Chapter 436 - 432: Haven’t You Considered Your Personal Life?

Cleanscape Housekeeping Services.

Manager Tate knocked on the door of Jasmine Sterling’s office. "Jasmine."

Jasmine Sterling was tending to a potted plant on her windowsill. She turned at the sound of his voice and, seeing it was Manager Tate, gestured for him to come in.

"Last month’s summary is ready. I’m here to give you the report."

Jasmine walked over to the sofa and invited Manager Tate to sit down as well.

"Overall revenue is up sixteen percent compared to July. The growth rate is down from June, but that’s to be expected. Since our company is still small, our ground marketing efforts are limited, and our service area is restricted, this trend will likely continue."

"All the social security and housing fund contributions for our official employees have been submitted. There’s one thing I need to confirm with you. Mina mentioned that the company’s performance assessment standards might be too high. The pass rate for training is quite low—less than forty percent. She was wondering if we should consider relaxing the criteria a bit."

Jasmine shook her head. "We can’t do that. Manager Tate, you know as well as I do that because we’re small, we don’t compete in the mass market. We focus on ’premium’ and ’quality’ service for high-end clients. Since they are high-end clients, our service has to be worth the price. That’s why passing the assessment is a mandatory requirement to become a full-time employee."

"Besides, the benefits and compensation the company offers full-time employees are worthy of their efforts. I’ve been a worker my whole life; I know what working people want most. But the prerequisite is effort. As long as everyone is willing to work hard and do a good job, I’ll do my best to give them what they want."

Manager Tate nodded in understanding and replied with a smile, "Jasmine, your persistence is paying off. According to customer feedback on our app, last month’s satisfaction rate was once again one hundred percent. We still haven’t received a single customer complaint or negative review since we opened for business. It’s proof that the company’s high standards for its employees are effective."

Jasmine smiled in satisfaction at his words. "That’s exactly right. Our goal at Cleanscape has always been to satisfy our clients and make them feel their money was well spent."

Cecilia had been right. Thanks to the support from Lorcain’s circle of wealthy women, Jasmine’s company had been thriving since its inception. And after several months of ground marketing, it had also built up a relatively stable client base.

After finishing his report, Manager Tate stood up to leave, but Jasmine called out to stop him.

Jasmine walked to her desk, opened a drawer, and took out a red envelope, handing it to him. "I heard your wife just had your second child. Congratulations."

Manager Tate was taken aback for a moment, then politely tried to refuse. "Jasmine, you don’t have to do this. You just gave me a raise..."

"Those are two different things. I promised you a raise a while ago—as long as the company’s profits continued to rise, I would increase your salary." Jasmine stuffed the red envelope directly into the pocket of his suit jacket. "Business is business, and personal is personal. Besides, I want to share in your good fortune."

"And without you, a complete novice like me could never have made this run so smoothly. You’re the one worrying about most of the company’s affairs. There’s not much I can do, so I have to find ways to keep you here!"

Jasmine spoke these heartfelt words in a half-joking tone.

She was very grateful to Manager Tate and truly did need him.

Manager Tate was deeply moved. In this day and age, how many bosses knew how to show gratitude? Jasmine’s words made him feel that all his hard work recently had been worth it, because it had been seen and remembered.

"Jasmine, don’t you worry. As long as you don’t chase me away, I’ll stay right here with you and help you make Cleanscape bigger and stronger!"

Jasmine smiled and nodded. "Then it’s a deal!"

After Manager Tate left the office, Jasmine glanced at the time, then grabbed her bag and left the company as well.

Monica had suddenly asked her to lunch.

The Frontier Hotel, a restaurant serving authentic Khara cuisine.

Jasmine arrived at the restaurant right on time. Monica Coleman was already there.

"I hope calling you on such short notice didn’t interfere with anything important," Monica said as soon as Jasmine sat down.

"What important things could I possibly have going on?" Jasmine replied, half-joking.

"Wendy told me your company has been quite busy lately."

"Manager Tate handles most things, so there’s not much for me to do." Jasmine took a sip of water and looked at Monica. "But what about you, Monica? A few days ago in the group chat, you were still abroad. You must be busier than I am. Why the sudden invitation to lunch?"

Monica smiled at her words and said bluntly, "Actually, it’s not about you."

Jasmine blinked, not understanding.

Monica continued, "It’s about Cecilia."

"Cecilia?" Jasmine was startled. "What’s wrong with her?"

"I have a metal packaging factory in the Sunstone District. The factory hasn’t been doing too well in recent years, but it’s still profitable—it just doesn’t make much annually. A while ago, someone contacted my factory manager about an acquisition, but the manager turned them down."

"He happened to mention it to me yesterday. When I asked, he said it was a young woman named Cecilia Sterling. Isn’t that your Cecilia?"

Jasmine looked completely bewildered. She never asked about her daughter’s business dealings, mainly because she wouldn’t understand them even if she did.

"I had no idea. What does she want with your factory?"

"I don’t know either. She only said she wanted to acquire it, but didn’t give a reason. And after the manager refused, she didn’t try to press the issue at all," Monica said. "I don’t have Cecilia’s contact information, you see. So I thought I’d ask you. Could you find out if Cecilia really wants this factory? If she does, I’ll sell it to her."

"Sell it to her? Monica, your factory is still profitable. You’re just going to give it up?"

Monica smiled and shook her head. "It’s profitable for now, but its revenue has been steadily declining for the past few years. It’ll probably start losing money by next year. If I wait until then to sell, I might not be able to find a buyer. It’s better to just grant Cecilia’s wish. I just don’t know what she wants my factory for."

"Anyway, just ask her. I’m willing to sell. We’re all friends here. If she wants it, I’ll give her a reasonable price."

Jasmine nodded slowly. "Alright, I’ll ask her when I get home tonight. If she wants it, I’ll have her give you a call?"

"No problem."

During the meal, Monica asked about how Jasmine’s company was doing, then said playfully, "Now that your company is on the right track, have you thought about your personal life?"

Jasmine immediately blushed. "My daughter is already grown up, stop teasing me, Monica. Besides, I don’t know any men in Lorcain. You know what my social circle is like."

"So what? I can introduce you to someone!"

Just as they were speaking, Randall Jennings appeared again. "Ms. Sterling, we meet again!"