December 31, 2006.
Many people did not sleep in the early hours of this day.
Today, the list of attendees for Renren.com's annual meeting will be announced.
Although the list didn't change much on the last day, some people were still guarding against players outside the top ten 'stealing the tower' at the last minute.
At 1 AM, Renren.com launched a special page for the annual meeting's invited guest list.
The top ten Renren.com users by level, the top ten by number of followers, the top ten by total posts and replies, the top ten by most achievements unlocked, and ten lucky draw users, a total of fifty lucky individuals, all received private messages from the backend and had their IDs appear on the invited guest list.
In addition, the top ten Renren Waimai users by order count, the top ten by total consumption amount, and the top ten by most achievements unlocked were also listed separately on another page.
"We will send out invitation letters to you all via the Blue Riders at each school before 6 PM on December 31st. Let's meet on New Year's Day."
Comments below flooded in like clouds.
"See you there."
"See you there +1"
"So envious of those who can attend the annual meeting. I heard they get free food and free gifts."
"Alas, failed to 'steal the tower'. That guy in tenth place is very vigilant, a real night owl."
"Just watch the live graphic broadcast honestly."
"Hahahaha, hands on hips, gloating for a bit. Already received a private message from the backend."
"+1"
"To the person above, by the way, are you selling this invitation letter?"
"No, the administrator just asked for my ID number. It's probably real-name registration."
"..."
The next day, someone who received an invitation couldn't wait to post it online, making other users incredibly envious.
"I heard this thing is hard to get? I don't know, someone gave me one, and I'm still hesitating whether to go."
"What are you pretending to do upstairs? They told you it's real-name registration, you can't use someone else's."
"That's right, my name is written on the invitation letter."
"Is there an inside story? Did you get the invitation through the back door?"
"Nonono, not at all, Chen Pingjiang and I are roommates."
"Bro, which dorm is he in? I'm going to go block him now."
"Envious of being in the same dorm as a big shot."
Chen Pingjiang looked at the post in front of him, his mouth twitched, and he felt an urge to hit someone.
The pretentious vibe emanating from the lines of text, even if turned to ash, Chen Pingjiang would know it was Zhao Shaoyang.
These guys kept asking him for invitation letters every day, and finally, unable to stand the harassment, Chen Pingjiang gave one to each person in dorm 603.
He didn't expect Zhao Shaoyang to show it off online so quickly.
Not long after, trouble came.
Someone @Chen Pingjiang in the QQ group.
"Class monitor, everyone in your dorm has a Renren.com annual meeting invitation, why don't the rest of us classmates?"
"Exactly, they are your classmates, so are we! Haven't seen you in ages, really miss you."
"Everyone who sees it gets a share, everyone who sees it gets a share."
"..."
Zhao Shaoyang probably knew he had caused trouble and quickly called Chen Pingjiang to apologize.
Chen Pingjiang chewed him out fiercely over the phone.
Are you messing with your dad?
Now it's great, everyone in the class wants one, giving it is difficult, not giving it is also difficult.
After thinking for a moment, Chen Pingjiang typed out a string of words.
"The venue is a bit small this year, it's my oversight. Next year I'll invite everyone together. When spring comes, I'll take everyone on a spring outing nearby."
"Everyone, stop making a fuss. Chen Pingjiang is busy with work matters, not sightseeing and feasting."
Zhu Guangtong also came out to help, which finally quieted down the discussions.
Time quickly came to January 1st, New Year's Day.
Today, apart from essential on-duty personnel, the rest of the company surged towards Wanbin Hotel, every employee with an excited look on their face.
The specific schedule for the annual meeting was entry starting at 2 PM, official start at 2:30 PM, first with leaders' speeches, then Chen Pingjiang's job report, followed by the most anticipated performance segment, and finally the lottery and dinner.
It was no different from most company arrangements, a full itinerary.
Today's protagonist was Chen Pingjiang.
Dressed in a sharp suit, he had already arrived at Wanbin Hotel by noon.
The scale of this annual meeting was top-notch; Chen Pingjiang even specially hired people from the hotel for the registration and signing area, showing great effort.
Around 1:30 PM, Chen Pingjiang, along with Li Xi and Gao Songbin, were already standing at the entrance of the banquet hall, ready to welcome guests and partners.
Li Xi was in charge of the sales team, and Gao Songbin was in charge of the ground promotion team.
These two were most familiar with the partners.
In fact, many companies invite partners and suppliers when holding annual meetings.
Firstly, to express gratitude for their support over the past year, secondly, to strengthen cooperation and communication, and finally, to showcase the company's strength and achievements.
Before long, Renren.com users began to enter one after another; they were the most enthusiastic.
Some walked around with digital cameras, snapping photos, and would exclaim "Wow" at the sight of the magnificent banquet hall.
"Hey, handsome, is that Chen Pingjiang, your company's boss?"
"Yes, he's our boss."
"Everyone says Chen Pingjiang is tall and handsome. I'll take some photos to satisfy my sisters' cravings."
After speaking, the girl rapidly snapped several photos of Chen Pingjiang.
Li Xi and Gao Songbin were busy non-stop, greeting people everywhere.
During this time, Wan Qiping, Lü Lizhen and her husband, and He Zhiyu and his wife also arrived.
Chen Pingjiang chatted with them all the way, so as not to neglect anyone.
Such occasions are a true test of hosting skills, requiring one to distinguish between the 'big and small kings' and to appropriately manage everyone's emotions.
The sharp-eyed He Zhiyu immediately spotted various small appliances piled up like a small mountain against the wall, shaking his head with a bitter smile, and patted Chen Pingjiang's shoulder helplessly.
Chen Pingjiang laughed heartily:
"Tonight, we absolutely must have a few drinks. Yuanfang Supermarket is our annual meeting's largest sponsor."
School leaders like Kuang Minghong, Lu Ye, and Zhu Guangtong came together.
They were quite emotional about Chen Pingjiang creating such a big stir in just a few months.
When Ning Yongde arrived, many people came out to greet him and chat.
"Excellent, very lively and impressive,"
Ning Yongde said as he walked, hands clasped together.
"That's also thanks to the support of leaders at all levels of Dongcai,"
Chen Pingjiang smiled modestly.
"Following this trend, it won't be long before Dongcai might be proud of you,"
Ning Yongde said with a smile.
Qiao Zirang, the Renren.com stationmaster at Donghai Communication University, also came to the annual meeting today.
He was a very special existence within the entire Renren.com system.
Nominally, he was a Renren.com employee, but only needed to operate within Communication University.
So, in fact, besides having met Wan Yuqian, who was in charge of human resources, he hadn't met anyone else, including Chen Pingjiang.
Coming to the site today, Qiao Zirang's sense of belonging to Renren.com surged.
Upon seeing the legendary boss, Qiao Zirang was incredibly curious.
Chen Pingjiang's name was not only very popular at the University of Finance and Economics but now even spread to Jiangning University Town.
The magnificent banquet hall and the technologically advanced stage stimulated Qiao Zirang's senses.
Occasional gasps of surprise from around him made Qiao Zirang feel honored.
Just then, with a "boom," all the lights went out, and everything became pitch black.
The originally noisy banquet hall instantly fell silent.
"Could it be a power outage?"
"Probably not, it's such a big hotel."
No sooner had they finished speaking than the huge LED display on the stage lit up, showing a colossal number "10", and then began to count down.
With each number counted down, the audience's anticipation grew.
When the countdown reached 0, a picture appeared.
On the screen, a girl was handing out flyers, her top already soaked with sweat:
"Classmate, we are from Renren.com..."
The scene then changed, switching to the earliest office on the commercial street, dimly lit, conditions difficult, everyone working diligently at their desks.
At company gatherings, everyone drank heartily and laughed about life.
Several video clips in a row showed snippets of Renren.com's entrepreneurial journey, documenting and describing Renren.com from different perspectives.
Chen Pingjiang asked Zhuo Ling curiously,
"Where did these videos come from?"
"Do you still remember Bai Lijia from the student union?"
Chen Pingjiang nodded:
"I remember, she was from the external relations department, and my subordinate."
"Back then, wasn't she assigned to our content department to help out? She occasionally took a camera and filmed everywhere. This time, knowing we were holding a party, I went to her to get them. How is it? Not bad, right?"
Chen Pingjiang gave a thumbs-up:
"These need to be preserved well. Years from now, when Renren.com goes public and these are released online, it'll be absolutely amazing."
The short film continued to play, the camera having switched to Renren.com after it moved to Entrepreneurship Park 202.
Renren Waimai's Blue Riders rode their electric scooters through every corner of the campus, becoming a unique sight on campus.
Users' faces brimming with joyful smiles upon receiving their takeaways.
Scene after scene recorded Renren.com's journey to date.
Some saw themselves in the short film, some marveled at Renren.com's rapid development, and more felt the difficulty of entrepreneurship.
After the short film ended, the host walked onto the stage.
"Holy cow, Renren.com went all out, they even invited the provincial TV station's resident host."
"I really like his variety shows."
"Boss is awesome!"
...
After Ning Yongde and He Zhiyu, as school leaders and partner representatives, finished their speeches one by one, everyone knew it was Chen Pingjiang's turn next.
Employees and partners who knew Chen Pingjiang were highly anticipating his speech.
As the founder and general manager, Chen Pingjiang's role at the annual meeting was special.
Renren.com users and some partners who didn't know Chen Pingjiang were curious about Renren.com's mysterious young boss.
They really wanted to see what magic this freshman student possessed.
Under everyone's gaze, Chen Pingjiang slowly walked onto the stage, step by step.
With a handsome smile, he waved towards the audience.
"Hello everyone!"
Clamor.
A chorus of voices rose from the audience.
"Hello, Boss."
"Boss is awesome."
Zhao Shaoyang excitedly shouted:
"Brother Chen, I want to have your babies!"
"..."
Only when the shouting stopped did Chen Pingjiang raise the microphone and say:
"Distinguished leaders, esteemed guests, dear colleagues of Renren.com, dear users of Renren.com and Renren Waimai, thank you all very much for taking time out of your busy schedules to attend our annual meeting."
Another round of applause.
Young Renren.com users and company employees cheered loudly with excited expressions, their palms nearly red from clapping.
Many partner representatives secretly clicked their tongues, seeing the expressions of admiration on the young people's faces around them.
It's normal for employees to applaud during a general leader's speech, but never have employees looked at the stage with such adoration.
It was almost like fan-girling.
Chen Pingjiang showed no stage fright at all, speaking with power and conviction.
"The short film just now moved me greatly. The scene of starting the business is still vivid in my mind. I didn't expect time to pass so quickly; in the blink of an eye, it's already winter, and Renren.com and Renren Waimai have grown from nothing to what they are today, and have come this far."
He Zhiyu laughed despite himself.
This kid's words had a hint of asking for a beating.
Such words could be said by someone who has been entrepreneurial for several or even over ten years, but Renren.com has only been around for a few months?
Chen Pingjiang continued:
"We provide online social networking and online ordering with offline delivery services to 100,000 teachers and students in Xianlin University Town. Here, we connect with old friends, make new ones, indulge in the ocean of music, and the mountains of knowledge. Here, we have laughter and inexplicable emotional moved. Thank you for accompanying us all the way."
"Clap, clap, clap!"
Another round of warm applause.
When the applause subsided a little, Chen Pingjiang said with a smile:
"During military training in the summer, I had the urge to start a business, wanting to personally create an online social platform. Later, I met our CTO, Mr. Miao Bingwei. He was the one who brought my ideas to life, one by one. He is also our Renren.com's 'No. 1' employee."
Following the direction of Chen Pingjiang's finger, Miao Bingwei stood up smiling and waved to the crowd.
In a corner of the audience, Yan Yan gazed intently at the handsome figure on stage, her eyes filled with tenderness.
"I don't know how your boyfriend's brain is wired. Oh my god, he's truly a character from a novel. In just two or three months, from scratch, he's built such a huge enterprise. In comparison, what are the boys in our school?"
Cao Jie said, leaning on Yan Yan's shoulder and smiling.
"Later, we recruited more and more people, and these individuals have now become the mainstays of the company, my right-hand people. If I were to talk about who I am most grateful to, it would be my alma mater, Dongjiang University of Finance and Economics.
It was my counselor Zhu Guangtong, Dean Kuang, Dean Lu, and our Principal Ning who provided computers and venues during the company's most difficult times. Without their strong support, Renren.com might have failed long ago."
The leaders of the University of Finance and Economics applauded with smiles, their faces beaming with pride.
"We also need to thank our users and partners, you are the lifelines of Renren.com!"
"If we were to summarize the work achievements of Renren.com and Renren Waimai in 2006, it would be 'laying the foundation'. And our outlook for 2007 is 'takeoff'!"
"We want all university students in Dongjiang, and even all citizens of Dongjiang, to use Renren.com!"
"However, is that enough?"
"We must also break out of Dongjiang and go nationwide!"
Accompanied by almost roaring shouts, everyone in the venue felt a surge of excitement.
Li Xi and the others clapped wildly, their faces flushed, shouting:
"Takeoff! Charge!"
Ning Yongde nodded in admiration, turning to Lu Ye and Kuang Minghong beside him, and said:
"The students you've educated are truly born speakers; their ability to inspire and stir emotions is remarkable."
The representatives of Renren.com's partners felt Chen Pingjiang's aura and were quite shaken.
They didn't expect Renren.com's ambition to be so great, and that it would be entering the national market so soon.
No one would refuse such a valuable and potential partner.
Many already planned to increase their budget upon returning.
Chen Pingjiang paced with a smile:
"I believe the emergence of Renren Waimai has epoch-making significance. Firstly, it has provided employment opportunities for many university students working part-time.
As of now, we have two hundred Blue Riders, with a maximum daily income reaching 325 yuan and an average monthly salary reaching 3500 yuan. When Renren Waimai eventually covers the entire city of Dongjiang, how many employment opportunities will we provide?"
Liu Cheng nodded admiringly:
"If it continues to develop at this rate, it won't be long before young Chen becomes a prominent figure in the district and the city."
Lü Lizhen also said with a smile:
"Absolutely, a major taxpayer, a major job provider; any leader would be impressed."
On stage, Chen Pingjiang's voice continued:
"Most importantly, the appearance of Renren Waimai has changed people's lifestyles, offering everyone diverse and convenient options."
"Yes, we are changing the world!"
When Chen Pingjiang blurted out this sentence, it seemed as if the entire gala was elevated.
This was both his mission as an entrepreneur and Renren.com's vision and values.
The entire venue erupted in cheers like mountains and seas, reaching a climax.
(End of this chapter)
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