Volume One, Chapter 18: Only for Money

“No time!”

I replied sharply, my face glum.

They clearly asked me for help, yet their tone made it seem like I owed them something.

These people—I can’t be bothered to serve them, nor do I want to.

A Long glanced at me in surprise, as if sensing my displeasure. Then he smiled and said to the supervisor, “He’s busy with something important right now. You can discuss your issues when he has time.”

After the supervisor left, he asked me, “What’s wrong? Still upset about earlier?”

I shook my head. “I’m not mad about what happened earlier; it’s their attitude that’s infuriating.”

“You probably haven’t noticed these past few days. Ever since they found out I’m more familiar with computers, the supervisors from each division keep coming to me to fix their problems every few days.”

“I can understand helping once or twice—I’m willing. But every time there’s an issue, they come straight to me, as if I have nothing better to do and am just here to serve them.”

“That’s not the worst part. The main thing is the tone they use when they come to me, like I’m their errand boy, someone anyone can order around.”

“You’re the one who pays my salary. No matter what problems arise on your side, I’ll do my best to solve them. But the other divisions? Honestly, I’d rather waste time sitting here than deal with their mess.”

Since arriving in northern Myanmar and interacting with more people, I’ve come to fully understand human selfishness.

When they need you, they call you ‘brother’ a hundred times, agreeing with everything you say.

When they don’t, who even are you?

I don’t want to associate with those selfish division heads.

“Ha ha…”

As soon as I finished speaking, A Long suddenly burst into laughter, unable to stop.

What’s so funny?

His inexplicable laughter left me confused. Isn’t this the truth? What’s amusing about it?

After more than ten seconds, A Long stopped laughing, slapped my shoulder hard, and said earnestly, “Dong, I thought since you graduated from university and have read more books than me, you’d be more mature.”

“But now it seems your years of schooling were for nothing. You’re just a kid with constantly shifting thoughts. Look how long you’ve been here—how many times have you changed your mind?”

His blunt critique made me feel ashamed.

Since coming to northern Myanmar, my thoughts have indeed been changing with the shifting circumstances—I want to leave one moment, then work hard the next, then consider switching jobs again…

But I don’t see this as immaturity. Naturally, different situations call for different ideas; if you don’t adapt to changing environments, would you just stubbornly stick to one thing?

Still, I argued, “I’m here to make money, not to be their free labor.”

“Exactly, that’s how you make money,” A Long said, throwing up his hands in exasperation. “Haven’t you figured out why I recommend you to everyone and tell them about your strengths?”

Lately, whenever we met other group division heads or bosses, he would introduce me as a university graduate who’s proficient with computers.

Every time he did, I felt frustrated or embarrassed.

A university graduate coming all the way to northern Myanmar to do this kind of work—what’s there to brag about?

I even told him not to put me in the spotlight anymore because I dislike that feeling.

He said he had his reasons but wouldn’t explain when I asked, so I thought he was just making excuses—pushing me forward just to boost his own status and make those bosses know he has a capable subordinate.

But now, seeing his serious face, my intuition tells me I was wrong. A Long’s purpose isn’t just for his own prestige—so what is it?

Taking a deep breath, I asked, “What exactly is your purpose? Just tell me. Stop beating around the bush.”

“Dong, tell me this—no matter what you do, if you want to make money, don’t you have to invest first?”

“If you don’t have money to invest, don’t you have to invest your skills or your labor?”

Money doesn’t just fall into your pocket out of nowhere, so I nodded in agreement.

He continued, “When I promote you and tell them what you’re good at, I’m actually advertising you.”

“You said you don’t want to help the other divisions with their problems. Did you forget what I told you that night? The other group supervisors get only a 5% commission, but I get 8%. Do you think Tiger gives me the extra 3% out of kindness?”

“That 3% commission, frankly, is the pay you get for handling problems for other divisions.”

Suddenly, everything became clear.

No wonder they boss me around so casually—it turns out the compensation was already agreed upon, just not publicly stated.

If the extra 3% commission from the supervisors were in other divisions, I wouldn’t care much—their performance is decent anyway.

But here, with such poor results, I feel the effort and reward don’t match up. So I said, “A Long, just keep the supervisor commission at the normal rate. I don’t want to be ordered around. You know how the performance is here—how much is 3% really worth? I’m not about to become a lackey for such a small amount.”

I do want to earn money, but I don’t want to feel humiliated doing it.

Talking about his own company’s performance, A Long sighed and said seriously, “Dong, you have to look at the bigger picture. Don’t underestimate 3%. When I bring in a big client who generates tens of millions, 3% is 300,000. You really don’t want that?”

I shook my head firmly at that tempting prospect.

As an adult, I know one must think long-term to avoid losing more than you gain.

But in northern Myanmar, that’s complete nonsense.

These companies aren’t like legitimate ones back home, growing stronger and bigger over time. Here, if you don’t put money in your own pocket, it’s not really money.

“Dong, think it over carefully. If I talk to Tiger about this, you won’t be able to get that 3% back later.”

A Long was still trying to persuade me.

But I’m no longer a newcomer who can be swayed by a few words.

In northern Myanmar, I always choose real money over empty promises.

Seeing my firm stance, A Long stopped trying to convince me and immediately took out his phone to message Tiger about my decision.

I didn’t waste time chatting and returned to my seat to handle the current issues.

Every employee’s phone needs virtual positioning to place its location back in China, only then can we find targets from different regions on social networks.

Last night, Old Ma and Shan Ji reported that the virtual positioning software currently in use was no longer effective—though the location was set, it would fail after logging into the social account.

I didn’t waste time talking; solving this problem became my main task. I searched online for other virtual positioning software and tested them one by one.

“Dong, come on, I’ll take you somewhere!”

While I was focused, A Long suddenly appeared beside me.

Glancing at the time—it wasn’t yet mealtime—I asked, “Where to?”

“Tiger wants to see you!”

What?

The boss wants to see me?