Stronger by Paying Salaries and I Have 1 Billion Employees

Roosters crowed as dawn broke, the sky just beginning to lighten.

Chen Yansen woke up early. He slipped on his slippers and got out of bed. The air in Ye Qiuping’s room carried a milky scent, mingled with the sweet fragrance of ripe fruit.

He sat down on the living room sofa and started scrolling through his phone.

’Xiaomi’s 2012 Sales Surpass 4 Million Units, Revenue Exceeds 6 Billion.’

’Strategic Emerging Industries Development Plan Released: Urban Broadband Speeds to Reach 20M, Rural 4M by 2015.’

’Internet Companies Flock to Smartphone Market, Vying for Entry Point to the Mobile Internet.’

Chen Yansen tapped on the third headline. The article detailed the sales figures for phones from Aliyun, 360, Shanda, and NetEase; even Qian Du had announced plans to manufacture its own phone.

’A Qian Du phone?’

’I’ve never even heard of it!’

The fourth headline was ’Jingdong’s Mao Dou Gate.’ Chen Yansen glanced at it, thinking that the news in 2012 was particularly bizarre. ’How the hell did this make it to the top trending list?’

But, driven by curiosity and a desire to study a competitor’s strategy, he tapped on it anyway.

Last night at 9:28 PM, Jingdong’s Director of Small Appliance Purchasing and Sales, Zhuang Yujia, posted three photos on Weibo: drunken crab and marinated edamame. Ten minutes later, Liu Qiangdong also posted photos of the same dishes on his Weibo. The angles were different, but the plates and the wood grain of the tabletop were identical.

The comment sections on both of their posts had already exploded.

But it was only 5:40 AM. The two of them were clearly not awake yet, and apparently, completely unaware of the situation.

’Jingdong’s PR department has a worrying response time. Is it really that hard to call the boss?’

’Or does Handsome Dong have a habit of turning his phone off when he sleeps?’

Chen Yansen’s eyes narrowed. He sensed something was off. Knowing Handsome Dong’s style, there was no way he would have flaunted his relationship so openly.

’If it wasn’t him, then it must have been the other person.’

”Even heroes have a weakness for beautiful women. They fall into the same trap time and time again, and clearly, Handsome Dong is enjoying every minute of it.”

Chen Yansen chuckled softly and muttered to himself.

At this thought, he turned to look at the sleeping Ye Qiuping. ’If Teacher Ye ever used this trick on me, how would I defend myself?’

「Meanwhile.」

Liu Qiangdong sat on a sofa by the window, an Apple iPhone 4S in his hands. He scrolled endlessly through the comments, his brow furrowing deeper and deeper.

”Boss, I’m sorry. I didn’t think this would happen.” Zhuang Yujia stood before Liu Qiangdong. Seeing his increasingly grim expression, she instantly knew she had overplayed her hand.

”I’m heading back to the office.” Liu Qiangdong set down his phone and stared at Zhuang Yujia for a dozen seconds before giving a faint smile. ’I misjudged her,’ he thought. ’I underestimated this woman.’

”Should I post a reply, then?” Zhuang Yujia asked cautiously.

”No. The PR department will handle it.” Liu Qiangdong shook his head, opened the door, and walked straight out.

It was a late August morning in Yanjing. The sky was a gloomy gray, and as a light breeze swept past, Liu Qiangdong felt a chill run through his heart.

”Wasn’t just dating good enough?”

Liu Qiangdong got into a Hummer H2 and sped toward Jingdong Headquarters.

’Dating was his personal affair. Whether to go public, and when, was his decision to make, and his alone.’

’He saw right through Zhuang Yujia’s little schemes. He could understand them, but that didn’t mean he approved.’

’The moment he walked out of her building, he had put an end to their three-year relationship.’

’There were plenty of beautiful women in the world!’

’What Liu Qiangdong hated most were women who were disobedient, tactless, and always scheming. He knew with certainty that if she could plot against him once, she would do it again.’

At 10:00 AM, guided by his PR department, Liu Qiangdong posted an official response on Weibo. He briefly acknowledged the relationship and denied netizens’ speculation that it was a publicity stunt to generate traffic.

But the moment Zhuang Yujia arrived at the office, she received a transfer order, essentially kicking her out of Yanjing and reassigning her to Hu City.

In that instant, she understood Liu Qiangdong’s intention.

”Men... every last one of them is ruthless,” Zhuang Yujia said with a self-mocking laugh.

’However, if Liu Qiangdong thought he could get rid of her that easily, he was mistaken.’

With an icy glint in her eyes, Zhuang Yujia strode into Liu Qiangdong’s office under the stares of countless onlookers, ready to make her final stand.

「Elsewhere.」

After seeing the news, Song Yuncheng couldn’t help but think about her own relationship with Chen Yansen, which also had to be kept out of the public eye.

”Song Yuncheng!”

Just as she was lost in thought, a familiar voice called her name. She looked up to see Chen Yansen and Ma Wenteng walking side by side, followed by Liu Zhiping, Huang Zheng, and others. Including assistants and bodyguards, the entourage numbered more than twenty people.

With no time to think, Song Yuncheng quickly put her phone away and hurried forward to greet them.

”Mr. Ma, President Liu, welcome to Pinbei. We’re honored to have you visit.”

Song Yuncheng greeted them with a poised and gracious smile.

Standing to the side, Huang Zheng tensed internally. He mentally revised his estimation of Song Yuncheng’s status, bumping it up several notches.

He was a smart man and had a crystal-clear understanding of the organizational logic in both domestic and Western internet companies.

Generally speaking, since Ma Wenteng and Liu Zhiping were investors and core shareholders in Pinbei, the responsibility of hosting them should have fallen to the investor relations department.

But Pinbei hadn’t established such a department. Usually, Gao Weilin and Chen Yansen would handle it, with collaborative support from the Marketing Department and the brand department.

But Song Yuncheng’s title was Director of Investment Attraction for Major Accounts!

She had neither the relevant duties nor the corresponding authority for this!

”Director Song, long time no see! It seems President Chen has a real knack for cultivating talent. Even I’ve heard of the reputation of Pinbei’s Director of Major Accounts.”

Ma Wenteng said, teasing her with a smile.

Although they had last met two years ago, she had left a deep impression on him.

Back when Penguin had participated in FoxTao’s angel investment round, it was Song Yuncheng who had presented the business plan to him and Liu Zhiping.