Stronger by Paying Salaries and I Have 1 Billion Employees

Just as Ye Qiuping was about to squeeze in with him, she saw his expression slowly turn cold. She gave an awkward laugh, closed the car door for him, and then muttered under her breath, ”Jerk.”

Chen Yansen smiled faintly and signaled for Xiaoli to drive.

Only after his car was some distance away did Ye Qiuping get into her own BMW and follow at a leisurely pace.

Before long, the Zhuxianzhuang Science and Technology Park came into view.

Chen Yansen got out of the car. Just as he was about to head into Building 9, he heard Huang Zheng call out to him from across the way.

”Boss!” Huang Zheng waved.

Standing beside him was a middle-aged man in his forties, dressed sharply in a suit, looking every bit the successful businessman.

’Gong Zhangli?’

Chen Yansen stopped and strode toward them.

Li Guoqing’s expression changed. He felt a heavy, overwhelming aura crash down on him like a tidal wave.

’So this is Chen Yansen?’

Li Guoqing was inwardly alarmed. He was the same age as Ma Liyun, making him one of the first-generation veterans of the internet industry. He had co-founded Dangdang Network with his wife in the same year Ah Li was established.

He had met his fair share of titans in the business community, but this was the first time he’d ever encountered an entrepreneur in his twenties with such a powerfully oppressive presence.

In his eyes, Chen Yansen was full of spirit and razor-sharp, like a newly unsheathed sword that sent a chill down one’s spine.

”President Li, I’ve heard so much about you! I’ve been meaning to pay you a visit, but I never found the chance.”

Chen Yansen said, exchanging pleasantries politely.

”President Chen, you’re too kind,” Li Guoqing said with a smile as he shook Chen Yansen’s right hand, his face devoid of any arrogance.

Of course, he didn’t take Chen Yansen’s words at face value.

Although Dangdang Network had been founded much earlier, its valuation wasn’t even a fraction of Pinbei’s.

To say nothing of their respective industry status and influence!

Otherwise, why would he have traveled all the way to Xucheng to visit in person?

Li Guoqing adopted a very low posture, practically wearing a humble expression that said, ’You can just call me Qingzi’.

One hand washes the other. Since the man was showing him face, Chen Yansen didn’t put on airs and showed him sufficient respect in return.

The three of them went to Huang Zheng’s office together.

Huang Zheng invited Li Guoqing to sit down so they could talk at a leisurely pace.

Chen Yansen picked a box of tea leaves from the cabinet and gestured for Huang Zheng to get the tea set.

A moment later, the water on the coffee table came to a boil, and Chen Yansen poured it into the teapot.

Huang Zheng took the teapot, first pouring a cup for Li Guoqing as the guest of honor, then one for his boss, and finally a cup of hot tea for himself.

In 2012, Dangdang Network was not having an easy time.

Qingzi’s troubles came from Handsome Dong. Last year, Jingdong had entered the book industry and adopted a zero-profit strategy, battering Dangdang Network mercilessly.

Because of this, Li Guoqing had no choice but to expand into new product categories, establish a partnership with Gome, and simultaneously open storefronts on Tmall and Pinbei Mall.

”President Chen, let me use this tea in place of wine to thank Pinbei for its support of Dangdang Network,” Li Guoqing said, taking the initiative.

Books were a weak category for Pinbei Mall, so the partnership was mutually beneficial.

”That won’t be necessary. Let’s have Mr. Huang arrange something for tonight. We can have a few drinks, and I’ll fulfill my duties as a host.”

Chen Yansen raised his teacup, tapped it against Li Guoqing’s, and replied with a smile.

”Excellent. I hear Huian has many famous liquors, so I’ll have to take this opportunity to try some,” Li Guoqing readily accepted.

”President Li, regarding the partnership between Pinbei and Dangdang, I believe...” Huang Zheng began in a slow, deliberate manner.

The whole point of partnering with Dangdang was to gain access to their publisher and book distributor resources.

Li Guoqing was well aware of this, and Huang Zheng knew that Li Guoqing could see right through his intentions.

But as long as both sides stood to profit, even if the benefits were short-lived, no one would be so tactless as to point it out.

This was business!

Chen Yansen held his teacup, savoring the tea, and did not intervene in their conversation.

Just then, the phone in his pocket rang.

”Excuse me, President Li, I have to take this.”