"It’s alright. If you don’t take me in, I’ll just have to find some tiny, out-of-the-way town to fix computers. Who cares about registration, can you eat it?" Blake Leaf said dejectedly.
Kenneth Osborne was somewhat surprised, "...It can’t be that bad, right? You’re at least a graduate of Yan University’s Computer Science department."
Blake Leaf shook his head with a bitter smile, "Someone’s out to get me, trying to make sure I can’t bounce back..."
"Who is it? Do you know who’s sabotaging you? Why not reach out to the school?" Kenneth Osborne took a drag from his cigarette, his mind occupied with drafting his work plans, especially the company’s development plan for the next three years.
Without a clear goal, what’s the point of talking about entrepreneurship and development?
Blake Leaf was silent for a moment, then said softly, "...I guess it’s my sister. She’s trying to bury me, if I’m not mistaken. You can hire me first; then I’ll spread some rumors and see if anyone comes to find you."
Kenneth Osborne chuckled, "I’d be honored. Sure, my little company just received some angel investment, and I need to hire people anyway. You can work with me for a while. If you feel it’s not suitable, you can look for another job."
Blake Leaf let out a long sigh, visibly more relaxed.
Gratefully, he said, "Thank you, Kenneth, I promise I’ll work hard!"
"Spare me the sappy words." Kenneth Osborne stubbed his cigarette out in the ashtray, "Since I agreed to hire you, I’ll draft a contract for now. I can’t offer a high salary at the moment, a yearly salary of a hundred thousand, plus an extra month’s pay at year’s end as a bonus, and full benefits. As for housing, that’s on you. Does that work?"
Blake Leaf was both shocked and delighted, "Really, a hundred thousand?! Hahaha! I’m rich now! I’m rich now! Kenneth, do you know the best job offer I found only offered a six thousand annual salary?! —Just six thousand!"
"I can’t believe my bad luck turned into good fortune! Hahaha!" Blake Leaf’s laughter echoed through the small dormitory.
Kenneth Osborne looked at him in disbelief, thinking, is a hundred thousand really a lot?
Many undergrads from Yan University’s Computer Science department earn ten thousand part-time while still studying...
However, to spare Blake Leaf’s pride, Kenneth Osborne didn’t say anything, only added, "I’ll send you the contract tomorrow. You sign it, and it’ll count as one less unemployment statistic for your class."
Yan University’s recent graduates’ employment data are tracked, and it’s also an important indicator for the school to adjust its work direction.
Blake Leaf nodded repeatedly, "Got it, I’ll tell our class president right away that I found a job and signed a contract, with a hundred thousand annual salary!"
He came in miserable and went out cheerfully, as if he’d found treasure.
Kenneth Osborne shook his head with amusement, sat back at his desk, and opened his computer to work on a three-year plan. Newest update provıded by 𝔫𝔬𝔳𝔢𝔩✶𝙛𝙞𝙧𝙚✶𝕟𝕖𝕥
He didn’t sleep at all that night, brimming with energy, and finished drafting the three-year plan, though some budget figures needed verification.
Looking at his watch, it was already six in the morning. He didn’t feel like sleeping, so he took a shower, then called Lawrence Winters to join him for a morning workout.
Lawrence Winters listened to the call for a moment, then hung up and flipped over to continue sleeping.
She was so excited last night that she uncharacteristically suffered from insomnia, only falling asleep just before dawn.
Now it was her catch-up sleep time, and not even the king of heaven could keep her from sleeping.
Kenneth Osborne made a few more calls, noticed Lawrence Winters wasn’t showing up, and guessed she was probably sleeping in again.
Luckily, he was in a good mood today and didn’t bother to go to her dorm to call her, just went out for a run by himself, then bought two breakfasts and an iced coffee at the cafeteria.
After eating his breakfast back at his dorm, he took the other portion to Lawrence Winters’ dorm and called her from downstairs.
By then, it was almost eight o’clock, and Lawrence Winters finally answered the call with anger, shouting, "Kenneth Osborne! Waking people up early in the morning is illegal! You’ll be arrested and jailed for this!"
Kenneth Osborne chuckled softly, his warm, magnetic voice almost traveling over the electromagnetic waves to Lawrence Winters’ ear.
The shiver up Lawrence Winters’ spine woke her up completely.
You have to admit, Kenneth Osborne’s pleasant voice was really something.
With her messy hair, Lawrence Winters sat up, yawned into her phone, and grumpily asked, "What’s up, Ken? You’ve been quite demanding lately... If you’re really that unfulfilled, go find a girlfriend to put out the fire. I’m going to be worn out by you."
Kenneth Osborne: "..."
After staying up all night, he was overly alert but physically exhausted, with no inclination for romantic thoughts. He could easily be elected as the ideal, decent, and honest successor of socialism.