Chapter Sixty-Three: Blessing in Disguise

In truth, the reason Zhang Wei did not insist on Guo Bin’s dismissal was neither out of kindness nor to curry favor with Xu Ming, but rather because he was thinking of his own future career. If Guo Bin were fired for poaching Zhang Wei’s client and making a private deal, it would seem like Zhang Wei had gotten his revenge; yet, it would also create the impression that he was unable to manage his clients properly, leading colleagues and superiors to question his competence in business.

If Zhang Wei had only aspired to be an ordinary agent, he needn’t concern himself with others’ opinions. But if he aimed to rise to store manager, regional manager, regional director, or even higher positions, he could not afford to be perceived as lacking in professional ability. Zhang Wei was, indeed, an ambitious man; he did not intend to spend his life as a mere agent. He desired to climb the ranks of the real estate industry step by step, accumulating management experience and building his own network of connections. Only thus could his career find broader horizons.

To leave a blemish on his career for someone as insignificant as Guo Bin was hardly worthwhile—especially since Guo Bin, already on his last legs, posed no threat anymore. Keeping him on would not affect Zhang Wei in the least.

“Knock, knock…” Xu Ming rapped on the table, pointed at Guo Bin, and said sternly, “Guo Bin, don’t be too quick to celebrate. If you want to stay with the company, you must agree to one more condition.”

“Brother Xu, just say it. Whatever it is, I agree,” Guo Bin replied without hesitation. He was already thrilled not to be dismissed; any penalty now seemed tolerable.

“The private deal you made with Mu Rongxuan must be processed through the company, the commission handed over, and the performance credit after signing will be assigned to Zhang Wei. Do you agree?” Xu Ming’s small eyes fixed unblinkingly on Guo Bin, as he pronounced every word.

“Brother Xu… I…” A moment ago, Guo Bin had been full of gratitude toward Zhang Wei, thinking he should thank him privately after the meeting. Now, that sentiment had vanished; he stammered, unable to respond.

“If you agree, then do as I said! If not, get out immediately—and don’t expect last month’s salary!” Xu Ming pulled a cigarette from the pack, but did not light it, tapping the unlit end against the table, his impatience plain.

Since the deal was private, Guo Bin had only charged Mu Rongxuan two thousand yuan as agent’s fee, and his salary the previous month was nearly the same. So, following Xu Ming’s terms, whether he was fired or stayed, he would receive only one of those sums.

“Brother Xu, I agree,” Guo Bin said after weighing his options. Since the money would be docked either way, keeping the job was better than losing it altogether.

“Good. Now tell us about the house and the commission sum. From now on, leave Mu Rongxuan’s case alone,” Xu Ming pressed on.

“That house is already signed; monthly rent is 3,900 yuan, commission is exactly 2,000 yuan, and I haven’t received payment yet,” Guo Bin replied, clearly reluctant.

“A 3,900 yuan house and you only charge 2,000 yuan commission? Just to pocket a little over a thousand more, you break company rules for a private deal?” Xu Ming slammed the cigarette hard on the table, snapping it in two as tobacco spilled over the surface.

His expression darkened; he jabbed his cheek with an index finger, his tone vexed: “I’m embarrassed for you!”

Under company policy, agent’s fee should be one month’s rent—3,900 yuan; with a ten percent commission, Guo Bin would have earned about four hundred yuan. But with private deals, clients lack guarantees, so they usually bargain down the fee; hence Guo Bin only charged 2,000 yuan, though even so, he’d have made 1,600 yuan more than if he’d followed the rules.

“Zhang Wei, this case is yours now. Go to the assistant for another lease contract later, and you’ll collect the commission too. Any problem?” Xu Ming asked.

“Don’t worry, Brother Xu!” Zhang Wei replied with confidence and composure.

He understood perfectly: Xu Ming’s actions were a reward for Zhang Wei’s earlier suggestion not to fire Guo Bin—a gesture of reciprocation. Since he could acquire a case for nothing, Zhang Wei had no reason to refuse.

Hearing their exchange, Guo Bin felt his heart shatter. He had toiled to find the property, to show the client around, spent nearly half a month bowing and scraping before Mu Rongxuan, enduring endless humiliation, just to close this deal.

Yet, in a blink, his hard-won contract now belonged to Zhang Wei, and he himself would still be punished by the company. His bitterness was hard to describe, and any lingering gratitude toward Zhang Wei vanished.

With Mu Rongxuan’s case assigned to Zhang Wei, the matter of Guo Bin’s private deal was closed. Xu Ming declared the meeting over, and everyone left the conference room. Zhang Wei returned to his post at the front desk.

Sitting at his station, Zhang Wei could not help but think about Mu Rongxuan’s case. They had quarreled fiercely just moments before; to approach her directly now would be awkward. So, he decided to call her first and test her attitude.

“Ring… The number you dialed is currently on another call, please…” Zhang Wei dialed Mu Rongxuan’s number. At first, it seemed to connect, but then the call dropped.

This meant that after seeing his call, Mu Rongxuan had deliberately hung up, pretending to be busy, which left Zhang Wei vexed.

He dialed several more times, but each time, the same thing happened. Clearly, Mu Rongxuan did not wish to answer; in the end, Zhang Wei had no choice but to give up.

Since it was his turn at the front desk, he couldn’t leave the office. He could only wait until he finished with the next client before going to Jingxuan Studio to negotiate with Mu Rongxuan. The wait was agonizing, and he nearly asked Wang Jianfa to cover for him.

Fortunately, after half an hour, a customer finally arrived—a woman in her fifties, looking to rent a single room nearby for under five hundred yuan, and unwilling to pay any agent’s fee. Zhang Wei could not help but find this amusing.

Generally, for deals under a thousand yuan, the company would not handle them; the smaller the case, the harder it was to collect a commission. Zhang Wei wrote down her number, told her he’d call if anything came up, and let her leave.

Although this new client was not promising, a customer was a customer. Having finished, Zhang Wei left the front desk for Wang Min to take over.

Now free, Zhang Wei fetched a lease contract from Wen Fang, ready to deal with Mu Rongxuan’s case while the iron was hot, hoping to finally bring closure between them.