CHAPTER 302: CHAPTER 302 DUET 3_1

Yan Xixi glanced at Xu’s parents. "Uncle, Aunt, what can I do for you?"

Xu Xiaoya said hastily, "Miaomiao wants to become our accountant, but we don’t have a recruiting plan right now, so..."

Yan Xixi listened. Indeed. An accountant! She’s really reaching.

Her expression turned grim. "Xu Xiaoya, let me see the account book."

Xu Xiaoya quickly brought out the account book. Yan Xixi, ignoring everyone else, flipped through a few pages. Then, with a loud THUD, she slammed it onto the table! This sudden noise made everyone jump, even Xu Xiaoya.

Yan Xixi spoke sharply, "Xu Xiaoya, I trusted you with my shop. Is this how you manage it? Look at this month’s accounts! A loss! An actual loss! Tell me, why is there such a huge deficit?"

Xu Xiaoya stuttered, "I... I’m sorry..."

"Sorry! Sorry! Do I pay you to say sorry? What’s going on with these chaotic accounts? It seems like you have no interest in work, closing the shop in broad daylight to handle private affairs. Are you treating this shop as your own house?"

"I..."

"Several customers have complained that they couldn’t find any staff and were appalled by the poor service. Is this how you, the store manager, operate? Do you know who’s really paying our bills? If they spread negative reviews about us—and word of bad experiences spreads like wildfire—who would patronize our business? What does a luxury store sell? Service! Prestige! Do you think people spend money to be mistreated?"

Xu Xiaoya bowed her head, not daring to say a word in reply.

"Don’t mix family issues with business. If you have personal matters to attend to, do it at home. If you’re not capable of this, then just quit."

Everyone was dumbfounded.

Xu Xiaoya’s eyes reddened. "I’m sorry... I’ve been negligent..."

"Even though we’re friends, business is business, and accounts must be clear. I didn’t hire you to just collect a paycheck. We’ve suffered a huge loss this month. Xu Xiaoya, I’ll be blunt: if business doesn’t improve within two weeks, I’ll replace you. Don’t forget what your employment contract states: if profits fall by 30 percent, you must resign. Has it only fallen by 30 percent this month? We’ve lost more than 50 percent! You won’t be getting any bonus this month! If there’s no improvement next month, your basic salary will be reduced by 30 percent. I’m giving you some face because of our past friendship. However, I also need to be accountable to my other employees. How could I command respect if I bend the rules for you? Xu Xiaoya, you’d do well to reflect on this."

Having said that, she turned and left.

After a long moment, everyone in the room stared at each other in disbelief.

With her eyes bloodshot, Xu Xiaoya choked out, "Mom, you see now, don’t you? Xixi is the boss; I’m just an employee. Business has been bad this month because of the holidays. The rent went up by 50 percent, and the economy is in a downturn. These expensive bags are getting harder and harder to sell. I’m barely managing to keep my own job, so how could I dare hire someone without authorization? Sigh... If I lose this job, I don’t know what I’ll do..."

Xu’s mother said cautiously, "Well... Xiaoya, let it go. We won’t push you anymore."

The younger brother snorted coldly. "Just as I thought, people change once they get rich. Yan Xixi clearly doesn’t see you as a friend. She didn’t give you any face at all. Miaomiao, let’s go."

The two of them turned and left immediately. Xu’s parents didn’t dare to linger and also departed awkwardly. In no time, all the visitors were gone, and the room was empty.