Stronger by Paying Salaries and I Have 1 Billion Employees

"President Chen, Siwei and the SIG Asia Venture Fund can offer a valuation of 1.8 billion."

Zhang Jiancheng got straight to the point.

"President Zhang, don’t be hasty. I suggest Siwei and SIG observe FoxTao’s profit model, user growth, and conversion rates a bit longer. We can take our time discussing financing and valuation."

Chen Yansen said unhurriedly, leaning against the chain-link fence outside the volleyball court.

’Not hasty?’

Zhang Jiancheng laughed.

He had heard that Lotte was collecting data on FoxTao to build a valuation model. They had also commissioned the country’s largest commercial data intermediary to conduct a comprehensive assessment of issues like business model sustainability and compliance risks.

If this dragged on any longer, Siwei probably wouldn’t even get a piece of the pie.

That was why he had roped in SIG for a joint investment—to share the profits, bear the risks, and increase their bargaining chips.

From their previous interactions, Zhang Jiancheng could tell that Chen Yansen was a calm and rational entrepreneur. If the valuation didn’t meet his expectations, he would absolutely not budge.

Hearing the evasiveness in Chen Yansen’s tone, Zhang Jiancheng said with a smile, "Is President Chen dissatisfied with the resources behind Siwei and SIG, or with the valuation? I know Lotte’s offer is high, but Lotte has practically zero e-commerce resources in the country. President Chen can’t just look at the numbers on paper."

"The IDG Venture Capital Fund is also a good option," Chen Yansen mentioned with a smile.

IDG had always been a big investor in the domestic internet sector. Compared to SIG and Siwei, its capital and network were a better fit for FoxTao’s future development.

"Alright, I understand President Chen’s meaning. It seems we’ll just have to compete with IDG on the valuation."

Zhang Jiancheng said helplessly.

He felt Chen Yansen was too shrewd. He didn’t make any of the common mistakes young people did. It seemed that to win him over, only hard cash could move this little fox.

"In that case, I’ll have to ask President Zhang to provide a more reasonable valuation based on FoxTao’s business model and profit projections," Chen Yansen said with a faint smile.

Zhang Jiancheng understood this call had been for nothing. He didn’t say much more, just exchanged a few pleasantries before hanging up.

Standing at the sports stadium, Chen Yansen dialed Meng Jie’s number and asked her to lunch.

"My dad’s here," Meng Jie said in a soft voice.

’Meng Zhenguo?’

Chen Yansen froze for a moment and complained internally, ’Chen Guobin, look at how other people are fathers! His daughter didn’t come home for New Year’s, so he took the initiative to visit her at school.’

’I haven’t been home in three months, and I’ve only made one phone call that didn’t even last sixty seconds.’

’Sigh, this father-son relationship... might as well not have one.’

"Okay, bring Uncle Meng along. We’ll go into the city to eat. I’ll wait for you at the school gate."

After saying this, Chen Yansen got in his car, drove to the school gate, rolled down the window, and waited quietly.

A short while later, a black Santana slowly drove out along Xue Lin Road.

"Chen Yansen!" Meng Jie leaned her head out and greeted him, a little reservedly.

"Uncle Meng, long time no see. You seem to have gotten even more handsome." Chen Yansen rested his hand on the steering wheel and greeted him with a smile.

’This little rascal!’

The corner of Meng Zhenguo’s mouth twitched. He hadn’t wanted to acknowledge him, but Meng Jie, sitting in the passenger seat, kept nudging him with her arm.

"Ah, Xiaochen, lunch is on Uncle Meng. Thank you for taking care of Meng Jie at school," Meng Zhenguo said, glancing at Chen Yansen’s car and gritting his teeth.

He hadn’t been wrong about him. This kid really had skills. He hadn’t even finished the first semester of his freshman year, and he was already making waves in the business community.

When Meng Jie told him that Chen Yansen’s company was valued at over a billion, he simply didn’t believe it. So he searched online and was left speechless.

"I must be the one to arrange it. For that matter in Hu City, I’m indebted to Uncle Meng for helping me navigate it."

Chen Yansen said politely. He had already gotten the number for the reservationist at Sky Garden from Xu Xingxing and booked a private room.

Seeing Chen Yansen’s insistence, Meng Zhenguo stopped refusing. He asked for the address and had Meng Jie turn on the GPS, then headed toward the destination.

Chen Yansen stepped on the gas and quickly overtook Meng Zhenguo. He was worried the other man wasn’t familiar with Xucheng’s road conditions and wanted to lead the way.

But Meng Zhenguo misinterpreted his intentions, thinking the kid was provoking him. He immediately sped up and passed him at the next intersection.

’If I can’t even catch up to your clunker of a Santana, wouldn’t I have wasted my two million?’

Chen Yansen chuckled, easily pulling ahead again. He maintained his lead, much to Meng Zhenguo’s extreme annoyance.

"Dad, what are you doing? Can’t you just drive properly? Do you think you’re in ’The Fast and the Furious’?"

Seeing her father still wanted to give chase, Meng Jie pouted coquettishly.

"???"

Meng Zhenguo’s mouth hung open. He badly wanted to say, ’That kid started this contest with me, why should I let him win?’

"Safety first," Meng Jie said, tugging on his sleeve.

"Sigh. If I’d known it would be like this, your mother and I would’ve definitely tried for a second child. Having a daughter is nice, but she’s always taking an outsider’s side."

Meng Zhenguo sighed, feeling both helpless and powerless.

"That’s not true! Dad, you’re just talking nonsense!" Meng Jie quickly retorted.

「Half an hour later.」

They arrived at Sky Garden and were led by a waiter all the way to the top floor.

Coincidentally, the private room the restaurant arranged for them was the same one Liu Muyan’s ’ex’-fiancé had been in last time. Chen Yansen didn’t mind and guided Meng Zhenguo to the seat of honor.

Chen Yansen and Meng Jie sat down next to each other.

This made Meng Zhenguo want to say something, but he stopped himself. In the end, he glanced at his daughter’s expression and held his tongue.

Chen Yansen signaled for the food to be served. Soon, the table was filled with ten exquisite dishes, plus two bottles of Moutai.

"Xiaochen, this is too extravagant," Meng Zhenguo said with a frown.

"When treating Uncle Meng to a meal, of course it has to be grand. Meng Jie and I usually just eat at the school cafeteria."

Meng Zhenguo couldn’t find any fault with Chen Yansen’s words.

"You drink?" Meng Zhenguo asked.

"I never drink, but I can drink with Uncle Meng," Chen Yansen said without missing a beat, making Meng Zhenguo chuckle in spite of himself.

’With Chen Yansen’s shrewdness, he could probably support eight or ten women on the side in the future, and Meng Jie would never notice. My own daughter has a one-track mind; how could she ever win against someone more slippery than a weasel?’

"Then let’s have a little," Meng Zhenguo said lightly.

He hadn’t originally wanted to drink, but he suddenly recalled his first visit to his father-in-law’s house twenty years ago. He had been drunk under the table during the very first meal, only later learning that his father-in-law wanted to see his character, both when drunk and sober.

Back then, he had scoffed at the idea, but today, for some reason, he was possessed to suggest a drink.

Chen Yansen skillfully removed the Moutai’s outer packaging and cap.

’Never drinks?’

Meng Zhenguo sneered internally. He had been drinking for decades and wasn’t as deft as Chen Yansen.

"Uncle Meng, a toast to you. Thank you for your trouble last time. I’ll down mine, you can drink as you please."

Chen Yansen raised his small liquor glass, his tone sincere. Although Tang Qingshan had done most of the work behind the scenes, Meng Zhenguo had also pulled some strings.

He had to acknowledge this favor.

"Xiaochen, Meng Jie has a straightforward personality, like a boy. It’s also her first time in a relationship. I don’t support it, but I don’t oppose it either. Help me take good care of her," Meng Zhenguo said with a serious expression, instructing him earnestly.

’I just can’t stand the sight of Chen Yansen!’

But his daughter liked him, so he couldn’t bring himself to object.

"Uncle Meng, this is my first time in a relationship too."

Chen Yansen downed the liquor in his glass and said truthfully.

Meng Zhenguo was amused by this. They were both men; how could he believe Chen Yansen’s nonsense?

He was determined to get Chen Yansen drunk, so he said bluntly that drinking from small cups wasn’t satisfying and that they should switch to a decanter.

Chen Yansen wouldn’t back down. With his physique score of 2.63, almost triple that of a normal person, his ability to break down alcohol was naturally not going to be poor.

The two went back and forth, cup after cup.

Watching them, Meng Jie grew anxious and interrupted, "Can you two eat some food? You’re just drinking!"

She felt bad for her father and was also worried about Chen Yansen.

The two men exchanged a look, silently ate a bite of food, and then tacitly raised their glasses again.

Meng Zhenguo couldn’t remember how many cups he’d had, but he could vaguely recall dropping his chopsticks three times.

He started talking nonsense. "Ah, Xiaochen, young people in love can be impulsive. You have to make sure you use protection."

"..." After hearing this, Meng Jie buried her head in embarrassment and covered her ears. She regretted letting Chen Yansen have dinner with her father.

"Don’t worry, Uncle. I always buy the best," Chen Yansen said half-jokingly. He was slightly tipsy, but his mind was still clear.

Meng Jie had her ears covered and didn’t hear this.

"As long as you have them," Meng Zhenguo responded groggily. He subconsciously raised his glass, but before he got it halfway up, he keeled over and collapsed onto the table.

"Your dad fell asleep," Chen Yansen whispered, nudging Meng Jie.

"Huh? What do we do now?" Meng Jie looked up, her face full of embarrassment.

Even she could see through Old Meng’s little trick, so of course Chen Yansen was well aware of it.

He had intended to get Chen Yansen drunk, but he ended up getting dead drunk himself.

"Let’s get a room and let Uncle Meng rest first," Chen Yansen suggested.

"I guess that’s our only option," Meng Jie agreed, nodding.

The two of them helped Meng Zhenguo to the guest room area and then tossed him onto the bed.

"Why don’t you sober up here too?" In the room, Meng Jie pointed to the other bed.

"Will you sober up with me?" Chen Yansen smirked, stepping forward to hug Meng Jie.

"My dad’s right there," Meng Jie said, a little shy. She glanced at the soundly sleeping Meng Zhenguo and reminded him in a small voice.

"It’s fine. Your dad’s asleep. He won’t disturb us." Chen Yansen held Meng Jie as they fell onto the soft, large bed together.

"Just kisses," Meng Jie warned, grabbing Chen Yansen’s hand.

"I’ll just hold you. I won’t do anything funny," Chen Yansen said with a straight face.

A dozen or so minutes later, Meng Jie struggled up from the bed, frantically straightening her clothes. She shot Chen Yansen a harsh glare. "You don’t keep your word."

"I’m a businessman. I don’t even have morals, so what makes you think I’d have integrity? But, even though they’re small, they’re very cute."

Chen Yansen made a small gesture with his hands and commented with a smile.

"Chen Yansen, you’re dead!" Meng Jie pounced on him again, straddling him and playfully hitting him.

...

...

It wasn’t until the sun was setting behind the West Mountain that Meng Zhenguo slowly opened his eyes.

Seeing this, Meng Jie quickly handed him a bottle of water. "Dad, maybe you shouldn’t drink next time."

"Xiaojie, don’t talk to Uncle Meng like that. Uncle Meng, let’s you and I continue drinking tonight," Chen Yansen teased with a smile, sitting in a chair.

’Still drinking?’

’You trying to drink me to death, you brat!’

Meng Zhenguo shook his head repeatedly. "It’s right to drink less. And you, Xiaochen, you didn’t even stop me at lunch."

"Dad, Chen Yansen did try to stop you. You were the one who insisted on opening another bottle," Meng Jie said, tilting her head, feeling a bit weary.

"Oh, was I?" Meng Zhenguo finally realized he must have gotten really drunk at lunch and gave an embarrassed laugh.

"Alright, you two should head back to school. Seeing you get along so well puts your mother and me at ease," Meng Zhenguo said, changing the subject.

The three of them chatted for a while longer before Chen Yansen stood up to leave. "Then we won’t disturb your rest any longer."

With that, he pulled Meng Jie up and walked out.

"I’ll drive on the way back," Meng Jie said, reaching into Chen Yansen’s pocket. She fumbled for a moment before pulling out a car key.

"Okay." Chen Yansen didn’t refuse. ’It’s only been a few hours. I’m definitely not sober yet.’

Meng Jie had gotten her driver’s license earlier than Chen Yansen, but she had less experience on the road. Fortunately, it was the New Year’s holiday, and they were driving toward the countryside, so there weren’t many cars on the road.

When she got out of the car, Meng Jie’s palms were covered in cold sweat. Apparently, the drive had been more difficult than she had imagined.

Chen Yansen walked Meng Jie to the entrance of her dormitory, then turned and headed toward the Innovation Park. Just as he reached the second floor, a middle-aged man in his forties with a broad smile on his face came up to greet him.

"President Chen, I’m Liao Wei from Cloud Speed Express. Please forgive me for visiting so abruptly," Liao Wei said fawningly. He adopted an extremely humble posture, not at all like a big boss worth several hundred million.

His eyes held a sharp shrewdness. He had a round, slightly chubby face that bore a slight resemblance to a plump Deng Chao, and his slicked-back hair was combed until it gleamed.

Chen Yansen squinted, sizing up Liao Wei. A thought flashed through his mind, and he suddenly recalled the men from a few days ago. They were most likely this man’s doing.

His expression darkened, and the pleasant look on his face vanished.