What do you think about opening a ’Sister’s Fast Food’ chain and hiring unemployed women to be managers?”

Ni Guangli grew more and more excited as he spoke.

”Maybe I could also open a charity bookstore. Kids these days are all about electronics, but reading is a good habit we can’t let them lose...”

Ni Bingyan: ”...”

’So, was my question all for nothing?’

’Great, my plan completely backfired.’

’I finally have a flash of inspiration, come up with a great idea, and in the blink of an eye, he just takes it for free. Unbelievable.’

”Never mind, never mind. It’s not urgent anyway, and I don’t have the money for a big project like that right now. You go ahead and start on your end. You can pass on any experience you gain to me later.”

She said a whole bunch, but all Ni Guangli heard were the words ”no money.” He just assumed that, being young, she didn’t know how to plan her finances. A little praise had gone to her head, making her throw herself into charity, and now she was short on cash.

’Oh, well,’ he thought. She was his one and only daughter. Even if she was a bit of a spendthrift, being kind and soft-hearted wasn’t a bad flaw to have. Ni Guangli’s brow furrowed immediately.

”You’re out of money? You’re in a foreign country, you can’t be without cash. That’s it, no more talking. I’m going to send you some money.”

”Huh? Wait!”

Ni Bingyan was both touched and speechless. ’Could you at least let me finish my sentence!’

’Weren’t we having a nice chat? How did it suddenly turn to sending me money?’

Her dad’s behavior was a bit baffling, but he did this often, so Ni Bingyan didn’t find it too outrageous.

’It’s just a loving donation from my dear old dad, right?’ She’d get used to it after a few more times.

After hanging up, Ni Bingyan had just pulled out a book of poetry to relax her mind when the doorbell rang. She had a visitor.

It was late at night, and everyone had turned in. Besides Duanmu Li, who would knock directly, Brother Biao would always call ahead before coming over to give her some time to prepare, just in case she was dressed too casually.

So, she didn’t think much of it and opened the door directly.

When the door swung open, she saw Xu Bin, the actor playing her grandfather, standing there in silk pajamas, with an unopened set of the Four Treasures of the Study tucked under his arm.

Seeing her open the door, Xu Bin looked her up and down. He saw her barefoot in a long cotton dress, her hair cascading down like seaweed, and a smile immediately spread across his refined, scholarly face.

”Xiao Ni! I heard you’re quite accomplished in painting and calligraphy. We wrapped up early today, which is rare. Why don’t the two of us... have a good exchange?”

He put a heavy emphasis on the word ”exchange,” which suddenly gave it a strange, suggestive tone.

Ni Bingyan suddenly thought, ’My dad is outrageous? Him?’

This, right here, was the mother of all outrageous situations, and it had just arrived at her home.