Stronger by Paying Salaries and I Have 1 Billion Employees

His words sounded harmless, but this was 2013, a time when parents were calling for the gaming industry’s head. His praise was a trap; if the topic gained too much traction, Penguin would just get lambasted again.

When talking about himself, he subtly engaged in self-praise, implying that Ah Li had boosted employment.

He hadn’t said much, but every word was dripping with cunning.

”President Li, suburban housing prices in Hu City, Yan City, and Shencheng City have all surpassed ten thousand yuan per square meter, with some areas reaching as high as twenty to thirty thousand. What are your thoughts on the conflict between the high cost of talent and these exorbitant housing prices?”

The host, sensing the escalating tension, didn’t wait for the two Mas to speak and instead turned the floor over to Li Yanhong.

”Let me give you an example. We have a new employee at Qian Du, who’s been with the company for less than a year. He posted on our internal forum that he genuinely wants to work hard, but with his current salary, he can’t afford to buy a house. He can’t even cover the down payment. I don’t think that’s the right mindset to have.”

Li Yanhong paused before adding, ”Frankly, renting is perfectly comfortable. In fact, engineers in Silicon Valley can’t afford to buy houses just two or three years after graduating, either.

”The reality is, whether at Qian Du, Ah Li, or Penguin, our compensation packages are top-tier in the industry. Young people should be more patient and just wait a few more years.”

Ma Wenteng shook his head repeatedly. ’Li Yanhong is just talking out of his ass. He’s already got his, so he doesn’t give a damn if anyone else lives or dies.’

He took the initiative to speak. ”Why do young people want to buy a house so badly? It’s because housing prices have skyrocketed in recent years. When we were young, prices were relatively stable. We can’t use our old way of thinking to stifle the ambitions of today’s youth.”

”To retain talent, Penguin has put a lot of effort into this, including our Home Purchase Plan, which provides interest-free loans to employees.”

”Ah Li has a similar iHome program,” Ma Liyun added in agreement.

’President Li lives in a villa that’s over ten thousand square feet and has more money than he could ever spend. Why would he give a damn about his employees?’

’What’s this, is everyone ganging up on me?’

Displeased, Li Yanhong turned his gaze to Chen Yansen.

”Senlian Capital doesn’t have one,” Chen Yansen stated matter-of-factly.

Li Yanhong felt a wave of relief. Suddenly, Chen Yansen’s irritating face seemed a little more pleasant.

’Good, he wasn’t alone!’

”However, all of Senlian Capital’s subsidiary companies provide every employee—from customer service reps, delivery riders, and couriers to supervisors, directors, and general managers—with a monthly housing subsidy equal to 20% of their base salary.”

Chen Yansen added.

The smile on Li Yanhong’s face vanished.

The host understood immediately. ’If someone’s monthly salary was fifteen thousand, their housing subsidy would be three thousand—that’s thirty-six thousand a year.’

’Giving your employees cash outright is way better than just lending it to them!’

’That’s not a housing subsidy; it’s a home-buying subsidy!’

”Furthermore, I disagree with President Li’s viewpoint. He doesn’t understand young people. I, on the other hand, completely understand the struggles of my generation. Who doesn’t want to buy a car, own a home, and marry a beautiful wife as soon as possible? President Li tells young people to wait a few more years, but their future mothers-in-law won’t.”

Chen Yansen couldn’t resist twisting the knife.

His words were incredibly down-to-earth and resonated deeply with many people.

’High housing prices, high cost of living, high bride prices... and you’re telling us to wait?’

’Wait my ass!’

”So, President Chen, are you advocating for raising employee salaries?” the host asked.

”Raises aren’t the most important thing,” Chen Yansen said calmly. ”Either pay employees for their overtime, or give them back their time.”

’Overtime pay in the tech industry? What’s that?’

’The employees just have such a high sense of duty. They volunteer for overtime; the company can’t stop them!’

Ma Wenteng, Ma Liyun, and Li Yanhong all looked deeply uncomfortable.

’Overtime pay?’

’What’s that?’

”President Chen, do employees at Senlian Capital need to work overtime?” the host asked with a smile, trying to break the awkward silence.

”They do. I won’t deny that,” Chen Yansen replied.