Chapter: 3038
Ma Lan asked curiously, “Oh, has your calligraphy and painting association started paying you now?”
Xiao Changkun replied proudly, “Not only are they paying me, but it’s a good amount too!”
He continued, “As the executive vice president, my basic salary is 12,000 yuan a month. That makes me the second highest paid person at the association, right after President Pei!”
He added, “This is just my salary from Jinling City. Many private companies are eager to get involved in cultural projects and have donated a lot of money to our Calligraphy and Painting Association. Because of this, we’ve been able to organize many events recently. The association is going to be in great shape for a while!”
Ma Lan quickly asked, “So you can earn money even when you work with private companies?”
“Of course!” Xiao Changkun said enthusiastically. “Private companies provide their own sponsorships, and for each event, they cover transportation and consulting fees. I heard Chairman Pei say that if I attend two events a week, I could earn between 3,000 to 5,000 yuan for each one.”
“Wow!” Ma Lan exclaimed in surprise. “Can you really make that much from one event? That means if you have two events a week and eight a month, even at 3,000 yuan each, that’s over 20,000 yuan! And with your salary, you could make more than 30,000 yuan in a month!”
“Yes,” Xiao Changkun nodded with a smile. “I used to wonder why so many people want to volunteer for various associations and societies…”
Ma Lan felt a spark of interest as she looked at Xiao Changkun. She asked sweetly, “Changkun, when my legs get better, could you help me join your calligraphy and painting association? I’d love to have a part-time job there, and maybe I could get a salary. Plus, if there are any events, I could join in. I’m just sitting at home doing nothing anyway.”
As she spoke, Ma Lan touched her right leg and sighed, “I’ve had such a tough time over the past six months. I’ve just been cooped up at home, resting my leg, and it’s driving me crazy.”
Xiao Changkun was surprised by her request. He quickly tried to talk her out of it. “Oh, our Calligraphy and Painting Association isn’t taking any new members right now. There are actually dozens of people waiting for interviews. You don’t really know much about painting and calligraphy. Honestly, I think it would be better for you to stay home and relax. Once your legs heal, you can go out or even travel.”
In the past, Xiao Changkun might have teased her about wanting to join the association. He would have thought it was ridiculous that Ma Lan thought she could be part of it. But he knew that mentioning this now would only upset her more, so he chose to persuade her instead.
Still, Ma Lan seemed a bit hurt and snorted coldly. “What? You think you’re better than me? You, Xiao Changkun, can be the executive vice president of the Calligraphy and Painting Association, but I can’t even be a member? Don’t think I don’t know how you got that title. It’s all thanks to my connections!”
Xiao Changkun felt a rush of embarrassment as Ma Lan criticized him. “Your three sticks can’t even make a sound, and people have been left waiting for that dog by the Calligraphy and Painting Society. You shouldn’t even think about being vice president!”
He thought to himself, “Ma Lan is really out of line. I almost lost my chance at the beginning. Luckily, Charlie Wade gave me a boost at Tianxiang Mansion, and President Pei noticed how respectful Hong Wuye was to me. That’s how I got the title of executive vice chairman. But why is Ma Lan talking like that? Does she really think a dog could be a vice president?”
As these thoughts raced through his mind, Ma Lan noticed his silence and said, “If you won’t help me, I’ll just ask my dear son-in-law for help. Maybe he can get me that vice chairman position. Imagine the headlines about us as a power couple!”
Xiao Changkun felt a wave of panic. He knew Charlie Wade’s influence. If Charlie really did speak up for Ma Lan, getting her that role would be easy. Then she would pester him every day, and he would miss out on opportunities with Han Meiqing.
In a hurry, he replied, “Oh, my wife, you know I’m on the rise in my career. If you suddenly use me to get ahead and we become a couple in the eyes of everyone, what will that look like? People will just see nepotism! If you really want to support me, you need to stay away from any suspicion!”
Seeing Ma Lan’s face change, he quickly added, waving his hand, “No, no! I didn’t mean it like that…”
“That way, you won’t need to join any painting and calligraphy groups again. I’ll give you half of my salary, and you can spend it however you like. How does that sound?”
When Ma Lan heard about the money, his eyes sparkled with excitement. He quickly said, “No! You should give me all your wages!”
Xiao Changkun clenched his teeth, stomped his foot, and reluctantly replied, “Fine!”