Stronger by Paying Salaries and I Have 1 Billion Employees

”A one-time licensing fee of 20 million Hua Yuan?” He Dingyou asked again.

”Is President He interested?” Chen Yansen countered.

”Just supporting domestic products,” He Dingyou replied with a grin.

He had no intention of using the Android system. For ZTE’s new products, he planned to switch to the Aurora Future OS.

In his view, the fact that even a piece of work like Zhou Hongyi could sell 8 million smartphones in a year was disgusting, like he’d swallowed a fly.

Although ZTE wasn’t a veteran player in the mobile phone industry, as a telecommunications giant, it should still be much stronger than a company like 360 that just jumped into the game, right?

But unexpectedly, when comparing shipment volumes, 360 Mobile Phone was not far behind.

The specific reason for their success was simply that they had hitched their wagon to Orange Technology, sharing supply chains, production lines, and the operating system with Orange Mobile Phone.

The native Android system had too many problems. It was nowhere near as good as Aurora Future OS.

”Besides the one-time licensing fee of 20 million Hua Yuan, there’s also a 1% royalty,” Chen Yansen added.

”No problem. After the press conference, we can discuss it in detail,” He Dingyou said meaningfully.

Chen Yansen understood the unspoken meaning in his words, but he didn’t overthink it and nodded readily.

Just as He Dingyou was about to continue, his eyes caught sight of someone at the door, and a look of disgust crossed his face. The fly had arrived.

”President Chen, sorry I’m late.” Dressed in a red polo shirt with a stand-up collar, Zhou Hongyi strode forward under the escort of two assistants and greeted Chen Yansen.

Just then, Lei Yijun and Li Wanqiang also happened to walk in.

Zhou Hongyi heard the movement behind him but didn’t turn around. He glanced back out of the corner of his eye and then said loudly, ”360 Mobile Phone’s Q1 sales? President Chen, to be honest, they weren’t ideal. We only sold 3.7 million units.”

His voice was just loud enough to drift into Lei Yijun’s ears.

”...” Chen Yansen was speechless for a moment, then chuckled and cursed inwardly: ’I’m the one who manufactures all your damn phones. Do I really need to ask you about your sales figures?’

He turned to the side and waved at Lei Yijun, whose expression was extremely grim.

Because Xiaomi’s total Q1 sales were just over 3 million.

He Dingyou stood to the side with a dark expression, not wanting to speak at all.

Ninety percent of ZTE Mobile Phone’s shipments came from carrier channels. However, starting this year, the carriers’ demand strategy for custom models had shifted, and they began to reduce the number of custom phones and subsidies.

ZTE Mobile Phone’s sales had plummeted, with total Q1 sales of only 4.1 million units. Although this was better than 360, the advantage wasn’t significant.

”President Chen, how many new products are there today?” Lei Yijun asked with a smile, showing no intention of greeting Zhou Hongyi.

”If President Lei is asking about mobile phone products, then there are only three,” Chen Yansen replied.

Lei Yijun understood. ’Aurora Future OS must be a major focus of this press conference as well. Perhaps Aurora Future OS wouldn’t bring much tangible profit to Orange Technology, but the title of ”the first domestically developed mobile phone OS” was enough to make the higher-ups look at Chen Yansen in a new light. That’s a matter of national importance! No wonder the higher-ups are turning a blind eye to that kid Chen Yansen’s blatant rule-bending.’

”Then I’ll look forward to it even more,” Lei Yijun said, subtly flattering him.

”Get President Lei and President Li seated,” Chen Yansen instructed Ye Qiuping.

He was mainly worried that Lei Yijun and Zhou Hongyi would stage a real-life showdown at the press conference, stealing the spotlight and buzz from Orange Technology.

’That guy Zhou Hongyi has an unpredictable personality. If he suddenly gets the urge and starts throwing punches with President Lei, can this press conference even happen?’

”President Lei, President Li, this way please,” Ye Qiuping said, understanding immediately and gesturing with her hand.

Lei Yijun shot a sidelong glance at Zhou Hongyi and snorted.

”Not happy, President Lei? We can compete on sales,” Zhou Hongyi said provocatively, spreading his hands.

”Fine. Whoever loses quits the mobile phone market. Let President Chen and President He be our witnesses,” Lei Yijun shot back, not to be outdone.

’They’re playing for such high stakes?’