Stronger by Paying Salaries and I Have 1 Billion Employees

The concert ended, and the audience began to file out.

A massive crowd was packed in front of the Mercedes-Benz Cultural Center, making it impossible to hail a cab.

Chen Yansen led Meng Jie one block further, where things were slightly better. The two got into a car, and Chen Yansen told the driver to head to the Marriott Hotel.

"My dad booked me a room next to the Marriott, so I can’t stay with you tonight," Meng Jie said softly, leaning against Chen Yansen’s chest.

After Wei Zhe explained the situation, Meng Zhen Country had rushed to book his daughter a new hotel.

’I can’t give Chen Yansen any opportunities,’ he thought.

As a man, he knew all too well what was on the mind of an eighteen-year-old boy. He couldn’t let this little punk, Chen Yansen, defile the precious cabbage he had carefully raised for eighteen years.

"Uncle Meng really doesn’t trust my character."

A flicker of secret delight flashed in Chen Yansen’s eyes, but he frowned and sighed with feigned disappointment.

"It’s because my dad trusts your character *too* much that he booked me a hotel," Meng Jie said with a grin, rolling her eyes at him.

"How about... you don’t go?" Chen Yansen suggested.

"No way! My dad definitely told the front desk. If I don’t show up, he’ll probably rush over to Hu City overnight," Meng Jie said seriously, shaking her head.

"Alright, we’ll go back to the Marriott to get your luggage first, then I’ll take you to the new hotel."

Chen Yansen sighed, putting on a disappointed look.

"Okay," Meng Jie said, holding his arm and gazing out the window.

The day’s events had been unforgettable. This was probably the most memorable birthday of her life.

For some reason, the image of her squatting and sobbing in front of the coffee shop that morning suddenly surfaced in her mind. A blush instantly crept onto her face. She had rarely cried since she was little, and thinking about it now just felt embarrassing.

In her opinion, a girl sniveling and crying was the most annoying thing, but at that moment, she had watched helplessly as Chen Yansen was taken away by the inspectors, and the more she thought about it, the more scared she became.

’Sometimes, you only think to desperately hold onto something when you’re about to lose it, but by then, it’s often too late.’

At this thought, she gripped Chen Yansen’s arm even tighter.

"Do you like it here?" Chen Yansen asked softly, pointing to the skyscrapers that pierced the clouds and the dazzling Neon lights of Hu City’s nightscape.

"It’s fine for a visit, but I’d never get used to living and working here. People here walk several beats faster than back home. It feels so exhausting."

Meng Jie said with a thoughtful smile.

"Little lady, you know, our Hu City apartments are crazy expensive. If you’re a step slower every day, you’ll be hundreds of steps behind others in a year. How are you ever gonna afford a place?"

The taxi driver, listening to their conversation, couldn’t help but chime in.

"That’s why home is better. Blue bricks, black tiles, ancient city walls, and old alleys... there’s a cozy, lived-in feel everywhere," Meng Jie replied.

The driver pursed his lips to himself. Looking at the two young people, Chen Yansen and Meng Jie, he figured they were probably college students. ’Kids these days,’ he thought, ’they don’t know a thing. By the time you wise up, you’ll have even less of a chance of affording an apartment!’

A short while later, the car stopped in front of the hotel.

Chen Yansen pulled Meng Jie into his room, and they were lovey-dovey for another half-hour before he walked her to the chain hotel next door.

Afterward, Chen Yansen didn’t return to the Marriott. Instead, he walked toward a KFC on the street corner.

The night was dark, the wind cold and biting.

Warm lights flickered. Through the three-meter-high glass window, Chen Yansen saw Song Yuncheng sitting in a chair, staring blankly at the tabletop.

KNOCK KNOCK KNOCK—

Chen Yansen knocked on the glass.

Song Yuncheng snapped back to reality. The moment she saw Chen Yansen, the light returned to her once-dim eyes.

She moved almost unconsciously—standing up, jogging over, and pushing the door open.

But standing in front of Chen Yansen, she became timid again, not knowing what to say or do.

"Going AWOL... you trying to get your pay docked?"

Seeing her haggard appearance, Chen Yansen sighed softly and teased her with a frown.

"Chen Yansen, I... I’m just glad you’re okay," Song Yuncheng stammered, her head lowered.

"A thousand-mile round trip, just to say that?" Chen Yansen asked, looking straight at her.

"I... I wanted to see you."

Not knowing where she found the courage, Song Yuncheng dragged her heavy feet forward and timidly hugged Chen Yansen. Her "I wanted to see you" was barely a whisper.

Chen Yansen froze, stunned. He hadn’t expected Song Yuncheng to be so bold as to confess to him directly.

"I think I’ve fallen for you, Chen Yansen. What do I do?" Song Yuncheng lifted her head and stared right at him, the tears she could no longer hold back rolling down from the corners of her eyes.

"Liking me is a good thing. No need to feel insecure."

Chen Yansen joked as he pulled her into a tight embrace, the youthful scent of a young woman washing over him.

’A good girl like Song Yuncheng doesn’t require much skill to pursue. 99% good looks and 1% attentive care is all it takes to make her fall into your arms.’

The corners of Chen Yansen’s mouth curved up. ’The duck flew away, but a goose arrived. Looks like I’ll finally get to eat some meat tonight.’

"Let me hug you for a bit. I’m so tired. Just for a little while."

Song Yuncheng pressed herself tightly against him, mumbling softly. In the past, it was always Chen Yansen taking advantage of her, but this time, she was the one taking advantage of him.

’So this is what Chen Yansen smells like... it’s like the pine trees back home—fresh and clean. It’s calming my heart.’

"Want to sleep at my place tonight? There’s a sofa." The wind outside was strong, making his scalp feel cold, so Chen Yansen asked.

"I can just find a hotel myself. I’m going back to Xucheng tomorrow. You... you should spend time with Meng Jie."

Song Yuncheng let go of Chen Yansen and took a step back. When the topic of sleeping together came up, her subconscious instinct was still to get away from him.

"She’s at the hotel next door. We won’t get caught."

Chen Yansen smirked. He wasn’t about to let the meat that was already at his lips get away.

’Right now, Song Yuncheng’s defenses are at their weakest. One little push is all it’ll take to unlock the final level.’

"I like you, but I don’t want to be with you. You have a girlfriend."

Song Yuncheng took another step back. The meaning behind her words was clear: ’I like you, but that has nothing to do with you.’

"Don’t worry, I won’t do anything to you. Don’t you trust me?" Chen Yansen said with a straight face, lying through his teeth.

Song Yuncheng let out a soft scoff. It was precisely because she trusted his "character" all too well that she was afraid.

"Alright, enough nonsense! Come with me, or I’ll fire you," Chen Yansen said, waving his hand impatiently. He cut the crap and walked straight toward the hotel.

Song Yuncheng stood frozen to the spot. Only when the cold wind made her face sting with pain did she reluctantly run after him.

But the more she looked at Chen Yansen’s handsome face, the angrier she got.

Handed over her ID, registered.

Song Yuncheng was already very familiar with this process. She followed Chen Yansen into the elevator, which went straight to the upper floors.

The hotel receptionist looked completely bewildered. He remembered the guest in this room, and the girl he’d brought back yesterday didn’t look like this!

"Did you bring a change of underwear?"

Chen Yansen kicked the door shut with his foot, leaned his back against it, and asked, eyeing Song Yuncheng askance.

"I did." Today, Song Yuncheng was unusually docile, a completely different person from her usual self, who was always ready to fly off the handle.

"You first, me first, or together?"

Chen Yansen posed another question of great depth.

"Don’t bully me, okay?" Song Yuncheng’s voice was gentle, heart-wrenching to hear. Her watery eyes stared straight at Chen Yansen.

"Fine, you wash first. I won’t fight you for it."

Her gaze softened his heart. He waved his hand and turned to walk into the bedroom.

Seeing Chen Yansen walk away, Song Yuncheng let out a sigh of relief. She put down her backpack, took out her pajamas, and shut the bathroom door with a CLICK.

Chen Yansen took his laptop out of his suitcase, scrolled through the messages in his project group, and then called Liu Zhicheng of Wine God Network. He first expressed his thanks, then got straight to the point:

"President Liu, I trust you, and I trust Wine God Network, but we have to act according to the contract. Regardless of the investigation’s outcome, FoxTao’s user experience and reputation have been severely damaged."

After laying the groundwork, Chen Yansen continued, "For this batch of Moutai, I will compensate the users tenfold for the fakes. The money will be deducted from Wine God Network’s security deposit."

Liu Zhicheng gave a bitter smile. He understood Chen Yansen’s reasoning, but he knew even better that after an internal investigation, Wine God Network’s own warehouse staff were cleared of any wrongdoing.

In that case, the Moutai must have been swapped out during transit. They were still investigating whether the problem occurred at the sorting center or the final delivery point.

This meant Wine God Network was also a victim.

Liu Zhicheng thought for a moment and ultimately didn’t dare to antagonize Chen Yansen. "That’s how it should be. Once we get to the bottom of it, we will hold the directly responsible parties accountable."

Chen Yansen exchanged a few pleasantries with him and then hung up.

Next, he called Cao Dahua. He didn’t say a single word of thanks, only mentioning that the tea, cigarettes, and liquor in Hu City were all quite good, and that he’d bring him back some local specialties.

Cao Dahua verbally declined the offer, but his laughter was filled with pleasure.

After finishing his calls, Chen Yansen stood before the glass curtain wall, his thoughts turning to Zhang Hanhua. It didn’t matter whether Zhang Hanhua was actually involved in this matter or not; Chen Yansen was going to go after him regardless.

He had knocked around the Business Community for many years. When it came to dirty tricks, ten Zhang Hanhuas wouldn’t be a match for him.

Within just a few minutes, several half-baked plans had already formed in his mind.

Just then, a dull THUD suddenly came from the bathroom, sounding like someone had fallen.

Chen Yansen turned, walked to the bedroom doorway, and shouted toward the bathroom, "Song Yuncheng, are you okay?"

He called out a few times, but there was no response.

Chen Yansen hurried to the bathroom door. He knocked first. When Song Yuncheng didn’t make a sound, he knew something was wrong.

He took a step back and then lunged forward with all his strength.

With a loud CRASH, he smashed the solid wood door open!

The bathroom was filled with steam. Song Yuncheng was lying face down on the floor, her eyes shut tight, as water from the showerhead poured down on her.

Chen Yansen took a quick glance, with no time to appreciate the view. He hurriedly turned off the shower and then shook Song Yuncheng.

She didn’t move. Her skin was flushed red.

Chen Yansen placed his hand on her forehead and understood immediately. It was burning hot, hot enough to fry an egg.

"You have a fever and you don’t even say anything. You’re so much trouble."

Chen Yansen scooped Song Yuncheng up in his arms, grabbing a bath towel and wrapping it around her.

His previous assessment was correct. Song Yuncheng was indeed a C-cup.

’Damn, she looks so innocent, but her body is so aggressive.’

Chen Yansen placed her on the bed and picked up the landline to explain the situation to the front desk.

"I’m sorry, Mr. Chen, we don’t have any fever reducers on-site. If you tell us what medicine you need, we can help you buy it."

The hotel’s service was quite good, and they responded quickly.

Chen Yansen rattled off the names of several medicines before hanging up.

’Back then, food delivery was just getting started, and medicine wasn’t an available category yet.’

Plus, it was late at night, making it a real hassle to buy medicine.

Fortunately, the front desk was efficient. Just half an hour later, there was a knock at the door. Someone delivered a bag of medicine, including fever reducers, anti-inflammatories, a thermometer, and other items.

Chen Yansen returned to the bedroom, leaned against the headboard, and held Song Yuncheng in his arms.

"Hold it tight!"

Chen Yansen ordered.

At this, Song Yuncheng showed a slight reaction. Her eyes opened a crack, and seeing it was Chen Yansen, she relaxed, let her head loll to the side, and closed her eyes again.

Seeing her so limp, Chen Yansen had no choice but to help her hold the thermometer, putting his arm around her shoulder to make her hold it tightly under her arm.

Five minutes later, the reading had shot up to 39.1 degrees Celsius.

Chen Yansen grabbed the medicine bag from the bedside table, popped out a fever reducer, pried her mouth open, and forced it inside. Then he had her drink half a bottle of an electrolyte drink.

After giving her the medicine, he remembered to check if Song Yuncheng had been injured in the fall.

He turned her over and found that she had scraped her knee and the palm of her hand. He tore open a band-aid and put it on for her.

"You’re doing this on purpose so I can’t eat my meat, aren’t you?"

Chen Yansen grumbled, hugging Song Yuncheng and giving her a couple of random gropes.

He admitted to himself that he wasn’t a good person, but he wouldn’t mess around at a time like this. Leaning against the headboard, Chen Yansen’s thoughts couldn’t help but drift to Prince Ziyuan.

In his past life, there was a time Prince Ziyuan had a fever and lay in his arms just like this.

’Too bad. A guy like me would rather restart life than get married and have kids.’

As his thoughts drifted, drowsiness washed over him, and Chen Yansen soon fell asleep.