Make Money C42

Chapter 42: How Can This Be Considered Punishment?

All the employees looked toward Boss Chen at the front of the group, their faces full of curiosity. They had no idea why he had gathered them here.

“Brother Yan, what is Boss Chen planning to do?”

The new salesman, Wu Yu, glanced at Wei Yan beside him and asked in a hushed voice.

Wei Yan also looked at the front of the group with a puzzled expression. He had just received the notice and had no idea why the Boss had gathered all the employees. However, he figured it probably didn’t have much to do with them as salespeople.

“I’m not sure, but it’s probably something about the workshop. It doesn’t concern us much. Later, just follow the client list I gave you and remember to bring sample clothes.”

“Got it, Brother Yan.”

Wu Yu nodded.

At that moment, Boss Chen’s voice rang out from the front.

“I have an announcement to make today.”

“After observing for some time, I’ve noticed that many of you are in a suboptimal health condition. This is a very dangerous sign.”

“Health is the foundation of everything. Only with a good body can you live and work normally.”

Chen Mo’s gaze swept over Li Shen, Wang Maonian, and Wei Yan, and the corners of his lips slowly curled up.

“Therefore, I’ve decided that from now on, our company will implement a morning exercise routine. Every morning, there will be a 30-minute run.”

“But considering that everyone works hard, each person only needs to participate three times a week. However, I will select a few lead runners, and they must attend every day.”

Chen Mo paused at this point.

The employees in the crowd murmured among themselves, seemingly discussing who the lead runners would be.

He continued,

“Now, let me announce the lead runners: Li Shen, Wei Yan, and Wang Maonian.”

As soon as he finished speaking, a wave of relieved sighs spread through the crowd. Then, all eyes turned to Li Shen and the others, filled with schadenfreude.

“Boss Chen, I can’t run!”

Wang Maonian raised his trembling hand in the crowd and spoke cautiously.

“If you can’t run, that’s all the more reason to! Only by persisting will you gradually become healthier.”

Chen Mo smiled and encouraged him.

In his mind, he thought,

“You say you can’t run? That’s exactly why I’m making you do it—serves you right for causing trouble for me.”

“Alright, that’s all for now. The running route will be ten laps around the workshop building.”

“Start!”

As soon as Chen Mo finished speaking, the employees reluctantly began to run.

Li Shen and Wang Maonian exchanged helpless glances before moving to the front of the group to lead the run.

“Wei Yan, why are you still standing there?”

Chen Mo scanned the group and noticed Wei Yan hadn’t moved.

“Boss Chen, do I have to run? I have to meet clients later.”

Wei Yan walked over slowly, smiling obsequiously.

Hearing this, Chen Mo narrowed his eyes.

Meet clients?

No way was he letting him meet clients right now.

With a meaningful tone, he said,

“Wei Yan, you can meet clients anytime, but your health is not something to neglect. Go run.”

“But…”

Wei Yan still wanted to argue, but seeing Boss Chen’s serious expression, he reluctantly gave up.

He quickly jogged forward to catch up with Li Shen and Wang Maonian at the front.

He couldn’t help but sigh inwardly—

Boss Chen really cared about his employees. He even prioritized their health over business.

“Boss Chen, since this is a company-wide activity, I’ll join in as well.”

Shen Rou glanced at the group running in the distance and spoke after some thought.

“You can join if you want, just take it easy.”

Chen Mo sized up Shen Rou’s well-proportioned figure and responded calmly.

Running was indeed good for health. If she wanted to participate, he had no reason to refuse.

However, after a rough estimation, ten laps around the track would be at least 2,000 meters.

Worried she might not be able to finish, he added a reminder.

“Don’t worry, Boss Chen, I exercise regularly. Running ten laps won’t be a problem.”

Shen Rou spoke confidently before quickly catching up to the group ahead.

She wasn’t just bragging—her part-time job often required her to rush to avoid being late, so she was quite used to running.

After a while—

Wang Maonian was struggling, his steps heavy, sweat dripping from his forehead, and his breathing ragged.

“Li Shen, I don’t think I can keep going.”

“This is only the third lap…”

Li Shen replied with difficulty, panting heavily, though his steps were a little lighter than Wang Maonian’s.

“With my body shape, making it three laps is already a miracle.”

Wang Maonian looked at his own chubby figure. After running a little further, he grabbed his waist with one hand and stopped.

“I can’t, I really can’t run anymore.”

Glancing at Boss Chen, who was counting laps up ahead, he tiredly walked over.

“Boss Chen, I really can’t run anymore.”

Chen Mo took one look at the gasping Wang Maonian and felt an immense sense of satisfaction. But outwardly, he remained serious and said earnestly,

“If you can’t run, then walk.”

“Boss Chen, walking will take too long. The cafeteria still needs attention—why don’t we just leave it at that?”

Wang Maonian pleaded. Given his current state, even walking was a struggle.

“The cafeteria can wait. Running is the priority. Go, even if you have to walk, you must finish ten laps.”

Chen Mo patted Wang Maonian’s shoulder in encouragement.

With no other choice, Wang Maonian had to continue—though now, he was walking rather than running.

Before long, more and more people started slowing down, switching to walking instead of running.

These employees lacked regular exercise, and most of them couldn’t last beyond the fifth lap.

Seeing this, Chen Mo stroked his chin and thought to himself,

“It looks like this activity needs to continue long-term.”

Then, another idea came to him—a great way to spend money.

He could organize a company sports day. Employees with high rankings could win prizes!

As for the prizes…

He could offer things like smartphones, laptops, and home appliances—valuable items. Including the cost of renting a venue and organizing the event, this would be a hefty expense.

“Boss, everyone’s exhausted. Should we call it a day?”

At that moment, Wei Yan, drenched in sweat, walked over and gasped for breath.

Chen Mo glanced at the disheveled Wei Yan, then at Li Shen, who was still panting in the distance. The corners of his lips lifted uncontrollably.

“These guys finally got a taste of their own medicine.”

But stopping now? Not so fast.

“It’s normal to feel exhausted on the first day of exercise, but you can’t give up. After a few days, you’ll get used to it. Keep going—if you can’t run, at least walk to finish all ten laps.”

“Look at Shen Rou—even a girl is still pushing through. How can you guys be so embarrassed?”

Chen Mo pointed at Shen Rou, who was still jogging in the distance.

He was honestly surprised—he hadn’t expected this seemingly delicate girl to have more endurance than the men.

“But we still have work to do. If we’re too exhausted, it might affect productivity…”

A decrease in productivity?

That’s great!

Chen Mo’s eyes lit up. If they produced fewer clothes, they would make less money.

With that thought, his resolve to implement morning exercise solidified even further.

And to boost enthusiasm, it was time to announce the company sports day plan.

Looking at the employees waiting for Wei Yan’s update, Chen Mo cleared his throat.