Chapter 175: A Single Pound Destroys All
The saying goes, "Fair skin covers a hundred flaws; a single pound destroys all."
In Western countries, being overweight can drastically affect one's social standing, whether in school or in society at large. Even if you're an outgoing and optimistic person, it doesn't matter much. Although older and more mature women might refrain from openly mocking your weight and might even compliment you by calling you "cute," believe me, those words are just for show. Only a fool would take them seriously.
Discrimination against overweight people is so pervasive that it transcends race and ethnicity. Westerners, both men and women, generally prefer partners who are fit and healthy-looking. Muscular individuals with well-toned bodies, but not overly so, are the top choice for most people, regardless of gender. Moreover, having a tan or sun-kissed skin is an added bonus!
Having muscles and a healthy appearance means that even if you're not particularly good-looking, it's not a big deal. However, if you're overweight, then congratulations, campus romance is likely out of reach for you. You'll end up watching the popular kids engage in their relationships, while you quietly nurse your wounds and dream of a day when you might be in their shoes.
This stereotype of tech enthusiasts as bespectacled, pot-bellied, and messy-haired individuals stems from the fact that the early generation of Western techies, excluding outliers like Bill Gates, were predominantly overweight.
In an era where computer games hadn't even reached the pixelated graphics stage, playing with computers meant mostly coding. And coding is not exactly a fun or trendy activity, as evidenced by the balding heads of future programmers. If you had friends or a girlfriend, who would waste time staring at a large monitor all day instead of hanging out with them?
Clearly, Gabriel, who was at the bottom of the school hierarchy, didn't care much for those popular kids and thought of them as childish. Part of the reason he joined this trip to Georgia was the allure of unrestricted computer access, but he also harbored a desire to escape his current predicament.
However, fate seemed unkind. Just as he escaped the sight of those popular kids, he encountered another one—an upgraded version at that!
This made him incredibly frustrated, so much so that not even an $800 salary could ease his resentment.
Gabriel brought this resentment to work the next day.
The following morning, the trio arrived promptly at work. Before they could sign their contracts, the lovely lady who had previously greeted them led them to the bank's internal area. Upon seeing the grouped computer packages, Jon and Druce were thrilled. These computers were far better than what they had previously used, boasting the highest 48kb version.
Just as a warrior loves his weapons, they appreciated high-performance machines. The bank's purchase of these computers exuded a "money is no object" vibe, bringing them one step closer to that $800 salary. Gabriel also recognized this, acknowledging Carter's discernment, but it only deepened his resentment.
The bank's business needs, as Greta had outlined, clearly didn't require such high-performance computers. Buying the best without considering actual needs was something only a nouveau riche would do.
After cursing under his breath, Gabriel and the other two quickly assembled the computers. They connected the check readers and installed the accounting software provided by the Federal Reserve. This simple task was child's play for them. After effortlessly completing it, Gabriel, seeing Jon and Druce busy testing with the bank tellers, quietly withdrew and began typing code at another computer.
That evening, Carter, having arranged his leave for the next day, came to the bank. Seeing that five of the eight teller counters were now equipped with computers, he silently praised the trio's efficiency.
Without paying much attention, he confirmed with Goodman that the trio had signed their contracts and then went about his own business, such as practicing his speech.
"I estimate there will be at least ten thousand people attending tomorrow. Even if you have to read from your notes, you need to be mentally prepared and not get nervous. You represent HT Company's image. A young boss is already hard to trust, and if you get nervous and stumble over your words, our plan will be difficult to execute!"
"After all, this concerns not just HT Company's future but also our bank's future. Without these merchant loans, we'll be in trouble."
"Don't worry, it should be fine!"
Looking at his youthful face in the mirror, Carter smiled slightly. Showing eight teeth, standing straight, head held high.
Recalling his past experiences in public speaking, such as representing freshmen and speaking before a thousand people, Carter felt confident. A few thousand people versus a few hundred—what's the difference?
When the number of people reaches a certain scale, it becomes meaningless for the person on stage. After all, a sea of heads looks the same, who has the time to count each one?
"Let's go over the questions Pearson residents might ask. You play the role of a tough customer and throw some tricky questions at me."
"Okay, first question! Mr. Black, how do you guarantee our interests? According to your proposal, our shares are distributed after the company's financial audit. What if you fudge the numbers?"
"Considering that you might not be familiar or professional with financial audits, our company will set up a special fund for financial reviews. During the annual settlement month, you have the right to use this money to hire a third-party accounting firm that you trust to audit the company's finances. The choice of audit firm is up to you, as long as it's mutually agreed upon by all franchisees. Our company will then select this firm to ensure your rightful interests."
"Second question! Mr. Black, how do you ensure job stability? The store's revenue is unknown. If business isn't good, will you close the store? How will you handle the costs if that happens?"
"As for this question..."