Stronger by Paying Salaries and I Have 1 Billion Employees

”Kuai Pao? They got a 30 million angel investment from Senlian Capital?”

In an office in Putuo District, Zhang Xuhao clicked open a Sohu News article. His brow furrowed instantly, and his heart filled with regret.

He hadn’t expected Chen Yansen’s investment style to be so decisive.

After noticing his little maneuvers, Chen Yansen hadn’t given him any room to negotiate. He first denied that Senlian Capital had any intention of investing in Eleme, then immediately turned around and invested in a competitor.

This was a clear statement: it wasn’t that Chen Yansen didn’t believe in the food delivery model, he just didn’t believe in Eleme.

Zhang Xuhao recalled calling Zhu Xiaohu of Jinsha Venture Capital. The latter had once again refused to make an additional investment in Eleme, shattering his last hope.

’This won’t do! I have to find funding, and fast. Once Kuai Pao expands, Eleme will be in danger.’

Zhang Xuhao pondered for a moment and made up his mind.

While he was busy contacting venture capital firms, investors from Redwood Capital, Jinsha River Venture Capital, and Gao Ling Capital began looking into the company, Kuai Pao.

’After all, for Chen Yansen to take an interest in it, it must have some potential.’

Kang Guodong and Pei Yi, who had just returned to Luzhou, received a series of calls from several VC firms.

But now that they had 30 million in capital and were no longer worried about money—even though they only had 20% equity left—they rejected them all.

”Old Pei, this feels so damn good!”

Kang Guodong looked at Pei Yi across from him and grinned.

”Once we take Kuai Pao public, we’ll rub it in their faces.” Pei Yi was in an equally great mood.

Before, the two of them had practically begged investors just for a chance, even for just an hour of their time to listen to their business plan, but no one had paid them any attention.

After getting funding from Senlian Capital, the VC firms immediately changed their attitude, becoming incredibly enthusiastic towards them.

They both knew this shift was because of Chen Yansen, not because of Kuai Pao’s own merit.

”Let’s go. We’ll check out Luyang District first. The office rent there is low, and it’s right next to the pedestrian street...”

Holding a stack of documents, Kang Guodong pulled Pei Yi toward the university exit.

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After being rejected by Kuai Pao, Zhang Lei of Gao Ling Capital called Chen Yansen again. ”President Chen, you weren’t entirely honest with me last time.”

”President Zhang, don’t get me wrong! After our last conversation, I had my investment analysts research the food delivery industry. They felt it had potential, and that’s why I invested in Kuai Pao.”

Chen Yansen laughed, telling a bald-faced lie.

The implication was that he had only considered investing in a food delivery website after Zhang Lei had brought it to his attention.

”When will you be in Yanjing again, President Chen? We should all get together,” Zhang Lei said with a smile, changing the subject. He didn’t actually mind.

He just needed to confirm that Chen Yansen was interested in the food delivery industry.

”President Zhang, is there something else?” Chen Yansen read between the lines and asked with a smile.

”Two things. First, Gao Ling wants to buy a stake in Pinbei. Second, I’d like to broker a partnership between you and Jingdong to jointly seize Ah Li’s market share.”

Zhang Lei got straight to the point, not beating around the bush.

When communicating with someone as smart as Chen Yansen, being direct was more efficient.

”President Zhang, if I may be so bold, is this Gao Ling’s idea, or Liu Qiangdong’s?”

Chen Yansen didn’t refuse immediately but instead asked seriously.

He had recently heard that Liu Qiangdong’s competition with Ah Li was getting intense.

Without informing Jingdong, New FoxTao had scraped the review content from Jingdong’s first-party products, drawing a public lashing from Handsome Dong.

As a result, FoxTao blocked Jingdong’s products, kicked Jingdong out of its B2C rebate mall, and even teamed up with Dangdang and Sunning to try and isolate Jingdong.

Currently, Jingdong’s merchants weren’t even eligible to sign up for FoxTao’s ”Super Rebate” event.

To put it in perspective, FoxTao brought Jingdong 300 to 500 million in sales each month.

This really pissed Liu Qiangdong off!

”This was the result of a joint discussion between me, Tiger Fund, and DST, the lead investors.”

Zhang Lei said slowly.