Stronger by Paying Salaries and I Have 1 Billion Employees

This was Vancl’s moment in the spotlight, and Chen Nian’s as well.

He had heard that Lei Yijun wanted to introduce him to a new friend. After asking around, he learned it was the founder of FoxTao—exactly the external traffic channel he was currently lacking.

He had already announced the ten billion revenue target. To achieve it, everything from traffic to product had to be significantly upgraded.

”You’re here. Sit next to President Chen. Let me introduce you two. This is Chen Nian of Vancl, and this is Chen Yansen of FoxTao.”

Lei Yijun stood up to make the introductions.

”President Chen, I’ve heard so much about you!”

”President Chen, so young and promising!”

The two shook hands with a smile, but inwardly, Chen Nian was feeling a bit arrogant.

In Chen Nian’s view, building his own platform was the proper path. A traffic referral platform like FoxTao had a ceiling you could see at a glance; it didn’t have much of a future.

Zhou Hongyi watched coldly from the sidelines. He had another meeting with Lei Yijun after this. 360 was seeking an opportunity to go public, and Lei Yijun had experience in this area, so he had come to ask for help.

Lei Yijun had said they were just having a meal, so they didn’t talk about anything else, simply sharing their views on the domestic economic situation.

They had assumed that because Chen Yansen was young, he wouldn’t have much to say on the topic. To their surprise, he shocked them the moment he opened his mouth.

For a moment, they felt as if they were chatting with a seasoned veteran who had been in the Business Community for many years.

After listening for a while, Zhou Hongyi, who scoffed at Chen Yansen’s words, suddenly steered the conversation to his own industry. ”President Chen, what do you think the future development of internet security services will look like?”

Chen Yansen glanced at him, knowing the guy was up to no good. He smiled and said two words: ”Will die.”

Zhou Hongyi’s expression instantly froze. 360’s main business was computer management and antivirus software. Chen Yansen’s words were undoubtedly saying that 360 was doomed in the future.

”Bullshit!”

Zhou Hongyi snorted coldly, cursing out loud.

”Lao Zhou, what’s with your language!” This dinner was his doing, and Chen Yansen was his guest. Zhou Hongyi’s words were a slight to both Chen Yansen and him.

”Fine, President Chen. I spoke without thinking. Just pretend you didn’t hear it.” Seeing Lei Yijun’s displeasure and remembering he needed a favor, Zhou Hongyi’s tone softened as he offered a perfunctory apology.

”President Chen, don’t mind Lao Zhou. He’s just a crude fellow.” Lei Yijun shot Zhou Hongyi a glare and tried to smooth things over with a smile, attempting to ease the tension.

”Some people can’t handle the truth. Nothing to be done about it. Industry trends won’t change just because someone can’t accept them.”

Chen Yansen said with a grin, completely disregarding Zhou Hongyi.

This attitude of his, however, piqued Lei Yijun’s interest. He couldn’t help but ask curiously, ”Why don’t you elaborate? That way Lao Zhou won’t think you’re targeting him.”

”First, Microsoft started building Windows Defender into its operating system with Windows 7. Although it only provides basic virus protection, it’s sufficient for most people’s daily use. This reduces computer users’ reliance on third-party antivirus software. Who knows, Microsoft might build even more powerful antivirus software into the next version.”

After hearing this, Lei Yijun’s brow relaxed. He felt that this move by Microsoft would indeed impact domestic security service products.

Zhou Hongyi knew about Microsoft’s move, but he hadn’t taken it seriously before. Now that Chen Yansen mentioned it, his heart skipped a beat.

”Second, we’re entering the era of large-screen mobile phones. Mobile operating systems are closed, and with the review mechanisms of app stores, the number of viruses will inevitably decrease sharply. No one is going to install antivirus software on their phone and affect its performance...”

Chen Yansen continued.

When smartphones first emerged, their RAM was small, so most people wouldn’t waste precious memory on antivirus software.

By the time smartphone RAM increased, everyone had already gotten used to life without antivirus software.

If their phones worked fine without antivirus software, why would they install it?

More than a decade later, the only part of the antivirus market left would be enterprise users.