Stronger by Paying Salaries and I Have 1 Billion Employees

Chapter 36: Chapter 35: Identity Exposed! Zhao Maolin Becomes Suspicious

On the way back to the dorm, Tang Zhenzhe pulled Chen Yansen to the back of the group.

”Brother Sen, you’ve really done a number on me.”

Tang Zhenzhe had a pained expression, looking completely reluctant.

”Cut the act!”

Chen Yansen rolled his eyes and continued, ”You think being a class monitor in college is the same as in high school? The resources that come with this position are far beyond what you can imagine.”

”First, the class monitor gets priority for joining the Party. Second, you don’t have to worry about roll calls, dorm inspections, or failing classes. Third, you get more opportunities to meet girls, so your chances of getting a girlfriend are higher. Fourth, the department’s student council president is always chosen from the class monitors. At the very least, you can snag a minister position...”

”Look at you, all dressed up trying to look sharp every day, but you’re probably just a virgin. You don’t really want to be single for all four years of college, do you?”

Chen Yansen narrowed his eyes, looking him up and down with a teasing smile on his lips.

”Believe it or not, I could sue you for slander! I dated two girls in high school!”

Tang Zhenzhe had been quite moved by his words, and a ’thank you’ was on the tip of his tongue. But hearing this taunt, he immediately retorted.

”Your left hand? Your right hand?”

Chen Yansen shot back with a light chuckle.

”Hahaha! Ah Zhe, fess up. Have you ever actually dated anyone?” Zhu Xiaopeng grinned widely and turned to ask.

”You can tell Brother Sen is an old pro. He’s got to be right!” Meng Xibo snickered, chiming in.

”So being class monitor has this many perks. If I’d known, I would’ve tried for it too.” After hearing Chen Yansen’s explanation, a flash of envy appeared in Wang Zhengqiang’s eyes as he sighed with regret.

”Brother Sen, thank you.”

Tang Zhenzhe squirmed for a moment, then let out a long breath and thanked Chen Yansen sincerely.

’He knew that without Chen Yansen helping him rally votes, the title of class monitor would have almost certainly gone to Li Wenhao.’

”Between the two of us, there’s no need to be so formal.”

Chen Yansen waved his hand, a mischievous smile on his face.

”...”

Tang Zhenzhe gave a wry smile. ’If anyone else in the dorm had joked with him like that, he would’ve most likely blown up. But when it came to Chen Yansen, he just couldn’t get angry.’

”Brother Sen, I still have 3 left.”

Song Yang, who had been quiet the whole time, patted his pocket and pulled out the campus cards he hadn’t sold.

Chen Yansen grunted in acknowledgement, not surprised. ’The guy would go on to open two hotels in Qin Island in the future; of course he had some business sense.’

”Whoa! I only sold 5. How did you manage that?”

Zhu Xiaopeng was stunned and couldn’t believe it, grabbing Song Yang to press him for details.

”I sold all of mine!”

Meng Xibo announced smugly. He had used the hometown association as a pretense to specifically greet new students from Hui Nan, selling all 10 of his cards in one afternoon.

”Bo Bo, you’re awesome! I only sold 3.” Wang Zhengqiang looked a little embarrassed, then turned to Tang Zhenzhe, unwilling to be left behind. ”Ah Zhe, what about you?”

”I sold 9.”

Tang Zhenzhe chuckled, and his words made Wang Zhengqiang feel even more awkward.

’That’s men for you. There’s always a competitive streak in them, always comparing themselves to each other.’

’When they’re broke, they like to compare size. When they’re rich, they like to show off their income and bank balances.’

”You guys hold on to the leftover cards for now. Even though freshman registration is over, there are definitely still people who want to get a campus card.”

Chen Yansen pushed Song Yang’s cards back to him.

”Alright then.”

Song Yang nodded, his mind already calculating where else he could find large groups of new students besides at the welcome events.

Chen Yansen walked ahead, his shadow stretched long by the dim yellow streetlights.

...

...

The next morning, the hurried chirping of birds outside the window woke Chen Yansen.

’Looks like I’ll have to move out.’

Chen Yansen sat up in bed and sighed deeply. He had underestimated how difficult it would be to reintegrate into campus life. Just dealing with his roommates’ snoring and teeth-grinding was a hurdle he couldn’t clear.

He picked up his phone to check the time, then opened an unread text message.

”Mr. Chen, the paperwork has been processed for you. If it’s convenient, you can come pick up the documents at any time.”

It was a message from the agency that handled the processing.

Chen Yansen replied with an ’OK,’ rolled out of bed, brushed his teeth and washed his face, then took a neatly ironed suit from his suitcase. After getting dressed, he headed downstairs.

The Mercedes E300 he had rented was parked at the cafeteria entrance. Not long after he got in, Wang Zihao, also dressed sharply in a suit, came running up, out of breath.

”Brother Sen, are we going to find Zhao Maolin to get our commission now?”

Wang Zihao asked curiously as he got into the car.

”Not yet. First, come with me to Huamao. I need to pick something up.”

Chen Yansen replied casually, without further explanation.

Huamao was the largest shopping complex in Xucheng. It had heavy foot traffic and was surrounded by an office park, making it the most prosperous core area of the city.

Watching the scene grow livelier, Wang Zihao grinned cheekily and said, ”We’re finally out of Dong’er Village. It’s finally starting to feel like we’re going into the city.”

Chen Yansen smiled, parked the car in the underground garage, and the two took the elevator to the ground floor.

The lights were bright and dazzling. Counters for major brands like Dior and Chanel were lined up in a row. A few steps further in were specialty stores for Tiffany & Co. and Cartier. The luxurious decor made Wang Zihao a bit intimidated, but when he saw how calm and composed Chen Yansen was, he instantly relaxed.

”Brother Sen, what are we doing here?”

Wang Zihao couldn’t hold back his curiosity and asked with a puzzled look on his face.

”Buying a watch.”

Chen Yansen answered concisely, pointing to a luxury watch store not far away.

With that, he walked up to a display case and said to the saleswoman, ”Miss, my budget is around seventy thousand. Could you recommend three models for me?”

The impeccably made-up saleswoman looked up at his words. After taking in their attire, her face immediately broke into a smile, and her voice became syrupy sweet, ”Hello, sir. In the seventy-thousand price range, we have three Rolex models that meet your requirements. Please follow me.”

She made a welcoming gesture, led the two to a seating area, and served them tea with a broad smile.

”This Rolex Datejust is one of our best-sellers. It costs sixty-two thousand, eight hundred. Its strap...”

As the saleswoman spoke, she observed Chen Yansen’s expression. Seeing that he was unfazed, she felt more certain and continued, ”This Rolex Explorer costs sixty-one thousand, eight hundred. The top-spec version can go for around seventy thousand. The last one is the Milgauss series, designed for scientific research, which has anti-magnetic properties...”

Just as she was about to elaborate on the specifications and materials, Chen Yansen cut her off, pointing to the Rolex Explorer. ”Wrap this one up for me. Put the receipt in the box. By the way, if I’m not satisfied, can I get an unconditional refund within a few days?”

The first half of his sentence made the saleswoman’s heart sing, but the second half deflated her completely. She cursed ’bad luck’ under her breath. Being worldly and experienced, she instantly understood Chen Yansen’s intention.

However, she didn’t dare show a hint of dissatisfaction on her face, forcing a smile as she replied, ”You can get a refund or exchange anytime within two days with the receipt.”

”Card.”

Chen Yansen’s tone was flat as he casually handed over his card.

”Brother Sen, are you crazy? This watch is sixty-one thousand, eight hundred, not sixty-eight!”

Wang Zihao reminded him in a hushed voice after the saleswoman had walked away.

”This watch is a gift for Zhao Maolin. You think I’m buying it for myself? We made about three hundred grand this time. We have to show some sincerity and let him get a taste.”

Chen Yansen explained unhurriedly.

’The value of this watch was about twenty percent of their total profit, and that was his bottom line. If the other party accepted it and still tried to pull any tricks with their commission, then they couldn’t blame him for not playing by the rules.’

”Damn it, we worked our asses off, and he just sat in his office doing nothing, but he still gets to take 20% for free?”

Wang Zihao said indignantly.

”There are plenty of people who do no work but take the biggest cut. If you don’t like it, then you’d better climb your way to the top so you can be the one stepping on them in the future.”

Chen Yansen scoffed and let out a small, sharp laugh.

’Twenty percent is nothing.’

’The previous campus general agent only got a 70 yuan commission per card and never saw a single cent from the top-up rebates.’

「Meanwhile.」

Zhao Maolin was sitting in his office, on the phone with someone. A voice came from the receiver, ”His father owns a bookstore in Chunshen. I’ve checked the Mercedes; it’s registered to a rental company in Zhou Lai. Also, he has a newly established company under his own name called Senhai...”

’No power, no money, no connections?’

Zhao Maolin’s brows furrowed. Based on the information he’d gathered, Chen Yansen wasn’t the kind of second-generation rich kid he had imagined. But how could an ordinary bookstore owner raise a son with such eloquence and worldliness?

’Something’s not right!’

Zhao Maolin shot to his feet and began pacing back and forth in the room.