Chapter 27 Connections and Influence

“You want to pay 1000 yuan for my daughter to be your driver!”

“Great, let her accept.”

Gu Qinshan strode in from the doorway.

Gu Congli smelled a strong scent of soap mixed with a sour, musty odor. The combination was nauseating.

“Dad, where have you been? You smell awful,” Gu Congli said with disgust.

Gu Qinshan sniffed his arms.

Even after washing repeatedly, the smell lingered. He sighed again.

Sister Luo was taken aback by Gu Qinshan’s sudden appearance.

He wasn’t as clean and tidy as he was at work. His thinning hair clung to his forehead from sweat.

He looked ten years older.

“Just waiting for your daughter to agree. I brought the contract.”

“Dad, this is my decision.”

Gu Qinshan was already angry from his day. Seeing his daughter, he remembered the scorn and hardship he’d endured, possibly caused by his daughter and son-in-law. Now she dared to defy him.

His anger exploded.

“I’m your father! You have to agree. You won’t even accept 1000 yuan? Are you trying to make me angry?”

He then switched to a flattering tone towards Sister Luo, “My daughter is spoiled. Whenever you want her to start, she can begin.”

Sister Luo was delighted, “With your words, I’m reassured. This is the contract. It’s a genuine offer, with the salary and working hours clearly stated. Any questions, ask me.”

Sister Luo took out three contracts from her bag.

Gu Qinshan quickly examined them. Seeing the terms and the monthly salary of 1000 yuan, he was stunned.

He wished he could drive and take the job himself; he’d never go back to cleaning toilets.

“I agree! Daughter, sign it. I’ve checked it; there are no problems. I’ve worked at the company for over twenty years; I know about contracts.”

Gu Qinshan regained his usual office demeanor, but felt a pang of sadness.

He almost asked Sister Luo if she needed more help, even as a general laborer, anything but cleaning toilets.

But he hesitated and couldn’t bring himself to ask.

Gu Congshuang was surprised by Sister Luo’s professionalism and also examined the contract.

Contracts in the 1980s were different from modern ones, less detailed, but there were no major loopholes.

Sister Luo was clearly sincere, but this made Gu Congshuang even more hesitant. Just then…

Gu Qinshan took out a pen, “Sign it quickly! This is a three-month contract. Next year, we’ll be millionaires; why stay in this cramped house?”

Gu Qinshan sighed, “Heaven has opened so many windows for my daughter, but none for me.”

Gu Congshuang sighed, “I don’t have a driver’s license; I was driving illegally, so I can’t sign this contract.”

Sister Luo realized, “Oh, I see. I’ll talk to them.”

Watching Sister Luo leave, Gu Qinshan stamped his foot in regret.

“How could I forget that? Let’s get a driver’s license tomorrow! 1000 yuan a month! It’s gone down the drain!”

“There’s nothing we can do; getting a license takes time.”

Driving illegally was risky; a proper license was necessary for a driving job.

Otherwise, she would constantly run into traffic police, implicating Sister Luo.

But the next morning, Sister Luo returned with more gifts.

“I’m so reluctant to see such a good driver go to waste. Go with me; I have connections. Bring your documents, and we can arrange a driving test; you’ll get your license quickly.”

Gu Congshuang was surprised by Sister Luo’s influence.

She needed a license anyway, so she went to the testing center, passed quickly, and got her license faster than the usual month-long process.

“See? I told you. Your driving skills are excellent. I need a driver for business and a friend returning from Southeast Asia needs one urgently; that’s why the high salary, for peace of mind.”

Seeing Sister Luo’s arrangements, Gu Congshuang couldn’t refuse and signed the contract. She hadn’t decided on a business yet.

Connecting with Sister Luo, learning about her business, and expanding her network would be beneficial.

Soon, Sister Luo gave her a driver’s uniform.

It was high-end, resembling a hotel doorman or airline captain’s uniform – a white cap and white suit, reminiscent of 1980s Hong Kong gangster-style driver attire.

Gu Congli was envious.

“Sister Luo, can I go to work with my sister and learn to drive?”

“Sorry, no. This is for a Southeast Asian client. If you were driving for me, it would be fine; another person would be nice for company.”

Gu Congli lowered his head.

“Study hard. Look after Grandma; if she’s lost, you won’t learn to drive!”

“Okay,” Gu Congli nodded, watching them leave.

Downstairs, Gu Congshuang saw a luxurious vintage Volkswagen Beetle waiting.

It was brand new and black. Even Gu Congshuang was drawn to it.

The interior was retro, feeling like a royal courtyard.

Sister Luo sat beside her. Gu Congshuang started the car; the engine made a loud noise.

The sounds, the hand-cranked windows, were very retro, fulfilling a childhood dream.

Following Sister Luo’s directions, Gu Congshuang made a few turns and found herself at her father’s factory.

Was the Southeast Asian client at her father’s factory?