Chapter 194: Security? What Security!
Zhou You stopped, noticing their slightly tense expressions, and patted Wang Ping on the shoulder. "This is my fault—I haven't been paying enough attention. Brother Liang's wife can go to the old martial arts gym and take charge there. Brother Ping's wife can work at the newly purchased complex, handling the food and drinks. Since it's all for our own people, we need someone to keep a close eye on things."
Hearing Zhou You say this, the two of them breathed a sigh of relief.
Wang Ping said sheepishly, "It's just small stuff, not worth you worrying about, Brother You."
Li Houliang grinned foolishly. "Thanks, Brother You. This way, I'll have a bit more backbone at home."
Zhou You laughed heartily, but after a moment's thought, he realized he really hadn't been paying enough attention.
"You two know my personality—I hate dealing with trouble, so sometimes I miss things. Remind me more often."
Seeing the expressions on their faces, Zhou You knew his words had gone in one ear and out the other.
"Brother Ping, how's the swimming pool business going? Any problems?"
"None at all. It's developing smoothly and has stabilized. Plenty of hotels want to keep working with us, but we're still vetting them. If we take on too many partners, we'll end up competing with ourselves." Wang Ping spoke with great enthusiasm about the swimming pool's progress.
"Some coaches want to go back to their hometowns and replicate this model, but they're worried about the risks. We're still looking into it."
"Handle it yourselves. If the current profits can support it, give it a try. If not, play it safe and steady." Zhou You took a hands-off approach to the swimming pool's growth—self-sustaining development was ideal, and he didn't want to pour more money in.
The three chatted as they walked into the villa.
"Now that you're living well, don't forget about the employees. Don't skimp on benefits, don't be stingy during holidays, and if anyone's family is in trouble, lend a hand to help them through. Set some standards—illness, disasters, schooling—help where you can. It won't save us much to be tightfisted."
"Besides, you're all in the same line of work. Help each other out."
Wang Ping and Li Houliang were deeply moved by this. Most bosses wouldn't care about such things, always trying to cut costs to the bone. But Zhou You wasn't focused on making more money; he just didn't want his people to suffer.
Sure, part of it was that Zhou You didn't rely on this for income, but which big boss ever thought they had enough money?
"Thanks, Brother You. Everyone's already content—way better off than before. From now on, we'll follow your lead. You're the major shareholder, and with your support, things will only get better." Wang Ping spoke from the heart.
Li Houliang, who had experienced this firsthand, nodded. "Yeah, step by step. When we make money, we look out for the brothers. No hogging it all."
Zhou You had said his piece. The human heart was a complicated thing.
As the internet grew, people's sense of comparison became stronger and easier to make.
Not everyone would repay sincerity with sincerity, but most people knew gratitude.
And for the ungrateful ones, they'd make an example of them.
After a while, Wang Fangfang came back.
Seeing them deep in conversation, she sat quietly without saying a word.
"Have you all sorted out the travel plans?" Zhou You asked.
"Yeah, mostly." Wang Fangfang was in charge of it. "The first group leaves around next week."
She couldn't help but laugh. "Everyone's super excited. Who'd have thought their first trip abroad would be like this? They've all seen *Lost in Thailand*, so they're eager to check it out. They have no idea how much they admire you, the big boss behind the scenes."
Zhou You was pleased too. Traveling broadened the mind and built confidence for handling things later.
"From now on, the sales office will be called the Wave Pavilion, same as before. I like that name. Get the cleaning crew and surveillance set up as soon as possible. Do we still need security?"
Li Houliang couldn't help but laugh at that. "Brother You, if we put two security guards at the door, I might as well close down my martial arts gym."
Zhou You chuckled too after saying it.
He remembered a joke from his past life.
A martial arts gym, worried about troublemakers, hired two security guards at the entrance.
In the end, no one caused trouble—because the gym went out of business!
They hung out a bit longer before heading off to their tasks.
Zhou You was about to go upstairs and read when he got a call from Li Fengying. "Mom, what's up?"
"They say everyone's going on a group trip—is it organized?"
"Yeah, what's the matter? There are others going too." Zhou You didn't mention he'd arranged it.
"And it's to some place called Thailand? The whole village is buzzing, everyone's jealous. But some say it's dangerous abroad?" Li Fengying was both happy and worried, which is why she called.
"Mom, don't worry. I've been there several times. There are tons of tourists every year, and the security's good. No need to stress." Zhou You thought to himself, this is nothing—Thailand's perfectly safe right now.
No matter who was in power, tourism was the top industry. If it collapsed, the government would fall apart.
Unless the country just gave up entirely.
After calming his mom down, Zhou You settled in to read.
Before he knew it, the day of their trip arrived.
Zhou You's parents were still uneasy and decided to go with the second group.
But everyone would gather in the provincial capital and fly out together.
Professor Li led the group, bringing along all the students who had participated and had free time—Zhou You had specifically requested this.
The whole crew met at the Wave Pavilion.
It wasn't fully finished yet, but the existing renovations meant not much work was needed.
The small dining area was ready, with a few people hired to cook home-style meals.
Hiring chefs was a breeze—with so many hotel connections, plenty of people applied. The pay was as good as any hotel, with better benefits. It wasn't exactly a mad rush, but close.
Li Baoyin looked at Zhou You and let out a long sigh. "Tell me, we're both teachers, so why's there such a gap? You're living it up here while I'm suffering in the countryside. Look at this place—it's decadent."
Zhou You saw through Professor Li's act and couldn't resist teasing him. "Professor Li, hearing you say that makes me feel bad. How about this—I'll hire another expert to give you some time off so you can rest properly."
Li Baoyin snorted. "Teacher Zhou, you're getting less and less honest. Can't even let me complain."
Zhou You burst out laughing, but Li Baoyin couldn't take it. "Is your teacher going to Thailand?"
"Oh, I forgot to tell him. He's not joining this time. We'll arrange it later if he wants to go."
Li Baoyin laughed heartily. "I'll go tell him right now."
Zhou You grabbed his hand. "Go ahead. If he agrees, I'll pick him up right now. It's visa-on-arrival anyway. I've been worried he wouldn't go."
Li Baoyin was caught off guard. Should he call or not?
If he did, it'd make him look petty.
If he didn't, he was stuck.