Charlie Lee's Business Empire and Thanksgiving Celebration"
In Area 22, Charlie Lee lounges lazily in a wooden rocking chair, soaking in the warm sunlight. Beside him stands a small elk, its hands bound, accompanied by three young secretaries, here to update him on his latest ventures.
"Boss, the final purchase price of Baikede is $1.1 million. The other party also requests that no employees be dismissed for the next two years," one of the secretaries reports.
Charlie nods thoughtfully, acknowledging the information. Tia, another secretary, continues, "We've recruited 5,175 Chinese nationals and 2,154 Germans in the surrounding four states. Additionally, 800 workers were hired in California, along with over 3,000 former employees of Baikede, bringing the total to 11,000 workers. The daily salary is $2 each."
"I see. Next," Charlie interrupts, signaling for her to move on.
Tia steps back reluctantly, casting a look toward Aria, who is standing nearby, confidently stepping forward to deliver her report.
"Boss, the Secretary of Mayor Karl is calling. They've selected a location for the Los Angeles branch of Aegis and would like you to visit in person."
Charlie rubs his chin thoughtfully and responds, "No, have Aria send someone to visit, and you can accompany them."
"Understood, boss," Aria responds with a sweet smile. Her figure, undeniably impressive, nearly knocks into Charlie as she leans in. Despite himself, Charlie cannot help but swallow nervously. Her stature and presence are reminiscent of the former First Lady, and her physical grace is nothing short of intimidating. At times, Charlie wonders if she might lose her balance and fall, given how striking her appearance is.
"Boss, the legal team you requested is here. Two individuals are waiting outside," Amy quietly steps forward, nudging Aria aside with a swift motion.
"Oh? Tell me about them," Charlie inquires with curiosity, his attention now focused on the new arrivals.
"They are Saliyev Gandall Bar, a Soviet immigrant who graduated from Cambridge Law School with a master's degree. Due to his background, he often feels overlooked in his professional life. The other, Aimo Amo, is a native of Y, also a Cambridge graduate, but with a doctorate in law. She once worked as an assistant at a prestigious royal law firm."
Charlie listens intently. "Anything else?"
The secretaries shake their heads in unison, signaling that there's nothing more to report. The small elk, acting as a silent observer, politely ushers them out.
This particular secretary, though respected for her intelligence and responsibility, often finds herself resented by her peers for her somewhat unconventional behavior and emotional detachment.
"Boss, Mr. Saliyev and Ms. Aimo are here," the elk quietly informs Charlie, who has closed his eyes to rest.
Charlie doesn't respond immediately. The soft sound of the rocking chair's gentle creaking is the only noise in the room.
Twenty minutes later, Charlie opens his eyes and greets the two newcomers, who have been waiting patiently. "Those who are patient can always enjoy the best fruits," he remarks, offering them a knowing smile.
"Mr. Lee, my consultation fee is $200 per hour, and anything less than an hour will still be billed as a full hour," Aimo declares, holding out her hand with a calm and confident air.
"…" Charlie considers her words, feeling slightly awkward but maintaining his composure. "Do you have any salary expectations?" he asks, shifting the conversation.
"$4,000," Aimo replies without hesitation.
"$3,600," Saliyev responds in unison with Aimo.
Charlie smirks at their confidence. "It seems you both believe in your value. That's good," he says. Standing up, he looks them both over, clearly sizing them up. "As long as I'm satisfied, the salary won't be an issue."
"I don't know what you need to be satisfied, boss," Aimo responds promptly, quickly adapting to the situation.
Charlie's gaze turns more serious. "Do everything I command and make sure no mistakes are made. That's all you need to do."
"I have no problem with that," Saliyev responds swiftly, his family's situation making him eager for this opportunity.
"I can do the same," Aimo adds after a brief pause.
"Good," Charlie says, pointing to Saliyev. "I need you to set up the legal department for the company, directly reporting to Mahadi. If you encounter any issues, you can contact my secretary."
"Aimo, you'll serve as my legal advisor. Believe me, it's not any less demanding than running the legal department," Charlie says, making it clear that she's taking on a significant role.
He's been watching Mahadi become more distracted by personal matters, and Charlie needs the legal think tank to be back on track.
"Yes," they both nod in agreement.
"Jesse, take them to the club," Charlie continues, giving instructions. "Their annual salary will be set at $4,000, with a $1,500 bonus. After signing the contracts, they'll receive half a year's salary in advance."
As Jesse leads them away, Charlie pats the little elk on the back before awkwardly shifting his gaze. He can't help but feel that his new subordinates must have a skewed perception of him after that brief interaction.
Meanwhile, work on several projects continues in the background. The Blue and White Building, McDonald's franchise renovations, and the Oscar Star Theater Building are all on track to finish by the end of the year, keeping his employees busy.
However, Charlie remains largely detached from the day-to-day activities, preferring to stay at home, listening to reports, signing documents, and making phone calls. He's built an empire that runs on its own, relying on capable individuals to manage everything.
After all, what's the point of having the resources, talent, and connections if he has to micromanage every aspect of the business? This allows Charlie to focus on the broader picture, leaving the rest to his trusted team.
This laid-back lifestyle has left Charlie somewhat restless, so he plans to host a Thanksgiving dinner in Area 22 to lift the spirits of his staff. In 1929, Thanksgiving wasn't yet a national holiday, though President Lincoln had declared it as such in 1863. Despite this, many American families still celebrated the day with a hearty feast.
Charlie's planned event will span three days, a Carnival-style celebration to relax and enjoy, offering respite from the growing tension of the city. The atmosphere in the streets has been grim lately, with residents looking uncertain and anxious, reflecting the economic challenges the country faces. The students in his training camp are starting to show signs of stress, their nerves on edge, and Charlie isn't pleased with this development.
"Lao Huang, how's the preparation going?" Charlie asks as he arrives home, seeing Lao Huang finishing a phone call and jotting down notes in his book.
"The Pommel Hotel and Ritz Hotel are handling all the food. They'll deliver before 4 PM. We've ordered 500 QD beers, 20 barrels of whiskey, 10 barrels of vodka, and 50 barrels of rum," Lao Huang lists off. "As for the desserts…"
"Perfect. Let me know when everything's ready," Charlie says, half-listening as he heads for the door, unable to tolerate Lao Huang's excessively detailed reports.
"Boss, I've got everyone gathered," Hans, the head instructor, calls out, ready to assist.
"Great!" Charlie responds, a grin spreading across his face. "I've prepared a crazy Thanksgiving + New Year party. Three days of food, drinks, and celebration for everyone. What do you think?"
Hans reacts with genuine excitement, his voice booming across the room. "Thank you, boss! It's incredible!"
Charlie continues, "Make sure to announce the good news. And have you thought about bringing your families over? I know many of you have been separated for years."
The German instructors had already planned to bring their families to avoid them being influenced by unfavorable elements back home.
"The thought has crossed our minds," Hans responds, a touch of uncertainty in his voice. Given the difficult circumstances in their homeland post-World War I, relocating their families to the U.S. was a significant decision.
"Think about it. You'll have a long time here to settle in," Charlie encourages. He doesn't push them, understanding that they have time to decide.
"Thanks for your concern, boss," Hans responds.
With the team assembled, Charlie grins and heads out with the little elk, asking, "How long until the Twin Towers are rebuilt?"
"The painting will be finished in three days, and the new office supplies factory is catching up," the elk responds.
"What about Aimo?" Charlie asks, eager for her to take over Mahadi's work.
"She's on her way to the airport. She'll handle the transition with Mahadi in Hollywood. Aimo asked me to inform you that she'll manage everything."
Charlie chuckles, "It seems she's not one to be outdone."
"What about the McDonald's renovation plan?" he inquires, still keeping an eye on his projects.
"They're aiming for January or February," the little elk responds.
Charlie rolls his eyes at her vague answer, but presses on, focusing on the task at hand.
As he walks back to his room, the sounds of excitement erupting from the training ground fill the air. A wave of cheers rises up. "Long live the boss!" they shout, appreciating his efforts.
Then, there's a playful voice shouting encouragement from inside the room.
With a deep breath, Charlie steps out, ready to face the new challenges that lie ahead.