Stronger by Paying Salaries and I Have 1 Billion Employees

”Of course, no problem,” Chen Yansen agreed without hesitation.

’As long as Ah Li doesn’t threaten my controlling stake, Ma Liyun can invest as much as he wants. Better to bring Ah Li on board with the promise of profit than to create a new rival.’

Ma Liyun was taken aback for a moment, then replied, ”President Chen, I’m serious.”

”So am I,” Chen Yansen answered, his gaze firm.

Ma Liyun smiled, but his mind was filled with doubt.

’Logically, considering the significant competition between them, the other man had no reason to let him invest.’

’But in reality, Chen Yansen hadn’t shut Ah Li out of either Fast Taxi or Kuai Pao.’

’This kid didn’t play by the book at all!’

As toasts were exchanged throughout the dinner, the faces of Zhu Xiaohu and Ma Liyun gradually grew flushed.

Chen Yansen discovered that E-commerce Ma had an astonishing capacity for alcohol. After just one round of drinks, Zhu Xiaohu, Liu Zhiping, and Zhou Shouzhi were already red-faced and tipsy.

”President Chen, what is your expected valuation for Fast Taxi?” the Macquarie Capital representative suddenly asked.

The question caused the clamor in the banquet hall to gradually die down.

Ma Liyun’s brow furrowed for a moment before relaxing. Since the topic had come up, there was no harm in discussing it early.

In fact, Chen Yansen had already settled on a rough valuation range with the three main investors—Ah Li, Penguin, and DST. It was just that Jinsha Venture Capital, Hongyi Capital, Huake Investment Attraction, and Macquarie Capital weren’t aware of this.

Fast Taxi currently had no competitors, which meant it had the vast market all to itself.

Based on Fast Taxi’s market potential, growth projections, profit model, and cash flow, Penguin had given it a valuation of 500 million US Dollars.

DST’s valuation was 550 million US Dollars, a figure that also factored in Chen Yansen’s exceptional ability to execute.

Ah Li’s valuation was 450 million US Dollars. Its strategic investment department had arrived at this figure by factoring in revenue streams like driver commissions, advertising, and data services, combined with Fast Taxi’s team background, city coverage, and the capital environment.

Chen Yansen looked at the representative from Macquarie Capital and casually tossed out a number: ”700 million US Dollars.”

Zhu Xiaohu of Jinsha Venture Capital scoffed. He curled his lip and shook his head, silently cursing Chen Yansen for being too greedy.

’Fast Taxi hasn’t even conquered the Hang City market yet. What gives it the right to demand a 700 million US Dollar valuation?’

The representatives from Hongyi Capital and Macquarie Capital were taken aback; clearly, this figure far exceeded their expectations.

The representative from Huake Investment Attraction glanced at the expressions on Liu Zhiping and Zhou Shouzhi’s faces. He grew thoughtful, and a realization dawned on him: Penguin’s and DST’s valuations were likely not far from that 700 million US Dollar figure.

That was why those two were able to remain so composed.

A smile played at the corners of Ma Liyun’s eyes as he took in everyone’s reactions. He would absolutely not accept a valuation of 700 million US Dollars.

He was confident that Penguin and DST wouldn’t agree either—not unless Fast Taxi’s daily order volume could reach 300,000 and its operational scope doubled.

But he wasn’t worried. ’This is just business,’ he thought. ’As long as everyone is willing to negotiate, we can always find a point of mutual agreement.’