Most year-end company parties were like massive pyramid scheme rallies.
They rewarded employees with outstanding results and painted a bright future for the corporate workhorses.
The stage lights dazzled, while the LED screen on the backdrop scrolled the slogan "Creating new glory together." Below the stage, employees in matching outfits wore excited expressions at the prospect of receiving their bonuses.
Dressed in a tasteful silver evening gown, Wei Zijin stood at center stage, her voice clear and her pacing steady as she guided the entire event.
"Next, please give a huge round of applause to our company's Chairman Zhang, who will present tonight's grand prize!"
As her voice fell, the music surged, and thunderous applause and screams erupted from the audience.
Wang Xiaoliang stood in an inconspicuous corner of the venue, hands in his pockets, quietly watching Wei Zijin shine onstage.
Hosting company parties like this was one of the benefits her interview video had brought her.
Since the year-end season began, she had already hosted well over ten of them.
Some were large, some small; some ran long, others short. Without exception, though, the appearance fees were substantial. The highest-paying organizer had given her five thousand yuan outright, and even the lowest had paid fifteen hundred.
Companies that could afford year-end parties and were willing to pay for professional hosts had all made real money. Their parties had a simple, blunt theme: hand out money, give out prizes, make grand promises, and motivate employees to keep working themselves to death next year.
Whenever an event took place in the evening, Wang Xiaoliang always showed up.
It wasn't that he feared something would happen to Wei Zijin; security at the venues was thorough. He simply couldn't rest easy-or rather, he simply wanted to watch her. Seeing her confident and composed