Love Affairs in Melbourne-Chapter 79 - 76: Matching the qualifications of the young lady

Chapter 79: Chapter 76: Matching the qualifications of the young lady

"I actually should have been considered a part of Lehman Brothers before I joined Barclays Capital NY."

Lehman Brothers went bankrupt during the subprime crisis and was then taken over by Barclays.

Normally, in investment banks in the United States, the IT and data analysis departments are usually not too busy. fгeewebnovёl.com

Unless you encounter an unusually diligent supervisor, you can generally expect to clock in and clock out on time.

At most, you might occasionally handle some urgent data during the weekends.

Overall, my position right now is one where overtime is rare and job stability is very high.

It’s not at all like those investment bankers who deal with beautiful women all day," Yi thoroughly responded to Yan Yan’s concerns.

"A job this relaxed carries a six-figure salary? Even for someone fresh out of university with no work experience?" Yan Yan thought the salary level Yi had mentioned before was a bit exaggerated for an undergraduate who had just graduated.

"Uh, I guess every role in the tech department of Barclays Capital should have a six-figure salary. These positions do not rely on project bonuses," Yi felt Yan Yan’s remark was a bit exaggerated.

"You also got a Signing Bonus, didn’t you? That’s not something everyone gets," Yan Yan said, without any real exaggeration in her statement. (note 1)

"I’m not quite sure about that, but definitely, I wasn’t the only one who got it," Yi answered.

"With such good benefits and no overtime, why did you mention before that you still wanted to be an investment manager? Don’t you think your current job is good enough?" Yan Yan was curious.

"I thought it was good too, but after finding you in Melbourne, I realized it wasn’t enough," Yi replied.

"Huh? You mean my presence influences your job too?" Yan Yan’s curiosity increased rather than decreased.

"Of course, it does.

In high school, I always thought I would find myself a frugal and homely girlfriend.

But somehow, I ended up coaxing a lady of high status to come back with me," Yi didn’t hold back.

"Huh? A lady of high status? Are you talking about me? I feel a bit overwhelmed hearing that. If I really were a lady of high status, wouldn’t it be more logical for you to think that you could strive a bit less?" Yan Yan teased.

"Why rely on a girlfriend when I can strive on my own? A girlfriend is there to be loved, not relied upon," Yi expressed his thoughts straightforwardly.

"Do you... care a lot about family backgrounds?" Yan Yan asked hesitantly.

Yan Yan was actually a bit scared; she hadn’t made up her mind yet and didn’t know if it was the right time to discuss the matter of family backgrounds with Yi, especially after her mother had specifically reminded her earlier.

"Of course," Yi replied without hesitation.

After hearing Yi’s response, Yan Yan started to feel a bit depressed.

"Our family just owned a factory, and my parents sold it a couple of months ago..." Yan Yan continued hesitantly discussing her family.

"Look how scared you are, rest assured, I won’t despise you because your family is well-off," Yi reassured Yan Yan with a bit of humor.

"Why does that sound so awkward?" Yan Yan felt that she probably shouldn’t have asked Yi if he minded about family backgrounds.

"Where does it sound awkward?" Yi was puzzled.

"I can’t quite explain it, it just feels awkward," Yan Yan couldn’t pin down why.

"Maybe others would find it a bit awkward, but you are a young lady; it really shouldn’t," Yi felt Yan Yan’s reaction was a bit strange.

"I don’t fully understand what you truly mean," Yan Yan was perplexed.

"To be honest, it’s normal for a guy to mind being said to rely on his girlfriend’s family.

Of course, there are those who just want to strive less as you said.

Regardless of what others think, from my own point of view, I definitely do mind," Yi sincerely shared his thoughts.

"I see..." Yan Yan didn’t know what else to say, realizing her mother indeed had foresight.

"Why are you speaking so hesitantly? You’ve lost all the vim of Waiwai.

Don’t worry, what I mind about is different from most people.

For me, what bothers me the most is that having a girlfriend who is a young lady means I have to strive alone for a few extra years in the United States.

I have to work hard to match the qualifications of a young lady quickly.

If it wasn’t for this, I wouldn’t want to stay in the United States.

I would have gone to Melbourne to find a job and accompany you to school," Yi had indeed thought about directly going to Australia to find a job and accompany Yan Yan to study after graduation.

After hearing Yi’s words, Yan Yan was silent for a while on the other end of the phone.

Now, the biggest difference in Qi Yi from his high school days was his mental maturity.

"Qi Yi, thank you for being so open and honest with me. I always thought you were quite immature inside. These years in the United States seem to have changed you a lot." Yan Yan felt a bit surprised.

"Why are you thanking me? Are you afraid I would’ve run away if I knew your family was wealthy?" Qi Yi asked with a smile.

"No, my mom said that if a guy really cares about family background, it gets really exhausting. I never thought we’d suddenly start discussing this sensitive topic on the phone." Yan Yan was equally candid.

"It’s not sudden at all.

I asked you about it when I first started emailing you.

You just didn’t answer me.

When we were in Melbourne, you asked me if I would give up UBS and Barclays.

I realized then that I had found myself a princess.

That’s also one of the most important reasons I can’t give up my investment banking job.

I always need to work hard for a few years first." Qi Yi didn’t think he had anything to hide.

"Qi Yi, isn’t your reaction a bit different? They don’t even show it like this on TV." A huge weight finally lifted from Yan Yan’s heart.

.........

note 1:

[Xiao Mo’s Class]

Today, let’s talk about the Signing Bonus.

Also, let’s discuss the difference between two commonly used wage terms, Salary and Wage.

In the United States, many top companies often offer a Signing Bonus to attract talent.

For freshly graduated students, this money can be used to rent a house or start a new life.

If recruited by headhunters with work experience, the signing bonus might be even more considerable.

Why do foreign top companies have such a policy?

Mostly, it’s humanity-driven, to prevent starvation.

Foreigners mostly don’t have a concept of saving, and most live paycheck to paycheck.

In places that pay Salary (monthly, like in China - paid once a month), "living paycheck to paycheck" is actually quite common.

In many places, like Melbourne, it’s Wage (weekly - paid once a week), and "paycheck to paycheck" is escalated to "starlight."

The pay day for a weekly wage is usually set on every Wednesday.

Paying wages is a "universal celebration."

Shopping malls in Melbourne, which normally close at five or six, will start closing at nine in the evening from Thursday, thanks to people having the cash.

Wednesday is payday, so dinner out is a must.

After work on Thursday, the malls are still open, so a visit is necessary.

Because there’s still work on Friday, keep it moderate, just stroll around the shops, try not to splurge too much.

Come Friday evening, it’s time to let loose for the weekend.

Eat out after work, then catch a movie or hit a bowling alley that is decked out like a nightclub.

Around eleven or twelve at night, real nightclubs finally open their doors, continue partying, and party until four or five Saturday morning.

Returning home, sleep it off - deep and undisturbed until evening. Then, continue to indulge in eating and drinking.

Come Sunday, by then the Wage is pretty much spent, leaving a bleak three days ahead.

Finally, when next Wednesday rolls around again, there’s money once more, and the cycle of indulgence begins anew.

A real "repeat weekly."

Under this lifestyle, changing jobs means lifting the pot without anything to cook, and changing cities means the streets are lined with those sleeping rough.

Without a Signing Bonus, survival is truly, truly, tough.

Therefore, providing a signing bonus is a deeply humanizing policy of many big companies; changing jobs is minor, but starving is a major concern.