Chapter 542 - 350: Li Wei Is My God

Chapter 542: Chapter 350: Li Wei Is My God

"As for compensation," Li Wei considered for a moment. "Would a total package of 300,000 USD be sufficient? That’s about 20,000 USD a month before taxes, with a year-end bonus equivalent to three months’ salary."

Jason Miller nodded eagerly. A salary of 300,000 USD was more than double what he made before.

"Of course, the company is still growing," Li Wei said with a smile. "I look forward to working with you. As the business expands, Jason, your salary will be adjusted upwards accordingly."

"Is there also room for promotion?" Jason Miller asked instinctively.

"Of course," Li Wei said, exchanging a look with Don Quixote and Chen Haisheng. "I’m not a stingy boss. You’ll find that out later."

"He appointed a woman who just graduated from college in June as COO and granted her over 100 million USD in shares," Don Quixote said. "A while ago, he also gave her a 2 million USD cash bonus."

"I felt Jin Heon was worth the money... but we’re getting sidetracked." Li Wei waved his hand dismissively and looked at the stunned Jason Miller. "Besides filming, I probably won’t be spending too much time in Hollywood. I hope you can help me keep an eye on things, Jason. Make sure there isn’t any misappropriation of funds or anything that slows down our progress. Can you do that?"

"Of course," Jason Miller said, standing up. "I’ll live on set and keep a close watch on how every single dollar is spent."

"You don’t have to go that hard, though I’m not against it," Li Wei said, also rising to his feet. "If you really do live on set, remember to get reimbursed by the finance department."

He glanced at his watch. "I have to get going. I’ll leave my agent to discuss the contract details with you. By the way, did NBC give you any severance pay after laying you off? After all, you’ve been with them for ten years."

Jason Miller shook his head. "What’s severance pay?" he asked. "I’ve never heard of a company giving people severance when they’re let go."

"Alright," Li Wei said with a smile. "Well... in that case, let’s just say I’m poaching you from NBC. I’ll give you an extra... two months’ salary as a signing bonus. A little welcome package for joining ’Horizon Holdings’."

"That’s 40,000 USD," he added.

Jason Miller returned home in a daze and pushed open the door without a second thought.

The whole day had been too surreal, like a real-life roller coaster, and even now, it didn’t feel quite real.

The moment he pushed the door open, he froze.

A crooked, colorful banner hung in the living room. Written on it in marker was, "Happy 10th Aniversary at NBC, Dad!" The handwriting was messy and childish, and the word "anniversary" was even misspelled.

On the coffee table below the banner sat a store-bought chocolate cake with two candles stuck in it: a ’1’ and a ’0’.

Hearing the door open, Jack, who was standing on a stool taping balloons to the wall, and Megan, who was squatting on the floor blowing them up, both whipped their heads around, their expressions instantly shifting from delight to panic.

"Why are you... home so early?" Megan asked, her voice muffled by the balloon string she was holding in her teeth.

Jack hid a balloon that was bigger than his own head behind his back. "Dad! Why are you home before your shift is over?"

Jason Miller paused. "I was laid off," he said.

The living room was silent for two seconds.

"Oh," she said, forcing a smile. "Well... regardless, today is still your tenth anniversary, right?"

"Right," Jason said.

Megan looked down, glancing at the cake and candles on the coffee table, then at the banner she and Jack had hung on the wall.

"Jack," she said, "go look in Mommy and Daddy’s bedroom for a lighter so we can light the candles."

"Okay." Jack turned to go.

Megan patted Jack’s head. "Good boy. If you can’t find it right away, keep looking for a while. It’s definitely in the bedroom somewhere."

Jack said, "Oh," and ran back into the room.

The sounds of rummaging came from the bedroom as Megan slowly sank onto the sofa.

She didn’t speak, just slowly covered her face with her hands. Sobs leaked out from between her fingers, growing louder and louder.

"Megan—" Jason walked over to her.

"It’s okay," Megan said in a low voice. "I just... I just need a moment."

She took a deep breath and forced herself to go on. "Our savings can last for more than half a year, maybe eight months if we’re frugal. I can look for work again, maybe get some bit parts? My figure is still good, I could play a middle-aged—"

"Megan!" Jason knelt and took her hands.

"I did get laid off," he said. "But I found a new job."

Megan’s expression froze.

"Li Wei, it was Li Wei," Jason said. "He found me after I got laid off and offered me a new job."

He pulled an envelope from the inner pocket of his suit and placed it in Megan’s hand.

"He also gave me a signing bonus. Two months’ salary. Forty thousand USD."

"The total annual salary is 300,000 USD," he said.

Megan held the envelope in her palm, weighing it, then opened it and looked inside.

Then she raised her hand and punched Jason Miller hard in the chest.

"You asshole!"

Another punch.

"Couldn’t you have led with the good news?!"

Jason stumbled back half a step from the blow, then stepped forward and pulled her into his arms before her third punch could land.

Megan struggled for a moment before letting Jason hold her.

"Ahem... so... 300,000?" she said.

Jason grunted his assent.

’300,000. While it was just a little over double his previous salary, in reality, it would feel more than three times better.’

’His previous annual salary of 120,000 came out to about 80,000 after taxes and health insurance. After the mortgage, utilities, tuition, insurance, and other expenses, he was doing well if he could save 1,000 USD a month. If any minor or major emergency came up, he basically couldn’t save anything.’

’But 300,000 was a different story. His take-home pay would be 180,000 USD after taxes. If they maintained their current lifestyle, he could save over 8,000 USD a month—nearly ten times what he saved before. The mortgage would no longer be a guillotine hanging over their heads. They wouldn’t have to grit their teeth and pay for summer camp in installments. They wouldn’t have to price-compare everything at the supermarket anymore.’

’Now they could go to a decent restaurant without having to order only the cheap things and pretend they weren’t hungry or didn’t like seafood.’

"You really are an asshole, Jason Miller," Megan muttered. "A huge asshole!"

"I was trying to tell you," Jason said. "But you didn’t give me a chance."

The master bedroom door creaked open, and half of Jack’s head peeked out.

"Can we cut the cake now?" he asked cautiously.

Jason and Megan both laughed at the same time.

"Let’s save it for tomorrow," Jason said. "We’re eating out tonight."

"Yay!" Jack cheered, running out of the master bedroom and throwing his arms around both of them. "What are we going to eat?"

"Let’s get In-N-Out Burger," Megan said.

"Let’s eat in the Silver Lake District," Jason said.

The two of them exchanged a look.

"When they laid me off today, I didn’t walk away empty-handed," Jason said. "At least I got a 100 USD coupon for a Thai restaurant in the Silver Lake District."

"Alright then," Megan said after a moment’s thought. "Let’s go there."

...

「Early the next morning」

Jason Miller was up at his usual early hour. He grabbed a piece of leftover cake from the fridge, took a couple of bites, and headed out the door. He arrived in Burbank before the film crew had even started their day.

"Well, if it isn’t Jason Miller." A familiar voice spoke up while he was waiting for work to start.

Jason turned his head, his brow furrowing and his eyes narrowing.

"Jeremy," he said, looking at the newcomer bluntly. "What are you doing in Burbank so early?"