Stronger by Paying Salaries and I Have 1 Billion Employees

”Boss, care to come up for a bit?”

At the entrance of Longde Garden District on No. 24, Bianhe Middle Road, Ye Qiuping asked Chen Yansen, her eyes shimmering like autumn pools, her gaze intense.

’If she wants to ”do it”, then let’s do it!’

”Xiaoli, pick me up at nine tomorrow morning,” Chen Yansen told his driver.

”Yes, Boss.” Xiaoli was a man of few words.

Faced with a base salary of 16,000 a month plus various benefits and bonuses, the young man had long ago learned to be ’deaf, mute, and blind’.

Ye Qiuping was renting a three-bedroom, one-living-room, three-bathroom apartment. They took the elevator to the twenty-fourth floor.

DING!

The elevator doors slid open slowly. The floor was designed with two apartments per elevator. Ye Qiuping’s shoe rack stood by her door, a pair of incredibly cute pink slippers scattered on the doormat.

Ye Qiuping bent over, retrieved a brand-new pair of slippers from the shoe cabinet, and crouched before Chen Yansen. She helped him off with his leather shoes and socks, then slid the slippers onto his feet.

Chen Yansen looked down at Ye Qiuping, enjoying her service.

Her snow-white cleavage was squeezed out of shape. As she rose, her chest trembled visibly.

Ye Qiuping took out her key, unlocked the door, and waited for Chen Yansen to step inside before following him.

The apartment was exquisitely decorated and spacious. The last time he was here, they had spent the entire night on the sofa; he hadn’t even made it to Ye Qiuping’s bedroom.

”I’ll get you some tea.” Ye Qiuping bustled about, part personal secretary, part doting older sister.

Chen Yansen walked over to the sofa and sat down. He scanned the room with his Divine Sense but found no hidden cameras or similar devices.

It couldn’t be helped. He knew this woman, Ye Qiuping, all too well. When it came to cunning and calculation, she was his equal in every way.

After all, one was the ’master’ and the other the apprentice; their methods for manipulating people’s hearts stemmed from the very same source.

Outside the window, the night cityscape glittered. A cool breeze carried the city’s clamor, making the wind chimes on the balcony ring out with a crisp, clear sound.

”Eight Treasures Tea. It’s a specialty from my hometown.” Ye Qiuping placed a cup of warm tea on the coffee table in front of Chen Yansen.

Monk fruit, American ginseng, licorice, red dates, raisins, and goji berries floated in the golden brew...

’Goji berries? Seriously?’

’Who does she think she’s looking down on?!’

”You didn’t go home for the Spring Festival last year?” Chen Yansen leaned back against the sofa, sprawling casually as he spoke.

’How does he know?’

Though her mind raced with questions, Ye Qiuping didn’t let a trace of it show on her face. She simply said, ”There’s no one left back home.”

Her delicate brows furrowed, the corners of her mouth turned down, and a fleeting expression of sorrow flashed across her face—a combination that could easily move any twenty-year-old boy.

”And your family?” Chen Yansen asked, deliberately pressing her while holding back a laugh.

’He knew Ye Qiuping’s playbook by heart. Since he was bored, he figured he might as well play along.’

”Alas, they’ve all passed away.” Ye Qiuping sighed and sat down right next to Chen Yansen. She placed her fair, delicate hand on his thigh, stroking it back and forth like a kitten.

”Oh,” Chen Yansen replied, and left it at that.

’Ye Qiuping froze, cursing inwardly. ’I spent all that time getting into character, and all you can say is a fucking ”oh”?!’’

’Aren’t you supposed to ask about my family now?’

Ye Qiuping had her whole ’story’ prepared, but her audience refused to take the bait. Instead, he just wore a completely nonchalant expression.

”Don’t you want to hear my story?” Ye Qiuping’s eyes downcast, their rims instantly turning red as a poignant mist seemed to well up from nowhere.

’Tsk, tsk. Now *that’s* a veteran actress!’

Chen Yansen commented to himself. He was completely unmoved—in fact, he wanted to laugh. He replied, ”I was never one for stories.”

’Son of a bitch!’

’He’s impossible!’

A helpless look crossed Ye Qiuping’s face. She finally understood. When it came to games like this, she was completely out of her league with Chen Yansen.

Discouraged, Ye Qiuping’s shoulders slumped. She abandoned her original plan and switched tactics, going on the offensive. ”Well, do you like to *tell* stories? I’d love to hear about your entrepreneurial journey, President Chen.”

”No rush. I’ll tell you all about it... after our shower.”