When Chen Pingjiang took the invitation to Ning Yongde's office, Ning Yongde was wearing reading glasses, flipping through posts on renren.com.
Unexpectedly, he was also a heavy poster.
Seeing Chen Pingjiang, Ning Yongde smilingly took off his reading glasses and amiably poured Chen Pingjiang a glass of water.
"Congratulations on your promotion, President Ning."
It was somewhat mysterious.
After Chen Pingjiang returned from inspecting renren.com, Ning Yongde was promoted by one rank, becoming President and Deputy Party Secretary, overseeing all work at the University of Finance and Economics.
"What is there to congratulate? No matter the position, it's all about serving the faculty and students of the University of Finance and Economics."
Ning Yongde spoke in an official tone, but it would be false to say he wasn't happy; he had finally achieved his desired position after years of waiting.
Looking at the invitation Chen Pingjiang handed him, he teased with a smile,
"Is it appropriate for us to attend your company's annual dinner?"
"You're being too polite. Many people in our company are students from the University of Finance and Economics, and renren.com could only thrive with your support. Everyone at the company is looking forward to your guidance."
Ning Yongde smiled and pointed at Chen Pingjiang,
"I don't know where you learned to speak like that. After what you said, I'd be too embarrassed not to go."
Chen Pingjiang chuckled,
"President, if you don't go, other school leaders certainly won't. Then outsiders might think renren.com doesn't have the school's support. Besides, many partners and some renren.com users will be among the guests this time, and we especially need your presence to endorse us."
"I've accepted the invitation; I'll definitely be there."
Then Chen Pingjiang added,
"Would you mind giving a speech at the annual dinner, President?"
"Sure, no problem."
As per custom, if a high-ranking leader attends, they always speak; Ning Yongde had already anticipated this.
"I see you've been quite active recently. I often see food delivery riders on campus, and discussions about Renren Waimai are everywhere on renren.com. They say you've subsidized a lot of money in the early stages?"
Chen Pingjiang nodded,
"To let more people get to know, understand, and use Renren Waimai, initial subsidies are essential."
"A deputy editor from Dongjiang Daily even came to me. He said he tried to interview you before but was rejected."
"After the New Year. I might be seeking the first round of financing then, and I'll use the media to build publicity."
After leaving Ning Yongde's office, Chen Pingjiang carried a pile of invitations and visited all the college and university leaders.
All the key people had to be invited; it wouldn't look good if anyone was missed.
For his last stop, Chen Pingjiang decided to go to Yuanfang Supermarket to find He Zhiyu and solicit a favor.
After explaining his purpose, Chen Pingjiang plopped onto the sofa,
"I have good news for you, Old He. Many partners wanted to sponsor the gift portion of our annual dinner, but I righteously and sternly rejected them all. I only left this opportunity for you."
He Zhiyu, who was pouring water, nearly dropped the kettle.
He said with a forced smile,
"Well then, I really have to thank you."
Chen Pingjiang magnanimously waved his hand,
"It's nothing. After all, I'm also a consultant for our Yuanfang Supermarket."
"Actually, I also have some good news for you,"
He Zhiyu said after thinking for a moment.
"?"
"I personally am very optimistic about the development prospects of Renren Waimai, and I hope we can have a long-term relationship, so I plan to invest in the Renren Waimai business."
Chen Pingjiang seemed startled and flinched back,
"It can't be, Old He. I'm just taking some unsold items as prizes, which won't cost much. You actually have your sights set on my Renren Waimai?"
He Zhiyu said with a smile,
"Look, you're so short on cash that you're even pre-drawing your entire year's salary. With my investment, won't Renren Waimai's cash flow be more abundant? If I'm not mistaken, after the New Year you'll be entering Jiangning University Town and other universities, and you'll be even more strapped for cash then."
The idea of investing in Renren Waimai was not a spur-of-the-moment decision for He Zhiyu.
On one hand, he was indeed optimistic about Chen Pingjiang and his project; on the other hand, he wanted to completely bind himself to Chen Pingjiang.
The final consideration was that it could help Yuanfang Supermarket gain a firm foothold in online sales.
Chen Pingjiang frowned,
"Are you serious?"
"Of course."
"Then I won't hide it from you. Currently, neither renren.com nor Renren Waimai has any financing plans, because I can't agree on a price with any investor. In my mind, renren.com and Renren Waimai are valued at one hundred million, but to outsiders, both only have a hundred thousand registered users, valuing them at a few million at most. So, there's no way to discuss it."
He Zhiyu genuinely wanted to invest, but he didn't expect Chen Pingjiang to value both at over one hundred million.
He couldn't help but ask curiously,
"Is it pure confidence, or are you certain you can succeed?"
Chen Pingjiang blinked,
"Is there a difference between the two?"
"Of course there's a difference. Blind confidence and demanding one hundred million based on the company's potential and your own strength are two different concepts."
"Why even ask? Don't worry, there will be a financing plan in the first half of next year. If you're still interested then, we can talk."
He Zhiyu nodded in agreement, not probing further on the topic.
"Go pick up the gifts yourself at the store. I'll inform my staff."
"Then I won't be polite."
Chen Pingjiang immediately ran downstairs to the store and started browsing, also calling a few employees to come over, mainly because he was afraid it would be difficult to carry too much away.
"I won't take the cheap stuff, and I'm afraid Old He will kill me if I take the really expensive stuff. Small appliances are perfect."
Chen Pingjiang genuinely had no qualms about taking them.
Hair dryers, juicers, electric razors—nothing was spared.
He even took several rice cookers.
These small appliances certainly weren't high-grade enough for grand prizes, but they were definitely fine as small gifts.
Li Xi and others were stunned when they arrived at Yuanfang Supermarket.
Their boss had two shopping carts overflowing, and he was continuously adding more, almost emptying out the shelves, forcing the supermarket staff to quickly restock.
Although each item wasn't much money, the sheer quantity added up.
After clearing out the small appliances, Chen Pingjiang then set his sights on the surrounding beverages and snacks.
"Twenty bags of this, fifteen bags of that,"
Chen Pingjiang directed, and Li Xi and the others were responsible for moving them.
"Boss, aren't these things much more expensive to buy at the supermarket? If we're preparing annual dinner gifts, I feel it would be cheaper to buy them at an appliance store, or online?"
Li Xi watched as two more shopping carts were filled in no time, secretly gasping.
Chen Pingjiang tilted his head and looked at him with a strange expression,
"These don't cost money."
"Huh?"
"..."
"Boss, you're awesome."
Chen Pingjiang looked at his spoils, clapped his hands in satisfaction, deeming it enough.
"Push them out. I probably can't fit them all in my car, so each of you call a taxi to load them. Put those rice cookers, electric kettles, coffee machines, and similar items aside; those are for the office."
The store manager, who had been informed by He Zhiyu, felt his heart sink when he saw Chen Pingjiang and a few others pushing four full shopping carts towards him.
"You're really bleeding us dry, sir."
Without the slightest politeness.
Because it was packed too full, packaging bags kept falling from the shopping cart filled with snacks.
Chen Pingjiang smiled awkwardly,
"My apologies, the feeling of clearing out stock was too good. I accidentally took too much and couldn't control myself."
The store manager was also a shrewd person, putting on a professional smile,
"Not much at all, not at all. Mr. He has already given instructions, take as much as you like."
"Really? Then help me arrange a delivery truck, save us the taxi fare."
"..."
He Zhiyu was dumbfounded when he received the call.
He told him to take, and he really dared to take, filling up four shopping carts.
The person in question, Chen Pingjiang, was already happily driving his car, following the delivery truck into the business park.
All the male employees working at the company were dispatched, making several trips back and forth before everything was finally moved in.
The female employees screamed and cheered, looking at the piles of various goods in front of them.
"The boss is so thoughtful, there's White Rabbit milk candy, which I love!"
"Oh my god, why are there even hand warmers?"
"Boss, how much stuff did you buy?"
Chen Pingjiang stood with his hands on his hips and laughed domineeringly,
"Aren't you all complaining about the cold every day? I specially brought a few heaters for you. Anyway, our electricity bill is free, so warm up the office nicely every day."
"Here, take the rice cookers. You can cook rice or whatever when you have time."
"Humidifiers to prevent dryness."
"Huh? What the hell, who the f*ck brought back so many 7th Heaven pads for me? Are you brain damaged?"
"..."
Chen Pingjiang arranged each item like a nouveau riche, truly being generous with someone else's money.
He Zhiyu would surely be furious to death if he knew.
Wan Yuqian stared blankly,
"I'm curious, how did you convince the Yuanfang Supermarket boss to let you take so much stuff?"
"Does this need convincing? With your boss stepping in, it was a piece of cake."
Walking into the office, Chen Pingjiang looked at the apple on the table in confusion and asked,
"Who put this apple here? I hate eating apples. Next time, get some cherries or something."
A female employee outside covered her mouth and laughed,
"Boss, that's a 'peace fruit.' Did you forget today is Christmas Eve?"
"He definitely wouldn't remember. How would a single person remember such a day?"
Miao Bingwei chuckled mockingly.
Chen Pingjiang didn't like hearing that.
"What's wrong with being single? Do single people eat your rice? Besides, it's the pot calling the kettle black. Engineer Miao, aren't you single too?"
Miao Bingwei swaggeringly touched his receding hairline,
"Excuse me, I'm going to pick up my date after work tonight to watch a movie, Old Mouzi's 'Curse of the Golden Flower'."
"Huh? You have a girlfriend? Is my sister-in-law blind to fancy you?"
"Go, go, go, what are you talking about?"
Miao Bingwei rolled his eyes repeatedly.
Chen Pingjiang pointed at Miao Bingwei's head,
"Stop pulling it out, or you'll be 'extremely smart' (bald)."
This remark hit a raw nerve with Miao Bingwei; programmers are quite afraid of that.
Somehow, the topic shifted back to "Curse of the Golden Flower."
"The cast is too luxurious—Chow Yun-Fat, Gong Li, and most importantly, my idol Jay Chou."
"I haven't seen it yet. Want to go together tonight?"
"..."
This topic successfully stirred Chen Pingjiang's memories.
He sneered to himself,
"People actually watch a movie where the entire family has no normal people."
After wandering around for a while, Chen Pingjiang, seeing there was nothing to do, strolled back to the dorm.
"Hey bros, I'm back!"
Chen Pingjiang kicked open the dorm door with his hands in his pockets.
Only Little He was slumped over a desk reading.
Chen Pingjiang asked curiously,
"Where did everyone go?"
He Siyu turned his head and said,
"Those going to movies went to movies, those eating went to eat, and Wang Lei probably went online."
Chen Pingjiang nodded,
"Today's Christmas Eve, why aren't you out having fun?"
"They said they were afraid you'd be bored alone when you came back, so they told me to stay in the dorm and keep you company."
For a moment, Chen Pingjiang felt the coldness of human hearts.
"You bastards, who are you looking down on? Dong Tinghui must have said that. Only that jerk can utter such chilling words from a human mouth."
"I won't have anyone to accompany me? What a joke! If I just wave my hand, the girls who would accompany me would line up from downstairs of the dorm all the way to the main gate."
"I'm busy building my career; I don't have time for relationships."
Chen Pingjiang babbled on for a long time, not knowing if he was talking to himself or to He Siyu, and the more he talked, the angrier he got.
After a while, He Siyu saw him finish muttering,
"Are the ones queuing up foot masseuses or 'princesses'?"
Chen Pingjiang was startled, staring blankly at He Siyu,
"You're really out of line. Living with them, have you become so imperceptibly influenced that you can say such provocative things?"
Just then, Chen Pingjiang's phone chimed with a text message.
Cong Nini: Class monitor, are you free tonight? Let's go watch a movie together.
Chen Pingjiang: Why isn't the Sea King fishing in her own pond, how did you find your way to me?
Cong Nini: I'm not a Sea King anymore; I've released all my fish.
Chen Pingjiang: I'm not free tonight.
Cong Nini: You're lying to me, aren't you? How about I wear something nice for you tonight? I have a bunny girl outfit and a nurse uniform.
Chen Pingjiang clicked his tongue, thinking that Cong Nini had truly become a different person after being slapped last time.
She was so provocative, making Chen Pingjiang suddenly feel tempted.
He turned off his phone and didn't reply.
He was now a little scared of this crazy woman.
After transforming, she liked to grab his balls.
Last time in the car, she nearly scared Chen Pingjiang to death.
Who could handle that?
Soon after, Zhou Guanghan also sent a message:
"Grand-uncle, I want to ask you, when watching a movie with a girl, should I buy a bouquet of flowers?"
Instantly, Chen Pingjiang felt the world's full malice.
What's going on?
You f*ckers can play around all you want, why do you always have to diss me?
After thinking for a moment, Chen Pingjiang sent a text message to Yan Yan.
Chen Pingjiang: Come downstairs in twenty minutes, I'll pick you up.
Soon, a reply came back from her.
"Oh!"
Chen Pingjiang nodded with satisfaction.
"I won't have women to accompany me? What a joke."
As he drove past the gate of Dongcai University, Chen Pingjiang remembered something and turned, driving towards Business Park 20.
He went straight to the office, grabbed the 'peace fruit' from his desk, and headed out again.
When the car arrived downstairs at Yan Yan's dorm, she was already waiting.
And indeed, in this respect, Yan Yan was really quite different from other women.
If it were other girls, you'd say twenty minutes, and she could drag it out for an hour.
This was probably also because other girls needed to spend a lot of time "decorating their faces," while Yan Yan didn't need to at all.
As Yan Yan got into the passenger seat and Chen Pingjiang was about to shift into D and start the car, the rear car door was suddenly pulled open.
A small figure darted in with lightning speed, startling the two in the front.
Chen Pingjiang took a closer look.
Wasn't this Yan Yan's best friend whom she introduced when he was reselling old military training uniforms at the Sports Institute last time?
Turning to glance at Yan Yan, Chen Pingjiang made a "what's going on" expression.
Yan Yan gave a wry smile,
"Cao Jie, why are you so jumpy?"
Cao Jie in the back seat proudly wagged her head,
"We agreed to go shopping together, but Chen Pingjiang sent one text and you were 'kidnapped.' Prioritizing romantic relationships over friendships, huh? I'm definitely being the third wheel today."
Yan Yan looked at Chen Pingjiang, somewhat embarrassed, not knowing what to do for a moment.
What could Chen Pingjiang do? He couldn't just kick her out.
He could only smile politely,
"Then let's go together."
(End of this chapter)
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