Lin Yuan is in pain

Good Group had originally planned to sign a part-time technical consultant contract with Lin Yuan.

However, this would classify the compensation paid to Lin Yuan as "incidental income."

In fact, Lin Yuan's income in this regard was indeed incidental income.

But incidental income is taxed at a 20% rate. This... even for a model young man like Lin Yuan, that's unbearable.

He hadn't even saved enough for a wife, and he was already contributing so much to society?

'My parents' medical insurance and retirement haven't even been secured yet? What kind of situation is this?'

So, Lin Yuan proposed a bold idea—why don't I just officially join as a full-time employee?

When he sought his mentor's opinion, Professor Zhang was stunned.

"Why would you have such an idea?"

"To... to pay less tax."

"You..."

Lin Yuan's heart skipped a beat. 'Could it be that my mentor never imagined I would be such a commoner?'

Professor Zhang was stunned for a while before he reacted, "It's all my fault. I forgot about your family situation. I'll arrange it for you; we'll turn that one-time subsidy into a scholarship."

"Really?" Lin Yuan's original idea was to persuade the company to allocate the 100,000 yuan one-time bonus into his monthly salary. If possible, he wanted it allocated to his year-end bonus. For this, Lin Yuan had specifically researched the individual income tax law.

If allocated to the monthly salary, he could enjoy a progressive tax rate, as the progressive tax rate is tiered, not a flat 20% from the start.

If the 100,000 yuan could be converted into a year-end bonus, that would be even better. Because the year-end bonus could be taxed separately from zero.

Lin Yuan experienced, for the first time, the feeling of racking his brain over individual income tax. It must be said, this feeling was truly wonderful. Losing brain cells over such matters was a willing sacrifice.

But who knew, his mentor seemed to have an even more brilliant plan. 'As expected of my omnipotent Big Leg Zhang. You are my true Golden Finger. [System, did you hear that? Get lost.]'

"Teacher, is this really okay? Won't it violate regulations?"

"Violate regulations? What regulations? This is the crystallization of school-enterprise cooperation. Our student receiving a 100,000 yuan scholarship from an enterprise, Vice President Li has to write a strong article about it. This is called a 'Three Goods Work.'"

"Three Goods?" Lin Yuan pondered for a moment and quickly understood.

Vice President Li got some political achievements, Good Group gained a reputation for valuing talent, and he himself received tangible benefits. Isn't that the 'Three Goods'?

"Teacher is brilliant."

"Stop flattering me. I'm taking good care of a promising talent like you for the organization. If you become successful in the future and dare to think of ways to pay less tax, I'll be the first to punish you."

"Teacher, don't worry, I definitely won't."

"Less chest-thumping, more conscience." Professor Zhang's words sounded calm, as if he had seen all sorts of worldly storms.

"I understand, actions speak louder than words."

"Exactly. Oh, and also. If we go with the scholarship, the process still needs to be followed. You know the school's system; this money won't be available in the short term. Do you have enough for living expenses? Do you want me to lend you some first?"

"No, no. I can get this month's internship salary soon, and subsequently..." Lin Yuan quickly realized what to do about the money Good Group would pay him monthly later. He couldn't possibly consider the monthly technical consulting fees as scholarships, could he? There's no such thing as a scholarship paid monthly.

Professor Zhang also quickly sensed Lin Yuan's hesitation. "Don't think about the future. It's impossible for a scholarship to be paid to you every month. Don't even think about poverty student subsidies; there's no such thing as a 22,000 yuan monthly poverty subsidy."

His mentor had blocked all of Lin Yuan's "crooked paths."

"Alright then..." Just as Lin Yuan was feeling the pinch, Professor Zhang sighed, "Alas, never mind. If you want to officially join, then join. I was poor once too, and I know that feeling. According to incidental income, you'd have to pay 4,400 yuan in taxes every month. I guess your parents are still living frugally at home, aren't they?"

Lin Yuan immediately replied, "Exactly, my parents haven't bought either retirement or medical insurance. I want to save some money to secure these two most important things for them."

"A filial son is good. Your two elders' retirement and medical insurance combined... according to the market in Zijin City, you'll probably need to prepare around 300,000 yuan. For a young person just starting out like you, it's indeed a bit harsh. And your parents haven't even reached the legal age for tax deductions for dependents.

Even if you officially join Good Group, you'll still have to pay a lot. You can consider buying a house. I'll put in a good word for you and ask Good Group to give you a position with a higher provident fund ratio."

His mentor was already considering Lin Yuan's future, and Lin Yuan felt a surge of emotion. "Thank you, Teacher. My parents have never considered things so much for me."

"Heh~~, your flattery is getting more and more skilled. Oh, right, you're 24 this year, aren't you?"

"Yes, 24 years old."

"If I introduce you to a girl with a house in Zijin City, you won't even need to buy one."

"Uh... I... I wouldn't dare to think like that."

"What's there not to dare to think? It'll be easy for you to get a teaching position at the school in the future. A university teacher, a future university professor—the kind that mothers-in-law in Zijin City like the most. Tell me, what type do you like? I'll keep an eye out for you."

"It's too early, I don't have the mind for that right now. Besides, I'm still a penniless pauper."

"Didn't I tell you not to belittle yourself? If you're busy, you can let the girl accommodate you more."

Lin Yuan was taken aback. "Are there still girls like that nowadays?"

"Hey, young people, don't be fooled by those online comments. Good girls are introduced through trusted circles; caring and considerate girls don't spend all day online posting strange opinions. I'll keep an eye out for you, it's settled then."

"Wait, Teacher. Actually, I already have a girl I like." Lin Yuan didn't understand why his mentor was so concerned about his private life. Was it because he was smart, well-behaved, and filial? But sometimes, being overly admired can also be a hassle.

"What? What does she do? What's her family background?"

"She's also from our school, majoring in dance in the Art Department."

Professor Zhang sighed a very long sigh, "You liked her because she's pretty?"

Lin Yuan was immediately speechless, because his initial feelings for Xia Ye indeed came from her appearance. It was only after understanding that she wasn't the type of girl who frequented entertainment venues that he developed the idea of formally dating her.

But ultimately, in Lin Yuan's dictionary, personality and character were, in fact, ranked after appearance.

In a word: Lin Yuan only cared whether good-looking girls had good personalities and character.

"It's not that I want to meddle, Teacher. You know the caliber of our school's Art Department, but beauty and intelligence are not contradictory, do you understand what I mean?"

"I... I understand."

"You need to have a sense of proportion."

Professor Zhang then hung up the phone.

Since it was a private conversation, Professor Zhang didn't hide his disdain for the school's Art Department. And he hinted to Lin Yuan: there's no need to focus solely on beauty; capable girls can also be beautiful.

The implication: Professor Zhang felt that the girls in the school's Art Department were not worthy of the current Lin Yuan.

Lin Yuan was a bit confused for a moment. 'When the hell did my level get so high? Even a girl like Xia Ye is not worthy of me?'

Lin Yuan didn't dwell on this matter for too long, because he was still stuck in the pain of paying taxes while not having money to buy retirement and medical insurance for his parents.