Chapter 116

Zhong Lin let out a cold chuckle. “Since it's a competition for labor, then you have to show real things—not just talk and make empty promises. Some small bosses always think their employees are too stupid. They believe that just by saying a few words about a bright future, they can keep people around.”

“The money the employees earn mostly ends up in the boss’s pocket. They get nothing in return except for vague promises and dreams. But people still have to eat.”

“Those kinds of people are just fools, doing foolish things. They think labor is cheap, that once one batch leaves, another batch will come. But they don’t realize that without cohesion, an entity will never make real money.”

The alpha looked straight into Zhong Ning’s eyes and said unhurriedly, “You must remember, people like us shouldn’t care about every trivial penny. If you're going to spend money, then it should be worth it, spend in the right place.”

“Now tell me about this team-building activity.”

Thoughtfulness flickered in Zhong Ning’s eyes. She lowered her gaze and pondered for a moment before slowly speaking. “The best way to give employees a sense of belonging is to let them gain real benefits. Team building is one such method. That’s why it’s scheduled on a weekday, a workday, and not on weekends. The company also covers round-trip transportation, lunch, and recreational activities—so this benefit truly becomes a reward, not a burden.”

“Although the expenses have increased, retaining these talents and letting them serve the company long-term will create far greater value. It will also make them genuinely love working for us—not just pay lip service or maintain a superficial front.”

The most effective way to assess a person was through face-to-face questioning. Zhong Lin hadn’t said anything difficult to understand; in fact, she had broken it down clearly. What she wanted to see was Zhong Ning’s ability to summarize and understand.

And Zhong Ning had indeed delivered a decent answer.

Zhong Lin hadn’t expected she could misjudge someone. She had thought this daughter was already a lost cause—useless like a pile of mud that couldn’t be shaped. But unexpectedly, she had suddenly become clear-headed, turning reliable and steady.

She gave a slight nod, then asked, “What have you learned recently while following Assistant Hua? Tell me.”

As Zhong Ning earnestly answered, Zhong Lin looked at her calm demeanor and, unwittingly, recalled how hysterical she used to be.

Daughters were different from lovers. Lovers were playthings, ornamental objects meant to be admired in the palm of one’s hand or placed at home like vases for decoration. Their only use was to provide emotional or physical value and could be replaced at any time.

Daughters, however, carried one's own bloodline. They were the continuation of life, the guarantors of the family’s future. Zhong Lin had once thought of cultivating Zhong Ning well and passing the Zhong family down to her one day.

It wasn’t because she had any great love for her ex-wife. The idea came entirely from confidence—believing that she was fortunate enough to have obtained the chosen heir in one try.

Her ex-wife had come from a modest but respectable family. Back then, the Zhong family’s influence was still slightly lacking.

She naturally wanted to gain support from her wife’s family.

Zhong Zinuan’s birth had been an accident; she had never planned to let the mistress flaunt her power. Zhong Lin was not a sentimental person. She would never lose her head over love. She simply thought the little lover was sensible and tactful—useful, that was all.

But there were no walls in the world that the wind couldn't pass through. Her original wife had been far too fragile and actually died from the emotional blow. By then, the Zhong family had already grown far beyond what it once was, and there was no longer any pressure from her wife’s side. So Zhong Lin simply brought the new lover home.

What she hadn’t expected was that Zhong Ning had inherited her mother’s emotional softness—so much so that she truly believed in the fantasy of a happy family of three.

Zhong Lin had been deeply disappointed.

As Zhong Zinuan gradually revealed her ambitions and repeatedly schemed against Zhong Ning—and Zhong Ning kept falling into the traps every single time—Zhong Lin even began to question her own genes. She almost went to do a secret paternity test.

It had gotten to the absurd point of doubting whether Zhong Ning was even her own blood.

She was just too stupid.

One daughter couldn't take up responsibility, and as for Zhong Zinuan, Zhong Lin was never fully satisfied with her either. She was clever at petty tricks, yes, but lacked the mind for major matters. Any task handed to her was done sloppily, never cleanly or efficiently.

Sometimes Zhong Lin truly felt frustrated. She prided herself on being intelligent and believed she had been both tolerant and attentive in teaching her children. Yet neither of them seemed to have inherited her brain.

She had never expected that just when she was ready to give up completely, Zhong Ning would actually surprise her.

But a calm and steady attitude alone wasn’t enough. To be the one in charge of Zhong Corporation, one didn’t need to rely on schemes and tricks, but must at least have a discerning eye and the ability to suppress wicked and petty elements.

She would have to watch Zhong Ning’s performance going forward.

Zhong Ning shared everything she had learned, and also took the opportunity to ask about the things she didn’t understand.

Zhong Lin, like a seasoned professor, answered her questions and clarified her doubts in just a few succinct words.

By the time they reached Luming Mountain and it was time to get off the car, Zhong Ning felt a lingering sense of enjoyment.

The process of gaining new knowledge and solving confusion was deeply satisfying.

Just as she stepped out of the car and looked up, she hadn’t walked far before spotting someone who absolutely shouldn’t have been there.

Xie Shiqing. You again!

Zhong Ning was both amused and exasperated. It felt as if she were encountering some NPC that spawned at fixed locations—no matter where she went, Xie Shiqing was there.

But she couldn’t blame her, really. She had softened up and told her the destination when asked.

Zhong Lin naturally noticed her too and walked over, asking in a concerned tone, “Shiqing, how’s your injury?”

Upon hearing her voice, Xie Shiqing only felt increasing impatience. She wanted to quickly send her away so she wouldn’t interrupt her time alone with Zhong Ning, so she said, “A few more weeks of rest and I’ll be fine. This is a company event. Aunt Zhong, you must still have many things to manage, right? No need to entertain me—I’m here to see Little Ning.”

Zhong Lin just laughed heartily and tactfully made space for the two of them.

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