Snow fell heavily, blanketing the ancient city in white. In just a few days, the Lunar New Year would arrive.
It was January 17th, a Friday, the day Ouyang Xue and Rui Xiaodan had arranged to settle the hotel's year-end bonus. After her shift, Rui Xiaodan returned home, changed out of her police uniform, applied light makeup, and drove her red Santana to the Venus Hotel. Winter days were short; darkness had already fallen. Street lamps illuminated the swirling snowflakes carried by the wind. Pedestrians hurried along, some with umbrellas, others with collars turned up against the cold.
The Venus Hotel was brightly lit inside and out, adorned for the New Year. The neon-lit facade was refreshed, and the red lanterns hanging at the entrance added a festive touch. Cars filled the parking lot, and the valet's uniform was dusted with snow. Rui Xiaodan parked and entered the hotel, where she spotted Ouyang Xue standing by the front desk. They exchanged smiles and headed upstairs. The office was warm; as soon as the door opened, the heat was palpable. Rui Xiaodan took off her white down jacket and draped it over the sofa, then sat down at Ouyang Xue's desk.
Ouyang Xue retrieved the year-end bonus statement and cash from the safe, placing them in front of Rui Xiaodan with a smile. "You look so dressed up. Got plans tonight?"
Rui Xiaodan replied, "It's cold. We're going out for hotpot."
Rui Xiaodan glanced at the bonus statement. The hotel's net profit for the year was 246,177 yuan. Ouyang Xue's 20% management share was 49,235 yuan, and her 50% capital share was 98,470 yuan, totaling 147,705 yuan. After deducting 35,000 yuan for capital increases and other expenses, her net bonus was 111,585 yuan. Rui Xiaodan's 50% capital share was 98,470 yuan. After similar deductions, her net bonus was 61,180 yuan. The hotel's depreciated and non-performing assets left an effective capital of 1.16 million yuan, with each holding 580,000 yuan in shares.
After a moment's thought, Rui Xiaodan picked up the calculator, did some quick calculations, and placed 22,080 yuan in front of Ouyang Xue. "You missed three accounts: 20,000 yuan for the car, four team dinners at 400 yuan each, and two cases of wine for Feng Shijie, 20 yuan per bottle, 24 bottles in total."
Ouyang Xue protested, "Dinners with the crime team shouldn't be your expense. I've told you countless times, with you here, we avoid so much trouble."
Rui Xiaodan insisted, "Government regulations prohibit officials from engaging in profit-making activities. I'm just an investor, never involved in management. This is already a grey area; pushing it further crosses the line."
Ouyang Xue argued, "We've discussed the stocks and the Gliss company's holdings. That old car's already written off the assets. How about this, I'll be stingy; you take back 10,000 yuan."
Rui Xiaodan accepted 10,000 yuan, packed the bonus statement and cash, and said, "If there's nothing else, I'm leaving."
Ouyang Xue walked her to the door, watching the swirling snow. "For New Year, I'd like to invite Big Brother for a meal. Could you persuade him? Apart from that one unpleasant dinner, he's only ever had one bowl of stew here."
Rui Xiaodan responded, "If you call him Big Brother, you don't need to invite him. If you invite him, is he really Big Brother?" She got into her car, waved to Ouyang Xue, and drove off.