Stronger by Paying Salaries and I Have 1 Billion Employees

”We’ll see,” Zhang Chaoyang replied perfunctorily before hanging up.

It was true he liked to drink, but it depended on the company. Not just anyone was qualified to sit at his table.

「Meanwhile.」

Ding Lei, Liu Qiangdong, and Lei Yijun stared at each other, speechless.

”What are you all staring blankly for?” Zhang Chaoyang put down his phone, looking at the three dazed men and instinctively prodding them.

”So many people want to meet Chen Yansen,” Ding Lei remarked to himself, clicking his tongue. For the first time, he was realizing Chen Yansen’s status in the industry.

”I heard Ge Yue, the managing director of Apple Asia, made a trip to Xucheng a few days ago,” Lei Yijun said quietly. His tone was slightly sour, and the envy in his eyes was almost overflowing.

”I know about that. Apple plans to launch on Pinbei, and they also bought the architecture license for the Orange Z1.”

Ding Lei volunteered this information.

’Launch on Pinbei?’

’Jingdong is the specialized platform for electronics and home appliances!’

’What does Ge Yue mean by skipping over Jingdong?’

Liu Qiangdong’s face paled, his displeasure written all over it.

”How do you know that?” Lei Yijun asked curiously.

”Orange Technology developed a brand-new mobile operating system called Aurora Future OS. Chen Yansen wanted me to cooperate on developing a NetEase version for AFOS. He sent over the open-source code and development tools for the Aurora Future System, so we chatted a bit more a few days ago. Huh, Mi Chat has a lot of users too. Hasn’t he contacted you?”

As Ding Lei spoke, he looked at Lei Yijun with a suspicious expression.

”Oh, you mean that. Xiaomi is already developing an AFOS version of Mi Chat. We’re just treating it as supporting a domestic mobile operating system.”

Lei Yijun said with a light laugh, deliberately pretending to have just realized what he was talking about.

”My thinking is similar,” Ding Lei nodded in agreement.

Zhang Chaoyang secretly pursed his lips and couldn’t help but think, ’If it weren’t for Orange Technology being willing to provide OEM and supply chain services for NetEase and Xiaomi Mobile Phone, would you two be so agreeable?’

It was precisely because Old Zhang saw through them that he was so annoyed.

The four of them ate dinner at a leisurely pace, not finishing until six-thirty. They then took a car to Yun Ku Bar.

After getting in the car, Zhang Chaoyang thought for a moment, then dialed his protégé’s number. ”Xiaochuan, Yun Ku Bar at seven-thirty. I’ll introduce you to a new friend.”

”Bro, I have two product meetings tonight,” Wang Xiaochuan said, trying to decline.

Since joining Sohu in 2003, he had worked for Zhang Chaoyang for ten years.

At first, the two didn’t see eye to eye, but after he grew Sogou Search’s market share to 5%, Zhang Chaoyang gave him full authority, spun off Sogou to operate independently, and gave Wang Xiaochuan a 10% stake.

Although that stake had been diluted to 6.8% after a few rounds of financing, it was still a testament to Zhang Chaoyang’s generosity.

Generally speaking, a boss willing to give a subordinate even a 1% stake was a rare bird, yet Zhang Chaoyang had given Wang Xiaochuan 10%.

During this period, Zhou Hongyi had tried to poach Wang Xiaochuan behind the scenes, and Ma Wenteng had also made a move, but Wang Xiaochuan turned them all down.

”I also have a meeting with Chen Yansen,” Zhang Chaoyang added.

”Bro, I’m on my way,” Wang Xiaochuan replied instantly.

”So I can’t order you around, is that it?” Zhang Chaoyang cursed jokingly.

”Bro, don’t get me wrong. Am I that kind of person?” Wang Xiaochuan said with a straight face.

”Alright, alright. I’m not gonna bicker with you. Hanging up,” Zhang Chaoyang said irritably.

Chen Yansen had become a hot commodity. Everyone wanted to know him.

Zhang Chaoyang couldn’t help but recall more than a decade ago, the year Sohu had just gone public. His status in the Yanjing internet scene back then was just like Chen Yansen’s now.

Everywhere he went, a large crowd would follow him. The line of people wanting to treat him to dinner and drinks could have stretched from Yanjing to Hong Kong Island.

’To be young again... how difficult. Youth is so damn beautiful.’

A reminiscent look appeared in Zhang Chaoyang’s eyes.

「At the same time.」

Having just sold fifty thousand LeTV boxes, Jia Yaoting was eager to make his move into the smart TV industry. After learning that Chen Yansen was in Yanjing for an event, he was instantly struck with the desire to get to know him.