March 28th, Monday.

Last weekend, it was said that Mr. Li and others had finalized their project plans near the Horrifying Hostel, and would soon begin inspections and officially start construction.

Of course, transforming these hotels, restaurants, and the like wasn’t starting from scratch. They would be renovating existing buildings in the old industrial zone. With overtime work, they should be able to complete it simultaneously with the Horrifying Hostel. Even if some projects finished later, they wouldn’t be much later.

As long as the funding was in place, construction speed in China had always been satisfactory.

Pei Qian was slightly surprised that the plans had been produced so quickly, but still maintained emotional stability.

Ah, can’t stop it. Just let things take their course.

Today was Monday. Pei Qian had originally planned to go straight to Fei Huang Studio to announce the “Shock Treatment Plan,” but Hao Yun from the Human Resources Department said she had something to report. So after lunch, Pei Qian still went to the headquarters first.

Pei Qian was a bit puzzled because the Human Resources Department shouldn’t have had much work recently.

Could it be that Hao Yun was bored and forcibly creating work for herself?

If that was the case, it seemed to be a very bad omen, and Pei Qian would have to consider replacing the head of the Human Resources Department.

Hao Yun knocked and entered.

“Mr. Pei, I’m mainly here to report the salary adjustment plans submitted by each department.”

Pei Qian was even more confused: “Salary adjustment plans?”

What did that mean?

Wasn’t Tenda’s compensation good enough?

Could it be… Was there still room for improvement?

Pei Qian suddenly became interested.

Hao Yun said, “It’s like this, Mr. Pei. With the purpose of ‘consolidating the foundation,’ each department conducted a self-inspection of its internal situation. Among them, some departments realized that there was an unreasonable phenomenon of salary inversion among employees.”

“After our Human Resources Department investigated, we found that this phenomenon seems to exist widely across departments. So we spent Friday afternoon and this morning quickly compiling statistics to report to you.”

Pei Qian understood a little but was still confused.

He knew what salary inversion meant.

Salary inversion generally refers to situations where new employees’ salaries were higher than veteran employees’, front-line staff salaries were higher than management’s, or subordinates’ salaries were higher than supervisors’.

This phenomenon existed in many companies. For example, a veteran employee might join at a market rate of 3,000 yuan per month and work for two years. Even with salary increases during those two years, the increases wouldn’t be substantial. However, two years later, the market rate might become 4,500 yuan per month, and an inexperienced newcomer’s salary would exceed the veteran employee’s upon entry, creating salary inversion.

Salary inversion was a very common phenomenon because most companies couldn’t afford to adjust all employees’ salaries to the current market rate every year—they couldn’t bear that cost.

Because of this, most companies prohibited employees from discussing compensation, as this would expose salary inversion and trigger dissatisfaction or resignations among veteran employees.

If supervisors discovered they were doing more work but earning less than their new subordinates, their mental state would inevitably collapse.

As a company that had existed for over a year, Tenda had hired several batches of employees. Although they frequently conducted company-wide salary increases, due to different positions, seniority, and abilities among individuals, some salary inversions had occurred.

Of course, due to Tenda’s frequent salary increases and other benefits accounting for an extremely high proportion compared to wages, the salary inversion situation was far better than other companies.

But Hao Yun felt that, in line with the “foundation consolidation” requirement of the “Cornerstone Spirit,” salary inversion was ultimately a hidden danger. Although other companies didn’t address it, and not addressing it indeed didn’t cause problems, it was still better to report to Mr. Pei and let him decide.

Pei Qian took the materials from Hao Yun’s hand, feeling a bit dizzy from the strings of numbers.

After pretending to look at it, Pei Qian said, “So you mean some new employees’ base salaries are higher than veteran employees, is that right?”

Hao Yun considered for a moment, then said: “That’s the idea, but the actual situation is a bit more complex.”

“Put simply, for example, a veteran employee might have joined half a year earlier than a new employee, with clearly superior actual work ability and experience, but their actual base salary is only 200 yuan higher. This is essentially a disguised form of salary inversion.”

Pei Qian’s eyes lit up.

Well done! I was just worried about finding a reason to continue increasing employee salaries!

“This problem is easy to solve.”

“Add money!”

“Screen through all employees periodically based on the highest salary standards for newly recruited employees, and supplement all veteran employees’ salaries!”

Hao Yun was stunned: “Uh, Mr. Pei, that would certainly be the best solution. However, I must remind you that such a company-wide increase is manageable when there are few employees, but as employees increase, each increase will be larger and larger, eventually far exceeding current imagination…”

“Other companies basically… save expenses in this area. All industries do it this way.”

Increasing more and more?

That would be perfect!

Pei Qian was delighted as if he had found money on the ground and decisively said, “Let’s do it, raise them all immediately!”

“No matter how many veteran employees there are, no matter how much money is needed, raise them all!”

Hao Yun confirmed again: “All of them?”

She clearly understood that when Mr. Pei said “raise them all,” he didn’t mean making everyone’s salary the same, but eliminating salary inversion.

Pei Qian responded without hesitation: “Yes, all of them! There should still be time. Starting this month, have finance redo the salary tables.”

Hao Yun nodded with deep emotion: “Yes, I understand. I’ll notify the finance department immediately.”

Although Hao Yun had vaguely anticipated such a result before reporting, Mr. Pei’s eager expression still made her feel his care for all veteran employees.

Just as Hao Yun was about to turn and leave, Mr. Pei called her back.

“Wait a moment.”

“You initially said that with the purpose of ‘consolidating the foundation,’ departments conducted self-inspections and discovered salary inversion… why consolidate the foundation?”

Pei Qian suddenly realized there was something odd about the beginning of Hao Yun’s report.

Hao Yun smiled: “Mr. Pei, didn’t you issue the Cornerstone Award last Friday, hinting that departments should consolidate their foundations? That’s why departments began self-inspections, but apart from salary inversion, no serious problems were found.”

Pei Qian blinked, slightly confused.

Is it related to me again?

I issued the Cornerstone Award to hint that everyone should consolidate their foundations.

That wasn’t my intention.

Hmm… but from the results, it seems we’ve reached the same destination by different paths.

No other problems were found, just a small salary inversion issue, and it even made me spend more money.

That’s quite good!

Pei Qian found no other issues and nodded: “Good, go notify the finance department.”

…

After Hao Yun left, Pei Qian packed up and headed to Fei Huang Studio.

Now that “Beautiful Tomorrow” had finished its theatrical run and the contract with AiLiDao had been signed, Pei Qian had had enough.

He needed to hurry and put these people into “shock” before they could create new problems!

The system was lenient, allowing one department to undergo shock treatment each cycle. This was already very merciful, and Pei Qian felt he should make good use of it.

Arriving at Fei Huang Studio, Pei Qian found that only a small portion of the employees were browsing websites or watching shows.

A large portion of employees were still working!

Mr. Pei saw this and felt pained.

Look, look, is this what humans should be doing?

The project was already completed, new projects hadn’t started, and people were still forcing themselves to work.

It seemed that Fei Huang Studio truly had serious problems. This wrong mindset of working hard had reached a critical stage—they needed immediate “shock treatment” therapy!

Huang Sibo and Zhu Xiaocai were discussing something in front of a computer screen. Seeing Mr. Pei arrive, they quickly stood up.

“Mr. Pei, why have you come?”

Pei Qian decided not to waste words and said directly: “Nothing else, I’m here to announce a new system.”

“The Shock Treatment Plan!”

“Substantial profits mean substantial expenditure. The more money earned, the more overdraft occurs.”

“On the surface, making money seems like a good thing, but hidden dangers exist. It doesn’t just overdraw your energy and health, but also your inspiration and talent!”

“Therefore, for departments with severe overdraft, we need to arrange ‘shock therapy.’ In the next four months, all Fei Huang Studio employees will receive their usual salary and benefits, but shouldn’t perform any work.”

“During the entire treatment period, focus on recovering energy, health, inspiration, and talent.”

“Fei Huang Studio’s shock period is four months starting next month, from April 1st to July 31st.”

Everyone present was stunned.

What did this mean—the entire department was given four months of paid leave?

Other companies gave paid leave to individuals, ensuring that when a person went on leave, their work could be transferred to colleagues.

But here, the entire department was going on leave?

Moreover, it was paid leave, so why was Mr. Pei speaking so seriously, even a bit through gritted teeth?

It didn’t feel like he was announcing paid leave, but rather like he was announcing exile…

Huang Sibo was stunned for a moment and said, “But Mr. Pei, this won’t work. Even if the studio doesn’t take on new projects, someone needs to be responsible for daily operations. We can’t completely shut down.”

“This shock therapy can’t turn into a sudden death therapy, right…”

Pei Qian thought for five seconds: “In that case, arrange rotating duty, ensuring the studio can maintain minimal normal operations.”

“Divide the studio personnel into groups, each group responsible for one month. Each person’s ‘shock’ is guaranteed for four months, but due to the rotation, the entire shock treatment period extends to five months, until August 31st.”

Huang Sibo hesitated: “But there’s still…”

Pei Qian’s face darkened: “No buts. Overcome difficulties on your own. You must enter shock state before April 1st!”

Huang Sibo looked at Zhu Xiaocai, both with reluctant expressions on their faces.

But finally, they both nodded: “Alright, Mr. Pei, we’ll arrange it right away.”

Pei Qian revealed a satisfied smile: “Very good. During the shock period, only maintain normal operations, don’t start any new projects. And don’t worry about being unable to create value for the company—you’ve already contributed enough!”

Huang Sibo was a little touched: “Alright, Mr. Pei! But please rest assured, even if we’re on vacation, Fei Huang Studio will continue to create value for the company!”

Pei Qian’s smile froze on his face: “?”

Zhu Xiaocai moved aside, revealing the computer screen the two had been surrounding: “Mr. Pei, ‘Beautiful Tomorrow’ has been noticed by an overseas distribution company. They want to arrange for it to be screened abroad!”