Stronger by Paying Salaries and I Have 1 Billion Employees

”I’m going to take a shower. You think about what you want for dinner.”

Chen Yansen took off his shirt, revealing clearly defined muscles, and spoke to Song Yuncheng. When he reached the bathroom door, he turned his head and asked, ”Want to join?”

Even though she had seen it countless times, Song Yuncheng couldn’t help but gulp. ’His body is incredible,’ she thought.

”I’ll go book a restaurant,” Song Yuncheng replied with a smile.

Chen Yansen said nothing and stepped into the bathroom.

When he finished showering and walked out wrapped in a towel, a call came in from Gao Weilin.

”Boss, I’ve looked into it. Xiaoju Technology was registered as a company in February, and their product went live at the end of April. Their operations are mainly concentrated around the Yanjing Airport terminals. Driver registrations are under 300, and user registrations are under ten thousand. So far, they’ve only secured a round of angel investment from Today Capital. The exact amount is unclear, but judging by DiDi Dache’s promotional push, it’s 3 million at most.”

Gao Weilin began his report slowly.

”Get in touch with Cheng Weixing,” Chen Yansen ordered. ”Have him pull together a team and send them to Yanjing.”

”Yes, Boss. Understood,” Gao Weilin replied.

”Good work. Clock out early.”

With that, Chen Yansen hung up and changed into some casual clothes.

”What are we eating?” Chen Yansen asked, looking at Song Yuncheng after he was dressed.

”Cantonese. The reviews on Dianping look pretty good.” Song Yuncheng handed him her phone.

Chen Yansen glanced at it. It was a Cantonese restaurant in Yidi Port, very close and not expensive. He nodded without objection.

While Song Yuncheng was taking a shower, Chen Yansen dialed Zhang Chaoyang’s number. ”Old Zhang, I’m in Yanjing. Treat me to dinner.”

”Don’t call me Old Zhang!” Zhang Chaoyang snapped. ”I told you, the security guard at Sohu is named Old Zhang. Last time I invited you to swim across the Weihai Strait, you flaked. Now you want me to treat you to dinner? Fat chance!”

”I brought two bottles of good wine for you,” Chen Yansen added.

”Fine. Wait for me to arrange it.” After a few seconds of silence, Zhang Chaoyang readily agreed.

Chen Yansen smiled and put down his phone.

’He was genuinely grateful to Old Zhang. If not for his intervention, Toutiao’s copyright issues would never have been resolved so smoothly.’

Zhang Chaoyang’s title as a first-generation internet ’godfather’ wasn’t just for show. He had good relationships with the Sect Leaders of both NetEase and Sina.

At seven that evening, Chen Yansen and Song Yuncheng went to the Cantonese restaurant and enjoyed a leisurely dinner.

It wasn’t until 8:30 that Zhang Chaoyang sent an address.

”Want to go to a bar?” Chen Yansen asked.

”I’ve never been.” Song Yuncheng pursed her lips, not giving a direct answer.

”Then I’ll take you tonight,” Chen Yansen said, putting down his chopsticks.

The two left Yidi Port and took a car to the bar where Zhang Chaoyang was.

’It was hard to imagine that the Chairman of Sohu’s daily routine consisted of singing, hiking, swimming, and drinking.’

When he arrived and pushed open the door of the private room, he saw a line of beautiful women.

Zhang Chaoyang was about to greet him, but his smile froze the moment he saw Song Yuncheng. ’Shit,’ he thought.

Song Yuncheng was slightly taken aback; she hadn’t expected such a scene.

’Old Zhang, you weren’t like this before, were you?’ Chen Yansen shot him a look.

’We weren’t that close back then,’ Zhang Chaoyang’s eyes seemed to reply.

”President Zhang, how about we find a quieter spot?” Chen Yansen suggested.

”Sure. Actually, I don’t know any of these women. I walked into the wrong room. You believe me, right?” Zhang Chaoyang said with a dry, shameless laugh.

”I believe you. This is Pinbei’s Director of Key Account Investment Attraction, Song Yuncheng. She’s also my...” Chen Yansen began to introduce her.

”I get it, I understand.” Zhang Chaoyang turned, threw down two wads of cash, and followed Chen Yansen out of the private room.

The three of them picked a quiet spot on the second floor, where they could see the performance stage on the first floor without it being too noisy.

Zhang Chaoyang took the two bottles of wine from Chen Yansen, his eyes lighting up. ”You’ve put some real thought into this,” he said, satisfied.

Although he told the public he didn’t drink, that was just to fool the media.