Through the [Talent Scout] title, Jiang Tao saw Shan Yang's talents and career direction.
Jiang Tao's eyes lit up instantly.
Recently, he had been accompanying Xu Li and her parents, exploring and dining around the capital.
Now, Jiang Tao was ready to get down to some serious business.
Running his Kuaidou account was one of those tasks.
Building a successful Kuaidou account had plenty of benefits.
Not only could it help him complete the [Sports Star] series of tasks and earn mission rewards, but it would also greatly boost his future career development.
Creating a personal brand was a trendy entrepreneurial approach these days.
By closely tying himself to his brand, he could gain fame while simultaneously promoting his products.
People like Lei Bus, Red Jacket Bro, and Li Dagang, from whom Jiang Tao had previously bought beef rolls, were all examples worth learning from.
Then there were the running and fitness influencers.
People like Da Zheng, Teacher Li, and Old Zhang's Shoes had plenty of aspects Jiang Tao could draw inspiration from.
Moreover, Jiang Tao had absolute confidence and strength to grow his account.
Although after reaching a physique score of 80, the chances of improving his physique through running had decreased significantly—he now needed to run six or seven hours on the [Fitness Running Machine] to gain just one point—through persistent effort, his stamina had already reached 82 points.
According to the system's evaluation standards, he was now considered in the "robust" category.
Xu Li had experienced this firsthand.
Although Jiang Tao hadn't been running for long and didn't have much accumulated mileage, with the boost from the game-changing [Fitness Running Machine], his running ability had already reached an impressive level.
With some effort, he could run 10 kilometers in under half an hour.
And as his physique continued to improve, there was still plenty of room for his running performance to grow.
At his current level, becoming a running influencer was more than feasible.
The reason he hadn't yet started working on this was twofold: he had been quite busy lately, and procrastination was a significant factor.
The root of his procrastination? Jiang Tao knew nothing about shooting or editing videos.
Just thinking about it gave him a headache and a sense of dread.
As a result, he kept putting it off, again and again.
As long as he didn't start, he wouldn't fail.
If he could find a professional to manage his account and handle video editing, someone to work alongside him, he could focus solely on running and streaming, leaving the rest to the expert.
With division of labor, things would be so much easier!
Running into his old classmate Shan Yang downstairs today felt like fate.
Seeing Shan Yang's talents and career direction, Jiang Tao immediately had the idea to recruit him!
"If I could poach Shan Yang…"
As if sensing Jiang Tao's thoughts, the azure system interface popped up automatically.
A mission prompt appeared on it.
[Congratulations on triggering the special mission [Know People, Use Them Well]!]
[Mission Name]: Know People, Use Them Well.
[Mission Objective]: Recruit Shan Yang to work for you and assign him tasks that match his abilities.
[Mission Rewards]: 880,000 yuan in cash, a monthly salary card limit increase of 20,000 yuan, 6 physique points, and 3 charm points!
"Know People, Use Them Well, recruit Shan Yang? And these mission rewards…"
Seeing the mission details and the rather generous rewards, Jiang Tao's eyes lit up again!
It seemed his connection with Old Shan was no small matter!
A chance encounter had triggered a special mission with substantial rewards!
Bringing Shan Yang to his side would not only give him a highly professional assistant to handle tasks he wasn't good at, but it would also earn him rich system rewards.
A win-win situation!
It was like someone handing him a pillow just as he felt sleepy!
This mission couldn't have come at a better time!
Hesitating for even a second would be a betrayal of the [Know People, Use Them Well] mission!
"Accept!"
Without hesitation, Jiang Tao accepted this "free points" mission!
Was there any difficulty in completing this task?
None at all!
Even if he offered Shan Yang a monthly salary of 20,000 yuan to poach him, the mission reward's monthly salary card limit increase of 20,000 yuan would completely cover his salary.
Not to mention the 880,000 yuan in cash and the incredibly valuable physique and charm points!
Shifting his gaze from the system panel, Jiang Tao looked at Shan Yang with even more enthusiasm.
Employees like this, who practically paid for themselves, were welcome in any number!
"Well… it's about time, Jiang Tao. I need to head back to the company."
"You can check the car and sign the receipt for me."
Shan Yang felt a bit uneasy under Jiang Tao's suddenly fervent gaze.
Besides, he had been out for a while.
While speaking, he pulled a receipt from his pocket and bid farewell to Jiang Tao.
"You delivered the car, I trust you. No need to check."
Jiang Tao took the receipt and pen from Shan Yang, quickly signing his name with a few swift strokes.
After signing, he pulled out a pack of Golden Leaf cigarettes and handed it to Shan Yang:
"Thanks for making the trip, Goat. Here's a pack of smokes for the road."
"Whoa! Boss Jiang's got style! I'll take these Golden Leafs."
Shan Yang didn't stand on ceremony with Jiang Tao. Grinning, he accepted the pack and slipped it into his pocket.
As a seasoned smoker, he knew a pack of Golden Leaf fine-cut cigarettes cost around 100 yuan.
While it couldn't compare to high-end cigars like Cohiba, which cost hundreds or thousands per stick, these were still a favorite among big shots at upscale gatherings.
"Well, I'll head back then. Let's keep in touch. Maybe we can go for a run together sometime."
Shan Yang gestured toward the community entrance with his thumb, preparing to return and clock out.
Seeing Shan Yang about to leave, Jiang Tao quickly got to the point:
"Don't rush off, Goat. I remember back in college you were already working on a social media account. Are you still doing it?"
Shan Yang's expression turned slightly awkward as he chuckled:
"Yeah, still doing it, but just as a side gig, messing around."
Although Shan Yang knew how to shoot and edit videos, he didn't have anything particularly noteworthy about himself.
Despite years of working on social media, he hadn't achieved much success.
In terms of looks, he was just average—not ugly, but not handsome either.
He didn't have a silver tongue or witty banter.
In running, after seven or eight years, he was still at an amateur level, with no particular talent.
In an ordinary community running group, plenty of people could outrun him.
His Kuaidou account, after seven or eight years and regularly posting videos, still had fewer than 4,000 followers.
During his live streams, only about ten people showed up in the chat.
Half of them were his running group buddies chatting in his live stream.
In short, Shan Yang was an unremarkable ordinary guy, blending into the background wherever he went.
Plain, average, unexceptional.
Whether starting a business in real life or trying to grow an online presence, only a few ever stand out.
People like Shan Yang were part of the silent majority, no matter what they did.
Just like Jiang Tao, who had also tried running a Kuaidou account before and ended up failing.
At least compared to Shan Yang, Jiang Tao had decent looks to his advantage.
But looks alone weren't enough.
Now, Jiang Tao had both looks and ability.
All he lacked was someone skilled in technology and account management.
His looks and strength, combined with Shan Yang's operational and technical skills, would be a powerful partnership. There was no reason they wouldn't succeed!
Jiang Tao cut to the chase: "How much are you making at the dealership right now?"
"Well, not much. Definitely can't compare to you. Just scraping by."
Shan Yang was too embarrassed to share his salary and tried to brush it off.
"I know talking about salaries can be sensitive, but what I'm about to say is related to that."
Jiang Tao smiled and explained: "Here's the deal, Goat. I'm planning to start a Kuaidou account and want to hire someone who knows shooting and editing to manage it."
"Running into you today feels like fate."
"We've been classmates, and I trust you. So, I'd like you to come work for me."
"If you join me, your salary will definitely be no less than what you're making now."
"I'll add 3,000 yuan a month on top of your current salary."
Jiang Tao didn't beat around the bush, laying out his offer clearly and directly to Shan Yang.
A 3,000-yuan salary increase for a job switch showed Jiang Tao's sincerity in recruiting Shan Yang.
He valued Shan Yang's abilities, but completing the [Know People, Use Them Well] mission and earning its rewards was also a factor.
"Manage an account? An extra 3,000 a month on top of my current salary!"
Shan Yang's heart skipped a beat at Jiang Tao's words, and he looked at him with excitement.
Truth be told, he wasn't thrilled with his current after-sales job at the dealership.
The work was simple and easy.
Every day, he was either picking up cars from clients or delivering cars to them.
But such simple, repetitive work got boring after a while.
"Jiang Tao, are you serious? You're not messing with me, right?"
Shan Yang looked at Jiang Tao uncertainly, seeking confirmation.
"Come on, of course I'm serious. We're not kids anymore. Would I joke about something like this?"
Jiang Tao said earnestly: "If you're worried about trusting me, you can sign a contract with me first, then resign from your current job."
"No worries! I definitely trust you! We've known each other for years; of course, I believe in you!"
Shan Yang could hear the sincerity in Jiang Tao's voice, and half of his doubts melted away.
Maybe this was a good opportunity for him?
If he didn't seize it, who knew if another would come along?
Jiang Tao teased with a smile:
"Now can you tell me about your current salary? I need to know if I can afford to hire a big shot like you."
"Hah! I'm just an ordinary worker."
"No offense, but after deductions for social insurance and housing fund, I take home just over 6,000 yuan."
"I didn't tell you earlier not because it's a secret."
"It's just that I feel like I'm doing pretty poorly. It's embarrassing to admit."
Faced with Jiang Tao's genuine invitation, Shan Yang honestly shared his current salary.
After deductions, a little over 6,000 yuan a month wasn't much in a big city like the capital.
For non-locals, after paying rent, food, cigarettes, and the occasional new clothes or milk tea, there wouldn't be much left of that 6,000 yuan.
Fortunately, Shan Yang was a local with his own place and no mortgage.
His starting point was already much higher than the average migrant worker in the capital.
With no car loan or mortgage weighing him down, 6,000 yuan a month was enough for a comfortable life.
"Then you've got no reason to hesitate. Come work with me."
"As I said, I'll cover your social insurance and housing fund based on your salary, plus an extra 3,000 yuan a month."
Jiang Tao's smile grew even brighter when he heard Shan Yang was only earning just over 6,000 yuan.
Hiring Shan Yang would complete the [Know People, Use Them Well] mission.
The salary card limit increase from the rewards alone would cover Shan Yang's salary and then some!
Moreover, based on the [Talent Scout] analysis, Shan Yang was well-suited for new media operations.
The value he could create would easily justify the salary Jiang Tao offered.
It was a win-win for both Jiang Tao and Shan Yang.
"Alright! Thanks for the opportunity, old classmate!"
Shan Yang grinned at Jiang Tao and decisively accepted his offer.
"Don't talk like that; it sounds too formal. From now on, we'll build a career together and achieve greatness. Stick with me, and I won't let you down."
Jiang Tao gave Shan Yang a playful punch on the chest.
After a short chat, the distance between them shrank, replaced by a sense of familiarity.
It was as if they had traveled back to their carefree college days.
They hadn't hung out much in college, but they shared a bond as classmates with common experiences and memories.
Now, meeting again, those sealed memories seemed to unlock, and forgotten moments came flooding back, vivid as if they had happened yesterday.
After chatting a bit more, Jiang Tao invited Shan Yang upstairs to his place to sit for a while.
They also discussed some plans for future work.
"You're planning to enter the running influencer space? What's your half-marathon PB? Full marathon PB?"
Shan Yang was surprised but excited to hear Jiang Tao wanted to break into the running influencer scene!
Though he wasn't a top runner himself, he had years of experience and deep knowledge of the field.
If he managed a running influencer account, he'd feel right at home.
"I haven't run a half-marathon or full marathon yet."
Jiang Tao shrugged, answering honestly.
"What? You…"
Shan Yang was dumbfounded by Jiang Tao's response, his mind racing with doubts.
Come on, man!
You haven't even run a half or full marathon, and you want to be a running influencer?
Isn't that a joke?
Shan Yang himself had run twenty or thirty marathons!
"Haha, what's with that look? Don't have faith in me?"
Seeing the shock on Shan Yang's face, Jiang Tao laughed:
"Though I haven't run a half or full marathon yet, I can push myself to run 10 kilometers in under 30 minutes. I've tested it myself."
"How much? 10 kilometers in under what?"
Shan Yang stared at Jiang Tao in disbelief, convinced he was joking!
Among amateur runners, running 10 kilometers in 37 to 40 minutes was already impressive.
Under 35 minutes was considered exceptional talent.
Running it in under 30 minutes? That was elite, even by national team standards!
If Jiang Tao could achieve that, he'd be a running legend!
All he needed was to compete in an official race to prove his ability.
With a bit of promotion, he could quickly grow his account and attract a massive following.