Chapter 15: The Third-Party Contract
Early in the morning, after checking out of the hotel, the new employees walked into the company building. After asking around several times, they finally located the office of Wukuang Exploration and Development Co., Ltd.
A line had already formed in front of the HR department. New hires entered one by one, and when they came out, some were empty-handed, while others held a contract in their hands.
Finally, it was their turn. He Runqi looked a bit nervous and pushed Li Tang forward. "You go first."
Li Tang, of course, had no stage fright for something like this. He pushed open the HR office door and closed it gently behind him.
"Wasn't that Wei Shixing just now? He looked familiar. Isn't his mother Liu Yingying, deputy director of the Group's Investment Department?"
"Definitely. And who knows who his father is—some big shot for sure."
"Guys like him join our company just to get field experience—a bit of gold-plating. No doubt he'll shoot up the ranks like a rocket."
Inside, the HR staff had been chatting about the last new hire who came in. They only stopped when they heard the door close.
Li Tang looked up and saw three middle-aged women seated behind a long desk.
In front of each of them was a nameplate: Director Li Liqun, Deputy Director Wang Chunxi, and Staff Member Wang Jiaqi.
"Hello, Director Li, Director Wang," Li Tang greeted them and sat across from the table.
"What's your name?" Director Li Liqun asked gently, seeming fairly approachable.
They had seen these new hires once during the orientation three months ago but didn't remember most of them.
"Li Tang."
"Li Tang?" Wang Jiaqi sifted through two stacks of forms on the desk and finally found his name on the registered employee list. Her expression changed from indifferent to surprised, and she retrieved his application file.
After confirming the details, the three women all looked up with pleasant smiles.
"Li Tang, congratulations! You've been granted a formal company contract. We're colleagues now," said Li Liqun, handing him a contract. "Take a look. You just need to fill in the contract duration—one, three, or five years. It's your choice."
Li Tang casually skimmed the contract, then chose to sign a one-year term and filled in his name at the bottom.
"One year?" Li Liqun looked surprised. "Most people sign for three or five years—some wish they could sign ten and go straight to a permanent contract later."
"A one-year term works just the same."
"Well, that's true."
Li Liqun reviewed the contract, then handed a copy back to him with a warm smile. "Li Tang, you're from Qianzhou Province?"
"Yes."
"What do your parents do?"
"My father is a grassroots employee at the Zhucheng Geological Team. My mother is a middle school teacher."
"Not bad—a dual-income family. You've got a pretty solid background. No wonder you got into Yanjing Geology University. Sounds like geology runs in the family. Do you have any relatives working at our company?"
"No, I don't."
Li Tang knew this kind of casual chat was really about background checks. These middle-aged women acted like friendly aunties but were actually the company's version of intelligence officers—spying out every social connection.
"Well, that's fine." Li Liqun smiled kindly. "On your way out, tell the next person to come in."
"Sure."
As Li Tang exited and closed the door, the three HR women exchanged puzzled glances.
"There were only fifteen official employee spots this year. All of them were pre-assigned. Every one of those spots is valuable. If this Li Tang really doesn't have any connections, how did he get a registered employee slot?"
"Kids these days are slick. You can't get anything out of them easily. He probably didn't tell the truth."
"Who authorized him as a formal hire?"
"Liu Kaisheng asked on behalf of Director Qin, and Director Yang also personally dropped a hint. I don't know exactly where he's from," said Li Liqun, still puzzled.
"Both Director Qin and Director Yang care about Li Tang?"
"That's rare…"
Just then, He Runqi walked into the office, hunched and anxious.
After a quick review, Li Liqun handed him a contract with her usual friendly smile. "Let me explain your contract. Since the company has limited official hiring quotas each year, to give more people a chance, some of you will sign with Zhenkuang Exploration Technology Company. You can think of Zhenkuang as being under the same umbrella as our company, but there will be slight differences in salary and benefits. You can sign for a year, and if the main company opens new slots next year, you can transfer over then."
As he listened to her explanation and looked down at the contract, He Runqi understood everything.
It was a third-party contract, and it was nothing like the real thing.
Before joining the company, he had already heard rumors about this, but with his prestigious degree from Yanjing Geology University, he had felt confident about securing a formal contract.
He hadn't expected this.
A wave of defeat and burning frustration welled up in his chest.
He was silent for a long time, his nose tingling, on the verge of tears.
"Can I take some time to think it over?" he asked, voice trembling.
"Of course. There's no rush," Li Liqun answered with her usual calm demeanor.
"Can I take a copy of the contract with me?"
"You can, but please don't circulate it."
"Okay."
He took the contract and quietly left the office.
"Well?" Li Tang asked when he saw the paper in his hands.
He Runqi knew Li Tang had signed a formal contract, while he had not. The disparity hit him hard and cut deeply.
Clutching the document tightly, he stepped out of the imposing Wukuang Group building and stood by the street. Watching the bustling road, tears finally spilled from his eyes.
"Let me see that," Li Tang said.
He skimmed the contract and immediately understood why He Runqi was so upset.
It was a third-party contract.
Wukuang's formal employees earned around 700 yuan a month, plus generous benefits.
This third-party contract only offered just over 400 yuan—and aside from the lower salary, the benefits weren't even comparable.
"I don't really want to sign this," He Runqi finally said. "With my education, my ability, I think I can find a technical job in Yanjing easily enough. Even if it's a private company, the pay might be better. I don't have to work at a state-owned enterprise."
Despite his words, his voice was filled with helplessness.
At this time in China, having an "iron rice bowl"—a stable job with a state-owned company—was still something most people envied.
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